Peter Luff

Conservative - Former Member for Mid Worcestershire

First elected: 9th April 1992

Left House: 30th March 2015 (Retired)


Peter Luff is not a member of any APPGs
Committees on Arms Export Controls
18th Dec 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
International Development Committee
11th Nov 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
17th May 2010 - 6th Sep 2012
Business, Innovation and Skills Committee
1st Oct 2009 - 6th May 2010
National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)
13th Jan 2010 - 6th May 2010
Committees on Arms Export Controls
1st Jan 2006 - 6th May 2010
Liaison Committee (Commons)
14th Jul 2005 - 6th May 2010
Business and Enterprise Committee
10th Mar 2008 - 30th Sep 2009
Trade & Industry
12th Jul 2005 - 8th Nov 2007
Trade & Industry
14th Jul 2005 - 5th Nov 2007
Administration Committee
2nd Dec 2002 - 15th May 2006
Opposition Whip (Commons)
1st Jul 2000 - 1st Jul 2005
Liaison Committee (Commons)
14th Jul 1997 - 30th Mar 2000
Agriculture
14th Jul 1997 - 15th Feb 2000
Welsh Affairs Committee
27th Apr 1992 - 21st Mar 1997
Consolidation etc. Bills (Joint Committee)
27th Apr 1992 - 21st Mar 1997
Transport Committee
5th Jul 1993 - 6th Dec 1993


Division Voting information

Peter Luff has voted in 1547 divisions, and 9 times against the majority of their Party.

24 Nov 2014 - Recall of MPs Bill - View Vote Context
Peter Luff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 63 Conservative No votes vs 79 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 236 Noes - 65
21 May 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Peter Luff voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 124 Conservative Aye votes vs 134 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 366 Noes - 161
5 Feb 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Peter Luff voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 131 Conservative Aye votes vs 139 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 400 Noes - 175
30 Apr 2009 - Members’ Allowances - View Vote Context
Peter Luff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 21 Conservative No votes vs 55 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 355 Noes - 39
30 Apr 2009 - Members’ Allowances - View Vote Context
Peter Luff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Conservative Aye votes vs 55 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 96 Noes - 285
30 Apr 2009 - Members’ Allowances - View Vote Context
Peter Luff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 25 Conservative No votes vs 55 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 280 Noes - 100
16 Mar 2009 - Use of the Chamber (United Kingdom Youth Parliament) - View Vote Context
Peter Luff voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 17 Conservative No votes vs 28 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 210 Noes - 22
16 Mar 2009 - Use of the Chamber (United Kingdom Youth Parliament) - View Vote Context
Peter Luff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Conservative Aye votes vs 25 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 21 Noes - 207
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Peter Luff voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 80 Conservative Aye votes vs 96 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 196 Noes - 375
View All Peter Luff Division Votes

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.

Sparring Partners
John Bercow (Speaker)
(15 debate interactions)
Philip Dunne (Conservative)
(13 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Ministry of Defence
(318 debate contributions)
Department for Education
(41 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(9 debate contributions)
Ministry of Justice
(7 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Peter Luff has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
View all Peter Luff's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Peter Luff

Peter Luff has not signed any Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Peter Luff, 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.


Peter Luff has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Peter Luff has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

1 Bill introduced by Peter Luff


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 enable pupils in primary, middle, high and secondary schools to gain greater understanding of careers in science, technology and engineering; to establish a duty on schools to provide opportunities for pupils to gain such understanding; to provide for the establishment of advisory groups drawn from industry and relevant external bodies to assist schools in the provision of such opportunities; to require governing bodies of middle, secondary and high schools to include two local employers; to impose a duty on the Department for Education to ensure a database of national schemes providing relevant opportunities is established; to enable graduate level practitioners of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to teach these subjects in schools for limited periods without full teaching qualifications; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 13th February 2013

Peter Luff 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
3 Other Department Questions
27th Nov 2014
To ask the Ministers for Women and Equalities, how the Government Equalities Office pilot project to improve links between schools and businesses to raise the career aspirations of young people, which has been awarded to the British Chambers of Commerce, will be co-ordinated with the work in this area at (a) Engineering UK, (b) the Royal Academy of Engineering, (c) the Royal Society and (d) STEMnet.

The aim of the School-Business Partnerships pilot is to establish long lasting and mutually beneficial partnerships in which schools and businesses work together. The primary focus of the partnerships is on business, particularly local business, rather than national organisations. In addition, each partnership is focusing on the sectors best suited to the local area.

Four out of the five partnerships have incorporated some element of STEM activity in their programme. For example, two have partnered with STEM Ambassadors to deliver activities in schools and one partnership is hosting an event with The Royal Academy of Engineering next year. In addition, Government has shared information on the activities of Engineering UK, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society and STEMnet with the British Chambers of Commerce.

19th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what discussions he has had with his Ministerial colleagues on the creation of a new bank holiday on 11 November to honour the armed forces.

