Thursday Volume 542 22 March 2012 No. 284

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Thursday 22 March 2012

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2012 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through The National Archives website at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/our-services/parliamentary-licence-information.htm Enquiries to The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU; e-mail: [email protected] 907 22 MARCH 2012 908

Karen Lumley: Will the Minister congratulate House of Commons Worcestershire county council, which has set aside £8.5 million in these difficult times to secure superfast broadband? In Redditch we have a £300,000 project to Thursday 22 March 2012 enable residents to stay at home and work instead of travelling into cities. What can the Government do in The House met at half-past Ten o’clock these times to help local authorities further? Mr Vaizey: We continue to invest a substantial amount PRAYERS in broadband roll-out, and I am happy to join my hon. Friend in congratulating Worcestershire county council on investing alongside the Government. It is a great [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] testament to the scheme that we have put in place that we have secured private funding and local government funding alongside central Government funding.

Oral Answers to Questions Caroline Nokes: What progress has been made to overcome the issues of state aid in unlocking the rural broadband fund, which will help in counties such as Hampshire? CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Mr Vaizey: We have applied for a UK-wide scheme The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media for state aid approval. We believe that we are close to and Sport was asked— approval, and we continue to work closely with the European Commission on the issue.

Superfast Broadband Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab): The cumbersome and expensive Broadband Delivery UK process appears 1. Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con): What almost to have eliminated competition, which ought to progress he has made on his plans to extend superfast have had a very important role in it. Ministers made a broadband to rural areas. [101297] big strategic error in supporting superfast broadband at county level, rather than regionally. Does the Minister 10. Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con): What progress recognise that it will be a scandal if the outcome of the he has made on his plans to extend superfast broadband process is that, in the end, all the money is just handed to rural areas. [101307] over to BT?

13. Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North) Mr Vaizey: I am surprised that the right hon. Gentleman, (Con): What progress he has made on his plans to as a former telecoms Minister, does not understand extend superfast broadband to rural areas. [101312] that, if we had had a national or a regional scheme, competition would have been even harder to secure. As The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, it is, three major competitors remain in play in terms of Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): May I broadband roll-out. apologise for the Secretary of State’s absence from questions today and thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving Tony Lloyd (Manchester Central) (Lab): How, in him leave of absence? The whole House will be aware of rolling out broadband, will we ensure that the people the happy reasons for that absence. who undertake installation in different regions—rural We anticipate that the broadband delivery framework areas as well as urban—do not simply move from contract will be signed with suppliers in mid-April, and London and then take their skills back to London, and we expect the first three projects to enter procurement that a skill repository is left among the work force using the framework immediately after. We have set a where broadband is installed? target for all broadband procurement to be completed by the end of 2012, so that delivery can be completed by Mr Vaizey: I cannot guarantee that the engineers who 2015. lay broadband will stay in the areas in which they work, but the key point about broadband roll-out is to ensure Julian Smith: I thank the Minister for that answer. that all parts of the country benefit from the infrastructure Rural north Yorkshire is already benefiting from the so that we can base companies with high skills all over Government’s investment in broadband, and after the country. yesterday’s Budget cities will, too, but at higher speeds. How do we avoid a continued digital divide between Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): Yesterday rural and urban areas, but at higher speeds? the Chancellor of the Exchequer found extra money to extend superfast broadband to small cities, but, as the Mr Vaizey: My hon. Friend has been a doughty hon. Member for Skipton and Ripon (Julian Smith) champion of his part of the world in securing superfast said, the real digital divide today is between those with broadband. All the country will benefit from superfast broadband and those without. Peter Cochrane, former broadband, but it is quite right that we continue to chief technical officer at BT, giving evidence in the invest in higher speeds, particularly for cities, to maintain other place, described access as “a fundamental human our global competitiveness. right”. Two million people, mainly in rural areas, are 909 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2012 Oral Answers 910 still without broadband, and Labour pledged to guarantee contact, if any, does the Minister have with the Scottish 2 megabits to almost every household by 2012, but this Government about how services are being developed Government will not achieve that until after 2015. Why north of the border? are Ministers so unfair in their treatment of rural Britain? Mr Vaizey: I have regular contact with the Scottish Government, who have welcomed the funding and are Mr Vaizey: I certainly reject the accusation that we putting in their own funding to support broadband have been unfair on rural Britain, and my glass, unlike roll-out in Scotland. the hon. Lady’s, is half full not half empty. I look forward to going on a tour with her to Belfast, Cardiff, Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen) (Con): It was Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and so on and telling once said that the entire empire hung by Lancashire’s people that they are getting unfair treatment from the thread. Will the Minister join me in congratulating Government because we are investing in their broadband Lancashire county council on prioritising superfast networks. broadband? The entire county now hangs from its fibre optic cable. Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): Rural Britain, in the shape of the small town of Bradford on Avon in Mr Vaizey: I am happy to join my hon. Friend in my constituency, welcomed the news this week that it is congratulating Lancashire on its superfast broadband. to have superfast broadband with the conversion of its It is a very innovative and go-ahead authority, which exchange. [Interruption.] In the Budget yesterday the has also been particularly pioneering in libraries. Government announced pilots, including one in Wiltshire, for rural growth networks to address the barriers to economic recovery. Will funding from those networks Press Complaints Commission be available to increase the roll-out of superfast broadband in rural areas? 3. Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (Lab): What assessment he has made of the potential Mr Vaizey: I did not hear the entire question because effects on local newspapers of the closure of the Press of the continued carping from the Opposition at our Complaints Commission. [101299] support for our major and smaller cities. I will happily work with the hon. Gentleman to ensure that all broadband The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, funding is used as effectively as possible in his area. Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): The Leveson inquiry was established by the Government Superfast Broadband last July and will make recommendations to my Department about reform for the system of press regulation. The 2. Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): What closure of the Press Complaints Commission is a matter progress he has made in improving access to superfast for the industry, but the new structure will apply to all broadband. [101298] newspapers, local or national.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Jim Sheridan: My local press are watching with interest Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): We to see what replaces the PCC. What measures are in have now approved the local broadband plans for Durham, place to defend or protect the general public when Warwickshire, Northumberland and Staffordshire project taking redress against, mainly, the national newspapers? areas, which means that 24 of the 45 plans received by Will the Minister share with the House how many the 29 February deadline have been approved; that is meetings, if any, his Department has had with national more than half. All submitted plans, including Greater newspaper editors or proprietors? Manchester’s, will be approved by the end of April 2012. Mr Vaizey: I do not have the details of meetings with We anticipate that the contract for the broadband national editors, but I am happy to share them with the delivery framework will be signed with suppliers in hon. Gentleman by way of a letter. The Press Complaints mid-April and expect the first three projects to enter Commission mediation procedures will continue during procurement using the framework immediately following the transit to a new arrangement. the contract’s being signed. We have set a target for all broadband procurements to be completed by the end Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): I draw Members’ of 2012. attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. The Press Complaints Commission Mr Nuttall: Will there be any scope for transferring is engaging in a pretty ludicrous example of shenanigans funds from the moneys announced for Greater Manchester at the moment; it is trying to bounce Leveson into some —the city region—to fill in the gaps in rural broadband? new plan that it is trying to put forward. Will the Minister make it absolutely clear that the only thing Mr Vaizey: I will happily discuss that issue with my that the Government are interested in is what Leveson hon. Friend. I take his point—unlike the Opposition, he comes up with—not some shoddy deal struck by the welcomes the investment in Greater Manchester. editors?

Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab): Mr Vaizey: I am not sure that the hon. Gentleman is The announcement last August also indicated a figure being entirely fair. My understanding is that although of almost £70 million to be used in Scotland. What the final answer lies absolutely with Lord Leveson’s 911 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2012 Oral Answers 912 inquiry, Lord Leveson has made it clear that he wants in some cases, to identify the ultimate owners of clubs the press to begin to make moves to get their house in or to protect communities from the impact of a club’s order while he considers all the evidence. insolvency?

Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham) (Lab): Hugh Robertson: Yes. The harrowing evidence at the Leveson inquiry from victims of phone hacking and other abuse by the press Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab): Fans’ organisations are means that we all want a new press complaints system, concerned that the response from the governing bodies which must be independent of politicians and editors does not go far enough. We will have achieved nothing and able to enforce its rulings on all newspapers. Does if we do not create greater opportunities for fans to the Minister recognise that the proposals being put become involved in the governance of the game. Football’s forward by Lord Hunt, chair of the Press Complaints governing bodies have indicated that they are prepared Commission, fail to meet either of those tests? Until to co-operate and work positively with the Government’s they do, they will amount to nothing more than a expert working groups. When does the Minister intend change of name and business as usual. That will simply to set up those working groups and when does he intend not be acceptable. to have them report back by?

Mr Vaizey: Lord Hunt has put forward his proposals Hugh Robertson: I think that the debate has moved and I urge the right hon. and learned Lady to work with on as a result of the football authorities’ response in him if she thinks that they are not adequate. terms of a licensing system and an explicit commitment to supporters’ liaison officers. There has been a very Football Governance considerable movement as a result of the Select Committee’s work. As I said, I want to wait to see what the Committee has to say. We will absolutely take on board its 4. Lindsay Roy (Glenrothes) (Lab): What consideration recommendations and also look at means to incentivise he has given to the response from the Football Association, club owners to make shares available to fans. Premier League and Football League to the Government’s response to the report from the Culture, Media and 14. [101313] David Wright (Telford) (Lab): The key Sport Committee on football governance; and if he will issue is supporter ownership of clubs, which is absolutely make a statement. [101301] crucial. At AFC Telford United, we have a superb model of club ownership by supporters. What more is The Minister for Sport and the Olympics (Hugh Robertson): the Minister’s Department going to do to model, with Before I answer, I am sure that the whole House will clubs and owners, new structures for supporter ownership want to join me in sending our best wishes to Fabrice of clubs? Muamba for a full and speedy recovery. In their response to the Culture, Media and Sport Hugh Robertson: I pay tribute to the work done at Committee inquiry, the football authorities have proposed AFC Telford, which is a model of that sort of scheme. plans for a smaller FA board, a club licensing system, This is not an entirely easy problem to grapple with, the establishment of an FA regulatory authority and a because no two club ownership models are the same. closer working relationship between clubs and supporter Unlike, for example, the Spanish model and many other groups. I welcome all those moves, and I would like European models, the models in English football are football to implement them as soon as possible. very different from club to club and from division to division. We have to find ways to incentivise owners to Lindsay Roy: May I, on behalf of the whole House, place their shares in public ownership. endorse the sentiments expressed by the Minister about Fabrice Muamba? I thank all the medical and club staff Creative Industries for their timely intervention in saving Fabrice’s life. The unity of support from fans across the country has been 6. Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con): What impressive and demonstrates the best of British values. support his Department is providing to the creative What action will the Minister take if the working industries. [101303] parties recommend that further powers are needed to remove barriers to the co-operative status of football 8. Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con): clubs? What support his Department is providing to the creative industries. [101305] Hugh Robertson: We have decided to pass the initial report generated by the DCMS Committee back to it 9. James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis) (Con): for further consideration and ask for its recommendations. What support his Department is providing to the I would not want to give the hon. Gentleman a firm creative industries. [101306] commitment before I have seen the Committee’s recommendations, but I am absolutely determined to The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, ensure that supporters are better represented and have a Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): We more central role in the running of their clubs. have introduced the Creative Industries Council and maintained existing direct support for film through the Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con): Does national lottery and film tax relief. Building on this the Minister agree that the proposed FA regulatory success, I am sure that the whole House will welcome authority needs to have real teeth and that there yesterday’s announcement by the Chancellor of the should not just be a rebadging of rules that have failed, introduction of similar tax reliefs for the video games, 913 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2012 Oral Answers 914 animation and high-end TV production sectors. The Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): UK has some of the world’s most successful creative The Minister will know that the Hargreaves review of industries, and yesterday’s Budget will ensure that they intellectual property and the Intellectual Property Office can continue to grow and support jobs up and down the consultation continue to exercise and concern our creative country. [Interruption.] The hon. Member for Rhondda industries. Does he believe that having the maximum (Chris Bryant) is almost as loud as his tie. number of exceptions to copyright helps or hinders our creative industries? Will he come and give evidence to Alun Cairns: I am grateful to the Minister for his the inquiry of the all-party parliamentary intellectual answer and welcome yesterday’s statement by the Chancellor property group in the next few weeks? in support of the creative industries. The advertising industry is one of the most creative and innovative in Mr Vaizey: The hon. Gentleman has been a doughty the UK economy, and it is worth £7.8 billion. Does the champion for rights holders and the protection of Minister accept, though, that constant threats of regulation intellectual property. As he knows, I ensure that rights and red tape can stymie that innovation and creativity, holders’views are expressed regularly during the Hargreaves and that the pendulum might have swung too far and consultation. I have not yet received an invitation to there could well be a need for a review of some of the give evidence to the all-party parliamentary group, but regulations? I look forward to receiving it.

Mr Vaizey: I never lose an opportunity to praise Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab): The the advertising industry in the UK, which is one of the Government want philanthropy and corporate giving most successful, or its regulatory system under the to replace public subsidy for the arts. However, the Advertising Standards Authority. excellent Nottingham Playhouse tells me that sponsorship and donations are falling due to the flatlining economy. Mary Macleod: I welcome yesterday’s announcement Does this funding black hole not threaten the future of from the Chancellor about games tax relief. Does my our regional theatres? hon. Friend agree that it will benefit companies such as Sega in my constituency, establish the UK as a world-leading Mr Vaizey: The hon. Lady is quite wrong. We do not games maker, and stop the brain drain of talented want philanthropy to replace Government support for games developers to overseas? the arts; we want there to be a partnership between philanthropy and Government support for the arts, Mr Vaizey: I never lose an opportunity, when I drive which is extraordinarily generous. over the flyover, to look at the huge headquarters of Sega in my hon. Friend’s constituency. Not only will Stephen Williams (Bristol West) (LD): Hundreds of that proposal stop the brain drain; it will create a brain my constituents who work for Aardman Animations, import scheme. Europe’s largest animation company, were delighted by the reference to Wallace and Gromit in yesterday’s Budget. Does my hon. Friend agree that the extension James Morris: Birmingham and the black country of film tax credits to the TV and animation industries is have a very creative software and hardware development important not only for maintaining British talent and industry, but it often finds it difficult to recruit the ingenuity in Bristol and other places in our country, but skilled people it requires from the region. What support so that children grow up watching programmes that are can the Minister give to local centres of excellence, such made in Britain and sound as though they are made in as the Aston and Wolverhampton science parks? Britain? Mr Vaizey: We continue to focus on skills. The higher Mr Vaizey: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I was apprenticeships scheme will help to provide talent for privileged to visit Aardman’s headquarters. I gather the UK’s IT industry. May I take this opportunity to that it has just held the premiere of “The Pirates!”, its praise Ian Livingstone and Alex Hope for their “Next new film. Those in the House with young children may Gen.” report, which has led to a revolution in the want to go and see it. He is right that the proposal is computer science curriculum in schools? about keeping talent in this country. Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab): I welcome the Leveson Inquiry Government’s U-turn on support for the creative industries, but I note that there is less talk today about this being a “Downton Abbey” Budget. I wonder why that is. Will 7. John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab): Whether the Minister explain the exact difference between the he plans to submit evidence to the Leveson inquiry on support that he has announced for the video games culture, practice and ethics of the press. [101304] industry and the support that the Labour Government introduced two years ago, which his Government scrapped The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, in their first Budget? Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): Following a request from the inquiry, the Secretary of State will Mr Vaizey: The difference is that the new support submit evidence as part of the elegantly named “module includes help for television drama and animation. 3”, which is considering the relationship between the Fundamentally, the difference is between the ambition press and politicians. In addition, my Department is of the Government and the poverty of ambition of the working constructively with the Leveson inquiry by Opposition. providing background information where possible. 915 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2012 Oral Answers 916

John Cryer: In that evidence, will the Minister at least the length and breadth of the country, so that they can say that the replacement for the Press Complaints use it for future advertising? Will he work with me to Commission should be politically independent and ensure that the International Olympic Committee allows independent of what used to be Fleet street? the BBC to make that footage available?

Mr Vaizey: As is well known, the desire is to see Hugh Robertson: Yes, of course we will. The Under- independent self-regulation that is independent of the Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for press and independent of the Government. Weston-super-Mare (John Penrose), who is responsible for tourism, tells me that both VisitBritain and VisitEngland London Olympics have access to a large number of images already, which we clearly want to promote on the back of London 2012. 11. Brandon Lewis (Great Yarmouth) (Con): What We will do all we can. economic legacy his Department expects to result from the London 2012 Olympics. [101308] Tessa Jowell (Dulwich and West Norwood) (Lab): Nearly 1,500 businesses from across the UK have built The Minister for Sport and the Olympics (Hugh Robertson): the Olympic park and will equip the Olympics. That is a The new £130 million tourism campaign to showcase great British achievement. Does the Minister therefore Great Britain in 2012 aims to deliver an additional share my concern that those businesses, which have 4.6 million visitors, £2.7 billion of extra spend and the done so well, are too tightly constrained by the marketing creation of about 60,000 job opportunities. The UK is rights protocol, which prevents them from publicising already benefiting from the games, with 98% of the the part that they have played? Would not every Member, £6 billion-worth of contracts for the “big build” and including my hon. Friend the Member for Bishop Auckland 90% of the £1 billion-worth of contracts for staging the (Helen Goodman), whose constituency hosts one of games going to UK businesses. If we add to that the those businesses and who has talked to me about the £1 billion boost to British business that is expected issue, want to promote, praise and thank those businesses through trade and investment, it amounts to a strong for their efforts? economic legacy from the games right across the UK. Does the Minister agree with me, with the “Building 2012” campaign and now with Sir John Armitt, the Brandon Lewis: Some of us will have already had the chair of the Olympic Delivery Authority, that we should good fortune to see the fantastic work that has been seek from the London Organising Committee of the done at the Olympic park, and millions of visitors to Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and from the this country and British residents will see the work done IOC the necessary concessions to ensure a national by British companies, workers and engineers to develop celebration of our great British businesses that built the and produce that fantastic park. What more can we and Olympic park on budget and on time? the Government do to ensure that we get the message out that it is British engineering and British construction Hugh Robertson: The right hon. Lady makes an extremely workers who have delivered such a fantastic venue? good point. She knows, as I do, that those regulations date back to the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Hugh Robertson: The answer is the GREAT campaign, Games Act 2006 and were put in place to give us the which targets our 10 major markets around the world. best possible chance of raising as much sponsorship as It goes out to them on the back of the success of the possible from the private sector. The result, of course, Olympic park and tells them to come this country, do was that the organising committee was extraordinarily business and drive our tourism industry. successful in raising £700 million of sponsorship, which brings with it intellectual property issues. Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab): After That said, I absolutely recognise the issue that the the Olympics and Paralympics, will the Department right hon. Lady has itemised. Because the process has continue to play a role in the legacy arrangements, or been such a success, we want the country and individual will that pass to the Department for Communities and businesses to go out and tell that story. The regulations, Local Government or the Mayor of London? What of course, apply only until just after the games, and we structure will there be for overseeing the continuing will do all we can to ensure that they work. delivery of the Olympic project? Digital Economy Hugh Robertson: That is a very good question and quite a difficult one to answer, because much of the 12. Elizabeth Truss (South West Norfolk) (Con): park will of course pass to the mayoral development What steps he is taking to promote the digital economy. authority, so much of the area around the hon. Gentleman’s [101309] constituency will come under the ambit of the Greater London authority. The DCMS will continue to have The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, overall responsibility, but each Department will have Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): My particular responsibilities for the part of the legacy Department is delivering a number of programmes related to its work. and initiatives that will support growth and innovation across the digital economy and the economy more Mr Don Foster (Bath) (LD): Does the Minister agree generally. We are investing up to £830 million in digital that one economic legacy will be the tourism legacy? communications infrastructure by 2015 and working Does he see that there would be real benefit in allowing with Ofcom to deliver the 4G spectrum auction this tourist information centres to have access to the footage year, and we will shortly publish a Green Paper setting made by the BBC of the torch relay, which will travel out proposals for a regulatory framework for the 917 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2012 Oral Answers 918 communications and media sectors aimed at providing about the sale of London 2012 tickets to guide those a thriving environment for growth and innovation in who wish to purchase them and will make public a full the UK. breakdown after the final tranche of tickets is sold.

Elizabeth Truss: I was delighted to read earlier this Dame Joan Ruddock: Rachel, my constituent, purchased week that Britain leads the world in e-commerce, with her family’s Olympic tickets last year. Subsequently, she 10% of all business taking place online. However, I am found herself pregnant, and expects to have a few-week-old concerned about getting more young people involved in baby at the time of her events. When she contacted the industry, given that the number of people studying LOCOG, she was told to purchase an extra seat for the computer science is lower now than it was a decade ago baby, but that the seat could not be guaranteed to be and the proportion of women doing computer science next to the parents. Given that airlines allow babes in has gone down to only 14%. What are we going to do to arms at 35,000 ft, surely it is possible in a stadium. Will get more young people involved in the industry? the Minister intervene? [Interruption.]

Mr Vaizey: I thank my hon. Friend for that important Mr Speaker: Order. We all want to hear this answer. question. As she is probably aware, e-Skills, the sector skills council, had a specific computing for girls scheme Hugh Robertson: I will not even attempt to defend to encourage girls at school to study computing, but the that one. However, as a result of the campaign run by Secretary of State for Education’s important speech on Mumsnet, the organising committee is considering that revolutionising the computer science curriculum in January exact issue. The situation the right hon. Lady describes shows that this Government are committed to ensuring is clearly an absurdity and a solution will be found. that more people study computer science. We are working with industry to ensure that more children choose that London Olympics option. 17. Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): Why is superfast broadband (Lab/Co-op): What plans he has for the London 2012 being delivered in Morocco by 2013 and in Britain by Olympics media centre after the games. [101316] 2015? The Minister for Sport and the Olympics (Hugh Robertson): Mr Vaizey: Because Britain is bigger. [Laughter.] The Olympic Park Legacy Company aims to create a thriving commercial district on the Queen Elizabeth Mr Speaker: Order. I am sure that that is an immensely Olympic park that will generate several thousand job amusing and informative reply and we are grateful, but and training opportunities. In January, it announced a the House will want to hear Mr Weatherley. shortlist of three organisations from the fashion, technology and leisure sectors as potential long-term tenants of the Mike Weatherley (Hove) (Con): Will the Minister press and broadcast centres. It aims to appoint those welcome with me and the digital economy in Hove the tenants later this summer. news yesterday that Hove will be included in the next round of superfast broadband bids? Meg Hillier: In reference to the Minister’s previous answer, I hope the Department retains an interest in this Mr Vaizey: May I say, if you will indulge me, Mr matter even though it falls under the legacy company, Speaker, that I find it odd that Opposition Members because my constituents and the many businesses in my have such distaste for Morocco. What is wrong with constituency are keen to see incubator and creative Morocco getting superfast broadband? Why is that seen business spaces. Given that two of the bidders may now as some kind of weird phenomenon? [Interruption.] join forces, leaving only two, I hope that the Department Perhaps I am channelling my inner Boris. is vigilant to ensure that we get that creative business thread running through the new Olympic park. May I congratulate my hon. Friend on how well he has campaigned for superfast broadband in his part of Hugh Robertson: To correct the hon. Lady, the the world in Brighton and Hove? We will ensure that we responsibility for this matter will pass to the mayoral work with him to ensure that the generous Government development corporation when it comes into being. It funding that is available supports his constituents. will have responsibility, and she will therefore have direct access to it through local councillors elected to London Olympics the Greater London authority.

16. Dame Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab): Mr Speaker: The appetite has been exhausted. What information the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games has provided to his Department Topical Questions on ticketing arrangements for the London 2012 Olympics. [101315] T1. [101317] Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): If he will make a statement on his departmental The Minister for Sport and the Olympics (Hugh Robertson): responsibilities. Ticketing for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games is a matter for the London Organising Committee The Minister for Sport and the Olympics (Hugh Robertson): of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, a private Yesterday the European Hockey Federation announced company independent of the Government. LOCOG, that London, and the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic however, has made public a wide range of information park, had been selected as the venue for the 2015 919 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2012 Oral Answers 920

European hockey championships, the first such event T4. [101320] Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con): on the park. This is in addition to the Commonwealth All local authorities in England, bar one, and certainly games, the rugby league, rugby union and cricket world the Conservative local authority in Wales, publish cups, a world athletics championship, world championships details of invoices in excess of £500. I raised the matter in triathlon, gymnastics and canoeing, and bids out for with the BBC as I believe it should do the same, and a youth Olympics, rowing swimming and eventing Mark Thompson rejected the idea on the basis of the championships. It is an extraordinary success story for benefits of confidentiality and competitive tension. British sport and a hugely positive legacy from London Does the Minister agree that it is time that the BBC 2012. followed the example set by others?

Kevin Brennan: Google is failing to enforce privacy Mr Vaizey: My view is that the BBC is quite rightly rulings online, dragging its feet when told to take down independent from Government, but my hon. Friend offending material and prioritising websites that carry may wish to take that point up with Mr Thompson’s illegal, unlicensed content at the top of its search results. successor who should be appointed some time later this When will Ministers act to ensure that Google prioritises year. legal sites over illegal sites? T5. [101321] Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): Hugh Robertson: We have regular discussions with The Minister will not be surprised that I am delighted Google on all these issues. It is better than the hon. that a cross-party campaign has resulted in the Gentleman suggests at taking down illegal material, announcement of £50 million for a competition for and those discussions will continue. small cities, such as Brighton and Hove, for ultra-fast broadband. When will we get the bid information and T2. [101318] Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): what timetable does the Minister have in mind for the We, the taxpayers, have spent £9 billion on the Olympics competition? So that we might welcome him for the and we are very proud of them. But everybody I talk to, second time and the Secretary of State for the first time including myself—I occasionally talk to myself— to see first hand what Brighton and Hove’s digital cluster [Laughter.] Calm down, calm down. Will the House is already achieving, will they accept an invitation to come to order, please? Nobody has actually got a ticket, come to Brighton’s digital festival in September? apart from a chap I was talking to last night who had applied for £8,000 worth of tickets. He is the only Mr Vaizey: We will publish our consultation on this person I have met recently who has got a ticket. I have issue as soon as possible, and that will detail the chronology raised this before with the Minister and it is a serious for awarding the £50 million. I am so pleased that the point. The Minister has told me in the past that he has hon. Lady welcomes this funding, unlike the Opposition, to satisfy the corporate people because they have put in who continue to carp about it. Of course I will come to hundreds of millions of pounds, but we have put in Brighton, for the second time, for this wonderful digital billions of pounds. What more will he do to get tickets festival. to ordinary people so that this becomes a people’s games? T6. [101323] Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con): In Hugh Robertson: The problem to which my hon. north-west England, we have BBC Radio Merseyside, Friend alludes is caused by the simple fact that 6.5 BBC Radio Manchester and BBC Radio Lancashire, million tickets were available and 26.5 million applications but no BBC Radio Cheshire—it is an outrage. Furthermore, were made. The fact is that demand massively outstripped the community station, Cheshire FM, has recently closed supply. Some 75% of those tickets have gone to the down. What are the Government doing to encourage general public, and a full breakdown will be available as local stations and other local media to flourish and soon as the next tranche of ticketing is over. The advice succeed? to him and everyone else who wishes to apply for tickets is to apply in the next tranche, which will go exclusively Mr Vaizey: I could be here for hours talking about to those who were involved in the process earlier. the success of local television, community radio, BBC local radio and commercial radio, but I will address the Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab): Given the recent specific point about BBC Cheshire. The BBC is independent presentation by the WI of a 70,000-signature petition of Government and my hon. Friend may wish to take against library closures, demonstrating the strength of the matter up with the successor director-general when public support, and with no vision, no strategy and no they are appointed later this year. urgency from a Minister who is fast becoming the Dr Beeching of libraries, does he share my view that he has T3. [101319] Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Washington and a responsibility to act as a champion for libraries across Sunderland West) (Lab): I am sure that by now the government? If so, how would he assess his performance Minister has seen the recent “Dispatches” programme to date? “The Great Ticket Scandal”. If he and, in particular, the Secretary of State have not, they can have my DVD The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, copy. It makes for good watching and I recommend Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): The that he watch it. As he knows, the programme provides trouble is that the hon. Gentleman has no view. When I the most damning proof yet that consumers are being was in opposition I gave my view on Wirral. What is his ripped off—or at least priced out of cultural events view on Labour-controlled Brent closing libraries? Has —on an industrial scale. Will he now please commit to he got a view? When he gets a view, he can start talking examining the secondary market again with a view to about libraries. ensuring that we put fans first? 921 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2012 Oral Answers 922

Hugh Robertson: The hon. Lady and I have debated Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): Now that this issue for many long hours in this Parliament. The BT has lost its challenge to the Digital Economy Act matter raised in the programme to which she refers is 2010, when will the Government publish the initial now the subject of an investigation by the Office of Fair obligations code and statutory instrument? Trading, so I had better be careful. I simply say what I have said before: during the last Parliament, the Culture, Mr Vaizey: We will publish it as soon as possible. Media and Sport Committee and the previous Government looked into the matter, and we have looked at it again. I Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) (Lab): There has been think we are satisfied with the position as it currently lots of bombast this morning, but does the Minister sits, but should further evidence of criminal activity appreciate that for working-class children, two to three come forward, we will certainly reconsider the matter. libraries closing a week, the withdrawal of arts education in our schools and a £71 million cut to the Arts Council are significant? Does he understand the intrinsic value T8. [101325] Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): of the arts to young people in this country? Leaving aside the special rules relating to the Olympics, does the Minister agree that it is not the place of the Mr Vaizey: Okay, the right hon. Gentleman has thrown state to interfere with the freedom of an individual or down the gauntlet. Let me tell him a few facts. First, company to resell tickets for sporting or cultural two or three libraries are not closing. Fewer than 100 events? libraries have “closed”, and many of those have been transferred to communities. More than 40 libraries are Hugh Robertson: The position at the moment is that opening, but Labour does not talk about that. We have we grant a ban on ticket touting for major events where just published our cultural education plan, the first such it is a requirement of bidding for those events. That has plan this country has ever had. Overall arts funding will become the settled position under successive Governments be reduced by less than 4% over the next four years, so and as a result of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee. the right hon. Gentleman should stop talking down Until there is evidence of widespread criminal activity, what is happening in the arts and talk about the huge that will remain the position. success we are having.

T7. [101324] Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD): The parents (Lab): Last year, Arts Council funding was cut by of young people suffering from eating disorders are £71 million, local authority funding was slashed and often distressed to find a hoard of press and magazine investment in the arts by private business fell by almost articles with graphic images and details of low weights £10 million. Would the Minister like to have another go and tiny amounts of food eaten, which have been used at providing a credible answer to Nottingham arts as inspiration. The media are rightly very careful when organisations about how to fill the funding gap that his reporting on suicide. In a similar way, will the Minister Government have created? urge media outlets to take cognisance of the media guidelines created by the eating disorder charity B-eat, to avoid the sensationalism of this illness, which can be Mr Vaizey: Overall funding for the Arts Council will very damaging? be reduced by less than 5% because we have given it back the lottery money that the Labour party robbed Mr Vaizey: My hon. Friend has campaigned vigorously from it to pay for the Olympics. The answer for Nottingham on this important issue. Magazine editors take their Playhouse is to have an MP who champions its work responsibilities extremely seriously, but I would be happy and talks it up, not down. to meet her to discuss her campaign and also to work with her to engage with magazine editors. Simon Kirby (Brighton, Kemptown) (Con): Would the Minister be surprised if I joined other Brighton Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab): The Minister said Members in saying that Brighton and Hove would be that competition is still in play for superfast broadband an excellent place for ultra-fast broadband and that we procurement, but as he knows, many of the projects look forward to bidding as soon as possible? have only one bidder, BT. As far as I know, only one other bidder in the whole country is still in the frame for Mr Vaizey: Indeed, and I again congratulate the work those projects. Will he confirm that, and say why he of all the Brighton MPs, but particularly my hon. thinks the exercise has been so unsuccessful in engaging Friend the Member for Hove (Mike Weatherley), on the degree of competition that we would all have wanted? their campaigning skills. Mr Vaizey: We engaged a great many companies, but we cannot invent competition. However, at least three Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab): organisations are still involved in the bidding, and I In Manchester, as in Morocco, a digital economy requires firmly believe that the way we went about it—ensuring a digital infrastructure, but more than 2 million people that local government had a say and that the contracts are excluded from that because they live in rural areas. were awarded across local government areas, rather Will the Minister reassure the House that he recognises than regionally or nationally—promoted competition the importance of geography by reinstating Labour’s and offered up the opportunity for community broadband universal broadband pledge? providers, for example.

Mr Vaizey: The hon. Lady mentioned Morocco. It is Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): How many jobs does an interesting fact that Morocco has less than half the the Minister expect to be created or lost in the gambling population of the United Kingdom. industry as a result of the changes in the Budget, how 923 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2012 Oral Answers 924 many online betting businesses that are currently offshore Mr Heath: I am going to have to say to the hon. will come back onshore, and how many jobs will come Gentleman that he will need to read the paper that we back with them? are producing, because it will, I hope, be a comprehensive survey of everything that relates to privilege and ask The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, some pertinent questions about whether reform is necessary Olympics, Media and Sport (John Penrose): I am delighted and whether it would be helpful to Members of this to have a chance to answer at least one question. House in going about their business. He will have to be Unfortunately, the answer is that I do not know, because patient and wait for the paper, which we hope to publish this is an issue for the Treasury. before the end of the Session.

Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): None the less, could Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): I hope that whatever the Minister, who is responsible for tourism, please have the Government produce will indeed be a “green” paper, a word with the Minister responsible for broadcasting because there is one key issue that has to be resolved and arts, the Under-Secretary, the hon. Member for before we move any further, and that is: should we be Wantage (Mr Vaizey), and explain to him the geography putting anything about parliamentary privilege into of Morocco? It is twice the size of this country, and statute? The danger is that the courts would then choose when it comes to expanding rural broadband, it is the to interpret our actions and proceedings in this House, size of the country that matters. Not very many people which would rather undermine the Glorious Revolution. live in Blaenrhondda or Blaencwm, which are a long way from cities, but they are the people who really Mr Heath: For once, I absolutely agree with the hon. matter if we are to get our economy going. Gentleman. The Green Paper will ask the specific question whether the case has been made for legislation. We have John Penrose: I am enjoying busking this one. The approached this issue with an open mind, and we want short answer is that the population of Morocco, I am to seek the views of both Houses on whether legislating told by many people on the Benches behind me, is only further on parliamentary privilege is either necessary or half that of the UK—it is also economically smaller—and desirable. as I am sure everybody will appreciate, the density of population is also relevant when it comes to connecting Legislative Programme people to broadband. 2. Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): What criteria Mr Speaker: It sounds to me as though there is plenty were used to determine the Government’s legislative of scope for an Adjournment debate on the matter. programme for the next Session of Parliament. [101328]

Chris Skidmore (Kingswood) (Con): Whitefield’s The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Leader of tabernacle is Kingswood’s only grade I listed building the House of Commons (Mr David Heath): The Government and has important religious significance in the history intend to introduce a legislative programme in the next of non-conformism, yet it is in a severe state of disrepair, Session to deliver deficit reduction, boost growth, support despite featuring on the TV programme “Restoration” aspiration, reform public services and implement the several years ago. Will the Minister meet me to discuss priorities in the coalition agreement. how best to preserve this precious building? Duncan Hames: I thank my hon. Friend for that John Penrose: The short answer to that one is yes. answer. That same coalition agreement described the introduction of a groceries code adjudicator as a “first step”in protecting the interests of consumers and farmers, not least those in the hard-pressed dairy industry. I do LEADER OF THE HOUSE not know of any Member who represents as many dairy farmers as my hon. Friend the Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr Heath), so will he use his influence with The Leader of the House was asked— the business managers to ensure that a Bill to introduce a groceries code adjudicator makes its way into the next Parliamentary Privilege Session?

1. Mark Lancaster (Milton Keynes North) (Con): Mr Heath: Obviously I cannot pre-empt what will be What plans he has for consultation with hon. Members announced on 9 May, but the Government remain on the Government’s proposal for a draft Bill on committed to introducing the Groceries Code Adjudicator parliamentary privilege. [101327] Bill. I am pleased that the draft Bill has received pre- legislative scrutiny and that it has been warmly received The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Leader of across the House. As my hon. Friend rightly says, I have the House of Commons (Mr David Heath): It is our a clear constituency interest in the progress of that intention to publish a Green Paper containing draft particular piece of legislation. measures on parliamentary privilege before the end of the Session. Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab): Will the Deputy Leader of the House confirm that the Mark Lancaster: Which particular aspect of the current Committee stage of the House of Lords (Amendment) system of privilege does the Minister feel is in most Bill will be taken on the Floor of the House? Will he need of reform and why? also ensure that the Government will not ram the 925 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2012 Oral Answers 926 legislation through the Commons, as they did with the understand how we go about our business and how they Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act can influence the progress of legislation, the better. I 2011, and that there will be sufficient time for debate? can certainly give her a commitment that we will be looking at that. We will be looking at a variety of Mr Heath: The House of Lords (Amendment) Bill is innovative ways to help the public to understand the a constitutional Bill, and it is normal that the Committee process of legislation and the legislation itself, when it is stages of such Bills are taken on the Floor of the House. presented to the House and to the public. I have no reason to suppose that this Bill will be an exception. We will of course provide adequate time for Legislative Scrutiny debate.

Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): May I propose a change 4. Brandon Lewis (Great Yarmouth) (Con): What for the Government when they are considering their steps he is taking to improve the effectiveness of scrutiny legislative programme for the next Session? Will they of legislation. [101331] bear it in mind, just for a change, that they are in coalition with the Conservative party? 6. Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con): What steps he is taking to improve the effectiveness of scrutiny of Mr Heath: I doubt that my right hon. Friend the legislation. [101333] Leader of the House ever forgets that fact. 7. Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con): What steps he Public Reading Stage (Government Bills) is taking to improve the effectiveness of scrutiny of legislation. [101334] 3. Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) (Con): What progress he has made on establishing a 8. Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con): What steps he is public reading stage for Government Bills. [101330] taking to improve the effectiveness of scrutiny of legislation. [101335] The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Leader of the House of Commons (Mr David Heath): The Government 9. Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con): What steps he conducted an experiment with a public reading stage on is taking to improve the effectiveness of scrutiny of the Protection of Freedoms Bill. Following an evaluation legislation. [101336] of the experiment, we intend to conduct trials in the second Session to determine the best ways for members The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Leader of of the public to comment on specific details of legislation. the House of Commons (Mr David Heath): The Government My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House and I recognise the value of parliamentary scrutiny of legislation. will update the House on our detailed plans early in the We have ensured that Bills have adequate time for next Session. proper scrutiny in the House. The Government are also committed to publishing more legislation in draft to Stephen Metcalfe: I thank my hon. Friend for that enable pre-legislative scrutiny. answer. Will he tell the House from whom he will seek advice on how best to push this measure forward? Brandon Lewis: For how many Bills have the Government allowed two days on Report ? Mr Heath: It is very important that, before we undertake further pilots of public reading stages, we have an Mr Heath: In this Session, five Bills have had a opportunity to reflect on any improvements that could Report stage taken over two days. Indeed, both the be made to the technology and the processes involved. Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders That will involve talking to many people. Hon. Members Bill and the Finance (No. 3) Bill were considered over may have seen the recent announcement that Jimmy three days. This is more than in any Session of the Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, has agreed to advise previous Parliament, when there were none whatever in the Government on improving open government, and the first and last Sessions. we will want that work to influence how we proceed with public reading stages. Mark Menzies: How many Bills had pre-legislative Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD): I welcome scrutiny in the last Session, and how did that compare what my hon. Friend says about improving public with this Session? Will the Deputy Leader of the House engagement, particularly with regard to public reading make a statement on plans for the future? stages. Does he agree that we need to make it easier for the public to follow Committee stages of Bills, too, once Mr Heath: The Government have published nine the public reading stage is over? Will he have discussions draft measures this Session, and are committed to publishing with Jimmy Wales and others, particularly those involved more measures in draft in the next Session, with a view in social media and online engagement, on how we can to pre-legislative scrutiny. Further specific announcements demystify the legislative process in this country, so that will be made at the start of the new Session. In the last more members of the public can contribute their views? Session under the previous Government, two Bills—just two—were published in draft. Mr Heath: My hon. Friend highlights the purpose of what we are trying to do, and she rightly says that we Andrew Stephenson: Will the Deputy Leader of the are trying to demystify the process. The more that House say more about the Government’s plans for members of the public can interact with the House and post-legislative scrutiny? 927 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2012 Oral Answers 928

Mr Heath: Like their predecessor, the Government answers? A recent EDM suggested that the Under-Secretary are committed to reviewing every Act of Parliament three of State for Justice, the hon. Member for Reigate to five years after it has passed. Government Departments (Mr Blunt), gave a parliamentary answer that reached a publish Command Papers, allowing Commons Committees new low “in evasiveness and vacuity”, and recommends to decide whether or not to conduct further post-legislative that in future Ministers should read the question before scrutiny of each Act, when it is appropriate to do so. answering parliamentary questions. Forty-four of these memorandums have been published since this system was introduced in 2008. We welcome Mr Speaker: Order. I am sure we are talking about the work undertaken so far by Select Committees to these matters with reference to the scrutiny of legislation. examine such memorandums, but it is up to the Select Committees to decide whether they wish to do more. Mr Heath: Yes, and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman’s question was about the scrutiny of legislation. I have Henry Smith: I am a member of the European Scrutiny already set out our position on EDMs. We recognise Committee which receives a thick bundle of policies that they have value, but sometimes some can, shall we and proposals from the European Union each week. say, come close to an abuse of the House in terms of What measures can be taken to ensure that more of their cost compared with their benefit. On the subject of these can go before departmental Select Committees, as questions to Ministers, the hon. Gentleman knows that they cover the whole vast area of UK national policy? if there are deficiencies in the responses Members receive, I and my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House are Mr Heath: Of course I understand the hon. Gentleman’s always happy to take that up with the Departments and concerns. The Government are keen to explore possible Ministers concerned. ways further to improve the effectiveness with which this House deals with European legislation. My right David Wright (Telford) (Lab): What plans does the hon. Friend the Minister for Europe is in discussions hon. Gentleman have to extend the time available for with Select Committees and others about possible changes. the consideration of Bills on Second Reading? It has become traditional for Second Reading debates to be Graham Evans: The effectiveness of scrutiny of legislation considered on a single day. May we extend the time is important, and so is the cost of the effectiveness of available, as many Members, especially Back Benchers, such scrutiny. One mechanism that arguably assists with want to contribute on Second Reading? that scrutiny is that of early-day motions. I congratulate the Government on reducing the annual cost of early-day Mr Heath: First, let me make the important point motions by 38% since 2010, but I hope my hon. Friend that the scrutiny of legislation is an essential part of the will join me in welcoming the Procedure Committee’s business of this House. People often talk about Government announcement that it will carry out a fresh review of time as if it were unrelated to the business of the House early-day motions in the near future. when, in fact, it is Parliament’s time in order to scrutinise legislation. I merely make the observation that the more Mr Heath: I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s remarks time that is eroded from so-called Government time by and the fact that he recognises that the House of Commons consideration of other matters that are no doubt of Commission is looking across the House to establish enormous importance—such as urgent questions and where savings can be made. The interest of Members in emergency debates—the less time is available to the the hon. Gentleman’s recent Adjournment debate, to House to scrutinise legislation properly. which I responded, highlighted the variety of views on this issue. It is quite right that, if there is a swell of Devolution opinion for further reform in this area, it would be appropriate for the Procedure Committee to consider the issue of early-day motions. 5. Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con): Whether he plans to submit evidence to the commission on the Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) (Lab): Further to the consequences of devolution for the House of Commons. question put by the hon. Member for Crawley (Henry [101332] Smith), will the Leader of the House look again at establishing permanent membership of European Standing The Leader of the House of Commons (Sir George Committees? The ad hoc approach, frankly, does not Young): I welcome the announcement by the Minister work. for political and constitutional reform, my hon. Friend the Member for Forest of Dean (Mr Harper), of the Mr Heath: Again, I understand the hon. Gentleman’s terms of membership for the commission, and I will be concern. The Government are continuing to explore following its work closely. Although I have no plans to ways to improve scrutiny, and there remain areas that submit evidence to the commission myself, it will no we need to explore. One issue to bear in mind is whether doubt wish to take account of the authoritative works hon. Members would be willing to serve on such a and voices on this issue, and I hope that my hon. Friend Committee. If that is the case and if we can make will be among them. satisfactory arrangements, we will of course bring them to the House. Harriett Baldwin: When in opposition, the Leader of the House produced a distinguished pamphlet on the Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): If there is a new topic that the McKay commission will be studying. look at early-day motions, will the Deputy Leader of Does he propose to send that work to the commission? the House ensure that Members will not be deprived of Also, does the commission intend to take written evidence, one of the rare opportunities to criticise parliamentary and to meet in public to take oral evidence? 929 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2012 Oral Answers 930

Sir George Young: The commission will be meeting in Lothian question for Scotland to become a normal, public and it has asked for evidence. My hon. Friend is independent, self-governing nation? too kind about the work of the democracy taskforce to which I contributed when I was on the Back Benches, but I am sure this exchange will have drawn the commission’s Sir George Young: “Bring it on” is what we on the attention to the existence of that important work. Government Benches would say. That particular issue is beyond the remit of the commission, but I hope the Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): Is hon. Gentleman will do what he can to bring forward not the easiest and most elegant solution to the West the date when we can resolve it once and for all. 931 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Leak Inquiry 932

Budget Leak Inquiry The ministerial code is enforced by the Prime Minister, who should instigate a leak inquiry if the Exchequer 11.33 am Secretary refuses to do so. He did not say whether he was or was not going to have an inquiry—at least he Chris Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op) (Urgent could leak that little bit of information for us today. It is Question): To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if also necessary, of course, to include an investigation of he will make a statement on whether he will instigate a conversations between the Chancellor’s special advisers Budget leak inquiry, in view of the accurate pre-reporting and the civil service and the media. Of course, civil of a number of the detailed proposals in his Budget servants are guided by the civil service code. It is unlikely statement, including one of the matters that was agreed that newspapers will reveal their sources, but Ministers under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act. and special advisers should be interviewed and asked who they spoke to, when the conversations occurred The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David and who sanctioned those conversations. If information Gauke): As with every Budget, we have seen a vast was released pre-Budget without approval from the amount of speculation, and, as ever, a vast amount of it Chancellor and was leaked, it is a very serious breach of has proven to be unfounded. As the Chancellor has security and of the civil service code. said, a Budget produced within a coalition is different. Yesterday’s Budget was described by The Economist The days of the Chancellor coming up with a Budget as in secret are gone. This was not a Conservative or a “more of a newspaper review than a Budget”. Liberal Democrat Budget; it was a coalition Budget. In the course of coalition Budget negotiations, various Another view was that proposals were raised, discussed and debated. That “the Budget has had all the leak-free qualities of a teabag in a occurred more widely than in the past, when the Chancellor sieve.” told the Prime Minister what was in the Budget the day It might be quicker to list what the papers did not before or, as in even more recent days, when the Prime publish before the Budget, but for the benefit of the Minister told the Chancellor what should be in the House I shall list some of those measures that did come Budget the night before. The Treasury does make out: the reduction in the 50p rate appeared in The announcements throughout the year. For my own part, Guardian last week and in the Financial Times; the people will have seen the work on tax transparency and changes to the personal income tax allowance appeared personal tax statements, which was in response to a on ITV News on Tuesday night, when the exact figure consultation on this very issue laid before the House in was given; the stamp duty land tax changes appeared November and subject to a ten-minute rule Bill from my very precisely in the Financial Times and in basically all hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Ben Gummer). the newspapers on Wednesday morning; the changes to stamp duty land tax on residential property associated On the specific question, it is a long-established practice with capital gains tax changes appeared on the “Andrew of the Treasury not to comment either on whether a Marr Show” at the weekend; and the North sea oil and leak inquiry has been established, or on its conduct or gas commissioning certainties appeared in the Herald outcome. There will be ample opportunity to debate the Scotland on Saturday 17. Budget over the coming days. Today is the second of four days of debate on the Budget. It is perhaps an The one Budget change that was not leaked was the unfortunate consequence of this urgent question that £3 billion raid on pensioners, now dubbed the “granny this is being delayed, and so is delaying the shadow tax”. Some 4.5 million pensioners are to lose an average Chancellor, from whom I am sure the House is eager to of £83 next year. In times gone by, Chancellors did the hear. honourable thing when it was revealed that their Budgets had leaked. In contrast, when asked about the Budget Chris Leslie: Coalition government is absolutely no leaks on this morning’s “Today”programme, the Chancellor fig leaf for these very serious breaches of the ministerial said: code—[Interruption.] Government Members may wish “inevitably the days when the Chancellor dreamt this all up in to listen. Paragraph 9.1 of the code states: secret, shared it with the PM 48 hours before he delivered his speech...are gone”. “When Parliament is in session, the most important announcements Well times are not so different that they give licence of Government policy should be made in the first instance, in Parliament.” to the Chancellor to fling around the contents of the Budget red box to any passing journalist, regardless of There have been clear and flagrant violations of this the consequences. Mr Speaker, we have heard the usual crucial principle. It is a significant insult to the primacy dismissive indifference from the Minister to these serious of Parliament and this House of Commons, to whom concerns, so perhaps I need to ask you, as a point of the Chancellor should be accountable. It is a shame he order, for general guidance about how the rights of this was not able to come here to answer for himself on this House, and the public’s expectations of orderly policy matter. announcements, can be protected? Can you take steps Our constituents expect that Members of Parliament to ensure that the Chancellor does not treat Parliament should be the first to hear and question policy and the wider public with such utter contempt in the future? announcements from the Chancellor, and hold him directly to account. The Chancellor is treating Parliament Mr Gauke: I was not entirely sure whether that was a as a peripheral afterthought, and that is totally unacceptable. question or a point of order, Mr Speaker, and at one But this is not just about the sovereignty of Parliament; point I was not entirely sure whether the hon. Gentleman if the Chancellor and his acolytes are prepared to was complaining about measures not being briefed in pre-brief and leak key information about very sensitive advance or being briefed in advance. He referred specifically tax changes, that risks handing privileged information to the 50p tax rate. In the days running up to the Budget to those who can take advantage of any advance knowledge. there were various reports about the 50p rate and it was 933 Budget Leak Inquiry22 MARCH 2012 Budget Leak Inquiry 934

[Mr Gauke] Chancellor of tax avoidance as “morally repugnant”, will the Exchequer Secretary now ensure that all Ministers’ public knowledge that the Chancellor had commissioned tax arrangements are published? HMRC to undertake a report on the 50p rate and how much that tax was raising—an issue that I am sure the Mr Gauke: We do not have a tradition of politicians hon. Gentleman does not want to debate for very long. publishing their tax affairs, but I have to say that for a In that time, it was very clear that the Chancellor was Labour politician to say that in the context of the going to make a statement, but what did we see in the current mayoral election takes some nerve. press? We saw stories that it was going to stay at 50p, be cut to 45p or be cut to 40p. We saw press reports that it Several hon. Members rose— was going to happen this year or next year. There were at least five different versions of what was going to Mr Speaker: Order. May I remind the House that this happen on the 50p rate, so it is not surprising that one is a narrowly focused urgent question seeking a leak of them turned out to be correct. However, it is also the inquiry? It is a matter of great importance, but it is on case that four of them turned out to be incorrect. that matter that exchanges should be focused. This is The hon. Gentleman asked about sensitive numbers. not a rerun of the Budget debate, which will be continued, I can assure him that the numbers on the stamp duty but is about the subject of the urgent question. land tax—the increase to 7%—which I am sure he welcomes, certainly did not come from the Treasury, Mr David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con): and neither did the exact number regarding the personal Does my hon. Friend agree that there will obviously be allowance as far as I am aware. We also heard from the wild speculation before any Budget, much of which hon. Gentleman that in days past these things did not turns out to be wrong, and that we do not need any happen. May I remind him what happened when he was lectures from Opposition Members, who leaked everything last a Government Minister? In the 2005 Budget there all the time when they were in government? was a leak about tax credit increases that turned out to be correct, a leak about alcohol duties that turned out Mr Gauke: I do not think that we can draw a conclusion to be correct, a leak about fuel duty that turned out to that there has been a decline in the standards of journalism be correct, a leak about inheritance tax that turned out just from the fact that in 2005 the predictions of what to be correct and a leak about stamp duty that turned was in the Budget were more consistently accurate than out to be correct. There were also leaks about council in 2012. tax refunds and the winter fuel allowance, all of which were entirely correct. Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): Surely a leak is I could look at more recent announcements such as an unauthorised or inadvertent publication of restricted those about VAT in 2008, about the green bank, the and confidential information. On that basis, this could youth jobs package, fuel duty and schools, all of which not have been a leak, because it was clearly not inadvertent turned out to be accurate. I am sure that Government and it was clearly authorised. It was none the less in Ministers would then have said that that was speculation severe conflict with the ministerial code, and that surely and I am sure that in many cases they were absolutely is what the Prime Minister should investigate. correct. It is difficult to give full credit to the hon. Gentleman given that detailed information about Budgets Mr Gauke: I am not sure that there was a question has been put into the public domain by previous there, but I thank the hon. Gentleman for his views. The Governments for many years, but he has only now Government clearly authorised some information to be suddenly become very upset. I am not surprised that the put out in advance of the Budget. For example, there Labour party wants to focus on an issue of process was a speech by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister rather than on the substance because this Budget is makes speeches from time to time; I am not sure that going to get the country growing again and is reforming people should be getting upset about that. the tax system in a sensible and growth-friendly way.

Several hon. Members rose— Lorely Burt (Solihull) (LD): Does my hon. Friend agree that it is rank hypocrisy on the part of Opposition Mr Speaker: Order. There is extensive interest in this Members to accuse this Government of leaking? Can subject, which I am keen to accommodate, but that my hon. Friend remember how many times the Labour requires brevity, a great example of which can now be Government held inquiries into leaks about their Budgets? provided by Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg. Mr Speaker: Order. Let us be absolutely clear about Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset) (Con): I this. The hon. Lady can make a general charge. She wonder whether my hon. Friend notices the incongruity cannot and will not make a personal charge against an of those who oppose openness in the Budget but were individual Member in any part of the House. I trust all in favour of it in terms of risk registers. Does he that the hon. Lady is not accusing the hon. Member for agree that the criticism is either muddled or synthetic? Nottingham East (Chris Leslie) on the Opposition Front Bench of hypocrisy. Mr Gauke: In the interests of brevity, Mr Speaker, I agree. Lorely Burt indicated dissent.

Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab): Given the failure of Mr Gauke: I, too, want to be very careful and not Ministers to admit whether they will benefit from the accuse the hon. Gentleman of hypocrisy, but there are cut in the top rate of tax and the description by the dangers of inconsistency. 935 Budget Leak Inquiry22 MARCH 2012 Budget Leak Inquiry 936

Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): the ministerial code and the accurate and extensive On Monday the Home Secretary came to the House reporting of what was in the Budget across the media and confirmed that there would be a leak inquiry into the morning before the Budget statement. That is the the Hillsborough media reports. Why is it that the Home difference, and that is what we want to be investigated. Secretary has that grace, but the Minister does not? Are we going to have an investigation or not?

Mr Gauke: Let me repeat what I said earlier. It is a Mr Gauke: I have answered the hon. Gentleman’s long-established practice of the Treasury not to comment first point. I should also reiterate that we have a coalition, on whether a leak inquiry has been established or on its which means that there are negotiations and discussions conduct or outcome. involving both sides. It also means that the Budget tends to be finalised some days in advance of the Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): Is my hon. Budget speech. That is quite a contrast to previous Friend aware that Labour’s record of leaking is as long years, when revisions were made, documents pulped as its record in office. Not only did the last Govt leak and decisions taken at the last minute. I think that we like a sieve but Hugh Dalton, a previous Labour Chancellor, have a much better process, thanks to the discussions was forced to resign for leaking Budget secrets— within the coalition and the involvement of the Office for Budget Responsibility. Mr Speaker: Order. The hon. Gentleman will resume his seat. I made the position clear. This is a set of John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD): Does exchanges about a specific and narrowly crafted urgent the Minister believe that the Opposition would improve question. It may be about many things within that by getting some consistency on whether information context, but it is not about 1947. We will leave it there. should or should not be released?

Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con): The previous Labour Mr Gauke: We can hope for consistency, but I am not Government leaked worse than the Titanic. Does my an optimist on that front. hon. Friend agree that, whatever the Labour party’s budgetary policies may be—we are not quite sure—they Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op): Leeks would be an equal disaster? are normally very popular in Wales, but given that only 4,000 people in Wales pay the 50p rate of tax, compared Mr Gauke: Within the constraints of the question, with 94,000 in London, taken alongside the regional I will just say yes. pay leak, this represents a massive transfer from poorer people in Wales to richer people in London. Does the John Healey (Wentworth and Dearne) (Lab): Will the Minister not agree that spreading that sort of fear Minister concede that the Chancellor has shot himself through leaks ahead of the Budget announcement is in the foot with such widespread leaks, because all that disgraceful, and has he not admitted that he has given he had to announce yesterday was the tax grab on leaks by referring to our alleged leaks? grannies, which he hoped people would not notice? Will he concede that the leak inquiry that may or may not be Mr Gauke: I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman’s going on now in the Treasury should consider the leaks analysis is wrong, because the rich will of course be of Office for Budget Responsibility judgments, and that paying five times the amount as a consequence of the now is the time to put the OBR on a proper independent Budget measures. I am afraid that his analysis is no basis similar to that of the Office for National Statistics? better than his jokes.

Mr Gauke: Of course the OBR is independent, and David Tredinnick (Bosworth) (Con): Will my hon. that may be some irritation to Opposition Members, Friend accept that he made a mistake in saying that part given their conclusions about the failure of the 50p rate. of the Budget was leaked by the Labour Government in 2005? In fact, the whole Budget was leaked to the George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): Does my hon. Evening Standard. Friend agree that the only possible explanation for the general hypocrisy on the Opposition Benches, given Mr Gauke: I suspect that my hon. Friend is right and their own leaking of this urgent question before the apologise to the House for getting that wrong. Speaker’s Office announced it, is their desire to avoid the good news of GlaxoSmithKline’s investment announced Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): One of this morning? the reasons why Budget leaks are particularly serious is that they facilitate tax avoidance. When the Budget Mr Gauke: I am interested to learn that this story speech was leaked in 1984, Lord Howe instituted a was apparently briefed before any decision emerged. police inquiry and everybody working on the Budget [Interruption.] I understand that that is incorrect and was interviewed by the police. Why does the Chancellor that it was not announced on Twitter before your decision, of the Exchequer not do the same? Mr Speaker. If it was, I am sure that there will be an internal Labour party inquiry. Mr Gauke: I know that the hon. Lady speaks with great knowledge on this issue. I agree that it is very Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab): The reference to Hugh important that sensitive information is protected and Dalton in 1947 is of course wrong, because he resigned can assure her that, on the one potentially sensitive area and the leak had been reported in an evening newspaper of stamp duty, the Treasury was not involved. If something before he sat down. What we are talking about now is is announced in the morning, even if it comes into effect 937 Budget Leak Inquiry22 MARCH 2012 Budget Leak Inquiry 938

[Mr Gauke] in the Budget yesterday were the culmination of a long process of consultation, for example the reforms of at midnight, people still have the opportunity to exchange controlled foreign companies, which have been widely contracts in the interim period, as indeed was the case welcomed. As a corporate tax regime, ours is increasingly when previous Governments raised stamp duty. recognised around the world, and I am delighted that, as my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Norfolk (George Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con): I was an avid Freeman) pointed out earlier, we had the announcement reader of pre-Budget commentary in the newspapers from GlaxoSmithKline this morning. and found that there was plenty of new content in the Chancellor’s presentation yesterday that had not been Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op): How does covered at all and plenty that the media had got wrong. the Minister explain the headline on Wednesday morning Is this not a complete waste of parliamentary time, and in the Financial Times—it could have been any of the will my hon. Friend ensure that none of his official time major newspapers—which stated: “Osborne in tax grab is wasted in the pursuit of this phantom leak? on top-end property”? The article went on confidently to assert that the duty would be 7% on properties priced Mr Gauke: If the intention is to keep the shadow at £2 million and above. Surely that was a leak. If it was Chancellor’s speech off the lunchtime bulletins, I suspect not, what was it and what will he do about it? that it will succeed, and who would blame the hon. Member for Nottingham East (Chris Leslie) for wanting Mr Gauke: I do not believe that the figure of 7% came to do that? from the Treasury, but we also ought to recognise that in last year’s Budget the Chancellor made it clear that Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South) (Lab): Would the we were looking at getting more money from those Minister describe it as a coincidence that the £3 million owning high-end properties, so it should not have come stealth tax on pensioners was one thing that was not as a complete surprise that there was an announcement leaked? along those lines in the Budget yesterday.

Mr Gauke: I am not sure whether we are now getting Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con): It was widely complaints that we are briefing too much, or too little. reported in the press before the Budget, and in fact before Monday, that on Monday morning the quad Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): Clearly, the would meet for a final sign-off of the Budget. Surely most difficult job in Parliament is to respond to the anything that was in the papers about the Budget before Budget speech. If everything was leaked in advance, that point would have been complete speculation? why did the Leader of the Opposition get it so spectacularly wrong? Mr Gauke: There is a lot of speculation, but one of the aspects of Budget policy making under this Government Mr Gauke: There is a theory that we might have is that it is much more orderly and systematic and wanted to help him, but I can assure my hon. Friend decisions are reached in a proper way, unlike the chaos that that is not the case, although I can see the argument that reigned under the previous Government. why the Leader of the Opposition might have wanted that help. Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): The Liberal Democrats were briefing extensively in the Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): By describing past few days, and I just wonder whether the Minister the systematic and orchestrated leaks as somehow an would like to investigate why they seem to have preferential accident, does the Minister not realise that he and the access to information before Parliament does. Chancellor remind people of Captain Renault in “Casablanca” when he goes into Rick’s place and is Mr Gauke: It is only to be expected that coalition shocked to discover gambling going on, even as he parties will want to make their arguments and to set out collects his own winnings? Is this approach not simply their case, and we do have a Budget that is formed by a amoral, and should Ministers not have a higher standard coalition, but it is a Budget that is good for the country. around the Budget? Brandon Lewis (Great Yarmouth) (Con): My hon. Mr Gauke: I am afraid that if we were looking at the Friend mentions the consultation work that the Treasury previous Government we could round up the usual does in order to reach final positions on the Budget. suspects there, because there was plenty of leaking One of those was shown yesterday, with the new regime under them, but we heard none of the synthetic outrage for oil and gas and decommissioning—something that from the Labour party then. the industry very much welcomes and which will provide a great boost. Does my hon. Friend agree that such Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con): I have a dream in consultations lead to speculation but are vital in terms which the Budget is merely the confirmation of ideas of getting into the Budget the right result for people? that have been fully consulted on and people can actually understand what the tax regime will be in advance. I Mr Gauke: My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and commend the Minister for his work in trying that, our progress on oil and gas will be welcomed throughout rather than worrying about this flim-flam. the country and, especially, in Great Yarmouth.

Mr Gauke: My hon. Friend makes a good point Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): On stamp duty specifically, about our more deliberative and consultative process will the Minister implement an inquiry into how many for tax policy making, and some of the announcements transactions of more than £2 million took place between 939 Budget Leak Inquiry22 MARCH 2012 Budget Leak Inquiry 940 the time that such reports were in the newspapers and David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con): Does my hon. the Budget announcement, and into how much that Friend agree that it is a bit rich to be asking this cost the hard-pressed British taxpayer and pensioners question today—[HON.MEMBERS: “A bit rich!”] Does he who are having to pay the granny tax? agree that it is more than unfortunate to ask the question today, when articles such as the one I have with me, Mr Gauke: On the general point about leak inquiries, from The Guardian on 11 March 2008, state: I have said what I have to say on that, but we have to “Alastair Darling is set to deliver his first budget to the House bear in mind that identifying a property of more than of Commons tomorrow…but in reality, much of it has already £2 million, reaching a conclusion on negotiations and been trailed”? exchanging in the course of one morning is somewhat ambitious. Mr Gauke: Some things are not entirely new. The Labour party really does have to think back to its time in government and to the behaviour undertaken then. Simon Hart (Carmarthen Westand South Pembrokeshire) What is remarkable is that Opposition Members managed (Con): If the Minister is ever tempted to go down the to brief some of their announcements, given that most route of a leak inquiry, will he at least commit to were decided only at the very last minute. backdating it to 1997? Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): Will the Minister Mr Gauke: My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. clarify whether he expounds the virtues of advance Presumably, the Labour party would be very supportive notification and discussion because we have a coalition, of, and co-operative in, any such venture. or whether he thinks that it is a bad thing to leak? Was the one thing that he did not share with his coalition Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/ partners perhaps the granny tax? Co-op): The Minister has said three times now in his responses that the Treasury was not responsible for Mr Gauke: All Budget decisions were agreed by the leaking the stamp duty changes. The first time that he Government as a whole, and the quad was heavily said so, he added, “as far as I know.” Is not the point involved at all stages in that. People in a coalition will that he should know and, therefore at least on that always make their arguments and set out their case, and point, that a leak inquiry should be instituted immediately? some of that will be done in private, some of it in public, but it is a far more orderly process of Budget Mr Gauke: I have absolutely no evidence that the policy making than we have seen for many years. Treasury briefed on the 7% stamp duty announcement, Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con): In the context but none the less an announcement was made in the of coalition government, there will inevitably be much morning, and the measure came into effect at midnight pre-Budget discussion and much greater media coverage. last night. We also ought to make the point that that Does my hon. Friend agree that such coverage is bound measure, on stamp duty land tax, is going to get more sometimes to be right, and that it is ridiculous to money out of the wealthy, and much more successfully, interpret it as leaks? than the Labour party managed with its failed 50p rate. Mr Gauke: I refer my hon. Friend to, for example, the Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): Does 50p debate, which the hon. Member for Nottingham the Minister agree that the fact that the Opposition have East (Chris Leslie) mentioned. In the days before the tabled an urgent question today on media management Budget there were five different versions of what was is further evidence that the Budget was a good Budget going to happen. One turned out to be correct and four and Labour has nothing to say on growth or jobs? turned out to be incorrect.

Mr Gauke: I agree. The focus on process not substance Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab): We heard almost more is very revealing. information and detail on the Budget on Tuesday evening than we did on Wednesday evening. Was that due to the Liberal Democrats, was it due to the Conservatives, or Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab): I congratulate the Minister were they simply all in it together? on some excellent press management this morning, and on the headlines, which have been very helpful to us. Mr Gauke: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor set But I want to be helpful, so that he can be specific about out yesterday a Budget for growth and for working the area of suspicion. Can he now say that no Treasury people. There was an awful lot of information in it. It Minister directly, or special adviser indirectly on their was an ambitious Budget, and one of which this behalf, gave information to the press about any Budget Government are very proud. measures prior to the Budget yesterday? Mr Rob Wilson (Reading East) (Con): Does my hon. Mr Gauke: Just to be clear, I will give the hon. Friend agree that Budget leaks are to be deplored, as Gentleman a Budget measure that was confirmed yesterday: indeed is the alleged break-in at the Leader of the personal tax statements. Ministers were aware that we Opposition’s office, purportedly to find his Budget policies? were going to inform the press about personal tax I can inform the House that the would-be thief left statements, so the question he asks is extremely broad. empty-handed. There were measures announced yesterday in which Ministers were involved, but I am not aware of any Mr Gauke: It would be a very foolish thief whose Minister being aware of the briefing of market-sensitive motivation was to find policies from the Leader of the information. Opposition. 941 Budget Leak Inquiry22 MARCH 2012 Budget Leak Inquiry 942

Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op): Mr Gauke: My hon. Friend is absolutely right; that is Does the Minister agree that, if any profiteering took in the coalition agreement. We have always said that we place due to leaking the announcement on stamp duty wanted to make progress on that, and I am delighted land tax, it would be morally repugnant? What action that we did yesterday. will he take if his secret leak inquiry finds evidence that it took place? George Eustice (Camborne and Redruth) (Con): Does the Minister agree that it is typical of Labour Members Mr Gauke: We ought to put the matter into proportion. to be obsessed by media headlines and spin when they The idea that someone would be able to identify a ought to be doing what we do on the Government side property and exchange contracts in the course of a of the House—make good policy? morning is highly unlikely. As I have said, I have no reason to believe that the Treasury was in any way Mr Gauke: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Yesterday’s involved in briefing that particular item, but there was a was a Budget of substance, this is a Government of lot of speculation that there would be something on substance and we will continue to get the country out of properties, and that speculation turned out to be correct. the mess that we inherited.

Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): Does the Minister Matthew Hancock (West Suffolk) (Con): The hon. agree that such discussion as that which took place Member for Nottingham East (Chris Leslie) based his between the coalition parties leading up to the Budget case on different speculation in the newspapers about is more healthy—more open and transparent—for our the future of the 50p rate. Does the Minister not recall democracy than leaving things all in the hands of one, that when the 50p rate was introduced by the previous lone control freak? Government, the first news of it came from a newspaper, not the Dispatch Box? Mr Gauke: I certainly agree that we do not want to return to the days when a Chancellor, in close co-operation Mr Gauke: I am sure that my hon. Friend is absolutely with his special adviser, worked in a sort of secret right. My only query is that I thought it might have bunker, not sharing any information with anyone, including been on the television; but if he says it was in a newspaper, the Prime Minister. That is not healthy, and, as we saw, I am sure that he is right. it did not result in sensible tax policy making. Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con): In 2005, the Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): Is not the most Evening Standard covered details of the entire Budget; serious aspect of leaks the further degradation of ministerial in 2008, the Daily Mail covered the details of VAT and code reform? The Public Administration Committee The Daily Telegraph had details on fuel; in 2009, The has been told by the previous independent adviser on Observer covered details on youth jobs; in 2010, there the code that the Prime Minister himself is in breach of were details on the green investment bank. Would my the code. If the Committee decides unanimously that the hon. Friend welcome at least some consistency in policy present adviser on the code is not fit to hold office, and practice rather than the lack of constructive opposition should Sir Alex Allan resign? that comes from Labour Members?

Mr Gauke: That is clearly not an issue for the Treasury. Mr Gauke: I would welcome that consistency, but The Government will respond to the points that the I do not expect it. hon. Gentleman has raised in due course. Chris Skidmore (Kingswood) (Con): Before 10 o’clock Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): I would not this morning, the Labour party press office announced dream of accusing anybody on the Opposition Benches on Twitter: of hypocrisy, but the last time I saw more assembled “Urgent Question in the House this morning @ChrisLeslieMP piety than there is on those Benches today was when I calling for a Budget leak inquiry”. visited a Catholic convent in the southern Philippines in Yet I understand from your office, Mr Speaker, that 1985. Has it occurred to the Minister, as it has occurred the urgent question was not officially announced to the to me, that this urgent question is simply a distraction House until exactly 10 o’clock. Will the hon. Member from the debate on a Budget for jobs and growth that for Nottingham East (Chris Leslie) now call for a leak helps working people? That is what my constituents in inquiry on that urgent matter? Gloucester want to hear us debate today. Mr Gauke: Earlier this morning, the hon. Gentleman Mr Gauke: I understand concerns about there being a denied it. [Interruption.] He is shaking his head now, so debate before the Budget, but now Opposition Members he is clearly denying that that is the case. Presumably, it do not seem to want a debate on Government measures is reasonably easy to work out what time a Twitter post after the Budget. I think we should have that debate. was made and to know what time the urgent question was announced. But it is not for me to lecture the Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con): Given Opposition; I am sure that they would be very concerned that the centrepiece of the Chancellor’s Budget yesterday if there had been such a leak and they would be cracking was an increase in the personal tax allowance that gives down on it straight away. a tax break to 24 million people on low and middle incomes, and given that that was in the coalition agreement, Mr Speaker: It is not really a matter for the Minister. does the Minister agree that a journalist would not need These matters are dealt with in a very specific and to be Sherlock Holmes to speculate that that increase orderly fashion—the submission of a request, the would be in the Budget? consideration of the matter at the appropriate time of 943 Budget Leak Inquiry 22 MARCH 2012 944 the day by my colleagues and me, and the disclosure of Business of the House the result of the request to the interested parties. All was done—I know the hon. Member for Kingswood 12.15 pm (Chris Skidmore) will be satisfied that it was—in an absolutely orderly way on this occasion as it is on every Ms Angela Eagle (Wallasey) (Lab): Will the Leader of other. the House please give us next week’s business?

Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): Has the Minister The Leader of the House of Commons (Sir George Young): discussed this matter with his colleague the Chief Secretary The business for next week will be: to the Treasury? I have found the earliest published MONDAY 26 MARCH—Conclusion of the Budget debate. source of information on the Budget. It was written by TUESDAY 27 MARCH—Motion relating to assisted suicide. my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary—on the front The subject for this debate has been nominated by the page of the Liberal Democrat election manifesto nearly Backbench Business Committee. Colleagues should two years ago. be reminded that the House will meet at 11.30 am on Tuesday. Mr Gauke: And it was all going so well. I confess that I have not spoken to my right hon. Friend the Chief The business for the week commencing 16 April will Secretary this morning and that I have not read all that be: manifesto. But I would say that the Budget has Liberal MONDAY 16 APRIL—Second Reading of the Finance Democrat policies and Conservative policies. It is a (No. 4) Bill. coalition Budget that is good for the whole country. TUESDAY 17 APRIL—Consideration of Lords amendments to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill. WEDNESDAY 18 APRIL—Consideration in Committee of the Finance (No. 4) Bill (Day 1).

THURSDAY 19 APRIL— Consideration in Committee of the Finance (No. 4) Bill (Day 2). The provisional business for the week commencing 23 April will include:

MONDAY 23 APRIL—Remaining stages of the Financial Services Bill (Day 1).

