First elected: 9th April 1992
Left House: 30th March 2015 (Retired)
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 John Denham, 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.
John Denham has not been granted any Urgent Questions
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to require supermarkets to publish pricing data on all the goods they sell in a standardised, accessible, online format suitable to enable comprehensive comparison of the price of supermarket goods by retailer, store and product, and to enable independent analysis of pricing; and for connected purposes.
John Denham has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
At the recent Westminster debate on 3 February I made a commitment to write to all interested members to update on the actions my officials are taking to review these issues before the dissolution of Parliament.
I have instructed DECC officials to explore the proposals raised at the Westminster Hall debate on 3 February 2015 with Ofgem (who administer ECO) and the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA), who provide commercial guarantees for Cavity Wall Insulation.
Ofgem holds information relating to a) the address at which a measure is installed, and b) the energy company that funded a measure, for all measures notified to it under the Energy Companies Obligation. The following document lists all the information provided by energy companies to Ofgem for each notified ECO measure:
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/eco-notification-data-dictionary-v1.3.
I have instructed DECC officials to explore the proposals raised at the Westminster Hall debate on 3 February 2015 with Ofgem (who administer ECO) and the Cavity Wall Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA), who provide commercial guarantees for Cavity Wall Insulation. I also met with CIGA on 24 February to discuss this important issue.
DECC officials and I met with CIGA, on 24 February, to discuss this and other issues raised at the recent Westminster Debate on 3 February.
This issue does not fall within the remit of Ofgem. However, to understand this issue more fully, I met with the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) on 24 February, and DECC officials are currently considering the information that they supplied.
I have instructed DECC officials to gather further evidence to better understand the need for an independent oversight body for Cavity Wall Insulation (CWI) guarantees.
I met with Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) on 24 February to discuss this issue further, and they have committed to preparing a paper regarding this proposal.
I have also written to the Chief Executive of Ofgem, regarding this issue on 9 February. DECC officials are currently reviewing the response.
I wrote to the Chief Executive of Ofgem on 9 February, regarding this issue. I requested that Ofgem provide information on whether the 5% technical monitoring rate under ECO should be increased.
DECC officials are currently reviewing Ofgem’s response.
DECC officials are exploring the proposals raised at the Westminster Hall debate on 3 February 2015, including putting in place an independent assessment with Ofgem (who administer ECO) and the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA), who provide commercial guarantees for Cavity Wall Insulation.
Information on the number of Higher Apprenticeship starts in England by Level and Parliamentary Constituency is attached.
Although level 4 and 5 apprenticeships were available in all three years, level 6 and 7 apprenticeships were only enabled by legislation from April 2013. Official apprenticeship data provides complete information for government-funded apprenticeships and this shows that there were no starts on the four available level 6 apprenticeships during the 2013/14 academic year.
Information on the number of Higher Apprenticeship starts in England by Level and Parliamentary Constituency is attached.
Although level 4 and 5 apprenticeships were available in all three years, level 6 and 7 apprenticeships were only enabled by legislation from April 2013. Official apprenticeship data provides complete information for government-funded apprenticeships and this shows that there were no starts on the four available level 6 apprenticeships during the 2013/14 academic year.
Information on the number of Higher Apprenticeship starts in England by Level and Parliamentary Constituency is attached.
Although level 4 and 5 apprenticeships were available in all three years, level 6 and 7 apprenticeships were only enabled by legislation from April 2013. Official apprenticeship data provides complete information for government-funded apprenticeships and this shows that there were no starts on the four available level 6 apprenticeships during the 2013/14 academic year.
Additional entrants to higher education in 2014-15 are funded on the same basis as other students. A summary of the average unit costs for students on the 2012 funding arrangements can be found in the Fiscal Sustainability Report published by the Office for Budget Responsibility in July 2014 (Table B.1, page 170).
