Written Statements

Tuesday 19th November 2013 Written Statements

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Student Support (England)

Tuesday 19th November 2013 Written Statements

[The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David Willetts)]

In the 2011 White Paper on higher education, “Students at the Heart of the System” (Cmnd 8122), the Government announced their intention to introduce a level playing field for regulating higher education providers of all types. A number of reforms have since been introduced to deliver convergence between the rules governing higher education institutions funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and others, known as alternative providers (APs). The process of applying student number controls to APs was subject to a consultation, which was launched in November 2012 and which closed in January 2013.

The previous Government introduced a system of recovery of payments from HEFCE-funded providers that breached their number controls. This regime was not applied to APs, even though students studying at APs are eligible for maintenance grants, maintenance loans and tuition fee loans. As the higher education sector has diversified, the number of applications for student support at APs has increased. In addition, the tuition fee changes implemented in 2012-13 mean students at APs may borrow up to £6,000 a year to cover the costs of their tuition. The number of English and EU students claiming support at APs has grown from 13,000 in 2011-12 to 30,000 in 2012-13, and the total public expenditure on these students has risen from £60 million to £175 million. This is 4% of the total student support budget. Growth has been particularly concentrated among students studying for higher national certificates (HNCs) and the higher national diplomas (HNDs).

The Government announced in March 2013 that they would introduce number controls for 2014-15 academic year based on institutions’ 2012-13 entry data. Alternative providers were asked to submit data to HEFCE on their recruitment plans. The Department received these data on 5 November and concluded that some of these plans were unaffordable, given the need to control public spending. We have therefore written to the 23 APs that are expanding most rapidly to instruct them to recruit no more students for HNCs and HNDs in the current 2013-14 academic year. Degree-level courses are unaffected by these changes.

Concurrently, we are dealing with a different student support issue. We identified that there had been a significant increase in the number of Bulgarian and Romanian students applying for full student support in England this year. This support is usually only available to EU citizens resident in the UK for a minimum of three years. We have asked each of these students to supply additional information to support their applications for maintenance, before any further public funding is made available to them or to their institutions. We have asked all EU citizens applying for maintenance support in England to supply this additional information.

Annual European Union Finances Statement

Tuesday 19th November 2013 Written Statements

[The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Nicky Morgan)]

I am today laying before Parliament the “European Union Finances 2013: statement on the 2013 EU Budget and measures to counter fraud and financial mismanagement” (Cm 8740). It is the 33rd in the series.

The statement gives details of revenue and expenditure in the 2013 European Union (EU) budget, recent developments in EU financial management and measures to counter fraud against the EU budget. It also includes an annex on the use of EU funds in the UK.

The current economic and financial climate means that Governments and families across Europe are taking difficult decisions to make savings. It would be wrong for the EU to not show similar spending restraint. The Government remain determined to ensure transparency, spending control and better value for money in EU budget spending, and to push for improvements in EU financial management.

Matériel Strategy (Upgrade)

Tuesday 19th November 2013 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond)]

On 10 June 2013, I published a White Paper on the strategy for reform of the acquisition and support of our armed forces’ equipment. The strategy plans to explore the potential for involvement of the private sector under a Government owned and contractor operated (GoCo) model by means of a commercial competition which is under way, and to compare this option with an internal approach which would deliver an improved solution within the public sector (DE&S+). I want to update the House on progress of the commercial competition.

When the invitation to negotiate (ITN) was released on 25 July there were three prospective bidding consortia but this reduced to two shortly thereafter. While we believed that two bidders were sufficient for an effective competition, alongside the internal DE&S+ option, I asked that a review of the process be undertaken jointly between the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Defence (MOD). This has recently been completed, and a copy of the report has been laid in the Library of the House today.

The review concluded that a viable competition remained, albeit with some risk attached, but that any further reduction in the number of bidders should stimulate a formal reconsideration and decision on whether to proceed further with the GoCo option. Bids were required from the two commercial consortia in three phases and the second of those was due to be received on Friday 15 November. The MOD has received a bid from one of the consortia but the second (Portfield, comprising CH2MHill, Serco and Atkins) has decided to withdraw from the competition. This is regrettable and the reduction in competitive tension will make it more challenging for the Department to conclude an acceptable deal with the remaining bidder, notwithstanding the competition from the DE&S+ bid, which will be received shortly.