Ms Eagle: I thank the Leader of the House for his statement. Last week, I recommended to the Cabinet horses that they could back at the Cheltenham festival. Well, the verdict is in, and I have to announce that I will not be giving up the day job. Palace Jester, the horse that I recommended for the Deputy Prime Minister, was much talked about before the race and entered the field with high expectations, but it failed to live up to its overblown hype—it wilted at the first sign of pressure and ended up nowhere. That just proves that Palace Jester was exactly the right horse for the Deputy Prime Minister. I have been forced to conclude that I am about as successful at tipping horses as the Chancellor is at managing the economy. Yesterday, the Chancellor made a rare appearance in the House to present his millionaires’ Budget. Although an appearance from him at the Dispatch Box is always a pleasant surprise, the content of the Budget certainly was not. In future, the Government could dispense with the Budget Red Book altogether and just publish a collection of newspaper clippings; instead of delivering a Budget speech from the Dispatch Box, the Chancellor could just review last week’s papers. Will the Leader of the House undertake to update the House at next business questions on how the leak inquiry is going? This time last year, the Chancellor said his budget would “put fuel into the tank of the British economy”—[Official Report, 23 March 2011; Vol. 525, c. 966.] Since then, the economy has stalled, unemployment has risen and he is borrowing £150 billion more than he planned. What fuel has the Chancellor been using? 945 Business of the House22 MARCH 2012 Business of the House 946

[Ms Angela Eagle] The hon. Lady asked a whole series of questions about the Budget. We have four days’ debate on the Budget. After the lamentable record on growth, what was needed When we come back after the Easter recess, we will have yesterday from the Chancellor was a Budget for jobs. a debate on the Floor of the House on the Finance Bill, Instead, we got a Budget that will be remembered for and then two more days’ debate on the Finance Bill, as giving a huge tax cut to the richest 1%. well as a debate on the Financial Services Bill. She asks We were all astonished to learn from the Chancellor me for time to debate these issues, but it seems that we this morning that he was not a top rate taxpayer. The are debating very little else over the next week or so. She hunt is now on for the name of his accountant, who will and her hon. Friends have criticised us for taking a surely find himself in spectacular demand. Given that gamble with the Budget, but they took the gamble when the Chancellor has answered the question, surely the rest they were in government by spending money they did of the Cabinet should now do so too. Will the Leader of not have and racking up debts that could not be paid. the House arrange for a note to be placed in the House On the hon. Lady’s comments about fairness, what of Commons Library listing which members of the was fair about selling off the nation’s gold at a record Cabinet have benefited from the cut in the 50p rate? low price? What was fair about giving pensioners an Yesterday’s ideological Budget gave a £40,000 tax cut insulting 75p a week increase in the state pension? What to the richest 14,000 people—wrong choice. Yesterday’s was fair about abolishing the 10p tax rate? What was Budget introduced a stealth tax on pensioners to pay fair about leaving this country with the biggest budget for that—wrong choice. Cuts to tax credits in April deficit in our history? Labour set back fairness in this mean that 200,000 households will now be better off on country, not the coalition. the dole than in work—wrong choice. With VAT increased, fuel duty going up and child benefit cut, this is a Budget Jessica Lee (Erewash) (Con): Will the Leader of the that leaves families £253 a year worse off—wrong choice. House kindly consider making time available for a debate on the Olympic legacy, with particular regard to It is not just the Government’s choices that are wrong; the regions outside London and the south-east? In their entire philosophy is wrong. We now have a Erewash, Long Eaton United football club has recently Government who believe that the top 1% will work been awarded £50,000 by Sport England—a very exciting harder if they are given a tax cut while everyone else can investment that demonstrates how we must continue to be made to work harder only by having their income provide support all round the country. cut. Will the Leader of the House find time for a debate on that notorious phrase, “We’re all in this together”? Sir George Young: My hon. Friend rightly draws I have been trying to understand what the Chancellor attention to the benefits throughout the country of our could possibly have meant by it, so I looked up the word hosting the Olympics. A firm in my own constituency is “all” in the Oxford English Dictionary, which said: making tents for some of the Olympic sites. There is not “All (noun): the entire number of; the individual components only the spin-off impact of the purchasing but, as she of, without exception.” says, the money that is being distributed by Sport Having scoured the dictionary, I have to report to the England via the national lottery to promote sporting House that I could not find a definition that excluded organisations in all our constituencies. Only last week, the top 1%, so will the Government be writing to the I was at two events where cheques for £50,000 were Oxford English Dictionary to ask it to correct its definition? handed out to clubs in North West Hampshire; that is Were the Leader of the House to find time for a part of the Olympic legacy. debate on the phrase, “We’re all in this together”, the Deputy Prime Minister could lead it, because he has Mr Tom Clarke (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) claimed that this was a “Robin Hood” Budget. The (Lab): Given the number of occasions on which the Deputy Prime Minister had a very expensive education House has discussed the situation in Sudan, does the at Westminster school; what did they actually teach right hon. Gentleman agree that it was a great pity that him? In my more modest school, we were told that it took George Clooney to remind the international Robin Hood took money from the rich and gave it to community that the situation there is getting worse and the poor, not the other way round. Every time I have worse, day by day? May we have another debate of the asked the Leader of the House to find time for a debate whole House so that the Prime Minister can explain on fairness, he has ignored my request, and now we what actions he has taken, including whether he raised know why. This was a Budget that was neither fair nor the matter with President Obama during his recent visit progressive and built unfairness on top of economic to America? policies that have failed. Will the Leader of the House finally find time for a debate on fairness? Sir George Young: The right hon. Gentleman rightly This week, Government Members waved their Order draws attention to the problems in Sudan. I commend Papers for tax cuts for the richest 1% and the Cabinet the publicity that was generated last week in the United banged the table when the Health and Social Care Bill States. I cannot promise a debate in the near future, was passed. Wrong choices; wrong philosophy; wrong with the House rising next Tuesday for the Easter ideology: same old Tories. recess, but the right hon. Gentleman might like to apply to you, Mr Speaker, for a debate in Westminster Hall or Sir George Young: It is perhaps unfortunate that the on the Adjournment so that we can address this urgent hon. Member for Wallasey (Ms Eagle) began by apologising matter when we return. for her tips on horses and then accused us of making all the wrong choices—not a good start. She apologised for David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con): The Leader her tips; I think she is going to have to start apologising of the House will recall the “Newsnight” revelations for some of her jokes. before Christmas that the head of the Student Loans 947 Business of the House22 MARCH 2012 Business of the House 948

Company was not having tax deducted at source. The which, as announced last year, is going to be built in my Government subsequently initiated an inquiry across constituency comes as a direct result of Labour’s growth all areas of the civil service, but that did not include the strategy. Does the Leader of the House think that we BBC. Having submitted a freedom of information request should have that debate, given that the only aspect of to the BBC, this week I received a reply indicating that yesterday’s Budget that referred to growth was the 41 non-talent-based members of its staff are being paid result of Labour policy? over £100,000 a year and are not having tax or national insurance deducted at source. Will the Government find Sir George Young: I have seen the Glaxo press notice time for a debate on the abuse of tax regulations in the and, like the hon. Gentleman, I welcome the creation of public sector? new jobs. The press notice mentioned the confirmation in yesterday’s Budget of a specific regime for patents. Sir George Young: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. I am not sure that the hon. Gentleman is entirely The Government have made the position clear in so far correct in claiming the credit for the company’s decision. as the civil service is concerned. As he will know, the I think that Government Members can share in the BBC is an independent organisation, but I am sure that glory. his question will have been heard by those at the BBC and that they will want to respond to the points that he made in the light of the FOI request that he has recently Mark Garnier (Wyre Forest) (Con): Next week, I am had answered. holding a jobs fair in Kidderminster to provide practical support not just for the unemployed, but for local businesses that are seeking to expand. Will my right Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): My constituents hon. Friend find time for a debate on how the Government in Bruntsfield and Morningside are becoming increasingly can support local initiatives, such as my jobs fair, to concerned about the proliferation of mini-supermarkets, stimulate the economy at a grass-roots level? which are having a significant impact on local traders. May we have time allocated for a debate on the number of mini-supermarkets in our local communities and the Sir George Young: I commend my hon. Friend’s detrimental effect that that is having on local traders? initiative in Kidderminster to bring together employers and those looking for work. He may have an opportunity Sir George Young: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman during the debate on the Budget to develop his point for raising a key issue. I think that the Backbench further. With the Work programme, which is helping Business Committee held a debate in January on the more than 3 million people, the more than 400,000 subject of the future of the high street and the Mary apprenticeships this year, the youth contract and the Portas inquiry. The Government have said that they will work experience programme, there are a lot of initiatives respond to that inquiry in the spring. I hope that it that the Government are taking. It is up to each Member might be possible, perhaps with the assistance of the of Parliament to ensure that the benefits of those Backbench Business Committee, then to revisit this programmes filter through to their constituency.I commend issue to see whether we can get the balance right between him for the initiative that he has taken. the supermarkets and the imperative to have a flourishing high street full of smaller shops. Ann Coffey (Stockport) (Lab): The Chancellor announced yesterday that the Government plan to legislate David Tredinnick (Bosworth) (Con): Will my right to suspend the Sunday Trading Act 1994 for eight hon. Friend tell the House when he expects the remaining Sundays to coincide with the Olympics. There is concern demonstrators to leave Parliament square and when he that that is less to do with the Olympics than with expects the road works outside Derby Gate to be completed, testing the water for a permanent repeal of the Act. Will as apparently it has taken three months for two valves the Leader of the House confirm that it will be limited to be put on to a defective water main there? legislation, as announced by the Chancellor yesterday?

Sir George Young: I will make inquiries about the last Sir George Young: I confirm exactly what the hon. matter. I commend my hon. Friend’s work over many Lady has said. Any legislation will have to pass through years in campaigning for Parliament square to be restored both Houses and will be subject to discussion through to its traditional glory. He will know that all but one of the usual channels. It will apply only to the Sundays the encampments have been removed. I believe that the during the Olympics and Paralympics, so it will be last remaining encampment is subject to an injunction strictly confined to that period. It is not our intention that is to be heard quite soon. On the works on Parliament at this stage to go for the wider reform to which she street, he will know that that is a matter for Westminster referred. council, and I will raise it with the council. I am grateful to him for his initiative in ensuring that the road surface Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury) (Con): May I urge opposite the House of Lords is now much flatter, which my right hon. Friend to grant a debate on the European is of great assistance to those of us who go on two arrest warrant? My constituent, Graham Mitchell, was wheels. acquitted 18 years ago of attempted murder in Portugal, after being held in prison for more than a year. The Phil Wilson (Sedgefield) (Lab): May we have a debate prosecutor fell asleep during the course of the trial and in Government time to congratulate the previous Labour the assailant did not identify Mr Mitchell as his attacker. Government on their ability to attract inward investment? Eighteen years on, a new application has been made to The announcement on GlaxoSmithKline that was made take him to Portugal on a charge of murder, when the in the Budget yesterday is a result of what we introduced victim is alive and well and playing golf, I believe, in in 2009. Similarly, the Hitachi train-building factory Germany. 949 Business of the House22 MARCH 2012 Business of the House 950

Sir George Young: I commend my hon. Friend for John Robertson (Glasgow North West) (Lab): Following championing the cause of his constituent. The case has the written statement on military afloat reach and received some publicity recently. He will know that I sustainability—MARS—ships that was sneaked through cannot comment on an individual case. I gather that it Parliament and my debate on the matter on Monday has been adjourned until 28 March. My right hon. night, may I ask the Leader of the House for a statement Friend the Home Secretary is looking at the Scott Baker or a debate on the Floor of the House so that we can report and hopes to make her conclusions available discuss grey ships and warlike ships and the Government’s shortly. In the meantime, we are asking EU countries to policy on protecting the jobs of maritime workers? observe the principle of proportionality in considering whether such an arrest warrant is appropriate. Sir George Young: I know that the hon. Gentleman had an Adjournment debate earlier this week. If we had Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): I another debate, I am not sure whether the Government have received a letter from the Department of Health would be able to add to what the Minister of State, explaining that it is not yet in a position to respond to Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, my the report of the Select Committee on Science and hon. Friend the Member for Hertford and Stortford Technology on alcohol. Yesterday in the Budget, at (Mr Prisk) said in response to the hon. Gentleman. I column 803 of Hansard, the Chancellor said that the will raise his concerns again with my hon. Friend and Government would make an announcement on the see whether there is anything that he can add to what he subject shortly. Will the Leader of the House ensure said earlier this week. that the Select Committee receives a proper reply from the Government ahead of that statement, in time for us to have a proper discussion and respond to the Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con): Government’s response? Work has started on a building project to create a new cancer care centre at Harrogate district hospital. It will Sir George Young: I commend the work done by the be called the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan centre and is Select Committee. I will make inquiries, but I cannot named after a generous benefactor. Further funding give a categorical undertaking that we will respond in has come from Macmillan Cancer Support and the what will probably be a short time scale, given that we local foundation trust. It will be a welcome addition to want to make progress with our alcohol strategy. However, patient support in the area. May we have a debate on I will make inquiries and write to the hon. Gentleman. improving cancer care across our NHS?

Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con): The Leader of Sir George Young: I applaud the generosity of Sir Robert the House may be aware that last year I tabled early-day Ogden in making those funds available. It is right that motion 1518, following the assassination of the Pakistani the building should be named after him. My hon. Minister for Minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti. Friend will have read “Improving Outcomes: A Strategy [That this House condemns the assassination of Shahbaz for Cancer”, which was published in January last year. Bhatti, the Pakistani Minister for Minorities, who was It outlines our commitment to improve outcomes for the only Christian in the cabinet; notes that this comes cancer patients and to save 5,000 additional lives every only days after the government of Pakistan’s retention of year by 2014-15. I understand that the new centre to a minorities representative in the new cabinet and the which my hon. Friend referred is being funded jointly Ministry for Minorities Affairs as an independent ministry; by Macmillan Cancer Support, the local NHS foundation recognises the significant advances made in the interests trust and the donation. That is exactly the sort of of minority rights and interfaith dialogue by the Federal progress that we want to see to enable us to hit our Minister Shahbaz Bhatti through this ministry; expresses cancer targets. concern at the ongoing misuse of the provisions of section 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code, known as the blasphemy Gregg McClymont (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and laws, and the threats posed to all who challenge this Kirkintilloch East) (Lab): My constituents in Cumbernauld, legislation; and urges the government of Pakistan to Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch were delighted to learn this reconsider reviewing the blasphemy laws as a matter of week that the Olympic torch will be relayed through urgency.] Cumbernauld on 13 June. That is particularly appropriate After speaking with the British Pakistani Christian given that the British female handball captain hails Association earlier this month, I tabled early-day motion from Cumbernauld. May we have a further debate on 2807 to mark the anniversary of Mr Bhatti’s death and how we can ensure that everyone in the United Kingdom to continue to raise awareness of the plight of minority can get involved in these great Olympics? That is very communities in Pakistan. Will the Leader of the House important for the good of the country. find time for a debate on that important issue? Sir George Young: We have just had questions to my Sir George Young: My hon. Friend refers to an appalling colleagues at the Department for Culture, Media and and cowardly assassination, which struck at the heart of Sport. I am not sure whether the hon. Gentleman was democracy and freedom of expression in Pakistan. able to intervene in those exchanges. The issue of how Alongside our European partners, we will continue to we will ensure that the benefits of the Olympics are intervene on human rights issues in Pakistan, where we broadly shared throughout the country has been debated believe we can make a positive difference. We engage in recent exchanges and debates involving DCMS. I will regularly with the Government of Pakistan on this see whether there is anything that we can say to the hon. particular matter, along with broader matters that raise Gentleman that impacts directly on his constituency. I the same issues. hope that the handball captain leads her team to success. 951 Business of the House22 MARCH 2012 Business of the House 952

Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen) (Con): May I Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): Further to the start by saying that I have given notice to the right hon. question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Gentleman to whom I will refer in this question? I join Stalybridge and Hyde (Jonathan Reynolds), can we my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington South have a statement on the Cabinet and the higher rate of (David Mowat) in calling for a debate on the morally tax? The Twitter account of The Sun is reporting that repugnant use of service companies by those in public friends of the Prime Minister say he pays the higher rate life to avoid paying their fair share of tax. In that of taxation. We have not heard anything from friends of debate, can we look in particular at the tax arrangements the Chancellor—or does he not have any left after of the Labour candidate for Mayor of London and the mugging the nation’s grannies yesterday? recent publication of the accounts for the Office of Gordon and Sarah Brown Ltd? Sir George Young: Why should this outbreak of openness be confined to Members on the Government Benches? Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): I hope that the hon. Gentleman will try to persuade all On a point of order, Mr Speaker. his friends in his party to be as open and transparent as he apparently wants us to be. Mr Speaker: The point of order will come after the business question. The hon. Gentleman should hold his Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): Many constituencies horses. I am sure that he will. such as mine have a large number of houses that are vulnerable to flooding. Can we find a way of ensuring Sir George Young: I hear what my hon. Friend says. that flood maps demonstrate and clearly indicate the We are, of course, having a debate on the Budget. My impact of flood defences and natural defences when right hon. Friend the Chancellor made clear his views flooding risk assessments are made, so that home owners on tax evasion and what he called “aggressive tax and insurers can make sensible judgments? avoidance”. I am sure that it would be in order to talk about the tax loopholes that are being closed by the Sir George Young: My hon. Friend raises an important Government during the Budget debate, as long as one issue. Those maps can have a devastating effect on remains within order. people who are trying to sell their houses, and it is important that they are up to date. He will know that Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op): the Government and the Association of British Insurers May we have a Government statement to clear up the are committed to ensuring that flood insurance is available confusion about the cut to the top rate of income tax? A to everyone who needs it, and there is an ongoing study published during the Budget suggests that it will programme of discussions with the insurers to ensure cost the country billions of pounds if the Government’s that we can achieve that objective. I will draw the issue assumptions are incorrect. If we are going to clear that of flood maps to the attention of my hon. Friends at the up, perhaps the Leader of the House will also accept the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, suggestion of the shadow Leader of the House that he to ensure that the maps that are used are as accurate as may wish to put in the Library a list of the Cabinet possible and there is no collateral damage to people members who will benefit personally from this give-away, whose properties are not really at risk of being flooded. so that we can see from where the motivation for it might have come. Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab): I have written to the Sir George Young: This country has never adopted Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills the practice that they have in the United States, whereby and the Minister of State, Department for Work and all those who stand for public office have to file their tax Pensions, the right hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell returns. If that is the hon. Gentleman’s proposition, I (Chris Grayling), with regard to the urgent situation of am sure that he can make the case during the Budget the alarming unemployment statistics in my constituency. debate, but it is not our intention to introduce it. On the I asked for an urgent meeting, and one refused and the 50p tax rate, I just make the case that for 13 years, the other said I would have to wait in excess of 30 days for a Labour party did not introduce a 50p rate of tax. It left reply. Due to the urgency of the matter, will the Leader it to us, along with a letter saying that no money was left of the House make time to discuss unemployment rates in the Treasury. in the north-east, and particularly in my constituency?

Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con): The Chancellor Sir George Young: The hon. Gentleman does a first-class made the excellent announcement yesterday that Cardiff job of championing the cause of those in his constituency was to be included in the urban broadband fund. May who are out of work. Of course he is entitled to a we have a statement by the Secretary of State for response to the letter or questions that he sent to my Culture, Media and Sport on the details of the procurement colleagues, and I will do what I can to chase that up and and roll-out of that fund, to see whether neighbouring ensure that he gets a prompt reply. authorities can benefit from the investment in that area? Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): Among the Sir George Young: There has just been an exchange excellent measures announced in the Budget yesterday on the Government’s broadband policy in Culture, Media was £70 million of additional funding for London for and Sport questions, but I will follow up my hon. the growing places fund, which will help Mayor Boris Friend’s question by asking the appropriate Minister to Johnson produce 200,000 new jobs over the next four write to him to see to what extent companies and people years. That brings into sharp contrast the choices before outside the immediate area can benefit from the roll-out Londoners on 3 May. May we have an urgent debate on of broadband in Cardiff. those choices? 953 Business of the House22 MARCH 2012 Business of the House 954

Sir George Young: I would welcome such a debate, Sir George Young: If such a measure requires legislation, but I am not sure I can find time for it out of the the Finance Bill has its Second Reading when we come Government’s allocation in the remainder of this Session. back and there may be an opportunity for the hon. We will be debating the Budget from now until Monday Lady to raise the matter. evening, and it would be perfectly in order for my hon. Friend to raise the matter at greater length in the debate Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): May we have a debate and get a response about the £770 million of funding on the importance of the teaching of foreign languages for the growing places fund, some of which has been to export performance, so that we can ensure that young allocated to London. The Mayor of London will people such as those who participate in the excellent complement that with his own resources, to give new Stafford and Stone young enterprise programme can opportunities to those who live in London who are spearhead the UK’s export growth in future? looking for a job. Sir George Young: I very much hope that schools and Several hon. Members rose— colleges give priority to foreign languages that will help us win exports in competitive world markets. I commend Mr Speaker: As usual, there is a lot of interest. I am the work in my hon. Friend’s constituency, where that is keen to accommodate that interest, but we do now clearly seen as a priority. require extreme brevity—not preamble, but short, single- sentence questions, please. Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): May we have an urgent debate on how we can extend the Freedom of Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): As the person who Information Act to commissioning support groups? perpetrated the terrible atrocities in Toulouse claims to Under the Health and Social Care Bill they will not be be a former al-Qaeda bomber who escaped with 500 others statutory bodies, so no one will be able to get access to from Kandahar prison with the collusion of Karzai and the information that they have, and they are set to be his army and jailers, may we now debate why we tell our privatised by 2016. How will the public find out information brave soldiers to dismantle bombs? The only reason is that was previously available from primary care trusts so that the perpetrators can be identified and jailed. As but will not be available from commissioning support that is now a futile occupation, because the perpetrators groups? escape almost at will, should we not debate the issue now and allow our soldiers to destroy bombs at distance? Sir George Young: The hon. Lady raises a good question. There will be Health questions on Tuesday, Mr Speaker: I think that sentence contained a lot of when there may be opportunity for her to ask it, but I commas and semi-colons, but I do not recommend that will in any event raise it with the Secretary of State for it be imitated by other colleagues. Health and ask him to write to her, to ensure that information that should be in the public domain Sir George Young: I say to the hon. Gentleman, who remains so. has pursued this issue with dogged ferocity, that there will be questions to my right hon. Friend the Secretary Angie Bray (Ealing Central and Acton) (Con): Many of State for Defence on Monday, which might provide of my younger constituents will be delighted with the him with an opportunity to pursue it with Ministers news about the enterprise loans announced in yesterday’s who have the answers at their fingertips. Budget, which will help them set up their own businesses. May we have a debate on how we can build on such Simon Hart (Carmarthen Westand South Pembrokeshire) measures to help our young entrepreneurs? (Con): May we have a statement or a debate on the Government’s plans for gift aid? A number of charities Sir George Young: We can indeed have such a debate, are finding it difficult to access the gift aid that they are and it will commence when business questions finish. I due. am delighted to hear that the enterprise loans scheme is alive and well in my hon. Friend’s constituency, with Sir George Young: I commend my hon. Friend for the which I have some acquaintance. We all have a role to question that he asked, I think, yesterday, and I commend play in making information about it available in our the work of the air ambulances. We are committed to an constituencies, so that young people can get access to online filing system for charities to claim gift aid, which those loans, build their own businesses and help build a will come online in 2012-13. I hope that will make it thriving community in west London. easier for charities to reclaim the money that they are owed and drive up the resources available for the causes Matthew Hancock (West Suffolk) (Con): We on the that they promote in his constituency and others. Government Benches care deeply about tackling tax avoidance, so when will the legislation come in to tackle Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): the offshore gambling tax loophole? That was announced Can we please have a debate on the Government’s plans in the Budget yesterday and is vital for many of my to introduce VAT on holiday caravans? Their impact constituents. assessment states that that will probably result in a 30% reduction in demand for holiday caravans, which will Sir George Young: I cannot anticipate what may or have a particular impact in Hull, where we manufacture may not be in the Queen’s Speech on 9 May, but my a lot of caravans. It will also have an impact on families hon. Friend is right that measures were announced that who want to go on holiday and spend a week in a rented need legislation. As Leader of the House, I can say that caravan, because hire prices will go up. they are on my radar. 955 Business of the House22 MARCH 2012 Business of the House 956

Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) (Con): In the Budget launch of a series of high-value manufacturing technology yesterday, £130 million extra for London’s infrastructure centres and a programme of manufacturing fellowships, was announced. May we have a debate on the coalition’s and, of course, we have the regional growth fund and continuing commitment, combined with that of the other initiatives. The Government recognise the challenge Mayor of London, to the continual improvement of to which my hon. Friend refers, and a number of London’s infrastructure? funding sources are available to promote progress.

Sir George Young: As my hon. Friend knows, Crossrail Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con): We all depend is under way, and it would be wholly in order for him to on the regional media to spread public understanding develop that point at greater length in the Budget of serious politics and activities in the House, and we debate—perhaps tomorrow, if he is around. The Minister must all be concerned when a reduction in regional who replies to that debate will set out the coalition media coverage is threatened. In Wales, we are particularly Government’s view on infrastructure. My hon. Friend dependent on BBC Wales. Will the Leader of the House will also have seen what the Prime Minister said in his arrange an early debate on the plans of our regional speech on Monday about developing new models for media in the nations and regions of the UK to ensure financing infrastructure in this country. that we have proper, serious coverage of politics?

Chris Williamson (Derby North) (Lab): Can we have Sir George Young: I agree entirely with what my hon. an urgent debate on the implications of the Government’s Friend says on the importance of regional media. We decision to cut the Environment Agency’s budget for have just had Department for Culture, Media and Sport flood defence work, because that is having a significant questions, when there might have been an opportunity impact on my constituents in Darley Abbey and Chester to raise that. We have put the BBC’s funding on a more Green, who are potentially exposed to devastating flooding stable basis for the foreseeable future, and I will ensure and escalating—indeed, rocketing—home insurance bills? that the BBC hears what my hon. Friend says and see whether appropriate resources are being allocated to Sir George Young: As the hon. Gentleman will know, the regional media that cover his constituency. the Government have had to take difficult decisions in order to get expenditure back under control, but I will Mr Speaker: Just before we move to the next business, pursue the issue he raises through the Under-Secretary there is one matter with which I should like to deal. In of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my the course of business questions, the hon. Member for hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Richard Benyon), Rossendale and Darwen (Jake Berry) prefaced his question and see whether the Environment Agency, which might by indicating that he had notified the right hon. Member be the funding body, has resources available to tackle it. to whom he was about to refer in advance of coming to the Chamber. I simply want to say this to the hon. Gentleman and the House: advance notification to a Karen Bradley (Staffordshire Moorlands) (Con): The Member of an intention to refer to that Member is, of town of Leek—spelled with two Es rather than an itself, not sufficient; much depends on what is then said. E and an A—has been at the forefront of the arts and I say for the benefit of the hon. Gentleman and the crafts movement and was a centre for silk printing for House that where an accusation or implication of possible more than 100 years. However, sadly, that silk industry improper conduct is made, that must be done either by died out about 20 years ago. I am therefore delighted to a reference to the Parliamentary Commissioner for learn that British clothes maker, Bonsoir of London, Standards or upon a substantive motion. It should not has started printing silk in Leek again. Will the Leader be done in the course of a question. That was wrong, of the House find time for a debate on how we promote and a discourtesy—unintentional, I am sure—to the economic growth and prosperity by reviving traditional House. Therefore, I invite the hon. Member for Rossendale trades such as silk printing in Leek? and Darwen to apologise to the House for that discourtesy. He should now rise from his seat and apologise for that Sir George Young: I am delighted to hear of the discourtesy, which I accept and am sure was unintentional. revival of that industry in my hon. Friend’s constituency. It will be possible to raise that during the Budget Jake Berry: Mr Speaker, I apologise for an unintentional debate. The Government have launched a number of discourtesy to the House. programmes to assist manufacturing, including a £75 million programme to help small and medium-sized enterprises Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for to take on apprenticeships. We have also set up the his apology. I think that deals with the matter. 957 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 958 Situation Ways and Means Let me say to the Chancellor today: some of the electorate he really cares about—the selectorate in his own Conservative party—may be cheering, although Budget Resolutions and Economic after this morning’s headlines, I am not so sure. Situation Andrea Leadsom: Will the right hon. Gentleman give way? AMENDMENT OF THE LAW Ed Balls: I will in a second—I look forward to it. Debate resumed (Order, 21 March). As the Financial Times reports this morning: Question again proposed, “Some Tory backbenchers offered support for the measure”— (1) That it is expedient to amend the law with respect to the National Debt and the on pensioners— public revenue and to make further provision in connection with “although they refused to be identified for fear of alienating their finance. elderly constituents.” (2) This Resolution does not extend to the making of any Perhaps in a second some of those Conservative Back amendment with respect Benchers will break cover and back the pensioners tax to value added tax so as to provide— grab in the Budget, but they are right to be worried, (a) for zero-rating or exempting a supply, acquisition or importation, because all across the country, the real electorate will be (b) for refunding an amount of tax, thinking, “A tax cut for millionaires, paid for by millions (c) for any relief, other than a relief that— of families and pensioners across this country? Same (i) so far as it is applicable to goods, applies to goods of every old Tories: looking after their friends while families and description, and pensioners pay the price.” (ii) so far as it is applicable to services, applies to services of every description. Andrea Leadsom: Will the right hon. Gentleman give way? 12.55 pm Ed Balls (Morley and Outwood) (Lab/Co-op): The Ed Balls: I will happily give way to the hon. Lady. British economy is stagnating, unemployment is rising Perhaps on behalf of the thousands of pensioners in month by month, the Government’s deficit reduction her constituency who will lose from the tax grab, she plans have gone wildly off track, middle and lower-income will tell us whether she supports the Chancellor. families and pensioners are facing rising petrol prices, rising energy bills and falling living standards—and Andrea Leadsom: I am grateful to the shadow Chancellor. what did the Chancellor do in his Budget yesterday? Is he as delighted as I am that we will be introducing Did he admit that his economic plan has failed? Did he within the next couple of years a single, unmeans-tested act to kick-start the stalled recovery? Did he give any pension at a significantly higher rate than the current hope to young people facing long-term unemployment? one? Did he set out any vision of how, over the next 20 years, Britain can compete in the world and win the investment Ed Balls: We will have to wait to see the details. There and skilled jobs we need? Did he ease the pressure on will be some winners and some losers, but the one thing families by cutting fuel duty, or by cancelling perverse that we can categorically confirm today is that thousands and unfair cuts to tax credits and child benefit? No. The of pensioners in the hon. Lady’s constituency will lose centrepiece of the Chancellor’s Budget, his top priority, up to £300 a year as a result of yesterday’s Budget. She and the political imperative for this oh so political did not say whether she supported that—hardly a clarion Chancellor, was to spend more than £3 billion next year call of support for the Chancellor’s pensions tax grab. cutting the top rate of income tax for existing top rate taxpayers. People earning more than £150,000 a year— 300,000 of them—are getting an average tax cut of Michael Fallon: Could the shadow Chancellor make £10,000 a year. How out of touch can he get? it absolutely clear—yes or no—whether he would restore the age-related allowance if he came to power? To add insult to injury, the Chancellor sprung another surprise tax rise by freezing the age-related personal allowance for 4.5 million pensioners and abolishing it Ed Balls: I will make it absolutely clear: we will vote entirely for soon-to-be pensioners. People on modest against the change in the Budget debates and I hope incomes who have worked hard and saved hard all their that he will join us in the Lobby. We will vote against lives will be hit by the Chancellor’s tax grab on pensioners it, but the Chancellor knows very well that I will not go while he gives a £40,000 tax cut to 14,000 millionaires. through every tax rate, relief, allowance or spending What can we say about that? commitment and make commitments for three years’ time. But if the election were called tomorrow, our Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con) manifesto would be clear—we would rescind the measure rose— and the Government would go ahead with it. That is the difference. Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks) (Con): Will the right hon. Gentleman give way? Lindsay Roy (Glenrothes) (Lab): I am a relative newcomer to the House, so can my right hon. Friend explain what Ed Balls: I will in a moment. he means when he says, “The same old Tories”? 959 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 960 Situation Situation Ed Balls: The same old Tories who thought in 1988 yearfromApril.Nearly4.5millionpensioners—[Interruption.] that it was right to cut the top rate of tax for the richest I am sorry for the stammer. Nearly 4.5 million pensioners people in our country and who now think that having a who pay income tax will lose an average of £83 next second Lawsonian Budget is a good idea. It is important April, and people turning 65 next year will lose up to to remember that after hubris comes nemesis. It did not £322. take long for Nigel Lawson to find out the error of his At the very same time, the Budget gave a tax cut to ways. the richest people in our country. The money could have We set two tests for this Budget. First, does it kick-start been used to cut fuel duty or reverse perverse cuts to tax the recovery and boost growth and jobs? Secondly, is it credits. It could have been used to put police officers on fair? The Chancellor has failed them decisively. On the beat. Instead, the Chancellor chose to cut taxes for growth and jobs, I remind the House what the Chancellor the 300,000 top rate taxpayers. said a year ago in his Budget speech: “we will create jobs and support families. We have put fuel into Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) (Con): I must have the tank of the British economy.”—[Official Report, 23 March 2011; missed it, but for the sake of clarity does the shadow Vol. 525, c. 966.] Chancellor intend to put the top rate of tax back up to Since then, our economy has ground to a halt and 50%? thousands of people have lost their jobs. I remind the Chancellor of what he said in August, Ed Balls: I am just coming to the issue of the top rate when Parliament was recalled: of tax. The Chancellor tries to claim that the top rate of tax does not raise any money, and that he is raising in “Those who spent the whole of the past year telling us to stamp duty and tax avoidance five times the cost of follow the American example…need to answer this simple question: why has the US economy grown more slowly than the UK cutting the top rate of tax. But his own HMRC report economy”.—[Official Report, 11 August 2011; Vol. 531, c. 1108.] makes the true position clear, in table A2 on page 51. It says that next year he will give £3.01 billion in tax cuts What has happened since? Spurred on by the Obama to existing and legitimate top rate taxpayers, paid more stimulus, the US economy has been growing and than £150,000. That is a fact. That is six times more in unemployment falling. Here in Britain, our economy has tax cuts to the richest than he is raising in the stamp flatlined and unemployment has been rising month duty and tax avoidance measures. He is gambling that after month. It does not look much of a safe haven this will then bring in £2.9 billion in new tax revenues to me. from people currently not paying tax, without any hard What did we get in the Budget? We got a gaping hole evidence to justify that claim—an estimate that the when we so badly needed action to kick-start the OBR says in the Budget documentation is “highly recovery—Labour’s five-point plan for jobs and growth. uncertain” and could lead to a much higher cost. We will not get the deficit down unless we have a plan The head of the OBR said last night: for jobs and growth to get our economy moving and get people off the dole. When we needed a vision for the “This is a judgement based on not even a full year’s data based in terms of how people have responded to the 50p rate, in future, a modern industrial policy, what did we get? particular in terms of those self assessment tax-payers. Roads privatisation and a credit-easing scheme that even the Office for Budget Responsibility says is not The costing of these sorts of changes is by no means unarguable”. large enough to have any material impact. Just a few weeks ago, the Institute for Fiscal Studies said: Just look at the verdict from the OBR. The Chancellor claims it was a Budget for growth. But the OBR has “If the future of the 50p rate is to be determined on the basis of evidence...then Budget 2012 will be too soon to form a robust downgraded its forecast for growth next year. What did judgement.” it say about the ragbag of measures he announced? It said: Another expert has said on these matters: “Some believe that if taxes on the wealthy are cut, new revenue “We have made no other material adjustments to the economy will miraculously appear. I think their reasoning is this—all those forecast as a result of Budget 2012 policy announcements.” British billionaires who demonstrate their patriotism by hiding It will have no impact as a growth plan. from the taxman in Monaco or some Caribbean bolt-hole will The Chancellor claimed that it was a Budget for jobs, rush back to pay more tax but at a lower rate. Pull the other one.” but not only does the OBR expect to see unemployment That was the Business Secretary speaking to the Liberal rising, it has increased its forecast for unemployment Democrat conference last September. Pull the other one compared to November by 100,000—100,000 more people indeed. A £3 billion tax cut giving £10,000 each to out of work at the end of the forecast period. As for the 300,000 taxpayers and we are supposed to believe that budget deficit, the OBR forecast confirms that the all these people in tax havens are suddenly going to say, Chancellor is now set to borrow £150 billion more in “I want to pay more tax.” Let me say to the Chancellor, this Parliament compared to his forecast at the time of “Pull the other one, it’s got bells on.” the spending review. So much for “expansionary fiscal contraction”. To put it politely, that is oxymoronic. In Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con): May plain language, it is just moronic. I therefore assume that a 50p tax rate will be in the On fairness, the Chancellor has failed too. Twenty-four shadow Chancellor’s next manifesto? hours after the Chancellor rose in the House, the full reality of the Budget is sinking in. At a time when fuel Ed Balls: There will be a vote next week, and we will and food bills are going up for families on middle and vote against the 50p change. It is the wrong tax cut at low incomes, the Chancellor has added to them all. the wrong time. I have always said that no tax rate is set Whatever he says about the personal tax allowance, a in stone, but how can anyone believe it is right to take family with children earning £20,000 will lose £253 a tax credits from working families, child benefit from 961 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 962 Situation Situation [Ed Balls] Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): It is apposite that the shadow Chancellor used the word “con”. If he middle-income families and more tax from pensioners, believes that the top rate of tax is about economics, but give £10,000, on average, to every top rate taxpayer not politics, why, in 13 long years, when they had the in the country? If there were a general election tomorrow, money, time and majorities, did the Labour Government our manifesto would state clearly that we would reverse not introduce that top rate of tax? it. That is the clearest answer I will give. Ed Balls: We all agree that, after the global financial Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): crisis, tough choices need to be made on tax spending Does my right hon. Friend think it would be helpful, and pay to get the deficit down, and we all agree that it ahead of next week’s debate, for the Prime Minister to needs to be done fairly. Two years ago, the Chancellor place in the Library a list of which members of the said that he had a plan—with tax rises and spending Government will benefit from that cut in the top rate? cuts, the economy would grow and unemployment would fall—but he has had to come back to the House and Ed Balls: I think we should leave people’s trust funds announce further tax rises because his plan is not out of this. I will come back to that in a moment, but I working. But who is paying more tax? The pensioners. will not press the Government on it. And who is getting a tax cut? The millionaires. That is the reality. The Chancellor took a reckless gamble on jobs and the economy, the Prime Minister and the Chancellor The Liberal Democrats call this a Robin Hood Budget, have taken a reckless gamble on NHS reform and police but they have got it the wrong way around. Robin Hood cuts, and now the Chancellor is taking a reckless gamble took from the rich to give to the poor, but the Budget with the fairness of our tax system by handing out takes from lower and middle-income families to give to massive tax cuts to legitimate taxpayers in the hope—based the rich. Do they not see? The Chancellor is not Robin on no evidence—that the cuts will pay for themselves by Hood; he is the Sheriff of Nottingham. As for jobs and somehow bringing all the tax avoiders back into the growth, he could not give a Friar Tuck. As for Maid fold. That is a fact. Marian—trapped in the castle, desperate to escape—we all feel sorry for the Business Secretary, and not just because, as a result of the pensions tax grab, he is Angie Bray (Ealing Central and Acton) (Con): Will probably the only member of this millionaire Cabinet the right hon. Gentleman confirm that under the previous who will be not better off but worse off as a result of Labour Government the 50p tax rate applied for just the Budget—possibly with the Justice Secretary as well. 37 miserable days and that for the rest of the time their I am not sure. But he cannot say he was not warned. tax on the highest income earners was lower than under the coalition Government? Chris Skidmore (Kingswood) (Con): I would be interested Ed Balls: In reply, let me quote what the Chancellor to know whether the shadow Chancellor has actually said in October 2010: read the Budget and chart B5, which shows that the effect is worst on the top quintile? If he could be “The public must know that the burden is being fairly shared. bothered to look at that and read the Budget, he might That’s why I said last year: we are all in this together. And I am want to come back and change his mind. clear…that those with the most, need to pay more. That is why… I have stuck with the 50p tax”— the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Conservative party Ed Balls: The hon. Gentleman should have read the conference, October 2010. Eighteen months on, what small print. It is fine for him to accuse me of not having has changed? The public still want the burden to be read the Budget, but is the effect of the 50p tax cut in fairly shared, but far from keeping the top rate of tax, that chart? I think not. I have read it. He has not. It is he is ditching it. not there. If it were, the benefits would be off the scale. Let me read another quote. In October 2009, the After that disastrous and woeful intervention, let me Chancellor said: return to the Business Secretary. The Business Secretary cannot say that he was not warned. In fact, he did the “we could not even think of abolishing the 50p rate on the rich while at the same time I am asking many of our public sector warning. On deficit reduction, before the election, he workers to accept a pay freeze to protect their jobs. I think we can said: all agree that would be grossly unfair.” “The IFS is right to point out that cutting spending further this We can all agree on that. What has changed? What is year would be extremely dangerous given the weakness of the the truth? It was all a con. The mask has slipped. To economy.” 200,000 families struggling on less than £17,000 a year, He also said that he says, “I’m going to cut your tax credits to make you “it’s very difficult to believe that large sudden cuts would do work harder”, but to the highest earners, he says, “I’m anything other than a great deal of harm”. going to cut your taxes because if I don’t, you won’t He was right in his analysis of the dangers of going too work hard and pay your taxes.” That is it. To make the far, too fast, and he is right today. In his devastating poor work harder, the Chancellor makes them poorer. leaked letter to the Prime Minister, he said that the To make the rich work harder, he makes them richer. Government were without a Does that not tell us everything we need to know about the Chancellor? He is cutting tax credits for the poor, “compelling vision of where the country is heading beyond cutting child benefit in the middle, cutting tax help for sorting out the fiscal mess”. pensioners and cutting taxes at the top. That is his So why has he signed up to this completely vision-free priority. Budget? 963 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 964 Situation Situation Andrea Leadsom: Will the right hon. Gentleman give The shadow Chancellor made some very kind and way? considerate remarks, and I thank him for his concern about my personal finances. Perhaps I can take him Ed Balls: No. back to a toe-curling interview he gave a few days ago, when he described his two-decade relationship with his I am going to read again what the Business Secretary former boss, mentor, guide and friend as “unbelievably said on the top rate of tax, because it is such a great debilitating”. That is relevant to this debate, because it quote: gets to the heart of the problem of who is responsible “Some believe that if taxes on the wealthy are cut, new revenue for the legacy that we are having to manage. We inherited will miraculously appear. I think their reasoning is this—all those not merely a large fiscal deficit, but the largest in the British billionaires who demonstrate their patriotism by hiding from the taxman in Monaco or some Caribbean bolt-hole will G20 and the largest amount of household indebtedness rush back to pay more tax but at a lower rate. Pull the other one.” of any developed country. I have to ask him then: why is he going to stand here We inherited an economy in which the share of the today and defend a Budget that tries to do just that? banking sector—the banking assets—had doubled in Labour’s period of government, to become the largest We all know what the Deputy Prime Minister said of any major economy, and in which, simultaneously, last September. Let me tell the House—if anyone is the share of manufacturing had contracted by almost interested in what he says. He said: a half, from 18% to 10%. We have heard a long speech “I do not believe that the priority at a time like this is to give a about equality and fairness, but we also inherited an tax cut to a tiny, tiny number of people who are much, much economy in which, throughout Labour’s period of better off than anybody else.” government, the share of income of the top 1% and the Let us be honest. None of us is remotely surprised that top 10% of the population inexorably rose, and in the Deputy Prime Minister has completely capitulated, which wealth became progressively more unequal. just as he did on VAT, tuition fees and the NHS, but the Business Secretary is another matter. He knows that Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab) rose— our proposal to kick-start the recovery is right because he told the Chancellor to do it. He knows that our Vince Cable: I will take the intervention in a moment. proposal to set up a business investment bank is right because he told the Prime Minister to do it. And he A narrative has developed in which one man was knows that cutting the top rate of tax now is the wrong responsible for this fiasco, but it was a genuine team effort, priority, deeply unfair and a betrayal of his and his and the shadow Chancellor was an absolutely key member party’s values and progressive tradition. of that team. Being lectured now on how to manage an economy is a little bit like being given a talk on seamanship We all know all we need to know about the Deputy by the captain of the Costa Concordia—another believer Prime Minister, but we all had—and have—higher hopes in light-touch steering. for the Business Secretary. I have to say to him—and to his colleagues—that I understand the incredibly difficult Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab): position he is now in, but I have to ask him: what on The Secretary of State talked earlier about indebtedness. earth would the Vince Cable of five years ago think of Can he share with the House how much of the debt was what he is doing now? As the sketch writer in The down to the previous Government having supported Independent wrote last week: the banks and the finance houses to get through the “Vince has been so hammered by events…It isn’t clear any potential economic crisis? more that he could ‘press the nuclear button’ hard enough to makeitgooff.” Vince Cable: It was actually on the back of an Prove us all wrong, Vince—prove us all wrong. uncontrolled housing boom. Personal indebtedness as a The Chancellor used to say, “We’re all in this together.” share of people’s incomes doubled in the period of the Not any more. In tough times, the choices that this last Government. Of course the process of deregulation Tory-led Government are making tell us everything we beforehand did not help, but the core increase—the need to know about them and how totally out of touch fundamental problem of indebtedness—arose when the they are with what life is like in our country. Here are shadow Chancellor was a key decision maker in that the facts. The Chancellor’s plan has failed. Trying to Government. raise taxes and cut spending too far and too fast has I want to talk about the Government’s basic economic backfired. The country needs a Budget for growth and strategy, but before I do, I want to address the issue of jobs. Instead, we got more of the same, and with his tax unfairness and distribution. There were two allegations. cut for millionaires, he is piling insult upon injury for One was that the policies have had a damaging effect millions of families and pensioners across this country. on the so-called squeezed middle; the other was about the millionaires. Let me deal with each in turn. On the 1.21 pm squeezed middle, if hon. Members look at the distribution charts, they will see that the squeezed middle has been The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and squeezed a great deal less than the squeezed top. The Skills (Vince Cable): The central issue on which this major cash impact of the Budget was on low and Budget—and, indeed, the coalition Government—will middle-income families, as a result of lifting the threshold be judged is how we cope with the fallout from the to over £9,200, with £220 for more than 20 million massive financial collapse and the destruction of wealth, taxpayers. That was right, not just because of the fairness with the loss of approximately 10% of our national involved, but because it gives a significant economic income, and put the economy back on a sustainable stimulus, and at the margin—the 1 million people being path. lifted out of tax—it is a major incentive to work. The 965 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 966 Situation Situation [Vince Cable] the Budget as a “hotch-potch of reforms” that are risky because they might be “less fiscally neutral” than the policy also contrasts favourably with the strategy that Chancellor is claiming? the Labour Government adopted in office—which we discussed many times—of using tax credits. By increasing tax allowances in the way we have, we are giving people Vince Cable: I am sorry; I do not follow the logic of the freedom to choose how to spend their own money, the question. The Budget is of course fiscally neutral. I not taking it from them and then giving it back to them, have just quoted figures, which the Office for Budget through a complex, means-tested system, with high Responsibility has validated, which show that pensioners marginal rates of withdrawal. as a whole will gain five times as much from the increase in the pension and from pension tax credits as from the Sheila Gilmore: Is the Secretary of State disappointed change in allowances. that he lost the battle to rescind the cuts to working tax credit for couples working 16 hours, given that they do not benefit at all from raising the tax threshold, because Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): What will they already do not pay tax? Did he lose that battle or the Secretary of State say to people who have saved into did he not fight it? a pension all their working lives and who have only modest additional pension provision to rely on, but Vince Cable: The shift from a system based on tax who will now, completely unexpectedly, see the reward credits to one based on tax allowances obviously benefits for making that effort to save wiped away? the middle and low-income population as a whole. The impact on particular groups depends on a variety of Vince Cable: There is a genuine issue about pensioners things, including the minimum wage, which we have just with limited income, much of it savings income, which uprated, and the complex interaction of tax and tax credits. has been progressively ignored over the years. I have However, let me turn to the point about pensioner fought very hard in Parliament on the issue of annuities income. I find it quite extraordinary to hear the shadow reform, as have many colleagues, particularly on the Chancellor expressing such alarm about the impact of Government Benches. Many of the people the hon. the Budget on pensioners. I do not know whether he has Lady describes are annuitants who have been severely looked at the scorecard, but it is clear. In 2012-13, the squeezed by the very low interest rates. Despite numerous effect of the increase in the basic state pension and the appeals to the previous Government, absolutely nothing pension credit minimum income guarantee will be to was done about annuity reform. We have made an transfer £1.75 billion to pensioners. The impact of the absolute commitment to end compulsory annuitisation, changes on age-related allowances is £360 million—one which will offer far more practical help than any of the fifth of the additional funding going to pensioners as things that she and her colleagues are describing. a consequence of this Budget. When we look at the pensioner population, we of course see big differences. Let me turn to these millionaires. I agree with the There are 5 million pensioners who do not pay tax, Chancellor that the decision to cut the top rate of tax many of whom are poor, and who are not, of course, from 50p to 45p was economically the rational thing to affected by the changes at all. There is a small group of do. I want to focus the debate not on symbols but on people—frankly, my contemporaries—who have high substance. I share the emotional reaction of the many retirement incomes and considerable asset wealth, and people who are disgusted to hear pampered financiers it is right in principle that they should pay a bit more. whinging about their taxes. On an emotional level, There is a group in between, as the shadow Chancellor nobody can sympathise with that. However, we have to rightly said, of people who are not wealthy and do not deal with the practical realities that were burned on my have particularly high incomes, but who could be affected consciousness as a result of sitting in my place on the to a limited extent, as a result of inflation eroding the Opposition Benches for 13 years, exchanging views on value of the allowances—inflation is currently estimated the top rate of tax with successive Labour Ministers at 2.5%. Those people will benefit enormously from the from Blair to Brown to Balls. Year after year, they increase in the basic pension. would tell the Liberal Democrats that it was economically stupid to raise the top rate of tax above 40%. That was Let us just remind ourselves what is happening. We their message, year after year. Then, a few weeks before have an increase of £5.30 in the basic state pension for a the end of their Government—I think it was 57 days—they single person. On top of the increase last year, we are introduced the 50p rate in order to create a political talking about a £10 increase in the basic state pension, dividing line. That decision had nothing whatever to do as a result of the protections that this Government have with economics. The point that they had been making introduced. For many years, the pension steadily fell over all those years was that raising the top rate in that behind earnings as a result of de-linking, and, despite way would raise relatively little revenue. numerous promises, the previous Government did absolutely nothing about the problem. More and more pensioners Despite the casuistry of the shadow Chancellor’s were sucked into means-testing. This Government have intervention a few moments ago, in trying to argue that corrected that problem. We have a triple lock system vast sums of money had been sacrificed, line 3 of the and, as a result of that, and of this Budget, the vast scorecard makes it absolutely clear that we are talking majority of pensioners on low and middle incomes will about a revenue loss of £100 million a year. That figure be considerably better off than they were before. has been endorsed by the Office for Budget Responsibility. The changes that have been introduced in the Budget, Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab): including increased taxation of high-value property, What does the Secretary of State have to say to the plugging loopholes and much tougher anti-avoidance Institute for Fiscal Studies, which has today described rules, will bring in at least five times that amount. 967 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 968 Situation Situation Ed Balls: The HMRC report states that, in 2013-14, a highly mobile world, we have to take account of marginal the static cost—that is, the cost to existing top rate rates of tax in comparable countries. The current top taxpayers—will be £3 billion, rising to £3.35 billion, rate of marginal tax in Canada, Australia, France and then £3.7 billion and £4.2 billion. It then states that that Germany is around 45%, and that is the level to which will be offset by a behavioural impact of £2.9 billion, we have moved. £3.2 billion, £3.6 billion and £4 billion, which I think is heroic. The document states that behavioural responses Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op): are often “highly uncertain”, and the Business Secretary Does the Secretary of State acknowledge that business himself said that such assumptions were utter nonsense. leaders, who will benefit from the tax cut, said yesterday He said, “Pull the other one!” Is he now saying, “Mea that the priority should have been to cut taxes for those culpa—I got it totally wrong”? on low and middle incomes in order to stimulate consumer spending? Does he agree that that should have been the Vince Cable: I am just trying to deal with the facts. I priority, rather than cutting the 50% rate? believe in evidence-based decision making. The information in the Budget document, which has been validated as Vince Cable: I do not know where the hon. Lady has the best central estimate by Robert Chote of the OBR, been for the past 24 hours. The central feature of the suggests that we are talking about a revenue loss of Budget was a very large tax cut for exactly the group £100 million. I think that the right hon. Gentleman is of people she describes, and it will have exactly the fundamentally underestimating the financial significance consequences that she describes. of something that happened on an epic scale when his Let me get back to the core issue, which exercises me Government moved on the top rate, which involved and the shadow Chancellor. The basic economic strategy simply switching from one year to another. The underlying of the Government is to get back to a stable, sustainable impact on revenue has been independently estimated at form of economic growth. I want to address head-on £100 million. his central criticism, which he has made many times. It can be summarised in the phrase “too much, too fast”. Ed Balls: The document from HMRC makes it absolutely This Government have a deficit reduction programme clear in section A.19 that that is not HMRC’s view but that was developed following the autumn statement, the Government’s view. It was a ministerial decision on and it involves removing the structural deficit over a those estimates. But that does not take away from the period of six years. fact that a £3 billion cost—£10,000 on average for top The Darling plan, which the last Government set out, rate taxpayers—will be offset by a behavioural impact involved a deficit elimination programme of seven years. that is huge and, in the Business Secretary’s own words, What I am not clear about, particularly in view of the absolute nonsense. Let us deal in the complexity of the stridency of the shadow Chancellor’s views, is: what is facts, not the simplistic nonsense that the Chancellor the Balls plan? Is it for seven years, eight, 10, 20 or told the House yesterday. Does the Business Secretary, never? What is the alternative speed of deficit reduction with his integrity, look at those numbers—£2.9 billion, that the Opposition are urging on us? £3.2 billion, £3.6 billion and £4 billion—and say, “Yup, We are acting, successfully, on good advice. A few I agree”? weeks ago, the head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde said: Vince Cable: I think we are talking about integrity “Those countries that have fiscal space, and that can slow and statistics. Of course there has been a big change down their fiscal consolidation efforts are very few, and I’m afraid under this Government, compared with their predecessor. Britain is not in that particular group.” The numbers that the shadow Chancellor used to use That is because of the sheer scale of the structural were his own numbers. The numbers we are quoting deficit that we inherited. here are independently verified by the Office for Budget Responsibility.We will analyse the underlying assumptions Ed Balls rose— in those figures. The figures in the Budget document are absolutely unambiguous and they have been endorsed Vince Cable: I will give way in a moment. by an independent assessor—something that the right hon. Gentleman was never used to when he was in The CBI, quoted in evidence by the Opposition, was government—which confirms the value of the numbers equally clear, as reflected in its view that we cannot that we have described. afford to slow down the austerity programme. That is what authoritative people have to say about “too much, George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): Is not the too fast”. shadow Chancellor’s knockabout class warfare much more to do with appeasing Labour’s union paymasters? Ed Balls: The Business Secretary is a former chief The truth is that all the evidence shows that a competitive economist. He read out a quote from the head of the personal and corporate tax rate is a powerful driver of International Monetary Fund. On the previous day, the entrepreneurship. We proved in the 1980s, when we last chief economist of the IMF said exactly the opposite—that had to dismantle Labour’s tax time bomb, that lower if growth was “undershooting”, a country like Britain marginal rates of tax increased revenue. The announcement should today from GlaxoSmithKline of inward investment in “slow the pace of deficit reduction”. this country is a sign that this is working. Is the Business Secretary really saying that he is ignoring the advice of Olivier Blanchard, the chief economist Vince Cable: It is certainly true. My hon. Friend’s of the IMF? I would have thought that the right hon. central point, which was made very effectively by the Gentleman would have recognised Mr Blanchard’s Labour Government when they were in office, is that in economic credentials. 969 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 970 Situation Situation Vince Cable: I think Mr Blanchard is very firmly on trying to manage. For the first time in our lifetimes, record as endorsing the strategy that we have adopted. the financial system has collapsed—with disastrous There is, of course, a fundamental dilemma, which consequences—and we are having to put that right. any Government in this situation would face. If a deficit The fourth and final element in the story is rebalancing is cut very fast, it clearly has an impact on demand; and the economy and putting it on a proper sustainable if it is cut too slowly, we lose the confidence of international basis. That is why the Chancellor underlined in the creditors and markets. That is what we have not done. Budget our commitment to the growth review and to Unlike many eurozone countries that are now introducing improving infrastructure. We need to recognise that budgets in panic and under pressure, we have introduced banks have to be properly regulated, which is why we a politically and financially stable approach to deficit have increased the bank levy, but in addition, we need to reduction. The underlying theme has to be one of give backing to our successful industries, particularly financial discipline. our export industries—aerospace, creative industries, I cannot resist quoting an excellent statement of what the oil and gas sector, and pharmaceuticals. Over the this Government are about, and of what any Government last few weeks and months, we have been correcting should be about. It says that some of the long-standing errors of policy pursued by the Labour Government—the way in which, for example, “we must ensure we pass the test of fiscal credibility. If we don’t public procurement took no account of supply chains; get this right, it doesn’t matter what we say about anything else.” we are putting that right. We are beginning to see That was the shadow Chief Secretary, the hon. Member serious positive commitment by overseas investors—we for Leeds West (Rachel Reeves). She is absolutely right are seeing it in the car industry and in pharmaceuticals—as and has brought fiscal rigour to the Opposition Front a result of this industrial strategy. Bench for the first time. I just wonder what kind of response she has made privately to some of the Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab): With all due respect, we commitments that the shadow Chancellor, and indeed have heard it all before. In May last year, the Business the Leader of the Opposition, have been making in the Secretary said: last few weeks. They have been promising to get rid of “I will fight, and do fight…for manufacturing industry…It is the fuel duty changes, child benefit changes, child tax leading this country out of recession”.—[Official Report,24May credit changes and the changes to public sector pay. I 2011; Vol. 528, c. 793.] think the total volume of commitments is something in Will he tell us what went wrong with manufacturing? the order of £30 billion. Before we proceed any further with a debate on the Budget, we need to have absolute Vince Cable: Has the hon. Gentleman followed what clarity about which of those measures the Opposition is happening? The car industry, for example, has grown are committed to and to which they are not—and if by approximately 20% over the last year, and all the they are committed, we need to know what else they are major producers are investing in the UK. going to cut to make way for them. Several hon. Members rose— Let me summarise where we as a Government are proceeding. Unlike many other countries in Europe, we Vince Cable: Let me finish my summary.Hon. Members have not introduced our Budget in an environment of can make their points in their own speeches. panic or under pressure from financial markets. Unlike We are dealing with an extraordinarily dangerous in the United States, we do not have political paralysis; and difficult situation. Quite apart from our own we have stable government. This is our strategy: we horrendous legacy, we have to contend with the threat have, and we will retain, fiscal discipline and we will of high oil prices and the currently stabilised but continuing stimulate the economy. There has to be demand—the crisis in the eurozone. As a consequence, our economic shadow Chancellor is absolutely right about that—but position is very difficult. The economy is not, of course, this is coming through monetary policy. In order to growingly rapidly. Ever since we came into office, I seem have a monetary policy that stimulates the economy, we to recall the shadow Chancellor predicting a double-dip need the confidence of the central bank. The central recession, which has not happened. This year, growth is bank has made it absolutely clear that the Government not spectacular, but it is higher than Germany’s and have to be fully committed to fiscal discipline in order significantly better than the eurozone’s. to allow that to happen. Thus we have a combination of We acknowledge that we undoubtedly have major low interest rates, quantitative easing, now credit easing problems to deal with. Unemployment is far too high, and a substantial devaluation. This is where the stimulus but it is the same rate as in the United States, which is to demand comes from. often regarded as providing a role model of how to deal The third element is fundamental: we are dealing with a crisis. We recognise the seriousness of the problem; with a broken banking system—something we inherited. what we will be judged by is our effectiveness in digging The banking system was massively expanded under this country out of the enormous economic hole that the last Government, but collapsed with disastrous we inherited. We are on track to do it, and we will stick consequences. There is a continuing problem of credit with the policies that we have adopted. supply. That is a very real problem—and every small and medium-sized enterprise would tell the same story. 1.48 pm We have introduced a whole series of initiatives. The Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East) (Lab): Chancellor has taken this forward with credit easing, It is a pleasure to follow the Secretary of State, if only while my Department has a new programme building because he has confirmed me in my long-held prejudices on the Breeden report relating to non-bank finance. I about Liberal Democrat politicians. I think he redeemed have no doubt that we shall have to come back to this, himself in the last part of his speech about the financial because the banking system is still not functioning, but services sector, which is where I would like to begin my this is at the heart of the economic crisis that we are remarks. 971 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 972 Situation Situation In his BBC business lecture, Bob Diamond observed: carried out in the public sector can be discharged in less “We stand today at the end of a long cycle of excess borrowing: ponderous and more proportionate and cost-effective borrowing by financial institutions, by governments, by consumers ways, rather than to look at abolition as the only way of and by businesses.” making the savings. The Chancellor made a similar point yesterday when he In a significant move, the Chancellor announced a referred to the general anti-avoidance measure in the context of the “days of large deficits and the illusion of cheap finance.”—[Official move to the 45p top rate and the widespread avoidance Report, 21 March 2012; Vol. 542, c. 797.] of stamp duty on expensive houses. He announced As we all move in the opposite direction, there are other tax avoidance legislation as well. The obvious obvious dangers in the cumulative impact of collective danger is that, having gone to the expense of setting up repositioning. We should focus our attention on the an anti-avoidance device, the avoider gets a taste for it. significant differences between the output forecasts and The lower rate at 45p is a certainty, but the effectiveness the actual outcomes. The differences are striking. Corporate of the anti-avoidance devices is less certain. There are tax cuts, for example, marginally help corporate profitability; further dangers in a general anti-avoidance measure. If they do not of themselves stimulate growth or create jobs. it is necessary, it should be focused on the rich and powerful, and not be used in a disproportionate way The second feature to focus on is the public expenditure against small and medium-sized businesses. cuts that have not yet taken place. In the autumn statement, a further £8 billion in cuts was announced My final point is about the impact of all this on the for 2015-16 and a further £15 billion in cuts for 2016-17 north-east of England. Our region is a net exporter. —that £15 billion alone is equivalent to a 3p rise in Whatever might be the case for the country more generally, VAT—and yesterday the Chancellor announced a further a broadening and deepening of the private sector £10 billion in public expenditure cuts. This represents employment base of our region is the right way forward an unprecedented challenge. for us. The Government do not disagree with this point in principle, but the economic development structures In referring to external uncertainties, both the Chancellor they have put in place are the wrong ones for delivering yesterday and the Business Secretary today mentioned the stated policy, and I urge the Government—and in the eurozone and a spike in oil prices. I would add that particular the Business Secretary, whose responsibility the secrecy and complexity of the unregulated financial this is—to consider the alternative Minister-led approach services sector in the United States is a further cause for to regional economic development that I and other concern, not least because of its size. Members set out in our regional debate last year. The overall Budget stance is fiscally neutral, but, of I also urge the Government not to go ahead with the course, the impact of the Budget changes is cumulative. regionalisation of public sector pay. This is a “blue VAT is still at 20%. A combination of wage freezes and herring.” As well as being manifestly unjust, it will cost inflation will reduce real earnings—again, the effect is more than it saves and will throw up a range of unintended cumulative. A cut in the top rate of tax is useless for and unwelcome consequences. It is a myth that high those who do not earn £150,000 a year—and most of us public sector pay is undermining the creation of less do not. Similarly, a change in lower income tax thresholds well-paid private sector jobs. I challenge anybody, both is useless for the one third of households that do not in this House and outside, to point out a job vacancy in have anyone resident who pays income tax because they the north-east of England for which no candidate can are too poor. The regressive impact of all this is even be found at the going rate. Why should public sector greater if the citizen’s housing costs are being driven up workers suffer austerity measures longer because of by 7% or more a year, which is what has happened to where they live? They are already on the receiving end social housing rents. Again, the effect is cumulative. of wage freezes, job losses, rent rises, general inflation Pensioners may appreciate the simplification of the and long-term reductions in their pensions—and are hit age-related personal allowances, but not their collective even harder if they are trying to help their children loss of about £1 billion per year resulting from the through university, and harder still if they have lost freezing of those personal allowances. That does not hit their tax credits. Between 2011 and 2015, the average the poorest; instead, it is a nasty assault on people who, public sector worker will see their wages increase by 2% in the main, are not particularly wealthy, but have tried while the consumer prices index increases by 14%. Now to look after themselves in their retirement years. It is a is not the time to depress demand in the most vulnerable sneaky and disreputable measure. Even the Government regions of the United Kingdom. As well as both the seem ashamed of it, since they coyly describe it as a uncertainties to which the Chancellor referred in his “simplification” and, significantly, it is one of the few address and those to do with the transnational unregulated bits of the Budget that was not briefed beforehand. financial services sector, he has left us with a further set of uncertainties all of his own: the substantial public The Chancellor said a lot about the money he is service cuts that are yet to come. Of course the poor are spending, but less about the public expenditure cuts hurt by this Budget, but it is middle-income Britain that that are going to pay for the fiscally neutral Budget is disproportionately the loser. stance. Given the times, it would be reasonable for the Government to look again at whether big-ticket items should be dropped as unaffordable. I urge them to think Several hon. Members rose— again about the Trident renewal programme. Why do we need to duplicate a strategic weapon that is already Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. Before in NATO’s armoury? Nor am I convinced that the Mr Brown’s speech, I should have announced that there high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham is an eight-minute time limit on speeches. He is so astute is worth the expenditure in the current circumstances. I that I knew he would realise that, but I now say to the urge the Government to look at whether valuable tasks rest of you that there is an eight-minute limit. 973 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 974 Situation Situation 1.56 pm In government, Labour professed sympathy for working families on low incomes but did little to help them—in Mr David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con): fact, Labour hindered. We did not hear anything in the I am grateful to have this opportunity to participate in shadow Chancellor’s speech about the failings of his the Budget debate, in order to highlight the financial Government. They allowed families to get worse off, and economic issues that are of concern to my constituents, and the increase in poverty was greater under Labour. and in particular to raise the topics of families, fairness This Government do not believe that people should be and the future. I congratulate my right hon. Friend the allowed to remain on benefits for ever because benefits Chancellor of the Exchequer on his Budget, which I are more attractive than working and earning. That is believe is fair, innovative and effective. There are a lot of unacceptable. We are, therefore, grateful that we are very good measures in it: tax cuts, help for business, changing the benefits regime and helping people with increases in pensions and personal allowances, and the tax regime, so that work does pay. That is fundamental. investment in infrastructure. That is all good news for our country. For my constituents, the key concerns are Under this Government, great progress has been the cost of living, keeping their jobs, taxation and made in the past two years, with personal allowances dealing with the appalling economic mess left to us by going up by 25%. This year there is to be another rise the last, unlamented Labour Government. and next year, in April 2013, there will be an additional rise in the personal allowance of £1,100. That is a real, This Budget goes a long way towards dealing with the positive advance for people on low incomes, allowing issues facing the United Kingdom, and I believe it will them to keep more of their money. I particularly welcome be strongly supported across the country. It is good the fact that some 2 million people will no longer pay news for hard-working people on moderate and low any income tax; they are on low incomes and they incomes. It helps families and businesses, and, most should not be paying income tax. It is the Conservative-led importantly, it encourages aspiration. Government—a coalition Government—who are doing Shortly, I shall address families, businesses and taxation, this, and I welcome the Business Secretary’s speech, and how this Budget will assist and encourage our which highlighted what the Government are doing and economic recovery. Before doing so, however, I want to the logic behind it. state that the infrastructure plans announced in the Budget will create jobs and opportunities for businesses Kate Green: I note the hon. Gentleman’s welcome for and enhance our economy. In particular, I welcome the families being lifted out of income tax. How does he Chancellor’s announcement of a possible new river react to the fact that 230,000 pensioners are being crossing in east London. As my constituents and others brought into the ambit of taxation for the first time by travelling to and from south-east London know, the this Budget? Blackwall tunnel is inadequate and congested and still prone to vehicles breaking down on the approach roads Mr Evennett: The whole aspect of what we are looking or in the tunnel. at is increasing pensions and helping pensioners. This Government have done a lot more than the Government Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con): My whom the hon. Lady supported—they gave a miserable hon. Friend makes a valid point about the east Thames 75p increase in the pension a few years back. Our crossing. That will also be of great benefit to my constituents Government are putting up the pension this year by in Kent. more than 5%, which is a record and an achievement for this Government. We will take no lectures from the hon. Mr Evennett: I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s Lady, because her Government let pensioners down. support. As the Mayor of London has said, a new Nationally, a total of 24 million people will receive a crossing at Silvertown is essential. It will enable commuters tax cut thanks to this Budget. That is good news for and business traffic to get to their destinations quicker, individuals, for families and for the economy. This and it will relieve the pressures on the Blackwell tunnel. Conservative-led coalition is proceeding to help working In order to ensure the regeneration of south-east London, people, and the Opposition do not give us credit. I was such public sector projects and investment are essential, disappointed with the shadow Chancellor’s speech. I usually and I welcome the Government’s commitment to look listen to him with great interest, but he did not allude to further into this crossing and to support other investment anything that Labour would do if it were in government to improve our infrastructure. or to Labour’s failures when it was in government. I commend my right hon. Friend the Chancellor on The family is the backbone of our society, and the his measures on taxation and families. Conservatives issue of child benefit is always difficult. Fairness remains instinctively believe in lower taxation, not only because the key, and the original changes proposed caused it allows people to keep more of their own money, but considerable difficulty. I am pleased that the Chancellor because they then have more choice in how their money listened to our concerns, and those of constituents, that is spent. Government do not always know best. They the proposed changes were not really acceptable. By have a role to play, but people will spend their own amending the proposals and tapering the benefit from money more effectively; it is not for Government to do an annual income of £50,000, some 90% of families will that or to tell people. Unlike the Labour party, which continue to benefit from financial support during these always believes in increasing taxation, we believe that difficult financial and economic times. This Government people who have worked hard should have the opportunities are listening and changing policies after representations to get on with their lives and careers, and to spend their have been made, and that is to the credit of the Chancellor money as they want. I therefore welcome the Chancellor’s and the Treasury team. aspiration to raise the personal tax allowance to £10,000 Red tape, bureaucracy and taxation all adversely as soon as possible. That is good news for all working affect businesses. I welcome the news that more is being families on low incomes. done to support small businesses and manufacturing. 975 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 976 Situation Situation The investment in apprenticeships, lower corporation tax avoidance is good in principle and welcome. Obviously, tax and extra support for start-ups will make a real we have to see the exact detail to know whether the difference. In addition, we heard the innovative idea of effects will match up to the stated intent. Similarly, tax a student-style loan for young people to allow them to simplification for small businesses is a good thing in start up their own businesses, and I welcome the fact principle, but again the devil will be in the detail, as it that the Chancellor is examining it. It would allow 18 to will be in respect of removing borderline anomalies. 24-year-olds who are keen on a business career to be Many of us have been lobbied by our local chippies and helped. We all know that university is not for everybody; others about removing some of those anomalies, but of people may not want to go there and may want to go course there is always the danger that we end up redrawing into business instead. So we need to provide the same the margins in particular businesses or sectors. sort of help for young entrepreneurs, whom we desperately The Budget makes new provisions for the carbon need in this country, to enable them to go forward to price floor. Coming from Northern Ireland, I am sorry make their name and their fortune. I welcome the fact that the Government have not seen fit to open a window that the Government are willing to examine that. to relieve the serious competitiveness and investment My constituency contains a number of innovative problems that will be caused to our generating industry, manufacturers, such as Texcel Technology in Thames because, in the context of the single energy market in road, Crayford, which I visited last month. I was really Ireland, the carbon price floor will, in effect, incentivise impressed with the dynamism of its leadership and its investment to go south of the border and not stay in the focus on high-tech products. I recently nominated it for north. the Made by Britain project. The NEPTUNE project, There are other issues to address, such as fuel duty. for which the company has provided power and switching Again, I regret that the Government have not done solutions, will help to develop our understanding of the more to help firms and families, who have both been ocean and of many biological, chemical, physical and affected deeply by these problems. The Government geological events that take place. I am pleased that such have boasted greatly about the measures that they have a successful firm in my constituency has designed and taken to date to protect people from the price surge, but manufactured such innovative components for this that surge protection is still needed and now is not the international project. People at the firm were looking to time to let it go on the assumption that the other tax the Government for some action and will be delighted changes that the Government have announced will with what the Government have proposed in the Budget somehow carry people through or forward. to enable small firms like theirs to prosper and develop. Obviously, not least in the context of Northern Ireland, I know that the firm is concerned about regulations, I support the further moves in relation to “above the bureaucracy and, of course, tax, so it will welcome the line” research and development tax credits and the tax parts of the Budget dealing with business. Business is reliefs in the creative sector, not least in film and high-end vital to our society; it makes the money and creates the television, where Northern Ireland has recently been wealth that allows us to invest in education, hospitals, doing well. all the other public services, pensions and all the rest that we want to invest in. If we do not allow business to On corporation tax, we in Northern Ireland are faced flourish, we cannot make that wealth and we cannot with the highly competitive corporation tax rate on the have the taxes that come with it. This Government are other side of the border and we have been looking for focusing on those issues, to make sure that we are reductions and modifications there. I have no argument getting the wealth creation and the taxes from innovative in principle with moves to reduce corporation tax, but I small firms such as the one I mentioned. wonder about the Government’s measures on the control We need to consider the whole of this Budget, as it of foreign companies and the full reform that is there. works together as a rounded Budget, looking to the Previously, I have asked about the impact that that future. That is the great thing about what we saw would have on the moves to restrict the incentives yesterday from the Chancellor and the team; the Budget towards using tax havens, and I remain concerned that is looking to the future to make Britain better. It seeks while the Government have perhaps redressed some of to make Britain great again, as that will not come from the concerns that have been raised about the possible the Opposition, after their 13 years. We remember how loss to business and revenue in the UK, there will still be they “ended” boom and bust, and we remember all the a loss to developing countries’ revenue, which they things they had—the result was a disaster and it left us absolutely need, as a result of the measure. with the mess to clear up. The Government are making much, not just in the In conclusion, the Chancellor has been effective in Budget but more widely, about what they are doing for looking to policies to solve our economic and financial business lending. We have all heard this before. All the situation. The Budget demonstrates that this Government measures that are made relying on quantitative easing are firmly on the side of those who aspire to do the right and now credit easing depend on the banks. We are told thing for themselves, their families, their businesses and about the £20 billion guarantee, so that some banks—those this country, and I strongly back it. that opt into the scheme—might give businesses credit at 1% less than they would otherwise have given. If yet 2.6 pm more billions are being spent just to make that marginal Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): Unlike Government difference, one has to wonder whether that is the best Members, I am not in a rush to gush about how much way of gearing support towards growth and the economy. this Budget does for families or firms in my own or More direct uses of that money could yield a much anybody else’s constituency. However, I am also not readier growth impact. here to pretend that everything in this Budget is bad, as On the tax side, we have the hit on pensioners, with it contains measures that will help some sectors and the move in the allowance and more people being areas. Moving on general anti-abuse rules to deal with brought into taxation. At a time when we are again 977 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 978 Situation Situation [Mark Durkan] Mr Tom Clarke (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) (Lab): May I follow up the very important point that encouraging people to save towards pensions and we my hon. Friend made about the reduction of £12 billion again have a reform and recasting of the pension system, in welfare? Does he recall that last week when we had for the Government to come along and make another the debate on women’s rights in Westminster Hall a tweak that appears to hit pension provision and pension number of our friends from Northern Ireland outlined plans sends the wrong signal. It gives people the idea just how serious that problem was? Does he think they that the Government engage in jigger-pokery—that they will be in receipt of cuts as well? encourage people to save pensions but that then when they do so they will be clobbered. It is just a bad and Mark Durkan: Absolutely; that is the fear that we unnecessary measure at a time when we are trying to must have. The Chancellor has put forth the signal that encourage people to save more for pensions. Other such cuts would be needed and would have to be factored people whom we are asking to save for their pensions into the next spending review. Although this House has are middle-income earners: we are asking them to make discharged its duties on the Welfare Reform Bill, we strong provision for their pensions and to make provision must ask what the changes will be. Contrary to what the for their children’s third-level education. Many of them Chancellor has said about support for families, the are still being hit by the change to child benefit. That Government’s direction of travel in everything they do will hit some of those people’s capacity to save for their is putting more of a squeeze on families—both low-income own pensions as well as to support their children. families on benefits and middle-income families given The Chancellor has told us of the Adam Smith the pressures that they are facing. principles of tax being simple and predictable, supporting The Chancellor also used the Budget to frame questions work and being fair, but the tax charges being introduced about moving towards regional pay in the public sector. in relation to child benefit go completely against that. It Speaking from the Opposition Benches, I want to say is a very complicated and clumsy system that is going to straightforwardly that I know that he is not the first cause problems, and not just for those families who are Chancellor to toy with the idea of regional pay and affected—it will cause serious problems for employers. tinkering with the framework. I have heard that from It will not be long before employers’ bodies will be previous Chancellors and Prime Ministers, so I am not coming to Government and saying, “You have created a in denial. I was as opposed to it then as I am now. I was very serious problem here”—a much bigger problem intrigued to hear the Chancellor say that he had submitted than the 50p tax ever created for those firms in how they evidence to the independent pay review body, so I went could incentivise rewards and repay people. The Chancellor to the Library to see what that evidence was and I have also mentioned the £10 billion cut in welfare coming the “Dear pay review body chair”letter from the Chancellor. after the next election, which he has been framing as Some 11 pages of evidence were submitted. I am not necessary if other cuts are to be sustained. saying that it is dodgy dossier stuff, but in the material that it sources it really is dubious dossier stuff. It Sheila Gilmore: Will my hon. Friend comment on the shorthands academic studies, possibly doing a disservice initial speculation in today’s edition of The Times, to the academics who completed them, in saying that which is hardly a bastion of left-wing politics, that the evidence suggests that the quality of public services those cuts might affect attendance allowance, means-tested would directly benefit if public sector pay became more disability living allowance or mean the taking away of responsive to local labour markets. It claims that one carers’ allowance? study “found that over one quarter of hospital targets were negatively associated with the public/private wage differential.” Mark Durkan: Of course, these cuts could affect It said that another study anything. We were told when the Welfare Reform Bill went through Parliament that that was the final destination “found that a 10 per cent increase in wages outside of the nursing sector was associated with a 7.4 percent increase in mortality rates of welfare reform. Now it is clear from the Chancellor from heart attacks.” that it is simply a staging post for further cuts. We were told about the spoonful of sugar—the extra money When that is the quality of evidence that the Government going into making universal credit work in the transition are submitting to the pay review body, we need to period—but is it the Chancellor’s plan to remove some examine it further. of that, and to pull back the extra investment that has gone into making universal credit work and more 2.17 pm acceptable, or will other benefits such as those for Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks) (Con): I remind the House people with disabilities be affected? We know that families of my interests on the Register of Members’ Financial with disabilities are already being squeezed. Are they Interests. One of the most remarkable things about the going to suffer more? Opposition’s response to this Budget is that we have not In the light of people in the Chamber teasing others heard a single pledge to reverse any of the changes about what they will put in their next manifesto, will the being proposed. We have heard a lot of carping and that Government parties tell us what they will be putting in they are going to vote against some of the measures on their manifestos about the £10 billion-worth of further Monday, but they are not actually going to change cuts in welfare? Who will be hit? There is no point in them should they ever come back to power. When they people asking one party what they are going to put in do carp, they seem to be carping on behalf of some their manifesto unless others are going to follow through. rather strange interests. They want the top 10% of The Government are saying that such cuts will be households to keep their child benefit. They want the needed after the election; will they say during the election better-off pensioners to keep their age-related allowances. campaign where those cuts will be made? Indeed, they want the super-rich to go on enjoying 979 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 980 Situation Situation some £65 million-worth of evasion of stamp duty and take on a single extra member of staff. Why should the abuse of tax reliefs. That seems to me an extraordinary state make it so difficult for young people to get into position for the Opposition to get into. employment? The test of all the Budget measures in the end is Mr Sam Gyimah (East Surrey) (Con): Is it possible whether they will improve our productivity, as so many that the opposition to these measures we are hearing, Labour Budgets and so much Labour spending signally which my hon. Friend has outlined, is opportunistic failed to do. The Office for National Statistics figures politics dressed up as principle? for 2010 say it all and are a good summary of 13 years of Labour government. In terms of GDP per hour, Michael Fallon: My hon. Friend is on to something. France is 18% more productive, Germany is 19% more We note that the shadow Chancellor could not answer productive and the United States is 24% more productive. the questions on whether Labour would restore the That shows the importance of improving incentives at age-related allowances, the changes to which its Members every level and it is why I welcome the new incentives have been moaning about today. for the lower paid and middle earners that will be Where I hope there is common ground across the created by the changes to the personal allowance. Taking House is that we all want a dynamic, high-growth 2 million people out of tax altogether in two years will economy. In my view, that can be built only on sound improve those incentives. That is a coalition achievement public finances, fully flexible labour markets and rising in which both parties on this side of the House can take productivity in both the private and public sectors. real pride. I shall begin with the public finances. I welcome Sound public finances, more flexible labour markets confirmation in the Budget that we remain on track to and higher productivity are the keys to the future and to eliminate the structural deficit, with the result that, even the jobs that our children need. I welcome the progress in difficult trading circumstances both in the eurozone being made in this Budget towards them. and globally, the Chancellor was able to avoid big increases in taxation or further increases within this 2.24 pm spending round. A broadly neutral Budget confirms Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab): that we are on course, but keeping our public finances The Chancellor’s Budget statement yesterday was for on course will require continued firm control of public the entire country, but for so many individuals, households spending. and communities, it will result in many different outcomes. I note that in cash terms public spending continues to I want to concentrate on the impact that it will have on rise each successive year that is illustrated in the Red my constituency and the Dumfries and Galloway region Book. It may be that we have to have a fresh look at as a whole. Yesterday, local people were looking for some of the entrenched spending targets of the previous indications of potential growth in the economy and Government. We may well need to ask ourselves whether potential creation of jobs. specific targets, for example on child poverty or climate In the past 20 months unemployment in my constituency change, are the best way of focusing our spending has risen month after month. It is a sad reflection that where it is most needed. youth unemployment is at its highest level since 1996. I welcome moves towards flexible labour markets Dumfries and Galloway is a rural constituency, which and more local pay. The hon. Member for Foyle (Mark means that the two largest employers are the national Durkan) is right—this is not a new announcement. If health service and the local council. The shedding of you look back at the spending review of 2002, Mr Deputy jobs in those two specific areas has now been going on Speaker, you will see that the then Government were for four years, and for those who think that everything committed to more flexible local and regional pay. You north of the border is fine under a Scottish National will find it in the Budget documents of 2003. You will party Government, let me tell them that that is four also see it in the previous Prime Minister’s last Mansion years of cuts in the public sector. Yet the block grant House speech as Chancellor in 2006. Of course, the that we all talk about—that Barnett formula, the Barnett Labour Government did nothing about it; their union consequentials—has been reduced only in the financial paymasters would not allow it. But local pay has applied year that is about to come to an end. So there has been a for the past 25 years at least across the private sector, lot of pain in Scotland that sometimes people do not and it would be wrong to continue to rope off the public read about in the wider UK press. The pain of loss of sector from the real differences in the associated costs of income spreads into the local economy. It spreads on to labour up and down the United Kingdom. the high street. I regret to say that some of the pressure It is unfair to local businesses to have to compete for on households in my constituency is down to the fact labour with public bodies and offices that pay well that it is very much a low wage economy. above the market rate. It is certainly unfair to the jobless So the Budget statement cannot be taken in isolation, in those labour markets, who are priced out of jobs as a although that is what we are here to discuss today. We result. I hope that the Chancellor will go on to tackle need to look at what has happened and what is about to some of the other inequalities, such as the big differences happen. My hon. Friend the Member for Foyle (Mark in sickness pay between the public and private sectors Durkan) said that the welfare cuts would have an impact. and the real difficulties that young people under 25 have That is happening at the moment. Let no one be under in getting that first job. One third of the unemployed any illusion that only the current coalition Government are under 25. That is the legacy of the Labour party, have introduced welfare cuts and reforms. Our Government and we have to do everything possible to help those did on three occasions. They were trying to make those people to get their first job, not least when at the adjustments that said to people, “Work does pay. There moment we control their wages and other conditions is an opportunity there, despite any disability that you that create so many disincentives for small companies to have. There is help and support to get you back into the 981 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 982 Situation Situation [Mr Russell Brown] Mr Brown: My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. In 1996 and 1997, when the Labour party was talking workplace, perhaps not doing what you did in the past about a national minimum wage, the Conservative but it is there if you wish to seize the opportunity.” The Government and others were saying that we would lose big challenge will be in the next two weeks when so 1 million jobs as a result. In fact, the opposite happened many households lose working tax credits. With the and it created around 1.5 million jobs, especially in the reductions in service provision through the voluntary service sector, so he touches on a relevant point. sector that my local area has experienced, with welfare My right hon. Friend mentions tourism, and it is on rights budgets being cut and with Citizens Advice services that point that I will bring my remarks to a close. I being cut, I am finding that more and more constituents represent a rural constituency, and for many of my are coming to my office for help and support. constituents using public transport is an absolute Let me give the entire House a warning: colleagues impossibility and they depend on their cars. The area is had better batten down the hatches, because they are heavily dependent on agriculture and forestry. Hidden about to be inundated with households that are about away on page A101 of “Overview of Tax Legislation to lose their working tax credit. The increase in tax and Rates” is the bombshell—it is a bombshell—that as allowance announced yesterday, which will mean £2 or of this October VAT will be levied on static holiday £3 a week, will make not one iota of difference to caravans. A £40,000 van will cost £48,000. There are households that will potentially lose £50, £60 or £70 a many of these business in my constituency—nowhere in week. In no way whatsoever can the increase compensate my constituency can someone be more than eight to for that. 10 miles away from a static caravan site. Owners of The other point is that people will need to move from these sites will find it much more difficult to upgrade working 16 hours a week to 24 hours in order to avoid and invest in their businesses and, importantly, those losing their tax credit. How on earth will that happen holidays will become much more expensive for hard- when people have voluntarily reduced their working working families. hours over the past couple of years just to hold on to their jobs? Unfortunately, many of those people will be 2.34 pm unable to keep a hold of their tax credit. Lorely Burt (Solihull) (LD): As a Liberal Democrat, The granny tax grab, as it has been described today in I am as delighted as any of my colleagues or, indeed, the press, the changes to the age-related personal allowance, any of our coalition colleagues by the further and faster which when introduced took 680,000 pensioners out of move yesterday towards the realisation of our flagship tax altogether, is being done at the wrong time, if indeed tax policy—raising to £10,000 the threshold at which it has to be done at all, with low interest rates and people start to pay tax. It was something that the maturing annuities not delivering what people had expected. shadow Chancellor would not acknowledge, and that In a rural locality fuel prices are vital, so I want to was a little churlish. As the Liberal Democrat spokesperson ask the Minister what has happened to the fair fuel for business, innovation and skills, however, I want, in stabiliser. FairFuelUK expected more from the coalition the short time at my disposal, to focus on a small number Government, who need to be honest about what has of highlights and what the Budget means for business. gone wrong. We were all inundated with e-mails from Much of the good news for business was announced constituents about the report commissioned by in the autumn pre-Budget statement, and that is a good FairFuelUK. I asked the Economic Secretary last week— thing, because what business needs as much as anything she did not leak anything to me—what she and her is predictability, stability and simplicity. We knew that officials thought of the report, but she said that she corporation tax was due to be cut to 25% this April, but could not speak to me about it because the Budget was I am sure the news that we will now cut it by a further just a few days away. I would like to hear what Treasury 1 percentage point is good news that business will be Ministers and officials make of the report, because I able to deal with. have doubts about a 2.5p reduction in fuel duty creating I also welcome simplifying on the basis of cash 175,000 jobs; it verges on some sort of economic fantasy. turnover the tax on our smallest businesses. What a I would have loved to have seen, as I am sure would difference that is going to make for them, as will integrating most of my constituents, an announcement yesterday income tax and national insurance. Business has other of a temporary reversal in the VAT rise, because £450 things to worry about without collecting tax through extra for families would have been of real benefit to two separate systems for the Government. them and it would also have helped motorists. I am, and Despite the tough decisions that we had to take always have been, totally opposed to any kind of regional because of the “no money” legacy of the previous variations in these matters. I sat on the Committee that Government, we have managed to create an environment introduced the national minimum wage back in 1998 of low interest rates, and that has been vital to business. and—the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation We only have to look over the channel at our European and Skills is no longer in the Chamber—even then there neighbours to see what a shocking state we could have were Liberal Democrat Members who wanted regional been in if we had not been as tough and as firm as variations in the national minimum wage. It is not we have. acceptable. So, despite the tough going, we have been getting going and literally rebuilding our economy. The building Mr Tom Clarke: Does my hon. Friend recall that the trade has suffered badly during the recession, despite hospitality and tourism industries, which I know are historically low mortgage rates, but we are helping, very important in his constituency, were warned that through the NewBuy system, by expanding the get the national minimum wage would cost them jobs, and Britain building fund to provide up-front finance to does he agree that the opposite was the case? construction companies and by reforming planning. 983 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 984 Situation Situation For small businesses, the national loan guarantee leave school unready and unprepared to earn a good scheme started operating this week, making £20 billion living. We must tackle that issue. We must enthuse and of guarantees available. That is all well and good as open the eyes of our youngsters to the opportunities long as banks are prepared to lend, so it is important out there, including starting their own businesses. I fully that their seeming intransigence is challenged by competition back the idea of enterprise loans for young people. I from alternative sources of finance, such as the £1 billion started my first business venture at the age of 10, and that we have made available to funds that lend directly I think that it is never too early to feel the excitement of to mid-cap businesses. We are also increasing funding to doing it oneself. I commend the Budget to the House. the business finance partnership by 20%. The Green investment bank opens for business next 2.41 pm month—a step towards our aspiration to become the Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): It greenest Government ever; greener business cars will is a great pity that the Chancellor is not here; I would get a series of tax breaks; and hauliers’ vehicle excise love to look him in the eye and ask whether we are duty has been frozen. But most importantly, there will genuinely all in it together. He and I represent Cheshire be £4.5 billion less in burdens on the motorist with the constituencies, but I do not think that his position cancellation of the fuel duty escalator and the confirmation is quite the same as that of the good folk living in of the fair fuel stabiliser. the Westminster ward—one of the country’s most Business needs support in many ways. We are very disadvantaged—in my constituency. I would really like clever and inventive—[Interruption]—all of us, as a him to say to those people that he was in the same boat nation—and we need to do much more on patent as them. That is manifestly not the case. The media have protection, but I welcome the cut in taxes on patents picked up on that and realised that the story that we and was delighted to hear the news this morning that were told yesterday is full of half-truths that present GlaxoSmithKline will now invest heavily in the UK the facts differently from what is really happening on and, as a result of that announcement, continue its the ground. valuable and lucrative life sciences work here. In these tough times, what the Tory-led Government The support for science announced yesterday was are doing tells us everything that we need to know also very well received. The extension of tax credits to about them. It proves that the Chancellor and Prime the creative industries, as well as to films, is also welcome. Minister are totally out of touch with what life is like There was some banter yesterday when the Conservatives for people in this country. At a time when bills are going were compared to “Downton Abbey”, and perhaps the up for families on middle and low incomes, the Chancellor Labour party does include Wallace and Gromit, although has added to them all. Fuel duty is going up, even which one out of the shadow Chancellor and the Leader though petrol prices are at a record high. of the Opposition is Wallace and which one is Gromit is I am glad that some Liberal Democrats are in the something on which we have been speculating. As for Chamber. In the west country, there is already a blog the Liberal Democrats, let us not be left out. I fear that about the new pasty tax. The Lib Dems should watch our signature film will be “Four Weddings and a Funeral” out; that is not the only thing that they are under attack if we are not careful. [Laughter.] But these tax credits, for. They will be the real losers on the issue of regional joking apart, are most welcome. pay, raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries Research and development tax credits make a big and Galloway (Mr Brown) and the hon. Member for difference to companies, especially when they are deciding Foyle (Mark Durkan). Areas where Liberal Democrats where to locate their R and D functions, so I welcome in have traditionally been strong would duck out compared particular the movement to above-the-line credits—a with places such as my county of Cheshire, which is also simpler system, which ensures that tax implications can the Chancellor’s, or Oxfordshire, which is where the be more easily factored into the decision-making process. Prime Minister is. The Liberal Democrats have a real problem when they start looking at regional pay. In a global world we really need to brush up on our technology and, especially, on our broadband speeds, Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): There is a debate to be so the provision for ultra-fast broadband and wi-fi in had on regional pay, and my position is well known. On 10 cities, including my own of Birmingham, is very the sublimely fundamental and seriously important issue welcome, as is the extra help for smaller cities. of pasty taxes in Cornwall, let me reassure the hon. Overall, I am very happy with this coalition Budget. Gentleman that we will be fighting them on the beaches. However, there is an issue on which the Chancellor and I disagree—the belief that we need a new airport in the Andrew Miller: So when I go to Anne’s pasty shop, south-east. Clearly, we need to be able to service all I’ll be all right, will I? passenger requirements, but there is a pledge in our The Lib Dems are supposed to be strong on matters coalition agreement that there will be no new runway at related to solar power. This morning, the chief executive Heathrow. Why does the Chancellor not raise his eyes a of the Solar Trade Association said: little further north? Birmingham airport’s runway is “We cannot understand why solar has been singled out for currently being extended and will be easily accessible rough treatment on Capital Allowances when it is a popular when High Speed 2 comes in. It has spare capacity of technology which will soon reach grid parity and provide businesses 40 million passengers a year. In the midlands, we have with a real alternative to dependence on fossil fuels.” the answer to the need for an English airport hub. Again, the Liberals have bought into something that is Our business focus is paying off. We are now in the totally contrary to their own policy position. At the top 10 most competitive places in the world to do same time, the Budget gave a tax cut to the very richest business. However, we need to change the culture in this people in our country, with just 14,000 people earning country. I am so concerned that too many young people £1 million or more getting a Budget boost of over 985 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 986 Situation Situation [Andrew Miller] “I suspect the Government realises that the multi-billion pound, 50% cut made to research capital in 2010 simply is not sustainable. £40,000 each year. No wonder the Centre for Policy Despite difficult times, they are trying to put it right, and it is not Studies, which is advised by the Minister for Universities going to go unnoticed. and Science, among others, says that the Budget amounted However, simply reversing the cuts isn’t going to be a game-changer to small-scale tinkering, regional handouts, and a for the UK. We need to be far more ambitious if we’re serious about having a high-tech future. The Chancellor should re-invest rearranging of the deckchairs. To be fair to the Minister, the windfall from the auction of 4G mobile spectrum, due later there is a lot that I do not agree with in the CPS’s press this year, into science and engineering.” release. Nevertheless, the Government have chosen to The Budget said nothing about that. cut taxes for 300,000 people earning over £150,000—the richest 1%. How can that be the priority now? Damian Collins: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? The Chancellor looked quite smug when he sat down yesterday, but I bet he did not feel so smug when he read Andrew Miller: No I will not. today’s papers. I also agree with the Engineering Employers Federation. Stephen Lloyd (Eastbourne) (LD): I had the pleasure Although it welcomed the changes to research and of sitting in the Chamber yesterday to hear the Chancellor development tax credits, it stated: and the Leader of the Opposition, and then some of the “Whilst there are some helpful measures, they fail to send a later speeches. There was a lot of noise going backwards strong enough signal to growing manufacturers”. and forwards about the veracity of the figures on how This morning’s Financial Times states that John Longworth much will be raised from the different wealth taxes. It is of the British Chambers of Commerce said that not that I do not trust Labour Members, but last night “small and medium-sized companies felt the Budget measures I thought that I would go and check the figures on would ‘overwhelmingly benefit the biggest businesses’ and were Channel 4 FactCheck, which I think we all recognise is disappointed he did not do more to boost confidence across the very accurate, and it confirmed independently that it economy.” estimated that five times more money would be raised Finally, as the shadow Chancellor said, the Chancellor’s from the very wealthy as a result of the various taxes. plan has failed. Trying to raise taxes and cut spending too far has backfired. With his tax cut for millionaires, Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. I the Chancellor is piling insult upon injury for millions hope that the hon. Gentleman is going to save something of families and pensioners across Britain. This is a for his speech. I remind him that interventions are Budget full of failed promises that will fail the country. meant to be short. I urge the House to vote against it on Monday.

