Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
These initiatives were driven by Baroness Clark of Kilwinning, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Baroness Clark of Kilwinning has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
This review has not yet been concluded. The outcomes of the review will be announced publically in due course.
A breakdown of programme expenditure for adult further education and skills is provided in the Skills Funding Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2013-14:
Adult skills budget and adult (19+) apprenticeship expenditure is presented on page 73; expenditure on apprenticeships for 16-18 year olds is presented on page 75.
MyEnergyCredit scheme is an industry initiative by six largest energy companies to help energy consumers to claim credit repayments owed by their former energy supplier. The scheme was launched in two stages. The first stage was launched on 10 September and enabled consumers to claim repayments through the website www.myenergycredit.com. The second stage launched on 10 December enables consumers to claim through a new helpline 0370 737 7770 and a freepost address:
Freepost RTHL-ZYBU-KBCC
My Energy Credit
47 Aylesbury Road
Thame. OX9 3PG
It is important energy consumers are returned money that is rightfully theirs if it has been left behind when they moved house or switched supplier.
In February 2014, Ofgem called on energy companies to take action to return money they were holding in customers’ closed accounts. At that time, Ofgem estimated that the total balance held by suppliers in former domestic customer accounts was at least £202m, and £204m for former non-domestic customers. Ofgem continues to monitor suppliers’ progress and review the need for further action.
Details of the licences approved between 8 July and 31 August are as below. Based on information about the nature of the equipment and the use of the licences, we do not believe any of the equipment listed below has been used in Gaza during the recent hostilities
End User Countries | Goods Summary | Total Goods Value | End Use | Nature of End User |
Israel | targeting equipment | 58,752 | Incorporation and re-export to a third country | Government |
Israel | components for targeting equipment | 26,000 | Incorporation and re-export to a third country | law enforcement agency |
Israel | software enabling equipment to function as military improvised explosive device decoying/detection/disposal/jamming equipment | 2,000 | For demonstration only | Civil end-user |
Israel | components for surface-to-air missiles | 2,990 | Missile defence system | Government |
Israel | military aircraft navigation equipment | 41,902 | Returned after repair in the UK | Government |
Israel | corrosion resistant chemical manufacturing equipment | 5,992 | Incorporation and re-export to a third country | Civil end-user |
Israel | body armour, components for body armour, military helmets | 19,000 | staff protection | International Organisation |
Israel | pathogenic genetic elements | 20 | Medical research purposes | University |
Israel | targeting equipment | 51,931 | Incorporation and re-export to a third country | Government |
Israel | components for military radars | 275,000 | Incorporation and re-export to a third country | Government |
Israel | calcium | 85 | Academic research purposes | Private Research Institute |
Israel | equipment employing cryptography, software for equipment employing cryptography | 113,700 | civil project to provide secure communications | Government |
Israel | triggered spark gaps | 250,000 | for medical applications | Civil end-user |
Israel | equipment employing cryptography | 71,454 | secure connectivity | Civil end-user |
Israel | components for military infrared/thermal imaging equipment | 1,404 | Incorporation and re-export to a third country | Government |
Israel | components for targeting equipment | 21,228 | Incorporation and re-export to a third country | Government |
Israel | bismuth | 700 | Academic research purposes | University / Private Research Institutes |
Israel | components for targeting equipment | 5,000 | Incorporation and re-export to a third country | Government |
Italy | components for military training aircraft | 8,779 | Incorporation into trainer aircraft | Government |
United States | launching/handling/control equipment for munitions | 104,000 | Incorporation into military aircraft | Government |
United States | components for military training aircraft | 9,267 | Incorporation into trainer aircraft for supply to multiple countries including Israel | Government |
Germany | components for military training aircraft | 343 | Incorporation into trainer aircraft for supply to multiple countries including Israel | Government |
We have identified one licence for components for unmanned air vehicles for the Israeli Defence Forces, dating back to 1999.
No licences have been granted for unmanned aerial vehicle engines for use by the Israeli Defence Force since 2010.
