Harry Harpham

Labour - Former Member for Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough

First elected: 7th May 2015

Left House: 4th February 2016 (Death)


Harry Harpham is not a member of any APPGs
2 Former APPG memberships
Gypsies, Travellers and Roma, Yemen
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
8th Jul 2015 - 4th Feb 2016


Division Voting information

Harry Harpham has voted in 91 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
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All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Department Debates
Department for Transport
(4 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(3 debate contributions)
Northern Ireland Office
(3 debate contributions)
Department for Education
(2 debate contributions)
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Legislation Debates
Harry Harpham has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
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Latest EDMs signed by Harry Harpham

Harry Harpham has not signed any Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Harry Harpham, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Harry Harpham has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Harry Harpham has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

Harry Harpham has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Harry Harpham has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
34 Other Department Questions
13th Jan 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions she has had with the European Commission on the future of the White Rose Carbon Capture and Storage project.

Officials in the Department hold regular discussions with Commission officials on Carbon Capture and Storage, including the future of the White Rose project.

13th Jan 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps the Government is taking to phase out the use of coal-fired power stations by 2025.

We will launch a consultation shortly on proposals to close all unabated coal-fired power stations. Our consultation will set out proposals to close coal by 2025, and restrict its use from 2023. If we were to take this step, we would be one of the first developed countries to deliver on a commitment to take coal off the system.

12th Jan 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the effect on private sectors investment in carbon capture and storage (CCS) of the Government's decision to end the CCS fund.

The UK is widely seen to be one of the most stable markets due to its attractive risk and return profile, world class regulation, transparent policy development, strong financial markets and clear property rights for investors.


Our view remains that CCS has a potential role in the long-term decarbonisation of the UK. We are engaging closely with the two bidders and wider CCS industry on both the implications for them of the decision to withdraw the CCS Competition’s ring-fenced capital budget, and the future of CCS in the UK. As part of this engagement, Government held a meeting of the joint industry/Government CCS Development Forum, co-chaired by Minister of State, in December 2015.


11th Jan 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many days of gas supply are available from the gas storage facilities.

The UK has a high level of gas security, provided through our diverse range of gas supplies, including domestic production, pipeline imports from Norway and mainland EU, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from global markets and storage. It is therefore misleading to talk about gas storage in terms of ‘days available’ because of this mix. Both physical system constraints and market processes mean storage could only be one part of the overall gas mix on any winter’s day.


Total gas infrastructure in GB can currently deliver around 700 million cubic meters a day, which is more than double average winter daily demand. Average winter demand is 290 million cubic meters a day and while storage amounts fluctuate, it is currently around 3500 million cubic meters.

11th Jan 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the total cost to the public purse had been of developing carbon capture and storage technology.

The Government continues to view CCS as having a potential role in the long-term decarbonisation of the UK’s power and industrial sectors and has invested over £222 million since 2011 in developing carbon capture and storage technology, including approximately £130 million through our support to new technologies and research to help develop new capture technologies to reduce costs. The latest investment includes £1.7 million for three innovative CCS technologies awarded through Energy Entrepreneurs Fund and £2.5 million to identify suitable CO2 stores in the North and Irish Seas.

Government has also supported industry to complete detailed engineering and design work on CCS project proposals to determine their cost and feasibility, ensuring that knowledge gained is made freely available to benefit future CCS projects and aid research and development in CCS technology.

11th Jan 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether developers of carbon capture and storage projects can access funding through the Levy Control Framework.

Generators who meet the requirements set out in the Contracts for Difference (Definition of Eligible Generator) Regulations 2014 are eligible for a Contract for Difference, funded through the Levy Control Framework. Contracts for Difference for CCS are awarded on direction of the Secretary of State. Whether or not the Secretary of State would consider awarding a CfDs to a specific project would be subject to the circumstances at the time, including factors such as the value for money and affordability of a project and competing demands on available budgets.

15th Jul 2015
To ask the Rt. Hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington representing the House of Commons Commission, how many staff in catering outlets on the Parliamentary Estate are employed on zero-hour contracts.

The House of Commons does not offer new members of staff zero-hours contracts, and guarantees work for all its employees. There are two members of staff currently working under casual contracts in Catering Services, whose appointments pre-date this policy. They have been offered, but have declined, guaranteed hours employment contracts.