Andrew Miller: If the hon. Gentleman had been here earlier for the shadow Chancellor’s speech, he would 2.50 pm have heard that point put down very firmly. Sir Peter Bottomley (Worthing West) (Con): The Let me refer to today’s papers. Did the Chancellor House will appreciate that parts of the speech by the expect to wake up this morning to a 33 mm-high hon. Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Andrew headline— Miller) were his own words and that others sounded a bit like a Whip’s handout. His birthday is to be welcomed. Mr Iain Wright (Hartlepool) (Lab): Did you measure I suggest to colleagues that it would be worth their it? while going through chapter 2 of the Red Book, because its 250 paragraphs contain all kinds of things, some of Andrew Miller: Yes, I got the tape measure out. It which are important and others of which are even more said: “‘Granny tax’ hits 5m pensioners”. The papers important. referred to a £3 billion tax raid on pensioners over the next four years, and pointed out that nearly 4.5 million As we all recognise, everything that we are discussing pensioners who pay income tax will lose an average of must be put in the context of the Government’s receipts £83 per year next April and that people turning 65 next and expenditure, which are shown on page 18. The year will lose up to £322. As you are in the Chair and attempt to close the gap between the two underlies know me rather well, Mr Deputy Speaker, I suppose everything that we are considering. Some of the matters I should declare an interest, as it is my 63rd birthday in chapter 2 of the Red Book will not matter to many tomorrow. Whatever the Chancellor says about increasing people, such as VAT being put on the rental of hairdressers’ the income tax personal allowance, a family with children, chairs. Others have not been spotted by many, such as earning just £20,000 will lose about £253 from this VAT relief being taken off alterations to listed buildings. April. Shockingly, he slipped out that £3 billion tax raid Anyone who has had dealings with English Heritage, on pensioners over the next four years. All this comes as I have, will know that sometimes it is very helpful and from a Government whose economic policies on growth, that at other times it adds to the cost of what one is jobs and the deficit have utterly failed. trying to do. If we have to take the VAT relief off Of course, there have to be tough decisions on tax, alterations, perhaps we should consider giving VAT spending and pay; otherwise, we would not get the relief to the maintenance and repair of such buildings, deficit down. However, although the restoring of the or to a portion of those costs, because meeting the cuts in the science budget is one of the few measures requirements of the listed buildings authorities can be I agree with, a lot more funding is needed if we are to expensive. retain the quality of British science. I agree with Imran Paragraph 2.40 is on charitable giving. The Chancellor Khan, the director of CaSE—the Campaign for Science suggested that philanthropy in a person’s lifetime should and Engineering—who said today: be subject to a limit of 25% of their income in any year. 987 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 988 Situation Situation I can imagine circumstances in which someone would I end by saying something about child benefit. I ran a have a very high income in one year, perhaps through campaign in the early 1970s to bring in family allowance the sale of an asset that is not protected by capital gains for the first child, and I ran a campaign against Denis tax relief. If somebody gets £1 million over and above Healey when he said, “There’s no need to increase their normal income and wants to give away two thirds family allowance or child benefit—look at the married of it, what is the Chancellor thinking of in saying that man’s tax allowance”. Half of that allowance went to they can give away only a quarter? It seems to me that people who had no children, and half of it went to we ought to have the same ability to give away our people who had working spouses, so it was the least well earnings as we have to give away our assets in death. directed way of supporting those caring for children. I ask the Chancellor, when he has his consultation Some of the arguments put forward over the past with philanthropists, to ask a number of well-known year, since we first heard about the proposal to cut child philanthropists—without giving their names—how they benefit for a certain number of people, have been grossly would react to that. For people with established charitable insulting. The idea that someone on £20,000 a year or funds, such as Dame Vivien Duffield, who gives fantastic less will support a person on £120,000 is nonsense. I saw support to charity, there is no problem, but there is a one bit of paper suggesting that I could write to my problem for people who, by chance, have a very high constituents explaining why people with between £60,000 income for one year or a number of years and who want and £800,000 a year in earnings were being subsidised to give away a lot of money. That is a matter that the by the poor, but the difference between the taxation House should consider, but I would like to hear the of someone earning £800,000 and someone earning Government’s response to a consultation before taking £20,000 would pay for child benefit over and over again. up the matter further. The advantage of child benefit is that people register to I also have a question, not for answer immediately, get it when they are entitled, and stop getting it when about the lifetime limit on savings for self-invested their child ceases to be of eligible age. The amount of pensions. The limit has come down from £1.8 million to family formation, reformation and deformation, and £1.5 million. That does not affect me personally—not the number of times people change or lose their jobs, on my salary. However, somebody who has got to will cause a lot of problems. £1.6 million can now write in and say, “Please protect I say to the Government that whatever they get this amount.”What happens if the value of their investment through this year against my wishes, they should not goes up by 15% in the next five years? Or by 150%? Will stick to this mistake. Amalgamating the value of the they lose 55% of that increase? They have to take the child tax allowance and the family allowance was right, risk that the amount of money might go down, but if it and child benefit was the right way of doing it. It puts goes up, the Chancellor will say, “I will have more than money in the purse more often than in the wallet. The half of that.” I may misunderstand the provision, and I Government are making a mistake, although less of a am not saying that it was new in yesterday’s Budget, but mistake than when the announcement was made a year it does matter and we ought to give it some consideration. ago. If they would like to have a serious debate about I welcome the provisions on employee ownership and the matter, please count me in. the enterprise management initiative, some of which are really interesting. 2.58 pm I am not absolutely certain that I understand the gift David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP): I agree with a aid and charitable giving provisions completely, but lot of what my hon. Friend the Member for Foyle they are to be welcomed. Simplification matters, and (Mark Durkan) said about welfare cuts, regional pay the headline title in the Red Book is, “A fairer, more and the £25 billion that the Government will provide to efficient and simpler tax system”. I should like to talk allow some banks—five at the moment, I believe—to about that. help businesses. I trust that banks at home will take up Some of the accusations that the Opposition have that offer as well, because it would make a lot of made about the so-called granny tax are exaggerated, difference to companies there. and we have to realise that we need to get more people I know that this was a very difficult Budget for the to have more provision for their old age. The Government Chancellor, but I believe that some better decisions are right to say that £140 should be the minimum could have been made than the ones that we heard pension level, but we need to apologise to people who yesterday. First, I would like to deal with the corporation did not have the chance to receive that. They often tax cuts to 24% and then to 22% by 2014. The Northern worked for much longer than the current qualifying Ireland perspective, of course, is that we are in direct period, but get lower pensions and are more likely to competition with the Irish Republic for investment. A have to get means-tested support. It is unfair to them former chief executive of the Republic’s Industrial when we make things better for people in the future, Development Agency once remarked: and we have to apologise to those most affected. “In the battle to attract overseas investment to Ireland, no I want to ask the Minister why we use the retail prices financial weapon has been more important than tax in convincing index for some things that people have to pay and the new industry to locate here. It remains the IDA’s unique selling consumer prices index for some things that people point, giving Ireland a critical advantage in winning new investment.” receive. People can rightly go through the Government’s The measure in the Budget, therefore, is certainly welcome provisions and ask whether there is a philosophy to that from Northern Ireland’s perspective. or whether it just what is now called fiscal consolidation, Of course, not every business in Northern Ireland is which means, “We’ll take all we can and pay out as little liable for corporation tax and in a position to benefit—only as we can”. That is a perfectly reasonable attitude for 3% of businesses pay it. Some 99% of our businesses in the Government to take, but would they like to say Northern Ireland are small businesses. The measure is openly what the philosophy is? welcome news for those who will benefit, but it will have 989 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 990 Situation Situation [David Simpson] meant by an enterprise zone in Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State tells us that it is an enterprise zone for no impact on the overwhelming number of our businesses the whole of Northern Ireland. When we tease it out, in our business community. That is why I welcome some will say that it is going back to the 1980s, when measures such as the proposal to allow the smallest there were different enterprise zones across Northern businesses to move to a cash-based tax calculation. Ireland. We are yet to have any beef on the bones, and That simplification of the process could help up to we need that if we are to determine exactly what is 126,000 small businesses in Northern Ireland. meant.. In the local press in Northern Ireland, the Federation One of the issues that has continually acted as a of Small Businesses welcomed the Budget, but expressed brake on business is the endless red tape and planning disappointment that there were no plans to set up at the laws, and I welcome the announcement in the Budget heart of government a small business administration to that we will perhaps see a quicker response to businesses champion small businesses. Perhaps we will see that later. when they apply to expand their premises. Of course, it I also welcome the devolution of air passenger duty, is a devolved matter for the Executive, but I am sure which will be included in the Finance (No. 4) Bill. That that the Minister in Northern Ireland will see fit to fall measure will allow the Northern Ireland Executive to into line in order to create an environment that is set their own rate for long-haul direct flights—we have helpful for businesses in Northern Ireland. We also have competed against the Republic of Ireland on that, so the dreaded dead hand of EU regulation. I urge the the measure will also help our investment strategy. The coalition to have a firm hand when it comes to all the proposal for loans for young people to start their own directives and regulation that the EU imposes on businesses. businesses is another welcome part of the Budget. That needs to be addressed and, frankly speaking, the coalition needs to tell the EU where to get off. This is Fuel duty, however, is one of the biggest problems the United Kingdom, and we make our own decisions that we have in Northern Ireland, especially for road for our businesses and companies. hauliers. Because we rely so much on road transport to deliver our goods, fuel duty is causing a major problem. Although there are some plusses in the Budget, there It is bitterly disappointing to people across the whole are of course some negatives, but I wish the Government United Kingdom that the Government have decided to well with it. I hope that the Government can turn go ahead with the 3p duty increase, which will happen around the fortunes of the United Kingdom, and that in August. I understand that in doing so, the Government we can see the people of this United Kingdom having a will bring into their coffers somewhere in the region of better standard of living. £800 million from the motorist. Although the Government will get a lot of money from the measure, it will cause a 3.7 pm lot of difficulty for those working people who must Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) travel by car or another vehicle to their place of work. It (Con): I am pleased to have an opportunity to contribute is causing major difficulties. to this most important debate. Before I start, I put on record my appreciation to my right hon. Friend the Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): I support what the Chancellor for his statement yesterday, for putting growth hon. Gentleman says about fuel duty in Northern Ireland. at the heart of the Budget, for unashamedly backing In my many times there, the one thing that always business, and for rewarding hard-working families. Those struck me was the scarcity of railways. There just is no are the areas I want to focus on, but first I want to talk a railway system, and therefore everything must go by little about the cut from 50% to 45% in the top rate road. It is very sad, but the duty has an impact on of tax. Northern Ireland. I have to say that I did not campaign for the cut and I was surprised to see it in the Budget, although that David Simpson: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his does not mean I do not welcome it. As a Conservative, comments. That is one difficulty we have in Northern I believe that all taxes should be as low as possible so Ireland because for 40 years of the troubles, the that everyone can keep as much of their money as infrastructure investment was not there. We are only possible and spend it how they wish. But I recognise now playing catch-up. Perhaps some day when he comes that at a time of national austerity, when public sector across to the Province, we will have a new railway link workers are experiencing a pay freeze and then very from Belfast International to the centre of Belfast, modest pay increases, and ordinary families are struggling which will be beneficial. It could be some way off, but with high fuel and energy prices, giving what appears to perhaps we will achieve it. be a tax cut for the wealthiest in society seems to make Many people will welcome the tax credit measure to no sense. Our hearts say this cannot be right, but if we be introduced for the video games, animation and high-end use our heads, look at the hard facts and stop listening TV industries. The Northern Ireland Executive have to the class war rhetoric of the Opposition, it begins to tried to promote that sector for some considerable time. make a little more sense. Of course, Northern Ireland has seen significant investment The 50% tax rate left Britain isolated as the country in the sector, especially in film production. I hope there with the highest income tax rate in the G20—higher will be added benefits to be derived from this than our competitors such as the United States and announcement. Recently, it was announced in the press countries in Europe. It made Britain a less attractive that the series “The Game of Thrones”, which was place for wealth and job creators to set up and do made in Belfast, is to return shortly to film a new series. business. It encouraged the wealthiest in society to be In a passing comment, the Chancellor mentioned an more creative about where in the world they paid their enterprise zone for Northern Ireland. I would welcome tax. It saw £16 billion of income deliberately shifted that, if we could just find out from someone what is into a previous tax year, meaning that the total take 991 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 992 Situation Situation from the 50% rate was only around £l billion. It did not Technology Committee will be looking at how we can raise the levels of income expected and it made Britain bridge the valley of death—the chasm between concept less competitive. and commercialisation. This goes wider than just science-based businesses, Richard Fuller (Bedford) (Con): My hon. Friend is however. We want all businesses to see the UK as the making a lot of sense. Would he also draw Members’ best place to set up and do business, and I welcome the attention to the HMRC report and the chart on page 23 measures that the Chancellor has taken to ensure that showing that even with a 45p tax rate we will still have this becomes a reality. The reductions in corporation the highest tax rate for top earners in the OECD and tax, the introduction of corporation tax relief for video G20? games, animation and high-end television, and the investment in broadband provision and infrastructure Stephen Metcalfe: I think my hon. Friend has just are all welcome additions to the growth programme. done that. The higher tax rate made Britain less competitive, Mr Iain Wright: Notwithstanding the 1% cut in and if we are less competitive, it means less growth, corporation tax, what impact will the 5.6% rise in fewer jobs, reduced prospects for economic recovery business rates have on growing businesses and economic and fewer tax cuts for the rest of us. Despite the growth? perception, therefore, that this cut benefits the wealthiest, I believe that it benefits us all. Having a top rate of 50% Stephen Metcalfe: Obviously, any rise in cost base rather than 45% raises only £100 million in direct tax, will have an impact, but we are working hard to reduce whereas the other Budget measures introduced yesterday that to the absolute minimum, and we are putting in raise five times that amount—£500 million. place a framework around which businesses can grow that will mitigate the 5.6% rise. We should not listen to Labour on this matter. Its aim is to reignite the class war and divide Britain along the We all welcome the investment in infrastructure, which lines of envy for its own political gain. I want to say to will be a driver for growth, although I add the caveat the people of South Basildon and East Thurrock, “Ask that I and my constituents remain wholly unconvinced yourself this simple question: what is in the best interests that an airport in the Thames estuary is the right of you and your family? If you answer economic growth, solution to maintaining our hub status. I would therefore better job prospects, low interest rates or lower taxes, encourage the Government to listen to my hon. Friend welcome this change, because it goes some way to the Member for Solihull (Lorely Burt), who made a delivering those aims.” On its own, however, it is only a very good bid for that increased capacity in Birmingham. small step. To achieve real growth, we need more, and I also want to put in a plea for small and medium-sized I am pleased that we are getting more. The Chancellor enterprises. In 2009, they accounted for 49% of private both confirmed existing growth measures and announced sector turnover. SMEs are vital to the economy. Cutting new ones. As a member of the Science and Technology corporation tax, abolishing Labour’s job tax and offering Committee, I am pleased that the science budget is support through the national loan guarantee scheme receiving continued support. Investment in science and are all welcome, I am sure. However, if SMEs are to technology is vital if we are to emerge from financial operate at their full potential, regulation, red tape and austerity.New technologies, deployed for our own economic bureaucracy must be cut. They have been strangling the gain, can provide both jobs and growth. I therefore economy for too long. I am therefore encouraged to see welcome the maintenance of the £4.6 billion science measures that will allow greater freedoms for businesses budget. I believe—I think the Chancellor does too—that in this area. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor’s science and technology form the basis of our future announcement yesterday that he plans to reduce the competitiveness. number of UK SMEs required to undertake an audit Investment in sectors that Britain excels in is also and to reduce the burden of financial accounting for vital. Investments such as in the Francis Crick Institute UK businesses has to be welcome. I hope that the at St Pancras, the establishment of a UK centre for consultation on a new cash basis for calculating tax, aerodynamics, which will encourage innovation in the which the Federation of Small Businesses has welcomed, aircraft industry and help design and commercialise will benefit many small and micro-businesses, allowing new ideas for decades to come, and the £100 million of them to concentrate on growing their businesses, rather support, alongside the private sector, for investment in than spending time, money and effort fulfilling requirements major new university research facilities are important that were designed for much larger businesses. parts of that support. Also important are the changes to research and Bob Stewart: As an expert, my hon. Friend will be development tax credits to encourage businesses to able to confirm this, but I have heard that about 10% of invest in innovation and technology. We also need to what small businesses do is taken up with bureaucracy— improve links with small businesses and the research filling in forms, and so on. Does he agree that we need base to assist in the commercialisation of research and, to avoid that? I hope, capture the value that can come from that. These will be the key drivers of economic growth, and Stephen Metcalfe: My hon. Friend makes a good the Government should continue to strive to create the point. It varies from sector to sector, but that is not an best possible operating environment in which this can unrealistic figure. take place to encourage greater investment and international Finally, in the short time I have left, I want to talk interest. We want the international research community about jobs. Businesses are vital for growth, but they are to see the UK as the best place to invest in science and equally vital for tackling unemployment. I am delighted technology. I am therefore pleased that the Science and to see that unemployment is beginning to stabilise. 993 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 994 Situation Situation [Stephen Metcalfe] Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset) (Con) rose—

Dealing with unemployment, through the building business Jack Dromey: I give way to the hon. Member for and enterprise loans, will allow jobseekers to start their Downton Abbey. own businesses and unleash a new generation of entrepreneurs. However, we should not forget that our Jacob Rees-Mogg: I am extremely grateful for that existing small and medium-sized enterprises have the substantial promotion in my class standing. Will the potential to deliver sustained employment. We should hon. Gentleman explain why, when tax rates were cut in redouble our efforts to create confidence for businesses 1979 and again by Nigel Lawson, that led to more to take on staff. I therefore reiterate my call to make it revenue coming in? This point has been ignored by the easier for firms to hire staff in the knowledge that Labour party. employment regulation will support them if things do not work out. As we emerge from the deepest recession in living Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Just before memory, I applaud the Government’s commitment to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Jack addressing an over-leveraged economy, an unsustainable Dromey) resumes his speech, I want to make sure that budget deficit and a broken model of growth, inherited he meant North East Somerset. from the previous Administration. Our plan of fiscal responsibility has allowed the UK to surge ahead of the Jack Dromey: I stand corrected, Mr Deputy Speaker. curve. We have become a safe haven in the sovereign This Government are oblivious to the consequences debt storm. As a result, we have been able to deliver of their actions. I am proud to represent Birmingham, record low interest rates for families, businesses and Erdington. It is a constituency that is rich in talent but it taxpayers, yet still remove millions of people from is one of the 12 poorest in Britain. I see what too many paying any tax at all, by increasing the tax threshold. Conservative Members shut their eyes to, which is the Although we are not immune from events taking place pain being felt in such constituencies as a consequence on our own doorstep, we can—as this Government are of the Government’s actions. Let us take as an example demonstrating—steer this country out of a financial the hard-working Castle Vale family who have two quagmire and deliver growth, employment and a future wonderful children and earn just over £20,000. They brighter than any alternative the Opposition may offer. face a £253 cut to their tax credits in April. Let us consider the one in four young people in Kingstanding 3.17 pm who are unemployed. They are desperate for a job, but Jack Dromey (Birmingham, Erdington) (Lab): Just the Budget offers them no hope. Alongside the victims about the only announcement that was not flagged up of the shameful changes to housing benefit and the in advance of the Budget yesterday was the £3 billion changes in the Welfare Reform Act 2012, there are granny tax grab, which means that those men and 1,333 households in my constituency who are now facing women in my constituency who built Birmingham and the iniquitous consequences of the bedroom tax. Britain, who are coming up to retirement next year, will Grotesque unfairness runs through everything that face a cut in what they had hoped and planned for this Government do. For example, let us contrast how of £314. Birmingham and Wokinghamhave been treated. High-need, There are many laughable examples from the historical high-unemployment Birmingham has had £313 million lexicon of the politically disingenuous—for example, of cuts to its local budget over the past two years, the spokesman in the dying days of the Nixon resulting in every citizen in Birmingham losing £164. In Administration who said at the height of Watergate leafy Wokingham, the figure is £19. Whether we are that “all statements heretofore issued are now considered talking about police budgets, fire budgets or the voluntary to be inoperative”—but to describe this granny tax grab sector, why have the Government got it in for cities such as “simplification” takes some beating. There is one as Birmingham? They should be standing by such cities; thing that the Business Secretary and I have in common: at a time of rising unemployment, they need more help, we are both follicly challenged. Neither of us detains not less. hairdressers for too long. Following yesterday’s Budget Now we are to have regional pay. I declare an interest, announcement, the next time I go to Imad’s, the barbers in that I have led many national bargaining arrangements on Slade road, I will ask for my hair not to be cut, but to in the national health service, in local government be “simplified”. and in the Ministry of Defence. I worked with some Why has this happened? Quite simply, it is a granny Conservative Members when they performed various tax grab to fund a £40,000 tax cut for 14,000 millionaires. ministerial duties in that regard. For example, I was chair of the MOD unions at a time when a Conservative Sir Peter Bottomley: The Labour Government were Minister was chair for the Government side. Anyone in power for about 150 months. For fewer than two of who has experience of national bargaining knows that those 150 months they had the 50p tax rate. Why? it is efficient, that it is increasingly flexible in its approach and, crucially, that it is fair. The Government’s proposal Jack Dromey: I will contrast the record of our will say to nurses, teachers, doctors, firefighters and Government with the record of the hon. Gentleman’s home carers in Birmingham that they are worth less Government, any time. After 13 years of a Labour than their counterparts in Surrey. Government, Britain was a stronger, fairer, better country. We have now been given a Bullingdon Budget whose Angie Bray: Does the hon. Gentleman’s dislike of first priority is millionaires, by a Cabinet who are oblivious regional variations mean that he does not support his to the consequences. own party’s take on the possibility of regional benefits? 995 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 996 Situation Situation Jack Dromey: We would never introduce the kind of the bankers’ collapse, with our kick-start programme, unfair flexibility—if I can call it that—that the Government which had 110,000 homes built, creating 70,000 jobs are now promoting. The simple reality is that hard-hit and 3,000 apprenticeships. That is why we are absolutely areas will be hit even harder in the next stages, be they right to say that we need a repeat of the bank bonus tax in Wales, the north-east, the north-west, Birmingham to build tens of thousands of homes, to create jobs for or Northern Ireland. unemployed building workers and to create apprenticeships In the time remaining to me, let me deal with something and hope for the young people of my constituency. I see that commanded but a passing reference in yesterday’s the consequences of the Government’s actions every Budget—housing. We have the biggest housing crisis in day, and I know what my constituency wants. It wants a generation. Millions of people in Britain are in need to put people back to work to build that which the of a decent home at a price that they can afford. About community so badly needs—homes. 2.8 million people are on council waiting lists, 30,000 of them in the city of Birmingham. Owing to the combination of this Government’s economic mismanagement and 3.28 pm the failure of their housing policies, this crisis gets Mr Sam Gyimah (East Surrey) (Con): Listening to worse by the day. today’s debate, I have heard little from Opposition House building was down by 11% over the first Members to dissuade me from the conclusion I arrived 18 months of this Government in comparison with the at yesterday after hearing the Chancellor’s speech: that last 18 months of the Labour Government. It was the this is a fiscally responsible and fair Budget, but one vainglorious boast of the Housing Minister who gives that continues to build the foundations for our long-term hubris a bad name that he would beat Labour “hands growth and prosperity. What the Government are doing down”year on year, but that is not what is now happening. for growth and prosperity will be the focus of my Homelessness is up, with families presenting themselves speech. First, however, I want to make a few comments as homeless up by 14%. Rough sleeping is up 23%, yet it about fiscal responsibility allied to fairness. fell by 70% under the Labour Government. We have a I am pleased that the Chancellor chose to stick to the mortgage market where millions struggle to get a mortgage. plan—a framework within which all the Government’s Scottish Widows estimates the average age of unassisted decisions are being made. At the beginning of this first-time buyers to be going up from 37 to 40 to 44. We Parliament, the Chancellor made the right decision, to have a private rented sector growing rapidly which is pay the debts of the past and, after a decade of uncontrolled characterised by soaring rents and, all too often, abuse borrowing, to tighten our belts. It is encouraging that of tenants. the Chancellor continues to stick to that plan, which What, then, of the “housing revolution” announced was initially unfashionable but has now entered the by the Government in November last year? All I would international mainstream. say is that if we had a house for every press statement The task facing us is not easy, and it will continue to issued before and after that time, we would not have a be challenging. The gap between how much we earn housing crisis. The Prime Minister and the Deputy and therefore take in and how much we spend has fallen Prime Minister donned wellies and went to a building from £156 billion—an all-time high, set just before the site to say that all would be well. What came out the coalition came to office—to £126 billion. We have therefore following day, however, was that as a consequence of made a lot of progress in balancing the books, but we the £4 billion cut instituted by the Chancellor in October must not take our foot off the gas, which is why I am 2010, affordable house building had collapsed by 99% glad the Chancellor continues to stick to his plan in this throughout England. Budget. What of the new homes bonus? It is both inefficient It is interesting that Opposition Members no longer and unfair, while our planning system is being thrown call for a plan B. A year or so ago not a day would pass into chaos by the Government. without their calling for that. They are no longer calling for it because plan A is working: the deficit is falling Richard Fuller: The hon. Gentleman is talking about and we are beginning to see private sector-led job the building of affordable homes. Does he not regard it creation. That is why the Chancellor is right to stick to as appalling that, under the last Labour Government, his plan and to focus on being fiscally responsible. Very the building of social houses went down by 25%? few western Governments could these days have announced the Budget that he has just delivered, and he has been Jack Dromey: Under our Government, there were able to achieve that because of his past decisions. 2 million new homes, 1 million more mortgage holders and half a million more affordable homes, and 1.6 million Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): The homes were renovated under our decent homes programme. hon. Gentleman says plan A is working. Does he agree Has housing been at centre stage as much as it should that it must have been an oversight not to mention at have been under successive Governments for 25 years? the outset that it would result in damaging growth and No, but I will compare our record any time with the therefore pushing up unemployment and the costs of failure of this Government. some areas of borrowing? In conclusion, housing matters. Housing matters to the economy. Housing matters to health, as evidence of Mr Gyimah: It is precisely because plan A is working the damage done by poor or overcrowded housing that in this Budget we can afford to lift 2 million people confirms. Housing matters to educational attainment. out of tax—2 million people who were penalised by the Kids are held back at school because they live in damp 10p tax introduced by the last Labour Government. or overcrowded housing. That is why urgent action on Because plan A is working, 24 million of the 30 million housing matters. That is what we did in 2008, after workers in the UK can get a tax cut—a very important 997 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 998 Situation Situation [Mr Gyimah] Mr Gyimah: I very much agree with my hon. Friend that credit easing is a temporary measure. In the long tax cut in very difficult times. The hon. Member for term, the Government have to change the lending landscape Birmingham, Erdington (Jack Dromey) said that he for small businesses—that is the point I was driving at. would compare his record with our record any day. I say We cannot continue to rely on five major banks, which to him that we are lifting 2 million of the poorest people is why I welcomed the business finance partnership, a out of tax, while the previous Labour Government £1.2 billion fund that the Government are using to penalised them. Our record certainly stands up to scrutiny support non-bank lending institutions that are closer to on that. small businesses. Many of these are peer-to-peer lenders, Labour has now quietly dropped its plan B, and is such as MarketInvoice or Funding Circle, or more instead opportunistically opposing our measure on the traditional institutions such as M&G Investments. It is 50p tax rate. However, Labour does not say that it absolutely right to diversify the lending landscape, so that would reinstate that rate if it were elected to office businesses in my constituency and in many others do not tomorrow. It is also saying it would somehow give child just have to rely on the same bank manager and, more benefit to higher rate tax payers. importantly, the computer, which will say no to them when they try to refresh a loan or get the credit that they need. Mark Durkan: If the need for deficit reduction was I welcome the fact that the Budget realises that debt the justification for the temporary nature of the 50p tax finance should not be the only source of finance for rate and the withdrawal of child benefit, why has the businesses. Equity finance is very important, especially 50p tax rate remained a temporary measure while the in the context of businesses that do not have the cash withdrawal of child benefit will be permanent? flows or the revenues to support debt. That is why I welcome a lot of the flexibility associated with the enterprise investment scheme, venture capital trusts and Mr Gyimah: All three main parties agreed that the the seed enterprise investment scheme. Those are all 50p tax rate was to be a temporary measure. Also, we schemes in the Budget that would not make the headlines; must ensure that any tax that is imposed actually raises nobody is going to focus on them because they do not the required revenue for the Government coffers. If it immediately tell people who are the winners and losers does not do so, it would be irresponsible of a Government in the Budget. However, it is those measures that will to carry on with that tax just because it is good politics. ensure that individuals who want to take risk, to start It is right for the Government to set that tax at a rate businesses and to build up their companies are capable that discourages avoidance and encourages people to of doing so. Whether we are talking about The White pay. Company, lastminute.com or The Body Shop, it is these Fairness must not be the only test of this Budget. British success stories that will get us out of where we Economic growth is also very important. In truth, the are at the moment. Chancellor has very limited room for manoeuvre, and it What would I like to see as the Chancellor reflects is good that we have nevertheless done quite a lot for on his Budget, and I hope, takes it further? On the hard-working people, giving back to them more of their diversification of the lending landscape in this country, hard-earned cash. However, only economic growth will we need to be very careful not to stifle innovation as we lift the prosperity of all of us. Today, we focus on who examine banking regulation. So much of what we are are the winners and losers from this Budget, but growth doing on banking regulation is about dealing with the is the most important theme. crisis of the past. We should make sure that, in doing so, I was therefore encouraged to hear the Business we do not freeze our banking system in aspic so that Secretary talk about access to finance from the banks. new, enterprising and innovative companies that can get My party colleagues and I know that more borrowing, credit to small businesses fail to thrive. The Government spending and debt is not the way to get economic have announced £20 billion of credit easing, but we growth and to create jobs. We believe that the way to probably need to consider doing more in that direction achieve that is through encouraging a spirit of enterprise to help businesses. and adventure, but we cannot encourage that unless we ensure that finance gets into the real economy. Mr Iain Wright: Does the hon. Gentleman think that the massive downgrading in business investment growth One of the biggest challenges we face in coming out forecasts over the medium term is a sign that plan A is of the 2008 financial crisis is the concentration in our working? banking system. Some 90% of small business lending is concentrated among five banks. No matter what they Mr Gyimah: Anyone who has been in business before, say, that means that there is little price competition and as the hon. Gentleman has—he was an accountant—and it is important that the Government do a lot to ensure as I have been, will know that one of the most important that we can get money into the real economy. That is things is confidence. For businesses to gain confidence, why I welcome credit easing, because by using the they need to know, first, that the Government are going Government’s balance sheet to enable banks to borrow to create an environment of certainty in which they can and lend to businesses, we enable a situation whereby operate. They also need to know that the Government even if a business had a 1% interest rate discount, it are going to balance their books and to create the right could refresh loans that may otherwise not be refreshed. environment in which to invest. Lowering corporation tax is a clear signal that we are going to be creating Richard Fuller: My hon. Friend is talking about credit the right environment for businesses to operate in. I am easing and the use of banks. Does he not also think confident that once we have that macro-economic there is scope for considering alternative mechanisms to framework right, businesses will have the confidence to provide financing to our small businesses? invest. It is only through business investment that we 999 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1000 Situation Situation will generate the growth and the jobs that all Government We need to restore the future jobs fund—initiative Members want and are fighting for. The Chancellor is after initiative has been annulled by this Government—and on the right side of this argument, because we cannot we need to look at new opportunities in fresh sunrise do this through more borrowing, more spending and industries, which I am happy to say exist in my constituency, more debt—that is more of the same and it is all I have particularly in solar energy. I welcomed what my hon. heard from Labour Members today. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Andrew Miller) said a few moments ago, but I did not 3.39 pm welcome the Government’s change to feed-in tariffs, Mr Tom Clarke (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) which is frankly too deep and too fast. Home owners (Lab): The hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr Gyimah) who seek to go along with developments in this sector might be persuaded that plan A is working but I can tell now face soaring energy costs, and burgeoning industries him that, even if it is working in his constituency and such as AVC Sky in my constituency face enormous the rest of Surrey, it certainly is not working in Scotland. difficulties, which is bad for home owners, bad for jobs I hope to demonstrate that in my remarks. The truth of and bad for growth. The Government’s rhetoric is simply the matter is that we appear to be living, even in this not matched by their actions, especially when the Chamber, in two different worlds. Let us ignore the fact Government tell us that they are the greenest Government that, despite all the efforts of the Government and all ever. the leaks that we debated earlier, we face a Budget that Mr Deputy Speaker—I beg your pardon, Mr Speaker; represents the reality of what the coalition means. This I welcome you to the Chair. We saw at points during the Government and this Budget will be remembered for Budget speech yesterday Liberal Democrat Members cutting the top rate of tax for the rich while putting the waving their Order Papers. Were they waving them at boot into pensioners. I have already spoken to a number the kind of measures that I describe? of my constituents and I have absolutely no doubt that that is their view. Lorely Burt: We were waving our Order Papers with It might seem odd for me to refer to a Foreign delight at the fact that our coalition Government are Secretary during a Budget speech, but some hon. Members bringing the tax threshold towards our £10,000 target might recall that some years ago a young representative faster than we could ever have hoped. at the Conservative party conference—a 16-year-old by the name of William Hague—addressed the conference, Mr Clarke: They were waving their Order Papers at saying: some of the most miserable measures that I have heard “Half of you won’t be here in 30 or 40 years”. in the House. They reminded me of Jim Callaghan’s That may well be true, but what are we seeing in the comment when he found that the Scottish National Budget for the half who are left? While £30,000 a year is party—which is not even represented here today—was freely given to millionaires, the Chancellor is seeking to working with Mrs Thatcher to bring down his Government. end age-related tax allowances, despite the evidence He referred to SNP Members as “Turkeys voting for an from HMRC, which says that 4.4 million pensioners early Christmas”, and deservedly in their case. will be £83 a year worse off in the long term. How can I wrote to the Prime Minister recently to draw his anyone defend that and give us the kind of nonsense we attention to the fact that Korean shipbuilders are given have heard about the so-called class war? preferred bidder status for Royal Navy tankers, with Let me address the real economy in our constituencies, almost £500 million involved. It simply cannot be right which I believe the Chancellor had a wonderful opportunity that, as we defend our country, as we should, defence to address but missed. Unemployment is by far the biggest orders exclude British and especially Scottish firms that problem we are now facing, certainly in constituencies are willing, able and skilled enough to respond to the such as mine where there has been a 54% rise in long- task. I want to ensure that highly skilled workers are kept term unemployment and an 80% increase in youth working for our nation’s security and for our people’s unemployment. A league table of every constituency in safety. Britain was produced last week, relating alcohol abuse I finish with a reference to the Chancellor’s announcement to mortality, and it is with great regret that I have to say of a £12 billion cut in welfare—a shameful figure that that my constituency came out as No. 1. Almost every the Liberal Democrats were also cheering. That is added professional who was consulted on those figures made to the Remploy closures, which have never been fully the point that we cannot ignore poverty and its implications; explained. Hundreds of disabled people will be thrown we cannot ignore unemployment and what it means; we straight on the dole. Two thirds of Remploy factories cannot say to young people that there are no jobs for will close. We are seeing on top of that changes in them, whatever educational qualifications they might benefits that are very much to the disadvantage of have attained, and not expect the kind of reaction that I people with disabilities and their carers and families. We have just described. Nearly a quarter of 16 to 24-year-olds are seeing disadvantages even to disabled children and in the UK are unemployed. That is a wholly unacceptable their families. It is not fair, not acceptable, and the statistic and I make the point that we are talking not Government deserve to be rejected and hounded by the just about statistics but about people. British people. We can see from the unemployment figures that are available that in the UK there was a 22,000 increase in Several hon. Members rose— unemployment among women in the last quarter alone. I am seeing that in my constituency. Women are the Mr Speaker: Order. Angie Bray will be the next bedrock of our society, as we are rightly told. They are speaker, but before calling the hon. Lady I inform the at the heart of our families, whom the Government in House that, in view of the large number of Members earlier days told us were one of their priorities. Well, seeking to contribute, the time limit for Back-Bench there is little evidence for that. speeches will now be five minutes, with immediate effect. 1001 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1002 Situation Situation 3.49 pm The real headline news from the Budget has to be the largest real increase in the personal tax allowance for Angie Bray (Ealing Central and Acton) (Con): A 30 years. An additional 840,000 people will be lifted out little over a year ago I stood here and drew the Chancellor’s of income tax, meaning that altogether the Government attention to the level of debt hanging over the heads of will have taken 2 million people on the lowest incomes every single voter in my constituency. The amount—the out of tax altogether. The personal tax allowance will generous legacy the Labour Government bequeathed to go up to over £9,000, and we are well on our way to our the people of Ealing and Acton—was an astonishing target of taking everyone earning up to £10,000 out of £37,000. I asked the Treasury team for reassurance that tax. Of course, even those earning above that stand they were committed to putting that right. The answer to benefit as well. That will help a great many of my was a resounding yes. Yesterday, a year on, the Chancellor’s hard-working constituents. It is also part of the Budget reconfirmed that. By sticking to his original Government’s overall strategy, sitting alongside the benefit plan he is reducing the structural deficit every day and reforms that ensure that work always pays. lessening the burden on my constituents, their children and their children’s children. London has done well out of the Budget. The Chancellor announced vital cash for London rail; £15 million for Many of my constituents own their own businesses Transport for London, specifically for cycle safety; locally. The Budget will encourage them because it accelerated broadband; more support for the enterprise sends out the crystal-clear message that the Government zones—please can we have one in west London?—new are behind them and back aspiration, new ideas and funds to help young people into work; and £70 million creativity. Now these businesses know that from next for the Mayor to help London businesses grow. As month their corporation tax bill will be reduced to 24% I have said, London has done well out of this Budget. and that it will drop still further to 22% by 2014, and Enterprise and aspiration have done well out of this hopefully 20% thereafter. They know that London’s Budget. In tough times, this is the right Budget for the coffers will be boosted to the tune of £70 million by a country. new development fund to attract new business and jobs and that the national loan guarantee scheme will step 3.54 pm up to the plate and make bank loans easier by making Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab): In my maiden them cheaper. speech almost two years ago, I highlighted my constituency’s When those measures are allied to the reduction in strengths: our beautiful land and strong sense of the top rate of income tax to 45% from next year, it is community; a pride in our radical past of Chartism and clear that the Government are serious about supporting of Nye Bevan, who established the NHS; and its hard- enterprise and encouraging aspiration. Long-term measures working people, who started our industrial revolution. such as those help to instil confidence and encourage I highlighted also its challenges and, particularly, high businesses to take the bold decisions needed to thrive. unemployment and a creaking infrastructure that is Only by allowing them to thrive will we create the badly in need of significant investment. Sadly, conditions for growth and go some way to addressing unemployment is even higher now and, in particular, the related problems of getting more of our young almost 20% of our 18 to 24-year-olds are on the dole—a people into work and improving our communities. shocking figure for young people. Young people in my constituency can be encouraged, In Blaenau Gwent there are 18 decent and talented too. The Chancellor announced the introduction of people chasing every advertised vacancy, so job creation, enterprise loans to help 18 to 24-year-olds to set up and transport infrastructure and growth are still top of our grow their own businesses. They will get the opportunity agenda. Sadly, the Budget showed that they are not the to pitch their ideas before a panel and, if they have a Government’s top priorities, and we see no coherent viable business plan, get a cash injection of between strategy for jobs and growth. The UK Government £5,000 and £10,000 to help them start up. So often it is must do more. We need investment in jobs and growth, the young, creative, positive ideas people who are stymied and we need it now. by a wall of red tape when they try to start up on their The fact is that we are losing jobs faster than we are own. In the long term, schemes such as that can go creating them. Everybody I speak to about regeneration some way to bridging the gap between great ideas and in Blaenau Gwent, in the public and private sectors, the start of a great business. stresses the importance of good transport links. Being Already in my constituency I know of a number of in the east of Wales, we have good access to the rest of set-ups that could benefit from that kind of scheme. the UK, but we need adequate infrastructure—both The Doughnut Factory in Acton is supported by a road and rail—to deliver the benefits of that access, and number of organisations, including Action Acton and that is why I am campaigning for both. the university of West London. It is a creative hub Work to improve the Heads of the Valleys road is where local entrepreneurs can rent affordable office under way, and, although the work is disruptive in the space. Many of the young people based there would be short term, when it is complete we will see the benefits. eager to pitch their plans. I spent a happy morning there Thankfully it started before the Government proposed meeting a group of young, enthusiastic students, all linking road improvements to new tolls. Welsh business looking to start their own businesses, the very people would also be given a real boost if the Severn crossing’s that that scheme is aimed at helping. It is just the latest toll was axed. in a raft of hugely positive measures that the Government Rail electrification to Cardiff is going ahead, and have already introduced to help young people: the upcoming that is good. The Ebbw Vale to Cardiff line was resurrected youth contract, the Work programme, a dramatic increase under Labour, and it is now so successful that carriages in apprenticeship places and the national citizen service are jam-packed and locals call it the “Bombay Express”, for 16-year-olds, which is now entering into its second but it needs a more frequent service and a line upgrade. year. In the Budget the Government state that they are working 1003 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1004 Situation Situation with the Welsh Government on the electrification of the part-time or low paid workers. A measure that lifts valley lines, with final proposals due this summer. The people out of paying tax is particularly helpful to the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff line must be included to give a women in our society, and that is a good thing. boost to the place that, because of our high unemployment Now I come to the “but”, both as the MP for Burton and related deprivation, needs it so much. and chair of the all-party group on beer. The Chancellor The Welsh Business Minister, Edwina Hart, has said that he intended to make no changes to the duty committed £2 million to the development of a world-class regime. That was a little disingenuous, shall we say, as motor racing circuit in Blaenau Gwent, and that could he knew—and I knew, and brewers up and down the lead to a £200 million investment and create 1,000 jobs country knew—that that meant an increase of 5% on —a real game changer for our area. I had hoped that beer duty because of the continuation of Labour’s beer the Chancellor would support this opportunity, hailed duty escalator. That is putting jobs and livelihoods at by some as the UK version of the famous German risk. Nürburgring track, but from his statement yesterday it In the past four years, beer duty has increased by 42% appears that Deeside in north Wales will be the only in this country. Our beer duty is now the highest in Welsh enterprise zone to benefit from enhanced capital Europe—eight times higher than France, 10 times higher allowances. Will the Minister please clear that up? than Spain and 11 times higher than Germany. We pay Such tax treatments are focused on plant and equipment 40% of all Europe’s beer duty, yet we represent only costs, not on the infrastructure itself, but capital allowances 13% of its beer consumption. need to attract individual as well as corporate investors. We have seen a 52% increase in duty over recent That would help kick-start those exciting automotive years, yet only a 10% increase in revenue and, as a plans for Blaenau Gwent, and the Government should result, a 25% drop in beer sales in this country. Yet beer think much more creatively about enhanced capital is a great British product. Some 80% of beer drunk in allowances for business growth. this country is brewed here. There are 800 breweries In the Welsh valleys we punch above our weight in across the country, which employ people in all our terms of the number of brave men and women recruited constituencies. Compare that with the wine we drink, to our armed services, so I welcome the measures in the 90% of which is imported, and we see the unfairness Budget which improve military accommodation and of the current duty regime. Yesterday’s announcement help with council tax rebates and with forces families’ will cost an average pub about £2,800. I commend the welfare. They are an important part of the military 106 MPs who signed the early-day motion in support of covenant and are supported by both sides of the House. freezing beer duty. I should also comment on the Budget proposals I turn to the unfairness in how the system treats beer affecting fuel prices. A stonemason in my constituency and cider. Cider pays half the duty of a 4% beer, and at travels from job to job in his 4x4, but with the cost of high strength—8%—beer pays four times the duty on fuel he thinks that he would be better off out of work, cider. That means that breweries and pubs suffer. The and that cannot be right. Many in Wales will also be cider industry tells us that the reason is the increased fearful of the proposals for regional public sector pay, costs in running an orchard and growing apples for cider. which would hit women hard in particular, and teachers and nurses especially. Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ Blaenau Gwent deserves more than this damp squib Co-op): Why, in the hon. Gentleman’s opinion, is there of a Budget. In the future can we see real Budget such discrimination in the coalition in favour of cider? leadership on growth and improved transport infrastructure, and on support for business development and public Andrew Griffiths: I should say that what I meant health? Then Blaenau Gwent and Wales will be able to when I spoke about the Chancellor was a lack of clarity play their part in boosting our economy and make a in relation to yesterday’s statement. further positive contribution to our UK budget. I have with me a private and confidential presentation—

