P A R L I A M E N T A R Y D E B A T E S (HANSARD) HOUSE OF...

Tuesday

23 January 2018

P A R L I A M E N T A R Y D E B A T E S

(HANSARD)

HOUSE OF LORDS

WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND

WRITTEN ANSWERS

Written Statements ................................................ 1

Written Answers ..................................................... 3

Session 2017-19

No. 55

[I] indicates that the member concerned has a relevant registered interest. The full register of interests can be found at

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Members who want a printed copy of Written Answers and Written Statements should notify the Printed Paper Office.

This printed edition is a reproduction of the original text of Answers and Statements, which can be found on the internet

at http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/.

Ministers and others who make Statements or answer Questions are referred to only by name, not their ministerial or

other title. The current list of ministerial and other responsibilities is as follows.

Minister Responsibilities

Baroness Evans of Bowes Park Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

Earl Howe Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords

Lord Agnew of Oulton Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Lord Ashton of Hyde Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Lord Bates Minister of State, Department for International Development

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local

Government and Wales Office

Baroness Buscombe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions

Lord Callanan Minister of State, Department for Exiting the European Union

Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen Whip

Earl of Courtown Deputy Chief Whip

Lord Duncan of Springbank Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office and Scotland Office

Baroness Fairhead Minister of State, Department for International Trade

Lord Gardiner of Kimble Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural

Affairs

Baroness Goldie Whip

Lord Henley Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial

Strategy

Lord Keen of Elie Advocate-General for Scotland and Ministry of Justice Spokesperson

Lord O'Shaughnessy Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care

Baroness Stedman-Scott Whip

Baroness Sugg Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport, Whip

Lord Taylor of Holbeach Chief Whip

Baroness Vere of Norbiton Whip

Baroness Williams of Trafford Minister of State, Home Office

Lord Young of Cookham Whip

Viscount Younger of Leckie Whip

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This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence,

which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/



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Written Statements 23 January 2018 Page 1

Written Statements Tuesday, 23 January 2018

Armed Forces Pay

[HLWS413]

Earl Howe: My right hon. Friend the Parliamentary

Under Secretary of State and Minister for Defence People

and Veterans (The Rt Hon Tobias Ellwood) has made the

following Written Ministerial Statement.

I would like to thank all honourable and right

honourable Members for their contributions to the

Opposition Day Debate about Armed Forces pay held on

1 November 2017. The passionate and constructive

comments of Members regarding pay, allowances,

pensions and accommodation clearly demonstrated this

House’s support for our Armed Forces.

The Armed Forces are among the most extraordinarily

talented and hardworking people in our society. We can

all be rightly proud that we have the most professional

and effective Armed Forces in the world. The

Government is committed to ensuring that the overall

package they, and other public sector workers receive,

reflects the value we place on their work.

The 2015 Spending Review and Autumn Statement

budgeted for 1% average basic pay and progression pay

awards. However, the Government recognises that in

some parts of the public sector, more flexibility may be

required, particularly in areas of skill shortage and in

return for improvements to public sector productivity.

There continues to be a need for pay discipline over the

coming years to ensure the affordability of the public

services and the sustainability of public sector

employment.

Armed Forces’ pay levels are recommended by the

independent Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body. The

Government values hugely the role of the Pay Review

Bodies, and with a more flexible pay policy it is more

important than ever that their recommendations are based

on independent advice and robust evidence. They are in

the process of considering evidence to inform their

recommendations for the 2018 report which we look

forward to receiving in due course.

Carillion

[HLWS416]

Lord Young of Cookham: The Chancellor of the

Duchy of Lancaster has today made the following Written

Ministerial Statement.

On Monday 15 January 2018 I notified the House of the

steps taken by the Government in regards to the

compulsory liquidation of Carillion plc.

Throughout this unfolding situation the Government

has prioritised the continued delivery of public services.

Taxpayers should not, and will not, bail out a private

sector company for private sector losses or allow rewards

for failure.

The failure of this company has understandably caused

concern for many people over their jobs, their pensions

and their local services. The court has appointed an

Official Receiver from the Insolvency Service who has

taken control of the delivery of public services contracts

and we are supporting them to do so. We will support the

Official Receiver to provide these services until a suitable

alternative is found, either through another contractor or

through in-house provision.

I would like to provide further reassurance that all

employees working on public services should continue to

turn up to work, as they have been doing since the

announcement of the liquidation, confident in the

knowledge that they will be paid for the work they are

providing.

In order to safeguard our public services, we have been

implementing contingency plans that have been

developed since July 2017. Since I last updated the

House, there has been no significant disruption to service

delivery in schools, hospitals, prisons, defence and other

public services as staff have continued to provide

services. We have been engaging with all devolved

administrations with exposure to Carillion to ensure that

robust contingency plans are being implemented.

A number of Carillion’s joint venture partners such as

Kier, Eiffage, Balfour Beatty, KBR, Amey and Galliford

Try have committed to stepping into the respective public

sector contracts to ensure continuity of these vital

services. Public sector construction sites have been

secured and construction will begin following the

appointment of a new contractor. I would like to express

my thanks to all those who have worked hard to ensure

the continuity of public services.

Over 90% of Carillion’s private sector facilities

management service customers have indicated that they

will provide funding for the Official Receiver to maintain

interim services while new suppliers can be identified to

deliver these, ensuring the retention and employment of

staff on these contracts. In addition, we are making sure

the usual level of support from Government to affected

employees is available from JobCentre Plus, the

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy,

the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), HMRC and also

dedicated websites from the Insolvency Service.

At present, seven Carillon pensions schemes, covering

6000 members, have moved to the Pensions Protection

Fund Assessment period, this occurs automatically when

all the sponsoring employers become insolvent. The

remaining 21,000 members are in schemes which have at

least one sponsor not in insolvency, and are therefore not

in the Pension Protection Fund (PPF).

Where pensions have moved into the PPF, the PPF is

making sure current pensioners continue to receive their

pensions at 100% of their usual rate, and are assessing the

eligibility of Carillion’s pension schemes to enter the PPF

to protect current employees’ future pensions. We have

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Lords/2018-01-23/HLWS413/


23 January 2018 Written Statements

also set up a special additional helpline with the Pensions

Advisory Service for members of Carillion’s pension

schemes (0800 7561012). We have responded to over 500

calls to the Pensions Advisory Service line since it opened

last week.