The Government regularly receives requests for additional bank and public holidays to celebrate a variety of occasions. We have had many suggestions for the creation of a bank holiday after Remembrance Sunday, to celebrate the contribution of the armed forces. We fully understand the support for the idea, as our armed forces do a tremendous job and sadly some make the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

We believe however that Remembrance Sunday is the most fitting way to commemorate our armed forces, and so we have no plans to observe their achievements and their great sacrifices by means of a new bank holiday.

We also have to bear in mind the costs of additional bank holidays. The most recent assessment for the Diamond Jubilee is that a bank holiday across the whole of the UK costs employers around £1.2bn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to ensure that more women are able to take up senior positions in engineering businesses.

The Government is working with employers, professional bodies and HE and FE institutions to encourage more women to enter engineering and to remove barriers to their progression.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) funds the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering jointly to run a programme of work aimed at understanding and addressing issues of diversity in the STEM workforce.

The Royal Academy of Engineering has developed a diversity concordat which 70% of engineering institutions, representing over 90% of registered engineers, have now signed. They also run the Diversity Leadership Group, made up of senior industrial representatives from an array of engineering disciplines who steer and review collective actions to increase the size and diversity of the engineering talent pool

BIS contributes to the cost of hosting the finals of the National Science and Engineering Competition at the annual Big Bang Fair which took place last month. 55% of Competition prizewinners were girls and the Fair promoted Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers to a record number of schoolchildren.

BIS also funds STEMNET to run the STEM Ambassadors programme: a nationwide network of over 27,000 volunteers who visit schools to bring STEM career opportunities to life. 40% of STEM Ambassadors are women.

18th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether the £600 million announced in Budget 2015 to support the delivery of the change of use of 700Mhz spectrum includes provision to assist and compensate users of existing equipment in the programme making and special events sector.

Up to £600m will be made available to support the change of use of 700 MHz spectrum. This money is intended to cover all the costs of the programme. If any provision were to be made for users of existing equipment in the programme making and special events sector, it would be from within this budget.
16th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the time taken by BT Openreach to provide for the connection of new housing developments to telephone services.


The lead times for connecting new housing developments will vary according to their location, the services being provided and the engineering difficulties that the company faces. I am aware that there have been delays in connecting some new developments and that Openreach has been recruiting additional staff to help address this problem. The Government recently published its Utilities Guide setting out performance standards for new utility connections. The guide includes for the first time performance standards for telecoms and broadband connections to new builds. This will allow the performance of communications infrastructure providers to be monitored. We will also be exploring with housebuilders and communications infrastructure providers the scope for making further improvements to connection lead times.

9th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he has taken to safeguard the use of radio microphones and related equipment under the Government's spectrum allocation policy.

Ofcom is currently conducting a strategic review of the PMSE sector’s future spectrum requirements. One of the objectives of this review is to ensure audio PMSE devices have access to sufficient spectrum to continue delivering the benefits they provide following Ofcom’s decision to make the 700 MHz band available for mobile data. Ofcom is aiming to conlcude this review in 2015.

3rd Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to paragraph 1.117 of the Autumn Statement 2014, what discussions he has had with representatives of the Programme Making and Special Event sector on the consequences for their work and the wavelengths they use of the further clearance of spectrum for mobile use.

As set out in the National Infrastructure Plan and Autumn Statement, further details of the change of use of 700MHz spectrum will be set out in 2015. As part of that process, Ofcom are currently carrying out work to find suitable alternative spectrum for PMSE. We would encourage the PMSE community to engage in that process.

23rd Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2014 to Question 206821, how many meetings (a) his Department and (b) Ofcom have had with HM Treasury on compensation for the Programme Making and Special Events sector if the 700 MHz band was cleared of such users; and if he will make a statement.

DCMS is currently working closely with HMT and Ofcom to examine all aspects of clearing the 700MHz band, including in relation to PMSE. Once a decision on the future of the 700MHz band has been made and timelines for any programme have been finalised, it will be possible to consider any compensation scheme for PMSE.

23rd Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2014 to Question 206821, what assessment his Department has made of the risk of PMSE market failure if PMSE users are not allocated alternative spectrum in which to operate before the 799 MHz band is cleared; what discussions his Department has had with Ofcom regarding mitigating that risk; and if he will make a statement.

In its consultation on the future of the 700MHz band, Ofcom highlights the important benefits that PMSE delivers to the UK. Ofcom sets out a clear objective, in case of a change of use of those frequencies away from existing services including PMSE, to continue to secure those important benefits. Its plan to achieve this includes improving the way current use takes place as well as securing access to alternative frequencies and Ofcom is working closely with stakeholders through its regular engagement with the British Entertainment Industry Radio Group.

I welcome Ofcom’s recognition of the significant value that PMSE delivers and we fully support their work on mitigating the effect of loss of access to the 700MHz band. This is an integral part of any change to the 700 MHz band and the DCMS will continue to monitor Ofcom’s work in this.

22nd Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, for what reason his Department did not identify an alternative spectrum for use by the programme making and special events sector before the proposals to withdraw this sector's access to the 700 MHz band of radio spectrum; and if he will make a statement.