10 decisions for Standard Individual Export Licences were made for direct export to Israel.
A further 4 decisions for Standard Individual Export Licences were made for export, where Israel is listed as either an ultimate end user or potential ultimate end user on the application.
In total 14 decisions were made and all were for licences to be granted.
19 applications have been submitted for Standard Individual Export Licences for direct export to Israel.
A further 16 applications have been submitted for Standard Individual Export Licences for export, where Israel is listed an ultimate end user on the application.
Of the 35 applications, 2 licences have been granted.
Our assessment is that the licences granted are not for items that could be used by Israeli forces in operations in Gaza in response to attacks in Hamas.
8 decisions for Standard Individual Export Licences were made for direct export to Israel, all of which were decisions to grant a licence.
Our assessment is that the licences granted are not for items that could be used by Israeli forces in operations in Gaza in response to attacks in Hamas.
30 applications have been submitted for Standard Individual Export Licences for direct export to Israel.
A further 7 applications have been submitted for Standard Individual Export Licences for export, where Israel is listed as a potential or ultimate end user on the application.
Of the 37 applications, 2 licences have been granted.
Our assessment is that the licences granted are not for items that could be used by Israeli forces in operations in Gaza in response to attacks in Hamas.
A ceasefire was announced on 26 August 2014 and remains in force. The Government continues to monitor the situation closely.
Inspections for asbestos containing materials are carried out in buildings owned or managed by Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in accordance with statutory requirements.
The asbestos regulations require all buildings containing asbestos to be inspected a minimum of once every twelve months. The level and type of asbestos in each building would dictate any additional inspections, maintenance and remedial work to be carried out in a particular building.
The management plan, including records and drawings, should be reviewed every 12 months and any identified or suspected ACM must be inspected and its condition assessed periodically, to check that it has not deteriorated or been damaged.
The duty holder works in consultation with specialist contractors who are qualified to carry out any necessary maintenance relating to asbestos.
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, there is a requirement for a competence to undertake this function. As this is very specific legislation, competence would require knowledge, experience and a suitable qualification (BOHS P405) or a combination of two or more of these requirements.
A role-specific bespoke course may be arranged to meet the client's needs provided by a competent body.
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Regulation 10 requires that those who may be exposed to materials containing asbestos have relevant training. In all instances, prior to works starting, a full risk assessment is undertaken to manage risks.
General staff (such as office, cleaning and catering staff) who regularly work in buildings owned or used by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills would not be working in an environment where they would disturb or be exposed to asbestos-containing materials. For these staff, therefore, training on how to manage asbestos is not provided and the signing of an asbestos register is not required. However, where it is identified that a member of staff or contractor could potentially be exposed to asbestos-containing materials, a full risk assessment in compliance with the regulations would take place.
The regulation is specific to those who could work with asbestos. This would reasonably exclude general office workers, caterers, cleaners, etc. However, all would be protected by the Health & Safety at Work Act and Health & Safety at Work Regulations whereby all works are risk assessed prior to start to ensure the safe working and environment for those directly and indirectly affected.
All buildings owned or used by Department of Business, Innovation and Skills which are in scope have been inspected for asbestos containing materials.
Buildings which are out of scope include those managed by the landlord and those built post 2000.
All available information relating to the estate of Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is held by the maintenance provider. This information includes reports and other information relating to asbestos in buildings.
This is available on request to all maintenance provider contractors.
Other interested parties such as staff, need to be directed to the maintenance provider by Property Asset Management Directorate who work for BIS.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) do own and use buildings which contain asbestos.
The reports for all buildings within the BIS core estate which contain asbestos are regularly reviewed for appropriateness and action plans to manage, update and re-inspect are implemented.
All buildings owned or used by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills have a responsible person as a duty holder in line with the Health and Safety Executive guidance.
As current Director of Estates at UKSBS, Roger Taylor is responsible for the management of all aspects of estates management on behalf of Department Business Innovation and Skills for the core buildings owned and/ or used by them.