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has

worked with the Education and Skills Funding Agency to

ensure funding is available to support former Carillion

apprentices. Over 1400 apprentices have been contacted

and the CITB is offering every former Carillion

apprentice a face-to-face session with CITB

Apprenticeships to find out their individual learning

needs. To date, the CITB have matched 400 Carillion

apprentices to new employers, and they continue to assess

the industry offers they have received to find placements

for the remaining Carillion apprentices.

HMRC will provide practical advice and guidance to

affected businesses in Carillion’s supply chain through its

Business Payment Support Service (BPSS). The BPSS

connects businesses with HMRC staff who can offer

practical help and advice on a wide range of tax problems,

providing a fast and sympathetic route to agreeing the

best way forward and addressing immediate concerns

with practical solutions. HMRC has also offered to

provide affected families with cash support through the

tax credit system and has published details on how to

contact them to arrange.

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and

Industrial Strategy [Rt Hon Greg Clark MP], Economic

Secretary to the Treasury, [John Glen MP], and

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business,

Energy and Industrial Startegy [Andrew Griffiths MP],

met with several banks on 17 January 2018 to seek

assurances that they will support small businesses

affected by Carillion’s liquidation. Lenders are contacting

customers and, where appropriate, are putting in place

emergency measures, including overdraft extensions,

payment holidays and fee waivers to ensure those facing

short term issues can be helped to stay on track. Three

lenders have made a fund of £225m available to support

small businesses exposed to Carillion’s liquidation.

Furthermore, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy

and Industrial Strategy has set up a taskforce to monitor

and advise on mitigating the impacts of Carillion’s

liquidation on construction firms, particularly SMEs and

those working in the sector. He chaired the first meeting

of the taskforce on 18 January 2018 and will be holding a

further series of meetings with stakeholders in the coming

weeks.

The Official Receiver has also taken immediate action

to stop severance and bonus payments to former

Directors. The Secretary of State for Business, Energy

and Industrial Strategy has written to the Insolvency

Service and the Official Receiver asking that the statutory

investigation into the conduct of Carillion’s directors is

fast-tracked and extended in scope to include previous

directors. He has also asked the Financial Reporting

Council to conduct an investigation into the preparation of

Carillion’s accounts past and present, as well as the

company’s auditors.

Officials in my department have been in touch with

various members’ offices last week following their

queries through the dedicated helplines we set up. I shall

be holding drop-in sessions for members to meet with

Cabinet Office ministers and relevant officials to answer

any further queries. Alongside ministerial colleagues, I

will keep the House updated on this ongoing situation.

Prime Minister’s Trade Envoys

[HLWS415]

Baroness Fairhead: My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of

State for International Trade and President of the Board of

Trade (Dr Liam Fox MP) has today made the following

statement.

The Prime Minister has approved two new

appointments to the Trade Envoy programme. Ranil

Jayawardena MP has been appointed as the Trade Envoy

for Sri Lanka and Julian Knight MP, as the Trade Envoy

for Mongolia. These new Trade Envoys take the total

number to 30 parliamentarians covering 59 markets.

The Trade Envoy programme is an unpaid and

voluntary cross-party network, who support the UK’s

ambitious trade and investment agenda in global markets.

They have contributed to business wins worth around

£19.5 billion.

Security Industry Authority (SIA) Annual

Report and Accounts

[HLWS414]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: My rt hon Friend the

Minister of State for Policing and the Fire Service (Nick

Hurd) has today made the following Written Ministerial

Statement:

The 2016-17 Annual Report and Accounts for the

Security Industry Authority (HC 744) is being laid before

the House today and published on www.gov.uk. Copies

will be available in the Vote Office.



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Written Answers 23 January 2018 Page 3

Written Answers Tuesday, 23 January 2018

Apprentices

Asked by Lord Aberdare

To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures

they are taking to increase (1) the availability, and (2)

the take-up, of part-time apprenticeships. [HL4524]


To ask Her Majesty's Government how they intend to

consult with employers and other stakeholders

regarding the flexibility that apprenticeship levy payers

have in spending their apprenticeship vouchers.

[HL4525]

Lord Agnew of Oulton: In May 2017 we amended

apprenticeships funding rules (attached) to allow more

flexibility in working arrangements. The new rules place

emphasis on ensuring apprentices have enough hours in

their working week to undertake sufficient and regular

training and on-the-job activity, rather than being overly

prescriptive on the number of hours apprentices must

work. If the circumstances for a particular learner mean

they are unable to undertake an apprenticeship in full-time

hours (30 hours or more per week), the employer and

training provider can structure the apprenticeship with

fewer weekly hours and a longer overall duration to

ensure all of the necessary training and assessment can be

carried out.

The department is undertaking a range of ongoing

communications and engagement activity to encourage

the take-up of apprenticeships. A new phase of our

communications campaign starts in early 2018 to

encourage employers to offer high quality apprenticeship

opportunities and to promote these to potential

apprentices. This will build on the National

Apprenticeship Service’s ongoing engagement and

communications activity to increase awareness and

promote benefits of apprenticeships among employers and

learners.

The government will continue to work with employers

to ensure that the apprenticeships funding system meets

employers’ skills needs.

We meet regularly with employers and providers to get

feedback on the new funding system, introduced in May

2017, including through the Apprenticeships Stakeholder

Board.

The Answer includes the following attached material:

Apprenticeship funding: rules and guidance for emp [HL4524

Attachment Apprencticeship Funding Rules and Guidance for

Employers 11.01.18.pdf]

The material can be viewed online at:

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2018-01-09/HL4524

Apprentices: Taxation


To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan

to review the current cap of 10 per cent on the

proportion of apprenticeship levy funds that can be

transferred by levy-paying employers to other

employers; and if so, when the results of such a review

will be published. [HL4526]

Lord Agnew of Oulton: This planned change has

come about through listening to employers concerns

about increased flexibility in this area. We want to

introduce transfers in a gradual and well-managed way,

allowing levy payers to benefit from added flexibility

whilst protecting the integrity and affordability of the

programme and the interests of non-levied employers. We

will carefully monitor the implementation of transfers

after April 2018, including how the 10% limit is working.

Brexit

Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are

taking to safeguard businesses from the possibility of a

"no deal" Brexit; and what is their assessment of the

survey by the manufacturers' organisation EEF that

only about one in three manufacturers have contingency

plans for such an event. [HL4773]

Lord Callanan: The Government is engaging with

businesses in order to understand the challenges and

opportunities as we leave the European Union. We

understand the importance of clarity for the business

community, and are working with a wide range of

organisations including EEF to get the right deal for

industry and ensure the UK remains the best possible

place to do business.

