Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will extend the provision of post-ITT Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses for chemistry teachers.
Answered by David Laws
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.
Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
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.
Answered by John Hayes
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.
Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
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.
Answered by John Hayes
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.
Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will increase the funding available for bursaries for chemistry Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses.
Answered by David Laws
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.
Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) pre-ITT and (b) post-ITT Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses were taken in (i) chemistry, (ii) biology and (iii) physics in the last five years.
Answered by David Laws
The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) (and its predecessor) have not allocated places or funding to support Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) for the subject of biology meaning only physics and chemistry can be reported on.
Although the academic year 2013/14 has now concluded, the recruitment data for this period will not be collected until November 2014. The table at Figure 1. below is, therefore, limited to recruitment data supplied by SKE providers for each of the four academic years prior to the academic year 2013/14. Furthermore, funding for post-ITT SKE only began in the academic year 2011/12 and so is not applicable to academic years 2009/10 or 2010/11.
Fig. 1 Pre and post ITT recruitment from the academic year 2009/10 to the academic year 2012/13 in SKE for physics and chemistry.
Academic Year | Physics | Chemistry | ||
Pre-ITT | Post-ITT | Pre-ITT | Post-ITT | |
2012/13 | 437 | 253 | 474 | 159 |
2011/12 | 509 | 139 | 574 | 87 |
2010/11 | 590 | N/A | 522 | N/A |
2009/10 | 673 | N/A | 577 | N/A |
Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
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.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
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.
Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
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.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
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.
Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
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.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
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.
Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
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.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
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.
Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
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.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
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.