BIS is currently exploring options for a revised match test in the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. It will not have a material effect on the fire safety of UK domestic upholstered furniture, but could lead to a small overall decrease in house fires as it will include currently unregulated materials in products which can contribute to the ignitability of furniture. The test will also reduce the levels of flame retardant chemicals in UK furniture. These contribute to smoke toxicity when burned and can have adverse effects on human health and the environment when they break down into constituent parts. These changes should bring savings to the industry of £30-50 million a year.
Different apprenticeship programmes operate in England and Scotland. Doug Richard's Review focused on English apprenticeships and he made a number of recommendations to make the programme more rigorous and responsive to employers' needs. The Government accepted the Richard Review principles and set out its apprenticeship reform programme in the October 2013 Implementation Plan.
The reforms include employers developing new apprenticeship standards, requiring employers to co-invest, putting the Government funding for the external training and assessment of apprentices in the hands of their employers and setting maximum Government contribution levels. With direct access to funding, employers will be able to negotiate a price for the training with their provider, and this means it is not possible in advance of the reforms to say what the costs of training apprentices in specific occupations will be.
The Maritime sector has a long tradition of apprenticeships which we wish to continue. English apprenticeships are currently available for Maritime occupations and employers in the sector are currently designing a new apprenticeship standard for ratings as part of our Phase 2 Trailblazer programme.
The Government has recognised through Alternative Completion Conditions Regulations that, in some maritime occupations, apprentices may be trainees rather than employees. The apprenticeships funding reform technical consultation is open until 1 May 2014 and this includes a question about how, or to what extent, the new funding principles and mechanism can be applied to non-employed apprentices.
NMP is the parent body organisation for Sellafield Ltd, the site licence company that operates Sellafield site under contract to the NDA. NMP, Sellafield Ltd and the NDA work collaboratively to support the socio-economic agenda in West Cumbria, with all three organisations having focussed their activities through Britain's Energy Coast, the private/public sector partnership established to promote and develop the economic prospects of the area. DECC has no direct role in assessing NMP's performance in this area which is a matter for the NDA.
Magnox Ltd is the site licence company that operates 10 Magnox sites under contract to the NDA. Magnox Ltd published a socio-economic strategy for its sites in 2011, which includes Hunterston A in North Ayrshire. DECC has no direct role in assessing Magnox's performance in this area which is a matter for the NDA.
The licence expired on 4th May 2012. Temporary export licences are issued for a period of 12 months, with a condition that the goods are returned to the UK within the validity of the licence. The goods were returned to the UK on 23 May 2011.
The licence granted in May 2011 was for temporary export of "inert tear gas/irritant ammunition" for exhibition purposes. It was a condition of the licence that the goods were returned to the UK within 12 months and they were returned on 13 May 2013 .The licence did not authorise the export of any tear gas or "live" tear gas ammunition.
Post Office Ltd, with its network of over 11,500 branches, is well placed to become a provider of front office services for Government, helping citizens interact with Government either face-to-face or online.
While public services must be competitively tendered, Post Office Ltd has shown that it can very effectively bid for and win new work. It has won every Government contract it has bid for the past three years in highly competitive tendering processes.
In particular, in 2012 it successfully bid for the competitively-tendered DVLA framework contract for Front Office Counter Services (FOCS). This contract runs to 2020 and is available to other Government departments. For example HM Passport Office recently moved its services with Post Office Ltd onto FOCS and this Department and the Cabinet Office are in close contact about a range of other opportunities.
Furthermore, Post Office Ltd was recently one of the successful bidders for the Cabinet Office's online identity assurance contract, ensuring that Post Office Ltd can play a role in the delivery of modern, online Government services.
Whilst I continue to highlight to my colleagues the opportunities available to Government from using the Post Office network and contracts such as these, individual contracts are a matter for the services in question and their respective public bodies and departments. I have not had recent discussions specifically with the Welsh Government.
Post Office Ltd, with its network of over 11,500 branches, is well placed to become a provider of front office services for Government, helping citizens interact with Government either face-to-face or online.