Church Schools: Catholicism

Asked by Lord Patten

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the

Written Answer by Lord Agnew of Oulton on 6

December 2017 (HL3948), what is their assessment of

the value of Catholic schools. [HL4566]

Lord Agnew of Oulton: There are 1,967 state funded

Catholic schools in England.

They are more likely to be rated good or outstanding by

Ofsted than other schools and achieve consistently higher

exam results than the national average.

The Catholic Church has been providing education in

England since 1847 and the government recognises the

enormous contribution the Catholic Church has provided

over the last 170 years.










23 January 2018 Written Answers

Community Orders

Asked by Lord Laming

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many

community sentences were handed down in each year

from 2008 to 2016; and what action they are taking in

response to reported reductions in the number of such

sentences handed down. [HL4476]

Lord Keen of Elie: The number of community

sentences handed down in each year from 2008 to 2016

can be viewed in the attached table and also on the

following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/

attachment_data/file/614418/cjs-outcomes-by-offence-

tool-2016.xlsx Our data shows that between 2008 and

2016, the number of community orders issued fell by

46%. The fall in number of defendants appearing before

court and changes in the mix of offences coming to court

are key factors in overall decreased numbers of

community sentences. The sentencing framework already

gives courts the flexibility to select community order

requirements which are a robust alternative to custody,

and are tailored to address the specific issues that

contribute to reoffending. We are committed to ensuring

that community penalties are tough, effective and

command the confidence of sentencers.

Total number of community sentences handed down in each year, England and Wales, 2008 - 2016 (1)(2)

Total community

sentences

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

190,172 195,977 189,333 177,603 151,183 126,535 112,638 114,286 102,938

(1) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is

imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.

(2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data

collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice.

Ref: HL4476

Councillors: Council Tax

Asked by Lord Storey

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their

guidance to council tax payers in cases where a

monitoring officer has not intervened when councillors

who have not paid their own council tax take part in

the council's annual budget meeting. [HL4766]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: If a local resident has a

concern with the actions of their local monitoring officer,

they should use the council’s formal complaints process,

so that the council becomes aware of the problem and can

take appropriate action. Councils are independent and

responsible for their own staff management and

disciplinary procedures.

Devolution: Wales

Asked by Lord Temple-Morris

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are

considering further devolution of powers to the Welsh

Assembly; and if so, what. [HL4863]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The Wales Act 2017

devolves further powers to the National Assembly for

Wales and the Welsh Government in areas such the

environment, transport and elections. Most of these new

powers will come into force on 1 April.

In addition, the UK Government is in discussions with

the Welsh Government on where powers should best sit

following EU exit and where common frameworks will

need to be maintained. The Government expects the

outcome of this work will lead to a significant increase in

the decision making powers of the National Assembly for

Wales.

Driving Tests

Asked by Lord Mawson

To ask Her Majesty's Government, for each of the last

five years, what percentage of those taking the DVLA

theory test have sat that test more than three times.

[HL4597]

Baroness Sugg: The following data shows the

percentage of Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

(DVSA) learners who took their theory test more than

three times in the last five years:

Year Category Delivery Volume

More than 3 attempts

% taking more than

3 attempts

2013 Bike 50175 383 0.76%

2013 Car 1441604 79201 5.49%

2013 CAR-

ABRIDGED

19 1 5.26%

2013 LGV-CPC 17190 685 3.98%

2013 LGV-CPC-

Conversion

126 5 3.97%

2013 LGV-HPT 28999 534 1.84%







2013 LGV-MC 31586 966 3.06%

2013 PCV-CPC 7478 1011 13.52%

2013 PCV-CPC-

Conversion

79 2 2.53%

2013 PCV-HPT 7518 145 1.93%

2013 PCV-MC 8044 192 2.39%

Year Category Delivery

Volume

More than

3 attempts

% taking

more than 3 attempts

2014 Bike 60600 573 0.95%

2014 Car 1663153 96729 5.82%

2014 CAR-

ABRIDGED

26 5 19.23%

2014 LGV-CPC 24574 1004 4.09%

2014 LGV-CPC-Conversion

234 22 9.40%

2014 LGV-HPT 33402 619 1.85%

2014 LGV-MC 37871 1283 3.39%

2014 PCV-CPC 6683 896 13.41%

2014 PCV-CPC-Conversion

106 18 16.98%

2014 PCV-HPT 7640 152 1.99%

2014 PCV-MC 8355 249 2.98%

Year Category Delivery Volume

More than 3 attempts

% taking more than

3 attempts

2015 Bike 69888 690 0.99%

2015 Car 1847968 115082 6.23%

2015 CAR-

ABRIDGED

30 1 3.33%

2015 LGV-CPC 31715 1112 3.51%

2015 LGV-CPC-

Conversion

411 39 9.49%

2015 LGV-HPT 46471 623 1.34%

2015 LGV-MC 51677 1909 3.69%

2015 PCV-CPC 6733 776 11.53%

2015 PCV-CPC-

Conversion

114 3 2.63%

2015 PCV-HPT 8102 135 1.67%

2015 PCV-MC 8851 262 2.96%


Volume

More than

3 attempts

% taking


2016 Bike 74054 950 1.28%

2016 Car 1955241 142417 7.28%

2016 CAR- 38 2 5.26%

ABRIDGED

2016 LGV-CPC 35261 1288 3.65%

2016 LGV-CPC-

Conversion

717 82 11.44%

2016 LGV-HPT 46584 619 1.33%

2016 LGV-MC 54266 2282 4.21%

2016 PCV-CPC 6728 665 9.88%

2016 PCV-CPC-

Conversion

155 8 5.16%

2016 PCV-HPT 7789 86 1.10%

2016 PCV-MC 8982 300 3.34%


Volume

More than

3 attempts

% taking


2017 Bike 72481 924 1.27%

2017 Car 1915556 143568 7.49%

2017 CAR-

ABRIDGED

40 3 7.50%

2017 LGV-CPC 35158 1447 4.12%

2017 LGV-CPC-Conversion

1078 146 13.54%

2017 LGV-HPT 43505 468 1.08%

2017 LGV-MC 52899 2245 4.24%

2017 PCV-CPC 6140 629 10.24%

2017 PCV-CPC-Conversion

153 6 3.92%

2017 PCV-HPT 6821 74 1.08%

2017 PCV-MC 8388 326 3.89%

East Africa: Overseas Aid

Asked by Lord Ahmed

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the

breakdown of financial support for (1) Ethiopia, (2)

Sudan, and (3) Somalia, in the past three years.