Statistics on the number of students starting higher education courses in academic year 2013/14 are published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency. The data can be secured at the following link. https://www.hesa.ac.uk
The Higher Education Statistics Agency will publish data on Higher Education entrants and enrolments for 2014/15 in January 2016.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Statistics on the number of students starting higher education courses in academic year 2013/14 are published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency. The data can be secured at the following link. https://www.hesa.ac.uk
The Higher Education Statistics Agency will publish data on Higher Education entrants and enrolments for 2014/15 in January 2016.
As the requested table is large, information on the number of Higher Apprenticeship starts by each further education provider in England has been placed in the libraries of the house. The information is not available for Higher Education Institutions.
Table 1 shows the number of Higher Apprenticeship starts by provider type.
Information on the number of Higher Apprenticeship starts by geography is published in a supplementary table to a Statistical First Release:
Table 1: Higher Apprenticeship Starts by Provider Type, 2011/12 to 2013/14
Provider Type | 2011/12 | 2012/13 | 2013/14 |
General FE and Tertiary College | 1,300 | 4,000 | 3,100 |
Other Public Funded | 100 | 200 | 100 |
Private Sector Public Funded | 2,300 | 5,500 | 5,800 |
Sixth Form College | - | 100 | 100 |
Specialist College | - | - | 100 |
Higher Apprenticeship Total | 3,700 | 9,800 | 9,200 |
Notes:
1) The source is the Individualised Learner Record (ILR).
2) Volumes are rounded to the nearest 10 except for Totals, which are rounded to the nearest 100 ; “-“ represents a base value of less than 5.
As the requested table is large, information on the number of Higher Apprenticeship starts by each further education provider in England has been placed in the libraries of the house. The information is not available for Higher Education Institutions.
Table 1 shows the number of Higher Apprenticeship starts by provider type.
Information on the number of Higher Apprenticeship starts by geography is published in a supplementary table to a Statistical First Release:
Table 1: Higher Apprenticeship Starts by Provider Type, 2011/12 to 2013/14
Provider Type | 2011/12 | 2012/13 | 2013/14 |
General FE and Tertiary College | 1,300 | 4,000 | 3,100 |
Other Public Funded | 100 | 200 | 100 |
Private Sector Public Funded | 2,300 | 5,500 | 5,800 |
Sixth Form College | - | 100 | 100 |
Specialist College | - | - | 100 |
Higher Apprenticeship Total | 3,700 | 9,800 | 9,200 |
Notes:
1) The source is the Individualised Learner Record (ILR).
2) Volumes are rounded to the nearest 10 except for Totals, which are rounded to the nearest 100 ; “-“ represents a base value of less than 5.
As the requested table is large, information on the number of Higher Apprenticeship starts by each further education provider in England has been placed in the libraries of the house. The information is not available for Higher Education Institutions.
Table 1 shows the number of Higher Apprenticeship starts by provider type.
Information on the number of Higher Apprenticeship starts by geography is published in a supplementary table to a Statistical First Release:
Table 1: Higher Apprenticeship Starts by Provider Type, 2011/12 to 2013/14
Provider Type | 2011/12 | 2012/13 | 2013/14 |
General FE and Tertiary College | 1,300 | 4,000 | 3,100 |
Other Public Funded | 100 | 200 | 100 |
Private Sector Public Funded | 2,300 | 5,500 | 5,800 |
Sixth Form College | - | 100 | 100 |
Specialist College | - | - | 100 |
Higher Apprenticeship Total | 3,700 | 9,800 | 9,200 |
Notes:
1) The source is the Individualised Learner Record (ILR).
2) Volumes are rounded to the nearest 10 except for Totals, which are rounded to the nearest 100 ; “-“ represents a base value of less than 5.
The Higher Education Statistics Agency collects data on students enrolled at UK Higher Education Providers. In academic year 2012/13, there were 18,780 students enrolled on First Degrees in publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the UK whose main source of tuition fees was their employer. Information on tax relief granted on employers’ costs should be requested from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Consumer protection is an important aspect of any energy efficiency scheme. ECO is an obligation on the largest energy suppliers, and suppliers use in-house operation teams or contract third party installation companies to promote and install energy efficiency improvements in households. Compensation payments would therefore be provided through the energy suppliers or their contractors, not by Government.
