Jonathan Evans

The Government is taking forward a suite of measures to help redress the imbalance between small businesses and the large firms that they supply. We are working closely with our stakeholders, including the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), to develop the evidence base on poor payment practices.

Our on-going consultation on introducing a new reporting requirement for large companies on their payment practices, the “Duty to Report” consultation, will strengthen the evidence on how widespread some of the payment practices identified by the FSB are, and on what further action the Government should take. The FSB’s research will contribute to our wider assessment on these issues.

The UK spent £13,000,000 on humanitarian mine action in the financial year 2013/14. The highest levels of spend were in Afghanistan (£1.7m), Iraq (£1.7m), Somalia (£1.4m), Sri Lanka (£1.5m) and Cambodia (£1.4m). The government has allocated £30m for Mine Action work for 2014-17.

The threat from landmines and explosive remnants of war prevents people from using agricultural land and accessing essential services, such as health and education, hampers freedom of movement, prevents the safe and voluntary return of internally displaced persons and refugees and obstructs the delivery of humanitarian aid. For over 20 years, the UK has supported some of the poorest countries around the world to clear landmines and explosive remnants of war after conflict.

The Department has completed four research studies into cabin air which involved close cooperation with airlines to facilitate the research. The main study was published by Cranfield University in May 2011 and concluded there was no evidence for pollutants occurring in cabin air at levels exceeding available health and safety standards and guidelines.

The Department has also engaged with the Committee on Toxicity who considered the Department’s four published reports during 2013. The Committee concluded that there is no evidence that fume events are causing ill health in passengers or crew.

We monitor the stability of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia closely, drawing on reporting from our Embassies in the region. The Ebola outbreak has not led to widespread public order problems in any of the three countries, though isolated incidents have occurred. Their Governments have proved largely resilient, despite the enormous pressures caused by the crisis. Britain’s support to the Ebola response and our long-standing political, development, and security partnership with the Sierra Leonean Government has been a major contributory factor in that country. The economies of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea have all suffered from Ebola whilst falls in commodity prices have also affected growth. The latest World Bank reports suggest that growth may be flat or negative and will stretch Government finances. Agriculture, tourism and services sectors have been worst hit. In recent years, we have worked closely with the Sierra Leonean authorities to promote long-term economic growth, and will intensify these efforts to help them mitigate the effects of the current crisis.

The US dollar price of crude oil has declined by around 42 per cent since its June 2014 peak, to $66 dollars per barrel in December.

Analysis by The Office for Budget Responsibility suggests that a temporary 20 per cent decline in the oil price could result in a 0.2 per cent increase in GDP and weaken CPI inflation by 0.25 per cent for one year.

It is right that marriage certificates are updated to reflect changes in society since they were first introduced in 1837. We are working with interested parties to consider the options for doing this.

It is likely that this will involve changes to administrative processes, IT systems and legislation. When we have completed assessment of the options, we will bring forward proposals to introduce the necessary changes.

During 2013 in Wales, regarding the number of regulated procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA):
(a) 36,010 involved mice, of which:
(i) 18,886 involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) 7,206 involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(b) 3,345 involved rats, of which:
(i) 10 involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(c) 24 involved guinea pigs, of which:
(i) none involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(d) none involved hamsters
(e) 3 involved rabbits, of which:
(i) none involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(f) none involved horses and other equids
(g) 396 involved sheep, of which:
(i) none involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(h) none involved pigs
(i) 643 involved birds, of which
(i) none involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(j) 165 involved amphibians, of which
(i) 9 involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(k) none involved reptiles
(l) 11,927 involved fish, of which:
(i) none involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(m) none involved cats
(n) none involved dogs
(o) none involved new world primates
(p) none involved old world primates


During 2013 in Wales, regarding the proportion of regulated procedures under ASPA in different types of designated establishment:
(a) 2.8% (1,462) were performed in public health laboratories
(b) 96.7% (50,826) were performed in universities and medical schools
(c) none were performed in NHS hospitals
(d) none were performed in Government Departments
(e) none were performed in other public bodies
(f) none were performed in non-profit making organisations
(g) 0.5% (251) were performed in commercial organisations


During 2013 in Wales, regarding the proportion of regulated procedures under ASPA:
(a) all (52,539) were carried out for fundamental and applied studies other than toxicity.
(b) none were carried out for toxicity tests or other safety and efficacy evaluation.

In 2013 in Wales, regarding the number of animals used in regulated procedures under ASPA:
(a) 18,707 genetically modified animals were used
(b) 7,206 animals with a harmful genetic defect were used

During 2013 in Wales, 59.3% (31,202) of regulated procedures under ASPA were undertaken without anaesthesia.

During 2013 in Wales, 51,576 animals were used in regulated procedures under ASPA.

During 2013 in Wales, 52,539 regulated procedures under ASPA were conducted

During 2013 in Wales, regarding the number of regulated procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA):
(a) 36,010 involved mice, of which:
(i) 18,886 involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) 7,206 involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(b) 3,345 involved rats, of which:
(i) 10 involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(c) 24 involved guinea pigs, of which:
(i) none involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(d) none involved hamsters
(e) 3 involved rabbits, of which:
(i) none involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(f) none involved horses and other equids
(g) 396 involved sheep, of which:
(i) none involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(h) none involved pigs
(i) 643 involved birds, of which
(i) none involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(j) 165 involved amphibians, of which
(i) 9 involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(k) none involved reptiles
(l) 11,927 involved fish, of which:
(i) none involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(m) none involved cats
(n) none involved dogs
(o) none involved new world primates
(p) none involved old world primates


During 2013 in Wales, regarding the proportion of regulated procedures under ASPA in different types of designated establishment:
(a) 2.8% (1,462) were performed in public health laboratories
(b) 96.7% (50,826) were performed in universities and medical schools
(c) none were performed in NHS hospitals
(d) none were performed in Government Departments
(e) none were performed in other public bodies
(f) none were performed in non-profit making organisations
(g) 0.5% (251) were performed in commercial organisations


During 2013 in Wales, regarding the proportion of regulated procedures under ASPA:
(a) all (52,539) were carried out for fundamental and applied studies other than toxicity.
(b) none were carried out for toxicity tests or other safety and efficacy evaluation.