[HL4530]

Lord Bates: The amount of direct bilateral Official

Development Assistance (ODA) the UK has provided in

the last three years is set out in the table below:

Table: UK bilateral ODA to Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia 1

£ million.

2014 2015 2016

Ethiopia 322 339 334

Sudan 50 55 65

Somalia 124 122 152

1. All figures rounded to the nearest million

Source: Statistics on International Development 2017




ODA is a measure of official resource flows (aid) to

developing countries that promotes the economic benefit

and welfare of developing countries as the main objective.

East Coast Rail Franchise

Asked by Lord Greaves

To ask Her Majesty's Government which of the lines

and stations used by services included in the East Coast

franchise will be included in the proposed partnership

arrangement between Network Rail and the operator

from 2020, and which will be excluded. [HL4553]

Baroness Sugg: The Department for Transport is

currently considering the size and shape of the East Coast

Partnership as we do prior to all our competitions for rail

passenger services. Further details about the new East

Coast Partnership will be set out in the coming months.

Asked by Lord Myners

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether officials

prepared any estimates for the Secretary of State for

Transport of the value transferred, or to be

transferred, to the franchisees of the East Coast rail

franchise as a result of terminating that franchise; and if

so, when. [HL4560]

Baroness Sugg: The Department for Transport is

preparing contingency plans as we do not believe that the

franchise will be financially viable through to 2020. The

Secretary of State has a clear duty to do that for

passengers. The Department is in discussions to ensure

the needs of passengers and taxpayers are being met in the

short term whilst laying the foundations to bring forward

the reforms under a future long-term competitively

procured contract. When a conclusion to that work is

reached, the Secretary of State will make a statement in

the House as he undertook to do on 10 January.

East Coast Railway Line

Asked by Lord Greaves

To ask Her Majesty's Government, in relation to the

East Coast partnership arrangement that is proposed to

be set up from 2020, what proportion of the current

paths are allocated to each of the train operating

companies including the open access services and the

freight operators, by (1) the number of services, and (2)

the number of route miles. [HL4554]

Baroness Sugg: It should be noted there is a well-

defined, and regulated process for the allocation of train

paths and the introduction of the East Coast Partnership

from 2020 will be independent from this.

Currently, allocation on the East Coast Mainline is as

follows:

Franchised Operators out of King’s Cross Trains per Hour

GTR 10

VTEC 5

Open Access Operators out of King’s Cross

Grand Central 0.5

Hull Trains 0.5

Freight Operators on ECML 1

Franchised Operators between Doncaster and Edinburgh

CrossCountry 1.5

TPE 2

The Department for Transport does not hold

information on route miles per operator.

Egypt: Capital Punishment

Asked by Lord Ahmed

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment

they have made of the rise of death sentences and

executions being used to combat alleged terrorism in

Egypt. [HL4527]

Asked by Lord Ahmed

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether

they intend to make representations to the government

of Egypt that there should be a moratorium on all death

sentences in Egypt, especially in cases where

confessions have been obtained through torture.

[HL4528]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The executions of 15

men on 26 December 2017 and four men on 2 January

2018 in Egypt are deeply concerning. It is a longstanding

policy of the British Government to oppose the death

penalty, in all circumstances, as a matter of principle. We

continue to raise our human rights concerns with the

Egyptian authorities and we encourage Egypt to restrict

the application of the death penalty in line with the

minimum standards set out in the EU Guidelines on the

Death Penalty of 2008 and the provisions of the

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and

the Arab Charter on Human Rights.

Egypt: Human Rights

Asked by Lord Ahmed

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have

made any recent representations to the government of

Egypt regarding human rights and rule of law.

[HL4529]










Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government wants

to see more political freedoms and better protection of

human rights in Egypt. The Foreign Secretary and the

Minister for the Middle East and North Africa have

consistently raised this with our Egyptian counterparts.

Mr Burt raised our human rights concerns, including

those relating to media freedoms and restrictions on civil

society, with Foreign Minister Shoukry and Interior

Minister Ghaffar, during his visit to Egypt in August

2017. The Foreign Secretary last discussed human rights

with Foreign Minister Shoukry in October 2017, when he

raised the case of detained human rights lawyer Ibrahim

Metwally. The Foreign Secretary also emphasised the

importance of a free and open society when he met

President Sisi during his visit to Cairo in February 2017.

Egypt is an FCO Human Rights Priority Country and the

UK regularly raises concerns about human rights in Egypt

at the UN’s Human Rights Council.

Empty Property

Asked by Lord Hylton


estimate of the total number of empty dwellings in

England; how many of those dwellings are owned by

(1) housing associations, (2) local authorities, and (3)

private owners; and what steps are being taken to bring

structurally sound dwellings back into use. [HL4470]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Statistics on vacant

dwellings in England, are published in the Department’s

live table 615 (attached) which is available at the

following link. This table shows the annual totals of all

empty homes, those vacant longer than six months and of

vacant dwellings in the local authority, housing

association and other public sector tenures.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-

sets/live-tables-on-dwelling-stock-including-vacants

The number of long term empty homes is substantially

lower than when records began. Long-term empty homes

are those dwellings which have been unoccupied and

substantially unfurnished for over six months. In October

2009, there were 316,251 long term homes in England

and this had fallen to 200,145 by October 2016.

Figures are not directly comparable for Private

Registered Providers (Housing Association) and local

authority dwellings. Figures for March 2016, show there

were 11,482 long term vacant Private Registered

Providers dwellings and 22,928 local authority dwellings

(long and short term).

As to steps being taken to bring structurally sound

dwellings back to use, I refer to my answer to PQ

3618283/ UIN HL4471.


Live table 615 [180110 live table 615 - HL4470.xls]



Energy: UK Trade with EU



they have made regarding the impact of Brexit on

energy trading with Europe. [HL4771]

Lord Henley: The Government is currently considering

all aspects of its future relationship with the EU, including

in energy. Our priority is to maintain affordable, clean

and secure energy supplies for businesses and households.