Ofcom published a consultation on the future use of the 700 MHz band on 28 May 2014. This consultation assesses the impact any loss of access to the 700 MHz band would have on the PMSE community. Ofcom will ensure the views and spectrum requirements of the PMSE community are taken into account when making any final decisions on the use of the band. The consultation document and responses can be found on Ofcom’s website:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/700MHz/

Ofcom is working with the PMSE community of users and manufacturers to mitigate the impact of any change of use of the 700 MHz band; and discussing with the regulatory authorities in other countries their approach to this issue. A key focus of their work in this area is seeking to identify and make available alternative spectrum for the PMSE community.

22nd Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made of the costs likely to be incurred by the programme making and special effects sector through having to complete research and development into new equipment of the re-allocation of the 700 MHz band; and if he will make a statement.

Ofcom published a consultation on the future use of the 700 MHz band on 28 May 2014. This consultation assesses the impact any loss of access to the 700 MHz band would have on the PMSE community. Ofcom will ensure the views and spectrum requirements of the PMSE community are taken into account when making any final decisions on the use of the band. The consultation document and responses can be found on Ofcom’s website:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/700MHz/

Ofcom is working with the PMSE community of users and manufacturers to mitigate the impact of any change of use of the 700 MHz band; and discussing with the regulatory authorities in other countries their approach to this issue. A key focus of their work in this area is seeking to identify and make available alternative spectrum for the PMSE community.

22nd Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the validity of mobile network operators' requirement for access to an increased quantity of radio spectrum; and if he will make a statement.

The 4G auction in 2013 has increased the amount of spectrum available to the mobile network operators (MNOs) for delivering next generation mobile services. The 4G rollout is underway and will ensure the UK continues to have some of the best mobile services in Europe.

The Department has not made any direct assessment of mobile network operators’ (MNOs) spectrum requirements or the technical characteristics of their network deployments. Ofcom published their Mobile Data Strategy consultation on 21 November 2013, which examines consumer demand for mobile data services and how this could be met, including MNOs’ spectrum requirements. The consultation document and responses can be found on Ofcom’s website:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/mobile-data-strategy/

Ofcom has since published a further statement on their Mobile Data Strategy:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/mobile-data-strategy/statement/

The Department does not directly monitor the operations of the MNOs or the technical characteristics of their network deployments. Ofcom does however undertake certain monitoring functions including monitoring of coverage, service quality and ensuring MNOs comply with any obligations included in their spectrum licences.

22nd Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential effects of international harmonisation of the 700 MHz band of radio spectrum on domestic small and medium-sized enterprises operating within (a) the programme making and special events sector and (b) the creative industries; and if he will make a statement.

Ofcom published a consultation on the future use of the 700 MHz band on 28 May 2014. This consultation assesses the impact any loss of access to the 700 MHz band would have on the PMSE community. Ofcom will ensure the views and spectrum requirements of the PMSE community are taken into account when making any final decisions on the use of the band. The consultation document and responses can be found on Ofcom’s website:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/700MHz/

Ofcom is working with the PMSE community of users and manufacturers to mitigate the impact of any change of use of the 700 MHz band; and discussing with the regulatory authorities in other countries their approach to this issue. A key focus of their work in this area is seeking to identify and make available alternative spectrum for the PMSE community.

22nd Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the efficiency with which mobile companies make use of the radio spectrum to which they currently have access; and if he will make a statement.

The 4G auction in 2013 has increased the amount of spectrum available to the mobile network operators (MNOs) for delivering next generation mobile services. The 4G rollout is underway and will ensure the UK continues to have some of the best mobile services in Europe.

The Department has not made any direct assessment of mobile network operators’ (MNOs) spectrum requirements or the technical characteristics of their network deployments. Ofcom published their Mobile Data Strategy consultation on 21 November 2013, which examines consumer demand for mobile data services and how this could be met, including MNOs’ spectrum requirements. The consultation document and responses can be found on Ofcom’s website:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/mobile-data-strategy/

Ofcom has since published a further statement on their Mobile Data Strategy:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/mobile-data-strategy/statement/

The Department does not directly monitor the operations of the MNOs or the technical characteristics of their network deployments. Ofcom does however undertake certain monitoring functions including monitoring of coverage, service quality and ensuring MNOs comply with any obligations included in their spectrum licences.

22nd Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will request Ofcom to undertake an independent analysis of (a) the need of mobile network operators to be granted access to additional radio spectrum and (b) the quantity of spectrum currently allocated to mobile network operators of which they are not making use to provide mobile connectivity for consumers; and if he will make a statement.

The 4G auction in 2013 has increased the amount of spectrum available to the mobile network operators (MNOs) for delivering next generation mobile services. The 4G rollout is underway and will ensure the UK continues to have some of the best mobile services in Europe.