The Department, with the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, will now study the detailed proposal received from Matériel Acquisition Partners (led by Bechtel with PA and PwC in support), which is substantial at over 1,200 pages. In parallel, the DE&S+ team will continue to refine and enhance their proposition. This analysis will inform a decision on whether it is in the public interest to proceed with only a single commercial bidder and an internal option, or whether alternative approaches should be considered and a further statement will be made once this process is complete.

Gifting of Equipment (Somaliland)

Tuesday 19th November 2013 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr William Hague)]

As part of the Government’s approach to counter-terrorism (CT), the UK assists key partner nations to improve their CT capabilities. By helping countries to undertake CT activities locally, it targets the problem at source and reduces the risk of a terrorist attack against the UK. The UK is committed to developing counter-terrorism capability in the horn of Africa.

The proposal in this case is to gift security equipment and vehicles to, the Somaliland Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air Transport for use at Berbera and Hargeisa airports; and the Somaliland Department of Immigration for use at land/sea/air border crossings to ensure that persons entering/leaving Somaliland pass through robust security and immigration checks, allowing Somaliland authorities to identify and disrupt threats to aviation and border security.

The equipment and vehicles will be gifted alongside a training and mentoring package (which is not part of the gift but also provided by the UK), costing £457,263. The training aims to ensure airport security staff can operate X-ray, explosive trace detection (ETD) and CCTV equipment; as well as to promote the benefits of a sustainable and compliant civil aviation sector through close mentoring of senior officials and professional development of operational staff.

The total cost of the proposed UK gift is £699,465 and will be met by the Government’s counter-terrorism programme.

Explosive trace detection devices are subject to export controls. FCO and MOD officials have assessed the equipment against the EU consolidated criteria and have no objections to the release of these items. This assistance has been scrutinised and approved by a senior, cross-Whitehall counter-terrorism programme approval board, which has confirmed that it fits with Her Majesty’s Government (HMG’s) objectives.

The gifting minute was laid before the House of Commons yesterday. If, during the period of 14 parliamentary sitting days beginning on the date on which the minute was laid, a Member signifies an objection by giving notice of a parliamentary question or of a motion in relation to the minute, or by otherwise raising the matter in the House, final approval of the gift will be withheld pending an examination of the objection.

Gifting of Equipment (Pakistan)

Tuesday 19th November 2013 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr William Hague)]

The UK is committed to developing counter-terrorism capability in Pakistan to promote the Government’s counter-terrorism objectives under CONTEST (counter-terrorism strategy). As part of this approach, the UK assists key partner nations to develop effective and sustainable counter-terrorism capabilities which operate in line with agreed international human rights standards. By helping countries to undertake counter-terrorism activities locally, it targets the problem at source and reduces the risk of terrorist attacks.

Pakistan has a particularly severe problem with improvised explosive device (IED) attacks from terrorist groups and insurgents. Pakistan has sought assistance from the UK in tackling this threat and developing the capabilities of its security forces. The UK is delivering a counter improvised explosive device (CIED) programme to assist Pakistan in establishing a multi-agency capability for tackling IEDs. The programme aims to build capacity to dismantle IED networks and improve intelligence available to countering emerging IED threats.

The project is now in its second year of a three-year programme. A total of £3.495 million was allocated during year one which focused on training and gifting equipment for the Pakistan Army and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police. A departmental gifting minute was laid before the House on 15 October 2012, setting out details of the gift.

The proposal, in this case, is to gift counter improvised explosive device (CIED) equipment and training to Pakistan, totalling £3.5 million. Of this £3.5 million, an estimated £3.22 million will be gifted as equipment. The £3.5 million comes from the Government’s counter-terrorism programme fund (£2.75 million) and from the Danish Government (£750,000).

The breakdown of equipment being gifted and approximate costs is as follows:

1) Counter improvised explosive device (CIED) equipment (£2.1 million)

2) Search equipment (£700,000)

3) Vehicles (£300,000)

4) Storage and flights (£120,000 set aside)

Alongside this, the cost of training, project delivery, key leader engagement and maintenance costs will be approximately £280,000. The training aims to enhance Pakistani police, civil defence and military capacity to dismantle IED networks and improve intelligence available to countering emerging IED threats.