We are undertaking a comprehensive programme of

analytical work across a range of scenarios. This work is

ongoing. However, we have been clear that we must not

publish material that could expose the UK in the

negotiations.

Ethiopia: Overseas Aid

Asked by Lord Ahmed


they have made of UK funding being spent on masters

of science degrees for security officials in Ethiopia.

[HL4531]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Through the Conflict,

Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), the British

Government funds an MSc in Security Sector

Management run in Ethiopia by Cranfield University. The

MSc is designed to support regional capacity in Peace

Support Operations activity and is attended by students

from across the region, including six (of 28) Ethiopians.

This programme began in 2017 and the first Annual

Review will be conducted in April, in line with standard

timings for CSSF programmes.

Faith Schools: Admissions



Written Answer by Lord Agnew of Oulton on 20

December 2017 (HL3949), what evidence they have, if

any, of why some Muslim parents send their children to

Catholic, or other faith, schools. [HL4568]

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The department does not

collect data about the preferences of parents from

particular faiths in relation to the choice of school for

their children. Catholic schools are often popular with

parents and over-subscribed and it is likely that this may

result in interest from Muslim parents as well as those

from other faiths and no faith.

Fisheries Convention

Asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering


they have made of the implications for inshore

fishermen of their decision to withdraw from the

London Fisheries Convention of 1962; and whether, in


https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-dwelling-stock-including-vacants











the light of withdrawal from that Convention, inshore

fishermen will be able to access the UK cod fishing

quota in future. [HL4649]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The UK gave notice of its

intention to withdraw from the 1964 London Fisheries

Convention on 3 July 2017. This is a procedural step to

make sure that we are able to control access to UK waters

after we leave the EU. Withdrawal from the Convention

will make sure that there is a clear and open basis on

which to start negotiations on future fisheries agreements.

It is estimated that between 2013 and 2015, UK vessels

caught between 500-600 tonnes of fish worth between

£519,000 and £862,000 in the 6-12nm zone of other

Member States. Between 11,000 and 12,000 tonnes of

fish per year is caught by non-UK vessels within the UK’s

6-12nm zone with an estimated value of between £16 and

£18 million. This estimate is applicable to vessels of 15

metres and over only. There are no estimates for vessels

of less than 15 metres.

When the UK leaves the EU, we will be an independent

Coastal State. We will have rights and obligations under

the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to control and

manage our territorial waters (0-12nm) and Exclusive

Economic Zone (out to 200 nautical miles or the median

line with other states). Access to UK waters for non-UK

vessels and access for UK vessels to other Coastal States

waters will be a matter for negotiation. UK vessels will

continue to be able to fish against UK quotas in UK

waters.

Food: Imports

Asked by The Lord Bishop of St Albans

To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of

food consumed in the UK was imported from the EU in

(1) 1990, (2) 1995, (3) 2000, (4) 2005, (5) 2010, (6)

2015, and (7) 2017. [HL4655]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The proportion of food

consumed that was imported from the EU is shown in the

table below. Data is not yet available for 2017. The latest

figures are for 2016.

Origins of domestic consumption 1990 – 2016

1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2016

UK 66% 62% 56% 51% 51% 52% 49%

EU (a) 18% 21% 23% 28% 28% 29% 30%

i) Membership of the EU increased between 2002 and

2013, from 15 to 28 countries.

A full time series of data from 1988 and for all world

regions is available in the Agriculture section of the UK

Chapter 14 data set on the GOV.UK website.

Note that the origins of domestic consumption figures

are not the same as the production to supply ratio

(sometimes referred to as self-sufficiency). In 2016 the

UK production to supply ratio for all food was 60%.

High Rise Flats: Fire Extinguishers



assessment of the commitment by Westminster City

Council to retrofit sprinklers in all of their blocks of

flats over 30 metres in height. [HL4567]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Sprinklers can be an

effective fire safety measure but they are one of many

such measures that can be adopted. It is for building

owners to decide whether to fit sprinklers, on the basis of

their assessment of the risk. Government advice is clear;

for new blocks of flats over 30 metres in height the

statutory guidance states that sprinklers should be fitted.

For existing buildings it is a decision for the building

owner whether to retro-fit sprinklers as part of a whole

fire-safety strategy for the building, based on expert

advice and taking into account of other fire safety

measures present.

Homelessness

Asked by Lord Farmer


answer by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 9 January

(HL Deb, col 113), which projects funded by the Fair

Chance Fund have been successful in reducing family

and relationship breakdown. [HL4586]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The £15 million Fair

Chance Fund (FCF) was an innovative three year

programme designed to improve accommodation,

education and employment outcomes for homeless young

people aged 18 - 24, who did not have priority need under

the homelessness legislation but had a range of support

needs which presented barriers to securing and sustaining,

accommodation and getting on in life.

Many of the participants had multiple needs, often

resulting in on-going problems and issues. This included a

history of family and relationship breakdown, alongside

other vulnerabilities. The causes of homelessness can be

multiple and complex. Where family and/or relationship

breakdown is present, it is often just one part of the wider

picture. That is why the FCF key workers in all 7 areas

worked intensely with the young people by offering

tailored support to meet their needs.

Two interim evaluations of the FCF were published last

year [ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fair-

chance-fund-evaluation-interim-reports ], and the final

evaluation will be published later this year. Findings are

being used to inform future policy work on supporting

young people experiencing homelessness and on the use

of social investment.


Fair Chance Fund [180122 Fair Chance Fund interim report Year

One - HL4586.pdf]

Fair Chance Fund Year two report [180123 Fair Chance Fund

interim eport Year TwoHL4586.pdf]





https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fair-chance-fund-evaluation-interim-reports






Iron and Steel: Dumping


To ask Her Majesty's Government what

representations they have received from representatives

of the UK steel industry that the Taxation (Cross Border

Trade) Bill might not provide sufficient future

protection against unfair "dumping" of goods from

other nations; and what action they are taking in

response. [HL4618]

Baroness Fairhead: The Department has engaged

extensively with business organisations, including the UK

steel industry, and has incorporated a wide range of

business viewpoints in developing the UK trade remedies

framework set out in the Taxation (Cross-Border Trade)

and Trade Bills.

The Government’s first priority is to ensure that UK

industries have the protections they need if they suffer

injury. That is why the trade remedies provisions will

provide real and robust protections to UK industries

suffering injury. In order to ensure as much continuity as

possible, the Department has also issued a call for

evidence, to identify and maintain existing EU trade

remedy measures which matter to UK businesses.