The arrangements in the House of Lords are a matter for the Administration of that House.

15th Jul 2015
To ask the Rt. hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington representing the House of Commons Commission, whether tips paid by credit or debit cards in catering outlets on the Parliamentary Estate are passed on to staff in addition to their wages.

Tips paid by debit and credit cards are passed on to permanent front-of-house catering staff in addition to their wages.

24th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2015 to Question 603, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the UK supply chain benefits from investment in the offshore wind industry.

The Government is working together with the Offshore Wind Industry to build a competitive and innovative UK supply chain that delivers and sustains jobs, exports and economic benefit for the UK.

Officials are working with the Developers, who were successful in the first Contract for Difference (CFD) allocation round, on the implementation of their Supply Chain Plan and to boost UK content.

22nd Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2015 to Question 610, what forecasts her Department has made of the amount of coal that will be imported from each country in (a) 2015, (b) 2016 and (c) 2017.

The Department does not produce projections on imports of coal.

Coal is abundant worldwide and widely traded on a flexible international market. The table below gives UK steam coal imports by country for the first quarter of 2015 in thousand tonnes and as a percentage of total steam coal imports:

Country of Origin

Steam Coal

Imports

(thousand tonnes)

Share of all

Steam coal

imports

Russia

4,879

49.3%

Colombia

2,632

26.6%

United States of America

1,985

20.1%

Republic of South Africa

268

2.7%

European Union (1)

128

1.3%

Total all countries

9,892

(1) European Union includes non-EU routed through the Netherlands

Source: DECC Energy Trends https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/energy-trends

22nd Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2015 to Question 596, how many UK supply chain (a) jobs and (b) apprenticeships were created by each type of renewable energy for each year since 2010.

Figures published by BIS in The Size and Performance of the UK Low Carbon Economy (March 2015)1 report show that in 2013 the renewable energy sector (including both renewable heat and renewable electricity) supported around 168,400 jobs in total.

Table 1 details the number of jobs supported by each type of renewable energy, both directly and within the supply chain each year for 2010-2013. The equivalent information is not available for 2014 or 2015 or for the number of apprenticeships that have been created.

Table 1: Number of jobs supported by the renewable energy sector by energy type, in the UK

2010

2011

Direct

Supply chain/

Indirect

Total

Direct

Supply chain/

Indirect

Total

Offshore wind

6,300

4,600

10,900

6,700

4,900

11,600

Solar PV

11,500

8,000

19,500

17,000

11,800

28,800

Hydroelectric energy

3,900

2,900

6,800

4,200

3,100

7,300

Onshore wind

8,200

6,000

14,300

10,300

7,500

17,800

Biomass and bioenergy1

16,600

12,200

28,800

16,900

12,400

29,400

Marine

1,700

1,300

3,000

1,800

1,300

3,100

Geothermal electricity

400

300

700

400

300

700

Total renewable electricity

48,700

35,200

83,900

57,300

41,300

98,600

Total renewable heat

31,400

22,100

53,500

32,200

22,600

54,900

Total renewable energy

80,100

57,300

137,400

89,600

64,000

153,500

2012

2013

Direct

Supply chain/ Indirect

Total

Direct

Supply chain/

Indirect

Total

Offshore wind

7,200

5,300

12,400

7,900

5,800

13,700

Solar PV

21,000

14,600

35,600

20,300

14,100

34,400

Hydroelectric energy

4,100

3,000

7,100

4,300

3,100

7,400

Onshore wind

10,600

7,800

18,400

11,000

8,000

19,000

Biomass and bioenergy [1]

17,400

12,800

30,200

18,300

13,400

31,700

Marine

1,800

1,300

3,000

1,800

1,300

3,100

Geothermal electricity

500

300

800

500

400

900

Total renewable electricity

62,600

45,000

107,600

64,100

46,200

110,300

Total renewable heat

33,200

23,300

56,500

34,100

24,000

58,100

Total renewable energy

95,700

68,300

164,100

98,200

70,100

168,400

[1] Biomass and bioenergy include the following sectors: energy generation from waste and biomass, biomass equipment, alternative fuels. Alternative fuels category includes jobs supported by both renewable and non-renewable energy sectors.