The Department has not made any direct assessment of mobile network operators’ (MNOs) spectrum requirements or the technical characteristics of their network deployments. Ofcom published their Mobile Data Strategy consultation on 21 November 2013, which examines consumer demand for mobile data services and how this could be met, including MNOs’ spectrum requirements. The consultation document and responses can be found on Ofcom’s website:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/mobile-data-strategy/

Ofcom has since published a further statement on their Mobile Data Strategy:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/mobile-data-strategy/statement/

The Department does not directly monitor the operations of the MNOs or the technical characteristics of their network deployments. Ofcom does however undertake certain monitoring functions including monitoring of coverage, service quality and ensuring MNOs comply with any obligations included in their spectrum licences.

3rd Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment Ofcom has made of the reasons for disputes between service providers and Openreach over (a) the provision of telephone and broadband services and (b) the service provided to James and Susan Love of Aldington, Worcestershire.

Ofcom has recently completed a review of Openreach quality of service and has establish new rules to bring about faster line repairs and installations for telephone and broadband customers.

The new regulations which came into effect on 1st July, will ensure that the majority of phone and broadband faults will have to be repaired within two working days, while most customers requiring a new line must receive an appointment within 12 working days. Should Openreach fail to meet the new standards, the company will face sanctions from Ofcom, which could include fines. Openreach will also be required to report publicly on its performance quarterly from October 2014.

Ofcom does not handle individual consumer complaints, for which an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process is provided.

17th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she plans to take to enable teachers in primary schools to participate in subject-specific continuing professional development to maintain their understanding of basic mathematical and specific concepts.

It is the responsibility of individual primary schools to ensure that teachers get appropriate continuing professional development in all relevant subjects, including mathematics. The Department for Education is committed to improving the mathematical ability of primary teachers and we have put in place a number of measures to support schools; in particular with implementing the new mathematics curriculum.

The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) is responsible for coordinating and quality assuring teacher professional development across all phases and works actively to support the underpinning mathematical knowledge of primary teachers. The NCETM will receive just under £2 million in funding between March 2015 and March 2016.

The department has established a network of 34 new Maths Hubs across England, backed by £11 million of funding. This initiative will enable every primary school in England to access locally tailored, quality support as well as leading on national projects to implement the Asian-style mastery approach to mathematics, which has achieved world-leading levels of success. Central to this is the China-England Mathematics Teacher Exchange Programme, which has so far seen 59 primary mathematics teachers from Shanghai spend three weeks working in primary schools alongside their English colleagues, planning lessons, and leading master classes and training sessions with other schools to allow local teachers to benefit directly from their expertise. The hubs are also leading a project to trial the use of Singapore-style textbooks at the core of a mastery teaching approach in selected primary schools.

For the first time in 2014-15, post-initial teacher training subject knowledge enhancement is available to primary teachers for mathematics. This is part of a school-led test and learn project with 45 Teaching School Alliances designing and delivering this training across the country to meet local need.

17th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she plans to take to enable teachers of STEM subjects in secondary schools to participate in continuing professional development to maintain their awareness of the career opportunities relevant to their subjects.

It is for school leaders to determine with their teachers what forms of professional development would be most effective in particular circumstances and to fund this from their delegated budgets. However, the government is continuing to improve the capacity of schools to take the lead in training and developing teachers, including teachers of STEM subjects in secondary schools. This includes supporting schools to lead on the creation of high-quality training opportunities for teachers through the national network of teaching schools. The department is providing funding of £7.2 million from April 2014 to support the National Science Learning Network which delivers high-quality science professional development locally through partnerships.

On 11 March 2015 the Prime Minister announced new measures to recruit more maths and physics teachers. This includes making £24 million available to train and upskill 15,000 existing non-specialist mathematics and physics teachers over the next 5 years. This will enable every secondary school in England to up-skill at least 1 of their staff in these subjects each year. The successful Maths and Physics Chairs programme is being expanded to recruit 100 experts with PhDs to teach and support the subject knowledge development of 2,000 physics and maths teachers in the school partnerships where they work. They are especially targeted in disadvantaged areas.

It has also been announced that the government is supporting the establishment of a new, independent professional body – the College of Teaching. This new organisation, which is being set up by teachers for teachers, will play an important part in promoting high professional standards and effective development for its members.

4th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to paragraph 2.227 of the Autumn Statement 2014, how the funds to improve careers advice and support for young people will be spent.

The majority of the £20 million fund to improve careers advice and support for young people announced in the Autumn Statement will be used to provide initial funding to the new company announced by my Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, on 10 December.

This includes a £5 million Investment Fund (as indicated in the Official Report of 10 December 2014, column 893). This will be administered by the new careers and enterprise company, into which schools, employers and voluntary organisations will bid for start-up funding for new, innovative projects and pilots to support careers advice and inspiration, as well as funding to support the scaling up of successful local approaches, or to evaluate and share learning from existing successful projects.

The further detail of how the remaining £15 million will be spent and what proportion will support the work of the company will be worked through. This company, independent of Government, will support engagement between employers and schools, ensuring young people get the support they need. The Chair and Board of the company will be responsible for determining the best use of their budget.