There are differing opinions between individual

businesses within the steel industry on remedies and trade

defence measures.

Israel: Palestinians

Asked by Baroness Tonge

To ask Her Majesty's Government what

representations they are making to the government of

Israel concerning reports that Israeli and Palestinian

children are being treated differently by the Israeli

criminal justice system. [HL4574]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We regularly raise

concerns about the treatment of Palestinian minors in

detention. In December 2017, our Ambassador to Tel

Aviv raised with the Israeli Justice Minister the issue of

Palestinian children in detention. The Minister for the

Middle East most recently raised our concerns with the

Israeli authorities during his visit to Israel in August

2017.

Jerusalem

Asked by Baroness Tonge


Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 21

December (HL4170), what action they intend to take to

protect the rights of Palestinians in East Jerusalem.

[HL4573]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government will

continue to make clear our serious concerns about the

situation in East Jerusalem to the Israeli authorities and

the Municipality of Jerusalem. The UK also supports the

rights of Palestinian communities in East Jerusalem

facing demolition or eviction through our funding to the

Norwegian Refugee Council legal aid programme. This

helps residents to challenge decisions in the Israeli legal

system. We also remain deeply concerned about

restrictions on freedom of movement to and from East

Jerusalem. Through our Embassy in Tel Aviv we have

lobbied the appropriate authorities on the issue of

movement and access and continue to call on Israel to

ease restrictions on access.

Migrant Workers: EU Nationals



they have made on the UK’s reliance on EU workers,

and the effects of Brexit on industries that rely on these

workers. [HL4769]

Lord Callanan: We have been clear that following our

exit from the EU, we will continue to welcome those with

the skills, drive and expertise to make a positive

contribution. We are also committed to avoiding labour

shortages in key sectors.

The Government has commissioned the Migration

Advisory Committee (MAC) to gather evidence on

patterns of EU migration and the role of migration in the

wider economy, ahead of our exit from the EU. The MAC

will build on the significant analysis already underway in

government, but we want the MAC’s credible,

independent advice to inform our decisions on our future

immigration arrangements.

The MAC commission provide a clear channel for

business and other employers to express their views, and

their findings will be used to inform decisions about the

post EU exit immigration arrangements.

Overseas Aid

Asked by The Marquess of Lothian

To ask Her Majesty's Government how they assess

the return on investment to the British economy from

foreign aid spending. [HL4686]

Lord Bates: Aid is squarely in the UK national interest.

Developing countries will be major markets and

important trading partners for the UK in the future. Our

support will promote trade, investment and stability, in

addition to the development impact on the lives of the

poorest.











Palace of Westminster: Repairs and

Maintenance

Asked by Lord Norton of Louth

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what is the

estimated earliest date by which both Houses of

Parliament could decant the Palace of Westminster in

the event of a decision so to do for the purposes of the

restoration and renewal of the Palace; and what is the

estimated cost to the public purse for the repair and

maintenance of the Palace in the period between now

and both Houses decanting. [HL4602]

Lord McFall of Alcluith: Neither House has yet

considered the recommendation of the Report of the Joint

Committee on the Palace of Westminster (House of Lords

Paper No. 41, HC 659, Session 2016–17), published in

September 2016, that both Houses should leave the Palace

temporarily while the essential restoration and renewal

work is carried out. The future schedule for the

Restoration & Renewal Programme will depend largely

on when both Houses take a decision on the preferred

delivery option, and on what that decision is. If both

Houses accept the Joint Committee’s recommendation,

then it will be necessary to acquire, design and fit out

temporary accommodation, and to complete the

refurbishment of the House of Commons Northern Estate,

before decant can take place. There will also be several

years of design work, including consultation with

Members of both Houses and more widely, which will be

followed by a procurement phase for the works. The Joint

Committee recommended the establishment, by statute, of

an independent Sponsor Board and Delivery Authority to

deliver the Programme. Assuming that a decision on the

future direction of the Programme can be taken soon, we

expect that this work could be completed in time for

decant to take place in 2025.

The forecast cost of repair and maintenance of the

Palace of Westminster from 2017/18 to 2021/22, the end

of the current Medium Term Investment Plan period, is

set out in the table below. This includes both planned

preventative and reactive maintenance, and current and

planned Strategic Estates projects, including a further

round of mechanical and electrical engineering work

intended to keep the building habitable until 2025.

2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22

Planned preventative &

reactive maintenance

£10,950,421 £10,906,124 £11,044,424 £11,366,324 £10,969,424

Current & planned Strategic Estates

projects

£82,423,288 £106,455,026 £98,110,475 £35,684,761 £25,058,596

Medium-term mechanical and

electrical works

– £801,903 £3,494,211 £18,301,903 £18,301,903

Total £93,373,709 £118,163,052 £112,649,110 £65,352,988 £54,329,923

Costs include VAT and optimism bias where

appropriate, but no allowance has been made for inflation.

There is not yet a reliable forecast for routine

maintenance beyond the end of the current Medium Term

Investment Plan period in 2021/22. It is possible that

reactive maintenance costs may rise in future as the

condition of the Palace continues to deteriorate.

It is assumed that, as the start date for the Restoration &

Renewal Programme approaches, wherever possible,

work which can be deferred until the Programme starts

will be.

Parental Leave

Asked by Baroness Lister of Burtersett


answer by Lord Henley on 9 January (HL Deb, cols

109–110), when they expect to complete the evaluation

of shared parental leave; and whether they will invite

stakeholders, including interested voluntary

organisations, to submit evidence to the evaluation.

[HL4755]

Lord Henley: We have started to evaluate the Shared

Parental Leave and Pay schemes and will gather and

analyse information from a wide variety of sources.

Subject to the progress of data collection, we anticipate

publishing findings in spring 2019.

Parliament: Broadcasting

Asked by Lord Campbell-Savours

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to the

Written Answer by the Senior Deputy Speaker on 19

July 2017 (HL599) concerning the resource costs of

£1,104K to the House of Lords for Parliamentary

Broadcasting, what amount of that sum, if any, is

provided to the BBC. [HL4662]

Lord McFall of Alcluith: None of the recharged

resource costs referred to in HL599 is provided to the

BBC.