While public services must be competitively tendered, Post Office Ltd has shown that it can very effectively bid for and win new work. It has won every Government contract it has bid for the past three years in highly competitive tendering processes.
In particular, in 2012 it successfully bid for the competitively-tendered DVLA framework contract for Front Office Counter Services (FOCS). This contract runs to 2020 and is available to other Government departments. For example HM Passport Office recently moved its services with Post Office Ltd onto FOCS and this Department and the Cabinet Office are in close contact about a range of other opportunities.
Furthermore, Post Office Ltd was recently one of the successful bidders for the Cabinet Office's online identity assurance contract, ensuring that Post Office Ltd can play a role in the delivery of modern, online Government services.
Whilst I continue to highlight to my colleagues the opportunities available to Government from using the Post Office network and contracts such as these, individual contracts are a matter for the services in question and their respective public bodies and departments. I have not had recent discussions specifically with the Northern Ireland Executive.
A wide variety of public sources frequently make comparative assessment of international Apprenticeships systems.
The funding available for adult further education and skills in 2013-14 financial year was £4.1bn of which £3.6bn was routed through the Skills Funding Agency to support the capacity for 3 million learners. More detailed data on spend in that financial year are not yet available.
The funding available for apprenticeships in 2013-14 financial year was £1,566m of which £802m was provided by the Department for Education for those aged 16-18 and £764m was provided by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills for those aged 19 and over. More detailed data on spend in that financial year are not yet available.
The funding available for adult further education and skills in 2013-14 financial year was £4.1bn of which £3.6bn was routed through the Skills Funding Agency to support the capacity for 3 million learners. More detailed data on spend in that financial year are not yet available.
The funding available for apprenticeships in 2013-14 financial year was £1,566m of which £802m was provided by the Department for Education for those aged 16-18 and £764m was provided by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills for those aged 19 and over. More detailed data on spend in that financial year are not yet available.
The exact number of agency workers in the UK who are employed on pay between assignment contracts is not known. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills continues to monitor available evidence and is talking to relevant stakeholders to gather further information about the effects of pay between assignments contracts.
Full-time undergraduate student support expenditure by the Student Loans Company for the 2013-14 financial year included £8.9bn of cash outlay on maintenance and fee loans and £1.9bn of grant expenditure (on maintenance grants and other allowances). These totals include expenditure on English-domiciled students in the UK and EU students in England.
For the financial year 2013-14, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) estimate that £2.1bn of the expenditure set out in the 2014 grant letter refers to teaching grant for full-time undergraduate study. It is not possible to calculate a full-time undergraduate share of every element of recurrent teaching grant such as Senior Professional pay, teaching strategy funding, institution-specific initiatives or additional funding for Equivalent Level Qualifications and vulnerable science subjects.
The figures do not include expenditure by other Governments departments.
There are no proposals for change to the relevant legislation on agency workers at EU level at this stage.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 March 2014 (Official Report) Column Ref: 470W.
No discussions have been held specifically in relation to safety issues posed by civil vessels operating in close vicinity to any nuclear site.
Nuclear sites must comply with the UK’s stringent nuclear safety regulations, overseen by a robust and independent regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
The primary responsibility for nuclear safety, and the assessment of potential risks to a nuclear licensed site from all hazards, rests with the licence holder – in this case Magnox for Hunterston A and EDF Energy for Hunterston B. Under the licence conditions, licensees are required to consider the effect of a wide range of potentially hazardous events (man-made and environmental) and demonstrate that any associated risks to the nuclear facility are manageable and will not result in catastrophic consequences within the nuclear facility’s risk assessment (known as the ‘safety case’).
The ONR would not permit any site to operate if it judged that its safety case was not sufficiently robust and demonstrated that it could operate and shutdown safely under hazardous conditions.
The discovery of spent fuel at Hunterston A forms part of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) approved safety case and operating procedure for the retrieval activities associated with waste at the site. The discovered spent fuel remains in a safe and controlled environment at Hunterston A until a decision has been made, in conjunction with the ONR, about how they should be processed, packaged and stored prior to final disposal.