25th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support her Department is providing to the Your Life campaign promoting take-up of maths and science subjects.

The Your Life campaign is independently led, with sponsorship from business, and backed by strong support across Government. It is a three-year campaign to ensure the UK has the maths and science skills it needs to succeed in a competitive global economy.

A 2014 CBI/Pearson report found that STEM skills are in widespread demand and nearly two in five firms that need employees with STEM skills and knowledge currently have difficulties recruiting staff.

It is essential that students leave school as fully-rounded individuals, with experience of a broad and balanced curriculum to prepare them for life in modern Britain. Maths and science are valuable skills to have, no matter what they choose to pursue.

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will extend the provision of post-ITT Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses for chemistry teachers.

For the past two years, the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) has funded a number of higher education institutions (HEIs) to deliver post ITT subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) training to support schools to address workforce capacity challenges in shortage subjects, traditionally secondary maths, physics, chemistry and modern foreign languages (MFL). The programme has provided subject knowledge training to a level that would be required to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS) to qualified teachers who did not train in their SKE subject.

The Department for Education’s vision is to work with schools to develop an education system in which teacher and leadership training, continuous professional development (CPD) and school-to-school support are delivered locally by partnerships led by the best head teachers. We are encouraging schools to find local solutions to their particular challenges and supporting teaching school alliances (TSAs) and system leaders to deliver innovative solutions to drive up standards. In line with this vision, NCTL are no longer funding HEIs in 2014-15 and instead are running a test and learn project with 45 teaching school alliances. TSAs will be responsible for designing and delivering post ITT SKE provision, focusing on secondary maths, physics, chemistry, computing, MFL and primary maths to meet their local/regional need. How they deliver the project and the subject they choose to focus on is entirely their decision and we expect to see a diverse range of approaches building on existing partnerships. This is not intended as a direct replacement for HEI delivered post ITT SKE programmes, and the opportunity remains for teachers and schools to purchase courses from HEIs to meet their professional development needs.

The National Science Learning Centre and five regional Science Learning Centre Consortia offer high quality science CPD for teachers and technicians working with pupils aged 5 to 19. Teachers are encouraged to consider the opportunities offered by the Regional Science Learning Centres, who also provide professional development bursaries (Impact Awards) that are funded by the Department for Education.

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will increase the funding available for bursaries for chemistry Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses.

Bursaries for pre-initial teacher training subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) courses are intended to support course participants’ travel and living costs while they are on the course, and are paid in line with the length of the course. The SKE operations manual contains more detail about funding levels and eligibility criteria for SKE training bursaries. We believe that existing SKE bursary levels are sufficient to meet participants’ needs and continue to see strong take-up of SKE courses. We will consider any representations from SKE course participants or providers on bursary funding levels.

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help schools provide subject-specific continuing professional development for science teachers.

The Department for Education currently supports curriculum-focussed Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for science teachers and technicians through a contract with Myscience.co Limited to manage five Regional Science Learning Centres (RSLCs). The five RSLCs additionally co-ordinate and quality assure up to ten local Science Learning Partnerships (SLPs) each, which bring together teaching schools and other outstanding schools, higher education institutions, independent schools, further education and sixth form colleges and employers and industry experts to deliver CPD locally.

In addition, the Department provides funding to Myscience.co Limited to support the payment of Impact Awards for science teachers and technicians who attend and undertake CPD run by the Regional Science Learning Centres and Science Learning Partnerships.

The Department also funds the Triple Science Support Programme (TSSP), delivered by MyScience.co Limited, to provide an extensive programme of practical support and guidance to schools on how to provide triple science at GCSE level. The TSSP focuses its support on schools that do not currently offer triple science or that have few pupils taking triple science.

The Department supports the improvement of science teaching through a joint arrangement with the Wellcome Trust and industry partners to fund CPD through scholarship awards called Enthuse Awards. Over five years from August 2013 to July 2018, the Department will provide £10 million to schools to support teachers’ attendance at high quality science CPD training delivered by the National Science Learning Centre.

The Stimulating Physics Network has also been set up to provide support at regional level to increase progression to A level physics. This is funded by the Department and administered by the Institute of Physics. The network provides two strands of support: universal support for all schools, which offers programmes of workshops, networking opportunities and other professional development events though a team of Physics Network Co-ordinators; and developing intensive partnerships with selected schools provided through a team of Teaching and Learning Coaches who facilitate tailored programmes of CPD.

29th Aug 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to encourage more universities to provide chemistry subject knowledge enhancement courses which are 24 weeks or longer.

Initial teacher training (ITT) providers and School Direct (SD) schools are responsible for identifying whether an ITT applicant needs to undertake a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course and the length of any course required. This decision is based on the ITT provider or SD school’s assessment of the applicant’s subject knowledge and the requirements of the ITT course they have applied to.