The package of equipment and training will provide the military and law enforcement agencies with a valuable and sustainable capability to deal with the threat.



The request for UK’s assistance in tackling the CIED issue is an excellent opportunity to work in partnership with Pakistan to develop their indigenous capability and mitigate the terrorist risk to the UK, Pakistan, the UK’s interests in Pakistan and wider south Asia region.

The proposed gift has been assessed and approved against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria. The proposed gift has been scrutinised and approved by the cross-HMG (Her Majesty’s Government) Overseas Contest Group, which has confirmed that it fits with the Government’s strategic and delivery objectives. FCO officials also assessed the project for human rights risks, using the overseas security and justice assistance guidelines established by the Foreign Secretary in 2011.

The gifting minute was laid before the House of Commons yesterday. If, during the period of 14 parliamentary sitting days beginning on the date on which the minute was laid, a Member signifies an objection by giving notice of a parliamentary question or of a motion in relation to the minute, or by otherwise raising the matter in the House, final approval of the gift will be withheld pending an examination of the objection.

Gifting of Equipment (Somaliland Police)

Tuesday 19th November 2013 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr William Hague)]

The UK is committed to developing counter-terrorism capability in the horn of Africa in furtherance of the Government’s counter-terrorism objectives under Contest. As part of this approach, the UK assists key partner nations to develop effective and sustainable counter-terrorism capabilities which operate in line with agreed international human rights standards. By helping countries to undertake counter-terrorism activities locally, it targets the problem at source and reduces the risk of a terrorist attack against that nation or another.

The proposal in this case is to gift a UK-built headquarters and pre-trial detention facility, office furnishings, equipment and non-military vehicles to the Somaliland police force. The total cost of the proposed gift is £643,225, which will be met by the Government’s counter-terrorism programme.

The breakdown of the proposed gift is:

Gifting of Non-lethal Equipment (Syria)

Tuesday 19th November 2013 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr William Hague)]

It is now over two years since the Syrian conflict began and the situation remains catastrophic. The UK is committed to doing all it can to alleviate the humanitarian suffering and to promote a political settlement to end the conflict.

In my 11 November statement to the House, Official Report, column 642, I outlined the intensive political and practical support we are providing to the Syrian moderate opposition. Today I am setting out in more detail our plans to gift non-lethal equipment to General Idris’s supreme military council, which is closely aligned to the Syrian National Coalition. This gift will be: commercially available communications equipment, such as laptops with satellite internet connection, mobile telephones and push-to-talk radios; commercially available vehicles, such as pick-up trucks; fuel; portable generators less than 8MW in power; logistics supplies such as clothing, rations and tents; and individual medical kits. The total cost of the proposed gift is £1 million, which will be met by the Government’s conflict pool fund. Use of these funds has been approved by the Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs, Defence and International Development.

This is the UK’s second gift to the supreme military council; in August 2013 we sent them equipment to protect them from chemical weapons attack. This gift has been scrutinised to ensure that the provision of this equipment is consistent with export controls and complies with our international obligations. Recipients have been carefully selected to prevent equipment being given to those involved in extremist activities or human rights violations.

The gifting minute was laid before the House of Commons yesterday. If, during the period of 14 parliamentary sitting days beginning on the date on which the minute was laid, a Member signifies an objection by giving notice of a parliamentary question or of a motion in relation to the minute, or by otherwise raising the matter in the House, final approval of the gift will be withheld pending an examination of the objection.

British Indian Ocean Territory Feasibility Study

Tuesday 19th November 2013 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mark Simmonds)]

On 8 July, Official Report, column 3WS, I announced to the House the Government’s intention to commission a feasibility study on the issue of resettlement of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). I wish to update the House on the scope of this feasibility study, which will be funded by the BIOT Administration.

Over the summer, FCO and BIOT officials sought initial views from over 400 people, including members of the Chagossian community in the UK, Mauritius and the Seychelles.

These initial consultations show that views within Chagossian communities vary widely on the issue of resettlement. Though a clear majority of Chagossians expressed a preference to return to BIOT, there were significant differences on the detail. A number of concerns and issues were highlighted, by Chagossian groups and others, which will need to be carefully considered during the feasibility study. These include the scale of resettlement, the extent of the provision of modern infrastructure and facilities, access to employment opportunities, and the need to protect the unique environment of BIOT.