However, we have recently consulted on additional warranty provisions under ECO Affordable Warmth. We will announce the outcome of that consultation shortly.
Consumers can also access the usual consumer protection routes such as Citizens Advice (08454 04 05 06) and Trading Standards.
Government has set up the Energy Saving Advice Service (0300 123 1234) so people can receive independent advice about energy efficiency schemes. This service can also check eligibility for Affordable Warmth assistance and make a referral directly to an obligated energy supplier. ESAS agents explain the customer journey, making it clear to customers that ECO Affordable Warmth is an obligation that requires the largest energy suppliers to help households install energy saving improvements.
Energy suppliers and their partners may also contact people directly to identify eligible customers, including those who may benefit from insulation (and other measures) under Affordable Warmth. Businesses must adhere to the relevant regulations and codes of practice when promoting their services.
ECO has a range of consumer protection mechanisms in place. Where applicable, installers must be registered gas safe and adhere to industry standards, including PAS2030 and building regulations.
The scheme administrator, Ofgem, requires 5% of measures to undergo independent technical monitoring. Where failures are found, suppliers are required to remedy this and correct faulty work. Technical monitoring results are published online at:
In addition, consumers can of course access the usual consumer protection routes such as Trading Standards.
Consumer protection is an important aspect of any energy efficiency scheme and we continue to assess the controls that are in place. For example, we have recently consulted on the warranty provisions under ECO Affordable Warmth. We will announce the outcome of that consultation shortly.
The local taskforce is working to secure positive outcomes for all staff leaving BAE in Portsmouth. It is too early to draw conclusions.
We recognise the importance of manufacturing and engineering skills to the economy: these will be vital to building the Solent area's strengths in marine and maritime. BIS is working closely with industry, Job Centre Plus, and Portsmouth Council to support those employees impacted by BAE's decision to close its shipyard in Portsmouth.
The Southampton & Portsmouth City Deal announced a £1 million DWP Rapid Response Service that will support those recently made redundant. Government and local industry will invest £3m in a Marine and Maritime Employer Ownership for skills Programme, responding to the immediate skills needs in small and medium sized enterprises in the advanced manufacturing sector.
Additionally the existing UK wide Talent Retention Solution is available to help match skilled workers to engineering jobs in the UK and is currently advertising 693vacancies in the south of England on its website[1].
[1] Active TRS vacancies listed on 18 June 2014.
We recognise the importance of manufacturing and engineering skills to the economy : these will be vital to building the Solent area's strengths in marine and maritime. BIS is working closely with industry, Job Centre Plus, and Portsmouth Council to support those employees impacted by BAE's decision to close its shipyard in Portsmouth, including providing upskilling and reskilling opportunities.
In the Southampton & Portsmouth City Deal, we announced a £1 million DWP Rapid Response Service that will support those recently made redundant and that Government and local industry will invest £3m in a Marine and Maritime Employer Ownership for skills Programme, responding to the immediate skills needs in small and medium sized enterprises in the advance manufacturing sector. Alongside the City Deal, £5m from the ‘Solent Future' Regional Growth Fund programme is available to support the up-skilling and re-skilling of BAE staff facing redundancy.
The Skills Funding Agency is also working with colleges and training providers in the Solent area to ensure that support is available to any employees at risk of redundancy to update/reskill - supported by £2.5m of Skills Support for Redundancy European Social Fund money. Additionally the existing UK wide Talent Retention Solution is available to help match skilled workers to engineering jobs in the local area (currently advertising 692vacancies in the south of England on its website[1]) and the National Careers Service is available to offer free impartial careers advice to those impacted on updating skills or retraining for alternative employment.
The Solent Local Enterprise Partnership and Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership are involved in detailed negotiations with Government for Growth Deals that will see powers and funding devolved from Whitehall to local partners to drive growth in their area – which covers Hampshire. Solent and EM3 have both put forward proposals to grow the skills – particularly STEM and engineering skills – in their areas. We expect to make announcements on Growth Deals shortly.