22nd Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2015 to Question 601, where components of the Rampion wind farm will be manufactured; and which aspects of the supply chain will be UK manufactured.

The Department does not hold a list detailing where components of the Rampion wind farm will be manufactured or which aspects of the supply chain will be UK manufactured.

However, recent announcements by EON have stated that: Carillion has been awarded a contract to design, supply and install 160km of 150kV cable and associated jointing accessories; Babcock International has won a contract to design, engineer and construct the 2500-tonne offshore substation platform topside and jacket; and the operations and maintenance building will be located in the port of Newhaven.

As mentioned in my previous answer, we are working closely with EON to ensure that UK supply chain companies have the opportunity to compete for contracts that have yet to be awarded.

22nd Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2015 to Question 603, what estimate she has made of the likely relative benefit for supply chains in (a) the UK and (b) other countries of investment in off-shore wind.

The Government is working together with the Offshore Wind Industry to build a competitive and innovative UK supply chain that delivers and sustains jobs, exports and economic benefit for the UK.

Currently the offshore wind sector employs around 8,000 people directly, with a similar number of indirect jobs in the wider supply chain. With an investment opportunity of between £16bn - £21bn in the UK by 2020 plus export opportunities. Offshore wind has the potential to support tens of thousands of jobs and contribute billions to our economy.

The Department has not estimated the likely relative benefits for the supply chain in other countries of investment in off-shore wind.

22nd Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2015 to Question 610, what amount of coal has been imported to the UK from each country in each of the last 10 years.

Nearly 90 per cent of all coal imported to the UK is steam coal, therefore figures for this type of coal are provided.

In the past ten years, over 90 per cent of UK steam coal imports originated from four countries: Russia, Colombia, the USA, and South Africa. Nearly half (49 per cent) of all coal imports in this period came from Russia. The table below gives UK steam coal imports by country from 2005 to 2014 in thousand tonnes:

Country of Origin

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Russia

16,888

22,543

20,185

21,193

18,414

9,166

12,093

17,459

19,177

15,831

Colombia

3,369

3,883

3,842

5,294

5,233

6,236

8,010

11,749

11,388

9,269

USA

266

707

1,121

2,792

3,112

2,349

4,461

8,858

9,528

7,687

EU (1)

1,001

1,584

482

933

1,136

881

1,056

583

1,111

690

South Africa

12,862

12,746

7,941

4,249

3,034

763

647

546

478

129

Other Countries

2,845

2,146

2,175

2,920

1,865

356

205

425

1,313

569

Total all countries

37,230

43,609

35,746

37,382

32,794

19,751

26,472

39,619

42,995

34,174

(1) European Union includes non-EU routed through the Netherlands.

Source: Energy Trends table 2.4 available at

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/solid-fuels-and-derived-gases-section-2-energy-trends.

12th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether she plans to give the Bradwell nuclear site to (a) the Chinese State Nuclear Corporation or (b) another Chinese state-owned company in order to build a Chinese-manufactured reactor.

The Bradwell new build site identified in the National Policy Statement Nuclear as one of 8 sites potentially suitable for deployment of a new nuclear reactor by 2025 and is owned by EDF.

The development of the site is a commercial matter for EDF.

11th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the benefits of ensuring that any deal with foreign investors on the funding of new nuclear power stations is independent from the manufacture and supply of the components required to build that infrastructure.

The UK welcomes high quality overseas investment in the UK and the safe and economic development of nuclear power. It is the responsibility of the developers of new nuclear power stations to source components for the plant, in line with the UK’s robust nuclear regulatory regime. This regime requires the highest standards in safety and security to be met by developers and their technology providers. Quality assurance of all components for a nuclear power station are included within this regime.

The Government has made its policy clear in discussion with developers, that UK content to the supply chain should be maximised and is hence working closely with them to identify further UK opportunities in support of this. The Government also has supplier development and improvement programmes (Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) and Fit for Nuclear (F4N)) in place to help the UK supply chain better position itself to bid for these opportunities.

10th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions her Department has had with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority on the possibility of a Chinese state company building a new reactor at the Bradwell nuclear site.