Asked by Lord Campbell-Savours

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to the

Written Answer by the Senior Deputy Speaker on 19

July 2017 (HL599) concerning the resource costs of

£1,104K to the House of Lords for Parliamentary






Broadcasting, what proportion of the total cost of the

shared service that sum represents. [HL4663]

Lord McFall of Alcluith: The £1,104k represents 40%

of the total Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit spend,

excluding depreciation. This is in line with the agreed

40:60 split of broadcasting costs between the House of

Lords and the House of Commons.

Poultry: Campylobacter

Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are

taking to address the high levels of campylobacter

infection which are resistant to antibiotics in UK

chickens. [HL4753]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The use of antibiotics is a

driver of selection of resistance. Therefore, Defra is

working with the livestock industry to implement the

sector specific targets published in October 2017 to

promote reduction in antibiotic use, while encouraging

best husbandry practice and responsible use of antibiotics.

The UK meat poultry industry has significantly reduced

the use of antibiotics including those of critical

importance to public health; the British Poultry Council,

representing 90% of the meat poultry industry, reported a

72% reduction in the use of fluoroquinolones between

2012 and 2016.

The Government monitors resistance levels in

Campylobacter in meat poultry at slaughter. Latest results

show very low resistance levels to Erythromycin, an

antibiotic considered to be a last resort for the treatment

of Campylobacter infections in people, and low levels of

multidrug resistance.

Recycling

Asked by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have

undertaken an impact assessment of a refundable

deposit scheme for glass bottles, plastic bottles and

metal cans; if so, what was the outcome; and at what

levels refundable deposits would need to be set to make

such a scheme cost-effective. [HL4550]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The UK has made progress

on our packaging recycling rates, including for drinks

containers. Current policies and regulations have seen the

recycling rate for packaging waste rise to 60% in 2015,

from around 46% in 2005.

This Government has not yet undertaken a formal

Impact Assessment of a deposit return scheme. However,

Defra analysed the costs and benefits of implementing a

deposit return system for single use drink containers as

part of the 2011 Review of Waste Policy in England, and

to seek views in the 2012 consultation on higher

packaging recycling targets.

From 2 October to 20 November 2017 an independent

working group set up under the Litter Strategy for

England held a call for evidence on measures to reduce

littering of drinks containers and promote recycling. The

focus was rigid and flexible plastic, glass or metal drinks

containers that are sold sealed, and used for the sale of

alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, often for

consumption ‘on-the-go’. This included seeking evidence

on the costs, benefits and impacts of deposit and reward

and return schemes.

The working group is due to provide advice to

Ministers on potential incentives for drinks containers in

the next couple of months. Any decisions on appropriate

measures to take forward will then be made, supported by

the development of an impact assessment as necessary.

Social Security Benefits

Asked by The Lord Bishop of Durham

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many families

with three or more children have been affected by the

benefit cap in each month since April 2017; how many

children were included in each affected family; how

many families were (1) lone parent families or (2) two-

parent families; and how many of those families had

one or more parents in work. [HL4636]

Baroness Buscombe: The table below shows the

number of households with three or more children that

had their Housing Benefit capped at each month since

April 2017 by family type and number of children, for

lone parent families and two-parent families.

The information requested on the number of families

with three or more children that have been affected by the

benefit cap in each month since April 2017 with one or

more parents in work is not readily available and to

provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Households receiving Universal Credit with earning of

£520 a month and households receiving Working Tax

Credit are exempt from the benefit cap. At August 2017

38,795 households that had previously had their Housing

Benefit capped and were no longer capped had an open

Working Tax Credit claim, indicating that they had

moved into work.

Number of households with three or more children that had their Housing Benefit capped at each month since April 2017 by family type

and number of children

Apr-17

Family Type

Couple with child

dependant(s)

Single with child

dependant(s)

Total

- Number of

Children

- 3

dependants

5,987 21,349 27,335

- 4

dependants

3,614 11,752 15,368

- 5

dependants

1,543 3,463 5,008






Family

Type

Couple with

child

dependant(s)

Single with

child

dependant(s)

Total

- More than 5

dependants

639 1,024 1,663

- Total 11,789 37,592 49,378

May-17

Family Type

Couple with child

dependant(s)

Single with child

dependant(s)

Total

- Number of

Children

- 3

dependants

6,251 21,539 27,793

- 4

dependants

3,742 12,100 15,840

- 5

dependants

1,590 3,550 5,142

- More than 5

dependants

677 1,045 1,721

- Total 12,255 38,238 50,501

Jun-17

Family

Type

Couple with

child dependant(s)

Single with

child dependant(s)

Total

- Number of

Children

- 3 dependants

6,233 21,958 28,192

- 4 dependants

3,704 12,068 15,773

- 5 dependants

1,607 3,595 5,198

- More than 5 dependants

681 1,058 1,739

- Total 12,224 38,676 50,898

Jul-17

Family

Type

Couple with

child

dependant(s)

Single with

child

dependant(s)

Total

- Number of

Children

- 3

dependants

6,149 22,466 28,610

- 4

dependants

3,575 12,045 15,628

- 5 dependants

1,581 3,529 5,108

- More than 5 dependants

651 1,043 1,693

- Total 11,959 39,086 51,046

Aug-17

Family Type

Couple with child

dependant(s)

Single with child

dependant(s)

Total

- Number of

Children

- 3

dependants

5,948 22,439 28,384

- 4

dependants

3,522 11,848 15,370

- 5

dependants

1,572 3,472 5,043

- More than 5

dependants

639 1,051 1,697

- Total 11,677 38,812 50,485

INFO Statistical disclosure control has been applied to these tables to avoid the

release of confidential data. Totals may not sum due to the disclosure

control applied.

Source: Department for Work and Pensions

Southern Africa: Overseas Aid

Asked by Lord German

To ask Her Majesty's Government which aid

programmes they have supported in (1) Swaziland, (2)

Botswana, and (3) Lesotho, since May 2015. [HL4592]

Lord Bates: The UK provided £5.7million of bilateral

Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Lesotho in

2016. DFID provided £4.8 million of this total in drought

response through the United Nations Humanitarian appeal

for assistance for food security, access to water, and

recovery of livelihoods and the contribution helped to

provide targeted assistance to 375,000 people affect by

the drought.

UK bilateral ODA to Botswana and Swaziland in 2016

supported education programmes funded through the

Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The table below shows the amount of UK bilateral

ODA that was received by Botswana, Lesotho and

Swaziland between 2015 and 2016.