ITT providers and SD schools can commission SKE courses from any source or they can deliver SKE courses themselves. All universities are able to offer SKE courses. The National College for Teaching and Leadership promotes these courses through its online SKE course directory and “Get into Teaching” website. The course directory includes 53 SKE courses in chemistry provided by 20 universities, including the University of Worcester. Officials are working with the Royal Society of Chemistry to promote chemistry SKE in the coming academic year.

15th Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential value of the Careers Lab programme and the recommendations of its recent report Inspiring the Next Generation to her Department's skills policy.

We are creating a better skills system that is led by employers with more relevant, respected qualifications and an emphasis on young people acquiring the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. This approach is reflected in the Government’s policy on careers guidance, which centres on schools and colleges building stronger links with employers to inspire and motivate young people about the world of work.

More employers are getting involved by offering coaching, mentoring, work tasters and work experience to ensure that pupils can access careers advice from people with experience of business. Careers Lab is an example of this employer-led approach.

In the report, ‘Inspiring the next generation’, the recommendations for government focus on the importance of holding schools to account for the destinations of students and the need to set quality standards to help schools judge which career initiatives are worthwhile. The Government has communicated its expectations to schools on both of these areas. New statutory guidance and departmental advice on careers guidance and inspiration, effective from September, provides a framework for schools and paints a clear picture of what high quality careers guidance looks like. This incorporates information about the quality assurance of any external organisations that schools plan to work with.

The guidance is clear that schools will now be held to account for the outcomes for their students through destination measures. Ofsted will take greater account of the quality of careers guidance and of students’ destinations in school inspections when judging the effectiveness of a school’s leadership and management. Data on post-16 education destinations is already published in Performance Tables. We intend to publish full key stage 4 and key stage 5 destinations data in performance tables once we are content that the data are robust enough.

7th Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans his Department has to reform school performance measures to include destination data and include the number of school students who enter employment or work-based training.

The Department for Education aims is to publish both the key stage 4 (KS4) and key stage 5 (KS5) destination measures in performance tables once we are content that the data are robust enough. KS4 education destinations are already included in performance tables, and have been since 2013, but before we publish full destinations data we have to test and evaluate it fully to ensure reliability.

We published the KS5 destination measure as experimental statistics in the 2014 destinations statistical first release[1] because of the inclusion of new institutions, such as independent schools and special schools, for the first time. The employment, training and characteristics data need to be fully tested and evaluated before they can be published on the performance tables website. Tables, including employment data and breakdowns of the data based on student characteristics for former KS4 students, have also been published in the destination measures' statistical first release (experimental statistics) alongside the KS5 data.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-destinations

9th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the status and importance of design and technology at Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and post-16; and if he will make a statement.

Design and Technology (D&T) is an important subject that can inspire young people to pursue careers in engineering and manufacturing. Ofsted's 2011 report ‘Meeting technological challenges' found:

“Most pupils in the primary and secondary schools visited enjoyed designing and making products and gained much satisfaction in acquiring technical skills and in seeing their ideas take shape.”

During the review of the national curriculum, the Government consulted industry representatives, such as Dyson and Royal Academy of Engineering, teachers, subject associations and D&T specialists to ensure the new D&T curriculum is relevant to the modern world. We have strengthened the technological aspects of the subject by including new and emerging technologies, placed greater emphasis on links with STEM subjects to provide a context for their practical application and we are also reforming D&T GCSE and A levels to include more rigorous content and build on the changes made to the curriculum. The new qualifications will be more ambitious, with greater stretch for the most able and prepare young people better for the demands of employment and further study.

9th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools have (a) merged design and technology with art and design and (b) removed design and technology from their curriculum since 2010.

The Department does not collect nor hold the data requested.

9th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of progress 8 performance measures since their introduction in secondary schools.

Progress 8 will be the headline secondary school performance measure from 2016. This will be based on qualifications which schools will begin teaching in the autumn term of 2014. The new performance measures aim to encourage schools to offer a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils.

More schools than ever are entering pupils for the English Baccalaureate, which encourages the study of science, a language and a humanities subject alongside maths and English.

9th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the (a) objectives, (b) governance, (c) intended duration and (d) funding of the Your Life campaign are; and if he will make a statement.

The main objective of the Your Life campaign is to increase the number of young people choosing A levels in maths or physics.

The campaign will be led by an independent organisation chaired by Edwina Dunn, and it will run for three years.

It will seek support and resources from leading employers and organisations. The Government has provided limited funds to establish a website and other set-up work.

9th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the review of design and technology GCSE/GCE examination specifications will bring those examinations in line with the revised national curriculum for design and technology.

The GCSE and GCE Awarding Organisations are leading on developing new design and technology GCSEs and A levels. They are ensuring that the content builds on and is in line with the revised design and technology national curriculum.

9th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what continued professional development assistance is provided to design and technology teachers.

The Government is committed to raising the quality of teaching in all subjects, including Design and Technology (D&T). Headteachers and teachers are best placed to make decisions about what professional development they require in order to meet the needs of their pupils and school. A network of Teaching Schools has been established to improve the capacity of schools to take the lead in the training and development of teachers and create more opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. The Teachers' Standards set a clear benchmark for the level of practice expected of all teachers, and provide a valuable tool to help headteachers and teachers identify and address development needs through regular appraisal.