The Department has had no discussions with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority on the possibility of a Chinese state company building a new reactor at the Bradwell nuclear site.

10th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will take steps to prevent the funding for new nuclear power stations being linked to the supply of technology from Chinese companies; and if she will make a statement.

The UK welcomes high quality overseas investment in the UK and the safe and economic development of nuclear power. It is the responsibility of the developers of new nuclear power stations to source components for the plant, in line with the UK’s robust nuclear regulatory regime. This regime requires the highest standards in safety and security to be met by developers and their technology providers. Quality assurance of all components for a nuclear power station are included within this regime.

The Government has made its policy clear in discussion with developers, that UK content to the supply chain should be maximised and is hence working closely with them to identify further UK opportunities in support of this. The Government also has supplier development and improvement programmes (Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) and Fit for Nuclear (F4N)) in place to help the UK supply chain better position itself to bid for these opportunities.

1st Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many people are classed as living in fuel poverty in (a) England, (b) Yorkshire and the Humber and (c) Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough constituency.

The estimated number and proportion of households which are fuel poor in 2013 under the Low Income High Costs indicator in (a) England, (b) Yorkshire and the Humber (c) Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough constituency are shown in the table below.

Number of households in fuel poverty (thousands)

Proportion of households in fuel poverty within the area (%)

England

2,347

10

Yorkshire and the Humber

240

11

Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough

6

14

1st Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the benefits and disbenefits of UK ownership of energy infrastructure in relation to the security of energy supply.

The UK Government welcomes responsible investment by both national and foreign investors in the UK’s energy infrastructure. This benefits our energy security, creates jobs, build skills, and helps grow our economy. All energy infrastructure in the UK must be operated in accordance with the relevant UK regulatory system.

1st Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many children live in households that are classed as being in fuel poverty in (a) England, (b) Yorkshire and the Humber and (c) Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough constituency.

Fuel poverty is measured at the household level rather than the individual level and detailed data on the age of household occupants is not available at the sub-regional level. The table below shows the number and proportion of fuel poor households which contain at least one child under the age of 16 in (a) England and (b) Yorkshire and the Humber, in 2013.

Fuel poor households with at least one child under 16 (000s)

Proportion of fuel poor households with at least one child under 16 (%)

England

1,064

45

Yorkshire and Humberside

124

52

In Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough the total number of households in fuel poverty was estimated to be six thousand, representing 14 per cent of all households in the region.

1st Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what her Department's policy is on the potential sell-off by National Grid of its (a) gas distribution networks and (b) metering business.

Any sale of this kind would be a commercial matter. Any owner would need to be fully compliant with all relevant regulatory requirements.

1st Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the potential effect on (a) local economies, (b) customer service and (c) safety of any sell-off of National Grid (i) gas distribution networks and (ii) metering business.

Any sale of this kind would be a commercial matter. Any owner would need to be fully compliant with all relevant regulatory requirements.

1st Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what meetings have taken place between representatives of her Department and National Grid about any sale of National Grid assets or businesses.

No such discussions have taken place under this Government.

1st Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many jobs will be created by investment in the planned Rampion wind farm; and what steps she is taking to ensure that UK supply chains benefit from such investment.

The Department has not estimated how many jobs will be created by investment in the planned Rampion wind farm.

The EON press release on Rampion states that during the planned 3 year offshore construction period up to 300 jobs will be created and local vessels utilised, with 40 roles being based at the project management facility in Newhaven Port. The press release also states that a workforce of up to 100 is expected to be needed for the onshore cable route and around a further 40 to 60 people at the onshore substation during onshore construction. Once the wind farm is commissioned and fully operational, it is envisaged that up to 65 full time permanent jobs will be created at the operations and maintenance base.

The Department, together with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, are working closely with EON to maximise UK benefit and ensure that UK supply chain companies have the opportunity to compete for contracts that have yet to be awarded.

1st Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what level of investment her Department plans to make in the development of carbon capture and storage.

The Government is investing in the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the UK. We are in negotiations to support up to two commercial scale CCS projects in the UK by making up to £1 billion available, together with operational support through a project specific Contract for Difference.