[1] Active TRS vacancies listed on 11 June 2014.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
All organisations funded by the Cabinet Office have to adhere to relevant employment legislation including the Equal Opportunities Act and Sex Discrimination Act.
All organisations funded by the Cabinet Office have to adhere to relevant employment legislation including the Equal Opportunities Act and Sex Discrimination Act.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
The National College for Teaching and Leadership has prohibited two teachers following professional conduct hearings where the allegations relate to behaviours outlined in the question.
UK aid to Pakistan addresses the conditions that might engender violent extremism by reducing poverty, meeting basic needs, increasing economic opportunities and promoting inclusion. It supports the government to build an effective state which is more able to respond to violent extremism through strengthening democratic processes and institutions, delivering better services and improving access to justice.
DFID works to ensure that organisations delivering contracts on its behalf do not discriminate. DFID is not aware of contracting any organisation that restricts employment to members of particular faiths.
DFID does not fund any organisation that state they specifically restrict employment to members of particular faiths. However, we acknowledge that certain posts require a particular understanding of the faith-based values and beliefs of individual organisations.
DFID works to ensure that organisations supported do not discriminate. All DFID funding is subject to pre funding Due Diligence, which includes an analysis of the robustness of the organisation's operational and commercial systems, processes and procedures, including compliance with relevant policies, legislation and regulations on discrimination.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency does not temporarily suspend driving licences. Drivers may have their licence revoked or choose to surrender their licence voluntarily if their medical condition affects their fitness to drive.
Customers applying in these circumstances are not easily identifiable. An estimate based on information available suggests around 9,000 applicants who have produced the necessary medical evidence are awaiting assessment. Once a decision has been made to re-issue the licence this is done immediately.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency does not temporarily suspend driving licences. Drivers may have their licence revoked or choose to surrender their licence voluntarily if their medical condition affects their fitness to drive.
On average, drivers who have produced the necessary medical evidence following revocation wait eight weeks before their licence is restored.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency does not temporarily suspend driving licences. Drivers may have their licence revoked or choose to surrender their licence voluntarily if their medical condition affects their fitness to drive.
Each case must be fully assessed before determining whether sufficient medical evidence has been supplied. More information is needed in some cases and may involve detailed consultation with medical professionals.
Figures are not routinely kept of the amount of time an applicant may wait in these circumstances. An exercise in February 2014 suggested some customers may have waited up to 20 weeks. Once a decision has been made to re-issue the licence this is done immediately.
The UK and Pakistan have a shared interest in the battle against terrorism and we will stand together to tackle terrorism and the extremism that sustains it.
The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) have discussed with Prime Minister Sharif on a number of occasions the Government of Pakistan’s efforts to tackle terrorism.
Prime Minister Sharif has pledged that his Government’s counter terrorism activity is directed against all militant groups. The Pakistan authorities have publicly stated that that they intend to tackle terrorists of all hues without any discrimination. We continue to encourage Pakistan to ensure that it takes a comprehensive approach to dealing with terrorists.
The UK effort on counter-terrorism is supported by intensive diplomatic work, both bilaterally and multilaterally in concert with key partners such as the United States and the European Union. Collectively, we are working to support the development of strong institutions and machinery of Government in Pakistan to deliver a sustainable approach to countering terrorism and tackling all forms of terrorism.
The UK and Pakistan have a shared interest in the battle against terrorism and we will stand together to tackle terrorism and the extremism that sustains it.
The Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) has discussed with Prime Minister Sharif on a number of occasions the Government of Pakistan’s efforts to tackle terrorism.
Prime Minister Sharif has pledged that his Government’s counter terrorism activity is directed against all militant groups. The Pakistan authorities have publicly stated that that they intend to tackle terrorists of all hues without any discrimination. We continue to encourage Pakistan to ensure that it takes a comprehensive approach to dealing with terrorists.
The UK effort on counter-terrorism is supported by intensive diplomatic work, both bilaterally and multilaterally in concert with key partners such as the United States and the European Union. Collectively, we are working to support the development of strong institutions and machinery of Government in Pakistan to deliver a sustainable approach to countering terrorism and tackling all forms of terrorism.