3.58 pm Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): I welcome Andrew Griffiths (Burton) (Con): It is a pleasure to what my hon. Friend is saying about beer, but I am take part in this debate and to listen to the contributions. worried that he is suddenly targeting cider. There is a I was particularly pleased to listen to the speech made great amount of cider in my constituency, and I would by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Jack be worried if he wanted extra tax on it. Dromey), who is no longer in his place. In his usual articulate and erudite manner, he opposed every single Andrew Griffiths: I assure my hon. Friend that I am measure that the Government had brought forward to not targeting cider; what I want is fairness in the system. cut the deficit. He opposed changes to welfare, to The presentation I mentioned, which is used by the benefits and to housing, yet he had not a single idea makers of Stella Cidre, clearly states the differences in about how his party would begin to cut the deficit—the duty. It says that the duty per hectolitre paid on Stella terrible legacy that we were left by the last Government. Artois, at 5% strength, is £86.60, the duty paid on I pay tribute to the Chancellor and the Treasury team Strongbow is £36.01, and that there is a difference of for yesterday’s Budget announcement. I wanted a Budget £50.59. At the top it says: “Why cider? Favourable duty that was good for business and hard-working families, position resulting in margin opportunity”. As a result and I feel that I got that. Thousands of families will be of our taxation system, we are penalising beer. Every lifted out of paying tax as a result of yesterday’s time somebody chooses to have a pint of cider rather announcement. It is important that that measure is than a pint of beer, the Treasury loses 50p. All we are particularly beneficial to women, who tend more to be calling for is some fairness in the system. 1005 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1006 Situation Situation [Andrew Griffiths] organisations such as the Cut the VAT Coalition, which has called for VAT on home maintenance, repair and Last week at Prime Minister’s Questions, I asked the improvement work to be cut to 5%. That would not Deputy Prime Minister what measures he had in place only be a boost for the depressed construction sector for beer, and he said that he wanted to support community but would create work for joiners, plumbers, electricians pubs. The best way to do that is to give beer a break. We and painters, and opportunities for young unemployed want a fair taxation system that recognises the importance people looking for their first job. that beer, as a lower-strength drink, can have in our Of course, one has ask how one would pay for a society. We want recognition of the efforts that brewers temporary cut in VAT. If the argument is that the top are making in relation to responsible drinking and rate of tax is being cut because it will bring in more reducing the alcohol by volume of their products. I income by encouraging economic activity—a fairly dubious commend the Government for their work on the 2.8% argument in my view—surely temporary cuts in VAT of strength beers that were introduced recently. We recognise the kind that I and my party have argued for are much that the community pub is at the heart of the big society more likely to lead to an immediate increase in economic and that it has an important part to play in all our activity than the cut to the top rate that is proposed in communities. I urge the Treasury to look at this again the Budget. and work out what we can do to give British beer and British pubs a fair break. Neil Parish: I am interested in why you say that it is dubious to cut the rate from 50% to 45%, when in 4.6 pm 13 years of your Government, you did not put it up Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ from 40% to 50%. Co-op): The Chancellor’s Budget speech painted a positive picture, in some ways, of what his policies are doing for Mr Speaker: I am extremely grateful to the hon. the UK economy. However, although some businesses Gentleman, but I am not sure why he refers to my in my constituency are doing well, at the grass roots, Government. There should be no reference to my among small businesses, I find a lot of people who are Government in these matters. very worried about the future of their businesses, and that many of those who have been struggling to survive Neil Parish: I meant the Government of which the over the past year are now on the brink. I am sure that hon. Member for Edinburgh North and Leith (Mark my constituency experience is typical of that of many Lazarowicz) was a member. Members in constituencies up and down the country. That is why the Chancellor has made a dramatic Mr Speaker: I am sure that that is what the hon. mistake by rejecting Labour Members’ call for a temporary Gentleman meant. It would be good in future if that is cut in VAT, which could have provided an immediate what he said. boost to businesses, created jobs and provided real relief for those on the lowest incomes. On the main street in Mark Lazarowicz: Those points were covered earlier my constituency, there are all sorts of shops, offices and in the debate. other types of businesses, and I am genuinely worried I want to highlight the problems for businesses my that many of them are in great danger of going over the constituency. I say again that a cut in VAT would cliff edge if there is not an immediate boost to the certainly make a difference for businesses in my constituency economy such as a reduction in VAT. The temporary that are on the brink. Such a reduction in VAT would VAT reduction that Labour introduced at the end of its increase business activity, increase sales, increase the period in government certainly had that effect, and taxation income of the Exchequer and decrease another temporary reduction would be an important unemployment, with a consequent cut in spending on boost for all types of businesses, but particularly small benefits. The boost for smaller retailers and smaller businesses, in my constituency and up and down the companies in the construction sector would have other country. beneficial effects. From my constituency office, which is Kwasi Kwarteng (Spelthorne) (Con): The hon. Gentleman in a street that is still relatively well occupied, I can see talks enthusiastically about businesses. Do not the measures shops and businesses closing and the resulting cycle of in the Budget to cut corporation tax support business? deterioration not only in the local economy, but in the local environment. I can see that happening in my Mark Lazarowicz: The measures on corporation tax constituency. That is why I believe that the temporary will have a beneficial effect on some businesses, but not reduction in VAT that we have called for would be a so much for the smallest businesses. I am particularly great boost not just for business, but for the wider concerned about the small businesses in a fragile situation economy. in many parts of my constituency, which does not, There were some announcements in the Budget that relatively speaking, have very high unemployment overall, will benefit my constituency. There was confirmation although some areas do have high unemployment. that Edinburgh will be one of the cities that will benefit First, we need a general 2.5% reduction in VAT that from superfast broadband and the green investment would benefit all types of businesses, as well as relieving bank was also mentioned. However, those two people on low incomes, in particular, from the difficulties announcements have been made a number of times in which they find themselves as a result of the general already. The announcement about superfast broadband economic situation and the policies of this Government. for Edinburgh and a number of other cities was made at We also need targeted cuts in VAT. It is extremely the end of last year. The fact that the Chancellor chose disappointing that yet again the Government have rejected to highlight those innovations again only goes to show the call, not only from Labour Members but from the lack of imagination in the Budget when it comes to 1007 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1008 Situation Situation growth. We could have had a Budget for jobs and growth. going on in the rest of the world. I was very pleased to Instead, we had a Budget with very few specific policies. see that the Chancellor had finally realised that aviation That is regrettable and it is bad for the country. capacity in the south-east is a massively important I hope that the Government will change course and issue. The fastest-growing cities in the world need to reduce VAT, if not in this Budget, then at a later stage, have more connections. We will not be able to make to support smaller businesses in the construction sector, money or trade with them without connections, and the which would benefit greatly from such a change. Chancellor’s step of recognising the problem is mature and bold. 4.12 pm While we are focusing on spending and regulation, Kwasi Kwarteng (Spelthorne) (Con): I am pleased to we have to realise that other parts of the world such as have the opportunity to speak in the Budget debate, China, India, Brazil and places in the middle east such because we had a significant Budget yesterday. as Dubai have favourable regimes for business. If we are to compete seriously with those countries and their We have to consider what the Chancellor said in the regimes, we will have to do an awful lot more even than Budget in the context of 10 years of Labour profligacy we are doing to make ourselves competitive. in public spending and in the context of the international economy. The Office for Budget Responsibility has been The Budget was excellent and a step in the right clear about the problems that face the British economy. direction, although we need to do more to meet the There are structural problems caused by too much debt, targets that we have set ourselves. The Office for Budget which in turn was caused by too much spending. It is Responsibility has said that it is looking for 3% growth clear to everyone that spending more money or running in 2015 and, to meet that, we will have work an awful a greater deficit would not help to get us out of this lot harder. situation. The Government are doing what they set out 4.17 pm to do and they are reducing the deficit. The Budget yesterday was a step in the right direction. We are trying Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): I to cut regulation and to encourage enterprise and aspiration. begin by apologising to you, Mr Speaker, to the respective All that was clear in the Budget. Front Benchers and to other colleagues for the fact I would like to talk about tax cuts. The most significant that I will not be here for the end of the debate. No tax cuts in yesterday’s Budget were not at the top end of discourtesy is intended, but I have a pressing constituency the income scale, but at the lower end. It was an historic engagement. step to take hundreds of thousands of people out of As I listened to the tail end of the Business Secretary’s taxation. It is striking that in this debate, the Labour speech, I heard him outline the many problems confronting party has made no comment about that. It has not the economy and he cited the banks as one of the given us the courtesy of saying that it agrees with the remaining problems. It strikes me that for that reason, it proposal, nor has it opposed it, yet it was the most is important that Government Members try to appreciate significant move in the Budget. that my constituents in Selly Oak, who work long hours There were other, perhaps more controversial moves, for low pay or care for sick children or elderly relatives, such as cutting taxes for wealthier citizens and subjects, will struggle to understand why one of the key tax which have created some debate. It is received wisdom, give-aways in the Budget will amount to £325,000 a I think, that high taxes did not stimulate economic year for one of our leading bankers. He is hardly on his growth. Some Members will remember that there was a uppers, so people will find that very difficult to understand. 98% super-tax in the 1970s, and we were a very highly If the central argument about the 50p tax rate is that taxed nation. Other Members were here when Nigel it has not raised much, that is because people have been Lawson cut the top rate of tax from 60% to 40%. That avoiding it. The decision to cut the rate amounts to was so successful that in 12 years, Labour did not touch rewarding and reinforcing tax avoidance behaviour. What it. It always accepted that 40% was a reasonable and will prevent the group of people involved from trying good tax rate, not because it was friendly to the rich but to avoid the next band of tax? That is the problem—the because Labour’s leadership realised that there needed Government are saying, “Because they avoided it, we’re to be incentives to make the economy grow. going to reward them.” I now turn to something that the Chancellor did not Mr Speaker: Order. I think the hon. Gentleman was address. One of the most pressing problems of this age referring to his noble Friend the Lord Lawson of Blaby. is youth unemployment—all hon. Members share that It would be good to preserve some of the courtesies of concern—and I was surprised the Chancellor did not the House. take advantage of the opportunity in the Budget to do a bit more. The Government like to tell us about the Kwasi Kwarteng: Indeed. I am very grateful to you, number of apprenticeships, but most of those are not Mr Speaker, for putting me in my place. I will refer to for people in the 16 to 18 age range. The vast majority him with proper courtesy with his title. The Budget in that have been created tend to be for older people. There which he cut the top rate—the 1987 one, I believe—was was an opportunity in the Budget to offer more incentives the most significant in recent years, and only latterly to small businesses to take on young people, but it was have a series of political games been played and has the missed. Successful manufacturing companies in my patch top rate been increased. Other Members have referred such as B.H. Leake, Birmingham Powder Coatings and to that, and it is an elephant trap that the Government Cameron Price have all told me that they would like to have mercifully dodged. take on a young person or apprentice, but they find the We have to consider the Budget in its national context, system extremely complex and apprenticeships difficult but also in an international context. It is no good our to fund. Something to improve that would have been having worthy debates here without referring to what is welcome indeed. 1009 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1010 Situation Situation [Steve McCabe] taxpayers have the opportunity to judge whether we are spending their money wisely and delivering the outcomes I welcome the news on the loan guarantee. I hope the they wish to see. initiative is more successful than others. Quantitative What we really need now to move our economy on easing has given the banks plenty of money; the problem is a strategy for growth and job creation, and I wish is that they are still not passing it on to small companies. to focus my remarks on those elements. I welcome the In the same vein, I welcome the proposals to give Government’s commitment to reviewing airport capacity support to the computer games and animation industries. in the south-east as that is clearly important for our That is a really good thing that the Chancellor has international competitiveness. There has been a growing done. I hope we get the details of how it will work soon, enthusiasm for a Thames estuary airport, most notably and that it will not turn out to be mired in complexity on the part of the Mayor of London. I have to put on and red tape, because that would be a tremendous notice my firm opposition to such a proposition. My setback. objection is really that the Thames estuary reaches out There is another area in which the Chancellor could to the rest of the world by ship and sea. In fact, the have helped young people. National Express is keen on motto of the borough of Thurrock is “By Thames to all a travel card for young people. It has been in talks with the Peoples of the World”. I want to retain the Thames the Government and was directed to the National estuary as a shipping centre, not as a centre for an airport. Apprenticeship Service, which directed it to learning The west London advocates of such an airport seem providers, who said, “We don’t have the budget. Go to think that north Kent and south Essex are economic back to the NAS.” There is quite a lot of evidence that wastelands waiting to be transformed, but nothing could the cost of travel inhibits young people from finding the be further from the truth. While the docks in east jobs they are looking for. Anything we can do on that London have gone, they have moved east to accommodate front, Minister, would be most welcome. the ever-larger ships. The ports in Thurrock are thriving I shall conclude by mentioning one other thing. I was and growing. The investment by DP World at Shell relieved that the Chancellor said there will be a White Haven and by Forth Ports at Tilbury docks mean that Paper on social care. We cannot afford for that issue to this sector will go from strength to strength. Within a be kicked into the long grass. If it is not tackled in the couple of years, Thurrock will be the port capital of this next year or so, it will not happen in this Parliament, country and it will strengthen the port of London and and we will not address the problem. cement Thurrock’s role as a major logistics hub. The debate about the future of a hub airport would 4.22 pm have severe implications for Heathrow, if the new airport Jackie Doyle-Price (Thurrock) (Con): I am grateful were constructed. The economic dislocation caused by for the opportunity to contribute to this debate and such a move would be seismic. It would cost jobs and congratulate the Government on their increase of the shift business: it would be displacement, not new economic personal tax allowance. I believe that a defining activity. I hope very much that the review will consider characteristic of the coalition Government is that we what more can be done for Heathrow. are taking so many more people who can least afford it out of paying tax altogether. It is an achievement of Lorely Burt: I totally agree with my hon. Friend which we can be proud, and which reflects on both about the inadvisability of a further airport in her lovely parties in the coalition. The measure also reflects the constituency. Does she agree that we already have the fact that Government Members have the right values capacity in the west midlands—Birmingham international when it comes to deciding who carries the burden of airport has 40 million spare passenger places? paying for public services. It should not be the lowest paid. We need to reward work and encourage aspiration. Jackie Doyle-Price: I thank my hon. Friend for that The Opposition response has been predictable and intervention and I think a lot could be done by just disappointing. I was reminded why I got involved in increasing connectivity between existing airport capacity. politics in the first place many years ago when I heard In the little time I have left I wish to address the issue the language of class war and envy being expressed by of energy. The Chancellor has given notice that he will Opposition Members. They say, “Same old Tories,” but bring forward an energy strategy to look at what can be I say, “Same old socialists.” We have heard today the done to encourage more gas-fired power generation. I final nail going into the coffin of new Labour. The want to put on record a plea for biomass-fuelled generation socialists are back in charge. to be given greater prominence in our energy mix. As Let us be clear. The Government inherited an economy part of a shift to more energy generation from renewables, in which the state was borrowing more than it could we have had considerable emphasis on solar and wind, afford. We certainly were not living within our means. but when it comes to generating serious quantities of The Chancellor’s achievement is that he has been able energy, biomass is clearly a great way forward. We are to reduce borrowing and establish credibility in the eyes heading towards a situation in which a number of of the markets, with the result that we retain confidence coal-fired stations will need to close due to their non- and continue to benefit from low interest rates. Our compliance with the large combustion plants directive constituents benefit from lower mortgages. from the EU. These stations are sitting on top of I wholeheartedly welcome the Government’s decision connections to the national grid and we could do much to issue a statement to each taxpayer to explain how more to encourage energy companies to look at whether much of their tax is going on various areas of spending. they can replace the redundant coal-fired plants with It will strengthen the accountability of Government to new plants that generate from biomass. That is something the taxpayers. We on these Benches never forget that it that the power station in Tilbury, run by RWE npower, is taxpayer’s money and we need to make sure that is determined to do. 1011 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1012 Situation Situation Opposition Members have mentioned regional pay. than the retail prices index, through higher food and We already have regional pay. I live but two miles away fuel costs, through the freezes to child benefit and from the boundary with London so public sector workers working tax credit, and through the time-limiting of in my constituency are less well off than their London employment and support allowance. counterparts as they do not receive London weighting. We must not forget that for low-paid workers inflation We do not struggle to fill those public sector jobs. is not 3.4%, as it was yesterday, but nearer 10%, because Public sector wages lag far behind those in the private they spend proportionately more on food, fuel and sector in my constituency, and we need to encourage transport. The Government’s raising of the personal that elsewhere because we need to ensure that we are tax allowance is welcome but sadly does nothing to help attracting the best talent into private sector jobs. the one third of the adult population, including part-time workers and pensioners, who are too poor to pay income 4.29 pm tax, yet still have to face those same challenges. Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): I am proud Angela Smith: Does my hon. Friend agree that the to be a socialist, although hopefully not such an old threat of £10 billion of further spending cuts to welfare one. after 2014 will only exacerbate the problems he is describing? The rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer—the Tory party has very clearly reverted to type, putting the Alex Cunningham: I agree with my hon. Friend. I needs of the wealthy first while abandoning the poor, have people streaming through the doors of my surgeries, whether they are working or not. Even the Chancellor’s and e-mailing and phoning my surgeries, saying how favourite red-top newspaper, which today portrayed worried they are now, let alone about the impact of him as Wallace, agrees and says that he has put money £10 billion of cuts in the future. in “The Wrong Trousers”. Yes, Mr Speaker, women In the borough of Stockton-on-Tees, 23% of children wear trousers! The Prime Minister, himself a man with already live in poverty, and the Child Poverty Action young children and a working wife, once promised that Group has highlighted that the jobs shortage in the he would make this country the most family-friendly in north-east region, exacerbated by further public sector Europe, but this week’s Budget will make life even more jobs losses, will lead to even greater rises in child poverty. difficult for ordinary, hard-working families—not that Quite simply, unless parents can access and remain in he knows what it means to struggle to feed a family. work, the economy will struggle to return to sustained Yesterday, I met Terry Fullerton from Holme House growth and child poverty levels will be hard to reduce. prison immediately after the Budget. He pointed out that The Government’s changes to tax credit rules mean the tax cut for many of the super rich, such as bankers, that 2,500 families with more than 5,000 children in the celebrities and others, is about the same as the starting Tees valley alone, working between 16 and 24 hours a salary for a prison officer. It is also several thousand week, will have to work at least 24 hours a week or lose pounds more than the average annual wage in my that working tax credit. That is as much as £3,870. constituency. That is not fair. What research have the Secretary of State for Work and Brendan Cox, director of policy and advocacy at Pensions and the Government done to find out how Save the Children, said that some had called it a Robin many people will be able to find those extra hours? Hood Budget. He said: Surely he understands that it is deeply unfair that a “Robin Hood was known for hitting his target. If help to the family already on a low income will lose vital cash to poorest was his aim, the Chancellor will be known for missing feed their families because their employer cannot provide his.” them with more hours. The Institute for Fiscal Studies says that an average What about women? Some 72% of the Government’s family will be £530 a year worse off after the Chancellor’s changes to tax and benefits adversely affect women, and tax and benefit changes. On top of that, the poorest with 46% of working women being employed in the 20% of households will see their incomes fall by about public sector in the north-east, they are bearing the 1.5% in 2012-13, scuppering any chances of meeting brunt of the Government’s enforced public sector job coalition targets of reducing child poverty. losses. The number of women in work across north-east England has already fallen by 19,000, with unemployment Sheila Gilmore: Will my hon. Friend comment on among women increasing at twice the rate of men in the fact that, as detailed in the Budget, the cut in the recent times. I saw no hope whatever in the Budget that 50% rate will mean the Exchequer forgoing £3 billion of the hundreds of young people in my constituency would income, whereas it would cost £500 million to reverse get the help to secure long-term employment. The the cut to working tax credits for people about to lose it Chancellor spoke of skills, but not how they would be because they only work 16 hours a week? Which does he delivered. He certainly did not talk about jobs for those think is the better choice? young people. I have tried to concentrate on poverty and the substantial Alex Cunningham: I am sure that my hon. Friend increase in the number of families and individuals who knows exactly what my choice would be—it would be are now facing the toughest of times. We desperately on the part of working families. need economic policies that will deliver the jobs and I have mentioned the 1.5% cut. It might sound paltry, growth that our people need. We do not want to see but even if it represents as little as £1 or less per week, it more and more people forced out of work in the coming is still worth a lot for those on a low income who need months. We do not want to see pensioners penalised by to feed a family. It will also be the poorest families who having their personal tax allowance frozen. We do not are, or will be, hardest hit through the uprating of want to see any growth in the number of soup kitchens benefits in line with the consumer prices index rather and food banks springing up across the country, including 1013 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1014 Situation Situation [Alex Cunningham] They are getting a bigger increase than ever from the triple lock, and we are increasing their allowances. at the New Life family centre in my constituency. We do There will possibly be a year when some people will not want to see women bear the brunt of the unfair cuts have to pay slightly more tax, but not the majority. and rules being imposed on them. The Budget, read out Most people will not be spending any more money, and to much cheering from the Tories and their Lib Dem they will certainly not be losing any more money next allies yesterday, will not help to deliver any fairness year compared with this year, so you might like to look whatever in our society; nor will it provide the platform a little more carefully at what we are doing. on which to grow our economy. Mr Speaker: Order. I gently remind the hon. Lady, as 4.35 pm I did the hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Neil Parish) earlier, that we direct debate through the Chair. Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): I would like I am not involved in these arguments. to congratulate the Chancellor and his team on producing an innovative Budget in difficult times, but none the less Pauline Latham: I do apologise, Mr Speaker. a Budget for business and hard-working families. We need more jobs, more employment and more businesses The change to child benefit is also something that we set-up, because we cannot borrow our way out of a should welcome, as it shows that the Chancellor has crisis, as Labour would like us to do. Rather, we have to listened to what people out there have been saying. earn our way out of this situation. There will not be a cliff edge, as people have suggested, and no one earning £50,000 or less will lose anything. I find it strange that Opposition Members are so Only when people earn more than £60,000, which is miserable all the time. All they can do is pour scorn and quite a lot of money, will they lose their child benefit. misery on what is a very good Budget. There are so many things in the Budget that are good for Britain and good for hard-working families, but Opposition Members Kate Green: None the less, would the hon. Lady never seem to be able to see it. The hon. Member for acknowledge that the Chancellor has been unable to Blaenau Gwent (Nick Smith) is no longer in his place, resolve the anomaly whereby a couple earning £98,000 but I was pleased that he mentioned the measures between them might be able to keep their child benefit, dealing with future armed forces spending, such as the while a single parent on an income of £49,500 would not? doubling of the service accommodation relief for families and the welfare grant, along with council tax relief. I am Pauline Latham: What the Chancellor has done is sure that everybody in the House, including Opposition prevented us from having to go through a huge amount Members, will welcome anything that helps our hard- of paperwork that would have cost the country an awful working service people, who are out there fighting for lot of money. People might say, “Oh, but we don’t live this country. However, apart from the hon. Gentleman, together. We used to, but we are no longer together.”There I have not heard anybody else mention the fact that the will be so many loopholes, but he has done a good thing Chancellor is doing that. by going up to £60,000. I think that the majority of people in this country would agree with that, although There are so many positive things in the Budget that of course Labour Members will not. it is difficult to pick them out. Chris Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op): Will Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South) (Lab): Do the hon. Lady give way? try. Pauline Latham: I will not, as I do not have much Pauline Latham: The hon. Gentleman should not time left. worry; I will try, although I am disappointed that I have only five minutes to do so. We have not heard much about the rate of corporation tax going down significantly, yet that will benefit small The growing places fund for the local enterprise businesses in particular. We need those businesses to partnership in my area will bring in an additional thrive and to employ more people. The Chancellor has £8.5 million, which will be a tremendous boost to the also introduced the new enterprise allowance and enterprise area. Nobody over there on the Opposition Benches loans, which will help more people, particularly women, really seems to be all that pleased about the largest to start up businesses. That will give those businesses an increase in the personal allowance for 30 years, which opportunity to flourish and to take on more people to I find staggering. I would have thought that they would work for them. support the measure, which will take a lot of people out of tax altogether; indeed, 24 million people in this No one has mentioned the fact that the national country will benefit from that. planning policy framework is to be published shortly. The increase in construction that that will bring will Mr Iain Wright: The hon. Lady has mentioned the significantly help the country to move out of recession. personal allowance and talked about those of us on the There will be protections for the countryside, for the Opposition Benches being miserable. Does she think green belt, for national parks, for sites of special scientific that the 16,994 pensioners in her constituency will be interest and for areas of outstanding natural beauty, miserable as a result of the actions in yesterday’s Budget? despite the doom-makers on the Opposition Benches trying to persuade people otherwise. Pauline Latham: I do not know how you have calculated I am very pleased to see the introduction of an that for my constituency, because I am not even sure above-the-line research and development tax credit. In you know where it is. We are looking after pensioners. my area, Rolls-Royce, Toyota, JCB and Bombardier They will not be losing what you are talking about. employ a lot of people from my constituency, and they 1015 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1016 Situation Situation will benefit from such a measure. We must remember Some 300,000—just 2% of earners in the UK—will that Rolls-Royce is doing exceptionally well in the aerospace benefit overall from the cut of the top rate to 45%, yet industry in our area. We have not heard much about the just 4,000 houses a year are sold for more than £2 million. investment decision by GlaxoSmithKline, which is a That means that the vast majority of those who gain direct result of the Government’s policies. It would not from this tax cut for the richest will be totally unaffected have decided to spend that money in this country if the by the rise in stamp duty to 7%. Government had not come up with the solutions that they put forward yesterday. Sheila Gilmore: What we hear from the Government I would, however, like to put in two pleas to the is that if people are avoiding those taxes, we should just Ministers. I would like Derby and the area of Derbyshire give up on it. Is there are any reason, however, in my around it to be considered as one of the areas that will hon. Friend’s opinion, why we cannot bring in measures benefit from high-speed broadband. There is a part of to clamp down on tax avoidance while retaining the 50p my constituency in Derby that used to be the largest tax rate? private housing estate in Europe, and it has some of the slowest broadband speeds around. I would like to put in Angela Smith: I completely agree with my hon. Friend, a bid for Derby to be a recipient of any improvements. I and I shall come to the point a little later. should also like to point out that the electrification of To put the tax reductions for top-rate earners in the midland main line was missing from the Budget context, we need to understand that these are people statement. I would have liked to have heard that in this who earn £2,900 a week—that is right, each week. That Budget, but perhaps it is in the pipeline and the Chancellor is more than an average worker in Sheffield earns in a will bring forward those plans in the future. month. It is quite ironic, is it not, that this Government should believe that the best way to make the poor work 4.43 pm is to cut their income, while at the same time believing that the best way to get the rich to work harder is to Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab): boost their income. The reduction is also a massive This is a millionaires’ Budget delivered by a Cabinet gamble. As Jonathan Freedland points out in The Guardian, dominated by millionaires. It is regressive in what it today, it is built on does with tax, but it is equally a Budget that will do “a hoped-for influx of returning top-rate taxpayers: to most little, if anything, to deliver the jobs and growth that the people that looks like giving up hard cash in return for a wish.” economy needs. Exactly a year ago, the Chancellor told Since when has tackling tax avoidance qualified as a tax the House that he had just increase for the rich? “put fuel into the tank of the British economy.”—[Official Report, Pensioners are also hard hit. The granny tax—the 23 March 2011; Vol. 525, c. 966.] £3 billion raid on pensioners by freezing their personal He told us that we would see the economy turn the allowance—will mean that people who turn 65 next corner in this financial year, that positive growth figures year will lose out by £314. On average, 4.5 million were forecast, and that unemployment would stabilise pensioners will lose £84 a year from next April. as the private sector rose to the challenge as the public sector retracted. One has to ask what influence the Deputy Prime Minister has had on this Tory Budget, when the personal Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab): Is my allowance increase delivers less than the recent increase hon. Friend aware that the OBR is predicting that the in VAT, so it amounts to a tax cut for the rich. Let us effect of this Budget will be to increase unemployment not forget that the Chancellor has pencilled in more tax by 100,000 this year and next? increases for after 2014 and a further £10 billion cut in welfare costs. To people out there, that means even further potential cuts to child benefit, pension credit Angela Smith: I agree with my hon. Friend; and tax credit. unemployment already stands at 2.67 million, and youth unemployment is at a record level. In difficult times—and these are difficult times for many families—a Budget needs to be fair, and it needs Despite the Chancellor’s predictions a year ago, things to give people hope. Is it fair that a one-earner family have turned out very differently in the real world. As we on £55,000 will lose much of their child benefit, while enter spring 2012, it is clear that the British economy is a couple on as much as £99,000 can keep every penny flatlining and, and the OBR is forecasting just 0.8% growth of it? for 2012. As for jobs and growth, as the Business Secretary has In effect, the economy will continue to flatline. The said, this Government do not have Government have conceded that they will overshoot their borrowing target by £150 billion. Consumer confidence “a compelling vision of where the country is heading”. is also at a record low. As people see their income For once, I agree with the Business Secretary. There are squeezed while VAT increases push prices up and inflation no measures of substance in the Budget to help rebalance runs ahead of wages, many are fearful for the future. our economy, either geographically or structurally. VAT costs a family an average of £450 a year, and while Last year, the Chancellor told us he had put fuel in the increase in personal allowances reduces tax for the the tank of the economy. Unfortunately, he put the low paid, that is completely outweighed by the VAT wrong fuel in the tank and the economy has stalled. If rise, cuts to tax credits and higher fuel duty—again, he does not do something soon for the many in this smoothed over by the Chancellor yesterday. country, the economy will not only continue to splutter The major beneficiaries of this Budget are, of course, along, failing to fire on all cylinders, but will continue those 14,000 people earning £1 million or more, who irreparably to damage the lives of those who need jobs are receiving a tax cut of more than £40,000 a year. and growth to improve their life chances. 1017 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1018 Situation Situation 4.49 pm The previous Government put all their eggs in the Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): I welcome many European basket. This Government, to their credit, are aspects of the Conservative parts of this Budget, including beginning to refocus their trading relations with the rest its emphasis on the need to encourage small businesses, of the world. We have a monumental opportunity to be enterprise and research and development, and its able to get that straight in terms of— encouragement of economic growth, which is the key to everything. I welcome the simpler cash accounts system, Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. which will bring significant benefits to small businesses, Time is up. and the R and D tax credit system, as well as the seed investment programme for start-ups, which is very 4.54 pm important. The patent box arrangements will be very Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab): In the useful, too, as will the proposals for young enterprise past 24 hours, many people have attempted to provide a loans. Indeed, I recently attended an event in my description of this Budget. Some have compared it to constituency at which young people from Alleyne’s Lord Lawson’s giveaway Budget in 1988, others to the school in Stone were selling produce, based on proper orthodox Budget of Philip Snowden in 1931, but in commercial principles. They were learning key enterprise entrenching the disastrous mistakes in fiscal policy of skills, therefore, and it would be wonderful if they could its two immediate predecessors perhaps this Budget will have access to some loans as well, to enable them to deserve to be known as the great stagnation Budget. continue in that virtuous direction. Despite the measures unveiled by the Chancellor yesterday, I welcome the reductions in corporation tax. In fact, the verdict of the Office for Budget Responsibility was I believe we should aim to reduce it to 15% by 2020, as that they will make no difference to the levels of growth the Institute of Directors proposes. I also approve of in this country in the next two years. the proposals to reorganise personal allowances. That will be enormously beneficial to many people. However, Angela Smith: Does my hon. Friend agree with The despite the statements made this morning, I remain slightly Guardian, which said this morning that the Liberals will concerned about the situation of pensioners. I am not live to regret the fact that they have moved so far away yet convinced on that issue, so I think we shall have to in principle from the Lloyd George Budget of 1909? tease it out during our deliberations on the Finance Bill. I remain deeply worried about fuel duty. I do not Mr Bain: My hon. Friend is entirely right. Staggeringly, think we should increase it at all. At least £31 billion in that year the Liberals introduced one of the most comes into the Exchequer as a result of that duty, and progressive Budgets—the people’s Budget. This Budget 60% of the price at the pump is represented by taxation. certainly does not compare to that remotely; it is a Therefore, more positive policies were required. I would highly regressive Budget, as the Institute for Fiscal have liked fuel duty to have been reduced, and certainly Studies has confirmed this afternoon. not increased. The effects of this Budget are likely to be 100,000 more There will be no economic growth unless we have job losses—20,000 more in the public sector; £150 billion proper private enterprise, as that is what pays for every more borrowing than that forecast in June 2010; and a penny received by the public sector. There is no money substantial rise in inequality across the country. Having except for what comes from reasonably taxed private choked off growth in the past two years, and having enterprise. We must therefore ensure that we are truly weakened both public and private sector demand with competitive, and if that requires reducing our tax rates, austerity cuts that strip eight times more public consumption that is the direction in which we must go. from the economy this year and nine times more next I am deeply concerned about the failure to deal with year than even the eurozone average, the Chancellor is the problem of over-regulation. I have read the Red Book, presiding over the weakest recovery from recession since and it does not fill me with a great deal of confidence. the 1870s. On page 43, under the heading “Exports and inward In addition, as the OBR revealed yesterday, despite investment”, there are a few comments about export the Chancellor’s rhetoric on diversifying the economy finance. The next heading on that page is: and promoting manufacturing, his plan for growth is “Making the UK the best place in Europe to start, finance and based on the share of private consumption more than grow a business”. trebling, from 12 to 37.5% this year alone; half of all the new growth in the next five years is forecast to come George Freeman: The best place in the world, surely? from consumption. This is not an export-led recovery, but debt-fuelled consumption to maintain stagnant output, Mr Cash: My hon. Friend anticipates what I was about at a time when consumer spending has fallen in the UK to say: the UK should be the best place for businesses in by 0.8% in the past year. Small wonder that the OECD the entire world, not just Europe. has found that domestic demand in Britain has slumped. That is very important. Especially given the current It rose by 2.7% in 2010, when Labour was in government, eurozone crisis, we cannot carry on kidding ourselves but fell by 0.2% this year, under this Chancellor. The that our future depends on our trade with Europe. It is figure is massively below the 2012 OECD average increase an important part of our trading relationships, but it is in economic demand of 1.4%. It shows the crisis of the a failing part. Our balance of payments figures show lack of demand that is in our economy, which the that in just one year the deficit in our trade with the Chancellor did not begin to tackle yesterday. other European Union member states has risen from On growth, the Chancellor has given up on fiscal £14 billion to £46 billion. I understand the figures will policy as a lever of driving demand, even when the be revised on 28 March. I trust the figures for 2010-11 credit ratings agencies, the International Monetary Fund will not show that the deficit is worse still. and his US counterpart warn him not to. We face a jobs 1019 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1020 Situation Situation crisis, and in a crisis of this magnitude, we need fiscal We are told that the Chancellor has advised the Prime and monetary policy to work in concert to grow the Minister on matters strategic, instead of focusing on economy out of a slump. the crisis of demand made in No. 11 Downing street—a flatlining economy, slumping business investment, rising Angela Smith: Is it not also the case that the current unemployment and soaring inequality. The country will use of monetary policy to drive growth—quantitative not forget that yesterday was the day when the part-time easing—is driving the markets but not necessarily the Chancellor produced a bit-part Budget. growth that this country needs? Mr Bain: That is precisely the point that many small 5.2 pm businesses up and down the country are making. What George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): I congratulate we should have had yesterday was a facility to securitise the Treasury team on a Budget that I believe will come loans to small businesses and have them indemnified to be seen as an historic Budget that will put Britain by the Treasury. That would mean that the quantitative back on track for sustainable economic recovery. I want easing money could flow directly from the Bank of to say something in the time available about the problem England into small and medium-sized businesses, and we inherited, because it bears repeating, about the challenge not simply on to the balance sheets of the banks. That we face and about the opportunity that I believe we can would have made a huge difference. As many businesses and should be optimistic and ambitious in tackling. The have said, the credit easing scheme launched by the problem has been well chronicled, but the views and Chancellor with great fanfare on Tuesday will barely ignorance displayed by Opposition Members in this scratch the surface of the £190 billion shortfall in credit afternoon’s debate suggest that we need to repeat it for financing from which our businesses are suffering at the them. moment. We have inherited from the Labour party the worst The Chancellor is refusing to learn the lessons from deficit and debt crisis in this country’s peacetime history; Japan in the 1990s. He is placing all his eggs in the a structural deficit that would have been a crisis alone; basket of long-term low interest rates, but in Japan that an annual deficit from Labour’s historical explosion in led only to a decade of stagnation because of similarly public spending; a crisis in the situation with debt as a catastrophic mistakes in cutting spending too far and percentage of gross domestic product; and interest payments too fast. that are set to rise, if we have not tackled them, by Even on its own terms, the Budget was a failure for £76 billion a year—£1 in every £4 the Government business, with levels of business investment £48 billion spend. As a result, there is a deep fiscal crisis, with tax below their peak of 2008 and business investment growth increases and restraint on public spending hitting every having been slashed from 7.7% to just 0.7% in the family in the country, and a legacy of rising unemployment OBR’s latest forecast. There should have been innovative because of the credit crunch and bank financing for ideas about promoting long-term investment; there should small businesses. Most powerfully of all, and most have been plans for a national investment bank; there damningly after 13 years, there was the unsustainable should have been plans to bring forward more infrastructure economic model—a labour boom fuelled on cheap credit spending; there should have been plans to enhance and and cheap immigrant labour and a consumer boom that boost the borrowing powers of the UK Green investment Labour knew was unsustainable. Worst of all, perhaps, bank, which will not have those until 2016 because of there is a deep crisis of trust and confidence in political the Chancellor’s failure on growth. But in yesterday’s economy and in the belief and faith that the Government Budget, sadly, there were no ideas that would really can do anything about it. make a difference to business. The challenge is to restore some credibility and Shamefully, the Chancellor never even mentioned, confidence, first, in the capital markets through the much less produced, a plan to tackle youth unemployment. coalition’s programme for tackling the deficit, and secondly With 1 million young people out of work across the in the boardrooms and businesses of Britain that are United Kingdom and with the figure approaching one the only true mechanism for sustainable recovery. There in four in Scotland, he should have announced measures is also a need to restore credibility and confidence in for a proper national insurance holiday for small and relation to the entrepreneurs we will need to take the medium-sized firms employing young people. He should risks to drive growth and the citizens and consumers of have repeated the bank bonus tax to help to create this nation so they can have faith again. That requires a 150,000 youth jobs. He should have announced a temporary new economic model, which my right hon. Friend the VAT cut, which would have boosted consumer demand, Chancellor spoke passionately about yesterday—a model and he should have cut VAT for home repairs and for sustainable recovery. We cannot borrow and spend maintenance to give the construction sector a much our way out of a debt crisis. needed lift. Recovery needs to be sustainable not just in terms The test on which this Budget is found most wanting of avoiding the mistakes of boom and bust. We must is that of fairness. We are told that the wealthiest 3% of produce the things that people around the world want the population require massive fiscal incentives to reward to buy and we must have a clean economy in terms of hard work, but it is a different approach when it comes resources and the environment. Recovery needs to be to those on lower incomes or pensioners who have saved sustainable in the sense that our public services must be for their retirement. The poor are told to work harder financed in a sustainable way. Every pound that we in and do extra hours of work that are not available in the this place claim as government money has to be earned depressed economy, but 14,000 millionaires will receive by citizens and businesses and taken from them, and we a permanent tax cut of £40,000. This Budget is highly should never forget it. At heart, that means that the regressive and I urge Members to vote against it on coalition’s programme for a rebalanced economy must Monday. shift from over-dependence on the public sector to the 1021 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1022 Situation Situation [George Freeman] companies and businesses of tomorrow in the sectors of tomorrow. So I support—it is worth repeating—the private sector, from London and the south-east to the measures that the Government have taken, especially in cities and the regions and to the real businesses of this the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, country that can drive sustainable growth. I congratulate including the Green investment bank, new sources of the Treasury team on keeping interest rates low, paying finance for infrastructure, the enterprise zones, the off the debt and supporting business. We have the most competitive tax regime and the £20 billion of credit competitive corporation tax regime. easing, allied with the reforms to welfare, schools, universities and science and research. The Government are setting Mr Bain: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? out a modern industrial policy for a modern innovation economy. Will it work, I hear you ask, Madam Deputy George Freeman: I am going to plough on if I may. Speaker? Well, it is already working. The programme The move on the top rate of income tax from 50p to 45p has been welcomed by the Office for Budget Responsibility, has set a clear direction. the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Even the BBC’s business Angela Smith: Will the hon. Gentleman at least editor last night said that the Budget had had the most acknowledge that a significant proportion of the private positive response of any Budget he could recall. If any sector jobs created are part-time and in that sense are more proof were needed, today one of the world’s great doing much less than he suggests to drive growth in the businesses, GlaxoSmithKline, announced a major economy? £500 million investment in the UK, directly citing yesterday’s Budget as a reason. It is an historic Budget that will put George Freeman: If my constituents were given the us on track for a long-term recovery. choice between a part-time job in a sustainable private sector business or a full-time job in the public sector 5.9 pm that was not sustainable, I know which they would choose. Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): All Budgets have a tendency to create both winners and losers, but More than 600,000 new jobs have been created in the this Budget, unlike others, appears to create winners private sector since the election. and losers in an inconsistent and illogical manner and without any clarity of guiding values or objectives. Mike Weatherley (Hove) (Con): Will my hon. Friend welcome with me the measures for the video games Mr Bain: My hon. Friend is showing her customary industry, which are so important to Brighton and Hove, generosity in giving way. I anticipate that she might protect jobs in this country and stop them going abroad? make the point that 70% of the cuts in tax credits will affect people in the lower half of the income scale, but George Freeman: My hon. Friend makes an excellent the Resolution Foundation determined yesterday that point with which I entirely agree. 70% of the gain from the change in the personal allowance If I had only one small complaint about the Budget it will go to people in the top half of the income scale. was that, for reasons I well understand, the Government were unable to do anything to relieve the pain of rural Kate Green: My hon. Friend does indeed anticipate fuel prices in areas such as my constituency, where the my first point. Although there is of course an attraction cost of living is an acute problem. I urge the Government in lifting more people at the bottom of the wage spectrum to look at what might be done to relieve the effect of out of tax, it makes little sense to introduce a measure fuel prices on the rural economy. that still favours more men than women when women I said that I would touch on why I believe that this have already lost out under previous Budgets and spending country can begin to be optimistic about our future. announcements. The Government have begun to set out a credible and Mr Tom Clarke: On that point, which I dealt with coherent plan for long-term economic recovery based briefly in my speech, is it not a great worry that female on a model of trading again around the world. There is unemployment has risen by 22,000 in the past year, a high rate of growth in the emerging nations—the adding to the problems that were already there? so-called BRIC nations, Brazil, Russia, India and China— and with the pace of globalisation and the explosion in Kate Green: It is of deep concern to me, as I am sure those markets, if this country can set out a model of it is to you, Madam Deputy Speaker, that female producing and selling the things that those countries unemployment is now the highest it has been in a need, we will be on the road to a secure recovery. quarter of a century and that it was female unemployment Last year saw the publication of the foresight report, that rose most rapidly in the last quarter, considerably which set out how the world population is rising to outstripping what is happening to men. 9 billion, which will drive huge demand for life sciences I find it difficult to understand the fairness or logic of such as food science, biomedicine and energy and introducing a higher tax threshold that lifts some low-paid environmental science. The Government have set out workers out of tax while at the same time disincentivising over the past 18 months a long-term strategy to unlock many other low-paid workers who are seeing their tax that science and research base and tackle the problems credits frozen or lost altogether if they cannot reach of sustainable development around the world. That is a sufficient hours, to the extent that work will become sustainable model for us as well as for other countries. hardly worthwhile for them at all. I cannot see the logic There is a huge opportunity for the UK to trade on of the Government telling pensioners that on the one our great strengths and to unlock the power of the City hand they will give to them through the triple lock, and financial services sector to back and build the which I welcome, but with the other hand they will take 1023 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1024 Situation Situation away from them by raising the threshold and bringing their turnover, but in the Chancellor’s statement yesterday 230,000 of them into tax, while at the same time trying the Government had nothing to say about any of those to take people in low-paid work out of tax. issues. I am struggling to understand how a Government I should like to say a little about welfare and pensions. who said that they wanted to be fair and to operate a On welfare, I share with many of my right hon. and system that was simple can have arrived at the decision hon. Friends the deep concern that, after £18 billion of they reached on child benefit, according to which a social security and tax credit cuts already from this couple with an income just short of £100,000 will be Government, the lowest-income households in this country able to keep all their child benefit but another couple now face a further £10 billion of cuts. That will mean a where only one member of the household has an income, hit on disability benefits and on the benefits that enable but it is in excess of £50,000, will not. How can that be people to reach basic living standards. When the fair? How can a system be simple when it starts to claw Government publish on people’s tax statements, as they back at the rate of 1% for every £100? How will people say they will, a breakdown of where their spending has know where they stand in relation to their child benefit gone, I hope that they show in great detail who the entitlement, and where is the incentive to work more losers are from that welfare spending. A broad-brush and earn more in such a context? statement, “This is what is spent on welfare,” will not I am struggling to understand why a Government tell people that carers, the disabled and people raising who want to be progressive, who say that that is their children are actually the losers, so I hope that such reason for moving away from universal child benefit, information appears on the tax statements that the which I hugely regret—I want to put on record that I Government produce. absolutely stand by universal child benefit—and who Finally, the Government propose to keep the state say that they think there needs to be more progressivity, pension age under review in line with rising longevity. as they see it, in the way they administer child benefit, That, too, is a measure that will deliver greater inequality, then introduce less progressivity in income tax by cutting because it will penalise most of all the poorest, who the top rate from 50p to 45p when, as the OBR has said, already have poorer health outcomes and poorer life there is considerable uncertainty that such a measure expectancy, and those doing manual and hard, physical will deliver the tax receipts that the Government seem jobs. So buried in the detail there is considerable injustice, to believe will be brought into the Exchequer. With unfairness and inconsistency, and I shall vote against respect, I think that the Chancellor was a little over- the Budget on Monday. optimistic in his analysis of the OBR’s comments on the likely efficacy of that measure, and it is also unclear to 5.17 pm business commentators that the measure will be good for our economy. Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD): I welcome a Budget which shows that the coalition Let us be clear that our corporation tax, even before Government remain determined to tackle the deficit this Government took office, was by no means among and to drive growth and job creation throughout the the highest in the developed world. I am interested in country, and that we will deliver tax cuts for millions of how a Government who make great play of seeing small hard-working people and demand from the wealthiest businesses as the future of increasing employment, who in our society that they pay their fair share. This really is want to reduce corporation tax, who are on a downward a Budget for millions of ordinary families throughout trajectory in relation to it and who want to enable small the country who are struggling to make ends meet, not businesses to employ more workers have failed to notice a Budget for millionaires. that the very smallest businesses are completely unaffected by the cut in corporation tax because they already have I welcome in particular, of course, the increase in the a tax rate of only 20%. What are the Government doing personal income tax threshold, the largest increase for to support those businesses when what they would a generation and a thoroughly progressive policy. It has really like is effective measures on employers’ national gone from the front page of the Liberal Democrat insurance contributions, something that again the manifesto and been turned into action under the coalition Government have managed to address only in a most Government, and both parties deserve credit for introducing limited way? it. In terms of helping the families whom I represent in Cornwall, the measure sits alongside a freeze in council tax and the Government’s determination to tackle the Lorely Burt: What we are doing for small businesses, injustice of water bills throughout the duchy. Some which will alleviate many administrative difficulties, is 19,300 people in Cornwall will be taken out of paying introducing measures such as cash accounting on cash income tax, and more than 4,000 in my constituency flow, so we are working hard to help them in every way alone will no longer pay it. I thoroughly commend the we can. We are also amalgamating national insurance measure to the House and hope that in future years the with the other forms of tax paid so that only one lot of Chancellor will be able to go further and faster. tax is collected. Angela Smith: Will the hon. Gentleman not at least Kate Green: It is not that everything the Government acknowledge, as my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow are doing is necessarily bad, but overall it is woefully North East (Mr Bain) said earlier, that the biggest insufficient in relation to business and not what the beneficiaries of the increase in the tax allowance will be smallest businesses have been talking to me—or I suspect higher-income earners, not the lowest-income earners? to the hon. Lady in her constituency—about. They have been talking about employers’ national insurance Stephen Gilbert: It is a bit rich when the Labour party contributions, business rates and their concerns about talks about benefits to higher rate taxpayers, given that the rise in VAT, which means that there is pressure on it abolished the 10p rate of tax, making 5 million of the 1025 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1026 Situation Situation [Stephen Gilbert] I share the concern of my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Mr Cash) about fuel taxation in rural areas. lowest paid pay more tax. The coalition Government An innovative scheme is being trialled in the Isles of are taking the lowest paid out of tax, and that is a better Scilly and other places, but the Government need to direction of travel for the people whom I represent—and, consider again whether the balance is right. I am sure, those whom the hon. Lady represents as well. I have two final points. I disagree with my hon. I am also keen to welcome the measures in the Friend the Member for Sevenoaks (Michael Fallon), Budget to drive business growth—the cutting of red who thinks that the introduction of regional pay will tape on small and medium-sized firms; the introduction be a welcome move. Far from it—it runs the risk of of cash accounting; the enterprise management incentive institutionalising some of the inequalities in regions, scheme; and the fact that the Government are making such as Cornwall, with above-average housing costs and available £20 billion worth of additional funding to below-average wages. I have deep concerns about this ensure that businesses across our country, from which proposal, as do my hon. Friends on the Liberal Democrat will come the growth that will get us out of our financial Benches. difficulties, have the money to invest, expand and grow. Finally, I turn to an issue that is exercising my countrymen in Cornwall. There is some ambiguity about whether Alex Cunningham: The hon. Gentleman has talked the increase to 20% in VAT on hot food will include about investment. If the 50p tax rate had been retained, pasties that are served from bakeries. The Minister will there would be more money for investment. The Chancellor no doubt be aware that the pasty is not only a staple, said that the rate was making little impact on the hearty meal but, in effect, employs thousands of people amount of money coming into the Exchequer. If it was and brings millions of pounds into the Cornish economy. making so little money, could he not have just done Will he give some clarity on whether we can avoid a away with it altogether—or is it actually a real source of pasty tax? income for the Government and the Exchequer?

Stephen Gilbert: Again, there is an obsession for a 5.25 pm policy that Labour implemented only during the last Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): The altruism 37 days of its Government. If it was so keen on the 50p of the high-paid is remarkable. If they are not paying rate, why did that not last for 13 years under Labour, rather tax because of successful avoidance measures, their than 37 days? This is nonsense from the Labour party. delight at the rate reduction requires some explanation. Some of the measures to improve finance for small Perhaps they agree with the Chancellor’s statement that and medium-sized enterprises will build on some of the they will pay more tax as a result; if so, their delight is other mechanisms that the Government have introduced clearly because they are ready to pay more tax than they in Cornwall to try to drive the Cornish economy. I am were previously. thinking of the enterprise zone at Newquay airport, the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly local enterprise partnership, Mr Bain: I wonder whether my hon. Friend has had the fact that Cornwall will be the first county—not just an opportunity to consider what the Institute for Fiscal in the United Kingdom, but across Europe—to have Studies has said this afternoon—that there is a one in access to superfast broadband across its entire length, three chance that the Treasury will recoup only 30% of and the commitment to renewable energy generation as the £2.9 billion in the Red Book that relates to behavioural a way of driving some of the job creation of the future. changes and to people moving from the 50p to the 45p I also welcome the measures on housing growth that rate. Does not that bear out her point? the Chancellor announced. Government and Opposition Members recognise that there is a serious housing crisis Sheila Gilmore: It definitely does. in the country. We need to get on and build our way out Of course, that may not have been what people were of it to ensure that we meet the aspirations of those, cheering. They may have been cheering in relief at not many from my generation, who simply want to start having to do tiresome tax avoidance planning all the their lives with their partners, but are unable to do so time. If the HMRC’s calculations are correct, high-paid because they do not have access to stable, decent and employees are a bit like highway robbers who are holding affordable accommodation. a musket up to the rest of us and saying, “If you tax us, In my remaining time, however, I would like to put a we are going to take our ball away and not play any few concerns on the record. The first is about alcohol more.” taxation. Duty on beer has gone up by 42% in the past four years. As my hon. Friend the Member for Burton Mr Tom Clarke: Is my hon. Friend as concerned as (Andrew Griffiths), who is not in his seat, said earlier, I am that the Government seem to pay little attention the community pub is at the heart of many areas, to HMRC’s informed views? including many of Cornwall’s villages. Community pubs serve a useful function, employing 300,000 young people Sheila Gilmore: Clearly, the Government see tax planning across the country. When the Government bring forward as a perfectly rational and sensible reaction to tax their alcohol strategy, I hope to see some redress from the changes. However, if a working couple who are about to burden that beer taxation has taken on in recent years. lose £3,000 in tax credits make a sensible and rational I am also concerned that air passenger duty has gone decision to stop work because that will make them up by 360% over seven years. When I talk to the better off, will they be seen as merely making a sensible manager of Newquay airport, he tells me that that is and rational decision, or will they be seen as lazy, as having an impact on its ability to continue to drive scroungers, and as people who prefer to watch daytime custom. television than hold down a job? If they make that 1027 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1028 Situation Situation decision, which is rational for them, the outcome will be Edinburgh will now be in the private sector because of wholly irrational for the Government, because it will the decisions that the council has taken. No doubt those cost the Government more if that family stop work. jobs will move from the public sector side of the equation I have still not had a satisfactory response from the to the private sector side, but they are not new jobs that Government to a question I asked in an earlier intervention. are driving economic growth. Once again, this is smoke I also asked it of the Deputy Prime Minister earlier this and mirrors and there is no economic growth. That is week, because he is fond of telling us that Government the important point. If we do not get jobs and growth, can do two things at once. Why can we not retain the we will not get out of the recession. 50p tax rate and deal with tax avoidance? Apparently, in the previous year, when people were expecting more Several hon. Members rose— tax, they brought their income forward, so presumably this year, knowing that the measure has only a year to Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. I run, they will be able to put their income back to the intend to start the winding-up speeches at 5.40. That following year so that they do not have to pay more. If gives us eight minutes. Members can work out for we know that such things are happening, why are we themselves whether they will share the time or not. unable to find a means of stopping it? Perhaps people’s incomes should be looked at over two or three years to 5.33 pm ensure that they cannot engage in these blatant tax avoidance games, which many people on lower incomes Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): I will certainly cannot do. attempt to share the time, Madam Deputy Speaker. When we had the discussions some months ago about Although it is a great pleasure to follow the hon. bankers’ bonuses and executive pay, the Secretary of Member for Edinburgh East (Sheila Gilmore), I hope State for Business, Innovation and Skills told us, “Well, she does not mind me saying that the performance that these people are paying 50% tax.” Either they are paying I most enjoyed from her side of the House was that of it or they are not. One moment we are told that we do the shadow Chancellor, whom Government Members not need to bother doing more about bonuses and high think of with great affection. His performance reminded pay because the tax rate is dealing with it and the next me of that of an ageing, end-of-the-pier show entertainer, we are told, “It’s not bringing anything in, so we shouldn’t rather like Archie Rice in the film “The Entertainer”, bother.” There is a lot of smoke and mirrors. who was once a great character actor, but who, as he It is clear from the Red Book and it is even clear from gets to the end of his career, has to reheat jokes to get the Daily Mail—I am hardly a friend of that paper—that more and more lame laughs. Members will remember the Exchequer plans to forgo £3 billion in making this that the last words of Archie Rice in “The Entertainer” change to the tax rate. It hopes to get that back through were, “I’ve had enough.” That sums up our view of the people willingly paying more tax in various ways and shadow Chancellor. through the relatively small amount that is expected I was at the Pickerings business breakfast in my from the changes in stamp duty. constituency just a few days ago, where small and Since May 2010, we have been told regularly by the medium-sized enterprises, the engines of growth in my Government that the way to achieve economic growth constituency, made three points to me: we need to deal is to cut the public sector, which has been stifling the with access to credit, we need to deal with the cost of private sector, and then the private sector will spring to business taxation, and we need to deal with the burden life and replace the jobs that are lost. Two years on, we of bureaucracy that weighs them down. I will not go are still asking where those jobs are. Yesterday at Prime over the points that many hon. Members have made, Minister’s questions, the Prime Minister told us yet but we have heard about the national loan guarantee again how good it is that so many private sector jobs scheme and Project Merlin, which is providing more have been created. The figure that he used was 600,000, money to businesses, allowing them to invest, create which was repeated a few minutes ago by the hon. jobs and build growth. We have heard about the reduction Member for Mid Norfolk (George Freeman). in corporation tax from 26p to 24p, with a view to taking it to 22p and an aspiration to reduce it to 20p. More than a year ago, we were told that 500,000 jobs had been created since the election. Many commentators Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op): Will the have made it clear that most of those jobs were created hon. Gentleman give way? in the first six months of the financial year that started in 2010, and that the likeliest cause for their creation Christopher Pincher: I will not, because I do not have was the previous Government’s economic stimulus. The much time. Government cannot keep recycling the figures. The number of times that the Prime Minister has talked about those The corporation tax reduction sends a message that 500,000 jobs is incredible. I accept that it has gone up this country and its businesses are open for business. slightly and he is now talking about 600,000 jobs. He should get a prize for recycling, even if he does not get a Angela Smith: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? prize for job creation. If those jobs were created as a result of the economic stimulus, the Government should Christopher Pincher: No, the hon. Lady has had look again at whether they should continue to rule out enough time to get herself into Hansard. I am not going such a stimulus. to give way to her. Do we even know that those private sector jobs are The reduction in corporation tax also sends a message completely new jobs? In my city, there has been a lot of to business that the Government are on its side and outsourcing and people have moved positions through want it to create the jobs that pay the taxes that fund the tendering processes. For example, 2,000 care workers in public services we want and need. It is unfortunate that 1029 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1030 Situation Situation [Christopher Pincher] has taken jobs and investment abroad instead of bringing them here. The changes will help big businesses, but we have heard the shadow Chancellor today, and the also small animation companies such as Cognitive Media, shadow Chief Secretary bestriding the airwaves yesterday, which is based in Folkestone, in my constituency. It will saying that they would not have made the cut and help in the other creative clusters around the country would reintroduce corporation tax at 26p. What a message where such jobs are providing necessary skills and that sends to businesses in this country—that Labour employment. That is part of a strategy, with the has learned nothing and forgotten nothing from its Government supporting big investment in centres such mistakes. It does not want to kill the fatted calf; it wants as Tech City, where we will fulfil the Chancellor’s ambition to starve the entire herd. to make Britain the technology capital of Europe and a I wish to give Ministers an important message about leading player in the world. They will be a major driver bureaucracy. Small and medium-sized enterprises have for growth for our economy and new jobs in future. said to me that when they apply for a slice of the I very much support the Government’s initiative to Government procurement pie, as the Government want support the programme championed by Virgin to allow them to do, they find the online application process young people who want to set up their own business to time-consuming. For small businesses, time is a form of borrow money to invest and start up on their own on tax. I hope that my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary, the same terms as students can borrow money for who is in his place, will work with my right hon. Friend tuition fees. That will be a great source of jobs for the Minister for the Cabinet Office continuously to young people and give them the boost they need to get streamline the process, with a view to reducing the time on to the job ladder. needed for initial online applications by just a few hours. That would help many small businesses apply for 5.40 pm the slice of the Government procurement pie that we all Mr Iain Wright (Hartlepool) (Lab): May I begin by know they need. wishing my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port In the past, Chancellors have had a tin ear. Conservative and Neston (Andrew Miller) a very happy birthday? He Chancellors have made Budgets for accountants by does not look a day over 75, which is just as well, accountants. The last Labour Government, after a because he is only 63 tomorrow. reasonable start, began to write Budgets by spinners for spinners. It seems to me that Budgets should be made With the greatest respect to my hon. Friend, his is not for the people. The Budget that we heard yesterday was the biggest birthday of the week. Today marks the an authentic Budget that spoke to the people. It spoke birthday of my mother. I hope the whole House wishes to the strivers, who want to get up, get on and make her a happy birthday—[HON.MEMBERS: “Happy birthday!”] something of themselves. It spoke to the grafters, who She will not thank me for saying this, but my mother are trying to build a business. It spoke to mums and was born in 1948, so she is absolutely being hit by the dads who want their kids to grow up in a country that is Chancellor’s Budget provisions. She will lose out along free of crippling debt. It spoke to the aspirants, and with another 4.4 million pensioners. She has worked I am happy to support it. hard all her life, and still works hard, and will be penalised for it. 5.37 pm This has been an interesting and informative debate Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con): We and I have enjoyed it immensely. My right hon. Friend have heard a number of Members today say that the the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne East (Mr Brown) Government have no industrial strategy and no strategy mentioned regional pay, which is also a big concern to for jobs. I say that they should make that argument to me as a fellow north-east MP, as did my hon. Friends the people who will benefit from the £500 million investment the Members for Dumfries and Galloway (Mr Brown) in this country that GlaxoSmithKline announced this and for Ellesmere Port and Neston. My hon. Friend the morning following the Budget; to the people who will Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Steve McCabe) benefit from the 2,000 jobs being created by Nissan in rightly mentioned the importance of youth unemployment, Sunderland and around the country with the support of and his fellow Brummie and neighbour, my hon. Friend Government money; or to the clients and employees of the Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Jack Dromey), companies such as WPP, one of the world’s largest stood up fiercely for housing, if not for hairdressers. My communications networks, which will headquarter in hon. Friend the Member for Stockton North (Alex the UK under this Government’s new lower tax regime, Cunningham) mentioned the importance of child poverty instead of Dublin, to where it flew under the last and my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Government. Urmston (Kate Green) mentioned the importance of The Government are setting out a bold and ambitious ensuring that we tackle female unemployment. industrial strategy to bring jobs to this country in the I was interested in the points made by the hon. sectors in which we will see the highest levels of growth. Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Mr Evennett) That is why I particularly welcome the announcements on ensuring that the Budget provisions are fair and that the tax credit for production in the video games innovative. I agree with that. I want to ensure that work industry will be brought back and that the film tax is incentivised, but he failed to mention the concept of credit, which a Conservative Government introduced in fiscal drag, which will bring 300,000 people who are the 1990s, will be extended to sectors such as animation trying to work hard and do what is best into the higher and high-end TV production. tax rate. It is ridiculous that Julian Fellowes’s new series “Titanic” I was also interested, as I always am, in the comments has been filmed in Hungary, instead of in Belfast, where of the hon. Member for Solihull (Lorely Burt). It is there is a film production studio in the shipyards where interesting that she is an out-and-out apologist for the the original ship was built. That shows how our system Government. She has a majority of 175, so it will be 1031 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1032 Situation Situation interesting to see how she explains the fairness of the piles—something like £750 billion—which could be used Budget to the 20,082 pensioners in her constituency. to invest and make the British economy more productive In the opening paragraph of the financial statement and more competitive, the Chancellor is failing to persuade yesterday afternoon, the Chancellor said that the Budget them to invest in Britain now. “unashamedly backs business…and…is on the side of aspiration”. Business investment as a share of GDP has fallen The Opposition would want such a Budget, but if only sharply since this Government took office and is now, at yesterday’s Budget backed responsible business, rebalanced less than 8% of GDP, at the lowest level for more than the economy in favour of manufacturing, built on the half a century. So much for yesterday being a Budget progress made by the previous Government on new for business. It is little wonder that John Longworth, industries and jobs, and put in place an active Government director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, industrial policy that emphasised the need for Government has said that small and medium enterprises—the very procurement to establish a level playing field for British bedrock of this country’s economy and the firms we companies. Sadly, we did not get that. need to nurture today to make them the big, successful global companies of tomorrow— will be disappointed We agree with the Chancellor that: that the Chancellor did not do more to boost confidence. “We earn our way in the world if we stop being afraid to An additional 1% cut in corporation tax does not make identify Britain’s strengths and reinforce them instead”.—[Official up for the 5.6% rise in business rates still going ahead Report, 21 March 2012; Vol. 542, c. 793.] next month, or for the lower allowances for capital We also agreed with him when he said in his Budget investment and a lack of incentives to boost employment, speech in 2011: particularly for young people. “Yes, we want the City of London to remain the world’s There was nothing in the Budget on supply chain leading centre for financial services, but we should resolve that the improvement, despite the fact that the Business Secretary, rest of the country becomes a world leader in advanced manufacturing, in his leaked letter, specifically argued that life sciences, creative industries, business services, green energy and so much more.”—[Official Report, 23 March 2011; Vol. 525, “There is as yet little attention given to supply chain issues.” c. 953-954.] With this Budget the Chancellor has once again The problem is this: the Chancellor keeps saying these shown how he is a roadblock to reform. He has missed things—these important warm words—but does not do an opportunity to make Britain more competitive and anything about them. It is little wonder that the Secretary fairer, and to ensure our economy is more balanced and of State for Business, Innovation and Skills was forced productive. His own Budget figures, backed up by the to write in his leaked letter to the Prime Minister that OBR, reveal that his tweaks and fiddling, his tinkering the Government had and meddling, his leaks and pre-announcements, will “something…missing: a compelling vision of where the country make little difference to Britain’s growth prospects and is heading beyond sorting out the fiscal mess; and a clear and global competitiveness. This is in a month when the confident message about how we will earn our living in future”. likes of Brazil are powering away from us in terms of The fact of the matter is that the Budget is yet competitiveness and the growth and size of their economy. another missed opportunity by the Government to put The Chancellor’s tax cuts for the privileged and most in place the framework needed for a 21st century rebalanced prosperous, paid for by tax increases for pensioners, economy. Terry Scuoler, chief executive of EEF, the reveal that he, the Prime Minister and the Deputy manufacturers organisation, was right when he said last Prime Minister are looking after their own. The Chancellor’s night: favouring of Mayfair over Middlesbrough and Belgravia “The Chancellor began positively by setting out his thoughts over Burnley, aided and abetted by his Liberal Democrat for a new economic model. But, by the end of his speech, the task accessories, shows that he has the wrong values and the of rebalancing our economy looked as daunting as ever.” wrong priorities, and he is making the wrong decisions. He added that the measures in the Budget What we—and, more importantly, Britain—needed was the Chancellor to make a Budget focused on growth, on “fail to send a strong enough signal to growing manufacturers that now is the time to bring forward their investment plans and long-term business support, on a modern industrial to do it here.” partnership between business and industry, and on fairness in tough times. He failed to deliver any of it. Steve Radley, policy director of the EEF, reaffirmed this when he said: “This year it doesn’t look as though we will be making…much 5.48 pm progress to a new economic model because we are now looking at business investment driving much less of the economic growth”. The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr Mark Hoban): I am grateful for the opportunity to respond to That is the key point of a Budget that is meant to be this debate. Over the course of the last two days, debate backing business. has been wide-ranging and there have been 60 Back-Bench In the 2010 Budget, the Chancellor forecast that speeches. At the heart of the debate is the Government’s business investment growth would be 10%, and 10.9% determination to restore the UK to prosperity. As hon. in 2013. Last year’s Budget downgraded this forecast Members are already aware, it is because of the decisive to 8.9% in 2012 and 10.6% in 2013. But according to action that this Government have taken since the June yesterday’s Red Book, business investment growth this Budget of 2010 that we have secured and maintained year is not going to be 10% or 8.9% but 0.7%, and next the stability of the UK economy, sheltering it from the year 6.4%, as my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow turbulence that undermines our nearest neighbours and North East (Mr Bain) so rightly said. What on earth is securing record low market interest rates that support the Chancellor doing with the British economy that he families and businesses across the UK. Stability is a instils so little confidence in the business community? vital precondition for growth, and this Budget builds on At a time when companies are sitting on record cash those solid foundations, safeguarding a stable economy, 1033 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1034 Situation Situation [Mr Mark Hoban] As the Chancellor announced yesterday, we are going even further by cutting the rate of corporation tax to creating a fairer, more efficient and simpler tax system, 22% by 2014—a headline rate of corporation tax and driving through the reforms to unleash the private dramatically lower than that of our competitors. It is sector enterprise and ambition that are critical to our the lowest in the G7 and the fourth lowest in the G20. It recovery. is a sign that we are open for business, an invitation for The Government are unashamedly committed to building investment and a spur for prosperity and job creation a recovery through enterprise, private sector investment across the economy. That is also why we are cutting the and exports. That is why John Cridland, the director 50p rate of income tax—a rate higher than in the US, general of the CBI, has said: France, Italy and Germany, and a rate that damaged our competitiveness while raising nothing in additional “The Chancellor has also painted a clearer vision of how the UK will earn its living in the future and, by seizing the opportunity revenue. From April next year, the top rate of tax will be to make sure our corporate tax system is more internationally 45%, which will restore our competitiveness and galvanise competitive, he has sent a powerful signal to companies to invest, our private sector. do business and create jobs in the UK.” I turn briefly to what the Government are doing to Kevin Green, the chief executive of the Recruitment help protect pensioners. I want to make it clear that the and Employment Confederation, said: Government have taken action to help pensioners. We have taken action to protect the winter fuel allowance, “Changes to corporation tax will encourage businesses to invest in their workforce. Plus, in continuing and speeding up free prescriptions and eye testing, free television licences year-on-year reductions the Chancellor creates certainty for businesses, and free bus passes, and our triple lock on state pension which is so important in encouraging growth.” uprating means that the basic state pension is £120 a This commitment to building a recovery through enterprise, year higher than it would have been had the previous private sector investment and export will help to unwind Government remained in office. The triple lock means the imbalances and distortions that the previous that from next month, the state pension will increase by Government built up, expanded and ignored, to everyone’s an extra £5.30 a week—in cash terms, the biggest increase cost. in the state pension that we have seen. We are freezing the age-related allowance in cash terms, but no pensioner We will not return to growth fuelled by unsustainable will pay more in tax. This measure simplifies the tax debt, irresponsible spending and over-reliance on one system, moving everyone towards a simple tax system, sector and one region. I would have thought that the where everyone has the same allowance. Even taking hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr Wright) would at into account the change in age-related allowances, everyone least have recognised that when Labour was in office, will be better off as a consequence of the increase in the despite the many billions of pounds spent on regional basic state pension. development agencies, the gap between the north and However, there are other things that we need to do the south widened, not narrowed. That is the legacy to secure future economic growth. As a number of my that they left to this country. Rather than growth being hon. Friends have said, we need to lift the layers of dependent on debt-fuelled expansion, as in the Labour stifling bureaucracy that serve to suffocate growth. For days, Britain will earn its way in the world. While the too long, businesses have been trapped by a web of previous Government let the economy slip into a stupor bureaucratic cynicism and nimbyism. If we want our of spending and competitive decay, we are reversing most innovative and entrepreneurial businesses to lead that decline and revitalising our ambition. our economic recovery, we have to match their can-do attitude. That is why the Budget announced a fundamental Mr Love: Will the Financial Secretary explain why, overhaul of the planning system, replacing 1,000 pages after feeding in all the numbers related to the Budget, of guidance with just 50, and introducing a presumption the OBR did not make any changes to its growth in favour of sustainable development and a new planning forecasts for the coming years? guarantee, so that no decision should take more than 12 months, including appeals. Mr Hoban: We face a challenge. The OBR has said, However, if businesses are to seize the opportunities on this Budget and the autumn statement, that the scale to grow, we have to ensure that they have the finance of the problem we inherited from the previous Government they need to feed their ambition. If we want businesses was bigger than everyone thought. The scale of the to take the risk to invest, hire new workers and take a boom was bigger and the scale of the bust was bigger. leap into the export market, we need to ensure that they That is the legacy that we are tackling. have access to finance. In particular, it is critical that we Critical to realising our goal are the far-reaching tax support smaller businesses, which provide more than reforms that the Chancellor announced yesterday. We 50% of private sector jobs and 30% of private sector are committed to creating the most competitive tax investment and have the potential to become the global system in the G20—a tax system that supports work, leaders of tomorrow. That is why the Chancellor launched encourages growth and keeps our most successful businesses the national loan guarantee scheme earlier this week, here in the UK. While the previous Government increased to give smaller businesses with a turnover of up to taxes on small businesses, we have cut the tax rate on £50 million access to cheaper loans. Through the scheme, small companies to 20%; while the previous Government the Government will provide guarantees on unsecured wanted to increase national insurance on jobs, we have bank borrowing, enabling banks to borrow at a cheaper cut it; and while the previous Government sat idle as rate and pass on the full benefit to their customers. We our competitiveness drained away, we have already taken have provided £5 billion of guarantees in the initial action to reduce the headline rate of corporation tax to phase, with up to £20 billion of guarantees available 23% by 2014, cutting one of the most important and in total. growth-impeding taxes there is. Mr Iain Wright: Will the Minister give way? 1035 Budget Resolutions and Economic 22 MARCH 2012 Budget Resolutions and Economic 1036 Situation Situation Mr Hoban: It is this Government’s deficit-reduction They left behind the deficit that this Government are strategy that has earned this country market credibility sorting out. They left behind an economy that needs and low interest rates, and it is this Government who repairing and restoring. It is this Government who will are ensuring that the full benefits of those low interest ensure that the British economy will earn its way out of rates are passed on to businesses across the UK. Barclays, its problems. Santander, Lloyds and the Royal Bank of Scotland are already participating in the scheme—a new bank, 6pm Aldermore, has agreed to join in principle—helping thousands of small businesses across the UK. However, The debate stood adjourned (Standing Order No. 9(3)). in addition to the national loan guarantee scheme, we Ordered, That the debate be resumed tomorrow. are trying to broaden the range of sources of finance available to new businesses and tackle some of the issues in supply-chain financing, while also ensuring PETITION that other sources of finance are available to businesses. That is why we have launched the business finance partnership. I was delighted to see a large number of Prevention of Development on Green Belt Land people coming forward to take part in the programme and ensure that more money is available to invest in 6pm small businesses. That is an important change to ensure that businesses are in a position to take advantage of Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) (Con): I the opportunities before us today. should like to present a petition, a copy of which has already been presented to No. 10 Downing street, from Mr Wright: Will the Minister give way? more than 1,000 residents of Bournemouth East who seek the protection of precious green belt land in the wards Mr Hoban: It is this Government who are committed of Strouden, Throop and Muscliff from the proposed to making Britain the best place to start, grow and development of three Traveller sites. Residents believe finance a business. It is this Government who are putting that Bournemouth is already affected by overdevelopment, the ingenuity, innovation and enterprise of people and and that this would be an inappropriate use of much businesses at the heart of our recovery. This Government treasured green belt land and open space. are releasing our ambitions for a private sector recovery, The petition states: through a competitive top rate of tax, one of the lowest The Petition of residents of Bournemouth, rates of business tax in the world, an overhaul of Declares that the Petitioners are opposed to the proposed cumbersome planning rules and bold action to ensure development of three permanent sites for gypsies and travellers in access to finance for businesses to lead investment and Strouden, Throop and Muscliff; that the Petitioners believe that job creation across the country. Bournemouth has already more than adequately contributed to Dorset’s housing numbers; and that this would be an inappropriate Mr Wright: Will the Minister give way? use of much treasured greenbelt land and open space. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons Hon. Members: Give way! urges the Government to bring forward legislation to strengthen the powers of local Councils to allow them to prevent residential Mr Hoban: Opposition Members had plenty of time developments from being built on the greenbelt. to make their arguments. They should take responsibility And the Petitioners remain, etc. for the problems that this country is having to deal with. [P001014] 1037 22 MARCH 2012 Electricity Transmission (North 1038 Somerset) Electricity Transmission (North Somerset) Dr Fox: That is indeed correct, but one of the problems we have had, as I mentioned, is that what we are told Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House one day can be diametrically opposed to what we are —(Stephen Crabb.) do now adjourn. told the next week. That has resulted in the local 6.1 pm population’s loss of confidence in their dealings with National Grid. Dr Liam Fox (North Somerset) (Con): Those who read the title of this debate might be tempted to think There have been huge variations in the costs and that it deals with a localised issue of interest only in estimates of alternatives. National Grid originally estimated North Somerset or the county of Somerset. That would that undergrounding power lines would cost between 10 be a major mistake. The issues at stake in this project and 20 times more than overhead lines. That does not fit are likely to be replicated across many other parts of the with the evidence produced by groups such as the country, and the principles involved are universally Campaign for the Protection of Rural England or even applicable. with National Grid’s own experience in London or Oxfordshire. At the moment, there are some 22,000 high-voltage pylons carrying 7,000 km of overhead lines across Some clarity was achieved earlier this year with the England and Wales. National Grid, the monopoly provider report from the Institution of Engineering and Technology of transmission infrastructure, is planning to build nearly and Parsons Brinckerhoff. That was a useful contribution 480 km of new overhead power lines at a cost of some to the public debate—well constructed, informative and £14 billion. That became an issue in our part of the west indicative of the approach that National Grid should country in the autumn of 2009, when National Grid have taken from the outset if a meaningful public began what it termed a consultation on the installation debate were genuinely sought. It provides better costings of a new feed line with 400 kV of electricity to connect for the alternative technologies, and shows that the the proposed new Hinkley C nuclear power station to price differentials are much less than the public were the national supply network at Avonmouth, a distance originally led to believe. of some 57 km. The most direct route between the two However, the report’s remit relates purely to the tightly points lies across a body of water, yet the debate centred defined engineering costs. It does not take into account entirely around a land route that would involve overhead any analysis of the aesthetic, human or environmental transmission and new pylons. The concerns of local impacts of the proposed new overhead lines. It scarcely residents about the new 400 kV lines—the current lines covers the AC sub-sea option and does not give an carry about 132 kV—were exacerbated when they equivalent level of detail for gas-insulated transmission discovered that the new pylons would be around 150 feet lines as for overhead lines and underground cables. It high, and very much bulkier in design, thereby creating does not sufficiently take into account whole life costs, greater environmental impact. I will return to the question or the public’s willingness to pay for undergrounding “When is a consultation not a consultation?” later. new and existing electricity transmission lines. Our experience has been mirrored by colleagues National Grid commissioned Brunswick to look into in other parts of the country, notably in Suffolk, and I the public’s willingness to pay for these changes, and the would like to thank them publicly for the support that research revealed widespread public ignorance about they have given us throughout our campaign. One of the percentage of an electricity bill that is attributable the biggest problems that we have faced has been the to transmission. Most consumers thought that about perceived inconsistency in National Grid’s arguments 10% of their bills as opposed to the actual figure of and in the figures it has provided. At a packed meeting about 4% related to transmission. Ofgem commissioned in Nailsea in my constituency before the last general further research from London Economics to look at the election, residents were first told that to lay the cables same data, and we currently await the results of research under the sea was not technically feasible. Then, when commissioned by National Grid from Accent. they challenged National Grid with the fact that it Throughout the process, National Grid has told us already owned three undersea cables, they were told that it is constrained in the actions it can take by that it would be too expensive. Ofgem. My first question to the Minister, then, is: what We now have a further complication, in the welcome representations, if any, has National Grid made to the announcement by the Government of the south-west as Government, outlining concerns about these restrictions; the first marine energy park, which will utilise—guess and what freedoms from those constraints have been what—undersea cabling. We are still unclear as to why requested? What can the Government do to free National sub-sea links of similar length should be suitable for Grid from the perceived and well used excuse that it Europe, for the New York-New Jersey link and for the must use the “least-cost option”? Scotland-Wirral link, but not for us. National Grid and Meanwhile, back in North Somerset, many of the Scottish Power Transmission even put out a press release changes originally ruled out as impossible magically stating that became part of the agenda for discussion, following “the companies are working together to deliver a major project to public pressure. The 50-metre pylons, which caused build a 400 km high voltage circuit which will run predominantly such outrage, might be reduced to the current height by under the sea from Scotland to England. The new circuit will enable the transfer of large volumes of energy from Scotland altering the design, although we have subsequently learned directly to England and Wales through subsea cables, bypassing that that is limited by the ability of the new pylons to the constraints of the existing transmission system.” allow transmission lines to bend through more than 3°. We have been told that the 18 lines can be reduced to 12, Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): Is it not also the case that and that the existing Western Power distribution—the Steve Holliday, the chief executive of the National pylons we currently have—might be removed to make Grid, said in June 2009 that putting cables under the sea way for the new pylons, rather than running in parallel was a “no brainer”? as we were originally told had to be the case. 1039 Electricity Transmission (North 22 MARCH 2012 Electricity Transmission (North 1040 Somerset) Somerset) Other concessions, such as the burying of cables for potential for shale gas production, possibly including environmentally sensitive areas and places of greater here in the United Kingdom, it is reasonable for us housing density, have been brought forward. That is to pause and re-examine some of our energy policy particularly important in relation to housing in the west assumptions. If the cost predictions we have made turn of Nailsea, where those who bought housing close to out to be wrong, and energy prices in the rest of the the existing 132 kV lines might find themselves with decade are lower than we anticipated, might there not housing blight and unknown health implications. I wonder be an unprecedented opportunity to overhaul our electricity how many National Grid executives or shareholders transmission network without a significant impact on would choose to have their homes, or send their children consumer prices? Indeed, consumers need to know what to school, under the new 400 kV cables. impact the options that are available will have on their Let me return to the question of when a consultation electricity bills, so that they can make an informed is not a consultation. From the outset, it was the belief decision in this debate. In other countries, notably Norway of residents in my constituency—particularly in Nailsea, and Denmark, the decision has already been taken that Backwell, Yatton and the surrounding villages—that any future transmission lines should be buried underground, the alternatives represented were not real alternatives at and the development of new technology, such as gas- all. We were offered a Hobson’s choice: we could either insulated transmission lines, offers a whole range of accept a transmission line that kept close to the current new possibilities. one, running around the western border of the town of On the Hinkley C project, we have already seen major Nailsea, or have another line that would totally destroy changes to the original time scales. Initially we were told a nearby valley and produce widespread planning blight. that the transmission lines had to be up and ready by To the great credit of the local community, nobody 2015 for Hinkley’s operation in 2016. That has now bought into the divide-and-rule tactics. To us, a consultation slipped to the lines being ready in 2019 for Hinkley is not about the means of execution, but about whether going live in 2021, assuming all is smooth in the Hinkley we wish to be executed or not. build and commissioning processes. The bottom line is In this particular case, how do the Government define that we may have more time than we thought, so why do a consultation? Surely, all the aspects of all the schemes we not use this time to pause for thought, examine all ought to be considered—their costs, advantages and the evidence, consider all the possibilities and get it drawbacks, whole-life characteristics, environmental right? impacts, potential health impacts and social costs, not Let me end by paying tribute to all those in Somerset, least housing blight. What weight will ultimately be Suffolk and elsewhere who have campaigned with such given to the consultation and the views of those affected? tenacity and vision on this issue. In particular, campaign If 90% objected to these proposals, would they go groups in Nailsea, Yatton, Backwell and Wraxall have ahead in any case? If so, why bother? If not, what level shown extraordinary community solidarity against divide- of public disquiet would be required to produce a and-rule tactics, using reason and persistence as their change of policy? Under the proposed changes to planning primary weapons. May I single out Wraxall and Failand law, how will the population be able to be satisfied that parish council, Chris Ambrose, Hugh Pratt, Fiona Erleigh its voice has been heard in policy formulation? How can and Sue Turner, along with their respective groups, for we be guaranteed transparency? the sterling service they have given to the community? This coalition Government have put quality of life Tessa Munt: I wish to place on record that both issues, a greener environmental agenda and long-term Somerset county council and Sedgemoor district council policy considerations at the forefront of policy making. believe that the consultation was deeply inadequate. A basic issue such as how we transmit our electricity There were more than 4,000 responses to the consultation and the considerations we give to our environment, to from members of the local community—constituents of the well-being of future generations, to the implications mine and of the right hon. Gentleman—which is far for our tourist industry, the health of our people and more responses than National Grid has received in any our ability to welcome new and liberating technology past consultation. can paint a vivid canvas of who we are and our ambitions for our country. The decisions we make today will have Dr Fox: The hon. Lady makes an important point. an impact for a generation or more. Technology has This issue is not simply about the consultation as it changed, public attitudes have changed and our priorities, affects her constituency or mine: many people outside not least the value we place on the physical environment North Somerset and Somerset county will be wondering around us, have changed. We now have an opportunity what precedent the decision on the Hinkley C transmission for public policy to change, and we should grasp that will set for future changes involving high-voltage lines opportunity with relish. elsewhere in the country. Many will be concerned that their options may be constrained, and that they may be railroaded into the wrong outcome on the wrong 6.16 pm assumptions. The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate I shall now turn to the issue of the future of Hinkley Change (Charles Hendry): I thank my right hon. Friend C and where it fits into our broader energy policy. I have the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox) for securing a always been a supporter of nuclear energy on the basis debate on this important issue. I am grateful that he has that it makes a fundamental contribution to the nation’s done so. I agree with him that the need for, and impact energy security and guarantees a means of keeping the of, electricity transmission infrastructure is, inevitably, lights on if, for whatever reason, our imports of fossil a complex and sensitive issue. So I welcome the opportunity fuels are interrupted. On balance, I remain very much to explain the need for upgrading the existing transmission of that view, but in light of the growing evidence of the network, and to clarify the approach to deciding where abundance of natural gas worldwide and the massive and how new infrastructure is delivered and how this 1041 Electricity Transmission (North 22 MARCH 2012 Electricity Transmission (North 1042 Somerset) Somerset) [Charles Hendry] Charles Hendry: I will indeed, but the hon. Lady makes a relevant point in that when a nuclear plant is relates to North Somerset, in particular. I hope that I being proposed there is often strong local support, but can also reassure him that many of the changes he has that where transmission lines are proposed there tends been calling for are already being put in place by this to be much stronger local opposition. I think that ties in Government. because it is all part of the security of the network that The Government are committed to meeting the UK’s we need. climate change targets and maintaining energy security. The existing electricity network will need to be Achieving those combined objectives represents a major substantially expanded to accommodate the new generation challenge. The United Kingdom is increasingly dependent we require. That is particularly the case where new on fossil fuel imports, leaving us much more exposed to generation is located far from demand or where the risks from rising global demand, limitations on production, existing infrastructure is insufficient. Developers of new supply constraints and price volatility. At the same generation need the reassurance that the network will time, we expect to lose about a quarter of our existing be delivered in line with their project time scales so that electricity generation capacity by 2020, as old or more they are able to generate electricity once their projects polluting generating plant closes. are completed. We should recognise that these are My right hon. Friend rightly referred to the future substantial long-term investments and that timely network costs of energy, and that is certainly an important delivery is crucial to these projects commencing. consideration, however security of supply and reducing the carbon impact of generation are also important My right hon. Friend referred to National Grid’s factors. That is why we need a mix of energy going approach to engaging with local communities and its forward. It is not for the Government to prescribe how consideration of different network solutions. Before I much of each generation source is required, but we are address the issue of transmission lines in North Somerset setting the framework for delivering the appropriate it might be helpful for me to explain the wider approach energy mix through, for example, our proposals for for deciding upon new network infrastructure. Under electricity market reform. the current regulatory framework, it is for network companies such as National Grid to submit proposals I welcome my right hon. Friend’s support for nuclear for new network infrastructure to the industry regulator, generation. I wish to take the opportunity to reiterate Ofgem, and the relevant planning authorities. Those its vital role in securing our energy future—we want it proposals are based on a well-justified need case such as to be part of the future energy mix. The UK has new generation connecting or maintaining a safe and everything to gain from being the No. 1 destination to secure network. The network companies also propose invest in new nuclear. Nuclear is the cheapest low-carbon routes and types of infrastructure. In doing so they are source of electricity around, so it keeps bills down and required to make a balanced assessment of the benefits the lights on. of reducing any adverse environmental and other impacts of new infrastructure against the costs and technical Tessa Munt rose— challenges of doing so following extensive consultation Charles Hendry: I will give way in a moment, but I with stakeholders. Those requirements are set out in want to respond to a further point raised by my right their licence obligations under the Electricity Acts to hon. Friend about the potential golden age for gas with develop economic and efficient networks and to have shale gas emerging. For the United Kingdom, most of regard to the preservation of amenity and the mitigation that gas would need to be imported, as our own resources of the effects that their activities have on the natural decline. So we, too, need to look at how we can harness beauty of the countryside. our own low-carbon electricity resources, such as nuclear My right hon. Friend asked about perceived regulatory and renewables. Putting off building new generation constraints for network companies to propose alternative has got us into the mess we are in, where the previous solutions. In addition to the legal requirements to consider Government identified that the lights could be going the wider impacts of new network infrastructure, Ofgem out around the end of this decade. We cannot afford to published guidance, in March 2011, on how this should delay any longer in securing the investment in new be taken into account. This clarifies that network companies capacity. are required to consider wider impacts and alternative solutions to overhead lines. In response to my right hon. Tessa Munt: It is very kind of the Minister to give Friend’s question on this point, this very much took way. I am on record as being a little more resistant to into account the representations that the Government nuclear power, mainly because of my concerns about and National Grid had been making. the waste. I think that a number of community benefits could be put in place by companies such as EDF. They That regulatory approach is reinforced by the would be of much more significance to the community. Government’s energy national policy statements, which Undergrounding or putting cables under the sea might set out the framework for factors to be considered when be examples of that. I accept completely that I am not consenting an infrastructure project of national significance. going to be able to stop Hinkley all on my own, but that I emphasise to my right hon. Friend that we have is my point. changed those national policy statements from those we inherited specifically to take more account of these Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. matters. They make it clear that for electricity networks, The hon. Lady has gone very wide of the issue of cost should not be the only factor in determining the electricity transmission into its generation. Perhaps the type of transmission technology used and that proper Minister could respond on the transmission question consideration should be given to other feasible means only. of connection, including underground and subsea cables. 1043 Electricity Transmission (North 22 MARCH 2012 Electricity Transmission (North 1044 Somerset) Somerset) Within the framework, National Grid published in However, I do recognise from the issues raised in the September last year its new approach to building new House and elsewhere that many people feel very strongly transmission infrastructure. Using that approach, it will about pylons and the impact they can have on the put greater emphasis on mitigating the visual impact of landscape. When announcing its preferred route corridor its new electricity lines, and will balance that consideration for the Hinkley connection, National Grid reported against the need to manage the impact on household that it had received over 8,000 responses. bills. I hope that this more sensitive approach provides Effective consultation with local communities and reassurance to those areas potentially affected by cables other interested parties is a vital part of the planning and pylons that alternatives to new overhead lines are and regulatory approval process. When making proposals considered very seriously. As the costs and technical for new infrastructure, National Grid has to demonstrate difficulties vary so much from project to project, it is that alternatives have been considered and why its preferred important that each one is assessed on a case-by-case option is justified. This must show that stakeholders basis to ensure that the right planning decision is taken have been engaged effectively. each time. My right hon. Friend has already referred to My right hon. Friend spoke in detail about his experiences different projects with quite different characteristics with the National Grid consultation process. I think it where subsea cabling has been proposed or deployed. fair to say that the new planning process requiring Indeed, the recently announced project, which he greater engagement with stakeholders and examination mentioned, between Scotland and England is specifically of options before submitting a planning application has to get around an onshore constraint, and therefore new been a learning process for all participants and can be ways of dealing with that had to be found. significantly improved as it goes further. The Government consider that the costs and benefits I am encouraged, however, by the greater stakeholder of undergrounding transmission lines are important engagement and consideration being given by National issues that must be kept under review in the light of new Grid to alternatives over the past year or so. This is the information and evidence. That is why the Department behaviour that the new planning and regulatory frameworks of Energy and Climate Change arranged for an independent require. Having announced its preferred route corridor study, to which my right hon. Friend referred, to be for the Hinkley Point connection, National Grid is carried out to give clarity on the practicality, whole-life considering carefully the type of technology it will use costs and impacts of undergrounding and subsea cabling for the connection. It has stated that many people want as alternatives to overhead lines. That report was published the cables put underground, as indeed my right hon. in January 2012, and its findings are generally consistent Friend has said, or under sea, and as it continues its with the comparative costs that National Grid has consultation, it expects that the final plans will include quoted when evaluating options on current projects, some undergrounding as well as overhead lines. including in North Somerset. The report should provide a useful reference point to inform the planning process. I would like to thank my right hon. Friend and the hon. Member for Wells (Tessa Munt), who have participated My right hon. Friend identified some issues that were in a valuable and important debate. Our challenge is to not being looked at, but as I hope I have explained, the build a low-carbon economy based on an energy mix Government have already put in place those other wider that meets our environmental targets and security of issues in the national policy statements. supply needs. This will require a substantial expansion My right hon. Friend raised the question of consultation in the transmission network to accommodate the required and how the views of stakeholders on a range of impacts generation. Deciding where and how this infrastructure are taken into account. Let me reassure him that the is delivered requires informed and balanced consideration impacts he mentioned are indeed taken into account in of a number of factors including costs, environmental the decision-making process. However—I know that he impact, and the needs of local communities and the will accept this—there is a balance to be struck between country as a whole. The planning and regulatory approval impacts and there is no simple formula that can be processes for new transmission infrastructure require applied to produce the right decision. I know that my that stakeholders are consulted on these important right hon. Friend will understand that from the decisions decisions and their views demonstrably taken into account. that he had to make as Defence Secretary. This is happening now in North Somerset, where National Network companies must proactively explore new Grid continues to undertake an extensive stakeholder and alternative technologies to overhead lines. National engagement exercise on developing its proposals. Grid is currently exploring the development of gas National Grid has expressed the desire to work with insulated lines and it would be for it to consider whether stakeholders to lessen the impact of any new infrastructure the use of this technology was appropriate for any using mitigation measures such as woodland planting, project. However, the issues involved with gas insulated placing cables underground or use of lower height pylons lines are complex. For example, gas insulated lines are where appropriate. I strongly encourage those with an still an emerging technology and untested, and much interest to engage with National Grid as it further more work needs to be done for longer, directly buried develops its proposals. installations such as the Hinkley Point connection. There This is an important issue to which I know the House is currently no directly buried gas insulated circuit will return, but I hope that I have been able to reassure longer than 1 km in operation anywhere in the world. my right hon. Friend that we have already been acting The application for transmission infrastructure in on the concerns that he has expressed. North Somerset will be decided by the appropriate Question put and agreed to. planning authorities, which may include Ministers. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to give a view 6.29 pm on the particulars of those proposed developments. House adjourned.