The input provided has helped to shape the draft terms of reference (TORs) for the study which will be published immediately on the overseas territories webpage on gov.uk and placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The feasibility study will look at the full range of options for resettlement and will include all of the islands of the territory, including Diego Garcia with its vital military base. Following the study, in assessing the potential options for resettlement the Government will wish to balance a range of factors including whether this could be accommodated in a way that does not inhibit the scale and output of the existing base and whether the base can continue to operate undisturbed alongside any potential resettlement.

In order to ensure that the process remains transparent, credible and inclusive, officials from the BIOT Administration will continue to regularly meet and update Chagossian groups and other interested parties on progress and emerging findings as the study develops. I shall continue to keep Parliament informed.

Daniel Morgan (Independent Panel)

Tuesday 19th November 2013 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mrs Theresa May)]

I announced in a written ministerial statement on 10 May 2013, Official Report, column 17WS, the creation of the Daniel Morgan independent panel, to be chaired by Sir Stanley Burnton.

Sir Stanley Burnton informed me on 13 November of his decision to resign as chairman of the panel for personal reasons.

The work of the panel will continue and announcements about any further appointments will follow in due course.

The Morgan family has been informed of Sir Stanley’s decision and remains fully supportive of the panel process.

Simple Cautions Review

Tuesday 19th November 2013 Written Statements

[The Minister for Policing, Criminal Justice and Victims (Damian Green)]

The Secretary of State for Justice, together with the Home Secretary and the Attorney-General, on 3 April 2013 launched a review of simple cautions. The review examined the way in which simple cautions are currently used, and considered the need for any changes to policy or practice to ensure that there is transparency, accountability and public confidence in the use of simple cautions as a disposal.

The review included—but was not restricted to—the examination of:

existing guidance and practice relating to the use of simple cautions;

the question of whether there are some offence types for which the use of simple cautions is generally inappropriate—and if so, what procedures should be adopted;

the multiple use of cautions;

the need for increased scrutiny of, and accountability for, the use of a caution in any given case, or the general approach adopted in a police force area to the use of cautions as a disposal; and

the impact on individuals of accepting a caution—taking into account the recent case of T v. Chief Constable of Greater Manchester and others.

The review reported to the Justice Secretary, Home Secretary and the Attorney-General. Following detailed discussion and an examination of the report’s findings, CJS Ministers agreed to accept the recommendations of the review, namely that:

The Government should remove the availability of simple cautions for indictable-only offences unless there are very exceptional circumstances and the caution has been approved by a chief officer, while continuing to allow the use of the conditional caution for these offences. This can be achieved either through toughening the guidance or through legislating. We will also seek to restrict the use of simple cautions for particularly serious either way offences which would ordinarily attract custodial sentences or high-end community orders if the offender is found guilty following a trial.

We should also restrict the use of simple cautions for repeat offenders beyond the position as set out in the guidance.

We believe there is a compelling case for simplification and consolidation of the existing guidance. We also recommend further strengthening the existing guidance regarding cautioning in serious cases.

That there is greater local accountability and scrutiny of decision making. Each force should have a senior officer identified as responsible to provide local leadership and accountability and by making use of local scrutiny panels.

While the imposition of a caution is an operational policing matter we believe there is a compelling case for forces to review strategy and usage of cautions and other out of court disposals on an annual basis. Particular scrutiny should attach to the question of cautions for serious and repeated cases. There is clear potential for police and crime commissioners to play an active role in providing transparency and assurance for the public on this issue.

The presentation of data on cautions, and any accompanying narrative, should continue to draw a clear distinction between youth and adult cautions and simple and conditional cautions, although there is a need for consistent operating principles between these wherever possible. More use can be made of police.uk to ensure that the data is easily accessible to the public.

While this review has limited itself to adult simple cautions, it has concluded that in view of wider concerns which have been voiced during the review, there would be a good case for conducting a wider review of other statutory and informal out of court disposals for both adults and youths to ensure that the framework is rational, understood by all practitioners, and maintains public confidence, and that there are no inadvertent effects from any changes to the simple caution regime in isolation.

The Government have revised the guidance on simple cautions, which is published on the Ministry of Justice website, and have published the report of the review of simple cautions alongside the consultation document on the wider out of court disposals framework which is due to conclude by 9 January 2014. A copy of all of these documents has also been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.