The D&T expert subject group, set up to provide support to teachers implementing the new D&T curriculum, comprises of leading professionals in D&T who work to clarify the key areas on which teachers most need further support, identifying the topics that can present the greatest challenge when discussing with pupils. The group liaises with relevant specialists and providers to develop and produce new resources where necessary. DATA, in partnership with others, have developed a range of resources including an annotated programme of study, providing advice and explanatory notes on implementation.

9th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what account he plans to take of (a) design and (b) technical knowledge in the review of the GCSE/GCE examination course in design and technology.

The GCSE and GCE Awarding Organisations are leading on developing subject content for reformed design and technology qualifications. In carrying out this work, they are drawing closely on advice from subject organisations with design and technical expertise. The draft criteria that are developed will be formally consulted on and the evidence gathered will be used to review and finalise the content for the new design and technology qualifications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 8 April 2014, Official Report, column 208W, on Common Agricultural Policy, if he will assess the value and purpose of advertising the merits of the EU Common Agricultural Policy in British cinemas.

We do not have any plans to assess the value and purpose of advertising the merits of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in British cinemas. Using cinema advertising is not part of the Government's approach to communicating information on the CAP. My Department is informed by the European Commission that the advert ran for four weeks across the EU, including in the UK, but it has now ended and that the campaign was funded by reducing other activities, such as European Commission attendance at certain events.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the European Commission on its programme of cinema advertising to promote the Common Agricultural Policy.

No such discussions have taken place.

19th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to instruct Network Rail to resolve the land ownership issues at Honeybourne railway station.

Network Rail is operationally independent. As this is an operational matter for Network Rail, my Hon. Friend may wish to contact it directly. Further information can be obtained from Network Rail’s Chief Executive at the following address:

Mark Carne

Chief Executive

Network Rail

1 Eversholt Street

London

NW1 2DN.

3rd Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the confidence of drivers in the information conveyed by dot matrix information signs on motorways and trunk roads.

The Highways Agency carries out a continuous survey with road users, tracking satisfaction and expectations with the services provided by the Agency including variable message signs (dot matrix information signs). In respect of surveys carried out during 2013-14, 9% of respondents said that the messages on these signs were unhelpful, while 72% of respondents found that the signage was mostly or completely accurate in the same period.

Nevertheless, I have asked my officials to examine once again the effectiveness of various approached to messaging with a view to developing a coherent policy.

3rd Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that motorway information signs convey information that is up-to-date and accurate.

In response to a Department for Transport performance measure, the Highways Agency has prepared an Information Plan for 2014/2015.  The plan sets out a series of actions to look at quality and accuracy of information it provides through its traffic information services, including motorway information signs.

By improving data flow and processing, the Highways Agency will improve the quality and timeliness of all information services.  A new system to be used in the Highways Agency’s National Traffic Operations Centre is currently being tested.  This system has been specifically designed to assist operational staff in more accurately locating incidents and responding to the effects of an incident. The improvements, that will be delivered in early 2015, will ensure more timely and accurate information on Variable Message Signs as well as other information services such as smartphones and websites.

Additionally, information relating to estimated travel times between strategic junctions will be improved. Interfaces to other systems are also being enhanced to provide more timely information such as weather information which may cause disruption to drivers.

Alongside technology changes, the Information Plan is making use of improved customer knowledge.  Using their recently established customer panel, the Highways Agency gathers views about how people want to receive information and how they interpret the messages the Highways Agency displays. This knowledge will inform future developments of our information services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will provide an estimate of the costs of redoubling the section of the North Cotswold line between (a) Charlbury to Wolvercote Junction and (b) Evesham and Norton Junction.

The provision of a cost estimate for further redoubling of the North Cotswold line would normally be sought from Network Rail only when a business case is identified for the extra benefits this enhancement would provide. No business case has yet been identified and so a cost estimate is not being sought. Network Rail is investigating the opportunities for line speed improvements on the route to reduce journey times.

12th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect of the 111 NHS telephone service on attendance at hospital accident and emergency departments.

NHS 111 providers across England conduct patient follow up surveys on the NHS 111 service. The results for the year ending September 2014 showed that 30% of patients said they would have used accident and emergency services if they had not contacted NHS 111. This compares with a national rate of 8% of NHS 111 calls answered that directed patients to accident and emergency services.

These results indicate that in a high proportion of cases NHS 111 has been effective in offering patients a service choice which, if followed, would direct more cases to non-emergency services than if NHS 111 was not available.

There is a very active programme of work involving NHS England, working with local commissioners and NHS 111 providers, to improve referrals to alternative services. This programme is starting to see more patients who call NHS 111 directed to services for a lower acuity.

24th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of NHS staff are eligible for incremental pay awards; and how many of those will receive at least (a) one per cent and (b) three per cent pay increases this year.