263WH 22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 264WH

welcome commitments and take up some of the Westminster Hall Committee’s recommendations. In other areas, however, they do not go far enough. I will return to the merits of Thursday 22 March 2012 that strategy document in a moment, but first I want to set out the Committee’s key conclusions. Our inquiry found that young people spend more [JOHN ROBERTSON in the Chair] than 80% of their time outside formal education, yet local authorities spend 55 times more on formal education Services for Young People than on services for young people outside the school day. Acknowledging that inequality, we set out to [Relevant documents: Third Report from the Education understand which services are most effective at supporting Committee, HC 744, the Committee’s Sixth Report, and developing young people outside school. HC 1501, and the Government response, HC 1736.] Witnesses with different perspectives agreed on Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting three key points: first, that public spending cuts had be now adjourned.—(Tim Loughton.) disproportionately affected youth services; secondly, that there was great potential for youth services to help 2.30 pm transform young people’s lives; and thirdly, that services Mr Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con): had long been poor at proving their impact and, thus, at It is a pleasure to lead the debate under your august making their case to Government—a weakness that is chairmanship, Mr Robertson. I am delighted to see that all the more pertinent in times of austerity. four fellow members of the Education Committee have On funding, the Committee concluded that the picture made it to this Thursday afternoon debate. The hon. looked bleak and was likely to worsen. Funding had Member for Wigan (Lisa Nandy) is making a ticking been doubly hit, with the removal of ring fences from movement with her hand, and she is right to imply that central Government grants and the 11% overall reduction we deserve a medal of honour. to the total value of youth service funds that go to local The debate is about our report, “Services for young authorities and are redirected into the early intervention people”. I intend to set out its key conclusions and the grant. We calculated that local authority spending on policy developments since its publication, and to comment youth services in 2010-11 equated to only £77.28 per on questions that the Government have still not answered. young person a year, which is about 21p a day. It is a pleasure to see the Minister present. I am sure Two surveys in 2011 showed that more than £100 million that, given his personal commitment, those questions would be cut from local youth service budgets by March that have not yet been answered will receive answers this 2012, with average cuts of 28% and up to 100% in some afternoon and that we will treasure them when they are areas. Even the Department for Education agreed, duly delivered. concluding that The Committee conducted its inquiry over six months “the scale of budget reductions and the pace at which decisions during 2010-11. Our aim was to consider the relationship are being made” between universal and targeted services; who accesses was services and what they want from them; the roles of the “limiting the scope for… innovation and fundamental reform”. voluntary, statutory and private sectors; and the impact of funding cuts and the scope for commissioning services The Committee was alarmed enough by the apparent in future. extent of the cuts to urge the Government to consider using their powers to direct local authorities to commission The Committee received 158 pieces of written evidence. adequate services for young people, which they have a We heard from young people, both in person and via an statutory duty to do. online forum, which we ran for several months with the Student Room and through which we received more On the impact of services, we received strong personal than 200 responses. Young people were represented on stories from many young people about their value. One the panels on many occasions when we took oral young person wrote on an online forum that, evidence—I say that for the benefit of anyone who may “when young people come to the centre they know they aren’t have ignorantly thought that young people were not going to be judged and they can be who they want to be, for some of them it gives a break from stresses outside”, involved fully and consistently throughout the process. while another stated that, We published the report on 15 June 2011 and it was well received by the sector. The Young Men’s Christian “without my youth workers I would now be in a lot of trouble with education, work and drugs. But with their help I have been Association said that, able to sort myself out and get onto the right path and stop the “it focuses in on many of the key issues and problems that are bad things I was doing over a year ago”. being faced by youth service providers across the country.” We received a lot of anecdotal evidence about the Children & Young People Now said that efficacy of youth services and their individual impact, “at long last there is an attempt from Westminster to address the but, as I have said, collectively, services struggled to challenge of serving young people in these austere times”, show the impact of their work in an easily defensible and called on the Government to rise to that challenge. and statistically strong way. On receipt of the Government’s response, we decided to The importance of youth services, coupled with the publish a further report commenting on it, because it limited public resources available for them, makes it did not tackle several issues satisfactorily. more vital that effective services are identified and Since then, the Government’s cross-departmental strategy funded. That is in line with the work of the hon. on young people, Positive for Youth, was published in Member for Nottingham North (Mr Allen) on early December 2011. The Government make a number of intervention. The most important thing when spending 265WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 266WH

[Mr Graham Stuart] in additional private money to support and strengthen the focus of the services it provides. That extra money limited public resources is to find those interventions could be brought in to support those services on an that will make the greatest difference. Early intervention evidence base that makes the council—and the hard-hearted does not need to take place only during pre-school business people—believe that they can deliver those years; it could equally take place during the teenage improved outcomes for young people. As a Government years by getting involved with people who might be at and as a society, we need to be more effective in ensuring risk and intervening early to support more positive that the money to deliver improved outcomes for young behaviours. people, which we vote for in this place, actually helps to deliver them. It is important to get the mechanics right. Damian Hinds (East Hampshire) (Con): I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this important debate on the Committee’s report. Does he agree that it would be Damian Hinds: I promise to be quiet after this brief helpful if we moved away from the confusion surrounding intervention. Does my hon. Friend agree that what the definition of early intervention? Some people take comes up time and again in talking about how to “early” to mean years 0 to 3, while others take it to identify a good parenting programme or a good programme mean early in the life cycle of an actual problem. Both for teenagers, is that we know it when we see it? For things are, of course, important, but they are often payment by results, the trick is to leverage the knowing conflated. it when we see it so that we can identify the individuals or organisations who are good, and then work out who Mr Stuart: My hon. Friend is right. The hon. Member else to invest money in for the future of our young for Nottingham North is also right to not only emphasise people. the importance of early intervention, but to want to build an evidence base to justify additional public funding. Mr Stuart: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. As If investing another £100 million into the lives of young long as there is accountability and people are driven by people means getting a pay back and saving many more delivering the outcomes at the end, they should have pounds later, even the person with the driest heart in the discretion over how they use their budget. There could Treasury will see the benefits. I am delighted—this is a be investment in the Friday evening group I mentioned tribute to the hon. Gentleman’s work—that the Government if there was confidence that it was helping to meet our have agreed to fund an early intervention foundation overall goals for delivering change in the local community. that will do precisely that. I hope that, as that work develops, it will look not only at the early years but, as The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education my hon. Friend the Member for East Hampshire (Damian (Tim Loughton): May I help my hon. Friend on this Hinds) has rightly said, early intervention throughout a subject? Social impact bonds and payment by results young person’s childhood. are an important subject. I will give him two examples. Damian Hinds: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for The City Year London scheme is being piloted in many being so generous in giving way early in his speech. He London schools, with the help of the Mayor’s Fund and may intend to address this issue later, but will he comment Private Equity Foundation money. It can show, very on some of the difficulties involved in measuring the clearly, a return on capital in terms of the kids catching effects of different programmes? We discussed and received up. The Private Equity Foundation has been funding evidence about those problems in Committee. The prisoner literacy schemes, in partnership with local authorities scheme in Peterborough is a perfect, text-book example and other public providers, that clearly show a benefit of payment by results, but the proposition for a youth for those children in social outcomes, which are so club is completely different because of the different important, and can be linked back to a return on client group, control group, time period and the different capital. There are great possibilities for the youth service, influences on people’s lives. too.

Mr Stuart: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that Mr Stuart: I agree with the Minister, and that is question. As he has rightly said, we considered the exciting and interesting. My note of caution is that issue. In principle, I do not think that there is any there must be many positive services, including youth division between the parties on payment by results. The services, which would struggle to collect the evidence, question is: who is paid by results? Are we really going dissociated from all the other impacts and influences on to try and collect data on a once-a-week youth club in a young people’s lives, to prove that they were delivering. particularly deprived area which has a brilliant community Perhaps that is why, in many cases, we might want to leader who builds on the history in that area, where have the payment by results managed and triggered at a parents themselves attended clubs locally and there is a higher level, with those people making a discretionary great support, and it really brings the community together? decision. When they see great work—when they see it Will the expense be completely disproportionate to the they can recognise it—they will realise that it is offering effort of collecting it? The answer is probably yes. The value for money. They could take things that did not danger of identifying something at a micro level where have an individual evidence base, yet would none the we can easily pay someone to deliver results is that they less continue to be commissioned. A dangerous and will then always have to be able to provide that at that perhaps self-interested parallel with my previous life as micro level before we support the whole principle, and a publisher is an advertiser who places an advert for that could limit its impact. £1,000 and immediately receives £2,000 back in directly Payment by results is probably better introduced at a attributable profit on sales. He may spend the rest of his higher level. For example, Birmingham city council career thinking that advertising is just about getting could have a partnership with Goldman Sachs for the money back immediately without any other elements to money, Serco for certain other skills, and seek to bring it, which would be a mistake. Life is more complicated 267WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 268WH than that, and the danger of finding such things as the and that the bureaucracies that administer these things work in Peterborough, or, possibly, the initiatives mentioned see it as in their interests to change the lives of the by the Minister, is that we are looking for everything to young people for whom they are responsible, would be a be able to justify itself on a payments by results basis. good thing, and I wish the Minister luck in delivering it. Perhaps councils, or other bodies at a higher level, Returning to the difficulty of services demonstrating should commission without having to expect that from their impact, the National Council for Voluntary Youth each initiative in their portfolio. Services told us that although “anecdotal evidence and young people’s stories”— Ms Karen Buck (Westminster North) (Lab): While we are on this interesting issue, may I encourage the hon. were available— Gentleman in his caution? Although the Minister made “what is really difficult is some sort of set of statistics whereby we a good point about how one can hold an institution to could show the total amount of investment and the total amount account for services for which it is responsible, is it not of return”. the case that, for the youth service, good youth work in That conclusion was borne out in independent evaluations, deprived communities is good at—we need it to be good including by Ofsted. at—helping reduce offending behaviour? Of course, Although the impact of youth work encounters with offending behaviour and its impact has nothing to do young people can certainly be hard to quantify, the with the youth service, but it will be measured by the Committee said that local authorities needed some police or the youth offending team in the local authority. indicators on which to commission services. The Committee Often, the youth service will be targeting those most at recommended that the Government commission NCVYS risk of offending behaviour anyway. Is it not the case, as to develop an outcomes framework that could be used he rightly says, that this is very complex? It would be across the country. However, we said that it should be quite dangerous to encourage an organisation like an not just a question of counting the number of young individual youth club to be held too much to account people using a service or the number of encounters—in for an issue such as offending behaviour. some ways, failure would be rewarded again by such an approach—but a measure young people’s social and Mr Stuart: I think I agree with the hon. Lady. One of personal development and that they should be involved the criticisms we have made of the sector is the need, in its design. collectively, to make a better case. When Ministers—we In addition to those three earlier points, the national have one with us today, and the hon. Lady was one citizen service—the Government’s new volunteering previously—go to the people in the Treasury, they need programme for 16-year-olds—was a key area that witnesses a strong case, especially when it is, “Give me money felt strongly about. We addressed that service in our today and I will give you savings tomorrow.” There is a report, and although we liked the idea of a community certain natural and understandable scepticism in the volunteering project and a rite of passage for young Treasury, and a strong evidence based is needed from people and found the scheme’s aims entirely laudable, as which to make the point. did almost all our witnesses, we questioned whether the Government could justify its expense. Tim Loughton: At the risk of holding a third-party debate through the Chair of the Select Committee, may We discovered that, based on the cost per head of the I say that the hon. Member for Westminster North 2011 pilot, the NCS would cost £355 million each year (Ms Buck) makes an interesting point? In the borough to provide a universal offer of a national citizen service next to her own, Hammersmith and Fulham has pooled to 16-year-olds, assuming just a 50% take-up. Even budgets between the youth service and the youth justice allowing for economies of scale, we felt that there was a system, and there is a clear imperative to incentivise risk that the costs of the NCS—a six-week voluntary local youth services to work with legal services, to keep summer service for 16-year-olds—could outstrip the young people out of youth offender institutions and the entire annual spending by local authorities on youth youth justice system. If we are to hold local authorities services, which totalled £350 million in 2009-10. Instead, to account for doing good stuff, positive stuff, proactive we recommended that the core idea of the national stuff and preventive stuff with young people, we want citizen service be retained, including its laudable aims, to penalise them if they do not do so—the result is that but that it be significantly amended to become a form of children end up in young offenders institutions—but accreditation for existing programmes that could prove reward them when they keep young people away from that they met the Government’s aims of social mixing offending behaviour. and personal and social development, with the component parts of NCS, such as a residential experience and a social action task. John Robertson (in the Chair): Can we keep interventions to intervention length, rather than speech length? The Government could have said, but did not—I often thought that if I were a Minister I would have said Mr Stuart: The Minister’s point was well made. We it, although the Minister did not—that the NCS was need to get everybody—in my example, from Birmingham just being piloted and that the aim of the pilots was to city council downwards—focused on outcomes. The help to identify ways to deliver more. The Government danger—this happens in all Governments; it is not said that they wanted to secure and leverage in more peculiar to the previous one—is that, despite talking funding and to ensure that they did not scale up the about rewarding success and penalising failure, the tendency prices that the initial pilot suggested. is to reward failure. For those who deliver services, the We received our initial response from the Government less they succeed, the more money they get and the both directly—orally— and in writing from the Minister, bigger the budget that comes to them. To break out of who seemed less than entirely thrilled. We felt that the that and ensure that everyone is focused on outcomes Government, in their initial response to our report, 269WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 270WH

[Mr Graham Stuart] hon. Friend in case he, too, is missing the blindingly obvious—is that if the strategy produced by the failed to address fully a number of issues, so we wrote a Government after such a long period of preparation further report, calling on Ministers to clarify their does not spell out exactly what they are going to do and intentions on how the Government intended to measure how they will hold to account those responsible for outcomes from youth services, which is pretty important, delivering services, there is every danger that we will given everything that we have been talking about so far, have fine words and no real delivery. That might be a and the grounds on which they would judge whether a statement of the obvious, but there is a serious risk, local authority had made sufficient provision, because with a strategy that is light on content, in respect of there is a statutory duty on local authorities. whether there is confidence that it will deliver on the Although the Government said that they were prepared ground. to intervene, they would not tell us on what grounds Positive for Youth has the right focus on fostering they would do so, other than in the most general terms. young people’s aspirations and on their personal and The Government would not describe what services would, social development. It is good to hear the Government or would not, look like if they were likely to trigger praise the potential of young people and extol the intervention, thus leading to the likelihood that councils qualities and achievements of the vast majority, especially could continue to make cuts to youth services that the in light of the negativity towards young people generated Government described as disproportionate. by last summer’s riots. The Government and the Minister We also asked the Government to clarify the total are right to emphasise the positive. If all we ever measure public spending on youth services before the early are provisions averting negative behaviour by young intervention grant. The Government said that they did people, we suggest that their natural tendency is to not accept our figure—£350 million—so we asked them behave negatively. In fact, the Minister wants to to tell us what their figure was. As they did not accept emphasise—the Government are right about this—that our figure, we thought that a reasonable request. We most young people are positive members of our society also asked them to tell us how they planned to fund the and that we should support and celebrate their positive NCS after the two pilot years. What have the Government behaviour. said in response to our two reports and, subsequently, in their Positive for Youth strategy? Ms Buck: Mr Robertson, I wonder whether it is The aspirations of Positive for Youth have been well appropriate—I know it is not normally done—to welcome received in the sector. The National Children’s Bureau the young people who are listening to the debate, because said: it is to be appreciated. The message that the hon. “we are pleased with Positive for Youth’s holistic approach to Gentleman has just given about the majority of young giving young people more opportunities and better support”. people being positive and aspirational for themselves The National Youth Agency and the NCVYS both will be heard in this Chamber as well as outside it. welcomed the Government’s publication of a comprehensive strategy, drawn up in consultation with the sector and Mr Stuart: Yes. Having served as a Minister, the hon. produced in less than two years after the creation of the Lady will know that we can be as positive as we like for Government. However, many youth organisations are as long as we like in as many speeches as we like, but as concerned that the strategy is vague about how its soon as we say something negative, that will appear in aspirations will be implemented, so reflecting a worry the newspaper. That is the nature of being in power and of the Committee that was mentioned in its report. the nature of news. Catch22, which works with particularly deprived It is right to call the paper “Positive for Youth” and youngsters, commented that the levers for change in the immediately emphasise the positive and recognise that Government’s policy “lacked bite”. That view was echoed we regard young people not as a problem, but as an by the Children’s Commissioner, Dr Maggie Atkinson, immense, positive force for good in our society. That is who said: important and we cannot say it too often, although it “without action this strategy will amount to no more than words will never appear in any form of press thereafter. But we on a page”. have to live with that. The NYA qualified its support for Positive for Youth, saying: Tim Loughton: By the Committee Chair’s own token, “no vision or policy is worth anything if it isn’t followed by clear does he therefore think that it was helpful, in trying to and decisive action”. create a positive account of young people, that about The chief executive of YMCA England, Ian Green, three quarters of the press release accompanying his went further: report—it is a good report and I will comment on “the Government’s vision will come to nothing if those responsible it—about activities for young people, aged between 13 for the delivery of services on the ground are not prepared to and 25, beyond the school or college day concentrated implement it, and the Positive for Youth statement is very light on purely on the national citizen service, which deals only how it intends to address this fact”. with young people aged 16? Damian Hinds: I suppose that we get used to such e-mails, but does not my hon. Friend accept that it is a Mr Stuart: Mr Robertson will recognise, even if the statement of the blindingly obvious to say that things Minister does not, that it is relevant to mention that a will not happen if people do not implement them? proposal from the highest levels of the Government might, if scaled up to a 50% take-up, lead to spending Mr Stuart: I was reflecting on those words even as I greater than the entirety of spending on young people read them, but their implications are clear. If there is no outside the classroom, as stated in Government figures. firm action plan, the criticism—to spell it out for my It is in the nature of issuing a press release that 29 points 271WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 272WH are not included if one wants it to become part of the I am interested to hear why that caveat was considered press story. Although the Minister was upset that a necessary and how well received the draft guidance has project with such laudable aims was the subject of been in the consultation responses so far. criticism, he has not been a Minister that long and will Secondly, as I have already mentioned, we highlighted doubtless become thicker skinned and will get used to confusion about public spending on youth services that the fact that a more independent Select Committee the Government have yet adequately to address. The system than we have had before and a more assertive Government continue to dismiss our estimate for public legislature will be prepared to criticise even the most spending on youth services of £350 million a year, favoured schemes of the most powerful in the land, which was based on their own figures. When asked because it is our job to do so. If we emphasised that in repeatedly for their own estimate, they did not provide our press releases, rather than all the other issues, I am one, instead challenging the spending figures that the sorry that it caused such upset and sorry that the hurt to Government have been using for years in answering the Minister continues to this day. questions on youth services spending. On a positive note, I welcome the commitment to I would be grateful to the Minister if he clarified publish annually national measures relating to young today whether the Government intend to stop using the people’s positive outcomes, with an audit at the end of accounting line on youth service spend and, if so, what 2012 of overall progress towards creating a society that alternative instructions his Department has given to is more positive for youth. That is as a result of the local authorities about collecting and reporting data on work carried out by the Minister, which I am happy to youth service provision. For instance, if reporting is to celebrate and emphasise, even if it does not occupy change under the early intervention grant, perhaps he more than three quarters of my speech. I am also can clarify how the Government intend to measure pleased to see the Government emphasis on involving national spend on youth services in future under that young people in developing policy and monitoring grant. progress—for instance, the pledge of £850,000 to the Thirdly, the Committee felt that the Government British Youth Council for 2011 to 2013, to set up a new remained vague about how the national citizen service national scrutiny group of representative young people was to be funded after the 2011 and 2012 pilots. Their to advise Ministers on how policies affect young people response to our report remained ambiguous on that and their families. point, stating that they had I pay tribute to the Minister for regularly meeting “no plans to cease funding for National Citizen Service beyond young people in care, to ensure that his understanding the pilot years”, of the care system is not only theoretical but a personal, but that direct, linked understanding from young people affected “the Government does not expect to fund the full cost of delivering by the policies that he and the rest of us make in the programme” Parliament. That, too, is a good thing—as well as in the long term. Perhaps the Minister could update us having young people in the Public Gallery listening to on the Government’s latest thinking with regard to me going on at such length today. what proportion they do expect to fund beyond 2012. Positive for Youth does not fully address three There is much to be welcomed in the Positive for outstanding areas, which the Committee was concerned Youth strategy, but significant anxiety clearly remains about. First, we welcome the Government’s commitment in the sector about the hard reality of funding on the to retain the statutory duty on councils to secure young ground locally. Even organisations that are signed up to people’s access to sufficient activities and services, including the Government’s approach of restructuring services to their duty to take account of young people’s views in deliver them for less are worried about the extent of decisions about such activities, which was a key cuts. The NCVYS, the Government’s newly appointed recommendation of our report. We also welcome the strategic partner, said in response to the consultation on commitment to intervene in response to Positive for Youth that “well-founded concerns about long-standing failure to improve “the papers made little reference of how services would be funded outcomes and services for young people”— to deliver support to young people. This is especially concerning again, a key Committee recommendation. given the implicit assumption that voluntary and community organisations will be expected to fill in gaps left by retreating Our second report, however, called on the Government services.” to specify their minimum expectation for adequate provision Regular reports of the closures of local youth services of youth services. We asked how communities could bear out that fear. know the grounds on which Ministers might be expected to intervene if they did not know what “adequate” If we are to provide adequately for the 80% of young looked like. Positive for Youth and the draft statutory people’s time spent outside school, we must retain the guidance currently out for consultation decline to do best youth services—in particular, those whose effectiveness that, instead stating that a local authority’s efforts to has the confidence of local commissioners. The Government secure a sufficient local offer will be judged by whether must be prepared to intervene when those are threatened, it has considered guidance and by its relative performance and they need to clarify precisely the grounds on which in improving outcomes for young people. Although we they will do so. agree that outcomes for young people, rather than inputs, are the right thing to measure, some consideration 3.4 pm of what services, if any, are being provided locally must Lisa Nandy (Wigan) (Lab): I am grateful that we are surely form part of the assessment. The duty calls on having the debate today and giving a bit more thought local authorities to secure to youth services in the UK. I am glad to see young “so far as is reasonably practicable, a local offer”. people in the Public Gallery, although I was watching 273WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 274WH

[Lisa Nandy] Ministers, however, need to acknowledge the serious reality of what is happening out there throughout the them during the last speech and I am slightly concerned country as a consequence of the huge cuts being made that they might not be nodding—I will looking for their to local authority budgets. My own local authority, reaction. Wigan, has prioritised youth services. In the past three years—between 2008 and 2011—investment in youth John Robertson (in the Chair): Order. The hon. Lady work has gone up 4%, but the question is how long that is debating in the Chamber. high spend can be sustained, given that the local authority has suffered a £66 million cut and that many services Lisa Nandy: I am acutely aware that in this place we are, therefore, inevitably disappearing, in particular because often talk about young people, but we do not often talk the cuts were front-loaded, giving us little time to prepare, to them. An important feature of our report was the plan or find alternatives or efficiencies. fact that we heard a great deal from young people about Ministers told us that youth services should rely on the effect of youth services on them. different sources of funding and should not be overly I spent nearly a decade in the voluntary sector before reliant on the state. In reality, as the Committee’s report I came into the House of Commons, and I am a firm and the evidence we were given show, that was already believer in the value of youth work and services, having the case. The vast majority of organisations we took seen for myself the dramatic transformation possible in evidence from got their funding from a variety of trusts, many young people’s lives. In the Committee, we were grants and charitable and public sources, as well as glad to have the opportunity to give deeper thought to from statutory sources; indeed, one organisation—the the value, structure and funding of youth work, and to Scout Association—was 100% non-funded by the state. how outcomes are measured. It has long struck me that In my constituency, there is a good example of the the strength of the service is also a weakness—by its partnership working that Ministers said they wanted to very nature, it is flexible, dynamic, youth led and localised, encourage. Wigan Youth Zone, which is opening in but that can create some of the problems discussed by 2013, will provide a huge range of facilities for young the hon. Member for Beverley and Holderness (Mr Stuart) people, including climbing walls, sports halls, cinemas, in his introductory speech. When we began to hear cafes, music rooms and training facilities. The focus is evidence, we had to consider what we meant by youth on helping young people to improve not only their work, and it soon struck us that there was no definition softer skills, such as confidence and resilience, but the of youth work or of the youth service, and no job harder skills that they will need to find what work there description for youth workers. That is a strength, but it is and do it. also creates problems. The organisation will be 10% funded by the young Inevitably and unfortunately, we spent a great deal of people themselves, who will pay 50p a time to visit, time and energy during our inquiry looking at the effect although there will be additional help for those for of cuts, in particular to local authority budgets, and whom that is too much. The organisation’s running what that has meant for youth services. It emerged that costs will also be 40% funded by the local authority and the nature, scale and impact of the cuts have been 50% funded by the private sector and local fundraising dramatic and, in some areas, extremely stark. The 10.9% initiatives, which the whole town has got behind. The cut to the value of funds into the early intervention board is chaired by Martin Ainscough, a local business grant and the removal of ring-fencing for youth provision man with a strong commitment to, and passion for, seem to have had dramatic effect. Local authorities young people. He was inspired to contribute a significant understandably seem to be prioritising statutory and proportion of the capital costs after visiting the Bolton high-risk services such as child protection. It is easy to lads and girls club and coming away feeling strongly understand why, faced with such dramatic cuts, but it is that we should have similar provision in Wigan. extremely worrying when we consider the hon. Gentleman’s There are many such examples around the country, comments on early intervention and the need to prioritise but there is a significant issue about the loss of statutory particular groups of young people. funding. In many places, alternative sources of funding Concern and criticism were aired in evidence to our are simply not available, because they are already being inquiry, from local authorities and charities. The chief utilised. I strongly disagree with the Minister that spending executive of NCVYS—the National Council for Voluntary £77 of statutory funding per young person is a large Youth Services—the former Children’s Commissioner, slug of public money, as he told us when he gave talked about what the cuts will mean for young people evidence to the Committee. This is really important, in the long term, if they fall through the net. What will considering how much time young people spend outside that mean for their future life chances? The former the classroom and how few resources are spent on commissioner, Al Aynsley-Green, called it “the end of activities for young people outside the classroom. hope”. I hope that that is not the case, but when the It will be particularly hard for smaller charities to union Unite made a request under the Freedom of find alternative sources of funding. When I worked for Information Act to a number of local authorities, it the Children’s Society, we, like many other larger charities, found that, on average, funding to youth services was had huge teams of fundraisers, whose job it was to look down 12% in only one year. The reality of that for for sources of funding and to navigate complex regulations young people is stark indeed. and processes to ensure that our funding applications When the Minister gave evidence to the Select Committee, were successful. Smaller charities will not be able to he said that although the Government would be prepared compete, and the Committee heard about many that to intervene if local authorities were failing in their had only one paid employee, who was trying to keep the statutory duty to provide services, what local authorities whole thing going and whose real passion was working spent their money on was largely a matter for them. with young people, not filling in forms. It is not enough 275WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 276WH to say that organisations need to look for alternative nine years old—he is now 18. She said that, during all sources of funding; they need help and, in particular, that time, she had been the only adult who had remained signposting from the Government if they are to do that. constant in his life. Everyone else—social workers, of whom there had been many, foster carers and parents—had Mr Graham Stuart: There are positives from having a come and gone, but she had been the one source of more big-society approach to youth services. I was stability for that young man. We must not forget how speaking to a youth worker from Hull the other day, important that is. and he said that he and his colleagues were working A girl called Chloe posted a comment on the inquiry more closely with the voluntary sector, in a way he felt site about her youth centre: they should have been years ago. We should also not “It’s like a second home to some of us... I’ve been coming to send out too negative a message about small charities. this youth centre for two years now. I’d be lost without it”. They can sometimes be vulnerable, and they are threatened, We heard that from so many young people. I am therefore but they are resilient, and they have an ability to innovate concerned about the cost of the NCS—£37 million this and find ways through. One tends to overstate how year and £13 million the year before. It cannot be right desperate things will be, but small charities are good at to prioritise a six-week scheme for young people from levering in additional support. different backgrounds, including more affluent ones, when youth services that are a lifeline to young people Lisa Nandy: I take the point that those youth workers such as Chloe are disappearing up and down the country. should have been working closely with the voluntary The hon. Member for Beverley and Holderness said sector, but the point I am making is that such things are the Committee was concerned by the cost of NCS, already happening up and down the country. People are given what it is delivering, and I would associate myself innovative and they are seeking partnerships. In my with those remarks. The Committee visited Germany constituency, people know each other, they work together and saw some excellent youth services, but the cost of and they have built relationships over a long period. I those services per person for 12 months was the same as am saying not that those charities are not resourceful, the cost of the NCS per person for six weeks. I cannot energetic and passionate, but that we are stacking the understand why there is such a huge disparity, and I odds against them, and we should give them more urge Ministers to look at the issue. support. I want to question the Government’s vision on youth Multiple funding streams can be a bureaucratic services. Over the past few years—this predates the nightmare, even for large organisations. I say that as coalition’s coming to power—we have seen the gradual someone who, over 10 years in the voluntary sector, prioritisation of targeted services over open-access services. suffered the extreme pain of having to report regularly What I am about to say might sound a little counter- on such things and to demonstrate impacts and outcomes intuitive, given that I have just made a strong case for to funders. I filled in the forms, went to the meetings ensuring that we reach young people from the most and prioritised that work, because it is important for disadvantaged backgrounds and that we prioritise them funders to see what they are getting for their money, but above all others, but, as I have seen for myself, and as what about smaller organisations with perhaps one the Committee heard in a lot of evidence, open-access member of staff? The Committee came across an services work with many of the most vulnerable and organisation with one paid member of staff and 27 funders, disadvantaged young people, whom targeted services which is not unusual, in my experience. What does that sometimes find it hard to get through their doors. They mean? It means 27 regular reports. work precisely because there is no stigma around open- Such an arrangement also means that people never access services, and because a lot of young people who get the opportunity to catch their breath, because they have been through various systems, including the care constantly have to reinvent or repackage the service system and the criminal justice system, and who often they offer. In my experience—I think it was shared by a have a deep distrust of services that label them and that lot of the organisations that gave evidence to us—funders are targeted at them, will go to open-access services are not keen to fund something that is not new; they when they will not go to targeted services. At a time generally want to fund something new, not the continuation when not enough funding is available, it concerns me of a service. As a result, charities are constantly repackaging that we will prioritise targeted services along with the and reinventing something they already know works. NCS. Removing statutory funding at an accelerated rate will When young people from the backgrounds I described therefore have a dramatic impact, which will be felt access open-access services, which do not necessarily most by those organisations that are often closest to the have a label attached, staff can also identify the fact that ground and that are doing some dynamic and important those young people have problems, which goes back to work with young people. the point about early intervention. The Committee In the light of all that, I very much welcome the heard strong evidence that such young people often go national citizen service, but as an addition to existing on a journey: they go to an open-access service, such as youth services, not as an alternative. As we heard during a youth club, and get talking to a member of staff. They our inquiry, youth services are a lifeline for some young build a relationship of trust, and it emerges that they people; they are a source of stability when there is no have significant barriers to overcome. They are then other source of stability. Many young people talked referred to a targeted service and end up going full about the youth service or the youth club they accessed circle—coming back to the open-access service, having being a family or a home to them, and many had been had the support they desperately needed. We need to be accessing those services for years. I had a conversation careful about prioritising targeted services, because the with a young woman who had acted as a National evidence that we heard shows that there is a need for Children’s Bureau mentor for a young man since he was open access and for targeted services that work. 277WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 278WH

[Lisa Nandy] question. The creation of the Department for Children, Schools and Families, instead of an education Department, The question of what works—the hon. Member for was a significant step forward for children. It meant Beverley and Holderness referred to it earlier—exercised that, for once, all Departments had to work together to the Committee. A witness to the inquiry described the deliver for young people. Things were brought under measuring of outcomes as the Holy Grail, and I could one umbrella, with a strong Secretary of State who not agree more. That can be difficult to do, and it is drove through improvements for young people. I saw necessary to be incredibly careful, think about what is that for myself, particularly in areas where children had being measured and avoid setting up perverse incentives. traditionally been left outside the system. For example, With the increase in payment by results and targets refugee and migrant children came under the umbrella under the previous Government, organisations cherry- of the Children Act 1989 and the UN convention on the picked the easiest cases and left the remainder, so resources rights of the child for the first time as a direct consequence were directed precisely where they were needed least. of the fact that the Department brought things together. Often, the targets set for us in the voluntary sector, and If the Minister wants to consider the long-term future for others, completely ignored the reality that many of young people and what the decisions we take will young people face. mean for them, he needs to look at youth work and In the youth justice system at the moment, for example, immediate support and intervention, but he also needs the Government are rolling out a system of payment by to look closely at what his colleagues are doing in results, which is about trying to get young offenders housing, pensions and care for the elderly—a host of into work as soon as they leave an institution. I applaud things. Our failure, as a country, to tackle those things the focus on getting young people into structured work will affect young people for the rest of their lives. and giving them a reason to carry on, but the way those A generation is growing up who are losing youth targets are set will be important. I worked at Centrepoint, services and support, particularly for the most the youth homelessness charity, for several years, and disadvantaged, but who also face the prospect of high there were some young people for whom just getting out unemployment, with a million young people out of of bed and having breakfast every morning was a work. They face depressed wages for the rest of their significant achievement that constituted real progress; it lives, and interrupted work patterns. They also face took months of work, support and encouragement high debt if they manage to get through university, from the staff. That is something we need to be careful difficulty getting on the housing ladder and having to about. fund care for their elderly parents while paying hefty funds into their pension schemes and bringing up their I am also quite concerned about measuring outcomes children. The Minister needs to consider what he does and the focus on payment by results. Constructing for young people now, but needs also to look carefully intelligent frameworks for what is measured and how at his colleagues’ failure to act. Otherwise, young people that is done involves more than skill. When I worked for will feel the results for many years to come. the Children’s Society, it constructed a well-being index, which took several years to complete, and while such 3.26 pm frameworks can usefully be shared with other Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): I apologise for arriving organisations—the Government have commissioned work late for this debate [Interruption.] It was outrageous. on that, which I welcome—I also urge them to pay We should always arrive on time, but I have a very good attention to the fact that it also takes time to collect and excuse: I was meeting a contingent of young people record information in a meaningful way. Many of the from Stroud high school in my constituency, who are young people I worked with in the voluntary sector involved in fundraising, and are doing a lot of thinking were sick and tired of being part of the system and of about the role of Oxfam. That, ironically, is a good being asked questions, quizzed and grilled. It is important example of the kind of thing that young people should to find useful, meaningful, non-harmful ways to engage be involved in. I applaud the girls from the high school young people in the framework, and to get the right for doing what they have got in mind. They have been information from them, so that the process does not raising a huge amount of money through cake stalls, turn into a tick-box exercise. footprint contests and so forth. They are doing so We heard a lot of evidence that measuring soft outcomes because they want to be part of the community and are was important, and I completely agree with that; confidence endeavouring to become responsible individuals, and and resilience are examples. Often, causal links are too because they think carefully about the world beyond complicated. It is difficult to say, “This young person their habitat. That is fantastic, and their example and came to us and has gone on to commit crime. That is commitment to some extent underpin what I shall be because we failed.” That would be to ignore every other saying in my brief remarks. thing going on in the young person’s life at the time. It is an honour to follow the hon. Member for Wigan There are so many influences on young people, and it is (Lisa Nandy) who made a thoughtful exposition of the difficult to measure the direct impact. I was encouraged situation, coming from huge experience, which she brings by the focus on positives in the plan that the Government to the Education Committee. We all derive value from have produced. If outcome measures are constructed in that, and it is great that so many members of the a negative way, the focus on positives, which is so Committee are here. I think that half of us are present. valuable to youth work, and which we should value and prize above all else, is lost. Mr Graham Stuart: More than half. Having read the Government’s plan for young people, Neil Carmichael: More than half; that is fantastic. We I thought it was long on policy, which I welcomed, but work well as a team and are very effective, coming up short on vision. It did not seem to consider the future with some useful reports. I have voted against only one impact on young people of many of the things in report so far, which was on the English baccalaureate. 279WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 280WH

We had a lengthy process to discuss whether we should In Dursley, another key town in my constituency, the support the Government’s proposals, and I disagreed Lower King’s Hill management co-operative provides with the whole thrust of the report. I noted that although great opportunities for young people to do all sorts of the evidence we had in support of its conclusions was things, including gardening and so on. It is also where I persuasive, we nevertheless should not stop thinking hold some of my surgeries, so I am connected with its beyond its remit. work, and its aims and objectives. It is yet another example of the sort of structure that we should be Mr Stuart: I just wanted to applaud my hon. Friend supporting, but which might not be covered by our for his courage in acknowledging that the evidence was report. all one way, and his conclusion was entirely the other. With that degree of diversity, we have some great structures, and I have not even started talking about some of the others, such as Outreach, which provides Neil Carmichael: I am grateful. I am not entirely sure support for young people in very difficult circumstances. whether I can describe that as a compliment to my The staff’s dedication to young people, and the opportunities position, but there is much more evidence out there that that they gain because of the support, framework, we should be mindful of. That is what I shall talk about. comfort and succour that they receive is fantastic. I I referred to the EBac report not because I wanted to applaud that. ram home yet again the fact that the Government are absolutely right to introduce the EBac—they know All the organisations that I have mentioned are well that, and most people are beginning to realise it—but supported by local people in their local communities, because there is more to our thinking on youth services because they recognise local needs and work extraordinarily than is contained in our report. hard to produce outcomes that are surprisingly easy to measure. As a Member of Parliament, I visit them all, My other more general point is that it is absolutely and I see the outcomes and am impressed. What often right that 80% or 90% of young people’s time is spent in worries me is the number of people who need those activities other than schooling, but we must get our services, rather than the outcomes. We must not ignore education system right. That must be the top priority, the fact that many good things are happening in our and public money must be allocated on the basis of constituencies. Mine is a good example, but I think all priorities. I want to make it absolutely clear right now hon. Members can say the same. that my priority is to ensure that our children receive an education that will equip them to deal with the challenges facing them and the opportunities and lifestyles that Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): I agree broadly with my they wish to pursue. That is a cornerstone of my hon. Friend, but in my constituency in rural Somerset, contributions to the Education Committee. one difficulty is acute travel problems. The complete A key theme of the evidence that the Committee lack of transport services after 6 o’clock in the evening received in our various meetings showed that the picture means that only children with parents who have access is extraordinarily mixed, and it was difficult to analyse to a car can access youth services. Not every village has outcomes, and to elicit clear messages. In broad terms, a youth service. I have 172 communities in my constituency, the range of providers, the complexity of provision, and and there are probably youth services in nine or 10. I the different priorities that many providers had, made it accept what my hon. Friend says, but it is almost extraordinarily difficult to make a judgment about outcomes intolerably difficult for young people to access services and processes. That must be properly understood in the in rural communities if other services are not in place, context of expenditure levels and the way in which the and my county council is cutting everything. Government have reacted to the challenge of the pressures on public expenditure. Neil Carmichael: I thank my hon. Friend for that My constituency has a huge number of youth providers, comment. She is absolutely right that people must be and not all of them would be recognised in the context able to get to facilities. In constituencies such as hers of the Committee’s report. We must acknowledge and and mine, where there are many villages, transport is a salute those organisations that provide a huge amount factor. My son is a member of Rodborough Eagles, a of good value for our young people, and which would football team that does extraordinarily well. He is a not normally come within the remit of our discussion much better footballer than I ever could have been today. For example, the Door project in Stroud provides because he is not flat-footed and is a really good defender. fantastic support for young people who have been let The key point is that he visits many different parts of down by everyone, including in most cases their own my constituency, and I join him as often as I can. That parents. The project is supported powerfully by the football club is a youth service, and an option for him local community, delivers outstanding outcomes, and is and his friends to enjoy, and is part of youth service a strong and useful part of our community. It is a good provision. A variety of different services can be tapped example of the sort of things we need. into. Nailsworth has a community workshop, which I visited not long ago, where young people can learn about Mr Stuart: My hon. Friend is right. It is important crafts, and to be craftspeople. It is fantastic, and is when considering statutory services, which have an growing up from our local community. Not far away in important role to play, as I said during my speech, to Nailsworth is a youth centre that is very well supported remember that there is a vast range of other services, by the town mayor and many others. It has been the such as sports clubs—Beverley rugby club, Beverley victim of cuts by Gloucestershire county council, but cricket club, the Meridian gym, which my younger nevertheless continues to deliver fantastic services that daughter attends, and the Eastside gym which serves are really worth having. more than 700 children at Hedon in my constituency. 281WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 282WH

[Mr Graham Stuart] weeks. That is the big difference between the German system and the fledgling system in Britain, and the I pay tribute to people such as Andy Dickinson and German system has a number of noteworthy advantages. Steve Crane who do such a good job of providing First, the work-based nature of the programme chimes services on a voluntary basis. well with the emphasis that is put on training and education in Germany, and the relationship that has Neil Carmichael: My hon. Friend the Member for with employers and professional activities. We need to East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) is wondering whether embed such an attitude to education and to what happens he can read out a list of places in his constituency. afterwards in our own culture. It was obvious to me that the schemes that we saw in Germany provided a strong John Robertson (in the Chair): Order. Can we get rid continuity from education to employment, and we should of references to individual places? learn from that. The second interesting thing that I noticed in Germany Neil Carmichael: My hon. Friend the Member for was the consistency of the youth programmes. We visited Beverley and Holderness (Mr Stuart) is absolutely right, a fire station just outside Berlin, and there was a continual and his point is central to the matter. We should not throughput of young people. Young people had to think that youth services are just about statutory provision, make a choice, but they knew what those choices were because they are not. They are all part of the big before they had to make them. From that, I gleaned that society, which is encouraging many villages in my young people were able to think about what they were constituency to start thinking about providing the services going to be doing outside and immediately after school. that people need, including includes youth services. I thought that that was really encouraging; the experience I think that I have made my point about the rich of working in that fire station meant being part of a variety of facilities, clubs, sports clubs and so on with large team with awards, presentations, pictures and so which young people can get involved, and about the on. Such things demonstrated that people had been powerful role played by charities in providing facilities. there and benefited from being there, before going on to do something else that was the right step in their career Damian Hinds: Before concluding his remarks, perhaps development. Those who were starting the programme my hon. Friend will touch on the provision made by could see the results and the beneficial outcomes. what these days we call faith communities and in the old Those are the differences that I saw between the days used to call churches. There is an ongoing debate German system and the national citizen service. That about the role of Christianity and other faiths and did not stop me, however, from writing to local secondary religions in public life, and a lot of churches provide schools in my constituency to remind them of the value important youth facilities that often are not restricted of the NCS, and to make sure that they informed their only to members of one particular denomination. The students about getting involved in the schemes provided King’s Arms in Petersfield is one such example— by the NCS. I hope that students get involved in the programme, but if the NCS is to continue in the long John Robertson (in the Chair): Order. We are talking term, we must learn one or two of the lessons that I about the Select Committee report, and although it may have just mentioned. It is imperative to provide the be nice to mention every group in the hon. Gentleman’s schemes that we propose with a sense of continuity and constituency, I doubt that we have got time for them all. worthiness. Too often in this country we end up putting things Neil Carmichael: Thank you, Mr Robertson. Your into silos. We forget that most things are linked and that point is absolutely right, but it shows that we can think most policies are not dependent on the work or delivery of more examples than just the evidence provided by of one Department, but that there are connections the Committee. between Departments, agencies and other structures. My hon. Friend the Member for East Hampshire is The provision of youth services is a good example. right about churches. My father used to take me to What matters is not only the budget provided by the Sunday school, and I thoroughly enjoyed the first bit. I Department for Education, or wherever, but the overall have remained a member of the Church of England for Government approach and the links between various some time, and I look forward to a life of such membership. policies—including the Work programme, for example—as My own children had a similar sort of arrangement. well as what we do in and expect from our schools, our Church organisations play a part in providing great objectives for social services, employment opportunities, facilities for young people, and I have seen that in and so forth. That is why it is dangerous to rely only on action. the evidence that we are given. At times, we have got to We are in danger of labouring the point, although I think slightly beyond that, and the provision of youth think that it has been well made. I am therefore going to services is one such example. That is why the Government move on to the point raised by the hon. Member for are sensible in encouraging other things to happen, Wigan about the national citizen service. As she said, rather than just the statutory provision. we went to Germany and looked at the range of options that were available for young people. We noticed first 3.48 pm that a huge number of young people were participating in Germany’s equivalent of our national citizen service, Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab): I am not and that to a large extent the activities were work based. entirely sure how to follow that last speech, but I will That is the essential reason why, broadly speaking, the definitely get a copy of Hansard tomorrow and read it. I programme costs just over £1,000 in Germany for the am sure that it will be even better the second time year, but about the same in this country for a number of round. 283WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 284WH

I have never spoken in a Westminster Hall debate on Government came to power has been caused by a a Select Committee report before, and I was not sure collapse in labour demand? The jobs simply are not what to expect. So far, however, it is exceeding even my there. The Minister needs to take that seriously. wildest imaginings. I am pleased to speak in this debate. Having seen what happens, it is now clear to me that the Pat Glass: I agree. In my constituency at the moment, purpose of such a debate is not for members of the 12 young people are chasing every vacancy. However, I Committee to get together—in a sense, we could have want to look back to what mass unemployment causes had this debate in a bar—but for us to duff up the and to look at what we will face in the future. I see Minister verbally, and hopefully get a response from people in my constituency who do not work. Their him that will satisfy some of the recommendations that parents did not work and in all probability their children came out of an incredibly well researched and evidence will not work. They place no value on education. They based report. see schools as convenient baby-sitting services when It is difficult, particularly in my part of the country, their children are younger, but have no interest in whether to speak in a debate about youth services without seeing they attend school when they are older. They have no them in the wider context of, for example, youth investment in the present and no hope in the future, and employment and unemployment. The timing of this they certainly do not vote. debate is particularly opportune, given that youth However, the situation was not always as I have unemployment currently stands at more than 1 million. described. In communities such as mine before the In my constituency of North West Durham, 1980s and the early ’90s, those people had work. They unemployment has doubled in the past two years, and worked in steelworks, in mines and in all the industries 13% of all jobseeker’s allowance claimants are aged surrounding those big beasts, but all that has gone and between 18 and 24. In human terms, that is 1,290 young we have not put anything in place for them. The cycle of people aged between 18 and 24 in my constituency who depression and waste is costing the country billions of are not receiving any form of education or training and pounds, and it starts with youth unemployment. are not in employment. That is a human tragedy for Depressingly, I can see the cycle beginning again. them, but from my point of view, it is a case of déjà vu. As a member of the Education Committee, I was It is like a rerun of the 1980s. We are in danger of therefore very keen that early on we should take a look creating yet another lost generation, with all the costs at services for young people and particularly services that that has for society. targeted at vulnerable and challenging young people. As I know that the Government are concerned about the we have heard, the Select Committee examined those issue. They talk about families living in dependency and services, particularly in the context of rising 16-to-19 they launch initiatives to deal with the most complex participation in education, and we found several issues and costly families, who collectively, across the country, that worried us greatly, not least the major cuts in youth are costing us billions of pounds in benefits and in services and careers services. terms of health. They take up the vast majority of the We made a number of sensible recommendations, time and resources of housing services, the police and based on the evidence that we heard. We did not think justice services. Much of that has its roots in mass youth that the Government response was adequate. I hope unemployment—what we saw in the ’80s and ’90s. that the Minister can make a better showing today. In I see families in my constituency who do not work, response to the Government response, we highlighted and my constituency is not so different from many our recommendations again. We are looking for an others. It is a large rural constituency, with an urban endorsement of the outcomes framework. I know how population in one corner— hard it is to focus Governments on outcomes. That is very difficult for Governments. I could entertain hon. Mr Graham Stuart: The hon. Lady is very fair-minded Members all afternoon with accounts of the attempts and will want to recognise the fact that mass youth that various Governments have made to focus on outcomes unemployment has been a reality for the entirety of the and that have gone wrong. time that we are talking about. From the beginning, it However, we think that it would be worth while for was pretty solid. It did not move in the boom years of the Government to consider an endorsement of the the previous Government. After the financial crisis, it outcomes framework. We have recommended that the went up. Although there was a temporary drop before Government set out the grounds on which they will the last election, the upward movement was there. It is a judge a local authority to have failed to provide sufficient systemic issue, which we need to tackle. It is certainly services for young people and the ways in which Ministers not the result of any immediate policies of a Government will act to secure improvement, so that it is clear across who have been in power for 22 months. the piece, for local authorities and for young people, when local authorities have failed to deliver services and Pat Glass: I take the hon. Gentleman’s point. Youth what Ministers will do to secure improvement. unemployment was not invented by the current We underlined our finding that some local authority Government, but it clearly has not been helped in the youth services had already closed and urged Ministers past two years. to intervene before it was too late. We told the Government that it was not good enough to dismiss our estimate of Lisa Nandy: My hon. Friend is right to place the issue public spending on youth services, which is based on in the wider context. Does she agree that when youth their own figures, and demanded that they provide us unemployment rose in the mid-2000s, that was because with their own assessment of annual public spending on there was an increase in labour supply—more young youth services for each of the 10 years before introduction people were looking for the same number of jobs—whereas of the early intervention grant, so that we and others the skyrocketing of youth unemployment since the current can see clearly exactly what has been spent on young 285WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 286WH

[Pat Glass] living in Tory and Liberal Democrat-run council areas the hardest. Research shows that 60% of Tory and Lib people’s services in the past, what is being spent now Dem councils are making significant cuts to their youth and what is being cut and where. We raised concerns—we services, whereas Labour local authorities, which are have discussed this already—about the potential impact often those facing the greatest cuts in their funding, are of charging for the national citizen service and the at least targeting that funding at those whom they impact of the NCS on youth services generally. consider most vulnerable and are seeking to protect Most of all, we highlighted the fact that services for services for young people. That means cuts to youth young people—education funding, careers services, youth service centre hours and sometimes closures. Less help services and home to school and college transport is being given to young people through useful activities services—were at risk. Indeed, some were disappearing that lead to work and training and away from negative before our eyes—some as a result of direct Government influences leading to crime, alcohol and drug abuse and cuts and some indirectly, through cuts to local authority gang involvement. funding. In my constituency, the local YMCA in Consett, which does tremendous work, often with the least able [MR CLIVE BETTS in the Chair] and most challenging young people, is struggling to find Like the hon. Member for Grantham and Stamford funding. Billy Robson, who has run the YMCA for as (Nick Boles) and the Chair of the Select Committee, the long as I can remember, tells me that two years ago, he hon. Member for Beverley and Holderness (Mr Stuart), was confident that the YMCA could improve the life of I spent six weeks serving on the Committee considering even the most difficult and challenging young person. the Bill that became the Education Act 2011. In fact, I Nobody knows more about supporting young people think that we spent about eight weeks together; we than he does. entertained one another for eight weeks. The hon. However, he tells me that he now feels unusually Gentlemen will remember, as I do, that the Minister for gloomy, particularly about the dwindling opportunities Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning gave available to the large numbers of young people who are an undertaking when we made it clear to him that day not in education, employment or training. There are a that careers services were disappearing. He said that he few jobs, but they are usually short-term and sometimes would take action “imminently”. When we asked what part-time factory jobs. Even then, 12 young people are “imminently” meant, he said that it would be when he queuing up for every vacancy. Billy tells me that it is left the room. However, despite his good intentions, soul-destroying listening to young people who cannot what has happened on the ground is that careers services get work. Their sense of despondency goes deeper and have disappeared. deeper. He says that it is the biggest struggle that he has I go into schools all the time. The responsibility has faced since the closure of British Steel in 1980. He been transferred to schools, and when I ask schools wants to be upbeat for the sake of the young people, but what is happening with careers services, they tell me, when he has to pay off his own staff, on whom those “Oh, Miss So-and-so does it as part of PSHE”—personal, young people depend, it is hard to be positive. social, health and economic education—or that sixth Over the past year, he has applied for about £1 million formers have access to support when filling in UCAS in funding from organisations such as the Northern forms. That is what careers services for young people in Rock Foundation, Greggs and the National Offender schools today have been reduced to. It is simply not Management Service, but has not been successful in any good enough. of those applications. He says that because local authority Youth services—both universal services and targeted funds have been cut, charities are competing for available services for vulnerable young people—have been cut or private sector money. The Prince’s Trust runs numerous have disappeared. My hon. Friend the Member for fantastic programmes from the YMCA in Consett that Wigan (Lisa Nandy) gave a very good description of support young people into training and hopefully how that is happening. There have been job losses in employment, but the Prince’s Trust seems to be one of these services, with specialist, experienced, difficult-to- the few organisations that have any funding left. replace staff leaving. I have some experience of having The Government, at a sweep, abolished the education to replace specialist staff after a specialist service has maintenance allowance, which did more to improve closed down, and it is not easy. Those people do not 16-plus participation and narrow the gap between the hang on the backs of doors; they are highly qualified, richest and poorest students than any other scheme that flexible and often mobile. They are hard to train and I saw in my 25 years in education. To justify abolishing incredibly hard to replace. EMA, the Government relied for their evidence on one Doug Nicholls, of the union Unite, has estimated report, commissioned for a different purpose by a different that some 3,000 specialist youth service staff face losing Government, involving a group of young people, many their jobs and 20% of youth centres in England and of whom were ineligible for EMA on the ground of age. Wales are closing down. My hon. Friend the Member The author of that report, who gave evidence to our for Westminster North (Ms Buck), when she sums up Committee, was clearly angry about how the Secretary the debate, will give more details on it, but she has made of State had manipulated his figures and his report to this estimate: justify abolishing EMA. “A massive £200 million worth of cuts will have been made to As a result, 16-to-19 participation has fallen back to youth services by April this year hitting young people and damaging levels not seen in this country since the early 1990s. chances of getting the economy back on track.” When I asked the Secretary of State about it, he told All that has happened not just because of the cuts in me that participation had not fallen at all colleges, only services, but because the ring fencing around these at some. It would be good to hear from the Minister services has been removed. That has hit young people exactly where participation by 16 to 19-year-olds has 287WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 288WH increased. I am not a betting person, but I am happy to The pupil premium gives a basic amount per pupil, bet next month’s salary that participation is up in the drawing money from schools and areas with the highest south and down in the north, up in the wealthy shires concentration of free school meals and of poorer children and down in the inner cities and up among the highest and giving it to wealthier areas with fewer free school earners and down among poor people. meals. If anybody wants evidence of what is happening I turn to the Liberal Democrats’ famous flagship in their local authority and whether they are winners or policy, the pupil premium. There are probably a couple losers when it comes to the pupil premium, I can give of dozen education funding geeks around the country, them a breakdown, courtesy of my right hon. Friend and I am one of them. It was actually quite exciting the Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy), who has once I got into it. I know that pupil premium money is researched the matter in detail. not new; it is recycled money. For all its good intentions, it has been recycled from schools with concentrations of Tessa Munt: Would the hon. Lady like to comment the poorest children and young people and siphoned off on the fact that a large number of schools are rural and to richer parts of the country with fewer poor children. very small? For example, I have a school in my constituency with 68 children. Surely, in that situation, if two families Neil Carmichael rose— are not so well off, the school will quickly come to its 15% threshold. The pupil premium is directed precisely Pat Glass: I am happy to give way and to challenge at those individual children suffering from deprivation, you afterwards on whatever you have to say. as opposed to thinking that it was fine to mash them in with everybody else if there were fewer than 15%. It Neil Carmichael: I was going to say what a great only takes nine or 10 children—a few families with speech the hon. Lady was making. I was just wondering multiple children—for such a school to have a significant where EMA and the pupil premium fit in the context of number of young people with difficulties, without being youth services. They are associated more with the question over the 15% threshold where something would step in of getting young people into education, keeping them under the old system. there and supporting the people most in need in the most appropriate way when they are in education. Pat Glass: As an education funding geek, I have an answer for that. There was an element for small schools. Pat Glass: Given the speech that you just made, I find For small rural schools, most local authorities had an it difficult that you are asking me to justify— element of funding for vulnerable and poor children that was separate from AEN funding. Those schools Mr Clive Betts (in the Chair): Order. May I say to the were already catered for by other parts of the funding hon. Lady that I am not asking for anything? formula.

Pat Glass: Sorry, Mr Betts. I am discussing services Mr Stuart: The East Riding of Yorkshire was, for a for young people, and EMA and its abolition are as long time, the fourth lowest funded authority in the much a part of that as services through youth centres or country and is now the eighth lowest, despite the careers services. demonstrable increase in the cost of delivering education There is clear evidence that the pupil premium, for all in a sparsely populated rural and coastal area. It is not its good intentions, recycles money from schools with obvious, however one looks at the complex formula, concentrations of the poorest children and young people how to work out whether it properly recognises the and siphons off resources to richer parts of the country needs of an area. The pupil premium has the elegant with fewer poor children. That is because the pupil benefit of directly targeting an additional sum to help premium has largely replaced additional education needs schools provide educational support for children on funding, which, although it was called different things free school meals. in different local authorities, was needs-based funding for schools to support their least able and most vulnerable Pat Glass: The beauty of the education funding pupils. The AEN formula in each local authority was formula—it is complex and if we tweak one end of it we made up of different factors, but was legally required to cause a huge tsunami at the other end—is that it was include a deprivation factor. Some local authorities locally driven. Each local authority looked at its funding used the index of multiple deprivation while others used formula and had the opportunity to take into account free school meals, but the basis of AEN funding was a things such as small schools, rural schools and small needs-based deprivation factor. areas of deprivation. No one, I think, would accept that AEN also had an accumulator effect. Schools with it is good to take money away from schools in which fewer than 15% of children on free school meals got more than 50% of the kids are on free school meals and nothing in most local authorities, on the basis that that share it out among schools in which only 2% or 3% of was the norm and that need could and should be met the children are on free school meals; it does not make from existing school funding. Schools with between sense and it is certainly not what was intended. The 15% and 24% had a basic level of AEN funding, but scheme was well intentioned, but it is driving money then the level escalated massively between 25% and 35% from those schools that have high concentrations of in acknowledgment of the need for additional resources poorer children and moving it to schools with small to deal with more complex issues in driving improvement. concentrations. Any school where more than 35% of children received Everything that is happening in youth services and free school meals was given a huge step in funding, in careers services, and everything that has happened with recognition that those schools were dealing with complex EMA, young people’s funding and higher education, issues needing additional capacity. where participation from poorer young people from the 289WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 290WH

[Pat Glass] her any counselling, even though the person to whom she would have spoken is actually involved in the youth poorest regions has collapsed in parts of the country service and is trained to give such advice, so she had to because of the tripling of tuition fees—when the Chairman be referred to CAMHS, which said that a representative of the Select Committee gave the audience in the Guildhall would phone her on a certain day. They did not phone. in York the benefit of the Government’s policy on this, They then sent her a text message, saying that she had it was clear that people had glazed over and were not been referred as an emergency, but as she had not been listening—has a cumulative effect, and it will take a available to take the call—she had removed herself from generation to replace and restore services for young her class to take that phone call—she was shovelled off people. the list. They sent her a text message, saying that they assumed that she was no longer a priority case because Neil Carmichael rose— she had not been there to take the call that had never come. Mr Stuart rose— When young people get to the point that they are actually reporting that they feel dreadful—it often takes Pat Glass: My greatest fear is that we are creating for them a very long time to get to that point—my sense is ourselves and our young people a further legacy of that they need help right then. They do not need help in long-term unemployment and what comes from that— three weeks’ time or in six months’ time; they need help welfare dependency and its massive cost to the country now. My strong sense is that the youth service is often for generations to come. another outlet for young people. There is someone whom they can talk to and trust—not one of their 4.11 pm teachers or parents, or a member of the family, but Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): I have so much to say, but I someone who is independent and has specialist knowledge will make just a few points. I want to clarify one or two of how to deal with young people. I am concerned that things and draw the Minister’s attention to a number of young people in my part of the world do not have access issues. Will he explain, for example, the grounds on to that expertise, except through the youth service. which the Government feel able to intervene when a The other benefit of the youth service comes from the local authority does not provide sufficient services for fact that it is a universal service. Young people have the young people? As he probably knows, I represent a opportunity to meet people who are different from rural constituency in Somerset. I have already mentioned themselves. That can help to expand their ambitions, the difficulties with transport. There is very little transport expectations and their ability to explore. Certainly, things after 6 pm and a reducing service before 6 pm. In fact, I such as careers advice can come from a trained youth have just received a text from my son, saying that he is worker who can direct young people to other places, stranded at school because there is no bus, which is expand their horizons and make the world a much absolutely no good as I am here. The difficulties for bigger place. That happens in rural Somerset. A young young people to move from one community to another person might not go to university because they cannot are immense. It is almost impossible for them to access anticipate how they will be able to afford to pay their services in a town nearby, even if it is only three or four accommodation and living costs in a university town or miles away. city. The likelihood is that they might do exactly what The coalition’s stated No.1 social policy goal is to their parents, other members of the family, or previous increase social mobility. One of the things that I want us generations have done and not look outside at what to consider is the difference between targeting youth they might potentially want to do. services, which is probably well intentioned but tends to I have been asked to draw the Minister’s attention to make us think of young people in silos, and using an the Hughes report of July 2011. Importantly, the whole open-access provision. One of the advantages of youth business of careers help, advice and guidance can be clubs and youth services is that they give young people done on a face-to-face basis by those people in the another chance to achieve in a different forum from youth services and the youth clubs who may be in a their school, football club or wherever. They provide position of authority but who are incredibly accessible young people with another chance to max out on their to young people. They can give young people a bit of a potential. lift and a shove in the right direction to do something If I consider my experience of youth work, I can see different and to expand their horizons. that there are people who might have been attracted I worry that specialist staff in areas such as Somerset into low-level crime, slightly antisocial behaviour or feel under threat and are leaving because the services something a little more serious. There are young people are being withdrawn or significantly reduced. They who are absent from school with illness, who are truanting cannot be re-employed easily. They are well trained and or who get caught up in alcohol and drug abuse. One of have loads of experience. When the county council my particular concerns is the increasing number of invites volunteer groups, such as Church groups or the young people who suffer from some sort of mental young farmers’ club, to take on the services in a village, health problem that exhibits itself in the form of an they will not have the ability to employ someone with eating disorder, self-harm and, in some cases, thoughts the expertise of a youth worker because they will be of suicide. deemed to be expensive, even if it is for one night a I am deeply concerned that young people in my week. So I worry that we will lose those skills and that constituency are unable to access child and adolescent experience in places such as Somerset. mental health services. Just last week, a young person We should look at some of the barriers that young spoke to me about the fact that she had reported how people feel exist when accessing services that are run by she felt at school. The school was not allowed to give certain organisations, including religious organisations. 291WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 292WH

For some young people, there are some barriers to to enrichment and support, which includes the youth accessing any sort of service that has a faith heading. I service and the valuable application of young people’s must say that a strong exception to that is a service run own leisure time. The fact that many young people are by a Church-led organisation in one of the communities now being denied opportunities to attend enrichment in my constituency. The service that is offered is absolutely activities in out-of-school programmes—for example, superb and certainly not overtly religious in nature. the opportunity to pay for the transport that the hon. There is little connection between the young people Member for Wells referred to—is also relevant to the who use the service and the Church that runs it. So it is Select Committee’s report. Young people whom I have not always the case that there is a difficulty with religious spoken to were furious about the removal of EMA. I organisations running youth services, but we must be would say that it was probably the one aspect of policy very careful. that they felt even more strongly about than the raising In summary, youth services are very important, of tuition fees for higher education. particularly in rural areas. In places with no school We have touched a little on the riots. It is absolutely sixth form and where a lot of people’s ambitions are right that we understand—we all do understand—that limited by the situation in which they find themselves, I the riots did not occur because of cuts in youth services; am very keen that we continue to provide youth services. no one is alleging that the riots occurred because of We must always remember that for young people to those cuts. However, the fact that youth services and the blossom, we must help them to get past the survival wide range of provision for young people have been basics and ensure that they have someone good, sound under such pressure, particularly in some of our toughest and solid to whom they can talk and with whom they urban communities, did not help. As two excellent can make friends, so that they can receive advice and reports—the London School of Economics report, help all the way through their youth. “Reading the Riots”, and the Children’s Society report, “Reporting the Riots”—indicate, the riots should be a 4.21 pm warning to us not to neglect youth services even further in our most challenged communities. Ms Karen Buck (Westminster North) (Lab): Thank There are many important points in the Education you very much, Mr Betts, for calling me to speak. Committee’s report that Opposition and Government I congratulate the Education Committee on its report Members can agree on. We can all agree that youth and its Chairman, the hon. Member for Beverley and services, or services for young people, span a much Holderness (Mr Stuart), on his opening speech. There is wider range of activities than the statutory youth service much that is excellent in the report, which contains a framework. We have heard examples of excellent practice powerful critique of the Government’s approach and in a range of community, faith, sporting and, of course, other points that I hope the Minister will respond to. privately-supported and business-supported activities, There have also been some excellent speeches from which form part of the life opportunities for many my hon. Friends the Members for Wigan (Lisa Nandy) young people. Indeed, statutory youth work itself covers and for North West Durham (Pat Glass), which were a variety of different activities, ranging from outreach drawn from their considerable personal expertise and to youth clubs and from school-based youth work to knowledge, both in their local communities and more careers guidance. Of course, there is also the national widely, in the area of youth work. I also found much to citizenship service, which I will refer to later. It is right agree with in the contribution that we have just heard that we appreciate the range of those activities and that from the hon. Member for Wells (Tessa Munt). we look to have a different pattern of services and What is clear from the Education Committee’s activities in different types of community. What will be report and from the speeches that we have heard today effective in a constituency in inner London, such as my is that we all agree that youth services matter, and they own, will not be the right mix for communities in rural matter most to the most vulnerable and to the most areas, the north of England and so forth. challenged communities. As my hon. Friend the Member What we need to do—the Education Committee’s for North West Durham said, in the context of youth report certainly implies this if it does not explicitly state unemployment—with 250,000 young people who have it—is do better at mapping the range of activities that been unemployed for more than a year and with 1.4 million are accessible and available to young people, so that we under-25s who are not in education, employment or have a better understanding of the context within which training—the value of youth services is even greater. our statutory youth services operate. That leads us to Although it is completely correct that youth unemployment something that came out strongly in the speech by the did not start in the spring of 2010, the fact that it has Chairman of the Committee, the hon. Member for increased and is a major and consistent problem is all Beverley and Holderness—namely, that we have a real the more reason why greater care should have been problem with the quality of data, both on inputs and taken, and should still be taken, to provide the funding outcomes. Better quality of data would enable us to and support for a youth service that is one strategy make better judgments about the quality and value of among a number of different strategies to help young youth services. people to cope with the tragic experience of unemployment. Data about inputs are of only limited value, but they As my hon. Friend also said, the context of youth are none the less important. My hon. Friend the Member unemployment also includes the removal of education for Wigan made a request for a better and more consistent maintenance allowance. The removal of EMA matters data set, so that we can look at what has happened to not only because of education—this is not a debate the funding of statutory youth services over a decade, about EMA itself and its value—but because young and she was absolutely right to do so. Within that people need to be able to provide for themselves. That context, however, the absorption of so many different ability means gaining access not only to education, but youth services programmes into the early intervention 293WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 294WH

[Ms Karen Buck] Tim Loughton: I am rather curious about what the hon. Lady says. She says that only a third of the grant has made it even harder to get a handle on what is participants in the NCS—it is national citizen, not happening to the funding of statutory youth services. citizenship, service—are on free school meals, but that The Minister should help us to address that problem. is three times the proportion in the general population, so we are doing rather well. I wonder how many of the It is a central point of the Education Committee’s young people who went on the scheme in her Westminster report that we lack rigour in understanding what works. constituency she has met, and what their testimonials That is not a new problem for this Government, but we were of the value of the scheme. do not have the data set to enable us to make better judgments about what works in terms of quality and outcome. The Minister has promised that he will respond Ms Buck: I think that the Minister misses my point. I to those points, and I hope he will. He needs to convince do not dispute that the scheme has the potential to be a us that the Government have a strategy to ensure that good one. My argument is that in the four wards of my services for young people are delivering and to monitor local authority that are in the highest two deciles of how they are delivering, so that we can make proper deprivation in the country, there are 6,000 teenagers, so, judgments about what works. on the face of it, a scheme that concentrates, as it did last year, on just 60 of those young people, only a third What we do have a good idea about is the scale of the of whom are on free school dinners, does not represent cuts in youth services funding over the last couple of good value for money. He is absolutely right that the years. We know that there has been a real-terms 20% cut number of children on free school dinners is above the in the early intervention grant and that around half of national average, but it is not above the average for local authorities have cut their youth services in the last Westminster. We have a great number of schools and a two years, with Conservative and Liberal Democrat very deprived school population, and the last time I councils making the biggest cuts overall. We also know checked we had the ninth highest proportion of children that those cuts are disproportionate to the local government on free school dinners in the country. As my hon. average and that about £200 million worth of cuts will Friends have drawn out in the debate, we need to be have been made to youth services by April this year. In alert to that issue—not because of the principle of the some cases, that means that centres are closing, but it programme, but because we need to question whether, also means that youth workers have lost their jobs. at this moment, it is right one. Around 3,000 youth workers are at risk of losing their We have heard a number of important points about jobs, which means that even those centres that can not just the amount of money, but how we get it to remain open are providing a much lower level of service. work effectively, the relationship between the statutory The House of Commons Library has analysed some agencies and that between them and charities, including of this information about the cuts for me. In some cases, small ones, and the number of funding sources that local authorities have cut 100% of their youth provision. some youth centres have to draw in to make the centres For example, Kingston upon Thames has cut 100% of sustainable. A particular concern of mine is that we its youth provision; Peterborough 89%; Westminster have seen in the youth service a reliance on short-term 70%; Bracknell Forest 48%; and so forth. There is a funding. Again, that did not start in 2010, but there is long list of local authorities that have cut their youth patchwork funding, with very short-term funding streams, provision; they are not all Conservative or Liberal which are around for a year or six months and then Democrat-controlled authorities, but there is a strong disappear. bias in that direction. A critical word that I do not think we heard from the From the evidence that was given to the Select Committee Chairman of the Select Committee, or from anyone this and subsequently from the publication of Positive for afternoon, and which is absolutely at the heart of youth Youth, the Government’s youth strategy, we know that service delivery, is “relationships”. Young people, the leading national organisations in the youth service particularly those from the most challenged environments, field challenge the Minister’s claim that large slugs of value their relationships with statutory youth workers money have been spent on youth services, and they and others who work in the youth service. It is important question what that actually means. We have had the to reflect on the fact that when such relationships are figures that support their concern. vulnerable and are disrupted, perhaps because there is high turnover, the impact disproportionately damages We have heard today, and the Select Committee young people’s lives. report draws out, a worry that the national citizenship service, the aspirations of and principle behind which The cuts in the youth service will not be cost-free. We no one is challenging, potentially eats up a disproportionate know that diversion and prevention is a central role of volume of such scarce resources as are available. My the youth service, and we all agree that we need to do local authority is one of the pilots, and I have found out better at building the data to demonstrate that. Where that last year just 60 young people participated in the youth services are not available to provide the right programme and, most worryingly for the Minister, only range of activities, it is likely that at least some young a third of them were on free school meals. In an ideal people will find themselves caught up in antisocial, and world we would all be happy to support the scheme, but sometimes criminal, behaviour. when resources are so tightly constrained it is extremely We heard, importantly, about early intervention, and worrying that we provide so much money for a scheme the hon. Member for Wells made a point about mental for such a small number of young people—it will be a health and the worryingly high and increasing level of bigger number this summer, but still tiny proportionately— poor mental health among many young people. I think such a small proportion of whom are from lower-income that we all agree that early intervention should not be backgrounds. something we discuss just in the context of the under-fives. 295WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 296WH

It is a moving concept, and the changeover from primary the Chairman of the Select Committee was restrained to secondary school and into adolescence is a critical in not upbraiding his hon. Friend the Member for time for us to focus on early intervention. The youth Stroud (Neil Carmichael), as I gather he was previously service can, of course, contribute much to the enrichment at pains to point out that, because of his own educational and support of learning, and we need to do better at experience, he would have failed the E-bac. However, demonstrating that. we did at times get on to the Select Committee report. What should the Government do? We need them to I have a speech, but I want to discard it and try to do better at supporting the sector through change, and address some of the issues that have come up. Then at ensuring that when youth services draw, as they sometimes the end, if we have time, I will perhaps give the Chairman should, on private and voluntary funding, it is not of the Select Committee a right of reply, as is traditional. necessarily a time of massive disruption and short-term I will perhaps also come on to some of the things that I funding. We need to hear young people’s voices, as the had planned to say. Select Committee did, and reflect those voices in policy, and we need greater honesty about what is happening I think that we all share the same aims. I do not think out there and about the criteria for intervention. I hope that there is any difference between us in that we all feel that the Minister will respond on that point. He has a need to get a better deal for young people. There been honest in telling the National Youth Agency that might be some concerns about the national citizen youth service cuts have been disproportionate compared service, but I think that its aims are absolutely shared to those to the total funding for local government, and and that we all appreciate that everyone getting those he has promised us guidance on what the intervention sorts of life-changing experiences would be a good would be when the cuts were disproportionate. thing. We have some figures, and I have a freedom of I absolutely welcome the fact that the Select Committee information request out at the moment and am looking undertook the study and produced its report, but I have forward to the reply. We understand what is going on been critical of how the report was produced, because it out there, and we now need to know when the Minister dwelled disproportionately on the national citizen service, will intervene, what his definition of disproportionate which covers only a small part of the age group that the cuts is and how he will stop local authorities that are Committee considered. I also have the criticism that, effectively withdrawing, or doing devastating damage although the Committee was concerned to flag up some to, their youth service. inadequacies of the national citizen service, it did not The Children’s Society report on the riots, which has interview any young people who had been on national wider application, states that citizen service. There are many willing volunteers who would have given their testimonies. “those in the transition to adulthood stage said that more government support is needed—two thirds (67%) of 17 year olds and six out It seems slightly odd that, in its critique of national of ten (60%) of young adults... This mirrors the response of citizen service, the Committee went to Germany to try young people in the focus groups, with… participants saying that to make a comparison with the Zivildienst scheme, more activities and support are needed to ‘occupy young people with something constructive’.” which was the alternative to military service in that country, where, at the age of 19, young people could Without such support, we are likely to face genuine either do 11 months’ military service or 13 months’ costs in the failure to meet needs, particularly those of civilian service. When compulsory military service was our most deprived young people. It is to its considerable suspended in 2011, the Zivildienst was also suspended. credit that the Select Committee understands that, but the reality on the ground indicates that the Government There are big differences between that scheme and do not yet do so. national citizen service. Youngpeople tended to volunteer in old people’s homes, hospitals or churches, for example. 4.36 pm They would get a small salary for doing so and the organisation hosting the young person contributed to The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education the cost. So it was a completely different sort of scheme (Tim Loughton): We have had an interesting and, indeed, that was born out of completely different circumstances rather different debate this afternoon, and I congratulate with completely different funding arrangements. That is the Chairman of the Select Committee, my hon. Friend why I am concerned that the Committee appears to the Member for Beverley and Holderness (Mr Stuart), have been initiating criticisms about national citizen on ensuring that we have had time to debate youth service based on something that happened in a different issues. We do not do that enough in the House, and I country. absolutely welcome anything that Parliament—Select Committees, Ministers, Opposition Members and Back Although I was very glad that many young people Benchers—can produce to highlight the panoply of contributed online and in the discussion forums, which issues and challenges that young people face. Young is absolutely right and is something I strongly encourage, people and children are 20% of our population and I was concerned that few young people were called as 100% of our future, and they need to feel that their witnesses in front of the Committee. I am also not concerns are taken more seriously. This debate is just aware that any young people worked on the report with one opportunity to flag up a whole lot of issues that the Committee’s special advisers and Clerks. affect young people at the moment. When we produced Positive for Youth, of which I am At times, I thought that I had strayed into the wrong very proud—it was a long-standing piece of work that debate. This is a debate about the youth service report, absolutely rightly took a while to produce—young people which covers 13 to 25-year-olds, but somehow we got were involved at every stage. They were given drafts and onto the education maintenance allowance, the English various policy proposals to tear to bits and asked to baccalaureate and various other things. I thought that come back with their responses. In considering one of 297WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 298WH