Together with the Scottish Government, we have recently committed, in principle, to provide £4.2 million to support Summit Power to undertake industrial research and development at their proposed CCS Caledonia Clean Energy Plant in Grangemouth Scotland. This is in addition to over £30 million of Government investment in CCS research and development since 2011.

1st Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what proportion of coal used in UK energy generation is imported; and from which countries coal is imported.

DECC does not hold figures on the proportion of coal used in UK electricity generation from imports.

However, in 2014, 34,174 thousand tonnes of steam coal (mainly used by coal-fired power stations) were imported into the UK, representing 89% of coal used for electricity generation (38,398 thousand tonnes).

The table below gives the breakdown of these imports by country:

Country of origin

Steam Coal Imports

(thousand tonnes)

Share of all steam coal imports

Russia

15,831

46.3%

Colombia

9,269

27.1%

United States of America

7,687

22.5%

European Union (1)

690

2.0%

Republic of South Africa

129

0.4%

Other Countries

569

1.7%

Total all countries

34,174

(1) European Union includes non-EU routed through the Netherlands

Source: Energy Trends tables 2.1 and 2.4, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/solid-fuels-and-derived-gases-section-2-energy-trends.

1st Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate she has made of the value of work accruing to UK manufacturing companies in each region from the development of the Rampion wind farm.

The Department has not estimated the value of work accruing to UK manufacturing companies in each region from the development of the Rampion wind farm.

In November 2014 the Offshore Wind Industry Council adopted an industry-wide methodology for reporting on UK Content. This reporting helps industry hold itself to account on the commitment to reach 50% UK content, while charting progress and reporting to a wider public. This figure will show total UK content and break this down into the three main phases of development (devex), manufacture & construction (capex) and operation (opex).

The first data will be submitted to RenewableUK by industry in summer 2015 for publication later in the year.

1st Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many UK supply chain (a) jobs and (b) apprenticeships were created in the renewable energy sector in each year from 2009 to 2014.

Figures published by BIS in The Size and Performance of the UK Low Carbon Economy (March 2015) [1] report show that in 2013 the renewable energy sector (including both renewable heat and renewable electricity) supported around 168,400 jobs [2] in total, an increase of 31,000 from 2010.

Table 1 details the number of jobs supported by the renewable energy sector, both directly and within the supply chain each year for 2010-2013. The equivalent information is not available for 2009 or 2014 or for the number of apprenticeships that have been created.

Table 1: Number of jobs supported by the renewable energy sector in the UK

Year

Direct jobs

Supply chain/ indirect jobs

Total

2010

80,100

57,300

137,400

2011

89,600

64,000

153,500

2012

95,700

68,300

164,100

2013

98,200

70,100

168,400

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/416240/bis-15-206-size-and-performance-of-uk-low-carbon-economy.pdf

[2] This figure is derived from the following sectors: offshore wind, solar PV, hydroelectric energy, onshore wind, marine, energy generation from waste, biomass equipment, geothermal, heat pumps, solar thermal, heat networks, heat recovery and ventilation and alternative fuels. Alternative fuels category includes jobs in both renewable and non-renewable energy sectors.

1st Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the potential benefit to the economy of each UK region of investment in the Rampion wind farm.

The Department has not estimated the value of work accruing to UK manufacturing companies in each region from the development of the Rampion wind farm.

In November 2014 the Offshore Wind Industry Council adopted an industry-wide methodology for reporting on UK Content. This reporting helps industry hold itself to account on the commitment to reach 50% UK content, while charting progress and reporting to a wider public. This figure will show total UK content and break this down into the three main phases of development (devex), manufacture & construction (capex) and operation (opex).

The first data will be submitted to RenewableUK by industry in summer 2015 for publication later in the year.

1st Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the potential for northern cities to benefit from (a) Rampion wind farm and (b) other investment in renewable energy sources.

The Department has not estimated the value of work accruing to UK manufacturing companies in each region from the development of the Rampion wind farm.

In November 2014 the Offshore Wind Industry Council adopted an industry-wide methodology for reporting on UK Content. This reporting helps industry hold itself to account on the commitment to reach 50% UK content, while charting progress and reporting to a wider public. This figure will show total UK content and break this down into the three main phases of development (devex), manufacture & construction (capex) and operation (opex).