In 2013 in Wales, regarding the number of animals used in regulated procedures under ASPA:
(a) 18,707 genetically modified animals were used
(b) 7,206 animals with a harmful genetic defect were used

During 2013 in Wales, 59.3% (31,202) of regulated procedures under ASPA were undertaken without anaesthesia.

During 2013 in Wales, 51,576 animals were used in regulated procedures under ASPA.

During 2013 in Wales, 52,539 regulated procedures under ASPA were conducted

During 2013 in Wales, regarding the number of regulated procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA):
(a) 36,010 involved mice, of which:
(i) 18,886 involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) 7,206 involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(b) 3,345 involved rats, of which:
(i) 10 involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(c) 24 involved guinea pigs, of which:
(i) none involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(d) none involved hamsters
(e) 3 involved rabbits, of which:
(i) none involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(f) none involved horses and other equids
(g) 396 involved sheep, of which:
(i) none involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(h) none involved pigs
(i) 643 involved birds, of which
(i) none involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(j) 165 involved amphibians, of which
(i) 9 involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(k) none involved reptiles
(l) 11,927 involved fish, of which:
(i) none involved genetically-modified animals
(ii) none involved animals with a harmful genetic defect
(m) none involved cats
(n) none involved dogs
(o) none involved new world primates
(p) none involved old world primates


During 2013 in Wales, regarding the proportion of regulated procedures under ASPA in different types of designated establishment:
(a) 2.8% (1,462) were performed in public health laboratories
(b) 96.7% (50,826) were performed in universities and medical schools
(c) none were performed in NHS hospitals
(d) none were performed in Government Departments
(e) none were performed in other public bodies
(f) none were performed in non-profit making organisations
(g) 0.5% (251) were performed in commercial organisations


During 2013 in Wales, regarding the proportion of regulated procedures under ASPA:
(a) all (52,539) were carried out for fundamental and applied studies other than toxicity.
(b) none were carried out for toxicity tests or other safety and efficacy evaluation.

In 2013 in Wales, regarding the number of animals used in regulated procedures under ASPA:
(a) 18,707 genetically modified animals were used
(b) 7,206 animals with a harmful genetic defect were used

During 2013 in Wales, 59.3% (31,202) of regulated procedures under ASPA were undertaken without anaesthesia.

During 2013 in Wales, 51,576 animals were used in regulated procedures under ASPA.

During 2013 in Wales, 52,539 regulated procedures under ASPA were conducted

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, was amended following the transposition of European Directive 2010/63EU, which came into force on 1 January 2013. Project licences are no longer accorded a severity banding and accordingly it is not possible to provide the information required as it is no longer collected.

The Government wants people to be able to resolve disputes in a way that is quick, efficient and cost effective and wants them to have a range of options available which encourages them to not just rely on the courts. This applies to both family and civil disputes.

We are committed to making sure that more people make use of mediation services to resolve family disputes arising from separation or divorce. Legal aid remains available for family mediation and for legal advice to support family mediation.

To improve public awareness and to make sure that advice agencies are providing the correct information about family mediation, we have:

• Refreshed our public information materials about family mediation – including posters, leaflets and videos;
  
• Worked with the Family Mediation Council to fund and project manage the launch of their new website which includes information aimed at the public about family mediation and a search tool to ‘find a mediator’;

• Produced a marketing toolkit for family mediators, to provide tips and advice aimed at helping family mediators to market themselves;

• Written to MPs earlier this year to make sure they are aware of the change in the law, and understand the advantages family mediation can offer; and

• Created a new front sheet for relevant family court application forms which highlights the advantages of mediation over court proceedings.

With regard to civil disputes, the Small Claims Mediation Service deals with monetary claims under £10,000 which are already going through the courts. If both parties agree to using mediation, they will be contacted by the Service. As most cases are dealt with by telephone, they save the time and the expense of having to go to court. In addition, the Civil Mediation Directory is an online tool listing a number of local and national civil and commercial mediation providers, all of whom are accredited by the Civil Mediation Council.

I hold regular discussions with the Welsh Government on the Welsh economy. I welcome the recently published statistics showing that Wales recorded the highest annual growth of Gross Value Added per head of all the UK nations and regions in 2013. Furthermore, since 2010, Wales has been the fastest growing economy of the UK nations and regions after London. Coupled with sustained falls in unemployment, this shows that our long term economic plan is working for Wales.

Inward investment is crucial to the recovery of the Welsh economy. It contributes significantly to economic growth and I am delighted that Wales had 79 inward investment projects in 2013-14. This is a significant improvement on the previous year and is testament to the collaborative working that is taking place between the UK Government and Welsh Government.

The UK Investment Summit in Newport last month was another excellent example of two Governments working together and was an important opportunity to showcase Wales on a global stage. During the summit I met numerous companies that are looking to invest or to expand their investment in Wales.

I am delighted that we have settled a deal between the Department for Transport and the Welsh Government to deliver the full electrification package. Our investment in this transformational project shows our commitment to deliver long term social and economic benefits to Valleys communities by helping people access the job opportunities being created in Cardiff, Swansea and Newport. As part of that deal, the UK Government has agreed to devolve executive franchising functions for the Wales and Borders franchise to the Welsh Government before the start of the next franchise in 2018.