[Tim Loughton] document. The Select Committee report is extremely good in its analysis of some of the weaknesses of the the later drafts, 150 young people assembled at the O2 Government’s approach to youth services, but the point arena. They pulled various parts of the report apart and is that wherever young people are brought together, the came back with their suggestions. single message they give is: “We are not overly bothered We had a big event at the Queen Elizabeth II centre about the reports you produce. We are bothered about that involved more than 300 people. More than 50 young the actual youth work that is available and the activities people were there and, at every stage, they had their that are accessible to us in our communities.” That is input and felt ownership of Positive for Youth.Whether what they tell us, and it is what they tell virtually every or not someone agrees with the document’s contents, I MP who is faced with closures and cuts in their youth do not think that many people are arguing about the services. fact that we exhaustively consulted a load of people in the youth sector, particularly young people themselves. Tim Loughton: Young people would tell the hon. Lady—she did not answer my earlier question about Mr Graham Stuart: The Minister is spending a whether she had met any young people from her disproportionately inordinate amount of time on something constituency who had been on national citizen service—that that is not central to the issue, but I would like to they value being involved and having their views taken correct him. The process was that we took evidence on board. Absolutely, they value having their questions from young people on panels in multiple oral evidence and concerns answered. Whether or not young people sessions, and we also conducted the student forum. As a get the answers that they want, they need to be taken parliamentary Committee, young people cannot form seriously. Absolutely, we have tried to take on board part of the team that puts the report together, but we young people’s views and give them ownership of this had massive engagement with young people throughout youth policy. the whole process—for example, by using the student Positive for Youth is not a finished document that, as forum and so on. I thought that I had written to the with so many other past Government reports, will go on Minister to set him right on that issue because he was shelf and gather dust. It is an evolving, organic and clearly so misinformed. If I failed to do so, I apologise living document that I want every young person in the for allowing him to continue in such a position of country to wave in the face of the leader of their local ignorance. council and the mayor at their town hall and say, “This is what Positive for Youth says should happen. We want Tim Loughton: My point holds clear. The fact that it to happen here. How can we make it happen here? there was the online forum and other people not on the Why isn’t it happening here?” That is why a lot of things Committee consulted young people does not mean that will evolve from it and why, in a year’s time, I will come young people appeared in front of the Committee itself. back to Positive for Youth and do an audit of what has The Committee visited no youth projects in the United and has not been achieved. I will go back to those areas Kingdom; it went to Germany. Indeed, the report contains of weakness, and I will also flag up areas of strength an apology for the fact that the Committee did not get where we can learn from best practice, which we are out and visit some of the projects that it was due to see. particularly bad at doing. I think that I am correct in saying that young people were not involved in the compilation, road testing or Lisa Nandy: Although the Minister is absolutely right critique of the final report. That is the point I am not to be complacent about young people’s involvement, making. If the Chairman of the Select Committee the Committee was very keen to ensure that we listened wants to correct me on that, he can do so. to young people, but that we did not take the young The contrast with Positive for Youth is that young people to whom we spoke as necessarily representing people saw the drafts, wrote the words, changed the others. They were representing themselves, and we found final results, were consulted around the country, came that incredibly valuable. If he is so keen to listen to into my office and went to the O2. In addition, we went young people, will he listen to the overwhelming anger to lots of different projects around the country to get and frustration that the abolition of education maintenance young people’s views and those of other people involved allowance caused and reinstate it with immediate effect? in youth services. That is why I think that Positive for Youth was a fantastic exercise in involving people, Tim Loughton: We could have a debate about EMA— particularly young people. Select Committees could indeed, I have been part of such debates—but it is not gain some experience from that. part of the youth report. If the hon. Lady would like to I am particularly pleased—I was going to mention talk about EMA, I will mention that, last night, I was this in a moment—that we are funding the British with a group of young people who are in the care Youth Council to set up a youth select committee, system and who have benefited disproportionately from which will act as a shadow select committee and, I hope, the alternative to EMA—the higher education bursary. meet in this place and take evidence from the Chairman They will gain more under that bursary than they did of the Select Committee and others, particularly young under EMA. We could have that completely different people. That sends out a fantastic signal that we value argument, but I think you would rule us out of order, young people’s input in the place where it matters—here—as Mr Betts. well. I want to try to address some of the points that the Select Committee Chairman raised, particularly the Ms Buck: I do not want to enter too much into a one about the statutory duty. We have published the private quarrel, but surely the fact is that Positive for consultation on what we will do about the statutory Youth is in most respects a perfectly good strategic duty, and I have sent out very strong, clear signals 299WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 300WH regarding some of the disproportionate cuts that we images of young people that the media too often present. have seen. As the hon. Member for Westminster North I want to achieve—this is why we have asked the Catalyst (Ms Buck) acknowledged, I have absolutely admitted consortium to consider the issue—an aspirational, positive that, in certain parts of the country, some councils are measure of outcomes that assesses what we are doing being short-sighted in treating youth services as soft for young people on the basis of what they achieve, targets. They are not taking a long-term view about the their educational success and a version of the Prime implications of such an approach. Minister’s well-being index. We are consulting on what, practically, the statutory It is hugely difficult to put together something that is duty should mean. We have had it since 1996, but it has meaningful, measureable and practical, but I am determined never been used. If we are to have such a duty, it must to do that and to replace the negatives with something be meaningful and something that people will appreciate. positive and aspirational. It will take a while to come up However, a very important point comes out of Positive with something that does not just consist of words that for Youth in relation to the fact that local authorities are relatively meaningless. and others are part of the youth offer. To believe that The hon. Member for Wigan (Lisa Nandy) made a youth services are provided by local authorities alone is number of points on a wide range of issues. It is a a mistake. The youth offer includes, as several hon. shame that she was not present when I gave evidence to Members have mentioned, a load of different organisations the Committee on the national citizen service and on that involve local authorities, social enterprises, voluntary Positive for Youth. Had she been present, she would organisations, charities and private companies, yet we have received answers to some of the questions that she focus disproportionately on how much money local has asked today. authorities invest in certain youth-orientated services. The bigger picture shows that the offer is much more The hon. Lady was right to say that part of the mixed. problem with youth work is that there is no real job description for it. I know that one of the Committee’s The best judges of whether or not young people get a frustrations was the failure of often well-established good deal in their local area must surely be young youth organisations to make a positive, strong case for people themselves. That is why a key part of the Positive what constitutes good youth work and a good youth for Youth strategy is the need for an effective and loud worker. The sector does not do itself any favours. I youth voice. I have asked every local authority in the have seen some fantastic youth workers making a huge country to identify a group of young people locally. difference to young people—often from disadvantaged They may be youth mayors, members of the UK Youth backgrounds—throughout the country. I wish that we Parliament, youth cabinet members, none of those or could bottle that work, define it and replicate it more. even a combination of them. Such groups could be legitimately said to represent the voices and concerns of That is why Positive for Youth is littered with case young people in their communities. They would be able studies of youth organisations, local authorities and to conduct an audit of the youth offer in their area and young people themselves doing some really good stuff have it taken seriously, published on the local authority’s in different parts of the country. I want to disseminate website or presented to a council meeting. We will best practice and we also need to find a way to disseminate collate those findings and flag up where certain local good youth work. I know that the Select Committee areas are doing well and where others are not. Surely, Chairman is as frustrated as I am that the Committee’s that is the best way to find out whether or not young report did not suggest a blueprint for how to promote people are getting a good deal and to do something good youth work practice. The sector has received that about areas with a weakness. message, which is why Fiona Blacke and the National The Committee Chairman also mentioned the outcomes Youth Agency are working on whether we should have framework. The further response that we gave to the a professional body of youth workers and on how we Committee—we have done this in the past few months— can increase the standing, gravitas and perceptions of stated that my Department is funding the Catalyst youth workers. consortium The hon. Lady mentioned reliance on different sources “to develop its outcomes framework with the ambition that it will of funding. During my evidence to the Committee—she become an ‘industry standard’ common language with which to was not present—I referred to a heavy reliance on measure and demonstrate the impact of provision.” “slugs of public money”. My point was not that there is We have also been working with the Young Foundation, too much or too little public money going to youth which is part of the Catalyst consortium, to develop the services, but that those services have relied disproportionately outcomes framework, which is a matrix of tools that on public money in the past. A degree of reform in a will help youth organisations to demonstrate their impact range of other public services has resulted in a mixed on outcomes for young people. economy of provision based on different revenue sources, The interesting problem with this work is how to but youth services are too often heavily reliant on prove a negative. This is something else that goes to the money from local government, whether it comes via heart of what Positive for Youth is all about—it says it central Government or elsewhere. There is a whole on the tin. Too often in the past, we have judged range of other providers, but there is still a heavy whether or not we are doing well for young people in reliance on public money, so when public finances are terms of preventatives and negatives. We ask questions tight, youth services get hit disproportionately. Frankly, such as “How many young people have we prevented the situation has not changed dramatically since the from going to youth offender institutions? How many Albemarle report 50 years ago, which effectively established teenage pregnancies have we prevented? How many youth services. young people are not in the youth justice system?” The hon. Lady gave a good example from her own Those questions are all based on negatives and preventatives, constituency of the upcoming Wigan youth zone and so it is not surprising that they exacerbate the negative the contribution of Martin Ainscough, whom I have 301WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 302WH

[Tim Loughton] Mr Stuart: Will the Minister tell us how he would streamline that, because I am sure that if we talked to met several times. He is a fantastic philanthropist and Ministers 10 years ago they would have said the same has put together a fantastic case, as have other members thing, and five years ago they would have said the same of the OnSide charity, which is responsible for four thing? Whoever was in Government, they would have Myplace centres in the north-west. The charity’s genesis said the same thing. We need practical ways of making was in the Bolton lads and girls club, which is one of the it happen. For example, will he speak to his colleagues best—if not the best—youth centres in the country, if in the Cabinet Office to try to ensure that we get not the world. Martin works with Dave Whelan, who is streamlining? another benefactor of the project. It did not qualify for Myplace funding, because it submitted its bid after the funding round had finished, unlike the other four Myplace Tim Loughton: The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet centres, most of which have opened—I opened one in Office, my hon. Friend for Ruislip, Northwood and Carlisle—and are doing some fantastic work. The Wigan Pinner (Mr Hurd), who has responsibility for civil society, example did not, therefore, get any national public has been working with many voluntary organisations, money, but it is going ahead because of some contribution charities and others to reduce bureaucracy. I have been from the local authority and generous contributions working with the inspectorates. Many organisations in from Martin Ainscough, Dave Whelan and other businesses. the youth and education sector in relation to children’s social care will be inspected by as many as six inspectorates. Martin runs a private business, which, as the hon. That is clearly nonsense, clearly overlapping, and clearly Lady knows, is a big employer in Wigan and has been causes huge amounts of chaos for the outfit being there for many years. He rightly sees himself as part of inspected. I spent a morning with children’s services in the local community and as having a corporate, social Birmingham, which were about to have another inspection. responsibility to it. He has identified a mutual benefit of We are now making good progress. Indeed, the Chair a Myplace-style youth centre—I am hugely supportive of the Select Committee may wish to call me to give of such centres and will come on to them in a moment— evidence on joint inspections in one of his inquiries. For whereby his employees spend time volunteering to help the first time—I have had them all around the table in out there. His employees’ sons and daughters will benefit my office—we are making some real progress. That from the centre’s facilities, and he may well end up must be the way to go. We need to ensure that organisations employing some of them. He will help to provide training that do good stuff for young people and children are facilities. It is not just a place for youth leisure activities, able to get on with the job of providing those activities, but a meeting place for training and education, personal rather than having to spend every other day being and social development, and all sorts of other things. beholden to inspectors in a very bureaucratic manner. That is being achieved regardless of the availability of a big pot of money from central Government funds. The model is hugely successful. The Myplace centres—which Mr Stuart: I am grateful for that answer, which are based on the OnSide model—that will thrive most addressed inspection, but perhaps not accountability. I of all are those that become self-sustaining and encourage know that the Cabinet Office has considered how we a host of other providers that use social enterprises, can use digital platforms to deliver Government for less businesses and the voluntary sector to become self- and more effectively. I wonder whether small charities sustaining, too. Wigan is a fantastic example of where it and youth services could have one website where everyone can work. comes together to say what they want—or at least are able to go to one place—which provides one set of I am particularly keen on other forms of funding for accounting for themselves in a way that answers the youth organisations—I have been encouraged and we questions that are collectively required by all those who have some brokerage work to help with this—through fund them. the social investment bank. We have put some money into a consortium led by NCB and Business in the Tim Loughton: I think that the sum of the bureaucracy Community to act as a brokerage to encourage new around small charities in particular is already being sources of funding for youth organisations that are addressed. I just referenced the work that we are doing looking to promote such projects. with Business in the Community, NCB and that consortium The hon. Lady also mentioned the problem of having to provide a portal for organisations that need funding, 27 different sources of funding and having to account advice on how to get leverage on the funds and resources for them all, which is, of course, complete nonsense. available, and on how to partner up different organisations. That needs to be streamlined and we are streamlining That is what we are trying to create in that brokerage, the accountability frameworks. However, those 27 sources and I think that that addresses the concern. of funding may be, as with many projects I have visited, There have been quite a lot of myths about national all from different public sources of finance—Department citizen service. It has been covered disproportionately, of Health, Home Office or Department for Education at least in the press releases relating to the Committee’s projects. Even if they were 100% funded, they would report. I would be more than happy if the Committee not be from one pot of money that requires one report, produced a discrete report on national citizen service one accountability framework and one inspection a that was based on the evidence that we are amassing year, but 27 funds with potentially 27 reports. That is from people who have already been on it, and based on nonsense that we need to streamline, but it happens in actually going on the projects and seeing the young the public sector just as much as it will happen if we people and the providers. The Chair of the Select Committee have multiple sources of funding from private voluntary has met some of his local providers, and I think he was and social enterprise sectors, too. impressed by what he saw. 303WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 304WH

Let me first say what national citizen service is not. It will then start to have some long-term estimates of the is not just some six week summer camp—that is a amount of money involved. Simply to do an extrapolation fundamental misunderstanding of what it is all about. of the costs in the first year, which are likely to be the National citizen service is about a life-changing experience highest and will gradually come down, and come up that starts with a two-and-a-half week window, mostly with a figure of 50%, and then come up with this figure over the summer, with young people going on an outward is, I have to say, disingenuous. It is also slightly disingenuous bound type course and being thrown in at the deep and unfair of the Chair to say that I am dwelling end—quite literally in many cases. It gets people together disproportionately on NCS. The point I made earlier from different sides of the tracks socially and ethnically— was that his press release, the headline, how this report, kids who have been in the youth justice system, kids which contains some really good stuff, was launched, from independent schools, kids with disabilities. It mixes was all about NCS affecting one year out of the 13 to them all up and they have to rely on each other and 25-year-old cohort. understand each other. It is about a rite of passage as It is also not fair to say that, at the time my hon. well. Anybody who has been through the national citizen Friend mentioned, the Government had no other youth service course and graduated—it is not a walk in the policies. Let me remind him that in the teeth of toughest park; it needs to be stretching and it needs to be spending round that we have had, we secured for the challenging—has earned the right to be treated more as Department for Education £141 million of capital to an adult. It is about engaging those young people with fund the remainder of the 63 Myplace projects, which is society in the longer term. It is about getting them an excellent scheme started by the previous Government. embarked on volunteering activities. It is about getting We ensured that the outstanding projects had financial them to develop their social action project, which they sustainability, which some earlier ones did not have. start up as part of the summer experience, and which That important youth policy, again, did not feature will hopefully run for months, if not years, after that, in greatly in the report, which is a shame, because it is collaboration with other local youth organisations, the doing some fantastic stuff. local council and local businesses. Last week I was in Lincoln, speaking at the Myplace I want thousands of signs around the country that network conference, seeing some fantastic examples of read, “National citizen service project initiated by, run how Myplace centres are being used as hubs of youth by, managed by, inspired by young people”, so that even activity in local communities and, particularly, focusing some of the most cynical people in our society, who on how we deal with what are commonly called NEETs, think that every teenager is a potential hoodie-wearing which is a derogatory term. I prefer the term GREETs: mugger, will have to say, “Wow, there is some really getting ready for education, employment and training. good stuff going on in my town, my village, my community, Those will be centres for the youth contract, for my city, and it is being led by young people.” That is organisations to come in and do their training, and what national citizen service is all about. where we can get some of the more difficult-to-reach I do not recognise some of the figures in the report young people into some form of employment, education that have been attached to national citizen service, and training. simply because they are not figures that we have calculated Myplace centres are key to the Government’s youth—and ourselves. We are in the middle of a pilot. We are Positive for Youth—policy. I should have liked them to evolving the scheme. We have made a number of changes feature in this report. If the Chairman of the Select since we started the pilots. We will be rolling out 30,000 Committee would like to rectify that by doing a study places this summer, and there will be some variations. into Myplace centres, I should be more than happy to Some will be run over a series of extended weekends for co-operate and give him all the resources he needs. those who cannot commit for the summer. There will be some pilots in Northern Ireland, because this will be a Pat Glass: I am sure that the Minister would like to UK-wide exercise. see those things, but he is misrepresenting the purpose of the Select Committee. I understand that its purpose Mr Stuart: I am grateful to the Minister for resiling is to scrutinise Government business, not publicise the from his earlier remarks about the disproportionate things that the Government want us to publicise or even attention the report paid to the NCS, because in six to report on things that the Minister would like us to. chapters I think that half a chapter deals with it. It is also worth noting that, at the time, it was the only youth Tim Loughton: I have said that I respect the Select policy the Government had, but none the less we looked Committee and that I encourage it to study youth more widely. The Minister says that he does not recognise services and anything to do with young people. In my the figures in our report—a statement consistently made opening remarks I said that, whatever I may like, or not, by the Government about our figures. However, the in the Committee’s report, I welcome it. However, the Government have not provided us with their own. Will report was about out-of-school activities for 13 to 25-year- he please do so now? olds. Myplace centres cater for out-of-school activities for that cohort and more; they were in place in part Tim Loughton: We could not possibly come out with under the previous Government and money was secured a total figure for complete roll-out because we have not for their expansion under this Government when the remotely reached total roll-out. We are getting economies report was being prepared. Why did they not feature in of scale. We spent approximately £13.5 million. In the report? That is my point. Whether the Committee addition, some philanthropic and other money came in. wanted to criticise them or be positive about them, they We are being approached by people who want to add should have featured as another example of what the money, on top of the Government money. We are Government are trying to do, then the Committee considering converting it into a contractual scheme. We could have said whether the Government needed to do 305WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 306WH

[Tim Loughton] valued, highly regarded services now. In the time that he has left, out of respect to the young people who use better or to do it differently. Are we wasting £141 million? those services, will the Minister tell us what he is going Why just talk about wasting £13.5 million on the national to do to stop that happening? citizen service when we are wasting more than 10 times that—if that is the Committee’s view—on Myplace? Tim Loughton: The hon. Lady ignores the fact that a host of youth organisations has come forward to provide Mr Stuart: The Minister is wrestling with his national citizen service places, because they think it is a understanding of what the Select Committee is for. The good thing to do and think that they have the expertise. purpose of the inquiry was to focus on youth services. In particular, we are using a host of smaller providers Perhaps we could address what the report contains. Can with real expertise in engaging with more difficult-to-engage the Minister share with hon. Members the numbers, young people, including young people who have been in which we know are far from definitive, on the national the youth justice system and young people from various citizen service? This Government are committed to black and minority ethnic communities, who are not transparency and openness, not least on public expenditure. necessarily easy to engage in some youth services. Those Could we have some of that today on the NCS as it people value it. stands to date—and the Minister’s best understanding? I do not know whether the hon. Lady went to the NCS providers in her locality, but I ask her to speak to Tim Loughton: The Committee conducted an inquiry some of those young people and to come to some into the provision of services beyond the school/college presentations, such as the ones we have done with them, day for young people, primarily those aged 13 to 25. and see the value that they place on it. That takes in a whole host of things, of which I mentioned I cannot give hon. Members a figure for what NCS Myplace, which cost £141 million—substantially more will ultimately cost when we go to full roll-out, and I do than the amount that has been spent, or will be spent not know how soon roll-out will be or what it will be, for some years, on the NCS. I have told my hon. Friend but we will not compromise the quality of this service. that last year it cost some £13.5 million. The budget for An absolutely key point in that regard is the fact that it this year, if we provide 30,000 places as we are looking is a high-quality service that is, for the young people to do, will be roughly triple that, but hopefully it will a who go on it, a life-changing experience about personal bit less because we will get some economies of scale. and social development. Depending on how we evolve the pilot—we are genuinely learning from it and adapting it by reference to all our Mr Stuart: Will the Minister give way? partners with expertise in this regard—it may become a shorter experience in the summer, which would reduce Tim Loughton: I will, but my hon. Friend is eating the costs, or there may be different ways of doing it. To into his time for a right of reply, and I have not even say that it will cost £300 million, or whatever, in a few started my speech yet. years is entirely illusory, because I do not know how many people will be doing it. Mr Stuart: The Minister is generous in giving way, There is a fundamental misconception here. The money but I am still at a slight loss as to why he is so hostile. is not coming from the Department for Education or Our job is to probe this. We did not say it would cost from a youth budget and would not otherwise be going that much. We said that, if it was scaled up at the into youth services. The money for the national citizen current cost, it would cost the amount we stated, and we service is going into youth services. This money is not did so precisely to invite—we hoped—a polite, respectful being used to fund some army of central Government response from the Ministry about what it thought it people; it is being provided by a host of youth might move towards. organisations—the Prince’s Trust, the Football League Derek Twine, chief executive of the Scout Association, Trust, Catch22, Groundwork and the National Youth noted that Agency—doing youth work now. If that money were “for the same cost per head that the NCS is anticipating spending not going into the NCS through a direct funding stream in the first tranche of pilots we could provide two or three years’ from the Treasury, it would not be going into youth worth of the experience, week by week, for young people in the work. That is why I cannot understand why the Committee same age range”. is not welcoming these growing resources going into a Evidence of that sort led us to probe the matter, hoping youth activity. One only has to speak to the people who that we would get a proper, civil response from the have done such activity, read the surveys that we have Government in due course. conducted, and look at the serious work that is being done, to see its efficacy and that it is having a positive Tim Loughton: That is a strange thing for the chief impact. executive of the Scout Association to say, because it relies on no public money at all, so why is he saying that Lisa Nandy: The list of names that the Minister read he could use that money for something else? The Scout sounded strangely familiar, because those organisations Association is completely different. gave evidence to the Committee for our report, saying We want NCS to be the recruiting sergeant for the that the network of support for young people, which Scouts, the Air Training Corps, the Army cadets and all already exists and is so highly valued, is disintegrating sorts of youth organisations. They are not there to in front of our eyes. I have to say that the Minister is recruit people for NCS; they are recruiting people for starting to sound somewhat delusional, because we community-minded organisations that are doing great were overwhelmed with evidence from those organisations stuff in their local communities—and the Scouts and and young people, saying that they are losing much Guides just happen to be two such organisations. 307WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 308WH

I am not sure what to do, because I have not actually Initial expressions of interest—by a whole range of started the speech before me. I will try, however, to deal voluntary organisations and others, in particular those with some of the points made by members of the Select with expertise in young people—have been exceedingly Committee. I ought to give my hon. Friend the Member encouraging. It is not only, “Here’s a young person, get for Wells (Tessa Munt) a look-in, because she has had them into a job,” but getting a young person to know the courtesy to stay throughout the proceedings. She what a job is all about—giving help with, for example, made a number of points, in particular about transport personal presentation, writing a CV, doing interviews and its availability to convey young people to certain or turning up at 9 o’clock for the training exercise or facilities, notably in rural areas. That is exactly why I whatever is required. That is why it is so important to welcome the work of the United Kingdom Youth use those organisations with expertise in dealing with Parliament, which we are now helping to fund, in young people, from whatever sector—using Myplace setting up a select committee on transport, this year’s centres and other facilities—to ensure that we try to favoured UKYP campaign. I have hosted some round-table give those 16 and 17-year-olds a decent chance to go meetings, one involving the Under-Secretary of State back into education properly, if they have dropped out for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Lewes earlier; get on a meaningful training scheme, or (Norman Baker), on transport to schools and other apprenticeship; or get into some sustainable employment. educational facilities and on transport for young people. The organisations will be paid for that on a payment-by- I am particularly sympathetic when 16-year-olds complain, results basis, so this is not just a short-term displacement quite rightly, that they have to pay adult fares on buses scheme; it is about sustainability. and public transport. I want to find solutions to ensure I will deal with one last point made by the hon. Lady that we are not laying on facilities that the very people before I sit down to give a right of response to my hon. whom we want to access them are prevented from doing Friend the Member for Beverley and Holderness, the so because of transport logistics. Chairman of the Select Committee. Some of the payment My hon. Friend the Member for Wells also mentioned for the national citizen service was mentioned in the social mobility and mental disorders. Having seen some report, and that is a legitimate area of debate, because good examples, I can recognise a good youth organisation fewer than half of the providers last year levied a —a feeling of belonging, I think she said—which can charge, and half of those in turn made it a refundable give people confidence that they have a place in society, charge when the young person turned up. What we have helping their health, and not least their mental health. said, and what is part of the tendering process for those The problem has been under-appreciated, with one who come forward to offer such places, is that charging school-age child in 10 suffering from some form of should be done in such a way as no young person is mental illness, so I welcome the Government’s paper deterred from an NCS course by financial considerations. “No health without mental health”, which has, for the The course needs to have a value, however, and what first time, placed mental health on a level playing field some of the research shows is that for those providers with physical health. We need to ensure that they are that levied a charge, in particular if refundable, people getting the right interventions—early and appropriate— turned up and valued the course more. That is purely which in too many cases they are not. That is an about ensuring that people do not feel, “Oh, I can sign important part of youth engagement as well. up, it doesn’t cost me anything,” and that they need not bother to turn up—so they turn up and value it, making the most of the experience. If it turns out that that is Tessa Munt: Is the Minister also cognisant of the fact discouraging people, we have pilots to inform how we that people who have mental health problems when roll out NCS in future. they are very young almost invariably go on to have We could have discussed a range of issues and a range significant mental health problems later on in life? That of related things that I hope the Select Committee will is at enormous cost to society and, eventually, to the return to on youth services and youth affairs generally. state through the health services and every other way. They are among the most important things that we deal with in Parliament, because they are one of the Tim Loughton: I entirely agree with my hon. Friend’s best investments that we can make. Therefore, I have point. unashamedly named and shamed local authorities, and will continue to do so, if they are being short-sighted, I had better quickly mention the hon. Member for cutting disproportionately or not seeing the bigger picture North West Durham (Pat Glass), who made some good on youth services. Positive for Youth is about ensuring and legitimate points, although she also said that she that young people are empowered to have a strong voice was present to “verbally duff up” the Minister. I am not to point that out. They are the most important customers entirely sure that that is why we hold our debates. We of youth services and they must have the loudest voice are having a full and frank exchange of views, and a about where we are doing well and where we are not. constructive engagement on an important subject. The hon. Lady mentioned the real problem of young 5.26 pm people not in education, employment or training. Ensuring that our young people are engaged in some way is Mr Graham Stuart: With the leave of the House, it is probably the single biggest challenge that we face as a a pleasure to serve—if one serves in this Chamber—and society, which is why the youth contract—that £1 billion to debate under your chairmanship, Mr Betts. I am investment—is so important. An extra £123 million has grateful to all those who have participated in the debate. been earmarked for 16 and 17-year-olds, for the 55,000 More than half the members of the Select Committee of that age group who do not have good GCSEs. They were present today, and we had excellent speeches from will now be engaged through that part of the youth the hon. Members for Wigan (Lisa Nandy) and for contract that is about to be tendered. North West Durham (Pat Glass), from the shadow 309WH Services for Young People22 MARCH 2012 Services for Young People 310WH

[Mr Graham Stuart] The purpose of our inquiry was to recognise that so many youth services struggle to show their impact—we Minister, the hon. Member for Westminster North criticised them for that and also sympathised with them (Ms Buck), from my hon. Friends the Members for because of the impossibility of doing so—but we know Stroud (Neil Carmichael) and for Wells (Tessa Munt) anecdotally from young people that those services are and from the Minister himself. important. We wanted to provide a platform for youth We have repeatedly put one question, so although the services to be heard to ensure that time was found to Minister might be breathing a sigh of relief on ending focus on them. We hoped that the process of conducting his speech, I ask him, if possible, to respond now or to the inquiry would make it less likely that ill-thought-out write to me about how much is being spent on youth and disproportionate cuts would be made by local services. There was a line in the Government books that authorities in a tough situation—caused by the profligate they used for years to say how much they were spending behaviour of the previous Government, to reinforce the on youth services, but when we quoted it the Government Minister’s point and to make a tiny rebuttal of so many and the Minister said, “That number is completely partisan remarks from Opposition Members. wrong.” What is the right number? Where do we look to Despite the Minister’s occasional tetchiness at our find it? probing—

Tim Loughton: Under the local authority returns, to Ms Buck: Occasional? which my hon. Friend is privy and which I thought he had used, the spending on combined youth services for 2009-10 came to a total of £1.104 billion—spent on Mr Stuart: I say “occasional”, but we are working services to young people, such as positive activities, together, and the Minister is committed. One of the best information, advice and guidance, teen pregnancies, things that the Prime Minister is doing for the governance substance misuse and specific youth work. of this country is keeping Ministers in place for a decent period, at least so far. Notwithstanding the Minister’s Mr Stuart: I am grateful to the Minister. The figure tetchiness, I hope that Ministers remain in office for that we used was provided by Select Committee staff longer periods, because that will lead to better understanding from Government figures, which I understand had been of the issues with which they are wrestling. Select used for many years. That sounds like a different figure. Committees, which probe and challenge, and write reports Is that because of the early intervention grant, and such as ours, do so because they care about the issues. I pooling it? Can the Minister throw any other light on hope that any heat, as well as light, that we might the matter, because it does not seem to fit with our generate will strengthen the Minister’s arm. I know that understanding? he is personally committed to the matter, and works tremendously hard to look after the interests of our Tim Loughton: I have quoted the figure for 2009-10, young people. which was before the early intervention grant existed. Mr Stuart: The Committee will look forward to 5.30 pm pursuing that further with the Minister, but if it is a Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order correction I am grateful for it. No. 10(11)). 65WS Written Ministerial Statements22 MARCH 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 66WS

EU agricultural products. The Commission said it was Written Ministerial tackling the issue. I intervened to express the UK’s concern and support for the Commission’s actions. Statements Over lunch, there were discussions on the Japan and India FTAs. There was a significant resistance among Thursday 22 March 2012 several member states to entering negotiations for an FTA without decisive actions by Japan to demonstrate a willingness to give up their market. I intervened to BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS argue strongly for the launch of an FTA negotiation as soon as possible. By contrast, there was a general desire EU Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) to conclude the India FTA. I led the calls for progress, while acknowledging the difficulties.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Norman Lamb): The EU Foreign Industrial Development Advisory Board Affairs Council (Trade) took place in Brussels on 16 March 2012. I represented the UK on all the issues discussed at the meeting. A summary of those discussions follows. The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation Two legislative items were discussed: the regulation and Skills (Mr Mark Prisk): We will shortly commence on transitional arrangements for bilateral investment a “Triennial Review” of the Industrial Development treaties (BITs) and the regulation on the application of Advisory Board, to Cabinet Office guidelines. generalised system of preferences (GSR). As part of the coalition agreement, all Government On the investment regulation, member states endorsed Departments are required to review all their non- the residency compromise proposal as the basis of a departmental public bodies (NDPBs) at least every deal. I intervened to support the presidency’s approach, three years. but emphasised the need to maintain investor certainty in the interim period by ensuring that BITs remain in The Industrial Development Advisory Board has force until replaced by EU agreements and that the final been selected by BIS as one of the NDPBs for which the regulation should be competence neutral. review will commence during the first year of the programme (2011-12). The discussion on the GSP regulation was more difficult, but several member states supported the presidency The review will be conducted as set out in Cabinet compromise proposal. Some, however, indicated they Office guidance, in two stages. still had some concerns. In the run-up to the Council, The first stage will the UK had secured a number of changes to the proposal. Identify and examine the key functions of the Industrial As a result of these changes we were able to join the Development Advisory Board and assess how these functions consensus, and I intervened to support the presidency contribute to the core business of BIS. proposal. The presidency concluded there was a large Assess the requirement for these to continue. majority in favour of its compromise, and it would If continuing, then assess delivery options and where the therefore proceed on that basis, with the addition of a conclusion is that a particular function is still needed examine wider review of impacts at the UK’s request. how this function might best be delivered, including a cost There were three substantive “non-legislative” items: and benefits analysis where appropriate. the EU-Singapore FTA, the EU agreement with Colombia If one of these options is continuing delivery through the and Peru, and the Council conclusions on trade and Industrial Development Advisory Board, then make an development. assessment against the Government’s “three tests”: technical function; political impartiality; need for independence from On the EU-Singapore FTA, there was a debate on the Ministers. state of play in the negotiations, focusing on the outstanding If the outcome of stage 1 is that delivery should issues, including non-tariff barriers, rules of origin, and continue through the Industrial Development Advisory services, especially retail banking. Board then the second stage of the project will be to The Council reached a political agreement on the ensure that it is operating in line with the recognised signature and provisional application of the EU-Andean principles of good corporate governance, using the (Columbia and Peru) FTA and adopted the conclusions Cabinet Office “comply or explain” standard approach. on trade and development without member state comment. The report of the review will be placed in the Libraries Under AOB, the Council discussed the work of the of both Houses. EU-US high-level working group (HLWG) established by the last EU-US summit. The Commission reported If you would like further information or wish to good progress to date. I intervened to underline the comment please e-mail [email protected] strategic and political importance of the HLWG and the significance of this opportunity for strengthening trade and economic relations between the EU and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service US. There was also an AOB point on the anti-counterfeiting trade agreement (ACTA). The Commission informed The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, the Council that in the wake of violent protests and Innovation and Skills (Norman Lamb): As part of the rising opposition from the European Parliament, it had coalition agreement, all Government Departments are referred the agreement to the European Court of Justice required to review all their non-departmental public (ECJ). The last AOB point was on the Russian ban on bodies (NDPBs) at least every three years. ACAS has 67WS Written Ministerial Statements22 MARCH 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 68WS been selected as one of the NDPBs for which the review Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre will commence during the first year of the programme (Performance Targets) (2011-12). The review will be conducted in two stages. The first The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for stage will examine the key functions of ACAS. If the Communities and Local Government (Robert Neill): My outcome of this stage is that delivery should continue, hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the second stage of the project will ensure that ACAS is Department for Communities and Local Government, operating in line with the recognised principles of good Baroness Hanham, has made the following written corporate governance. ministerial statement: The findings at both stages of the review will be I am today announcing that key performance targets have been examined by a challenge group with cross-Government agreed for the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre for the representation. period 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013. Copies of the report of the review will be placed in The agency’s principal financial target for 2012-13 is to achieve the Libraries of both Houses. a minimum dividend payment to the Department for Communities and Local Government of £2.25 million as proposed in the business plan for the year. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT The agency also has the following targets to achieve: A minimum 64% occupancy of its rooms based on a theoretical Fire Service College full occupancy revenue of £9,680,970; Overall score for value for money satisfaction of greater The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for than 90%; Communities and Local Government (Robert Neill): The The number of complaints received to be less than 2 per 100 Government’s response to Fire Futures on 12 April events; and 2011 said that the college can achieve its full potential An average response time when answering complaints of less than four working days. only if there is greater involvement from other sectors (whether private, public or voluntary) in its ownership, operation and governance and that we would DEFENCE “explore with the sector and other organisations options to secure the future of the Fire Service College”. Using evidence gained from the pre-market engagement EU Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) to better inform our view of market appetite and taking into account the review commissioned by the Local The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Government Association, we concluded disposal as a (Mr Gerald Howarth): The EU Foreign Affairs Council going concern to the private sector was the best option will meet in defence formation on 22 March 2012 in to secure the future of the college. Brussels. I will represent the UK. The Fire Service College is a trading fund and Executive We have yet to receive a detailed formal agenda. agency of the Department. Since becoming a trading However, we expect current operations, military capability fund in 1992, it has never been able to pay a dividend and partnerships to be discussed. In the morning session, out of operating profits. This situation cannot persist the European Defence Agency will hold a steering and the Government’s response to Fire Futures on board. 12 April 2011 concluded that the college could achieve its full potential only if there was greater involvement European Defence Agency Steering Board from other sectors in its ownership, operation and Ministers will discuss pooling and sharing initiatives governance. with a view to preparing deliverables for the NATO With the college freed from the constraints of Chicago summit. The UK will continue to work with Government ownership, a private sector owner can the agency and its member states to develop and improve bring innovation and investment to the college, benefiting the agency’s effectiveness and performance, but will taxpayers, local residents, the fire and rescue service urge the EDA to be realistic about its work programme and, ultimately, strengthening national resilience. and budgetary requirements. The steering board will be invited to agree the following action points: The Future Options project considered four options for the future of the college: Joint procurement initiative on common acquisition of EU battle group logistic support be established as a category B The status quo—The college remains as a trading fund of project; the Department. Second joint investment programme on innovative concepts A Government owned contractor operated model—The assets and emerging technologies (ICET 2); remain under Government ownership but management of Category B “Go Green” project; and the college is taken over by a private sector company under a long-term contract, together with the staff. Mandate to establish negotiations for an administrative arrangement between the EDA and the Republic of Serbia. Disposal as a going concern—The college is sold to a private sector company who would continue to operate the college While the UK is content that the agency develops as a training centre. work on EU battle group logistic support and ICET 2 Closure—The college’s activities cease, staff are made redundant and for other nations to participate, we will not be and the site is sold for an alternative use. participating in these projects. We note the desire of the Analysis of the four options showed disposal as a agency to move into the energy arena, as demonstrated going concern to be the best option. It is the only option by the “Go Green” proposal. However, the UK has which both fully removes from Government the ongoing no plans to participate in this project. The UK is financial risks of ownership of the college and preserves fully supportive of an EU and NATO future for all a national training college for the fire and rescue service. western Balkan countries and therefore will support an 69WS Written Ministerial Statements22 MARCH 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 70WS administrative arrangement which enhances co-operation 84.6% last year. A further 7.8% of families were offered and opens dialogue between the EDA and the Republic a place at their second preference school and 95.9% of Serbia. were offered a place at one of their three preferred In addition to the action points, the steering board schools. In total, 97.6% of families were offered a place will be provided with an update of the pooling and at one of their preferred schools. I am placing a copy of sharing opportunities which have been developed by the these data in the Library of the House. EDA, which includes a request that Ministers agree to a There is considerable variation in these figures nationally. political declaration on air-to-air refuelling (AAR) Outside London, nearly 88.5% of parents were offered capabilities, and sign a declaration of intent for the a place at their first preference school. The north-east establishment of multinational modular medical units continues to have the highest percentage of first preference (M3U). offers with 95.1% and west midlands continues to have Noting that there is a gap among other European the lowest with 81.3%. For Greater London, this figure nations in AAR capability and that the declaration on is 67.5%. AAR is not for signature, is not legally binding, and Parents have the right of appeal against any application carries no financial commitment, we are content to that has been turned down; and over the summer, agree this agenda item. M3U has been identified as a admission authorities will be hearing those appeals as critical shortfall in European nations capabilities, and it well as dealing with late applications. Our priority is to is the EDA’s intention to establish these units which get every child into school as quickly as possible. should enhance and improve standards, procedures and All parents should have the opportunity to send their inter-operability among member states. The UK does child to a good local school of their choice. Our school not wish to participate in the M3U project as the reforms will raise standards and create more good schools. United Kingdom believes it duplicates activities currently We are working to increase the supply of good school being undertaken in NATO. places by the rapid expansion of the academies programme, FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL (DEFENCE) establishing more free schools and giving all schools The three current EU operations, Operation Atalanta more freedom to expand the number of places they (counter-piracy). Operation Althea (Bosnia and offer. We are encouraging the best and brightest into Herzegovina) and EU training mission Somalia (military teaching and we are turning around underperforming training mission) will be discussed in the Council with schools that are failing their pupils. the respective Operation Commanders. I will be able to In the White Paper, “The Importance of Teaching”, announce that the UK has cleared an extension to we announced our intention to review the school admissions Operation Atalanta’s mandate through parliamentary code and the appeals code, with a view to delivering a scrutiny. Future common security and defence policy simpler, more streamlined admissions process. The new (CSDP) operations are also likely to be discussed, with codes which came into force on 1 February have removed a focus on the soon to be launched regional maritime many of the unnecessary and costly burdens on schools capacity-building (RMCB) mission off the horn of and local authorities making the system simpler for Africa, but also including possible missions in the Sahel parents and admission authorities to understand, and and Libya. Further to the Foreign Secretary’s agreement more transparent. at the Foreign Affairs Council in December 2011 to the establishment of an operation centre specifically to Further details of the statistical release of “Applications co-ordinate the RCMB mission, a Council decision on and offers for entry to secondary schools in England in the activation of the operations centre may be agreed. I the academic year 2012/2013” can be viewed on the also intend to indicate our support for ongoing operations. DFE Research and Statistics Gateway. Finally, Ministers will discuss EU partnerships and how these can be enhanced during which I will emphasise the importance of improving EU-NATO relations. ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Discussion on the US Strategic Defence Guidance Discussions will focus on the changing strategic context, Habitats and Wild Birds Directive in particular the implications of US defence guidance and budget cuts for Europe and CSDP. The UK will continue to emphasise that European nations must The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and invest their scarce resources in real military capability Rural Affairs (Mrs Caroline Spelman): I am pleased to rather than wasteful institution building. It is also important announce that the Government have published their to ensure that, wherever possible, military capability is report on the habitats and wild birds directives inter-operable and coherent avoiding any duplication implementation review. with NATO, which is and must remain the first and The review was launched at the autumn statement. foremost pillar of European defence. At that time I underlined our strong support for the aims of these directives, and clearly explained how we EDUCATION want to ensure that they continue to be effective in protecting our vital network of wildlife sites and species, Secondary School Applications some of our most valuable environmental assets. The review has provided a timely opportunity to take The Minister of State, Department for Education a fresh look at the way the habitats and wild birds (Mr Nick Gibb): Today we are publishing data, based directives are being implemented in England and to find on returns from 151 local authorities, showing that out how we can do things better, more simply, and more across the country 85.3% of families received an offer at efficiently without compromising their fundamental their first preference secondary school—compared with objectives. 71WS Written Ministerial Statements22 MARCH 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 72WS

Today’s report sets out the findings from this important The discussion on the southern neighbourhood is piece of work. It includes a strong, practical set of likely to be broad. It comes soon after the UN Security measures designed to make it easier for people who Council debate of 12 March, “The Situation in the need to work with the regulations to understand them Middle East: Challenges and Opportunities”, where the and comply, thereby enhancing the reputation and Foreign Secretary sought to refocus efforts on transition environmental integrity of the directives. Designed to and the Arab spring. The discussion may also cover facilitate major infrastructure, improve guidance, data Libya and the issue of mistreatment of detainees and and the customer experience, key measures include: Egypt where there are concerns about the pace of Establishing a cross-Government major infrastructure and transition to civilian government. environment unit to start in April 2012 to improve pre-application identification and support resolution of issues associated FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL (FAC) with the directives for nationally significant infrastructure The High Representative of the European Union for projects. Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Ashton Publishing by November 2012 a draft of new simplified of Upholland, will chair the Foreign Affairs Council on overarching guidance manual which will clarify key legal 23 March. terms involved in the development authorisation process. Belarus This will ensure that guidance is more accessible and easily understandable by both large and small developers. We expect Ministers to consider further sanctions against Belarus in response to the continued detention Action to tackle data gaps to reduce delays and higher costs, particularly for marine developments, by requiring statutory of political prisoners. Formal conclusions may also be nature conservation bodies to agree an evidence plan with agreed, and Ministers may discuss the political and developers upfront for nationally significant infrastructure human rights situation in Belarus. projects, and by new data collection and sharing Syria arrangements—including a new habitats and wild birds directives We are seeking a thirteenth-round of EU sanctions marine evidence group. against Syria. Ministers may also consider conclusions Holding all relevant public bodies to account for a more reinforcing our messages on humanitarian assistance customer-focused culture which will support sustainable and on support to the UN Secretary-General’s special development. representative, Kofi Annan. Ministers are also likely to I am grateful for the strong contributions to the work discuss the next Friends of Syria meeting in Istanbul, in of the review from a wide cross section of stakeholders. the first week of April. I look forward to continuing to work closely together Sahel with them as we deliver the important set of measures Ministers are likely to be to be presented with draft in today’s package. conclusions on the Sahel and proposals for a Common The full response and terms of reference for the Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) mission to be major infrastructure and environment unit are available launched in Niger in 2012. Recent developments in the on the DEFRA website www.defra.gov.uk. Sahel—including violence in northern Mali, proliferation of weapons, increasing terrorist activity and a deteriorating humanitarian situation—underline the scope and scale of the challenges faced by countries in the region and FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE the importance of helping to build their institutional capacity. Iran Foreign Affairs Council and General Affairs Council Although Iran is not yet a formal agenda item, we expect Ashton to update Ministers on the E3 (UK, France and Germany) +3 (US, China and Russia) response The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington): My to the latest Iranian letter on nuclear negotiations. right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Ministers may also discuss the disturbing human Commonwealth Affairs will attend the Foreign Affairs rights situation in Iran following the 8 March report of Council (FAC) on 23 March. I will attend the General the UN special rapporteur for human rights in Iran to Affairs Council (GAC) on 26 March. the Human Rights Council. EU member states are expected to review and agree to new designations of Meeting with EU candidate countries human rights violators in Iran. Ahead of the FAC, on the 22 March, EU Ministers Lunch with Turkish Foreign Minister are due to meet their counterparts from EU candidate countries: Macedonia, Iceland, Montenegro, Serbia and The Turkish Foreign Minister is scheduled to attend Turkey. They are scheduled to discuss Afghanistan, the FAC lunch where we expect Ministers to discuss a Pakistan and the southern neighbourhood. range of regional issues, including Syria. Baroness Ashton may also provide an update on recent developments in On Afghanistan, we want the EU and its partners to the middle east peace process, including informal Quartet send a strong message of the international community’s consultations. This discussion is not expected to lead to enduring commitment to Afghanistan’s security and formal conclusions—which are instead expected at the economic viability beyond 2014 in build up to the subsequent FAC in April. forthcoming NATO Chicago summit and Tokyo development conference. GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL (GAG) On Pakistan, we will want to stress the important role The GAC will be chaired by the Danish EU presidency. it has to play in bringing stability to Afghanistan as the There are two main items on the GAC agenda in importance of the EU’s relationship with Pakistan in its March. The first is follow-up to the March European own right. Council. 73WS Written Ministerial Statements22 MARCH 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 74WS

The conclusions of the March European Council people with disabilities when the UK ratified that convention meeting can be found at: http://www.european-council. in 2009, in line with a commitment provided by my europa.eu/council-meetings/conclusions.aspx predecessor. The second substantive item is the multi-annual financial After consideration of all relevant factors, and of the framework, where there will be a stock-take of progress views expressed by corporate partners in response to made in technical working groups and a discussion on: the consultation that was a part of the review, I have Heading One A: Competitiveness for growth and decided the reservation should be retained. A summary employment, consisting of research and innovation of the responses to the consultation will be placed in the programmes, education, training, trans-European networks, Libraries of both Houses. social policy programmes economic integration and This decision was made because it was considered accompanying policies. that the reservation remains necessary to safeguard our Heading Three: Citizenship, freedom, security and ability to apply immigration policies in accordance with justice, which includes programmes such as training for existing immigration and equality legislation. The Equality legal professionals; strengthening networks, cross-border Act permits differential treatment for specified immigration co-operation on enforcement; information and raising decisions if it is necessary for the public good. public awareness. I am aware this will not be welcome to all parties, and Heading Four: EU as a global player which helps to so I would like to explain the reasons. The reservation deliver on global poverty reduction, building stability has been kept in order to retain the right to apply and security beyond the borders of the EU, specifically immigration rules, to avoid creating an unnecessary in the European neighbourhood and fragile states, new avenue to challenge immigration decisions due to supporting the EU’s prosperity agenda with emerging the optional protocol, and to preserve the right to economies and tackling global climate change. safeguard the public purse from excessive demands Heading Five: Administration; which mostly constitutes which may be placed on it. staff salaries and the upkeep of the EU institutions’ estates. JUSTICE This discussion will inform the drafting of the ‘negotiating Justice Programme box’ which will help to establish the ceilings for all of the headings in the multi-annual financial framework. The negotiating box is like a set of Council conclusions, The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice and though this document is not binding it seeks to (Mr Kenneth Clarke): The Government on 16 March establish a set of parameters for the negotiation. My decided not to opt in to the European Commission’s overriding objective will be to ensure that the negotiating proposed regulation establishing for the period 2014-20 box reflects restraint and leads to a final budget that the justice programme. reflects the fiscal consolidation that is being undertaken The stated objectives of the Commission’s proposal at home. are to promote judicial co-operation in civil and criminal matters, to facilitate access to justice and to prevent and FCO Services (Performance Targets) reduce drug supply and demand. Funding schemes have been operated by the EU for many years, and are an established non-legislative The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign mechanism to promote cross-border cooperation on and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Henry Bellingham): specific issues. The Government support such instruments FCO Services operates as a trading fund of the FCO. I in principle, and particularly action which leads to more have set the following performance targets for 2012-13: effective implementation and to effective evaluation of 1. An in-year surplus before interest and tax producing a net EU law, providing they add value and fill a gap which is margin of between 1% and 5% not met either through other EU work or by the member 2. A return on capital employed of at least 3.5% (weighted average) states. 3. Cost of corporate functions asa%ofrevenueofnomore Although there are some aspects of the proposal that than 10% could be welcomed, the Government are not satisfied 4. A utilisation rate for revenue earning staff of between on the value for money of the programme as a whole. 75-80% The Government recognise that this decision will 5. Customer satisfaction rating to be within or above the have an impact on organisations that have received 2nd quartile in the UK Customer Satisfaction Index, as funding under the predecessors of this scheme. They produced by the Institute of Customer Service intend to participate in the negotiations so that a post- 6. Employee engagement in FCO Services using civil service adoption opt-in could be considered if it transpired that survey of at least 56% the focus of the activities to be funded truly added value FCO Services will report to Parliament on its success and was worthwhile. against these targets through its annual report for 2012-13. If we do not opt in to a programme, the UK would make its contributions to the EU budget as a whole, HOME DEPARTMENT including to the fund which is the subject of the opt-in decision, for the year in question in the normal way. UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities Then, in the following year we would receive a refund based on the actual level of expenditure from that fund and our gross national income (GNI) share. There The Minister for Immigration (Damian Green): Ihave would also be an impact on the abatement, as we would reviewed the reservation for immigration functions which not receive an abatement on funds where we had not the UK lodged to the UN convention on the rights of opted in.

13P Petitions22 MARCH 2012 Petitions 14P

Although the decision on whether a school should Petition become an academy is voluntary for the vast majority of schools, we think it is right that action is taken at Thursday 22 March 2012 schools which are not providing an acceptable standard of education to their pupils. The Education Act 2011, which was granted Royal Assent on 15 November last OBSERVATIONS year, gave the Secretary of State additional powers to intervene in poorly performing schools to help ensure academic standards are raised. EDUCATION The Secretary of State informed the school in December Closure of Downhills Primary School, Tottenham that he was considering replacing the governors with interim executive members to give the school the leadership The Petition of residents of Tottenham, and expertise it needs to improve. The school was then Declares that the Petitioners believe that there has given a period of time to respond to this proposed been inadequate consultation about the Secretary of action. The school has been given a further opportunity State for Education’s plans to close Downhills Primary to meet officials in the Department and make School and re-open it as an academy; that the Petitioners representations concerning the proposed action of the value the links with the community that the school has Secretary of State after the Ofsted inspection which maintained over the last 100 years; that the Petitioners found that the school required special measures. We believe that the Secretary of State’s plans are undemocratic considered the school’s representations carefully and and undermine the recent progress that has been made have also considered Ofsted’s findings following their towards improving standards at the school and that the most recent inspection. Petitioners oppose any attempts to change the status of Based on all the relevant information before us we the school without the consent of the community. were not confident that the governing body would be The Petitioners therefore request that the House of able to make the improvements necessary to turn the Commons urges the Secretary of State for Education school around. The Secretary of State decided, therefore, not to exercise his powers to close Downhills Primary to issue an Academy Order requiring Haringey local School and re-open it as an academy. authority to cease to maintain the school if a funding And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr David agreement for an academy is signed and to appoint an Lammy, Official Report, 23 January 2012; Vol. 539, interim executive board. This was done on 15 March c. 138.] [P000998] 2012. The interim executive board is responsible for Observations from the Secretary of State for Education: securing improvements in the school and the Secretary of State has additionally asked it to consult on whether In June 2011, the Secretary of State set out an the school should convert into an academy sponsored objective of turning around underperforming primary by the Harris Federation. schools by finding new academy sponsors for them. The 2011 key stage 2 tests show that Haringey is the The IEB will report the outcome of the consultation worst performing borough in inner London, with the to the Secretary of State and he will consider this, and highest number of primary schools below the floor other relevant factors such as Ofsted’s findings, the standard. performance at the school and its financial health Downhills primary school’s key stage 2 results have before taking a decision on whether to enter into an been below the floor standard from 2005-09. The school agreement to allow the school to become an academy. boycotted KS2 tests in 2010. In 2011 it remains below I understand the community value the links they have the floor on progression measures but is just above on had with the Downhills school over the years and that attainment measures (61%). The school was judged by they may be worried that they will disappear if the Ofsted as requiring significant improvement in January school were to become an academy. Academies have 2011 and was issued with a Notice to Improve. Upon parents and other talented local people on their governing re-inspection in January 2012, inspectors judged that bodies, and are required to work at the heart of their standards at the school had deteriorated over the last communities, collaborating and sharing facilities and 12 months and placed it into special measures. This is a expertise with other schools and the wider community. serious judgment and not one given lightly by Ofsted. Ofsted found that the school was failing to give its Our motivation is simply to raise and maintain pupils an acceptable standard of education and that academic standards for children. We want to find those responsible for leading, managing and governing lasting solutions to underperformance so that children the school did not have the capacity to secure the in Haringey can have the kind of opportunities enjoyed necessary improvement. in neighbouring areas.

791W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 792W Written Answers to Embassies: Gardens

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Questions and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent on gardening and landscaping services at UK embassies and residences in each of the last five years. Thursday 22 March 2012 [100793]

Mr Lidington: Data on gardening and landscaping NORTHERN IRELAND costs across our network of 260 posts is not all held Patrick Finucane Review centrally and could be supplied only at disproportionate cost. Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has a worldwide Ireland pursuant to the oral answer of 7 March 2012, overseas estate consisting of several hundred buildings Official Report, columns 832-3, on the Pat Finucane and sites. Gardening and landscaping is an integral part review, when the oversight team was appointed; who of the maintenance and facilities management of many appointed the team; who was appointed to the team; of these properties. We are committed to reducing costs how much the appointees will be paid; what guidelines wherever possible and ensuring best value for money. he has issued to the appointees; what process was used to appoint members of the oversight team; what the remit of the team will be in respect of ongoing police Human Rights investigations; what powers the team will be given; how many cases he expects the team to be involved in in the Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for next 12 months; which police interviews with suspects Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the oversight team has attended since it was set up; to bring forward legislative proposals to implement the whether the team has made any recommendations or resolution of the House of 7 March on human rights observations to (a) the police and (b) his Department; abuses and the death of Sergei Magnitsky. [101220] and whether the Security Services were informed about the appointment of the team prior to its establishment. [101019] Mr Lidington: We are carefully considering the implications of the resolution agreed by the House of Mr Swire: I understand that in November 2010 the Commons on 7 March 2012 and the views expressed Police Service of Northern Ireland appointed an oversight during the debate. panel, Baroness O’Loan and Mr Richard Harvey, to The Magnitsky case is of serious concern to the receive regular and comprehensive briefings on the progress Government and one in which there is a clear need for of the PSNI’s investigation Operation Stafford. This is Russia to act. It is vital that the Russian authorities an investigation into a series of murders and other complete a thorough and transparent investigation into serious crimes in north Belfast. Mr Magnitsky’s death without further delay, as this The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, my right case has wider implications for the rule of law and hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Mr respect for human rights in Russia. Our fundamental Paterson), has no locus in respect of the investigation or goal is to ensure that the Russian Government secure the oversight panel. The investigating team has not justice for Mr Magnitsky and put measures in place to made any observations or recommendations to the prevent such cases from happening again. We will continue Northern Ireland Office. to do what we consider will best help achieve this.

Libya FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Council of Ministers Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign made of the security situation in Libya. [100861] and Commonwealth Affairs what EU legislation in the Council of Ministers the Government has (a) vetoed, Alistair Burt: As the Prime Minister said on the (b) voted against, (c) abstained on and (d) voted in anniversary of the revolution on 17 February, the Libyan favour of in each of the last three years. [101380] authorities are making steady progress towards a peaceful country and in coping with the terrible legacy they have Mr Lidington: We do not hold this information centrally, inherited. However, there are many challenges ahead, nor is a collated version available online. To provide this including disarming militias and building new Libyan information in the form requested would therefore incur security institutions. The Libyan Transitional Government disproportionate cost. understands the importance of these crucial tasks to However, the results of any individual vote in the establishing a secure environment throughout the country Council of Ministers on any piece of EU legislation can and is making gradual progress. The UK is providing be accessed at the following website: senior-level strategic policing advice to the Interior http://www.consilium.europa.eu/documents/legislative- Ministry and strategic defence training to senior Libyan transparency/public-votes?lang=en military officers. 793W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 794W

Lost Property The programme will make £37 million available to establish around 15 creative people and places projects Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for between autumn 2012 and autumn 2015. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what property has been lost or stolen from his Department in the last 12 Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, months; and what the estimated cost was of Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has replacement of such property. [100896] had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the place of arts and culture in Mr Lidington: Records are held relating to various local regeneration projects. [101504] losses and thefts of both personal property and official furnishings, including IT equipment losses. However, Mr Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, the information is held separately by our network of Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for overseas posts and at different sites in the UK, and to South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), has met with the Secretary collate and provide it would incur disproportionate of State for Communities and Local Government, my cost. right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), on a regular basis to discuss a wide variety of issues. CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Regeneration: English Regions Film

Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure that consideration is given to the arts taking to promote the film industry. [101311] as part of the Government’s regeneration plans for towns and cities in the English regions. [R] [101302] Mr Vaizey: The Government will respond in the spring to the independent policy review, which was Mr Vaizey: This Government recognise the crucial asked to identify barriers to growth in the British film role that the arts can play in regeneration not just in industry. In addition, the Government recently re-notified England, but across the United Kingdom. the film tax credit which helped generate over £1 billion This is why my Department recently announced our of film production investment in the UK last year intention to hold a competition to select a UK City of alone. We also plan to introduce several new tax reliefs Culture for 2017, continuing a scheme which is already for the creative industries as part of our ambition to transforming Derry/Londonderry. make the UK the technology hub of Europe. Arts Mobile Phones: Rural Areas Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what support his Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for Department is providing to the creative industries. Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment [101300] he has made of the potential effect on those in rural areas of those areas having a choice of fewer than four Mr Vaizey: We have already introduced the Creative mobile operators. [101067] Industries Council and maintained existing direct support for film through the national lottery and film tax relief. Mr Vaizey: The Mobile Infrastructure Project is focusing Building on this success the Chancellor yesterday announced on areas where there is currently no coverage from any plans to introduce similar tax reliefs for the video mobile network operator. Government and Ofcom do games, animation and high end TV production sectors. recognise that limited coverage is important and we are The UK has some of the world’s most successful creative working with industry to seek solutions. However, it industries and yesterday’s Budget will ensure that they should be borne in mind that rural customers will have can continue to grow and support jobs up and down the access to the same rates and packages as those in urban country. areas. So while the choice may be lower in places, this should have no direct impact on the prices people pay. Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will take steps to improve levels of participation and engagement with Newspaper Press the arts in deprived areas in the English regions. [101496] Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Mr Vaizey: Individual funding decisions are made by for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport which Arts Council England (ACE) at arm’s length from newspaper proprietors he has met since the start of the Government. Leveson inquiry. [101402] We are however pleased to note that ACE are currently running the Creative People and Places fund, which will Mr Vaizey: Details of all ministerial meetings with focus on parts of the country where people’s involvement external organisations are published on our website: in the arts is significantly below the national average. www.transparency.culture.gov.uk 795W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 796W

Press Complaints Commission LEADER OF THE HOUSE Ministers Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Alun Michael: To ask the Leader of the House what replacement of the Press Complaints Commission by a plans he has for imposition of penalties on Ministers new regulatory body on the self-regulation of the press. who do not meet the requirements of the House in [101400] respect of ministerial statements. [101329]

Mr Vaizey: The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) Sir George Young: Ministers are always mindful of is an independent body: any reforms by the PCC are a the requirement of the Ministerial Code that “when matter for them. The Leveson Inquiry was established Parliament is in session, the most important announcements by the Government last July and will make of Government policy should be made in the first recommendations to this Department about reform for instance in Parliament”. The proposition that there the system of press regulation, which the Secretary of should be specific penalties imposed by this House was State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right considered and rejected after the debate which took hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr place on 5 December 2011, Official Report, columns 38-81. Hunt), will consider carefully.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State HEALTH for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Press Complaints Commission (a) Abortion: Advisory Services prior to and (b) following the announcement that it will be replaced by a new regulatory body. [101401] Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that respondents to his Mr Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Department’s forthcoming consultation on abortion Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for counselling declare any (a) religious or ideological South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), has had one official pro-life beliefs and (b) organisational funding from meeting with the Chairman and Director for Transition pro-life groups. [101013] of the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) since the announcement that it will be replaced by a new regulatory Anne Milton: The forthcoming consultation on pregnancy body. This is the first official meeting the Secretary of counselling will be carried out in accordance with the State has had with Lord Hunt since his appointment as Government Code of Practice on consultations that Chair of the PCC in Oct 2011. became effective from 1 November 2008. Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Ministers have agreed that the Government Code of for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment Practice on Consultation is binding on United Kingdom he has made of the potential effect of the replacement Departments and their agencies unless Ministers conclude of the Press Complaints Commission by a new regulatory that exceptional circumstances require a departure from body on the handling of complaints about the press by it. members of the public. [101403] Among other things, the Code of Practice on Consultation states that: Mr Vaizey: Reform of the Press Complaints Commission “it is important to understand who different bodies represent, is a matter for the chairman, Lord Hunt, but he has and how the response has been pulled together, e.g. whether the assured this Department that the complaints handling views of members of a representative body were sought prior to function will continue through the period of transition. drafting the response.” and Tourism “the Government should provide a summary of who responded to the consultation Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, exercise and a summary of the views expressed to each question. Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to This information should normally be published before or alongside support cross-regional tourist strategies. [101505] any further action, e.g. laying legislation before Parliament.” However, the guidance does not specifically state that John Penrose: VisitEngland work closely with Destination respondents should declare beliefs or funding, and so Management Organisations (DMOs) across the country, respondents of this consultation will be under no obligation promoting better co-ordination, partnership working to do so. and best practice through the ″Strategic Framework for Tourism in England″, developed in consultation with Ambulance Services the tourism industry. VisitEngland has also established a forum bringing together DMOs from across the country Sir Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for to facilitate this work. Health what guidance is available for local ambulance VisitEngland’s current domestic tourism marketing trusts in relation to determining the location and level campaign will support this work, as will the programme of ambulance provision in an area. [101045] of work undertaken through the regional growth fund and the promotion of rural tourism through the Mr Simon Burns: The decision on location and level Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ of ambulance provision is one to be made locally by rural development programme for England. ambulance trusts. No specific guidance is available, 797W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 798W but ambulance services undertake detailed modelling of Intellectual Property 999 calls and incidents by hour of day and day of week by geographical area and ambulance services and then Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for base their ambulance resources in line with national Health whether his Department has a role in intellectual response time targets. property policy development. [101251] Sir Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what risk assessments are required to be made Mr Simon Burns: The overall policy lead for Intellectual by an ambulance trust seeking to reconfigure its service Property is held by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills via the Intellectual Property Office. Many provision. [101046] Government Departments have an interest in intellectual property, and the policy making process, including collective Mr Simon Burns: Any strategy, plan or business case ministerial consideration of proposals, reflects those for reconfiguration would have a risk and impact assessment interests. The Department of Health has an interest in section. This would look at clinical, operational and patents associated with the life sciences industry in financial risks and often would involve a risk assessment particular, and works closely with the Intellectual Property scoring matrix to assess the level of risk—high, medium Office in this area. or low—as well as a risk mitigation section. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Sir Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what public consultation is required to be made by an ambulance trust seeking to reconfigure its service Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for provision. [101047] Health (1) what information his Department holds on the number of staff that have been made redundant by Mr Simon Burns: This is a decision to be taken locally the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust since May by individual ambulance trusts, in line with guidance 2010; what the average cost per staff member was of documents “Real Involvement” and “Changing for the such redundancies; how many redundancies involved Better” and on the basis of obligations established by an individual redundancy payment of over £40,000; s.242 (1B) of the NHS Act 2006. and what the cost to the public purse has been of such redundancies since May 2010; [101264] (2) how many redundancies there were in the Leeds Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Health Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust as a result of the Services implementation of NHS reforms in financial year 2010-11; how many he expects there to be in financial year (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14; and Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for what resources he plans to transfer to Leeds Teaching Health what estimate he has made of the number of Hospitals NHS Trust to cover the cost of his proposed people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who NHS reorganisation. [101265] (a) require and (b) have access to specialist physiotherapy- led rehabilitation services; and if he will make a statement. [101145] Mr Simon Burns: Information is not available in the format requested. Mr Simon Burns: The Department does not collect Information on the number, total cost and average this information centrally. cost of exit packages, and the number and cost of exit packages over £40,000 for Leeds Teaching Hospitals However, the Impact Assessment on ‘A Consultation NHS Trust in 2010-11, is shown in the following table: on a Strategy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) services in England’, published in February Total Total cost 2010, estimated the following: Average number of exit Total Total cost cost of of exit packages around 716,000 people with COPD require pulmonary number of exit exit packages over rehabilitation; and of exit packages packages over £40,000 around 644,000 people with COPD who require it have access packages (£000) (£000) £40,000 (£000) to pulmonary rehabilitation. Leeds 2 107 54 2 107 A copy has already been placed in the Library and is Teaching Hospitals available on the Department’s website at: NHS Trust www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/ Notes: @dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_113280.pdf 1. The data is taken from the audited summarisation schedules of NHS trusts, from which the NHS (England) Summarised Accounts are prepared. The The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence disclosure in the accounts reports the number and value of exit packages taken (NICE) Quality Standard for COPD contains a quality by staff leaving in the year. 2. Exit packages include compulsory redundancies and other departures. The statement on pulmonary rehabilitation: latter includes the cost of both early retirements (excluding those relating to ‘People with COPD meeting appropriate criteria are offered an ill-health) and voluntary redundancies. It is not possible to separately identify the value of either of these costs from the data collected. An overall figure for effective, timely and accessible multidisciplinary pulmonary redundancies is not separately identifiable. rehabilitation programme.’ 3. Figures for the 2011-12 financial year will be available in the summer, once the Department’s annual report and accounts are laid before Parliament. NICE Quality Standards set out what good care and 4. The expense associated with these departures may have been recognised in management look like, and can be used by health care part or in full in a previous period. professionals and local commissioners to ensure that Source: local services are appropriate to their population’s need. Audited summarisation schedules of national health service trusts. 799W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 800W

Information on the reasons for redundancies is not NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified School Nurses in England, the North West Strategic Health Authority (SHA) area and the centrally held. Responsibility for determining the level Cumbria Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT) as at 30 September each of work force required to ensure the delivery of high specified year quality care is a matter for the local NHS. As such, Headcount information on the number of redundancies expected at 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in 2011-12, 2012-13 North West 223 250 299 364 338 and 2013-14 is not centrally held. SHA We recognised in the White Paper “Equity and excellence: of which: Liberating the NHS” that, as a result of the record Cumbria 38 15 18 24 22 national debt and lower spending growth available to Teaching PCT the NHS in the coming years, the service will employ Notes: fewer staff at the end of this Parliament, although 1. The new headcount methodology for 2010 data is not fully comparable with previous years data due to improvements that make it a more stringent count rebalanced towards clinical staffing and frontline support of absolute staff numbers. Further information on the headcount rather than excessive administration. methodology is available in the Census publication at: www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/010_Workforce/nhsstaff0010/ Revenue allocations are made to primary care Census_Bulletin_March_2011_Final.pdf trusts (PCTs). These allocations are not broken down 2. Two other organisations cover the Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency, by service or policy area. It is for PCTs to decide how the. North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust and Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Neither of these organisations employed their resources are allocated to meet the healthcare school nurses in any of the specified years. needs of their local populations, in line with local and 3. Data Quality: The Health and Social Care Information Centre seeks to national priorities. minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality where changes Multiple Sclerosis: Health Services impact on figures already published. This is assessed, but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses. Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what Source: plans he has for the development of quality standards Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census for multiple sclerosis; and if he proposes that the quality standards will be developed alongside the review of the Organs: Donors National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guidelines on multiple sclerosis. [100931] Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were added to the organ Paul Burstow: We have asked the National Institute donor register in Haltemprice and Howden constituency for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to develop a in each of the last five years for which data is available. Quality Standard on multiple sclerosis, as part of a [101547] library of approximately 170 NHS Quality Standards. It is for NICE to schedule the production of the Quality Anne Milton: The information requested is in the Standards and to determine how best it should be following table. co-ordinated with the update of its existing clinical guideline on multiple sclerosis. Number on the organ donor register in Haltemprice and Howden constituency by year 2007 to 2011 I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial Year of registration Number statement I gave on 19 March 2012, Official Report, column 50WS. 2007 1,397 2008 1,483 Nurses: Schools 2009 1,531 2010 1,576 Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 2011 1,379 (1) what the ratio of full-time equivalent school nurses Current total—20 March 2012 30,866 to pupils was in (a) Westmorland and Lonsdale Source: constituency, (b) Cumbria, (c) the north-west and (d) NHS Blood and Transplant England in each of the last five years; [101378] (2) how many qualified school nurses there were in Prescription Drugs (a) Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency, (b) Cumbria and (c) the north-west region in each of the Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for last five years. [101501] Health pursuant to the answer of 15 March 2012, Official Report, column 378W, on drugs: shortages, Anne Milton: Information on pupil to nurse ratio is what discussions he has had with local pharmacy not collected by the Department, The following table committees on shortages of medicines. [101379] gives the number of school nurses employed in the areas requested in the last five years. Mr Simon Burns: The Department has not had NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified School Nurses in discussions with local pharmaceutical committees regarding England, the North West Strategic Health Authority (SHA) area and the drugs shortages. However, we continue to meet with Cumbria Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT) as at 30 September each specified year national supply chain stakeholders regularly to review Headcount supply issues. Participants at these meetings include the 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee which promotes and supports the interests of all national England 1,129 1,227 1,447 1,620 1,467 health service community pharmacies in England and of which: works closely with local pharmaceutical committees. 801W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 802W

South London and Maudsley NHS Trust Table 2: Median waiting time to transplant for paediatric patients registered on the deceased kidney transplant list, 2005-081 Median wait Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Centre Total patients (days) what remuneration was paid to the chief executive of the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust in each Birmingham 44 572 Bristol 33 228 year since his appointment. [101455] Glasgow 19 145 Mr Simon Burns: This is a matter for the South Leeds 40 211 London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. We London, Great Ormond Street Hospital 44 423 have written to the trust’s chair, Madeliene Long, informing London, Guy’s Hospital 23 415 her of your inquiry. She will reply shortly and a copy of Manchester 30 364 the letter will be placed in the Library. Newcastle 8 542 Nottingham 39 374 Transplant Surgery UK 328 357 1 Latest published data. Source: Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for NHS Blood and Transplant. Health what the average waiting time for (a) kidney, Table 3: Median waiting time of adults1 registered on the active non-urgent 2 (b) liver and (c) heart transplants was in (i) Hull and transplant list, 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2010—Cardiothoracic transplants East Yorkshire NHS Hospitals Trust, (ii) Yorkshire and Active waiting time (days) Median waiting Humber and (iii) England in each of the last five years time estimate for which figures are available. [101546] Centre Heart/lung (days) Total registrations

Anne Milton: The information is not available in the Birmingham Heart 71 25 format requested. Information regarding average waiting Lung 353 36 times is recorded by transplant centres as in the following Heart and Lung 3—3 tables. Table 1: Median waiting time to transplant for adult patients registered on the Glasgow Heart 302 12 deceased kidney transplant list, 2005-081 Median wait Great Heart 73 2 Centre Total patients (days) Ormond Street Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge 433 823 Lung 3—2 Belfast City Hospital, Belfast 244 1,651 Churchill Hospital, Oxford 432 1,006 Derriford Hospital, Plymouth 230 631 Harefield Heart 688 36 Freeman Hospital, Newcastle 403 779 Lung 299 107 Guy’s Hospital, London 496 1,164 Leicester General Hospital, Leicester 403 1,825 Manchester Heart 657 28 Manchester Royal Infirmary, 640 1,343 Manchester Lung 511 69 Northern General Hospital, Sheffield 231 1,338 Heart and Lung 116 1 Nottingham University Hospitals 253 1,310 NHS Trust Newcastle Heart 377 34 Queen Alexandra Hospital, 364 1,053 Portsmouth Lung 498 130 Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 639 1,620 Heart and Lung 3—1 Birmingham Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 360 1,337 Edinburgh Papworth Heart 217 44 Royal Liverpool University Hospital, 321 1,059 Lung 140 79 Liverpool Heart and Lung 452 13 Southmead Hospital, Bristol 426 1,158 St George’s Hospital, London 445 1,311 St James’s University Hospital, Leeds 579 944 UK Heart 293 181 The Royal Free Hospital, London 348 994 Lung 347 423 The Royal London Hospital, London 365 1,171 Heart and Lung 452 18 University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff 415 987 1 Adult registration is a patient aged 16 years or older at time of registration Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry 137 1,569 onto the transplant list. 2 West London Renal and Transplant 576 1,314 Excludes urgent heart registrations. 3 Centre Indicates summary statistics not estimated due to small numbers of patients therefore unable to conduct further analysis. Western Infirmary, Glasgow 389 1,312 Note: UK 9,091 1,191 There were an additional 89 adult registrations on the urgent heart transplant 1 Latest published data. list, in this time period. Source: Source: NHS Blood and Transplant NHS Blood and Transplant. Table 2: Median waiting time to transplant for paediatric patients registered on Table 4: Median waiting time to elective liver transplant in the UK for adult the deceased kidney transplant list, 2005-081 patients (=17 years) registered between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2010 Median wait Centre Total patients Median wait (days) Centre Total patients (days) Birmingham 386 99 Belfast 11 415 Cambridge 222 105 803W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 804W

Table 4: Median waiting time to elective liver transplant in the UK for adult scheme since coming to power and they have currently patients (=17 years) registered between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2010 no plans to amend the legislation governing concessionary Centre Total patients Median wait (days) travel. Edinburgh 205 90 The Department for Transport implemented a package King’s College 415 158 of reforms to ensure the efficient administration of this Leeds 285 260 key benefit. This consisted of: Newcastle 105 172 new guidance (November 2010) and Regulations (April 2011) Royal Free 213 124 to help make the process of reimbursing bus operators for UK 1,831 138 statutory concessionary travel fairer and more efficient; Source: moving responsibility for administering the concessionary travel NHS Blood and Transplant. scheme from district to county councils (April 2011); and Table 5: Median waiting time to elective liver transplant in the UK for paediatric patients (<17 years) registered between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2010 new guidance to assist local authorities assessing the eligibility Centre Total patients Median wait (days) of service personnel and veterans for the concession (August 2011). Birmingham 55 59 Changes to individual bus services are a matter for Cambridge 0 1— bus operators and local transport authorities. The Edinburgh 0 1— Government do not and cannot make an assessment of King’s College 79 126 every individual change but are working with local Leeds 36 56 transport authorities to get an overall picture. Newcastle 0 1— Royal Free 0 1— The latest statistics on bus services can be found on UK 170 77 the Department for Transport’s website at: 1 Indicates summary statistics not estimated due to no data. http://www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/series/buses/ Source: These are updated periodically. NHS Blood and Transplant. Tuberculosis Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State DVLA for Health what steps he is taking to ensure the NHS has an appropriately-skilled work force for tuberculosis Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for control. [101482] Transport what representations she has received from residents of the London Borough of Bexley on the Anne Milton: The content and standard of health proposed closure of the Sidcup DVLA office. [101361] care training is the responsibility of the independent regulatory bodies. Through their role as the custodians Mike Penning: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing of quality standards in education and practice, these Agency has received 11 responses to its consultation on organisations are committed to ensuring high quality transforming its services that can be identified as being patient care delivered by high quality health professionals from within the London borough of Bexley. Five of and that health care professionals are equipped with the these are from private individuals, six are from the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to deal with motor trade. The consultation closed on 20 March the problems and conditions they will encounter in 2012. A summary of responses will be published once practice. the analysis has been completed. Local national health service organisations, professional bodies and other organisations such as the Health Protection Agency also provide training opportunities M1: Cameras in relation to tuberculosis (TB) to improve the knowledge and skills of health care professionals and other professionals who may be involved in TB prevention Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for and control. Transport for what reasons cameras have been installed The Department has funded TB Alert, the national alongside both carriageways of the M1 motorway TB charity, to develop an online learning resource north and south of junction 11; what the cost was of about TB for primary healthcare professionals, which is such installation; from what budget such expenditure being produced with the Royal College of General was made; and if she will make a statement. [100412] Practitioners. Mike Penning: The Hard Shoulder Running Scheme on the M1 between Junctions 10 and 13 is being delivered TRANSPORT within the existing highway boundary.Both the northbound Bus Services: Concessions and southbound carriageways, through the works, are subject to narrow lanes and contraflows. These temporary Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for arrangements can be particularly hazardous. To improve Transport what changes the Government has made to safety and mitigate the risk to the travelling public and the concessionary bus fares scheme since it came to our work force, a 50 mph limit is in place. Cameras have power; what further changes it plans to make in the been installed on this stretch of motorway to improve next 18 months; and how many routes previously open compliance with the temporary 50 mph speed restriction. to the scheme have been cancelled since May 2010. [100416] The cost of installation and calibration including the cost of associated equipment and cabling is £850,000 Norman Baker: This Government have not made any and the cost of the cameras forms part of the scheme changes to the entitlement to the concessionary travel budget of £458.8 million. 805W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 806W

Mass Media (2) what value-for-money assessment her Department has made of the work of the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for [101461] Transport what media monitoring services her Department Norman Baker: None. has purchased in each of the last five years. [100907] Transport: Sustainable Development Norman Baker: The cost to the Department of press cuttings services and the services of the Central Office Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport of Information’s Media Monitoring Unit for each of what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State the last five years is provided in the following table for for (a) Communities and Local Government and (b) the central Department and its seven executive agencies. Energy and Climate Change on encouraging sustainable modes of transport including walking and cycling. £000 [101406] 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011- 121 Norman Baker: Ministers within the Department for Press cuttings Transport regularly hold discussions with colleagues

2 from the Department for Communities and Local DfT(C) 267.3 191.3 187.7 149.2 120.2 Government and the Department for Energy and Climate DSA 5.5 21.4 5.0 6.7 8.3 Change on a range of matters. DVLA 2.2 3.3 3.7 0.8 0 GCDA 00000I have recently announced over 7,500 new cycle spaces HA 73.4 49.8 62.3 31.2 14.0 at railway stations and 38 new and improved cycle MCA 16.8 16.8 0 0 0 routes, as part of a £30 million package of developments VCA 00000to connect communities, reduce carbon emissions, get VOSA 00000people active and make cycling safer and more convenient. This is in addition to the £560 million Local Sustainable Transport Fund to support local authorities in their use Central Office of Information’s Media of transport to lever growth and cut carbon at the local Monitoring Unit level. 38 of the first 39 projects awarded funding contain DfT(C) 68.7 78.3 76.6 73.7 40.0 a cycling element, and I expect this number to increase 1 To date when we announce decisions on Tranche 2 and on large 2 The DfT(C) press cuttings cost for 2007-08 and 2008-09 do not include projects this summer. regional (local) press cuttings provided by the Central Office of Information (COI). The central Department stopped purchasing regional press cuttings in June 2011. In addition to those receiving press cuttings the following ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS agencies use other media monitoring services. Costs are as follows: Agriculture: Apprentices Additional media monitoring Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State £000 1 for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 her intention to maintain the national minimum wage HA 14.4 17.9 26.0 27.0 17.4 for agricultural apprentices at a higher level than the MCA 89.1 87.0 61.0 93.0 56.5 normal national minimum wage regardless of the VCA 0 1.2 1.4 1.5 1.5 changes to the Agricultural Wages Board. [99794] VOSA 63.5 143.3 139.6 60.0 57.6 1 To date. Mr Paice: The Government believe that the abolition 2 Highways Agency’s charges for 2010-11 were part paid in advance in 2009-10 of the Agricultural Wages Board will remove a regulatory and part in arrears in 2011-12. and administrative burden from farmers. Decisions on the future of the board will take account of the legislative Rotherham Central Station process. However, in the absence of the Agricultural Wages Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Board, the Low Pay Commission would be asked to Transport when she expects Rotherham Central incorporate consideration of the agricultural sectors in Station to be fully re-opened. [101216] setting the adult national minimum wage rate and the other rates for young people including apprentices, and Norman Baker: South Yorkshire Passenger Transport the accommodation offset rate. Executive (SYPTE) is responsible for the delivery of the refurbishment of Rotherham Central railway station. Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control They have advised that they expect the station to fully re-open in early April. Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects Traffic Penalty Tribunal Natural England to issue licences for badger culling; and how such licences will be issued. [101399]

James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Paice: Groups of farmers in the two pilot areas of Transport (1) what funding her Department allocated West Gloucestershire and West Somerset are now able to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal in each of the last five to apply to Natural England for licences to cull badgers years; [101460] to control bovine TB in cattle. Natural England will 807W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 808W assess whether the application meets the licensing criteria Poultry: 90% which DEFRA has set out in its Guidance to Natural Fruit and Veg: 96% of indigenous, in-season products (not England. The guidance is available at: including potatoes) http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13692-bovinetb- Potatoes: 17% (of which 100% of fresh potatoes are sourced guidance-ne.pdf from the UK) We expect these licences to be issued later in the And in total 61% by value of the food provided was sourced spring if the licensing criteria are met. from the UK. The figures for the current catering contract are Droughts representative of the whole of DEFRA including offices in Workington, Newcastle, York (Sand Hutton), York Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for (Kings Pool), Worcester, London (Nobel House), London Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment (DECC at Whitehall), Weybridge and Lowestoft, in all she has made of the likely effect of drought in the East of which the caterer trades from the premises on a and West of England on food prices. [99785] largely unsubsidised, commercial basis.