The Government is committed to reforming progression pay in the National Health Service to ensure that the system is fair, consistent and sustainable.

Over 50% (around 620,000 headcount) of hospital and community health services staff are eligible for incremental pay increases; subject to meeting local performance standards.

All of these eligible staff will receive at least a 1% increase.

Two thirds of those staff are eligible for at least 3%, which is the average incremental increase. This is around 410,000 staff (headcount).

24th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of NHS staff will receive a one per cent or higher pay award through non-consolidated increases or incremental pay awards this year.

All National Health Service staff who meet local performance standards will receive 1% or more pay through non-consolidated increases or incremental pay this year.

Just over 50% of staff are eligible for incremental pay progression subject to satisfactory performance, which averages a 3% rise.

The just under 50% of NHS staff who are at the top of their pay bands and therefore not eligible for incremental progression received an additional non-consolidated payment this year equal to 1% of basic pay.

12th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the UK establishing diplomatic relations with Nepal.

We are keen to commemorate the establishment of relations with Nepal, given the historic and warm relationship between our two countries, and the outstanding service rendered by the UK by the Gurkhas. The UK is working closely with the government of Nepal on the plans for the bicentenary which will culminate in March 2016 to mark the ratification of the Treaty of Segauli signed in March 1816. Plans are underway to mark this important anniversary in both the UK and Nepal, including through a series of cultural and educational events with senior level engagement.

Separately, the bicentenary of the commencement of Gurkha recruitment – ‘Gurkha 200’ - will be marked between March and June 2015. More information can be found on: http://www.gurkha200.co.uk/.

3rd Dec 2014
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 1.117 of the Autumn Statement 2014, if he will take steps to compensate Programme Making and Special Event users of spectrum removed from the wavelengths they currently use to facilitate the further clearance of spectrum for mobile use.

As detailed in the National Infrastructure Plan and Autumn Statement, subject to the development of delivery options by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Ofcom, further details of the change of use of 700MHz spectrum will be set out in 2015. As part of that process, we will look at the impact for Programme Making and Special Events and other current users.

12th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the first recruitment of Gurkha soldiers into the British Army.

Gurkhas hold a special place in the hearts of the British people and we will be celebrating our close and enduring relationship over the bicentenary. The Brigade of Gurkhas will be holding many events this year, including a parade and memorial service in Whitehall in April. Gurkha units will also be conducting public duties as the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace, and at the Tower of London during May.

6th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what forecast he has made of whether his Department's spending in 2015-16 will meet the NATO target of two per cent of GDP.

The Government is committed to maintaining Defence spending at 2% of GDP and we will meet the target in 2015-16.

27th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made in establishing the Single Source Regulations Office; what budget has been set for the first year of operation of that office; and what estimate he has made of the number of contracts it will consider in financial year 2014-15.

Considerable progress has been made in establishing the Single Source Regulations Office (SSRO) as the regulator for the new single source procurement framework. The Chair of the new body was formally appointed in May 2014 and non-executive directors were appointed in October. The SSRO held its first Board meeting on 13 October. The new body is in the process of recruiting staff, establishing its new offices in Finlaison House, and setting up its processes and IT systems. It has also been consulting closely with key stakeholders in industry and in Government over its role as the independent regulator. The SSRO issued its first newsletter in mid-November highlighting progress already made and its plans over the next few months. This is available on the gov.uk website.

The budget for the SSRO in the financial year 2014-2015 has been set at £2.9 million.

Secondary legislation to enable the new single source procurement framework is currently being considered by Parliament, having been laid at the end of October. In order to facilitate the implementation of the new framework, when it comes into force, it will initially only cover new qualifying defence contracts with a value of £500 million or more with this threshold falling to new qualifying defence contracts with a value of £5 million or more as from the end of March 2015 onwards. We therefore estimate that this higher initial threshold will only affect a handful of new contracts (and related subcontracts) signed before the end of March 2015.

27th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2014 to Question 209332, by what mechanisms his Department assesses the effectiveness of its communications to industry of its future requirements.

The membership and structure of the Defence Suppliers Forum (DSF) and its respective sub-committees are kept under review to ensure it is representative of the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) suppliers. Feedback from industry indicates that it continues to represent a valuable mechanism for engaging with the MOD on current and future priorities and requirements.

In addition the Industry days organised by the Department and/or domains are usually based on business cases that state the objectives and benefits of the event and which require evaluation of success. Some examples of key outcomes of an event include an increase in industry awareness of the aims and developments of the procurement strategy, an increase in MOD understanding of the key themes and issues faced by industry, and the early identification of potential risks to the strategy. The success of the event is then evaluated both in terms of the level of interest expressed by industry in the event, and the level of understanding and buy-in determined through a simple event questionnaire.

The MOD monitors the number of supplier and buyer enquires received via the Defence Contracts Online Portal. The latest available figures show that between January and July 2014, the total number of queries received was nearly 3,500. During this period, nearly 1,200 tender and contract notices were advertised on the portal.