The first data will be submitted to RenewableUK by industry in summer 2015 for publication later in the year.

1st Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what comparative assessment she has made of the benefits and disbenefits of (a) UK and (b) foreign ownership of energy infrastructure; and if she will make a statement.

The UK Government welcomes responsible investment by both national and foreign investors in the UK’s energy infrastructure. This benefits our energy security, creates jobs, build skills, and helps grow our economy. All energy infrastructure in the UK must be operated in accordance with the relevant UK regulatory system.

1st Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many (a) jobs and (b) apprenticeships were created in the development of carbon capture and storage in each of the last five years.

DECC does not hold this data.

10th Jun 2015
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to increase electoral registration.

Over £14 million has been invested over the last two financial years to support the completeness and accuracy of the register, including in the run up to the General Election.

The Electoral Commission is due to publish an analysis of the electoral registers used for these elections in June and the Government will consider further steps in the light of this report.

11th Jan 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the cost to the public purse was of developing proposals for a new carbon capture and storage project in Yorkshire.

The Government continues to view CCS as having a potential role in the long-term decarbonisation of the UK’s power and industrial sectors and we are engaging closely with the White Rose developer and wider CCS industry. The Department has paid around £31 million between 2011/12 and November 2015 on developing proposals for the White Rose carbon capture and storage project in Yorkshire. This included the investment in Front End Engineering and Design to determine the cost and feasibility of the project, independent professional technical, legal, financial and commercial advice and civil service staff.


11th Jan 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the cost to the public purse was of developing proposals for a new carbon capture and storage project at Peterhead.

The Government continues to view CCS as having a potential role in the long-term decarbonisation of the UK’s power and industrial sectors and we are engaging closely with the Peterhead developer and wider CCS industry. The Department has paid £28.5 million between 2011/12 and November 2015 on developing proposals for a new carbon capture and storage project at Peterhead. This included the investment in Front End Engineering and Design work to determine the cost and feasibility of the project, independent professional technical, legal, financial and commercial advice and civil service staff.


6th Jul 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the English Premier League on promoting grass roots sport.

The Minister for Sport and Tourism has already had a number of discussions with the Premier League about how best to support the game. Further meetings are planned in the weeks and months ahead, but we are agreed that football's grassroots need greater investment and we will work in partnership to ensure that this happens.

17th Sep 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2015 to the hon. Member for East Ham to Question 9951, if she will make it her policy to include attainment at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 in the education indicator in her Department's proposed Life Chances report.

Education is important which is why we are legislating to introduce new life chances measures of worklessness and educational attainment at the end of Key Stage 4, which is the culmination of formal education, for children in England. The department will continue to publish other educational data in relation to attainment at Key Stages 1 and 2.

8th Jul 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if the Government will use Sure Start centres to provide additional childcare as part of its policy of extending free childcare to 30 hours per week.

Children’s centres provide a valuable service. They have the potential to make a critical difference to young families at vulnerable and challenging times in their lives. Local authorities are best placed to determine what children’s centre services best meet the needs of their local community, including the role they should play in delivering childcare provision.

4th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to maintain the number of sure start centres in England.

It is up to local authorities to decide how to organise and commission services from children’s centres in their areas. They are best placed to understand local needs and the different ways they can be supported locally. Local authorities must demonstrate that they have devised ways to ensure that services continue; what matters is the quality and impact of services, and how local needs are being supported.

We are clear in statutory guidance that there is a presumption against closure, and local authorities have a duty to consult where changes are planned to local children’s centre provision.

11th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to tackle dangerous levels of air pollution in towns and cities.

We are fully committed to complying with EU air quality standards as soon as possible. We have already committed over £2 billion since 2011 in transport measures to improve air quality and will be publishing revised air quality plans for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) by the end of this year. The plans will set out actions at all levels, including national and local, to achieve compliance with legal limits for NO2 in the shortest possible time.

10th Jul 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect on negotiations between the Government and Sheffield City region for a new City Deal of the suspension of work on the electrification of the TransPennine route and the Midland Main Line.

The pausing of electrification of the TransPennine route and the Midland Main Line has no effect on negotiations between the Government and Sheffield City region for a new City Deal.