Mr Paice: We continue to monitor the situation for a Forests number of crops, production of which could be affected by drought conditions in England, including grains, horticultural produce and potatoes. We do not currently Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for expect drought in the East or West of England to Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion contribute to upward pressure on consumer prices as of Forestry Commission England replanting on the there are many factors to be considered. However, we public forest estate is with (a) monocultures and (b) recognise that if there is significant dry weather in other intimate mixtures of species. [98999] parts of Europe or further afield, we could see some price rises on individual products. Mr Paice: Details of restocking after felling on the public forest estate are held on the Forestry Commission’s Farmers sub-compartment database. The average restocked sub- compartment over the last 10 years was 2.9 hectares. A Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for single species of broadleaf or conifer was planted on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment 71% of the area and a mixture of species, broad leaf, she has made of the effect the reduction in annual conifer or both, on the other 29%. A number of sub- investment allowance will have on farmers. [100453] compartments may combine to form a single restocked area. Mr Gauke: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Treasury. Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Over 95% of businesses are expected to be unaffected Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate by the changes to the annual investment allowance she has made of the (a) cost of establishing and (b) (AIA). The reductions in the AIA were part of a area of replanting conifer on the public forest estate in package of measures to fund reductions in the main England; and what estimate she has made of the likely rate of corporation tax and the small profits rate. long-term financial returns from such replanting. [99001] Due to limited data availability, it is not possible to assess the impact of the AIA reduction on the farming Mr Paice: The cost of establishment of conifer restocking sector. The overall package reduces the tax burden on varies considerably between sites depending on site business. specific conditions and is incurred over a number of Food years. This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In 2010-11, Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for 1,139 hectares were restocked with conifers. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion Long-term financial returns from such replanting of food procured by her Department (a) meets the have not been estimated as these will depend on a Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering number of factors including global markets, future and (b) is from British sources. [99781] demand for timber and timber prices.

Mr Paice: DEFRA’s current catering contract was awarded on 16 May 2011 and is now fully complying with the Government Buying Standards for Food and INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Catering. Data provided by our caterers show that between Bangladesh May and September 2011 food sourced from the UK under the contract was: Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Meat: 43.5% International Development (1) what representations his Poultry: 67.1% Department has received concerning the Phulbari coal Fruit and Veg: 23.3% of total, 38.5% of indigenous. project in Bangladesh in each year since 2006; [101166] In the period between September and December (2) what meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials in 2011 this had increased to: his Department have held with GCM Resources plc Meat: 57% (including 100% beef, 100% fresh pork joints) since 2006; [101167] 809W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 810W

(3) whether his Department has recently had discussions Most donors in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, with GCM Resources plc concerning the Phulbari coal including the UK, align their programmes to the Palestinian project in Bangladesh. [101168] Authority’s ‘Palestinian National Development Plan 2011-13’. The Palestinian Authority is currently assessing Mr Duncan: The Department for International progress at the country level against commitments under Development (DFID) is not involved in any discussions the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. We expect on the Phulbari mine with either GCM Resources plc or this report to be published soon. the Government of Bangladesh. We have recently answered correspondence from GCM Resources plc on the matter, restating DFID’s position that we are not involved in the issue of the Phulbari mine. TREASURY DFID received a representation from NGOs in London Council Tax Benefits last year, at official level. As far as we are aware this is the only representation on the project that we have Ms Buck: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer received. We have received correspondence on the matter, how many households incurred marginal rates of deduction both from those opposed to the mine, including campaign in excess of (a) 60, (b) 70, (c) 80, (d) 90 and (e) 100 letters, and those in favour of the mine. per cent. in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12; and how many households are projected to incur marginal Mining rates of deduction at each level in (A) 2012-13 and (B) 2013-14. [101529] Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what his policy is on Miss Chloe Smith: Table A3 in Annex A of the June support for projects that involve open pit coal mining; Budget 2010 set out estimates of the number of families [101279] subject to marginal deduction rates in excess of 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% for 2010-11 and 2011-12. For 2012-13 (2) whether his Department has recently made an and 2013-14 estimates have not been produced, and to assessment of the potential effect of open pit mining in produce these would exceed the disproportionate cost Bangladesh on (a) the environment and (b) human threshold. However estimates of marginal deduction rights. [101169] rates for example individuals are available, and can be found in Table B.2 in Annex B of Budget 2012. Mr Duncan: Open-pit mines have been financed in the past by some of the funding instruments the Department Feed-in Tariffs: Renewable Energy for International Development (DFID) supports, for example through the World Bank. These instruments Dan Rogerson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer conduct robust environmental impact assessments before pursuant to the answer of 12 March 2012 from the agreeing to support any open-pit coal mine. Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Official Report, DFID supports countries to improve the management column 116W,on additional funding for the feed-in-tariff of their mining sectors so as to maximise the benefits scheme, whether his Department has formally approved for growth and development. For example, in Sierra the use of 20 per cent. headroom. [101373] Leone, the UK supports a new National Minerals Agency which aims to help raise $2.4 billion in additional Miss Chloe Smith: The control framework for DECC government revenues from mining by 2021. The levy-funded spending sets out the arrangements for Government of Bangladesh and others have undertaken agreement between Departments including the some assessments of the potential impact of open-cast circumstances under which approval is required. These mining. DFID has not carried out a separate assessment. can be found on the HM Treasury website at: Whether or not to allow open-cast mining at Phulbari http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ or elsewhere is a decision that only the Government of psr_controlframework_decc.htm Bangladesh can make, but all environmental and human Treasury and DECC officials have regular discussions rights issues must be addressed. on this basis.

Palestinians Revenue and Customs: Telford

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for International David Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Development what assessment he has made of the (1) which HM Revenue and Customs buildings located effectiveness of aid to the Palestinian Territories. in Telford have been transferred to providers of IT services under the Aspire contract; [101025] [101372] (2) whether Aspire is permitted to carry out any non-HM Revenue and Customs work from premises in Mr Duncan: Through our programmes in the Occupied Telford; [101026] Palestinian Territories, UK aid is building the institutions of a future Palestinian state, promoting growth and (3) whether HM Revenue and Customs is allowed to supporting vulnerable Palestinians. In 2010-11 UK aid take up any spare office accommodation in its premises paid for 5,466 children to go to primary school, provided in Telford; [101027] skilled personal to deliver 2,213 live births in Palestinian (4) whether HM Revenue and Customs is contributing Authority hospitals, and supported 4,825 vulnerable to the lease costs for its buildings in Telford directly or households through social safety net payments. indirectly through the Aspire contract. [101028] 811W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 812W

Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has and if he will place in the Library a copy of any such assigned the leasehold interests in Plaza 1, Plaza 2, Coalport analysis. [101029] 1, Coalport 2 and St James House in Telford to providers of IT services under the Aspire contract. HMRC did Mr Gauke: HM Treasury and HM Revenue and not occupy space in these buildings and following the Customs (HMRC) have not undertaken any cost benefit transfer of the leases to Aspire, HMRC no longer has analysis on the potential for HMRC to share office an interest in these properties. accommodation with the Land Registry in Telford. Aspire is permitted to carry out non-HMRC work David Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer from premises in Telford provided they satisfy security how many staff (a) at each grade, (b) in each business and licence requirements. stream and (c) at each site were directly employed by HMRC is able to occupy any office accommodation HM Revenue and Customs in Telford constituency as at within its premises in Telford that it has retained on 1 January 2012; and what estimate he has made of the its estate. equivalent figures in March 2015. [101030] HMRC does contribute to the lease costs of HMRC Mr Gauke: The number of staff employed by HM buildings occupied by Aspire staff in Telford through Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in Telford at 31 December the Aspire contract. HMRC pay a fixed charge as part 2011, broken down by site, grade and business stream is of the Aspire invoice. The lease costs of the buildings in shown in the following table. Telford occupied by HMRC staff are paid by HMRC By 2015 HMRC will be operating with 56,000 full-time and are not part of the Aspire contract. equivalent posts (FTE), 10,000 fewer than in April 2011 and HMRC’s plans on just what work will be undertaken David Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer and where are still being developed. However, I can tell what cost-benefit analysis his Department has completed the hon. Member that Telford is one of 16 key centres on the potential of HM Revenue and Customs and the where HMRC has confirmed it will maintain a long-term Land Registry to share office accommodation in Telford; presence until at least 2020.

Office name Directorate SCS Gr 6 Gr 7 FS SO HO O AO AA Total

Abbey House Benefits and ———— — — 6— 1 7 Telford Credits Abbey House Business Tax — — — — 1 — — — — 1 Telford Abbey House Corporate Services — — 1 —————— 1 Telford Abbey House Enforcement and 111—9152334892 Telford Compliance Addenbrooke Business Tax — 2 — — — — — — — 2 House Addenbrooke Corporate Services — 6 14 — 36 38 12 8 1 115 House Addenbrooke Enforcement and ————131117 House Compliance Addenbrooke Personal Tax — — — —331——7 House Denby House Corporate Services 1 6 9 16421—30 Hollinswood House Corporate Services — 1 3 — 7 4 14 1 — 30 Kelsall House Corporate Services — — 3 — 11 19 2 1 — 36 Kelsall House Enforcement and 1 1 1 — 4 4 14 — 1 26 Compliance Kelsall House Personal Tax — 5 9 — 13 13 14 3 3 60 Matheson House Corporate Services — — — —126——9 Reynolds House Business Tax — 1 — —————— 1 Reynolds House Corporate Services 7 11 24 — 55 61 21 14 3 196 Reynolds House Personal Tax — — 1 — 3 — 1 — — 5 St James House Corporate Services — 2 2 — 6 4 — — 1 15 Telford

Total 10 36 68 1 156 170 117 63 19 640

VAT: Disability motor vehicles for wheelchair users and has established that the exemption is open to abuse. As announced at Budget Alun Cairns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 2012, a voluntary scheme is to be introduced for suppliers what assessment he has made of the scope for abuse of of adapted motor vehicles to provide information about the disability VAT exemption for the purchase of motor sales of zero-rated vehicles to HMRC. HMRC will use homes; and what steps he is taking to tackle any such the information to help to understand how the relief is abuse. [101082] used and, if appropriate, to identify options for change. Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is HMRC will continue to deal with individual cases of investigating the use of the zero rate relief on adapted abuse as they are identified. 813W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 814W

HOME DEPARTMENT Total value of Asset Restraining Orders obtained in the UK in respect of UK based assets only £ Alcoholic Drinks: Prices 2001-02 55,044,342.18 Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for 2002-03 55,126,835.81 the Home Department what recent discussions she has 2003-04 223,131,328.09 had with (a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) 2004-05 354,422,435.71 Ministers in the Welsh Government on the introduction 2005-06 629,366,589.26 of a minimum price per unit of alcohol. [101160] 2006-07 352,305,185.19 2007-08 863,224,204.10 James Brokenshire: Home Office Ministers and 2008-09 905,699,501.14 officials have meetings with a wide variety of partners, 2009-10 682,707,327.56 as well as organisations and individuals in the public 2010-11 855,558,108.49 and private sectors, as part of the process of policy Number of Asset Restraining Orders development and delivery. It is not the Government’s Number practice to provide details of all such meetings. 2001-02 107 2002-03 106 Crime Prevention: EU Action 2003-04 315 2004-05 775 Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home 2005-06 1,133 Department in which EU member states the Joint 2006-07 1,222 Investigation Team established in 2011 to combat 2007-08 1,629 carbon credit fraud has operated. [97899] 2008-09 1,937 2009-10 1,731 James Brokenshire [holding answer 5 March 2012]: 2010-11 1,885 The UK is not involved in any Joint Investigation Team in this area and I am therefore not in a position to A restraint order can be made against a person’s comment. entire assets even though these are not known or precisely valued. Therefore, the values given in all respects are Flowers estimates. With regard to the number of individuals, the figures provided in the table set out the number of cases in which assets were restrained, but an individual case Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the may have proceeds restrained, not only in respect of the Home Department how much her Department spent defendant, but also, for example, family members and on (a) cut flowers and (b) pot plants between May associates. 2010 and February 2012. [101432] Human Trafficking Ministerial Group Damian Green: Information on spend on pot plants and cut flowers is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Ministers are on the Interdepartmental Ministerial Group on Human Freezing Orders Trafficking. [101477]

Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Damian Green: The inter departmental ministerial Department what the monetary value was of (a) assets group is comprised of the following Ministers: (b) frozen by UK authorities and frozen assets held by Damian Green, Minister of State for Immigration, Home UK authorities in each of the last 10 years; and how Office; many individuals were made subject to asset freezing Lynne Featherstone, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State orders in each such year. [97900] for Equalities and Criminal Information, Home Office; Crispin Blunt, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Prisons James Brokenshire [holding answer 5 March 2012]: and Probation), Ministry of Justice; The information extracted from the Joint Asset Tim Loughton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Recovery Database (JARD) is as follows: Department for Education; Total value of Asset Restraining Orders obtained in the UK Anne Milton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for £ Public Health, Department of Health;

2001-02 73,475,000.00 Norman Lamb, Minister for Employment Relations, Customer and Postal Affairs, Department for Business Innovation and 2002-03 88,550,000.00 Skills; 2003-04 227,866,528.00 Chris Grayling, Minister for Employment, Department for 2004-05 379,400,415.00 Work and Pensions; 2005-06 645,854,479.00 2006-07 610,438,957.00 Baroness Hanham, Department for Communities and Local Government; 2007-08 871,967,286.00 2008-09 917,222,677.00 Stephen O’Brien, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development, Department for International 2009-10 686,116,042.00 Development; 2010-11 861,552,195.00 Jeremy Brown, Minister of State, Foreign Commonwealth Office; 815W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 816W

Kenny MacAskill, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Scotland; Damian Green: Home Office officials have meetings Carl Sargeant, Minister for Local Government and Communities, with a wide variety of partners, as well as organisations Wales; and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part David Ford, Minister of Justice, Northern Ireland; of the process of policy development and delivery. As Edward Gamier, Solicitor-General. was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the meetings. Home Department on what dates the Interdepartmental Ministerial Group on Human Trafficking has met since May 2010. [101478] ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE Damian Green: The Interdepartmental Ministerial Electricity Generation: Carbon Emissions Group on Human Trafficking met on 17 February 2011 and 11 October 2011. It is scheduled to meet again in April 2012. Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has Members: Correspondence made of the conclusions of the Independent Committee on Climate Change that an 80 per cent. reduction in emissions by 2050 requires that electricity generation is Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the almost entirely decarbonised by 2030. [101491] Home Department when she expects to answer the hon. Member for Harrow West’s letter about the answering Charles Hendry: The Carbon Plan, published in of a parliamentary question on senior staff being paid December 2011, set out the Government’s view that through a private company. [97050] deep cuts in emissions from the power sector will be required during the 2020s to keep the UK on a cost-effective Damian Green [holding answer 27 February 2012]: I path to its 2050 goal. The actions outlined in the plan, refer the hon. Member to the Department’s letter of 12 including the Government’s reforms of the electricity March 2012, a copy of which has been placed in the market and work to address technology-specific barriers House of Commons Library. to deployment, will drive the huge increase in investment in low-carbon generation that will enable these cuts to Parking be realised. The analysis within the plan considered a range of Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2030 electricity generation decarbonisation scenarios Home Department when she plans to announce further consistent with meeting carbon budgets and an 80% details of her proposal to introduce a new system of reduction in emissions by 2050. The Government are Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency-accredited parking not setting an explicit decarbonisation goal for electricity management companies to regulate parking on private generation in 2030 at this point, given the uncertainties land. [101044] involved in setting a target this far out, which include levels of electricity demand and cost-effectiveness of Mike Penning: I have been asked to reply on behalf of different technologies. the Department for Transport. It is already the case that any private car parking Energy: Prices management company requesting information from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency must be a member Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy of an accredited trade association. and Climate Change what steps he is taking to help households with their energy costs. [98682] Police Complaints Commissioner Charles Hendry: I refer the hon. Member to the Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the answer given by the Secretary of State for Energy and Home Department what discussions she has had with Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston the Independent Police Complaints Commissioner on and Surbiton (Mr Davey), to my hon. Friend the Member accountability for contracted-out services for police for Dover (Charlie Elphicke) on 8 March 2012, Official authorities. [99197] Report, columns 991-92.

Nick Herbert: The Home Office is discussing with the Environment Protection: Taxation Independent Police Complaints Commission the appropriate extent of the Commission’s remit in respect Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy of private sector contractors working in policing and and Climate Change if he will publish details of the will continue to keep this under review. process by which an assessment is made of the carbon emissions of installation in connection with the Carbon UK Border Agency Price Floor. [101292]

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Gregory Barker: The quantitative analysis that informed Home Department how many visits to UK ports and the Carbon Price Floor consultation document and airports the Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency accompanying impact assessment has conducted since September 2011; and to which http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/consult_carbon_price_ locations. [97989] support_condoc.pdf 817W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 818W was undertaken using a dynamic model of the British Gregory Barker: The following table gives the number electricity market, developed by consultants Redpoint of installations in each region of the UK as at 20 March Energy. This model simulates how generation and plant 2012: investment decisions are made, and the results provide an illustration of the potential impacts of the Carbon Region Number of installations Price Floor on emissions, wholesale electricity prices England 623 and investment. Wales 57 Updated analysis of the potential impact of the Scotland 89 Carbon Price Floor on traded sector emissions was Northern Ireland 23 published at Table B28 on Page 201 of HM Government’s Total 720 “The Carbon Plan: Delivering our Low Carbon Future” http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/tackling-climate- change/carbon-plan/3702-the-carbon-plan-delivering-our- Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy low-carbon-future.pdf and Climate Change what the total value of EU Emissions published in December 2011. Trading System allowances was in the UK in each year the scheme has been in operation. [101263] Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he last met the EU Gregory Barker: The number of EU allowances in Commission to discuss the legality of a Carbon Price the UK can be measured either as the number of Floor under EU state aid rules. [101294] allowances traded in the UK, or as the number of allowances surrendered (i.e. used by installations for Gregory Barker: The Secretary of State for Energy compliance with the requirements of the EU Emissions and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston Trading System (EU ETS)) in the UK. Data on the and Surbiton (Mr Davey), has not met the European number of allowances traded in the UK are not available Commission on this issue. The Carbon Price Floor is a for the entire period, the quantity and value of EU tax policy and, as such, is a matter for the Chancellor of allowances surrendered by UK installations covered by the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for the EU ETS can be found in the following table. The Tatton (Mr Osborne). figures for 2011 are not available.

Value of allowances EU Emissions Trading Scheme surrendered by UK installations Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Allowances surrendered Energy and Climate Change how many EU Emissions Average by UK Trading System allowances were distributed in the UK price installations in each year the scheme has been in operation. [101261] (¤/tCO2e) (MtCO2e) (¤ million) (£ million) Phase I Gregory Barker: The total volume of EU Emissions 2005 17.88 242 4.335 2,963 Trading System (EU ETS) allowances (EUAs) distributed 2006 18.72 251 4,708 3,209 for free to UK operators for each year since the EU 2007 1.24 257 318 218 ETS began is reported in the following table.

Phase II Total EUAs allocated for free to UK operators (million) 2008 22.65 266 6,014 4,777 2009 13.35 232 3.094 2,755 2005 213.1 2010 14.47 220 3,189 2,734 2006 205.3 Source: 2007 215.7 Average daily price of European Union allowances expiring at the end of each 2008 213.8 calendar year taken from Thomson Reuters Point Carbon; volume of surrendered allowances taken from the EU’s Community Independent Transactions Log; 2009 215.1 average Euro Sterling spot exchange rate for each year taken from Bank of 2010 220.3 England 2011 223.0 2012 1222.4 Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for 1 Figures for 2012 are preliminary and subject to adjustment Energy and Climate Change when he last met Note: representatives of the Environment Agency to discuss The figures for Phase II of the EU ETS (2008-12) remain subject to the regulation of the EU Emissions Trading System. change as adjustments could be made to allocations by UK Regulators [101276] in certain circumstances. The UK has also auctioned EU ETS allowances since 2008: 4 million in 2008, 25 million in 2009, 35.8 million in 2010, 30.7 million in 2011. Allowances auctioned by the UK are open to Gregory Barker: I met with the Environment Agency bids from UK and non-UK bidders and are therefore not exclusively distributed in the UK. on the 2 March 2011. Representatives of the Serious Source: Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) also attended. The UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Registry purpose of the meeting was to discuss the UK’s response to recent cyber attacks on the EU Emissions Trading Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for System (EU ETS) registry system and agree on future Energy and Climate Change how many installations in co-operation between DECC, the Environment Agency each region of the UK are covered by the EU and SOCA on registry security. More generally, senior Emissions Trading System. [101262] officials from my Department are in regular contact 819W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 820W with the Environment Agency and other UK regulators Gregory Barker: The coalition agreement stated that to ensure the effective implementation of the EU ETS there would be no public subsidy, for new nuclear power in the UK. stations and this continues to be the Government’s position. Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is Energy and Climate Change when the European Council designed to encourage all types of low-carbon technologies last discussed the EU Emissions Trading System; and —nuclear and renewables—as well as efficient gas-fired what the outcome of these discussions was. [101278] electricity generation. The Government have announced additional policy Gregory Barker: The European Council discussed the measures, including a Carbon Price Floor, as set out in use of EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) at its Planning our electric future: a White Paper, to complement meeting of 4 February 2011. Member states took note the impacts of the EU ETS and to strengthen the of the provisions in the ETS directive related to this. signals within the UK, particularly to investors in low carbon electricity generation. Decarbonising the electricity The ETS is more regularly discussed at ministerial sector is key to meeting existing long-term climate level, and was last discussed at the Environment Council change targets. meeting of 9 March, in the context of aviation and the EU ETS. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the Natural Gas: Exploration inclusion of aviation in the EU ETS. Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of Energy and Climate Change when he last met the 7 March 2012, Official Report, column 787W,on natural European Commission to discuss the operation of the gas: exploration, when his Department expects the EU Emissions Trading System. [101290] completion of the (a) Environment Agency’s investigation into the monitoring and control of unplanned emissions of methane from unconventional gas operations and Gregory Barker: The Secretary of State for Energy (b) research assessing how his Department should and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston incorporate methane emissions from this activity in the and Surbiton (Mr Davey), and I are in regular contact UK’s greenhouse gas inventory under the Kyoto protocol; with the Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie and if he will publish these documents. [101487] Hedegaard, to discuss a wide range of issues including the EU Emissions Trading System. The Secretary of Charles Hendry: The Environment Agency expect an State last met Commissioner Hedegaard at the Environment initial engineering review to be completed by specialist Council on 9 March 2012. external contractors in April 2012. This will survey relevant literature and the engineering methods that are Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for relevant to methane monitoring and control. Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has Following this review, the Environment Agency will made of the effectiveness of the EU Emissions Trading undertake further work to understand the practices System. [101291] and technical methods available to quantify, manage and minimise fugitive emissions of methane from unconventional gas operations. Gregory Barker: The Government continue to see the EU ETS as a central component in delivering emissions The research work which DECC has commissioned reductions within the UK and across the European into how methane emissions related to the extraction of Union. It is a key part of ensuring we comply with the shale gas will be incorporated in the UK’s greenhouse legally binding system of five-year carbon budgets to gas inventory which is due for completion in summer reduce emissions by at least 35% in 2020 below 1990 2012. We will publish the results of this research on the levels and by 80% in 2050 as set out in the Climate DECC website once it is complete. Change Act. The EU ETS is also central to meeting the 20% EU emissions reduction target by 2020. The EU Nuclear Power ETS is very effective in delivering the emissions reduction set by its cap on emissions. Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether any officials of his Looking ahead, it is clear that the ability of the EU Department attended the Royal Society conference on ETS to continue providing a strong signal for innovation Nuclear Energy in the 21st century on 12-13 March will be related to the stringency of the cap. A tighter 2012. [101540] cap, in the context of a move in the EU to a 30% emissions reduction target by 2020, would be consistent Charles Hendry: Six officials from the Department with the EU’s target of a long term transition to a were present over the course of the two day Royal low-carbon economy (80-95% emissions reductions by Society conference on Nuclear Energy in the 21st century. 2050) and would improve the effectiveness of the EU ETS in driving investment in abatement. Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will assess the proposition Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for put forward by HM Chief Nuclear Inspector at the Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has Royal Society nuclear conference on 12 March that the made of the level of indirect subsidy to nuclear power nuclear industry should be more open and transparent. under the EU Emissions Trading System. [101296] [101541] 821W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 822W

Charles Hendry: The Government support the proposals Chris Grayling: There has been one notification of made by HM Chief Nuclear Inspector at the Royal possible provider fraud in relation to mandatory work Society conference on Nuclear Energy in the 21st century. activity. This concerns A4e and is currently being The proposals are a reiteration of Recommendation investigated. IR-4 of the HM Chief Nuclear Inspector’s report into the implications of the Fukushima accident for the UK Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for nuclear industry, which states that Work and Pensions how many people in each age ″Both the UK nuclear industry and ONR should consider group were placed on a training allowance in each of ways of enhancing the drive to ensure more open, transparent the last five years. [101500] and trusted communications, and relationships, with the public and other stakeholders.″ Chris Grayling: The information is in the table. Industry has responded to this and other relevant Number of people starting on a training allowance by age, 2007-20111 recommendations made in the HM Chief Nuclear 2007 2008 2009 2010 20111 Inspector’s report and are available to view on the Office for Nuclear Regulation website. 18-24 89,400 87,500 110,900 134,900 71,600 25-34 31,800 31,500 32,700 42,200 23,300 Renewable Energy: Heating 35-44 29,800 29,100 28,400 40,000 23,000 45-50 13,400 13,300 13,500 20,900 12,000 Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for 50-54 7,500 12,400 11,000 16,900 9,600 Energy and Climate Change with reference to the 55-60 6,300 11,000 7,700 13,700 7,000 Government’s Standard Assessment Procedure for the 60-64 100 200 200 700 700 Energy Rating of Dwellings, by what means the attributed Total 178,300 185,100 204,500 269,300 147,300 efficiencies of electric heat pumps are derived; and if he 1 The figures are presented for calendar years. For 2011 the data is only available will make a statement. [100868] from January to November 2011. The November 2011 data is provisional, 2007-October 2011 data is final. Note: Gregory Barker: As requested by industry, the attributable Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred. Totals may not sum due to efficiencies are obtained from seasonal performance rounding. factors that are derived in accordance with the harmonised Source: DWP administrative data (JUVOS Training Allowance), January 2012 European Standards EN15316:4:2 and EN14511 for heat pumps. EN 14511 specifies the test conditions, the In 2011 claimants remaining on jobseeker’s allowance range of test points and calculation methodology to be benefited from our new range of personalised employment used to derive seasonal performance. initiatives such as the Get Britain Working measures, the Work programme, and Mandatory Work Activity, and consequently fewer moved on to the training allowance. Since autumn 2011, claimants who have been in WORK AND PENSIONS receipt of JSA for six months or more and are referred Departmental Pay to training of up to 30 hours per week for a maximum of eight weeks, also receive JSA. Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing Benefit: Pension Credit Work and Pensions how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work for which his Department is responsible are paid (i) and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 29 February £100,000 or more and (ii) £142,500 or more per annum 2012, Official Report, column 393W, on housing in the latest period for which figures are available. benefit: pension credit, whether the transitional [96909] protection also applies to couples where one member is Chris Grayling: The answer is in the following table: above pension credit qualifying age but the couple will not receive pension credit in April 2013. [98861] DWP and Non-Departmental Public Bodies1 Number of officials paid Number of officials £100,000 to £142,499 per paid £142,500 or more Steve Webb: In April 2013, when the under occupation annum as at 31 January per annum as at 31 measure comes in, the size criteria will not apply where 2012 January 2012 one of a couple is over state pension credit age, whether

DWP 32 7 or not they are actually in receipt of pension credit. NDPB 45 16 Jobseeker’s Allowance: Young People 1 These figures do not include the Pension Protection Fund, which is a Public Corporation. Since May 2010 we have made reductions in the size Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for of the DWP Senior Civil Service (SCS) and reduced the Work and Pensions how many people aged 24 years number of DWP SCS earning, £100,000 to £142,499, by were in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance for a total of 35% and the number earning, £142,500 and above, three years or more between the ages of 18 and 24 years, by 22%. without claiming for a continuous spell of nine months, and without claiming for 22 out of the 24 previous Employment Schemes months in the most recent period for which data is available. [101499] Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many notifications of possible Chris Grayling: The information requested requires a provider fraud he has received in relation to Mandatory complex database query which is not possible to complete Work Activity. [101497] in the time given to answer this question. 823W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 824W

New Enterprise Allowance Maria Miller: Remploy is a sub-contractor to Xerox under the Department for Work and Pensions Print and Associated Services contract. Remploy is involved in a Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work product stock despatch service for customers and has and Pensions how many new successful been paid £274,000 in the 12 months to February 2012. applications have been made to the new enterprise allowance scheme in each month since its launch, in Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work each region. [100215] and Pensions if he will make it his policy to keep data tracking the employment records over the next five Chris Grayling: The Department does not publish years of all those who have lost their jobs as a result of new enterprise allowance statistics at the levels requested. his closure of Remploy factories in the UK; and if he will publish such information annually revealing access Official statistics are available and can be viewed at: to employment for workers from each of the factories http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/pwp/pwp_gbw_feb12.pdf closed. [101502] The new enterprise allowance was introduced in target areas in April 2011, and rolled out nationally from 1 Maria Miller: A comprehensive support package will August 2011. Information is available for the number of be in place to support every disabled member of staff new enterprise allowance mentor starts for each month who is affected by the announcements regarding Remploy since its introduction, as shown in the following table: factories and will make the best use of national and local services to support staff into new employment. New enterprise allowance mentor starts by month Number This support will be focused on the specific needs of the individual through development of an action plan, Total 6,880 managed with the support of a case worker who will April 2011 70 make best use of skills and experience from partner May 2011 160 agencies and organisations both nationally and locally. June 2011 240 We have set aside £8 million to support this work and July 2011 640 will continue to provide individualised support for up August 2011 1,170 to 18 months. September 2011 1,690 We will endeavour to monitor the job outcomes October 2011 1,650 related to this support in addition to our current processes. November 2011 1,270 We will need to request consent from each Remploy Notes: 1. Values are rounded to the nearest 10. Totals may not be the sum of employee to enable us to do this. the individual cells due to rounding. Plans are currently being developed to provide 2. Months are calendar months. information on the employment status of those people Data Source: DWP LMS opportunities evaluation database December 2011 who may be made redundant as a result of the closure of Remploy factories in the UK. However, it is too early A start on the new enterprise allowance scheme is at this stage to commit to making this data publicly defined as the date the claimant first met with their available until such time that its robustness can be business mentor. Information is available for the number tested and supported. of new enterprise allowance mentor starts across Great Britain, as shown in the following table: New enterprise allowance mentor starts in Great Britain Remploy: Wales Number

Total 6,880 Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Central England 1,740 Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to devolve the budget for Remploy factories in Wales to London and the Home Counties 1,020 the Welsh Government for the next three years. [100704] North East 1,310 North West 1,200 Scotland 640 Dr Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Southern England 610 and Pensions what discussions he has recently had with Wales 340 the Welsh Government Ministers on the transfer of Welsh Remploy budgets to Wales; and if he will make a Unknown 20 statement. [100518] Note: Values are rounded to the nearest 10. Data Source: Maria Miller: I met with the Minister for Children, DWP LMS opportunities evaluation database December 2011 Education and Lifelong Learning in the Welsh Government on 13 March to discuss the Government’s response to Remploy the Sayce review and its impacts on the Remploy facilities in Wales. At this meeting I made it clear that the budget for Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Remploy in Wales would not be transferred to the Pensions whether his Department has procured goods Welsh Government, as it is our policy to use this protected from Remploy factories in the last 12 months; and what budget to support 8,000 more disabled people into work the value was of any such procurements. [99871] through Access to Work. 825W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 826W

We discussed that as part of the collective consultation Real terms 2011-12 prices at stage 1, the Remploy Board will consider proposals £ million for the exit of parts of businesses or contracts from 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 those factories proposed for closure along with other Housing benefit 16,918 16,273 16,110 15,952 proposals for avoiding compulsory redundancies. (working age) I know that the Remploy Board would be happy to Total 30,724 29,946 29,868 29,410 discuss any proposals from Wales or the Welsh Assembly Note: Government for Remploy factories in Wales identified DWP benefit expenditure tables can be accessed at: in stage 1 or stage 2 of the proposals. http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/index.php?page=expenditure Source: Universal Credit DWP Autumn forecasts

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for EDUCATION Work and Pensions for what purposes, to the highest level of detail available, the £2 billion allocated for the Cleaning Services introduction of universal credit will be used (a) in each year of the comprehensive spending review period and Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (b) under each budget heading. [101495] how much his private ministerial office has spent on dry cleaning and laundry in the last 12 months. [99569] Chris Grayling: The 2010 spending review settlement included funding of £2 billion for the period 2011-12 to Tim Loughton [holding answer 12 March 2012]: The 2014-15. This is intended to meet all the costs of introducing Department for Education is not responsible for meeting universal credit including any increases in benefit the cost of any dry cleaning or laundry expenses for expenditure, additional benefit administration costs in Ministers or private office staff, and therefore has not the transition period, the costs of IT development and incurred any costs in the last 12 months. implementation, communications, staff training and programme management. Departmental Working Hours Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Pensions what estimate he has made of the total what proportion of staff in his private ministerial office spend in each year up to 2015 in benefits, tax credits have signed opt-out agreements in respect of their working and benefits in kind that will be absorbed into universal hours. [97325] credit, were universal credit, including transitional protection, not introduced. [101498] Tim Loughton [holding answer 29 February 2012]: Just over a third of permanent private office staff have Chris Grayling: Tax credits are a matter for Her signed opt-out agreements in respect of their working Majesty’s Treasury. hours. Budget 2012 forecasts will be available on 26 March. The most recent expenditure forecast for the benefits Flowers within DWP’s responsibility that will be absorbed into universal credit is shown in the following tables. These Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for figures are consistent with the 2011 Autumn Economic Education how much his Department spent on (a) cut and Fiscal Outlook from the Office for Budget flowers and (b) pot plants between May 2010 and Responsibility. February 2012. [101435] Nominal terms £ million Tim Loughton: The Department for Education has 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 spent nothing on the procurement of cut flowers and pot plants between May 2010 and February 2012. Employment and 4,243 6,071 7,240 7,909 support allowance Regulation (income-related) Jobseeker’s allowance 5,068 5,160 4,927 4,354 Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for (income-based) Education what regulations his Department introduced Income support 4,870 3,162 2,679 2,624 between 1 June 2011 and 31 January 2012; and at what Housing benefit 17,379 17,131 17,384 17,644 cost to the public purse. [99369] (working age) Total 31,560 31,525 32,229 32,530 Tim Loughton [holding answer 15 March 2012]: In Real terms 2011-12 prices the period 1 June 2011 to 31 January 2012 the Department £ million for Education made 27 regulations and orders (statutory 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 instruments). Three of the statutory instruments revoke existing Employment and 4,131 5,767 6,709 7,150 support allowance regulations. Seven of the statutory instruments amend (income-related) existing regulations. Three of the statutory instruments Jobseeker’s allowance 4,934 4,902 4,566 3,936 were made on the application of educational institutions (income-based) and local authorities. Three of statutory instruments Income support 4,741 3,004 2,482 2,372 are commencement orders which bring into force provisions 827W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 828W of primary legislation (the Education Act 2011 and the The following statutory instruments were made and Children and Young Persons Act 2008), and are not came into force between 1 June 2011 and 31 January subject to parliamentary procedure. 2012: Separate records of officials’ time and other administrative costs of making the statutory instruments are not maintained.

Title Made Laid In force

Information as to Provision of Education (England) (Amendment) 7 June 2011 10 June 2011 6 July 2011 Regulations 2011 Conisborough College Order 2011 8 June 2011 10 June 2011 6 July 2011 Chief Regulator of Qualifications and Examinations Order 2011 13 July 2011 n/a 14 July 2011 School Governance (Contracts) (England) (Revocation) Regulations 2011 15 June 2011 20 June 2011 20 July 2011 Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 2 July 2011 7 July 2011 1 September 2011 Changing of School Session Times (England) (Revocation) Regulations 3August 2011 10 August 2011 1 September 2011 2011 School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Order 2011 3 August 2011 10 August 2011 1 September 2011 Morpeth School, Oaklands School and Swanlea School Order 2011 29 July 2011 3 August 2011 1 September 2011 Childcare (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 4 July 2011 8 July 2011 1 September 2011 Education (Non-Maintained Special Schools) (England) Regulations 4 July 2011 8 July 2011 1 September 2011 2011 Education (National Curriculum) (Key Stages 1,2 and 3 Assessment 29 September 2011 n/a 1 October 2011 Arrangements) (England) (Amendment) Order 2011 The Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills Order 16 November 2011 16 November 2011 17 November 2011 2011 General Teaching Council for England (Disciplinary Functions) 21 November 2011 22 November 2011 22 November 2011 (Amendment) Regulations 2011 Cirencester Tertiary College Sixth Form College Corporation 18 October 2011 27 October 2011 1 December 2011 Designation (England) Order 2011 Education (National Curriculum) (Specified Purpose) (England) Order 16 November 2011 21 November 2011 12 December 2011 2011 Education (National Curriculum) (Key Stage 1 Assessment 20 December 2011 n/a 21 December 2011 Arrangements) (England) (Amendment) Order 2011 Education Act 2011 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2011 16 November 2011 n/a n/a Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (Commencement No.4) (England) 10 November 2011 n/a n/a Order 2011 Education (Information About Individual Pupils) (England) 26 August 2011 1 September 2011 1 January 2012 (Amendment) Regulations 2011 School Admissions (Infant Class Sizes) (England) Regulations 2012 3 January 2012 10 January 2012 1 February 2012 School Admissions (Appeals Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2012 3 January 2012 10 January 2012 1 February 2012 School Admissions (Admission Arrangements and Co-ordination of 3 January 2012 10 January 2012 1 February 2012 Admission Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2012 Education Act 2011 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional and Savings 12 January 2012 n/a n/a Provisions) Order 2012 The Education (Head Teachers’ Qualifications) (England) (Revocation) 5 January 2012 12 January 2012 8 February 2012 Regulations 2012 School Admissions Code and School Admission Appeals Code 30 January 2012 1 December 2011 1 February 2012 (Appointed Day) Order 2012 Special Educational Needs (Direct Payments) (Pilot Scheme) Order 2012 29 January 2012 1 December 2011 30 January 2012

One statutory instrument was made during the relevant Mr Harper: The Commission on the consequences of period but will come into force after 31 January 2012: devolution for the House of Commons is expected to report during the next parliamentary session. Title Made Laid In force Scottish Independence Education (School 17 January 24 January 1 September Teachers’ Appraisal) 2012 2012 2012 Mr Offord: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (England) Regulations 2012 estimate he has made of the costs to public administration in England of Scottish independence. [101357] Mr Harper: No estimates have to date been made of the costs to public administration in England of Scottish DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER independence. Devolution Urban Areas: Wales

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if when he expects the Commission on the consequences he will publish the guidelines under which scoring of of devolution for the House of Commons to report. the applicant towns for city status in Wales was [101782] undertaken. [101142] 829W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 830W

Mr Harper: The Government published guidelines The Department for Communities and Local for the format and contents of entries for the Diamond Government requires its non-departmental public bodies Jubilee competition when the competition was announced. and executive agencies to publish senior salary information These can still be viewed on the Diamond Jubilee pages on a regular basis. This information can be found on of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s their websites. website. These guidelines describe information which Departmental Recruitment the Government would expect to find useful in reaching a decision, but do not constitute formal criteria. City status is an honour granted by personal command of Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Her Majesty; not a right to be claimed by towns which Communities and Local Government how much his tick certain boxes. Department has spent on (a) recruitment services and (b) executive search agencies in each month since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [93569] COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Robert Neill: I have interpreted this question as relating Adoption: Expenditure to external recruitment costs. The Department has spent £143,337 on external recruitment costs since May 2010. Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for A table breaking down this expenditure by month, Communities and Local Government (1) what the cost vendor and reason has been placed in the Library of the was of the social services associated with the Adoption House. Agency in the last financial year for which figures are I would also refer the hon. Member to my answer to available; [100141] the hon. Member for Hemsworth (Jon Trickett) on (2) what the cost to the public purse was of the 2 February 2012, Official Report, column 730W. Adoption Agency in the last financial year for which figures are available. [100142] Fire Services: Income Tax

Robert Neill [holding answer 15 March 2012]: The Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for information requested is not held by DCLG. Communities and Local Government if he will estimate Information on income and expenditure is collected the number of firefighters in each (a) region and (b) from local authorities on ‘Revenue Outturn’ forms; local authority area who will no longer pay income tax however expenditure on adoption or adoption agencies following the increase in the personal allowance to is not separately identifiable. Spend on adoption services £8,105 in April 2012. [101545] will be included within the wider category ‘Children and Family services—other’. This can be found at the Robert Neill: My Department does not hold information following link: on the pay of individual firefighters. http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/ localregional/localgovernmentfinance/statistics/ Food revenueexpenditure/revenue201011/ Departmental Pay Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for proportion of food procured by his Department (a) Communities and Local Government how many meets the Government Buying Standards for Food and officials in (a) his Department and (b) the non- Catering and (b) is from British sources. [99808] departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible are paid (i) £100,000 or more and (ii) Robert Neill: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I £142,500 or more per annum in the latest period for gave him on 6 December, 2011, Official Report, which figures are available. [96908] column 233W. Freedom of Information Robert Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government has one official being paid a salary of £142,500 or more per annum. This official is the Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for permanent secretary. Communities and Local Government on what date Freedom of Information Act information request F0004724 In addition, there are 12 officials within the Department made on 14 April 2011 was first referred for consideration of Communities and Local Government being paid a by (a) his private office and (b) his Permanent Secretary’s salary of £100,000 or more. private office. [100317] For context, The Department for Communities and Local Government had four officials being paid a salary Robert Neill [holding answer 19 March 2012]: of £142,500 and 12 officials being paid a salary of over Information relating to internal discussion and advice is £100,000 for the period ending 30 June 2010. The not normally disclosed. salaries of senior staff in Department for Communities and Local Government are publicly available on the Industrial Disputes Department for Communities and Local Government website for the periods ending 31 January 2012, Sir Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for 30 September 2011, 31 March 2011 and 30 June 2010. Communities and Local Government pursuant to the This information can be found on the following website: answer of 5 September 2011, Official Report, column http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/ 10W, on departmental pay, what the estimated saving transparencyingovernment/staffdata/ to the public purse was from lower staff wage costs 831W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 832W arising from industrial action by staff in (a) his The new Community Right to Reclaim Land will Department and (b) its arm’s length bodies in also enable local communities to get underused public November 2011. [101031] property back in use. Lost Property Robert Neill: The estimated total amount saved to the public purse as a result of members of the Department Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for for Communities and Local Government participating Communities and Local Government what property in industrial action on 30 November 2011 is £51,348, has been lost or stolen from his Department in the last excluding employers national insurance and pension 12 months; and what the estimated cost was of contributions. replacement of such property. [100882] Information for the estimated saving to the Department’s arm’s length bodies as above is not held centrally. Robert Neill: In the last 12 months to 29 February 2012, the following departmental property has been (a) Land: Planning Permission lost and (b) stolen.

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Total Communities and Local Government what representations replacement his Department has received on the infringement of Item Lost Stolen cost (£) land title or other rights by planning legislation in the Laptop 0 1 1,500 last two years. [101374] Blackberry 2 142 7,500 PC Headphones 0 1 10 Robert Neill: While we receive correspondence on the Laptop log-on key 3 0 540 relationship between planning permission and land title, I am not aware of having received any specific The theft of the large number of Blackberries is part representations on this issue. of a current and ongoing police investigation. This is a matter we take with great seriousness, but I am unable Local Government: Cost Effectiveness to give more information so as not to compromise that police investigation. Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for All departmental IT is fully security encrypted. The Communities and Local Government what steps his replacement cost of laptops includes encryption software Department is taking to ensure that local authorities to allow the handling of sensitive material up to Restricted manage their property efficiently to deliver value for level and to meet the Code of Connection for the money. [99301] Government Secure Intranet, the operating system (including log-on keys) for secure remote access to the Robert Neill: DCLG has been working closely with Department’s ICT system for operational and resilience 26 Capital and Asset Pathfinder areas to manage their purposes, license, set-up and support costs. capital spend and assets more effectively through a Mass Media bottom up commissioning approach across the public sector within an area. The projects have shown that Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for adopting a cross-public sector approach can lead to Communities and Local Government what media substantial savings of up to 20% and improve the local monitoring services his Department has purchased in community’s access to the services they need. each of the last five years. [100881] DCLG has worked with key partners, including HM Treasury, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Robert Neill: The following organisations have provided Accounting (CIPFA), and the Royal Institute of Chartered media monitoring services to the Department in the last Surveyors (RICS), on raising the profile and quality of five years: asset management in local government. The Department ‘Broadcast Media Monitoring subscriptions’—Central Office has also been working with both central and local of Information government to map and publish data on public sector ‘National print media monitoring’—EDS and Durrants assets in England. ‘Regional print media monitoring’—Central Office of The Local Government Transparency Code calls for Information/Government News Network councils to publish online details of public land and The cost of broadcast media monitoring and national building assets: we believe such transparency will help print media monitoring services are set out by financial councils make more effective use of their assets. year in the following table.

£ Financial year Organisation 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Central Office of Information 59,125 68,235 112,075 69,825 48,000 (Broadcast Media Monitoring subscriptions):

EDS/Durrants (National print 178,547 204,181 187,154 43,993 129,809 media monitoring):

1 An aggregate of actual cost to February 2012 and a £2,000 estimate for March 2012. 833W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 834W

In September 2010 the Department’s regional cuttings DEFENCE and monitoring service (which was part of a wider contract placed with the Central Office of Information) Afghanistan: Military Aid was cancelled and the national cuttings service moved to an electronic only format with a limited list of recipients. Neither DCLG Ministers nor officials in the Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Department now receive hard copy press cuttings. Ministers Defence how many Afghan (a) police and (b) soldiers have taken the view that an excessive and unnecessary NATO forces have trained. [100261] amount of taxpayers’ money was previously being spent on press cuttings. Nick Harvey: Since the NATO Training Mission— Afghanistan (the organisation responsible for training the Afghan National Security Forces) was established Planning Permission in 2009, the size of the Afghan National Police and the Afghan National Army has grown by 50,000 and 87,000 respectively. These have all been trained by NATO. Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for These figures do not account for those either currently Communities and Local Government (1) whether he being trained or those subsequently lost through attrition. has any plans to allow local authorities to set the level The Afghan National Security Forces currently stand at of charge for retrospective planning permission; 145,000 Afghan National Police and 184,000 in the [101506] Afghan National Army and are on track to reach their (2) whether he has any plans to alter the charges for combined target force of 352,000 by October 2012. retrospective planning permission; and if he will make a statement. [101507] Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long it has taken to train (a) an Afghan Robert Neill: We are currently considering the responses soldier for policing duties and (b) an Afghan to the consultation on fees for planning applications, policeman in the latest period for which information is and we will make a statement in due course. available. [100262]

Nick Harvey: The Afghan National Army do not Social Security Benefits: Fraud conduct policing duties—these are carried out by the Afghan National Police. However, phase one Basic Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities Warrior Training for soldiers joining the Afghan National and Local Government how many full-time equivalent Army takes nine weeks. If a soldier is not already staff were employed by his Department to tackle benefit literate, this is accompanied by a further eight weeks of fraud in 2011-12. [101522] literacy training. On completion of phase one training a soldier will then complete additional training with his Robert Neill: The Department for Communities and unit before being deployed. The length of this is not Local Government do not employ staff to tackle benefit pre-defined and will depend on various circumstances. fraud. Local authorities employ staff to tackle some The Afghan National Police initial police training types of benefit fraud, such as council tax benefit and course lasts for eight weeks. There are then a range of housing benefit. Information on how many full-time subsequent courses which members of the Afghan National equivalent staff employed by local authorities to tackle Police can complete depending on specialism and career benefit fraud is not collected centrally by the Department progression. for Communities and Local Government. Aircraft Carriers Waste Management Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities Defence what estimate he has made of the potential and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 7 cost to the public purse of fitting the Queen Elizabeth March 2012, Official Report, columns 773-4W,on waste Class carrier with the US Electromagnetic Aircraft management, which councils that collect refuse in alternate Launch System. [101181] weeks have made a commitment to return to a weekly collection service; and which councils have expressed an Peter Luff: I am withholding the information as its interest in returning to a weekly collection subject to disclosure would prejudice commercial interests. extra funds becoming available. [101503] Armed Forces: Allowances Robert Neill: The expressions of interest deadline passed on 16 March and I can confirm we received a Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for high level of interest from local authorities. My officials Defence how many people of each rank and in each are now considering these expressions of interest and theatre of operation in each service have received the intend to provide general feedback to local authorities longer separation allowance in the last 12 months. around Easter. [100664] At this stage in the process it is not possible to pre-empt which local authorities will bid for funds Mr Robathan: The information requested will take under the scheme, as they have until 11 May to submit time to collate. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as an outline bid and 17 August for final bids. it is available. 835W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 836W

Catering Nick Harvey: Sentry is the UK’s land-based, fixed-wing, Airborne Early Warning (AEW) and Control platform Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which, with a crew of 18 and long endurance of up to how much his Department spent on complimentary 18 hours, can conduct long range surveillance, detection refreshments for (a) staff and (b) visitors in the latest and interception of air contacts. Sentry forms part of period for which figures are available. [101443] the UK’s contribution to NATO; the six UK aircraft generate 25% of the total NATO AEW Force. Sentry is Mr Robathan: The information is not held centrally due to leave service in 2025. and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. An announcement on the future Defence equipment In the current financial climate, we encourage our programme will be made shortly. staff not to spend taxpayers’ money on refreshments save in exceptional circumstances, for example when Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for hosting visitors from overseas. Our staff are otherwise Defence in which operations the Airborne Warning normally expected to pay for their own refreshments in and Control System has been deployed; and what the workplace, including at internal meetings, except assessment he has made of its effectiveness. [101134] where provided for under the rules covering when staff are away from their normal place of duty and incur Nick Harvey: Since entering service in 1991 the Sentry reasonable and additional expense as a consequence. E-3D fleet has proved itself to be a highly effective platform. In addition to its deployment on military Early Retirement operations in theatres such as Bosnia, Afghanistan and Libya it is also routinely called upon to support NATO-led security operations to protect High Visibility Events Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for involving national and foreign heads of state. Sentry Defence how many staff in his Department worked for also contributes routinely to NATO air policing and the (a) Hercules and Tristar, (b) Nimrod and (c) maritime security operations. Harrier team in each of the last three years; and how many such staff in each team received early release or Flowers early retirement in each of the last three years. [100597]

Mr Robathan [holding answer 19 March 2012]: The Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for relevant numbers for civilian staff in the Defence Equipment Defence how much his Department spent on (a) cut and Support Project Teams named in the question are flowers and (b) pot plants between May 2010 and in the following tables: February 2012. [101429] Total number of civilian staff who worked in the Project Teams at any Mr Robathan: This information is not held centrally point during each calendar year; (see also table 3) and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Calendar year Expenditure on cut flowers and pot plants across the Team 2009 2010 2011 defence estate is determined by business need and must Harrier 178 162 133 be appropriate, cost effective and a proper charge to Hercules/ 98 105 101 public funds. Tristar Nimrod 231 182 104 Merlin Helicopters Numbers of those in the above table who received early release or early retirement in the last three calendar years Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Calendar year Defence what the projected end of service date is for Team 2009 2010 2011 the Merlin Mark 3 without upgrades. [99101]

Harrier 4 4 22 Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence is currently Hercules/ 146exploring options as part of the concept phase for the Tristar Merlin Life Sustainment Programme. It is too early in Nimrod 10 22 14 the programme to be able to confirm the conclusions of Headcount figures as of 1 January in each year (as an indication of this work. the ongoing workforce levels) The Merlin Mk 3 would be taken out of service in Calendar year 2020 without an upgrade programme owing to obsolescence. Team 2009 2010 2011 2012

Harrier 152 142 123 63 Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Hercules/ 70 84 94 79 Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on Tristar amphibious lift capacity of limiting ship optimisation Nimrod 207 181 104 37 modifications for Merlin helicopters. [100665] Peter Luff: The Department is currently exploring Early Warning Systems options as part of the concept phase for the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme. This will include assessment Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for of the ship optimisation modifications required to meet Defence what assets his Department plans to deploy in the amphibious lift capability. It is too early in the an Airborne Early Warning capacity in the next programme to be able to confirm the conclusions of decade. [100666] this work. 837W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 838W

Sea King Helicopters National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many operations Sea King Mk 7s have http://www.nomisweb.co.uk been deployed on in an airborne surveillance and Table 1: Number of disabled1 people in employment resident in (a) control role in the last two years. [100670] Haltemprice and Howden, (b) East Riding of Yorkshire (c) Yorkshire and Humber and (d) England in each of the last five years Nick Harvey: Sea King Mk 7 helicopters have been Thousand deployed on two operations in the last two years, utilising 12 East Yorkshire months Haltemprice Riding of and the their capabilities including their airborne surveillance ending and Howden Yorkshire Humber England and control role. These are as follows: Operation HERRICK (Afghanistan) June 2007 5 19 306 2,928 Operation ELLAMY (Libya). June 2008 5 17 321 3,004 June 2009 6 18 322 2,994 Territorial Army: Allowances June 2010 5 21 334 3,158 June ****5 **21 *350 *3,401 20112 Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for 1 People who are DDA disabled or have a work limiting disability. Defence what changes his Department has made to 2 Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as allowances for those serving in the Territorial Army in an indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality as the last two years; and if he will make a statement. follows. [100930] Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely Mr Robathan: Members of the reserve forces are to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an estimate of 200 entitled to the same allowances provisions as regular with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within personnel when mobilised. I refer the hon. Member to the range 180-220. the written ministerial statement I made on 20 January Key: 2011, Official Report, column 47WS. *0≤ CV<5%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise ** 5 ≤ CV <10%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered Following the recommendations of the Armed Forces reasonably precise Pay Review Body Fortieth Report on 1 April 2011, *** 10 ≤ CV <20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered volunteer reserve personnel became entitled to the payment acceptable ≥ of the daily rate of Northern Ireland Residence Supplement **** CV 20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes (£7.29) for each day that paid training is undertaken. CV = Coefficient of Variation Source: Annual Population Survey

CABINET OFFICE Mr Evennett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many disabled people were in paid work in Employment: Disability (a) Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency, (b) the London borough of Bexley and (c) London in each of Mr David Davis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet the last five years. [101706] Office how many disabled people were in paid work in (a) Haltemprice and Howden constituency, (b) East Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the Yorkshire, (c) Yorkshire and Humber and (d) responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have England in each of the last five years for which data are asked the authority to reply. available. [101525] Letter from Stephen Penneck: Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how asked the authority to reply. many disabled people were in paid work in (a) Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency, (b) the London Borough of Bexley and (c) Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2012: London in each of the last five years. (101706) As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles employment have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey how many disabled people were in paid work in (a) Haltemprice (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. and Howden constituency, (b) East Yorkshire (c) Yorkshire and Humber and (d) England in each of the last five years for which Due to small sample sizes estimates are not available for data are available. (101525) Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency. Table 1 shows the number of people identifying themselves as disabled who were in employment The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles employment and resident in (a) London Borough of Bexley and (b) London, statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey for the 12 month periods ending in June from 2007 to 2011, from (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. the APS. Table 1 shows the number of people identifying themselves as As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject disabled who were in employment and resident in (a) Haltemprice to a margin of uncertainty. A guide to the quality of the estimates and Howden constituency, (b) East Riding of Yorkshire (c) is given in the table. Yorkshire and The Humber and (d) England, for the 12 month periods ending in June from 2007 to 2011, from the APS. National and local area estimates for many labour market As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant to a margin of uncertainty. A guide to the quality of the estimates count are available on the NOMIS website at: is given in the table. http://www.nomisweb.co.uk 839W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 840W

Table 1: Number of disabled1 people in employment resident in (a) Bexley and Mr Djanogly: The Claims Management Regulation (b) London in each of the last five years. Unit (“the Unit”) is working with the Financial Bexley London Ombudsman Service, the Financial Services Authority 12 months ending June: and with many of the major banks and other lenders to 2007 11 363 identify bad practices carried out by claims management 2008 14 362 companies (“CMCs”) to gather the evidence needed to 2009 12 356 target regulatory investigations and help improve the 2010 15 391 claims process for consumers. In autumn 2011, the Unit 20112 ***16 *445 established a specialist compliance team to focus on the 1 People who are DDA disabled or have a work limiting disability. practices used by some CMCs when dealing with claims 2 Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an for mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI). The indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality. Guide to Unit has issued specific guidance to companies on Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the handling PPI mis-selling claims, conducted a number of smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within audits of CMCs and taken enforcement action where +/- twice the CV—for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we problems have been found. This priority work continues. would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220 Key: *0≤ CV<5%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise Coroners ** 5 ≤ CV <10%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 ≤ CV <20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered acceptable Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for **** CV ≤ 20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered too unreliable Justice for what reason the use of public interest immunity for practical purposes applications during inquests is no longer considered CV = Coefficient of Variation Source: adequate. [101526] Annual Population Survey. Mr Djanogly: Public Interest Immunity (PII) works Employment: Young People very well in the majority of inquests. However, in a very small number of cases sensitive information has been Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet relevant to inquest proceedings. If a PII application is Office what proportion of those aged 18 to 24 years successful, that information is excluded from proceedings, who re-entered the workplace following a period claiming and the coroner or jury cannot take it into account jobseeker’s allowance found employment with (a) small when reaching their verdict. For example, in the inquests and medium-sized enterprises, (b) other businesses and into the 7 July 2005 bombings the coroner approved an (c) public sector organisations in Birmingham, Ladywood application for PII. This meant that relevant information constituency in the latest period for which figures are could not be put before the inquests by the Security available. [101559] Service, and it could not be taken into account. This did not prevent the coroner reaching verdicts, but other Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the cases may not be able to proceed as successfully. In responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have extreme cases, an inquest might not be able to proceed asked the authority to reply. at all if it cannot take account of centrally relevant Letter from Stephen Penneck: sensitive information the disclosure of which would As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have damage the public interest. been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what proportion of those aged 18 to 24 years who have re-entered the Courts: Translation Services workplace following a period claiming jobseeker’s allowance have found employment with (a) small and medium-sized enterprises, Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for (b) other businesses and (c) public sector organisations in Birmingham, Justice (1) if he will estimate the number of court cases Ladywood constituency in the latest period for which figures are in Wales for which (a) translation or (b) an interpreter available. (101559) for a language other than Welsh was requested in each Claimant count data comes from information supplied by year since 2007; and what the language was in each Jobcentre Plus. When terminating a Job Seeker’s Allowance claim, case; [101158] data is only collected for generic categories e.g. found work, claiming another benefit and gone into full time education etc., (2) for what purposes services relating to translation and not on the size or type of business. Therefore it is not possible and interpretation by HM Courts and Tribunals Service to provide the requested information. have been contracted to external suppliers; and how many court cases have been delayed due to (a) non- attendance, (b) quality of the translation or interpreter or (c) any other language-related reason (i) since the JUSTICE introduction of the new contract and (ii) in the 12 months prior to the introduction of the new contract. Claims Management Services [101159]

Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Djanogly: The information is as follows: Justice if he will take steps to curb the practice of claims (1) Prior to the implementation of the new arrangements management companies (a) pursuing claims against information was not routinely collected on the number lenders where the product in question was never sold of court cases in Wales which required the services of and (b) automatically referring claims to the Financial an interpreter. On 20 March 2012, Official Report, Ombudsman Service when the lender has confirmed column 672W, the Under-Secretary of State for Justice, that the product in question was never sold to the my hon. Friend the Member for Reigate (Mr Blunt), consumer. [101270] confirmed that the Chief Statistician of the Ministry of 841W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 842W

Justice is considering what interpreter data available (2) how many convictions there were under section 5 under the new arrangements can be published by the (Breach of Restraining Order) of the Protection from end of May 2012. Harassment Act 1997 in financial year 2010-11; [97566] (2) The decision to enter into new arrangements was (3) how many convictions there were under section 2 made because there were inherent problems and (Harassment) of the Protection from Harassment Act inefficiencies with the previous arrangements. The 1997 in financial year 2010-11. [97567] previous arrangements did not meet the needs of the justice system and did not represent good value for Mr Blunt: The number of persons convicted at all money for the public. courts, England and Wales 2010 (latest available) for Figures are not available on the number of court sections 2, 4 and 5 of the Protection from Harassment hearings delayed as a result of problems with Act 1997 are given in the following table. interpreters either before or after the new contract Annual court proceedings data for 2011 are planned started. for publication in May European Court of Human Rights 2012. Persons convicted at all courts, under the Protection from Harassment Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Act 1997 Sections 2, 4 and 5, England and Wales, 20101,2,3 what progress he has made on reform of the European Protection from Harassment Act 1997 Convicted Court of Human Rights and strengthening the Section 2: Harassment 4,740 implementation of the European Convention on Section 4: Putting someone in fear of 797 Human Rights since November 2011. [100802] violence Section 5: Breach of a restraining order 2,921 Mr Kenneth Clarke: Since November 2011, the UK 1 Includes offences under the following statutes: Protection from Government, as part of their activities as chair of the Harassment Act 1977 and Protection from Harassment Act 1977 as Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, amended by Crime and Disorder Act 1998. have been working on building consensus among the 46 2 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons other members of the Council of Europe to a package for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they of reform of the European Court of Human Rights were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is and strengthening the implementation of the European imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more Convention on Human Rights. Our work is expected to offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory culminate in a Declaration of intergovernmental maximum penalty is the most severe. agreement at a UK hosted conference in Brighton in 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are April. This reform will carry forward the progress accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems already made at the Interlaken and Izmir conferences generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care held until previous Chairmanships. should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their When the Prime Minister addressed the Council of inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Europe in January, he set out our priorities for reform, Source: and how we intend to achieve them. These are reflected Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. in the draft Declaration, along with proposals from Hollie Greig other member states. We want to: encourage and assist states to take responsibility for implementing the Convention properly at a national level; Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent assessment he has made of the case help the Court efficiently clear its backlog of around 150,000 applications; of Hollie Greig; and if he will make a statement. [99305] reinforce the principle of subsidiarity; change the admissibility criteria to allow the Court to focus more on the most important and serious cases; Mr Djanogly: As this case is the subject of ongoing court proceedings, I am prevented by Section 12 of the put in place processes to ensure the best possible judges are elected to the Court. Administration of Justice Act 1960 from making any comment. The draft Declaration has been developed in consultation with the other 46 Council of Europe member states and Legal Aid Scheme with civil society over the course of the last few months; it takes into account the final contribution from the Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Council of Europe expert committees and the opinion Justice (1) how many criminal barristers earned more of the Court itself. Balancing the interests of so many than £142,500 from the Criminal Defence Service parties is a challenge that cannot be underestimated, scheme in each of the last five years; [101404] but we are confident about our prospects of using this (2) what payments were made from the Criminal rare opportunity to agree a practical programme of Defence Service scheme to the 50 barristers who reform. received the highest payments from the scheme in the Harassment latest period for which figures are available. [101405]

Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Mr Djanogly: The information is not readily available (1) how many convictions there were under section 4 and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. (Putting someone in fear of violence) of the Protection Barristers receive payments for work carried out under from Harassment Act 1997 in financial year 2010-11; the Criminal Defence Service from two payment sources; [97565] those payments made directly by the Legal Services 843W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 844W

Commission (LSC) for very high cost cases carried out Mr Djanogly: I apologise for the delay in responding, under case contracts and those made directly by the this was due to an administrative error. We will respond Ministry on behalf of the LSC under a service level shortly. agreement. Providing this information would require manual merging all the data from both payment systems. Prisoners: Mental Health Work is currently ongoing to identify the 25 highest paid barristers pursuant to the answer I gave the hon. Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Member on 29 February 2012, Official Report, pursuant to the answer of 7 March 2012, Official Report, column 371W. column 758W, on sentencing: mental health, if he will make it his policy that his Department will centrally Legal Aid Scheme: Travellers collect data on the mental health of the prison population. [101015]

Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Paul Burstow: I have been asked to reply on behalf of Justice (1) how much funding the Legal Services the Department of Health. Commission allocated to the Community Law Partnership to provide legal advice for travellers in relation to planning Commissioning responsibility for prison health care cases for (a) retrospective planning permission and (b) transferred from the Prison Service to the national contesting planning enforcement notices in (i) 2008-09 health service in 2006. Since this date, primary care and (ii) 2009-10; [101016] trusts (PCTs) have provided or commissioned health services, including prison mental health. Data on prisoner (2) how much funding the Legal Services Commission health care may be collected by individual PCTs but is allocated through its exceptional funding scheme on not collected centrally by the Department, since it is not assisting travellers in relation to planning cases for (a) responsible for providing or commissioning treatment. retrospective planning permission and (b) contesting From April 2013, the NHS Commissioning Board (NHS planning enforcement notices in (i) 2008-09 and (ii) CB) will be responsible for commissioning all health 2009-10. [101017] services for those in prison As part of that commissioning responsibility the NHS CB may choose, in the future, to Mr Djanogly: It is not possible to answer these questions collect data on the mental health of the prison population. in the exact format requested. Community Law Partnership is contracted with the Prisons: Crimes of Violence Legal Services Commission (LSC) to provide face-to-face and telephone advice. Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice In face-to-face advice, the LSC does not record travellers how many assaults on prison staff were reported in separately nor does it record planning cases to the level 2011; and how many resulted in prosecutions. [100997] of detail requested. In telephone advice, the LSC only records cases under a category of ’Housing Other’ and Mr Blunt: The number of assaults on prison staff are it is not possible to distinguish, from this category, the published in the annual Safety in Custody Statistics costs of retrospective planning permission and contesting Bulletin. The official figures for 2011 will be published planning enforcement notices from other costs associated in July 2012. The number of prosecutions arising from with housing matters. assaults on prison staff are not collected centrally. The cost of ‘Housing Other’ telephone advice cases that closed in 2008-09 and 2009-10 was £22,272 and Repossession Orders £20,347 respectively. Representation at planning inquiries is generally excluded Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice from the scope of the legal aid scheme. Under the how many possession actions were carried out in exceptional funding scheme, the Lord Chancellor may respect of (a) mortgages, (b) private rent and (c) authorise the LSC to grant funding in individual excluded social rented properties in each county court area in cases, where the LSC first requests it. each quarter from 2010 to the most recent quarter for which figures are available. [101530] The Ministry of Justice authorised the LSC to grant funding of £13,959 in 2008-09 and £3,210 in 2009-10 for Mr Djanogly: The following tables show the numbers Gypsies and Travellers to be represented at planning of possession claims issued in respect of (a) mortgages, inquiries. It is not possible to disaggregate from these (b) private rent under the standard landlord procedure, costs funding for matters involving retrospective planning (c) social rent under the standard landlord procedure, applications or planning enforcement notices. The final and (d) private and social rent under the accelerated amounts paid may have varied slightly from the figures landlord procedure in each county court area and for aforementioned as the LSC can adjust the grant if each quarter in 2010 and 2011. necessary (for example if the hearing is longer, or shorter, than expected). The Ministry of Justice does not hold information about which accelerated possession claims relate to social landlords and which relate to private landlords. Members: Correspondence The accelerated possession procedure is used by landlords in relation to assured shorthold tenancies, when the Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for fixed period of tenancy has come to an end. It enables Justice when he plans to reply to the letter of 20 orders to be made by the court solely on the basis of December 2011 from the hon. Member for Wakefield written evidence and without calling the parties to a on prisoner transfer agreements. [101367] hearing. 845W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 846W

These figures do not indicate how many properties Claims and claims leading to orders figures for all have actually been repossessed. Repossessions can occur county courts in England and Wales can be found at: without a claim being issued, such as where borrowers hand the keys back to the lender. Also, not all possession http://www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/civil-justice/mortgage- claims result in repossession. Many orders made in possession these cases are suspended and if the borrower complies with the repayment arrangements set out in the suspended order the property will not be repossessed.