All generating nuclear power stations and nuclear decommissioning sites must comply with our stringent nuclear safety laws, overseen by a robust and independent regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
Hunterston B is a generating nuclear power station that is operated by EDF. BEIS officials meet regularly with EDF to discuss a range of matters relating to the generating fleet of power stations including relevant safety issues, performance of all stations including Hunterston B.
Hunterston A power station is being decommissioned. Magnox Limited, a subsidiary of Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the site. BEIS officials meet regularly with NDA and Magnox Ltd staff to understand relevant safety issues, progress and performance at all Magnox sites including Hunterston A.
Officials regularly engage with officials in the Scottish Government to discuss issues relating to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and to discuss the management of radioactive waste. BEIS officials also regularly engage with EDF and with Magnox Limited, who are respectively responsible for the Hunterston B and Hunterston A sites to discuss a range of matters, including any relevant issues relating to the management of radioactive waste. Policy on the management of radioactive waste is a devolved matter. While there are regular discussions between the Scottish Government and BEIS officials on radioactive waste management policy matters generally, there have been no recent specific discussions between the UK Government and the Scottish Government relating to radioactive waste held at the Hunterston site (A and B nuclear power stations).
EDF Energy recently announced that Hunterston B would close no later than January 2022. EDF Energy, as owner and operator of the power station, is responsible for the management of the closure, in consultation with the nuclear regulator, including any related employment matters arising from closure and during the subsequent station decommissioning.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is working with EDF Energy and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to consider how efficient and cost-effective decommissioning of EDF Energy-owned nuclear power stations can be planned for and delivered in the future. This work does not affect the closure of the stations.
TV Licensing is responsible for all operational decisions regarding enforcement of the licence fee, including correspondence. Any changes to the enforcement regime, including outcomes from the TV Licence Fee Enforcement Review, would need to be considered as a part of the review of the BBC's Royal Charter.
As with all of the national museums and galleries sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, I have every confidence in the capabilities of the executive team at the Science Museum Group. Since 2012, the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester has become part of the Science Museum Group, and in 2013-14, a record 5.709 million visited its family of museums.
The Final Report on the Independent Review of the proposed programme of works in the restoration of the Flying Scotsman Locomotive 4427 by First Class Partnerships Rail Consultants dated 27 February 2013 is published on the website of the National Railway Museum:http://www.nrm.org.uk/~/media/Files/NRM/PDF/NRM%20Flying%20Scotsman%20Final%20Report.pdf?keywords=first+class+partnerships.
The Report contained certain redactions relating to information which is regarded as being commercially sensitive in accordance with section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (‘FOIA’). Further redactions within the Report were made to protect the personal data of individuals in accordance with section 40 of FOIA and the Museum’s obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998.
Ofcom already has the power to fine advertisers for serious breaches of the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising. The ASA is responsible for administering the Code of Broadcast Advertising, but is able to refer broadcasters to Ofcom for further action, including imposing fines, if needed. There are no plans to change this system.
The government continues to prioritise the wellbeing and long-term futures of our children and young people. It remains very important for children to continue attending school, to support their wellbeing and education, and help working parents and guardians. Senior clinicians still advise that school is the best place for children to be, and schools have implemented a range of protective measures to make them safe. We therefore do not have plans to ask schools to change their Christmas holidays, or close early this term.
No significant reconstruction is yet underway in Kobane, and unexploded ordnance continues to prove a real danger. In the current circumstances a humanitarian corridor is unlikely to be a viable or effective means of meeting needs, since the main obstacle to providing humanitarian aid to Kobane is unexploded ordnance.
No significant reconstruction is yet underway in Kobane, and unexploded ordnance continues to prove a real danger. In the current circumstances a humanitarian corridor is unlikely to be a viable or effective means of meeting needs, since the main obstacle to providing humanitarian aid to Kobane is unexploded ordnance.