9th Oct 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps (a) his Department and (b) NHS England is taking to ensure that autism diagnosis waiting times for (i) children and (ii) adults in Sheffield Brightside meet NICE guidance.

The Department has discussed with NHS England the difficulties that people on the autistic spectrum can have in getting an appropriate diagnosis in a timely manner. With support from the Department, NHS England and the Association of Directors of Social Services will undertake a series of visits to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to gather information that can be shared between areas that have arrangements in place to meet National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Quality Standard 51 Autism: support for commissioning and those that do not, with the aim of supporting more consistent provision. These NICE guidelines already recommend that there should be a maximum of three months between a referral and a first appointment for a diagnostic assessment for autism. We expect the National Health Service to be working towards meeting the recommendations.


NHS Newcastle Gateshead CCG is working with Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust to refine their autism pathway, from diagnosis through to therapy and support if appropriate, to be in line with the NICE recommendations. In October 2013, Sheffield CCG commissioned a service to be NICE compliant. However, the service has received a higher volume of referrals than had been anticipated, and is currently the subject of a review to ensure the right model and level of service is delivered in Sheffield.We are not aware of any issues in Carshalton and Wallington.



9th Oct 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department has had with NHS England on the contents of the planned Clinical Commissioning Groups' (CCG) Scorecard; and what steps he has taken to ensure that the CCG's scorecard secures improved outcomes for people on the autism spectrum.

The King’s Fund published their report on a CCG scorecard, Measuring the Performance of Local Health Systems

(http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/articles/measuring-performance-local-health-systems), on 12 October. The King’s Fund recommends that the scorecard should comprise a small number of headline indicators targeted at the public; a broader set of indicators on performance in delivering national priorities; and a wide set of indicators for local health systems to use for improvement.


The Department will publish further details of how it will work with NHS England to implement the scorecard in due course.

6th Jul 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions he has had on the possible establishment of a tuberculosis control board in South Yorkshire.

I understand that a joint tuberculosis control board is to be established covering the Yorkshire and the Humber and North East regions.

6th Jul 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the timetable is for delivery of the Collaborative Tuberculosis strategy for England.

A draft implementation timetable was developed at the time of the launch of “The Collaborative Tuberculosis (TB) Strategy for England 2015-2020” on January 2015. As part of the strategy implementation process, work is currently underway with relevant stakeholders to review and finalise an implementation plan and timetable to deliver the Collaborative TB Strategy for England 2015-2020 in autumn 2015.

29th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of a link between access to GPs and attendances at accident and emergency departments.

The Urgent and Emergency Care Review identified a number of factors that impact on accident and emergency (A&E) attendances which can include local access to general practitioners (GPs).

We are expanding access to GPs in the evenings and at the weekend. Through the Prime Minister’s Challenge Fund, 18 million people will benefit from improved access, including at evenings and weekends by March 2016.

According to the latest GP Patient Survey results, published on 2 July 2015, 85.2% of patients were able to get an appointment with a GP or nurse at their surgery. 91.8% of those were able to get an appointment convenient to them. Of the 10.9% who reported that they could not get an appointment and the 8.2% who could not get an appointment that was convenient, 9.9% went to A&E or a walk-in centre.

17th Sep 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that humanitarian aid can reach families in the North of Yemen despite the blockade of port Hodieda.

We remain very concerned about access for commercial and humanitarian shipping in Yemen. The UK has made clear to all parties that access for commercial goods and humanitarian aid, including via Hodeidah port, must be improved, and emphasised the importance of the non-politicisation of aid. The UK is also supporting the UN in working with the Saudi Arabian-led coalition and Government of Yemen to make the system for verifying shipping more efficient. The UK has so far announced £75 million in humanitarian aid – delivered through UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs - to support Yemenis affected by the crisis.
17th Sep 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that parties to the conflict in Yemen exercise maximum restraint and adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law.

We are aware of reports of alleged violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) in Yemen by all sides to the conflict and take these very seriously. We have raised our concerns with the Saudi Arabian authorities and have received repeated assurances of IHL compliance and we continue to engage with them on those assurances. We have also raised our concerns with the Houthis on the importance of compliance with international human rights law.