Millions £ 2015 2016

Botswana 1.1 0.3

Lesotho 0.4 5.7

Swaziland 0.2 0.0

Source: Statistics on International Development (SID)

2017 (see below)

Full details on all the projects supported in these

countries can be found on gov.uk website.



Tourism: Marketing

Asked by Lord Porter of Spalding

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they

have to market English tourist destinations in 2018.

[HL4569]

Lord Ashton of Hyde: VisitBritain and VisitEngland

promote England both domestically and abroad. In 2018,

they have two main campaigns: “Join The World,

Discover the UK” (in partnership with VisitScotland and

VisitWales) promoting the UK domestically and “I Travel

For”, a global campaign promoting English destinations.

Ongoing work includes the English Gateways

partnership with regional airports, a partnership with

Expedia featuring English destinations, promoting

England through English Tourism Week and supporting

the Great Exhibition of the North.

The three year £40m Discover England Fund is also

developing a range of products promoting English

destinations to markets abroad. Projects include support

for the South West Coastal Path (in Somerset, Devon and

Cornwall) and the Coastal Pass (which runs along the

East Coast of England).

UN Committee on the Elimination of

Discrimination against Women

Asked by Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will

nominate a candidate to the UN Committee for Ending

Discrimination Against Women. [HL4558]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Committee on

the Elimination of Discrimination against Women is

composed of 23 members. There will be an election later

this year to replace 12 of these members, whose terms of

office expire on 31 December 2018. The Government is

not currently planning to make nominations for this

Committee.

Universal Credit

Asked by Baroness Lister of Burtersett


Written Answer by Baroness Buscombe on 20

December 2017 (HL4048), what have been the annual

funding levels per capita per universal credit claimant

for delivery of universal support for each year since

2013–14 at constant prices. [HL4754]

Baroness Buscombe: The per capita payment for

Universal Support has remained unchanged since 2013/14

and is £25.66 per hour.

The allocated time for each claimant varies as follows:

Support Offered Rate per hour Time Allocated Payment per

Claimant

Assisted Digital

Support Live

Service

£25.66 60mins £25.66

Assisted Digital

Support Full

Service

£25.66 60mins £25.66

Personal

Budgeting

Support Live Service

£25.66 120mins £51.32

Personal Budgeting

Support Full

Service

£25.66 120mins £51.32

Work Capability Assessment

Asked by Baroness Thomas of Winchester

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they

have made on meeting their targets on work capability

assessments for disabled people. [HL4774]

Baroness Buscombe: The Department for Work and

Pensions (DWP) decision makers have no targets that

relate to the number of people placed in the Support

Group, Work Related Activity Group or found fit for

work following a work capability assessment.

The current contractual agreement between the DWP

and the Centre for Health and Disability Assessments

contains numerous performance targets including

throughput, claimant service and work capability

assessment report quality, which also contain automatic

financial remedies where there is service level failure.

There are no targets specifying that certain numbers of

people should be allowed or disallowed benefit.

The contractual performance of Centre for Health and

Disability Assessments is monitored closely by the DWP.

Since Centre for Health and Disability Assessments took

on the contract, we have halved work capability

assessment waiting times, down from 32 weeks in August

2014 to 16 weeks in March 2017.


To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the

recruitment of healthcare professionals by third party

providers is sufficient to meet the current volume of

work capability assessments for disabled people; and

what are the minimum qualifications being sought as

part of the recruitment process. [HL4775]

Baroness Buscombe: Since the commencement of the

Health and Disability Assessment Service contract in

March 2015 the supplier, Centre for Health and Disability

Assessments (CHDA), has increased its number of

Healthcare Professionals by over 60%. As a result, CHDA








are on course to deliver the contractual volumes for work

capability assessments.

All Healthcare Professionals who undertake work

capability assessments are registered healthcare

professionals, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists or

occupational therapists, with a minimum of two years

broad - based post registration experience.



assessment of the quality of Work Capability

Assessment assessors. [HL4776]

Baroness Buscombe: All Healthcare Professionals

undertaking Work Capability Assessments are highly-

trained practitioners in their own field. They must be

registered practitioners who have at least two years post-

registration experience. They are subject to a rigorous

recruitment process followed by a comprehensive training

programme in disability assessment.

We are committed to ensuring claimants receive high

quality, fair and accurate assessments. All Healthcare

Professionals are subject to on-going quality audit to

ensure they continue to deliver high quality assessments.


Index to Statements and Answers

Written Statements ................................................. 1

Armed Forces Pay ................................................ 1

Carillion ................................................................ 1

Prime Minister’s Trade Envoys ............................ 2

Security Industry Authority (SIA) Annual Report

and Accounts ........................................................ 2

Written Answers ..................................................... 3

Apprentices ........................................................... 3

Apprentices: Taxation .......................................... 3

Brexit .................................................................... 3

Church Schools: Catholicism ............................... 3

Community Orders ............................................... 4

Councillors: Council Tax ..................................... 4

Devolution: Wales ................................................ 4

Driving Tests ........................................................ 4

East Africa: Overseas Aid .................................... 5

East Coast Rail Franchise ..................................... 6

East Coast Railway Line ...................................... 6

Egypt: Capital Punishment ................................... 6

Egypt: Human Rights ........................................... 6

Empty Property ..................................................... 7

Energy: UK Trade with EU .................................. 7

Ethiopia: Overseas Aid ......................................... 7

Faith Schools: Admissions ................................... 7

Fisheries Convention ............................................ 7

Food: Imports ....................................................... 8

High Rise Flats: Fire Extinguishers ...................... 8

Homelessness ....................................................... 8

Iron and Steel: Dumping ...................................... 9

Israel: Palestinians ................................................ 9

Jerusalem .............................................................. 9

Migrant Workers: EU Nationals ........................... 9

Overseas Aid ........................................................ 9

Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance

............................................................................ 10

Parental Leave .................................................... 10

Parliament: Broadcasting ................................... 10

Poultry: Campylobacter ..................................... 11

Recycling ........................................................... 11

Social Security Benefits ..................................... 11

Southern Africa: Overseas Aid .......................... 12

Tourism: Marketing ........................................... 13

UN Committee on the Elimination of

Discrimination against Women ......................... 13

Universal Credit ................................................. 13

Work Capability Assessment ............................. 13

P A R L I A M E N T A R Y D E B A T E S (HANSARD) HOUSE OF...

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