The UK and Pakistan have a shared interest in the battle against terrorism and we will stand together to tackle terrorism and the extremism that sustains it. The Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) has discussed with Prime Minister Sharif on a number of occasions the Government of Pakistan’s efforts to tackle terrorism. Prime Minister Sharif has pledged that his Government’s counter terrorism activity is directed against all militant groups. The Pakistan authorities have publicly stated that that they intend to tackle terrorists of all hues without any discrimination. We continue to encourage Pakistan to ensure that it takes a comprehensive approach to dealing with terrorists. The UK effort on counter-terrorism is supported by intensive diplomatic work, both bilaterally and multilaterally in concert with key partners such as the United States and the European Union. Collectively, we are working to support the development of strong institutions and machinery of Government in Pakistan to deliver a sustainable approach to countering terrorism and tackling all forms of terrorism.
The UK and Pakistan have a shared interest in the battle against terrorism. We are playing an active role internationally to combat ISIL, cooperating with our closest allies and partners, including the Gulf states.
The UK Government remains fully committed to working in partnership with Pakistan to tackle terrorism and violent extremism. We regularly discuss counter-terrorism issues with Pakistani officials.
There are media reports of limited rhetorical support for ISIL in some parts of Pakistan in the form of leaflets and graffiti. A statement in early October by the Pakistani Taliban, an umbrella group, expressing support for ISIL was followed shortly afterwards by a second expressing the group’s loyalty to Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar. In mid-October, some media reported that a small group of Pakistani Taliban leaders had pledged personal allegiance to ISIL.
The UK and Pakistan have a shared interest in the battle against terrorism. We are playing an active role internationally to combat ISIL, cooperating with our closest allies and partners, including the Gulf states.
The UK Government remains fully committed to working in partnership with Pakistan to tackle terrorism and violent extremism. We regularly discuss counter-terrorism issues with Pakistani officials.
There are media reports of limited rhetorical support for ISIL in some parts of Pakistan in the form of leaflets and graffiti. A statement in early October by the Pakistani Taliban, an umbrella group, expressing support for ISIL was followed shortly afterwards by a second expressing the group’s loyalty to Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar. In mid-October, some media reported that a small group of Pakistani Taliban leaders had pledged personal allegiance to ISIL.
The UK and Pakistan have a shared interest in the battle against terrorism. We are playing an active role internationally to combat ISIL, cooperating with our closest allies and partners, including the Gulf states.
The UK Government remains fully committed to working in partnership with Pakistan to tackle terrorism and violent extremism. We regularly discuss counter-terrorism issues with Pakistani officials.
There are media reports of limited rhetorical support for ISIL in some parts of Pakistan in the form of leaflets and graffiti. A statement in early October by the Pakistani Taliban, an umbrella group, expressing support for ISIL was followed shortly afterwards by a second expressing the group’s loyalty to Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar. In mid-October, some media reported that a small group of Pakistani Taliban leaders had pledged personal allegiance to ISIL.
The UK and Pakistan have a shared interest in the battle against terrorism. We are playing an active role internationally to combat ISIL, cooperating with our closest allies and partners, including the Gulf states.
The UK Government remains fully committed to working in partnership with Pakistan to tackle terrorism and violent extremism. We regularly discuss counter-terrorism issues with Pakistani officials.
There are media reports of limited rhetorical support for ISIL in some parts of Pakistan in the form of leaflets and graffiti. A statement in early October by the Pakistani Taliban, an umbrella group, expressing support for ISIL was followed shortly afterwards by a second expressing the group’s loyalty to Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar. In mid-October, some media reported that a small group of Pakistani Taliban leaders had pledged personal allegiance to ISIL.
In calculating taxable business profits, employers can deduct revenue expenditure on any kind of employee training providing the expenditure is incurred wholly and exclusively for the purpose of the business.
More detail on tax deductions for expenditure on staff training and development is available in HMRC’s Business Income Manual