Quarterly number of mortgage possession claims issued in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

England and Wales 18,805 18,395 20,384 17,847 19,608 18,339 18,763 16,472

London 2,465 2,355 2,600 2,275 2,465 2,245 2,360 2,020

Barnet Civil and Family Courts Centre 105 75 110 115 100 100 105 80 Bow County Court 280 265 300 265 260 215 255 205 Brentford County Court 120 115 145 115 135 120 110 105 Bromley County Court 215 185 205 180 180 185 175 150 Central London County Court 80 70 65 65 165 85 60 55 Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court 115 115 125 115 95 85 100 85 Croydon County Court 290 265 315 275 290 275 270 260 Edmonton County Court 225 210 245 205 200 215 195 185 Ilford County Court 100 130 105 100 120 105 130 85 Kingston-upon-Thames County Court 70 60 85 65 70 65 105 75 Lambeth County Court 185 175 165 145 150 130 155 130 Mayors and City of London Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Romford County Court 170 170 190 155 180 155 175 160 Uxbridge County Court 105 95 120 90 135 95 100 75 Wandsworth County Court 100 95 95 95 75 80 90 80 West London County Court 40 45 45 40 40 50 45 40 Willesden County Court 150 165 160 145 140 155 135 135 Woolwich County Court 115 120 125 105 130 130 135 110

Midlands 3,560 3,555 3,895 3,395 3,725 3,500 3,480 3,130

Birmingham Civil Justice Centre and 520 565 585 515 610 580 570 530 Family Courts Boston County Court 45 65 85 60 60 60 70 120 Burton-on-Trent County Court 85 90 95 85 70 65 125 110 Buxton County Court 10 15 10 10 20 20 15 10 Chesterfield County Court 85 75 95 55 80 75 70 65 Coventry Combined Court Centre 115 125 155 125 130 130 140 115 Derby Combined Court Centre 175 160 190 165 170 140 150 155 Dudley County Court 105 95 115 95 110 100 110 145 Evesham County Court 20 2—202015252— 2— Grantham County Court 30 35 35 25 25 25 30 2— Hereford County Court 30 35 30 30 50 30 35 35 Kettering County Court 105 90 110 90 100 80 165 120 Kidderminster County Court 45 35 50 40 30 30 2— 2— Leicester County Court 220 210 255 220 235 185 230 215 Lincoln County Court 100 120 115 100 115 120 85 110 Ludlow County Court 10 2— 2—102— 2— 2— 2— Mansfield Magistrates and County Court 125 150 115 95 140 120 145 155 Melton Mowbray County Court 15 20 20 25 20 20 2— 2— Newark County Court 30 20 25 25 25 25 2— 2— Northampton Combined Court 125 125 140 130 150 160 125 100 Nottingham County Court 270 245 265 250 220 245 230 230 Nuneaton County Court 110 115 125 110 135 105 100 125 Oswestry County Court 20 10 20 15 15 25 2— 2— Redditch County Court 60 55 60 45 50 75 2— 2— Rugby County Court 45 45 35 35 50 40 40 2— Shrewsbury County Court 40 25 35 25 35 25 2— 2— Skegness County Court 25 30 25 20 30 25 20 2— Stafford Combined Court Centre 55 55 60 50 50 55 60 55 847W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 848W

Quarterly number of mortgage possession claims issued in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

Stoke-on-Trent Combined Court 195 200 240 175 205 185 190 185 Stourbridge County Court 60 60 65 60 75 65 55 2— Stratford on Avon County Court 10 10 10 20 10 20 10 2— Tamworth County Court 55 55 55 60 50 45 2— 2— Telford County Court 70 80 80 95 85 75 130 105 Walsall County Court 225 185 220 195 200 195 205 160 Warwick Combined Court 35 35 35 20 35 20 30 45 Wellingborough County Court 60 75 80 70 75 75 2— 2— Wolverhampton Combined Court Centre 95 115 110 115 120 120 115 90 Worcester Combined Court 45 60 50 45 55 60 165 150 Worksop County Court 75 60 75 65 70 55 60 2—

North East 3,230 3,200 3,520 3,100 3,440 3,110 3,190 2,740

Barnsley Law Courts 100 80 100 95 85 90 95 95 Bishop Auckland County Court1 55 60 50 65 55 50 2— 2— Bradford Combined Court Centre 225 225 205 205 205 205 205 180 Consett County Court1 50 45 55 40 40 40 2— 2— Darlington County Court 95 100 95 80 85 85 120 95 Dewsbury County Court 100 140 135 110 130 115 130 105 Doncaster County Court 210 205 225 185 230 195 180 170 Durham County Court 100 95 115 90 125 110 205 180 Gateshead County Court 110 110 105 90 95 85 100 80 Great Grimsby Combined Court Centre 100 90 100 110 140 120 90 95 Halifax County Court 75 105 110 95 100 85 90 85 Harrogate County Court 35 30 35 35 45 30 40 30 Hartlepool County Court 60 55 75 70 90 55 65 50 Huddersfield County Court 90 100 100 80 95 85 100 75 Keighley County Court 45 40 50 40 50 30 50 35 Kingston-upon-Hull Combined Court 185 185 185 175 200 205 145 170 Centre Leeds Combined Court Centre 215 220 265 205 225 210 235 190 Morpeth and Berwick County Court 70 75 95 75 80 75 70 60 Newcastle-upon-Tyne Combined Court 150 135 175 135 130 135 135 95 Centre North Shields County Court 65 55 80 65 75 55 70 60 Pontefract County Court 100 85 100 95 105 100 75 60 Rotherham County Court 105 120 125 110 105 95 100 90 Scarborough County Court 60 50 75 85 80 75 65 55 Scunthorpe County Court 75 55 75 75 80 55 75 65 Sheffield Combined Court Centre 210 240 215 190 200 170 210 175 Skipton County Court 15 15 20 20 30 15 20 15 South Shields County Court 60 60 60 65 75 75 65 45 Sunderland County Court 90 95 125 75 110 105 85 95 Teesside Combined Court Centre 240 200 225 205 230 220 230 175 Wakefield County Court 75 60 70 70 65 60 55 50 York County Court 65 70 85 65 85 65 80 60

North West 2,960 2,895 3,225 2,980 3,165 2,955 3,060 2,740

Accrington County Court 40 20 35 25 35 35 50 35 Altrincham County Court 50 55 40 55 50 50 40 45 Barrow-in-Furness County Court 30 50 35 40 30 35 35 55 Birkenhead County Court 125 125 145 115 130 140 130 125 Blackburn County Court 95 80 100 85 85 90 95 85 Blackpool County Court 135 155 155 135 175 155 145 125 Bolton Combined Court Centre 115 120 145 120 125 125 130 120 Burnley Combined Court Centre 110 90 90 85 90 105 145 100 Bury County Court 105 90 120 100 100 100 115 130 Carlisle Combined Court Centre 50 40 50 45 45 45 40 45 Chester Civil Justice Centre 70 70 60 65 75 60 90 90 Chorley County Court 25 40 40 45 50 55 2— 2— Crewe County Court 40 55 65 60 55 50 90 80 849W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 850W

Quarterly number of mortgage possession claims issued in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

Kendal County Court 15 2—101015202010 Lancaster County Court 35 50 65 40 50 60 55 50 Leigh County Court1 55 60 65 60 60 40 2— 2— Liverpool Civil and Family Court 350 335 325 330 360 295 430 335 Macclesfield County Court 40 55 40 45 60 40 50 35 Manchester County Court 235 210 215 275 200 205 375 325 Nelson County Court1 (29 January 2010) 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Northwich County Court1 30 40 55 45 55 50 2— 2— Oldham County Court 200 175 225 195 175 205 215 185 Penrith County Court12—102—1010102— 2— Preston Combined Court Centre 115 100 125 100 120 110 125 120 Rawtenstall County Court 40 35 35 30 45 40 2— 2— Salford County Court1 130 140 170 160 175 150 2— 2— Southport County Court1 60 55 60 50 75 50 2— 2— St. Helens County Court 155 125 175 150 165 145 145 125 Stockport Magistrates and County Court 105 100 105 105 115 90 95 80 Tameside County Court 125 115 150 125 130 105 125 120 Warrington and Runcorn County Courts 120 120 125 125 130 130 130 110 West Cumbria Court House 30 35 50 35 35 25 35 35 Wigan County Court 130 140 135 130 155 150 165 175

South East 3,480 3,475 3,820 3,400 3,635 3,525 3,615 3,180

Ashford County Court1 75 80 75 75 75 45 2— 2— Aylesbury County Court 50 55 55 40 45 50 55 50 Banbury County Court 35 45 45 30 40 40 30 30 Basildon Combined Court 175 185 215 155 195 205 195 165 Bedford County Court 55 50 55 40 55 80 75 60 Brighton County Court 65 60 85 75 80 80 90 85 Bury St. Edmunds County Court 45 60 65 70 60 60 70 55 Cambridge County Court 60 60 70 80 60 65 90 55 Canterbury Combined Court Centre 95 70 85 80 95 100 140 110 Chelmsford County and Family 70 70 75 80 75 75 135 120 Proceedings Court Chichester Combined Court Centre 40 60 50 55 60 70 55 60 Colchester County Court 140 145 165 105 135 140 140 135 Dartford County Court 140 140 165 150 165 160 205 180 Eastbourne County Court 50 45 50 40 55 40 45 50 Epsom County Court1 55 65 65 60 65 60 2— 2— Gravesend County Court1 (1 April 2011) 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Guildford County Court 50 45 60 45 65 50 60 40 Harlow County Court1 55 55 55 55 65 55 2— 2— Hastings County Court 60 50 55 50 65 55 70 40 Haywards Heath County Court1 35 25 40 30 25 25 2— 2— Hertford County Court 35 30 35 30 40 30 35 25 High Wycombe County Court 50 50 55 55 45 40 45 35 Hitchin County Court1 65 60 80 70 80 60 2— 2— Horsham County Court 55 50 55 50 60 50 65 50 Huntingdon County Court1 40 35 45 40 45 20 2— 2— Ipswich County Court 85 80 90 75 80 75 80 70 King’s Lynn County Court 80 75 70 85 75 80 90 70 Lewes Combined Court Centre 25 20 20 15 25 20 25 15 Lowestoft County Court1 60 60 75 60 65 30 2— 2— Luton County Court 135 150 155 125 145 155 200 195 Maidstone Combined Court Centre 85 65 60 55 55 70 80 70 Medway County Court 195 175 245 180 220 190 180 180 Milton Keynes County Court 130 120 115 145 115 125 120 125 Newbury County Court1 20 30 25 25 10 20 2— 2— Norwich Combined Court Centre 135 145 100 120 110 120 170 150 Oxford Combined Court Centre 100 85 90 75 95 90 90 95 Peterborough Combined Court Centre 135 140 180 130 130 165 190 150 Reading County Court 125 115 120 115 115 120 150 115 851W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 852W

Quarterly number of mortgage possession claims issued in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

Reigate County Court 35 30 35 35 35 30 40 35 Slough County Court 100 80 95 105 100 90 110 90 Southend County Court 135 115 140 115 145 130 140 115 St. Albans County Court 25 30 45 40 35 25 15 40 Staines County Court 65 70 65 50 65 70 65 60 Thanet County Court 45 85 65 60 55 55 55 60 Tunbridge Wells County Court 35 50 60 60 45 50 60 55 Watford County Court 100 115 120 95 110 120 110 100 Worthing County Court 45 40 40 60 55 50 45 40

South West 1,820 1,695 1,935 1,560 1,835 1,730 1,780 1,545

Aldershot and Farnham County Court 75 70 95 65 90 60 60 70 Barnstaple County Court 40 35 40 30 35 40 25 25 Basingstoke County Court 55 65 45 40 55 55 60 45 Bath County Court 20 25 25 15 25 15 20 30 Bodmin County Court 50 60 55 45 40 55 50 35 Bournemouth and Poole County Court 145 135 140 125 135 140 160 120 Bristol County Court 180 190 220 175 220 170 200 180 Exeter Combined Court Centre 55 35 70 55 60 50 60 40 Gloucester and Cheltenham County Court 140 140 155 115 155 130 145 115 Isle of Wight Combined Court 45 40 45 50 40 40 40 40 Penzance County Court1 35 30 40 30 35 15 2— 2— Plymouth Combined Court 140 90 100 90 135 90 95 90 Portsmouth Combined Court Centre 195 185 195 155 180 155 200 155 Salisbury Law Courts 20 20 20 20 20 25 25 25 Southampton Combined Court Centre 105 115 135 100 120 125 110 120 Swindon Combined Court 130 95 130 105 110 130 125 100 Taunton County Court 65 45 45 40 60 55 55 45 Torquay and Newton Abbot County Court 75 80 95 70 85 90 70 70 Trowbridge County Court 65 50 60 60 65 70 55 60 Truro County Court 50 30 30 20 25 60 70 60 Weston-super-Mare County Court 55 50 70 55 55 65 55 50 Weymouth and Dorchester Combined 25 25 35 20 25 25 25 20 Court Centre Winchester Combined Court Centre 20 10 15 20 10 10 10 10 Yeovil County Court 40 70 80 60 55 60 65 50

Wales 1,290 1,220 1,385 1,135 1,340 1,275 1,280 1,120

Aberdare County Court1 35 50 30 35 35 40 2— 2— Aberystwyth County Court 15 2—101010152010 Blackwood Civil and Family Court 95 95 110 90 105 120 100 110 Brecon Law Courts 10 10 10 2—1010102— Bridgend Law Courts 70 75 95 65 85 75 85 70 Caernarfon County Court 30 25 25 30 45 35 25 25 Cardiff Civil Justice Centre 185 200 220 185 190 205 205 165 Carmarthen County Court 30 35 40 35 30 30 35 25 Conwy and Colwyn County Court 45 45 40 25 25 30 30 30 Haverfordwest County Court 35 35 35 40 45 40 45 30 Llanelli County Court 50 40 45 35 50 45 30 40 Llangefni County Court 20 25 25 25 25 20 20 30 Merthyr Tydfil Combined Court Centre 25 25 40 25 35 20 70 60 Mold County Court 40 35 60 40 45 30 35 40 Neath and Port Talbot County Court 90 70 85 70 80 70 75 75 Newport (Gwent) Civil and Family Court 135 115 130 120 110 125 120 90 Pontypool County Court1 25 35 20 15 50 25 2— 2— Pontypridd County Court 125 95 105 105 100 90 105 100 Rhyl County Court 55 50 65 50 65 70 65 60 Swansea Civil Justice Centre 115 100 125 70 115 110 110 95 853W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 854W

Quarterly number of mortgage possession claims issued in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

Welshpool and Newtown County Court 10 2—151010151020 Wrexham Magistrates and County Courts 50 50 60 60 70 65 85 45 1 Courts closed or merged with other county courts. 2 The figure is not provided as the number of claims issued is either seven or less. Note: Figures below England and Wales level are rounded to the nearest five. Source: Ministry of Justice Quarterly number of social landlord possession claims issued under the standard procedure in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

England and Wales 24,235 20,444 23,207 22,331 24,262 21,397 24,783 23,190

London 6,150 5,080 5,460 5,440 5,775 4,980 5,745 5,515

Barnet Civil and Family Courts Centre 140 165 100 105 110 135 115 90 Bow County Court 505 420 465 465 430 410 460 340 Brentford County Court 230 215 195 270 220 210 225 240 Bromley County Court 310 245 265 250 290 220 245 250 Central London County Court 410 310 345 335 295 240 340 310 Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court 790 605 730 745 680 565 785 695 Croydon County Court 415 300 465 380 435 395 470 545 Edmonton County Court 435 385 460 430 475 455 465 445 Ilford County Court 150 130 125 165 250 130 195 220 Kingston-upon-Thames County Court 75 65 70 85 70 60 105 100 Lambeth County Court 1,070 845 795 650 755 710 680 670 Mayors and City of London Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Romford County Court 160 130 210 195 400 205 310 345 Uxbridge County Court 285 230 300 345 270 250 220 200 Wandsworth County Court 275 265 260 255 305 270 265 320 West London County Court 150 165 130 165 205 175 220 180 Willesden County Court 330 260 205 340 305 250 255 275 Woolwich County Court 420 355 335 270 275 305 385 290

Midlands 4,420 3,790 4,350 4,475 4,425 3,900 4,520 4,250

Birmingham Civil Justice Centre and 855 815 945 935 895 745 955 905 Family Courts Boston County Court 35 30 35 40 25 30 50 95 Burton-on-Trent County Court 45 30 65 55 30 50 80 65 Buxton County Court 25 25 15 15 20 15 15 15 Chesterfield County Court 160 110 145 145 120 130 100 125 Coventry Combined Court Centre 160 135 140 140 140 135 135 150 Derby Combined Court Centre 175 155 155 190 165 160 145 195 Dudley County Court 110 95 110 125 115 100 130 215 Evesham County Court 30 20 25 25 30 10 2— 2— Grantham County Court 35 30 40 40 35 25 40 2— Hereford County Court 45 50 50 40 65 50 70 50 Kettering County Court 75 45 70 60 95 60 135 130 Kidderminster County Court 60 65 60 50 60 80 2— 2— Leicester County Court 280 215 260 305 280 305 320 325 Lincoln County Court 75 70 60 65 70 65 70 60 Ludlow County Court 10 10 20 2—10102— 2— Mansfield Magistrates and County Court 115 110 115 130 115 145 155 135 Melton Mowbray County Court 10 20 2—1515152— 2— Newark County Court 10 10 15 20 20 10 2— 2— Northampton Combined Court 150 160 130 125 160 145 160 90 Nottingham County Court 525 430 480 515 470 400 485 435 Nuneaton County Court 45 80 105 100 125 85 105 140 Oswestry County Court 10 10 10 15 10 10 2— 2— Redditch County Court 65 55 55 65 90 55 2— 2— Rugby County Court 45 45 40 35 45 30 35 2— Shrewsbury County Court 35 20 30 35 35 35 2— 2— Skegness County Court 15 25 20 15 15 10 15 2— 855W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 856W

Quarterly number of social landlord possession claims issued under the standard procedure in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

Stafford Combined Court Centre 35 30 55 45 55 40 70 45 Stoke-on-Trent Combined Court 210 145 210 185 165 115 190 195 Stourbridge County Court 50 50 65 70 75 75 55 2— Stratford on Avon County Court 20 15 30 30 35 20 30 2— Tamworth County Court 40 30 30 30 25 30 2— 2— Telford County Court 55 50 65 65 75 50 155 135 Walsall County Court 165 150 185 200 220 170 195 170 Warwick Combined Court 35 35 55 55 35 55 35 80 Wellingborough County Court 50 70 60 75 60 50 2— 2— Wolverhampton Combined Court Centre 375 210 245 280 275 255 280 260 Worcester Combined Court 115 105 100 115 120 95 285 235 Worksop County Court 50 35 35 35 30 30 25 2—

North East 3,080 2,665 3,190 2,795 3,230 3,105 3,295 2,970

Barnsley Law Courts 110 90 85 75 115 100 115 105 Bishop Auckland County Court1 65 65 55 50 50 30 2— 2— Bradford Combined Court Centre 100 95 85 70 115 80 110 95 Consett County Court1 50 40 35 40 50 40 2— 2— Darlington County Court 100 80 100 105 80 95 90 100 Dewsbury County Court 80 80 75 60 95 75 75 90 Doncaster County Court 95 65 85 65 100 110 130 115 Durham County Court 100 95 105 90 115 85 115 100 Gateshead County Court 125 90 100 100 115 80 120 125 Great Grimsby Combined Court Centre 55 35 35 45 50 60 80 95 Halifax County Court 55 55 95 95 100 100 110 80 Harrogate County Court 10 20 25 25 20 20 15 20 Hartlepool County Court 65 60 85 50 60 50 40 55 Huddersfield County Court 80 65 85 45 65 50 60 60 Keighley County Court 15 15 15 20 20 15 20 30 Kingston-upon-Hull Combined Court 165 125 140 105 165 210 135 120 Centre Leeds Combined Court Centre 185 175 185 205 165 170 255 275 Morpeth and Berwick County Court 55 25 65 65 80 80 95 100 Newcastle-upon-Tyne Combined Court 400 320 470 375 435 455 410 305 Centre North Shields County Court 100 55 100 90 145 110 120 100 Pontefract County Court 45 40 55 25 50 55 45 50 Rotherham County Court 80 80 85 80 85 60 100 90 Scarborough County Court 30 40 45 40 45 35 45 35 Scunthorpe County Court 40 20 20 35 30 30 40 45 Sheffield Combined Court Centre 335 325 450 320 315 315 370 330 Skipton County Court 10 2— 2—102— 2— 2— 2— South Shields County Court 95 130 135 105 145 165 155 125 Sunderland County Court 100 95 70 85 100 65 70 70 Teesside Combined Court Centre 190 145 170 185 160 225 195 150 Wakefield County Court 60 60 50 45 50 70 60 40 York County Court 80 65 80 90 100 75 115 60

North West 3,120 2,715 3,270 2,915 3,380 3,070 3,460 3,185

Accrington County Court 20 20 20 25 30 15 20 25 Altrincham County Court 60 30 45 55 45 25 50 50 Barrow-in-Furness County Court 20 20 20 25 25 25 35 20 Birkenhead County Court 110 100 105 95 95 90 105 95 Blackburn County Court 70 60 50 80 55 65 80 85 Blackpool County Court 45 45 35 55 65 50 55 55 Bolton Combined Court Centre 105 95 85 70 110 115 110 145 Burnley Combined Court Centre 35 20 20 25 35 15 30 45 Bury County Court 75 55 85 55 80 80 70 80 Carlisle Combined Court Centre 30 30 30 30 45 45 45 40 Chester Civil Justice Centre 45 30 40 40 35 40 55 60 Chorley County Court 70 20 55 45 45 45 2— 2— 857W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 858W

Quarterly number of social landlord possession claims issued under the standard procedure in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

Crewe County Court 35 45 50 35 30 30 80 65 Kendal County Court 15 10 15 15 15 15 15 30 Lancaster County Court 45 15 25 35 30 30 25 20 Leigh County Court1 15 20 25 15 25 20 2— 2— Liverpool Civil and Family Court 525 410 435 385 555 490 485 520 Macclesfield County Court 35 30 50 35 55 40 50 50 Manchester County Court 495 410 600 525 615 505 825 675 Nelson County Court1 (29 January 2010) 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Northwich County Court1 30 25 40 30 30 30 2— 2— Oldham County Court 150 210 200 210 180 210 260 220 Penrith County Court12—1010102—152— 2— Preston Combined Court Centre 155 120 145 135 140 170 250 200 Rawtenstall County Court 25 30 20 20 25 15 2— 2— Salford County Court1 210 160 220 195 215 145 2— 2— Southport County Court1 25 15 30 20 15 15 2— 2— St. Helens County Court 135 115 140 145 235 160 180 150 Stockport Magistrates and County Court 170 155 180 110 140 185 185 185 Tameside County Court 160 185 170 140 140 160 155 110 Warrington and Runcorn County Courts 100 95 150 110 115 115 120 100 West Cumbria Court House 45 45 60 65 30 35 50 45 Wigan County Court 55 75 115 95 115 85 115 110

South East 4,320 3,610 4,060 3,965 4,460 3,780 4,710 4,360

Ashford County Court1 60 40 55 55 60 35 2— 2— Aylesbury County Court 75 60 65 55 70 55 65 80 Banbury County Court 20 30 35 30 30 20 35 45 Basildon Combined Court 220 160 185 180 165 170 200 165 Bedford County Court 90 95 85 100 150 140 105 85 Brighton County Court 85 45 100 55 75 75 95 85 Bury St. Edmunds County Court 65 80 70 95 85 85 110 90 Cambridge County Court 185 135 170 145 150 150 180 195 Canterbury Combined Court Centre 80 50 55 40 55 85 150 105 Chelmsford County and Family 100 55 60 90 70 95 165 150 Proceedings Court Chichester Combined Court Centre 85 35 60 50 70 55 60 75 Colchester County Court 170 130 135 105 145 120 110 135 Dartford County Court 205 190 165 255 195 150 235 275 Eastbourne County Court 15 20 20 20 40 35 35 30 Epsom County Court1 75 75 50 50 45 30 2— 2— Gravesend County Court1 (1 April 2011) 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Guildford County Court 90 55 70 70 55 35 65 70 Harlow County Court1 90 85 70 95 95 75 2— 2— Hastings County Court 50 45 50 50 45 40 70 50 Haywards Heath County Court1 45 15 10 15 35 15 2— 2— Hertford County Court 85 80 75 80 105 55 65 85 High Wycombe County Court 65 45 50 65 80 50 75 70 Hitchin County Court1 130 135 165 135 150 105 2— 2— Horsham County Court 45 45 45 35 45 35 45 45 Huntingdon County Court1 45 35 40 50 45 25 2— 2— Ipswich County Court 120 100 105 135 165 115 155 145 King’s Lynn County Court 65 65 90 70 95 80 100 105 Lewes Combined Court Centre 20 10 20 15 15 10 20 10 Lowestoft County Court1 55 15 45 45 55 35 2— 2— Luton County Court 95 140 120 115 110 105 290 280 Maidstone Combined Court Centre 115 110 110 140 100 100 105 110 Medway County Court 90 65 105 85 80 100 85 105 Milton Keynes County Court 125 130 130 130 155 120 135 125 Newbury County Court1 35 25 25 30 50 45 2— 2— Norwich Combined Court Centre 200 205 220 185 225 215 350 305 Oxford Combined Court Centre 145 145 120 160 160 130 235 180 Peterborough Combined Court Centre 125 105 175 130 215 220 315 275 859W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 860W

Quarterly number of social landlord possession claims issued under the standard procedure in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

Reading County Court 150 130 155 110 140 140 225 170 Reigate County Court 45 40 40 40 45 30 50 40 Slough County Court 135 140 130 105 130 105 125 100 Southend County Court 110 85 65 90 85 60 100 60 St. Albans County Court 75 60 85 75 85 60 65 70 Staines County Court 75 70 70 90 105 70 75 80 Thanet County Court 55 15 55 40 55 45 90 70 Tunbridge Wells County Court 95 90 110 115 115 80 125 105 Watford County Court 170 115 170 140 170 160 165 165 Worthing County Court 30 25 25 25 50 20 35 30

South West 1,895 1,530 1,700 1,690 1,800 1,620 2,020 1,980

Aldershot and Farnham County Court 110 75 70 65 105 70 105 80 Barnstaple County Court 25 10 20 15 15 30 25 30 Basingstoke County Court 150 85 110 105 115 135 180 160 Bath County Court 25 25 25 25 30 25 20 25 Bodmin County Court 35 15 35 25 25 25 30 25 Bournemouth and Poole County Court 90 75 100 90 95 110 95 130 Bristol County Court 200 190 180 215 190 175 200 185 Exeter Combined Court Centre 95 95 95 95 85 85 105 90 Gloucester and Cheltenham County Court 160 110 125 135 140 110 160 175 Isle of Wight Combined Court 25 20 30 25 35 30 25 15 Penzance County Court1 30 25 15 20 60 25 2— 2— Plymouth Combined Court 55 130 140 145 130 120 150 135 Portsmouth Combined Court Centre 210 140 170 140 150 145 165 205 Salisbury Law Courts 40 50 35 35 30 30 45 40 Southampton Combined Court Centre 150 120 130 120 105 95 130 105 Swindon Combined Court 95 80 90 110 125 85 150 145 Taunton County Court 55 50 50 65 80 55 40 70 Torquay and Newton Abbot County Court 45 40 35 20 40 40 60 40 Trowbridge County Court 90 65 75 85 65 65 115 75 Truro County Court 15 10 15 15 15 35 45 70 Weston-super-Mare County Court 20 15 15 20 15 15 30 30 Weymouth and Dorchester Combined 65 45 30 40 50 45 35 50 Court Centre Winchester Combined Court Centre 35 15 20 20 20 25 25 30 Yeovil County Court 75 45 90 60 75 65 90 70

Wales 1,255 1,055 1,180 1,050 1,195 945 1,035 935

Aberdare County Court1 40 30 25 25 25 15 2— 2— Aberystwyth County Court 10 2— 2— 2—20201510 Blackwood Civil and Family Court 80 75 60 45 65 85 110 80 Brecon Law Courts 15 10 10 10 10 15 15 10 Bridgend Law Courts 50 20 35 35 35 25 30 15 Caernarfon County Court 20 20 15 20 10 10 2—20 Cardiff Civil Justice Centre 235 200 210 185 220 155 205 180 Carmarthen County Court 10 20 15 25 15 20 20 15 Conwy and Colwyn County Court 25 20 35 15 15 15 20 20 Haverfordwest County Court 80 65 65 100 80 70 70 50 Llanelli County Court 75 55 40 40 60 45 60 35 Llangefni County Court 2—10102— 2—10102— Merthyr Tydfil Combined Court Centre 40 45 35 30 40 30 55 40 Mold County Court 20 20 30 15 30 20 2—25 Neath and Port Talbot County Court 55 65 75 70 30 30 25 95 Newport (Gwent) Civil and Family Court 125 105 135 80 140 85 115 85 Pontypool County Court1 60 35 45 55 40 35 2— 2— Pontypridd County Court 75 55 80 60 70 45 30 45 Rhyl County Court 40 30 25 25 30 15 25 15 Swansea Civil Justice Centre 130 110 110 90 150 110 115 110 861W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 862W

Quarterly number of social landlord possession claims issued under the standard procedure in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

Welshpool and Newtown County Court 20 15 20 25 20 15 20 20 Wrexham Magistrates and County Courts 60 50 95 90 95 80 100 60 1 Courts closed or merged with other county courts. 2 The figure is not provided as the number of claims leading to an order being made is either seven or less. Note: Figures below England and Wales level are rounded to the nearest five. Source: Ministry of Justice Quarterly number of private landlord possession claims issued under the standard procedure in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

England and Wales 6,231 5,844 5,688 5,384 6,254 5,492 5,721 5,274

London 1,975 1,850 1,765 1,805 1,900 1,780 1,990 1,790

Barnet Civil and Family Courts Centre 90 90 95 75 85 95 105 85 Bow County Court 235 225 180 215 235 220 220 190 Brentford County Court 115 105 100 105 115 85 120 95 Bromley County Court 125 115 85 85 100 125 120 110 Central London County Court 160 120 125 165 115 105 155 150 Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court 105 105 120 105 130 100 115 145 Croydon County Court 145 155 170 145 160 165 130 185 Edmonton County Court 190 160 155 180 170 170 180 165 Ilford County Court 65 70 75 75 85 80 95 65 Kingston-upon-Thames County Court 40 40 30 35 50 40 60 45 Lambeth County Court 140 125 110 100 120 105 125 100 Mayors and City of London Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Romford County Court 85 105 115 80 100 90 80 75 Uxbridge County Court 70 70 60 50 65 55 75 50 Wandsworth County Court 75 60 65 65 50 80 75 55 West London County Court 90 75 75 105 70 60 100 80 Willesden County Court 160 125 130 140 165 125 140 125 Woolwich County Court 85 105 80 75 85 80 95 75

Midlands 755 725 720 670 770 710 710 660

Birmingham Civil Justice Centre and 145 160 115 125 140 125 150 155 Family Courts Boston County Court 10 10 15 10 15 10 15 15 Burton-on-Trent County Court 15 10 25 15 2—152010 Buxton County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Chesterfield County Court 10 10 10 15 10 10 10 15 Coventry Combined Court Centre 25 40 25 25 45 40 30 25 Derby Combined Court Centre 35 40 40 30 35 35 45 40 Dudley County Court 15 20 20 25 20 20 15 30 Evesham County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Grantham County Court 2—152— 2—10102— 2— Hereford County Court 10 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Kettering County Court 20 10 20 20 15 20 30 30 Kidderminster County Court 10 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Leicester County Court 75 55 60 55 65 65 50 60 Lincoln County Court 25 15 25 25 30 25 25 15 Ludlow County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Mansfield Magistrates and County Court 20 15 20 20 20 25 20 30 Melton Mowbray County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2—102— 2— Newark County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Northampton Combined Court 30 30 30 25 35 25 25 30 Nottingham County Court 35 50 55 50 60 65 50 45 Nuneaton County Court 15 20 15 10 10 10 15 20 Oswestry County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Redditch County Court 10 10 10 10 15 2— 2— 2— Rugby County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Shrewsbury County Court 2— 2— 2—102— 2— 2— 2— Skegness County Court 2—102— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 863W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 864W

Quarterly number of private landlord possession claims issued under the standard procedure in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

Stafford Combined Court Centre 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Stoke-on-Trent Combined Court 40 40 30 30 45 25 40 35 Stourbridge County Court 25 15 15 10 15 2— 2— 2— Stratford on Avon County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Tamworth County Court 10 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Telford County Court 10 15 20 15 20 20 20 20 Walsall County Court 50 30 45 25 30 45 40 25 Warwick Combined Court 2—101010102—1510 Wellingborough County Court 10 10 2— 2—20152— 2— Wolverhampton Combined Court Centre 30 20 30 30 20 20 25 20 Worcester Combined Court 15 2—152— 2—102020 Worksop County Court 10 10 10 15 15 2— 2— 2—

North East 650 580 575 495 640 495 505 455

Barnsley Law Courts 10 15 2— 2—10151515 Bishop Auckland County Court1 10 2— 2— 2—102— 2— 2— Bradford Combined Court Centre 35 20 30 25 30 25 30 25 Consett County Court1 (13 July 2011) 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Darlington County Court 15 15 20 15 20 10 10 10 Dewsbury County Court 25 30 20 20 15 20 15 15 Doncaster County Court 25 30 40 35 40 35 25 20 Durham County Court 15 20 15 15 15 10 20 15 Gateshead County Court 25 25 20 20 25 15 15 10 Great Grimsby Combined Court Centre 20 15 20 15 15 15 20 15 Halifax County Court 2—20152—15152010 Harrogate County Court 10 10 2—10102— 2— 2— Hartlepool County Court 15 10 10 10 10 10 2— 2— Huddersfield County Court 25 25 20 20 20 20 20 15 Keighley County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2—10 Kingston-upon-Hull Combined Court 65 40 45 35 60 30 40 35 Centre Leeds Combined Court Centre 45 50 35 35 65 50 55 50 Morpeth and Berwick County Court 25 10 10 20 25 10 15 20 Newcastle-upon-Tyne Combined Court 40 25 35 30 40 30 25 25 Centre North Shields County Court 25 15 20 15 2—201015 Pontefract County Court 15 10 15 10 10 10 10 15 Rotherham County Court 15 20 10 10 15 10 10 10 Scarborough County Court 20 25 30 25 25 15 20 25 Scunthorpe County Court 2—10102—102— 2— 2— Sheffield Combined Court Centre 45 30 40 35 50 30 25 30 Skipton County Court 2— 2— 2— 2—102— 2— 2— South Shields County Court 15 15 15 10 15 15 10 10 Sunderland County Court 15 15 15 10 15 25 15 2— Teesside Combined Court Centre 30 25 30 25 30 25 30 20 Wakefield County Court 2—1010102—101515 York County Court 35 25 20 15 20 15 15 15

North West 705 645 610 595 725 570 565 620

Accrington County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Altrincham County Court 20 2—102—152— 2—10 Barrow-in-Furness County Court 10 2— 2— 2—1010252— Birkenhead County Court 30 30 30 30 30 20 25 25 Blackburn County Court 25 10 20 15 15 15 20 15 Blackpool County Court 25 25 30 20 20 15 15 20 Bolton Combined Court Centre 45 35 30 35 35 20 30 20 Burnley Combined Court Centre 25 25 15 10 20 10 15 15 Bury County Court 25 25 10 20 25 20 20 25 Carlisle Combined Court Centre 2— 2— 2—10102— 2— 2— Chester Civil Justice Centre 15 15 20 15 15 20 10 15 Chorley County Court 10 2— 2—10102— 2— 2— 865W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 866W

Quarterly number of private landlord possession claims issued under the standard procedure in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

Crewe County Court 10 15 10 2— 2—101015 Kendal County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Lancaster County Court 15 2—101520102—15 Leigh County Court1 10 10 10 10 15 15 2— 2— Liverpool Civil and Family Court 90 75 70 95 100 70 75 75 Macclesfield County Court 2—152— 2— 2—102— 2— Manchester County Court 70 80 70 75 90 75 125 175 Nelson County Court1 (29 January 2010) 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Northwich County Court1 (29 July 2011) 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Oldham County Court 25 40 45 25 20 35 35 35 Penrith County Court1 (29 July 2011) 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Preston Combined Court Centre 25 15 15 20 20 30 25 30 Rawtenstall County Court 10 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Salford County Court1 75 45 60 55 65 50 2— 2— Southport County Court1 15 10 15 15 25 15 2— 2— St. Helens County Court 20 30 25 25 30 25 15 30 Stockport Magistrates and County Court 20 25 25 20 25 20 20 25 Tameside County Court 20 25 40 15 30 20 35 20 Warrington and Runcorn County Courts 20 20 15 15 25 10 15 10 West Cumbria Court House 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Wigan County Court 20 20 20 15 20 15 30 25

South East 1,390 1,360 1,280 1,160 1,450 1,215 1,275 1,120

Ashford County Court1 20 30 25 30 35 10 2— 2— Aylesbury County Court 10 10 10 10 10 10 2— 2— Banbury County Court 15 10 2— 2— 2—102—10 Basildon Combined Court 60 65 40 50 65 60 40 55 Bedford County Court 25 20 25 15 20 30 35 25 Brighton County Court 50 50 50 40 60 50 45 40 Bury St. Edmunds County Court 20 10 10 20 15 15 20 10 Cambridge County Court 10 10 20 20 20 25 25 15 Canterbury Combined Court Centre 40 30 25 20 40 30 55 55 Chelmsford County and Family 20 15 15 25 25 15 40 25 Proceedings Court Chichester Combined Court Centre 20 25 25 25 30 20 25 25 Colchester County Court 60 50 45 55 55 65 50 40 Dartford County Court 90 90 70 70 70 85 105 75 Eastbourne County Court 25 35 25 20 40 25 15 20 Epsom County Court1 20 2—152025152— 2— Gravesend County Court1 (1 April 2011) 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Guildford County Court 15 10 25 10 10 10 25 25 Harlow County Court1 15 10 20 10 2—152— 2— Hastings County Court 40 60 50 40 50 30 35 35 Haywards Heath County Court1 10 2— 2— 2—102— 2— 2— Hertford County Court 10 10 10 2— 2—102—15 High Wycombe County Court 20 15 10 15 15 20 10 20 Hitchin County Court1 20 20 20 15 20 15 2— 2— Horsham County Court 10 10 10 10 10 15 10 15 Huntingdon County Court12—10102— 2— 2— 2— 2— Ipswich County Court 30 20 20 25 25 15 20 25 King’s Lynn County Court 15 15 15 25 15 10 15 10 Lewes Combined Court Centre 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Lowestoft County Court1 45 35 45 30 25 2— 2— 2— Luton County Court 70 55 45 35 60 65 65 45 Maidstone Combined Court Centre 25 30 25 20 25 15 20 15 Medway County Court 140 115 125 115 165 125 125 125 Milton Keynes County Court 35 45 40 30 55 30 35 25 Newbury County Court12—10102— 2—102— 2— Norwich Combined Court Centre 40 40 30 10 20 20 40 25 Oxford Combined Court Centre 50 40 25 20 35 35 40 30 Peterborough Combined Court Centre 25 30 30 35 45 20 35 45 867W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 868W

Quarterly number of private landlord possession claims issued under the standard procedure in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

Reading County Court 35 45 30 35 35 35 35 35 Reigate County Court 10 15 10 10 10 10 20 10 Slough County Court 50 45 45 40 65 50 60 35 Southend County Court 35 30 45 40 45 40 40 40 St. Albans County Court 20 10 20 10 10 10 2— 2— Staines County Court 15 30 15 20 20 25 20 25 Thanet County Court 20 50 40 35 50 35 40 35 Tunbridge Wells County Court 20 20 20 15 15 15 15 20 Watford County Court 55 60 65 40 60 50 60 45 Worthing County Court 15 10 20 15 10 15 15 10

South West 565 495 570 470 525 525 480 455

Aldershot and Farnham County Court 20 20 30 30 40 20 15 25 Barnstaple County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2—102— 2— Basingstoke County Court 15 15 15 10 15 15 10 10 Bath County Court 10 2— 2— 2—102— 2— 2— Bodmin County Court 15 10 10 10 10 2—102— Bournemouth and Poole County Court 55 40 60 60 55 55 55 55 Bristol County Court 50 40 50 40 40 50 35 25 Exeter Combined Court Centre 15 20 15 15 15 20 15 15 Gloucester and Cheltenham County Court 25 25 30 30 30 30 25 25 Isle of Wight Combined Court 10 2— 2— 2— 2—102— 2— Penzance County Court1 20 10 10 10 2—102— 2— Plymouth Combined Court 45 35 45 30 45 35 40 30 Portsmouth Combined Court Centre 70 65 80 55 85 75 60 60 Salisbury Law Courts 25 10 15 10 15 2—2015 Southampton Combined Court Centre 55 60 45 60 40 55 55 50 Swindon Combined Court 15 20 25 15 25 20 25 20 Taunton County Court 10 15 15 10 10 2—102— Torquay and Newton Abbot County Court 35 20 20 20 15 20 15 25 Trowbridge County Court 15 10 25 10 10 10 15 10 Truro County Court 2—152—1010151510 Weston-super-Mare County Court 10 15 15 10 10 15 20 25 Weymouth and Dorchester Combined 10 15 15 10 15 20 15 10 Court Centre Winchester Combined Court Centre 2— 2—10102— 2— 2— 2— Yeovil County Court 15 15 15 2—10151010

Wales 195 190 175 185 245 195 195 180

Aberdare County Court1 (28 July 2011) 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Aberystwyth County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Blackwood Civil and Family Court 15 15 15 10 10 15 15 10 Brecon Law Courts 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Bridgend Law Courts 2—1510101510102— Caernarfon County Court 2— 2— 2—2020201010 Cardiff Civil Justice Centre 50 45 55 55 70 50 45 55 Carmarthen County Court 10 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Conwy and Colwyn County Court 10 10 10 15 10 2— 2— 2— Haverfordwest County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Llanelli County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Llangefni County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Merthyr Tydfil Combined Court Centre 2—102— 2—102—1010 Mold County Court 10 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Neath and Port Talbot County Court 2— 2— 2—10102—102— Newport (Gwent) Civil and Family Court 15 20 20 15 20 15 15 15 Pontypool County Court1 (29 July 2011) 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Pontypridd County Court 15 15 2— 2—15101015 Rhyl County Court 15 15 15 10 10 15 15 10 Swansea Civil Justice Centre 2— 2— 2—10102—1510 869W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 870W

Quarterly number of private landlord possession claims issued under the standard procedure in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

Welshpool and Newtown County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Wrexham Magistrates and County Courts 2— 2— 2— 2—10102— 2— 1 Courts closed or merged with other county courts. 2 The figure is not provided as the number of claims leading to an order being made is either seven or less. Note: Figures below England and Wales level are rounded to the nearest five. Source: Ministry of Justice Quarterly number of landlord possession claims issued under the accelerated procedure in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

England and Wales 4,852 5,207 5,707 5,831 6,495 6,219 6,935 6,066

London 2,070 2,145 2,345 2,880 2,950 2,740 3,350 2,820

Barnet Civil and Family Courts Centre 140 110 165 245 240 120 140 115 Bow County Court 205 200 265 310 330 310 425 370 Brentford County Court 105 125 130 140 125 150 180 195 Bromley County Court 85 100 105 105 130 120 150 125 Central London County Court 85 110 95 110 155 140 140 130 Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court 215 145 215 200 215 235 280 210 Croydon County Court 185 165 165 160 185 200 290 200 Edmonton County Court 265 225 285 335 370 285 390 300 Ilford County Court 60 80 75 95 120 95 130 125 Kingston-upon-Thames County Court 30 45 35 25 35 40 55 50 Lambeth County Court 100 95 125 130 150 155 190 190 Mayors and City of London Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Romford County Court 45 70 60 75 90 85 110 90 Uxbridge County Court 70 160 110 90 100 105 110 105 Wandsworth County Court 65 95 85 90 80 100 125 110 West London County Court 55 50 75 115 95 115 160 105 Willesden County Court 290 310 290 585 440 395 370 285 Woolwich County Court 65 55 70 75 90 85 115 105

Midlands 490 555 620 525 575 605 630 575

Birmingham Civil Justice Centre and 95 95 125 95 115 125 130 135 Family Courts Boston County Court 10 2—10102—103020 Burton-on-Trent County Court 10 10 10 2—10251515 Buxton County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Chesterfield County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Coventry Combined Court Centre 10 15 10 10 20 25 25 20 Derby Combined Court Centre 20 20 30 25 30 25 25 30 Dudley County Court 10 20 15 15 15 15 15 25 Evesham County Court 10 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Grantham County Court 2— 2—102— 2— 2— 2— 2— Hereford County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2—10102— Kettering County Court 10 10 10 2— 2—101010 Kidderminster County Court 2— 2—102— 2— 2— 2— 2— Leicester County Court 40 55 55 50 50 50 65 50 Lincoln County Court 15 10 20 10 15 15 10 2— Ludlow County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Mansfield Magistrates and County Court 20 25 15 20 15 30 40 20 Melton Mowbray County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Newark County Court 2— 2— 2—102— 2— 2— 2— Northampton Combined Court 20 15 25 15 35 25 25 30 Nottingham County Court 30 50 30 30 40 30 35 35 Nuneaton County Court 2— 2—10102—101020 Oswestry County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Redditch County Court 2—102— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Rugby County Court 2— 2—102— 2— 2— 2— 2— Shrewsbury County Court 10 10 15 2— 2—102— 2— Skegness County Court 10 15 10 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 871W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 872W

Quarterly number of landlord possession claims issued under the accelerated procedure in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

Stafford Combined Court Centre 2— 2—152—102— 2— 2— Stoke-on-Trent Combined Court 20 30 25 25 35 25 25 35 Stourbridge County Court 2— 2—102—102— 2— 2— Stratford on Avon County Court 2— 2— 2—102— 2— 2— 2— Tamworth County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Telford County Court 10 15 20 10 15 25 10 30 Walsall County Court 50 40 25 40 25 35 35 25 Warwick Combined Court 2—102— 2— 2— 2—1515 Wellingborough County Court 10 2—101010102— 2— Wolverhampton Combined Court Centre 20 15 25 35 30 20 25 25 Worcester Combined Court 10 2— 2—10102—1515 Worksop County Court 2— 2—102— 2— 2— 2— 2—

North East 345 365 405 325 415 410 370 405

Barnsley Law Courts 2— 2—102—102—1010 Bishop Auckland County Court1 (13 July 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2011) Bradford Combined Court Centre 10 25 15 15 25 25 10 25 Consett County Court1 (13 July 2011) 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Darlington County Court 10 10 2— 2— 2—101015 Dewsbury County Court 15 15 10 15 20 25 20 10 Doncaster County Court 10 10 20 15 20 20 15 15 Durham County Court 2— 2—102—102—1010 Gateshead County Court 15 10 15 10 15 2—1510 Great Grimsby Combined Court Centre 40 30 25 15 20 25 15 20 Halifax County Court 10 15 15 10 2—101010 Harrogate County Court 10 2— 2—1010152—10 Hartlepool County Court 2—152— 2— 2—152— 2— Huddersfield County Court 20 20 15 20 20 15 20 25 Keighley County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Kingston-upon-Hull Combined Court 35 35 30 35 35 40 35 45 Centre Leeds Combined Court Centre 10 10 20 10 25 20 20 15 Morpeth and Berwick County Court 2— 2—102—1010152— Newcastle-upon-Tyne Combined Court 15 10 25 15 15 20 10 10 Centre North Shields County Court 10 10 10 10 10 2—1510 Pontefract County Court 2— 2—101010101015 Rotherham County Court 10 2—1010102— 2— 2— Scarborough County Court 15 15 25 20 20 25 25 20 Scunthorpe County Court 2—102— 2—152—1015 Sheffield Combined Court Centre 10 20 30 15 15 15 20 30 Skipton County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— South Shields County Court 10 2—1010152— 2—10 Sunderland County Court 10 10 10 10 10 15 10 15 Teesside Combined Court Centre 20 15 20 15 20 25 25 20 Wakefield County Court 2—10101010151515 York County Court 10 15 15 2—15151015

North West 450 405 445 425 535 505 495 470

Accrington County Court 2— 2— 2—102— 2— 2— 2— Altrincham County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Barrow-in-Furness County Court 15 10 15 15 10 20 15 10 Birkenhead County Court 35 25 35 25 55 35 20 25 Blackburn County Court 10 2— 2—152—101510 Blackpool County Court 25 25 30 25 40 30 35 35 Bolton Combined Court Centre 20 10 20 20 20 20 15 20 Burnley Combined Court Centre 15 2—151510101515 Bury County Court 15 15 15 10 10 15 15 15 Carlisle Combined Court Centre 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2—10 Chester Civil Justice Centre 15 20 15 10 10 20 15 20 Chorley County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 873W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 874W

Quarterly number of landlord possession claims issued under the accelerated procedure in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

Crewe County Court 2— 2—10102— 2—1010 Kendal County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Lancaster County Court 10 10 15 15 10 15 15 10 Leigh County Court12—102— 2—102— 2— 2— Liverpool Civil and Family Court 45 45 45 40 40 40 45 50 Macclesfield County Court 2— 2— 2— 2—10152— 2— Manchester County Court 75 50 60 55 70 60 115 105 Nelson County Court1 (29 January 2010) 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Northwich County Court1 (29 July 2011) 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Oldham County Court 15 25 25 20 25 30 25 20 Penrith County Court1 (29 July 2011) 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Preston Combined Court Centre 15 10 15 20 20 20 20 20 Rawtenstall County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Salford County Court1 20 20 25 30 45 25 15 2— Southport County Court1 10 2— 2—1010102— 2— St. Helens County Court 10 20 10 20 20 20 20 15 Stockport Magistrates and County Court 20 10 15 - 20 15 15 10 Tameside County Court 20 20 10 10 15 25 10 15 Warrington and Runcorn County Courts 10 2—102—15151015 West Cumbria Court House 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Wigan County Court 10 10 10 10 15 15 20 15

South East 925 1,060 1,160 1,050 1,240 1,210 1,280 1,135

Ashford County Court1 20 25 25 20 30 30 2— 2— Aylesbury County Court 10 2—152— 2—10102— Banbury County Court 2— 2—102—152—1510 Basildon Combined Court 40 30 30 30 35 25 25 35 Bedford County Court 15 10 10 10 15 15 20 10 Brighton County Court 45 55 75 50 60 75 85 80 Bury St. Edmunds County Court 10 10 15 20 20 10 15 15 Cambridge County Court 20 15 40 30 20 25 30 30 Canterbury Combined Court Centre 15 20 25 15 25 20 35 65 Chelmsford County and Family 15 20 20 30 35 50 55 45 Proceedings Court Chichester Combined Court Centre 20 25 25 20 25 30 25 25 Colchester County Court 20 35 45 30 35 45 40 25 Dartford County Court 50 60 50 60 60 40 65 70 Eastbourne County Court 30 25 15 20 15 40 15 10 Epsom County Court1 20 25 30 15 50 20 2— 2— Gravesend County Court1 (1 April 2011) 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Guildford County Court 10 15 10 15 10 15 20 10 Harlow County Court1 20 25 30 25 20 2— 2— 2— Hastings County Court 40 40 45 15 40 45 45 30 Haywards Heath County Court1 10 15 2—10102— 2— 2— Hertford County Court 10 10 2—1015102— 2— High Wycombe County Court 10 30 15 10 10 2—1010 Hitchin County Court1 10 2—101515102— 2— Horsham County Court 2—10151020201510 Huntingdon County Court12— 2—102— 2— 2— 2— 2— Ipswich County Court 20 20 25 30 30 25 25 30 King’s Lynn County Court 15 15 15 15 15 20 20 15 Lewes Combined Court Centre 10 2— 2— 2— 2—102— 2— Lowestoft County Court1 20 15 15 15 20 25 2— 2— Luton County Court 25 50 50 40 65 75 75 65 Maidstone Combined Court Centre 20 10 20 20 15 30 25 20 Medway County Court 45 45 35 40 50 45 50 45 Milton Keynes County Court 15 30 20 25 35 20 35 30 Newbury County Court1 10 2— 2— 2—20102— 2— Norwich Combined Court Centre 25 15 30 20 25 15 40 45 Oxford Combined Court Centre 25 30 35 35 40 35 45 30 Peterborough Combined Court Centre 45 40 65 50 55 45 70 50 875W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 876W

Quarterly number of landlord possession claims issued under the accelerated procedure in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

Reading County Court 20 20 15 25 25 30 50 35 Reigate County Court 10 15 10 15 10 10 20 20 Slough County Court 25 25 30 35 45 40 60 40 Southend County Court 35 50 45 50 50 50 60 40 St. Albans County Court 2—10101510201510 Staines County Court 15 35 25 25 35 30 25 35 Thanet County Court 20 20 20 20 30 20 35 35 Tunbridge Wells County Court 10 15 10 10 10 2—1015 Watford County Court 40 50 70 65 40 60 65 55 Worthing County Court 25 20 35 35 20 40 25 30

South West 450 530 600 490 625 605 650 540

Aldershot and Farnham County Court 10 10 15 15 10 10 20 15 Barnstaple County Court 10 25 20 10 20 35 15 2— Basingstoke County Court 2—15152030303020 Bath County Court 2—102— 2— 2— 2—1010 Bodmin County Court 10 15 15 10 10 2—1510 Bournemouth and Poole County Court 85 100 95 85 90 115 110 95 Bristol County Court 35 45 60 50 75 45 60 60 Exeter Combined Court Centre 25 30 35 20 25 15 30 25 Gloucester and Cheltenham County Court 35 30 30 20 30 30 30 30 Isle of Wight Combined Court 10 2—101515102510 Penzance County Court1 20 15 20 15 15 10 2— 2— Plymouth Combined Court 20 20 25 15 30 20 30 15 Portsmouth Combined Court Centre 50 65 50 65 80 90 85 65 Salisbury Law Courts 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2—1010 Southampton Combined Court Centre 25 25 35 35 45 40 35 35 Swindon Combined Court 20 20 15 10 20 15 20 10 Taunton County Court 2—102—1015102010 Torquay and Newton Abbot County Court 30 35 45 40 50 30 35 30 Trowbridge County Court 10 10 20 10 10 15 15 10 Truro County Court 10 15 25 15 15 20 35 20 Weston-super-Mare County Court 2— 2—201015201020 Weymouth and Dorchester Combined 15 15 15 10 10 20 15 15 Court Centre Winchester Combined Court Centre 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Yeovil County Court 2—201515-101510

Wales 125 145 135 140 155 145 160 125

Aberdare County Court12— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Aberystwyth County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2—102— 2— Blackwood Civil and Family Court 15 10 10 15 2—101510 Brecon Law Courts 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Bridgend Law Courts 15 10 10 10 20 20 10 10 Caernarfon County Court 2— 2— 2—102— 2— 2— 2— Cardiff Civil Justice Centre 20 25 30 35 20 30 40 40 Carmarthen County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2—10102— Conwy and Colwyn County Court 2— 2— 2— 2—10102— 2— Haverfordwest County Court 2— 2— 2— 2—102— 2— 2— Llanelli County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Llangefni County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Merthyr Tydfil Combined Court Centre 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2—102— Mold County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Neath and Port Talbot County Court 2—102—-152—102— Newport (Gwent) Civil and Family Court 2—1010152— 2— 2— 2— Pontypool County Court12— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Pontypridd County Court 2— 2—102—1010102— Rhyl County Court 2—10102—102—1510 Swansea Civil Justice Centre 15 10 10 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 877W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 878W

Quarterly number of landlord possession claims issued under the accelerated procedure in the county courts of England and Wales, 2010 to 2011 2010 2011 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

Welshpool and Newtown County Court 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Wrexham Magistrates and County Courts 10 2— 2— 2—102—1510 1 Courts closed or merged with other county courts. 2 The figure is not provided as the number of claims leading to an order being made is either seven or less. Notes: Figures below England and Wales level are rounded to the nearest five. Source: Ministry of Justice

Violent and Sex Offender Register 1 Category 1 Offenders—Registered Sexual Offenders—This relates to those individuals required to comply with the notification Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State requirements (often referred to as the registration requirements) for Justice how many people are on the Violent and Sex set out in part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Offender Register, broken down by gender and age; and Category 2 Offenders—Violent and Other Sexual Offenders—This what proportion of such people are listed for life. relates in the main to violent offenders sentenced to 12 months custody or more but the legislation is more complex than this [100979] broad title suggests. Nick Herbert: I have been asked to reply on behalf of Category 3 Offenders—Other Dangerous Offenders—This category the Home Department. is comprised of offenders, not in Category 1 or 2 but who are considered by the Responsible Authority to pose a risk of serious The figures, broken down by gender and age, are harm to the public which requires active interagency management. given in the following tables. These relate to offenders being actively managed, Young Offenders: Rehabilitation from data obtained in February 2012. Figures from March 2012 show that 31,800 people are Life Registered. Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice These data cover England, Wales, Scotland and Northern pursuant to the answer of 7 March 2012, Official Ireland and include MAPPA Category 1 to 3 offenders. Report, columns 758-9W, on sentencing: young people, The statistics provided in the response have been if he will place in the Library details of the Jets juvenile obtained from ViSOR, the national dangerous persons mindfulness-based treatment programme. [101014] database, which stores information relating to registered sex offenders. This is an operational system and the Mr Blunt: JETS is a Cognitive Behavioural programme data may be subject to further quality assurance checks. and is one of the accredited Cognitive and Motivational The following figures, broken down by age/gender, Programmes and Substance Misuse Interventions delivered are for offenders being actively managed, from data by NOMS, that encourage participants to consider obtained in February 2012. The Life Registered figure their relationships, their emotions, values and rules and is for actively managed individuals and is correct as of how they impact on factors such as substance use and 16 March 2012. These figures cover England, Wales, offending. Participants are supported in exploring how Scotland and Northern Ireland and include MAPPA they can challenge their thinking where this does not Category 1 to 3 offenders1. support a pro social life style and practice the appropriate skills and tools both inside and out of sessions. It is fair By age Number to say that while participants are encouraged to be ‘mindful’, this does not incorporate the techniques of Under 18 783 mindfulness based therapy. 18-21 2,279 The information requested to be placed in the Library 22-25 4,652 in the regard to the JETS programme is supplied in the 26-30 6,230 form of an information sheet entitled ‘JETS’. 31-40 12,069 The information regarding JETS is provided by 41-50 14,539 Interventions Unit, Operational Services and Interventions 51-60 10,287 Group, National Operational Services Directorate in 61-70 6,634 the National Offender Management Service. Over 70 3,017 Further detailed information can be obtained from Total 60,490 the Cognitive and Motivational Programmes Team, at the e-mail address supplied at the foot of the information By gender Number leaflet for ease of reference. Male 57,929 Female 889 Unknown 1,672 BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Total 60,490 Advantage West Midlands: Government Procurement Number Card Life Registered 31,800 Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, The figures have been obtained from ViSOR, the Innovation and Skills if he will place in the Library a National Dangerous Persons Database. list of each Government Procurement Card transaction 879W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 880W of Advantage West Midlands Regional Development Table 2: Apprenticeship programme starts in Kingston upon Hull by age, May Agency providing (a) transaction date, (b) supplier 2010 to July 2010 (Quarter 4) and 2010/11 (full year) 2009/10 quarter 4 to May and (c) amount for (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11. Age 2010 to July 2010 (final) 2010/11 full year (final) [101193] 19 to 24 570 910 Mr Prisk: The Advantage West Midlands Regional 25+ 280 1,060 Development Agency has not made use of government Total 1,970 3,170 procurement cards and there are therefore no transactions ‘—’ Indicates a base value of less than five. Notes: to list. 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Age is based on age at the start of the programme. Apprentices: Hull Source: Individualised Learner Record Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Information on the number of apprenticeship starts Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many by sector subject area and age is published in a apprenticeships have been commenced in Hull since supplementary table to a quarterly Statistical First Release May 2010; in what sectors; how many were offered at a (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 31 January junior level; and how many were first advertised on the 2012: National Apprenticeship Service website; [101368] http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ (2) how many vacancies for junior level apprenticeships statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current in manufacturing or engineering have been advertised There were 400 apprenticeship vacancies posted on on the National Apprenticeship Service’s website for the National Apprenticeship Service Apprenticeship the Hull region since May 2010; [101369] Vacancies online system located in Kingston upon Hull between May 2010 and February 2012 (as at end of (3) how many employers have offered apprenticeships February 2012). Employers registered on the apprenticeship in the Hull region since May 2010; [101370] vacancies system can advertise a vacancy directly on the (4) how many new apprenticeship vacancies for the system or direct candidates to their own website and Hull region were advertised through the National information is captured in both cases. Information is Apprenticeship Service website in each month since not captured for vacancies made available by employers May 2010; and in which areas. [101371] who are not registered so therefore these figures may not provide a comprehensive picture of all apprenticeship Mr Hayes: Table 1 shows the number of apprenticeship vacancies within an area. programme starts in Kingston upon Hull local education I have made data available in the Libraries of the authority by sector subject area and Table 2 shows the House showing apprenticeship vacancies posted in Kingston number of Apprenticeship programme starts in Kingston upon Hull by sector subject area for each month between upon Hull local education authority by age. Both tables May 2010 and February 2012 (as at end of February report data for the last quarter of the 2009/10 academic 2012). year (1 May 2010 to 31 July 2010) and full year data for the 2010/11 academic year, the latest period for which All apprenticeships vacancies adverts posted on the final data are available. apprenticeship vacancy website are open to individuals of all ages, therefore none are offered at ’junior’ level. Table 1: Apprenticeship Programme Starts in Kingston upon Hull by sector subject area, May 2010 to July 2010 (quarter 4) and 2010/11 (full year) Online reports from apprenticeship vacancies are updated 2009/10 quarter on a monthly basis and published by the Data Service at 4 to May 2010 to 2010/11 full year the following link: Sector subject area July 2010 (final) (final) http://mireportslibrary.thedataservice.org.uk/apprenticeships/ Agriculture, Horticulture 40 40 apprenticeship_vacancy_reports/ and Animal Care Data are not available on the number of employers Arts, Media and Publishing — — who have offered apprenticeships in Hull since May Business, Administration 640 990 and Law 2010. Data from the published 2009 National Employer 1 Construction, Planning and 270 270 Skills Survey (NESS) show that in Yorkshire and the the Built Environment Humber, 9% of establishments offered apprenticeships. Education and Training — 10 1 Figure 8.7, p. 215 in: Engineering and 250 450 http://www.ukces.org.uk/assets/ukces/docs/publications/ Manufacturing Technologies evidence-report-23-ness-main-report-2009.pdf Health, Public Services and 230 550 Care accessed on 20 March 2012. Information and 120 110 Communication Technology Business: Government Assistance Leisure, Travel and Tourism 30 70 Retail and Commercial 380 690 Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise Innovation and Skills what plans he has to rationalise Science and Mathematics — — and streamline the support schemes administered by his Unknown — — Department and its agencies. [101066] Total 1,970 3,170

Table 2: Apprenticeship programme starts in Kingston upon Hull by age, May Mr Prisk: The Department for Business, Innovation 2010 to July 2010 (Quarter 4) and 2010/11 (full year) and Skills regularly goes through a process of rationalisation 2009/10 quarter 4 to May and streamlining of its support schemes. The Government Age 2010 to July 2010 (final) 2010/11 full year (final) last went through a rationalisation of its portfolio of Under 19 1,120 1,190 business support schemes, collectively known as Solution 881W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 882W for Business, around a year ago. A considerable streamlining And like the US, we have an aspiration that, by May exercise has also taken place as a result of the operational 2015, 25% of the value of Government contracts, both closure of the regional development agencies, to be directly and via the supply chain, should be awarded to achieved on 31 March 2012. SMEs by removing the barriers faced by small businesses In addition to this the Department has recently refreshed and eliminating complexities and waste in the process. advice and support available on the Business Link In addition, the Government have taken action to website and has launched a brand new Growth and reduce the burden of regulation on the smallest businesses Improvement Service; but recognises that more can still at both a domestic and a European level, for example be done to improve the communication of existing through the microbusiness regulatory moratorium Government support schemes. The Government will announced in the Plan for Growth. continue to consider how best to improve both awareness and understanding of small and medium sized enterprise support schemes. We welcome the observations and Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for ideas published by Tim Breedon’s taskforce and the Business, Innovation and Skills if he will assess the Government’s response to the taskforce’s report outlines merits of establishing a Small Business Administration our commitment to this objective. on the model of that body in the US. [101464]

Mr Prisk: The Government are aware of recent calls Business: USA for the creation of a Small Business Administration to represent the interests of small businesses, based on the Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for US model. Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has We believe all Government Departments should made of the effects of the work of the Small Business understand and support small and medium-sized enterprises Administration on small businesses in the US and the and this Department is responsible for promoting small transferable policy lessons for the UK. [101463] businesses in Whitehall. In addition, my right Hon. Friend the Prime Minister has appointed my noble Mr Prisk: The Government are aware of recent calls Friend Lord Young of Graffham to advise him on for the creation of a Small Business Administration enterprise issues. (SBA) to represent the interests of small businesses, I will be visiting the US later this month, and this will based on the US model. provide an opportunity to learn more about the US We believe all Government Departments should model and to share thinking about how best to support understand and support small and medium-sized enterprises small businesses. (SMEs) and this Department is responsible for promoting small businesses in Whitehall. In addition, my right Hon. Friend the Prime Minister has appointed my Business: Yorkshire and the Humber noble Friend Lord Young of Graffham to advise him on enterprise issues. There are three main areas covered by the SBA in the Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for US, namely: government-backed loans to strengthen Business, Innovation and Skills how much was access to capital for small businesses; the provision of disbursed by (a) Yorkshire Forward and (b) the business support; and leading federal Government’s Regional Growth Fund to enterprises in (i) the City of efforts to ensure that 23% of federal contracts go to York, (ii) York and North Yorkshire and (iii) Yorkshire small businesses. In the UK, we are already active in and the Humber in each of the last five years; and how these areas. We have announced that up to £20 billion of much will be available to disburse in each of the next guarantees for bank funding will be available over the two years. [99763] next two years through the new National Loan Guarantee Scheme and we have extended the Enterprise Finance Mr Prisk [holding answer 19 March 2012]: Information Guarantee (EFG) scheme until 2014-15, providing, subject on disbursements to enterprises in (i) the City of York to demand, over £2 billion of additional lending to and (ii) York and North Yorkshire could be made viable SMEs. We have transformed the way we enable available only at disproportionate cost. Yorkshire Forward’s businesses to access the information, advice and guidance net expenditure across its region in the last five years they need to start and grow their business including: was: An improved Business Link website (www.businesslink.gov.uk) which includes a new Growth and Improvement Service, offering £ million a range of business tools and an updated events management system; and My New Business, a comprehensive tailored start-up 2006/07 313 service providing online tools and training for those looking to 2007/08 300 start a business. 2008/09 292 A Business Link helpline (0845 600 9006) which will support 2009/10 320 people who are unable to access the internet or have difficulty in 2010/11 172 doing so. A mentoring portal, www.mentorsme.co.uk (launched July 2011), provides a single point of access for those seeking mentoring From the first and second rounds of the Regional and those seeking to be mentors across the UK. The site connects Growth Fund, bids to the value of £44.4 million and small businesses with mentoring organisations that can support £134.6 million respectively were successful from the and guide their development. Yorkshire and Humber region. 883W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 884W

Chemicals: EU Action Norman Lamb: The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is currently with the European Mark Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Parliament with a vote on consent likely to take place Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has late in 2012 or 2013. The UK intends to ratify the made of the effect of regulation EC 1907/2006 on the agreement in line with this timetable. The treaty will be registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction laid before both Houses of Parliament and will be of chemical substances on the competitiveness of UK subject to a negative resolution. businesses which rely on chemicals. [101572] The final ACTA text has been reviewed by Government lawyers and the European Commission Legal Services Mr Prisk: The Department has not made an assessment who confirm that ACTA will not create new intellectual of the effects of the Registration Evaluation and Restriction property rights, laws or criminal offences in the UK or of Chemicals (REACH) on the competitiveness of UK EU. As such, ACTA will not require any substantive business. However, the European Commission is changes to existing UK law. undertaking a review of REACH and in June it will publish a report on the lessons learnt so far, and on the costs and administrative burden. East Midlands Development Agency We are aware of the concerns of business and are working closely with industry, industry bodies, DEFRA Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to understand Innovation and Skills if he will place in the Library a the economic impact on business from the implementation list of Government Procurement Card transactions made of REACH. We are working jointly to see how any by staff of the East Midlands Development Agency impact on competitiveness can be mitigated. The showing in each case the (a) transaction date, (b) Department continues to engage directly in an active supplier and (c) amount in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11. dialogue with stakeholders in the UK so that potentially [101710] harmful substances, through the authorisation process, can continue to be used safely, while alternatives are found—fostering innovation and promoting substitution Mr Prisk: The East Midlands Development Agency to safer alternatives. has not made use of Government Procurement Cards and there are therefore no transactions to list. Mark Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has made representations to the European Chemical Agency on East of England Development Agency regulation EC 1907/2006 on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals. [101573] Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will place in the Library a Mr Prisk: The Department has not made any direct list of Government Procurement Card transactions made representations to the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) by staff of the East of England Development Agency on EC 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, showing in each case the (a) transaction date, (b) Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). supplier and (c) amount in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11. DEFRA who lead on this issue for HMG, is on the [101712] Management Board of ECHA. ECHA advises the Commission and engages primarily with regulatory bodies Mr Prisk: The East of England Development Agency across the European Union, such as the HSE. The has not made use of Government Procurement Cards Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and there are therefore no transactions to list. maintains a close dialogue with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who advises ECHA. The Department does engage with the European EU Law Commission on economic issues arising from REACH via the Enterprise Policy Group. We are aware of the concerns of business and are working closely with industry, Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for industry bodies, DEFRA and HSE to understand the Business, Innovation and Skills if he will publish a economic impact on business from the implementation timetable for reviewing the goldplating of EU legislation of REACH. We are working jointly to see how any enacted in UK law since 1997. [101364] impact on competitiveness can be mitigated. The Department continues to engage directly in an active Mr Prisk: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave dialogue with stakeholders in the UK so that potentially on 15 March 2012, Official Report, column 378. harmful substances, through the authorisation process, This Government started the review when they launched can continue to be used safely, while alternatives are the Red Tape Challenge on 7 April 2011. This programme found—fostering innovation and promoting substitution is thematically reviewing the stock of UK legislation, to safer alternatives. including looking at where such ‘gold-plating’ exists and should be removed. We are inviting the general Counterfeit Manufacturing: Trade Agreements public and businesses to comment on those regulations they find burdensome, including the opportunity for Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for respondents to comment on issues relating to the ‘gold- Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking plating’ of EU regulations. Overall, of over 1,450 regulations to place the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement on a considered so far, we have agreed to scrap or improve statutory basis. [101157] well over 50%. 885W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 886W

Flowers Mr Prisk: Good progress is being made towards establishment of the Green Investment Bank. My officials Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, are in detailed discussions with the European Commission Innovation and Skills how much his Department spent and the Government hope to obtain state approval for on (a) cut flowers and (b) pot plants between May the Green Investment Bank later this year. We envisage 2010 and February 2012. [101422] that the bank will be operational in both Edinburgh and London by autumn 2012, subject to state aid Norman Lamb: I refer the hon. Member to the answer approval. given by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Affairs my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects to and Surbiton (Mr Davey) to the hon. Member for appoint the (a) chair and (b) senior independent director Liverpool, Wavertree (Luciana Berger) on 30 March of the Green Investment Bank; and in which office each 2011, Official Report, column reference 346W. will be based. [101556] The foliage contracts were terminated from 30 September 2010 so the Department has had no spend on foliage Mr Prisk: The deadline for applications for the chair since then. and senior independent director posts has now passed, and the appointments are due to be announced in the Green Investment Bank spring. There are strong London-based and Edinburgh- based candidates under consideration for both posts and we will select the best candidates against the advertised Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for competencies. We expect that the chair and senior Business, Innovation and Skills when the Government independent director will spend time in both Edinburgh expects to apply for a banking licence for the Green and London. Investment Bank. [101381]

Mr Prisk: The Green Investment Bank senior Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for management will apply for a banking licence before Business, Innovation and Skills (1) when he expects the commencing regulated activities under the Financial Green Investment Bank’s constitutional documents to Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) be (a) finalised and (b) publicly available; [101557] Order 2001. The Government do not anticipate that the (2) whether the Government, as the sole shareholder, activities of the Green Investment Bank in its first years will have a representative on the board of the Green will require it to have a banking licence. Investment Bank. [101558]

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Prisk: The public company, UK Green Investment Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what the role of Bank (GIB) plc, is due to be formed in the spring and at staff at the Green Investment Bank’s office will be in this point the Bank’s constitutional documents will be (a) Edinburgh and (b) London; [101551] finalised and made publicly available as a matter of (2) what the (a) staff and (b) administrative budget course. Following best practice with other Government- will be for the Green Investment Bank’s office in (i) owned companies, an official from the Shareholder Edinburgh and (ii) London; [101553] Executive will be a member of the GIB board. (3) when a decision will be made on the address of the Green Investment Bank’s office in (a) Edinburgh London Development Agency: Government Procurement and (b) London; [101554] Card (4) how many staff will be based at the Green Investment Bank’s office in (a) Edinburgh and (b) Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, London. [101550] Innovation and Skills if he will place in the Library a list of the Government Procurement Card transactions Norman Lamb: The Green Investment Bank’s (GIB’s) made by the London Development Agency detailing corporate headquarters, asset management and each (a) transaction date, (b) supplier and (c) amount administrative functions will be located in Edinburgh, in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11. [101286] with the major transactions team located in London. Detailed decisions about the bank’s structure and organisational arrangements; precise office sites within Mr Prisk: The London Development Agency has not Edinburgh and London; and staffing and administrative made use of government procurement cards and there budgets will be a matter for the GIB’s Board and senior are therefore no transactions to list. management. We envisage that up to half the jobs in the Bank will be based in Edinburgh. One North East

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what discussions he Innovation and Skills if he will place in the Library a has had with the European Commission on state aid list of Government Procurement Card transactions made rules and the Green Investment Bank; [101555] by staff of the One North East Development Agency (2) when the Green Investment Bank’s office in (a) showing in each case the (a) transaction date, (b) Edinburgh and (b) London will be fully operational. supplier and (c) amount in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11. [101552] [101711] 887W Written Answers22 MARCH 2012 Written Answers 888W

Mr Prisk: One North East has not made use of Mr Prisk: The UK Assisted Area Map will be revised Government Procurement Cards and there are therefore in line with the next Regional Aid Guidelines which will no transactions to list. cover the period January 2014-December 2020. The UK will be consulting on the Map during 2013, once One North East: Pay the Commission have issued the guidelines. Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether any staff employed by Regional Development Agencies the One North East Development Agency received retention bonuses after the announcement by the Government of the abolition of the regional development Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, agencies. [101132] Innovation and Skills whether any staff employed by the East of England Development Agency received a Mr Prisk: The eight regional development agencies retention bonus after the announcement by the Government (RDAs) have put in place arrangements to secure the of the abolition of regional development agencies. retention of key staff until the agencies are closed. They [101708] have made these arrangements with the approval of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Mr Prisk: The eight regional development agencies my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (RDA’s) have put in place arrangements to secure the (Vince Cable) and HM Treasury. This is to safeguard retention of key staff until the agencies are closed. They the taxpayers’ interest in making best use of the significant have made these arrangements with the approval of the public assets that the RDAs have owned. A retention Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, payment process had been recommended to be put into the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), place by the National Audit Office. and HM Treasury. This is to safeguard the taxpayer’s At One North East to date, no member of staff has interest in making best use of the significant public received a retention payment. assets that the RDAs have owned. A retention payment process had been recommended to be put into place by Procurement the National Audit Office. At the East of England Development Agency to date, three members of staff Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for have received retention payments on completion of Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of duties when made redundant. contracts issued by (a) his Department and (b) agencies for which he is responsible were rewarded to small and medium-sized enterprises in the latest period for which Tractors figures are available. [100372] Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Norman Lamb: The Department for Business, Innovation Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has made and Skills (BIS) are currently not in a position to report an assessment of the merits of a scheme to provide a on what proportion of contracts were issued to small financial incentive to replace old tractors. [101376] and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by the BIS family due to the devolved management of procurement not Mr Prisk: No assessment has been made by this holding the information centrally. However, we are in a Department. position to respond with the proportion of total spend versus spend with SMEs which in essence answers the same question using spend data rather than contract UK Trade and Investment: Libya data. The proportion of spend with SMEs for the Q3 period for BIS is 27%. This figure is derived from the James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for data collated each month as part of the Monthly Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff have Procurement Key Metric submission sent to Cabinet worked for UK Trade and Investment in Libya since Office, with the caveat that the figure is based only on March 2010; and how many such staff were from his those agencies reporting SME spend data which is Department. [100054] currently running at 50%. Mr Prisk: The UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) team Regional Assistance in Libya is currently eight strong, one of whom is from BIS. From March 2010 until the British embassy was Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, evacuated in February 2011, the UKTI team had seven Innovation and Skills when he plans to initiate a staff, none of whom were BIS employees. UKTI staff in consultation on the revision of the European assisted Libya are typically from the Foreign and Commonwealth areas map. [101244] Office, BIS and the Ministry of Defence.

ORAL ANSWERS

Thursday 22 March 2012

Col. No. Col. No. CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT...... 907 CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT—continued Creative Industries ...... 912 Superfast Broadband ...... 909 Digital Economy...... 916 Topical Questions ...... 918 Football Governance ...... 911 Leveson Inquiry ...... 914 LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 923 London Olympics ...... 915 Devolution...... 928 London Olympics ...... 917 Legislative Programme...... 924 London Olympics ...... 918 Legislative Scrutiny ...... 926 Press Complaints Commission...... 910 Parliamentary Privilege...... 923 Superfast Broadband ...... 907 Public Reading Stage (Government Bills) ...... 925 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Thursday 22 March 2012

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 65WS ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service ..... 66WS AFFAIRS...... 70WS EU Foreign Affairs Council (Trade)...... 65WS Habitats and Wild Birds Directive...... 70WS Industrial Development Advisory Board ...... 66WS FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 71WS COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 67WS FCO Services (Performance Targets) ...... 73WS Fire Service College ...... 67WS Foreign Affairs Council and General Affairs Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre Council ...... 71WS (Performance Targets)...... 68WS HOME DEPARTMENT...... 73WS DEFENCE...... 68WS UN Convention on the Rights of People with EU Foreign Affairs Council (Defence)...... 68WS Disabilities ...... 73WS

EDUCATION...... 69WS JUSTICE...... 74WS Secondary School Applications...... 69WS Justice Programme ...... 74WS PETITION

Thursday 22 March 2012

Col. No. Col. No. EDUCATION...... 13P Closure of Downhills Primary School, Tottenham ...... 13P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Thursday 22 March 2012

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS...... 878W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued Advantage West Midlands: Government One North East...... 886W Procurement Card ...... 878W One North East: Pay...... 887W Apprentices: Hull...... 879W Procurement...... 887W Business: Government Assistance ...... 880W Regional Assistance ...... 887W Business: USA ...... 881W Regional Development Agencies...... 888W Business: Yorkshire and the Humber ...... 882W Tractors...... 888W Chemicals: EU Action ...... 883W UK Trade and Investment: Libya...... 888W Counterfeit Manufacturing: Trade Agreements ..... 883W East Midlands Development Agency ...... 884W CABINET OFFICE...... 837W East of England Development Agency ...... 884W Employment: Disability ...... 837W EU Law...... 884W Employment: Young People...... 839W Flowers ...... 885W Green Investment Bank ...... 885W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 829W London Development Agency: Government Adoption: Expenditure ...... 829W Procurement Card...... 886W Departmental Pay ...... 829W Col. No. Col. No. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT— HEALTH...... 796W continued Abortion: Advisory Services ...... 796W Departmental Recruitment ...... 830W Ambulance Services ...... 796W Fire Services: Income Tax ...... 830W Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Health Food ...... 830W Services ...... 797W Freedom of Information ...... 830W Intellectual Property ...... 798W Industrial Disputes ...... 830W Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust ...... 798W Land: Planning Permission ...... 831W Multiple Sclerosis: Health Services...... 799W Local Government: Cost Effectiveness...... 831W Nurses: Schools...... 799W Lost Property...... 832W Organs: Donors ...... 800W Mass Media ...... 832W Prescription Drugs...... 800W Planning Permission ...... 833W South London and Maudsley NHS Trust ...... 801W Social Security Benefits: Fraud ...... 833W Transplant Surgery...... 801W Waste Management...... 833W Tuberculosis...... 803W

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 793W HOME DEPARTMENT ...... 813W Arts...... 793W Alcoholic Drinks: Prices ...... 813W Film ...... 794W Crime Prevention: EU Action ...... 813W Mobile Phones: Rural Areas ...... 794W Flowers ...... 813W Newspaper Press ...... 794W Freezing Orders ...... 813W Press Complaints Commission...... 795W Human Trafficking Ministerial Group ...... 814W Regeneration: English Regions...... 793W Members: Correspondence ...... 815W Tourism...... 795W Parking ...... 815W Police Complaints Commissioner ...... 815W DEFENCE...... 834W UK Border Agency ...... 815W Afghanistan: Military Aid...... 834W Aircraft Carriers ...... 834W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 808W Armed Forces: Allowances...... 834W Bangladesh...... 808W Catering ...... 835W Mining ...... 809W Early Retirement...... 835W Palestinians ...... 809W Early Warning Systems ...... 835W Flowers ...... 836W JUSTICE...... 839W Merlin Helicopters ...... 836W Claims Management Services ...... 839W Sea King Helicopters ...... 837W Coroners ...... 840W Territorial Army: Allowances...... 837W Courts: Translation Services ...... 840W European Court of Human Rights ...... 841W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 827W Harassment...... 841W Devolution...... 827W Hollie Greig ...... 842W Scottish Independence ...... 828W Legal Aid Scheme ...... 842W Urban Areas: Wales ...... 828W Legal Aid Scheme: Travellers ...... 843W Members: Correspondence ...... 843W EDUCATION...... 826W Prisoners: Mental Health ...... 844W Cleaning Services ...... 826W Prisons: Crimes of Violence ...... 844W Departmental Working Hours ...... 826W Repossession Orders ...... 844W Flowers ...... 826W Violent and Sex Offender Register ...... 877W Regulation ...... 826W Young Offenders: Rehabilitation...... 878W

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE...... 816W LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 796W Electricity Generation: Carbon Emissions...... 816W Ministers...... 796W Energy: Prices ...... 816W Environment Protection: Taxation ...... 816W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 791W EU Emissions Trading Scheme ...... 817W Patrick Finucane Review ...... 791W Natural Gas: Exploration ...... 820W Nuclear Power...... 820W TRANSPORT ...... 803W Renewable Energy: Heating ...... 821W Bus Services: Concessions ...... 803W DVLA...... 804W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL M1: Cameras ...... 804W AFFAIRS...... 806W Mass Media ...... 805W Agriculture: Apprentices...... 806W Rotherham Central Station...... 805W Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control...... 806W Traffic Penalty Tribunal ...... 805W Droughts...... 807W Transport: Sustainable Development ...... 806W Farmers...... 807W Food ...... 807W TREASURY ...... 810W Forests ...... 808W Council Tax Benefits...... 810W Feed-in Tariffs: Renewable Energy...... 810W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 791W Revenue and Customs: Telford...... 810W Council of Ministers ...... 791W VAT: Disability ...... 811W Embassies: Gardens ...... 792W Human Rights ...... 792W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 821W Libya...... 792W Departmental Pay ...... 821W Lost Property...... 793W Employment Schemes ...... 821W Col. No. Col. No. WORK AND PENSIONS—continued WORK AND PENSIONS—continued Housing Benefit: Pension Credit ...... 822W Remploy...... 823W Jobseeker’s Allowance: Young People ...... 822W Remploy: Wales ...... 824W New Enterprise Allowance...... 823W Universal Credit...... 825W Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. The Bound Volumes will also be sent to Members who similarly express their desire to have them. No proofs of the Daily Reports can be supplied, nor can corrections be made in the Weekly Edition. 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 29 March 2012

STRICT ADHERENCE TO THIS ARRANGEMENT GREATLY FACILITATES THE PROMPT PUBLICATION OF THE VOLUMES

Members may obtain excerpts of their Speeches from the Official Report (within one month from the date of publication), on application to the Stationery Office, c/o the Editor of the Official Report, House of Commons, from whom the terms and conditions of reprinting may be ascertained. Application forms are available at the Vote Office.

PRICES AND SUBSCRIPTION RATES DAILY PARTS Single copies: Commons, £5; Lords, £3·50. Annual subscriptions: Commons, £865; Lords, £525. WEEKLY HANSARD Single copies: Commons, £12; Lords, £6. Annual subscriptions: Commons, £440. Lords, £225. Index: Annual subscriptions: Commons, £125; Lords, £65. LORDS VOLUME INDEX obtainable on standing order only. Details available on request. BOUND VOLUMES OF DEBATES are issued periodically during the session. Single copies: Commons, £105; Lords, £40. Standing orders will be accepted. THE INDEX to each Bound Volumeof House of Commons Debates is published separately at £9·00 and can be supplied to standing order. All prices are inclusive of postage Volume 542 Thursday No. 284 22 March 2012

CONTENTS

Thursday 22 March 2012

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 907] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Leader of the House

Budget Leak Inquiry [Col. 931] Answer to urgent question—(Mr Gauke)

Business of the House [Col. 944] Statement—(Sir George Young)

Budget Resolutions and Economic Situation [Col. 957] Debate (Second day) Debate Adjourned

Petition [Col. 1036]

Electricity Transmission (North Somerset) [Col. 1037] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Services for Young People [Col. 263WH] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 65WS]

Petition [Col. 13P] Observations

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 791W] [see index inside back page]