Asked by: Chris Ruane (Labour - Vale of Clwyd)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department has taken to improve social mobility in each of the last seven years.
Answered by Elizabeth Truss
Improving social mobility is at the heart of the government’s ambition to make Britain a country that works for everyone. A strong economy means there are more job opportunities and that wages are higher, both of which are vital to improve social mobility. The Autumn Budget committed to tackling poverty, improving skills, and ensuring that every generation can look forward to a better standard of living than the one before.
Since 2010 there are 600,000 fewer people, including 200,000 fewer children, in absolute poverty (before housing costs), and employment has risen to near record levels in the UK, accounting for the bulk of GDP growth over the last seven years. The Autumn Budget announced further action to raise living standards by increasing the National Living Wage and to make progress on delivering the manifesto commitment to raise the personal allowance to £12,500. Furthermore, the Budget announced £406m of investment in skills, with a focus of mathematics and digital skills, thereby helping people obtain the abilities they need to secure better paid and highly skilled jobs.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has estimated the economic cost to the entertainment sector after programme making and special events sector users no longer have access to the 700 MHz radio spectrum accounting for the funding proposed for that sector by Ofcom.
Answered by Matt Hancock
We recognise the importance of the Programme Makers and Special Events industry to the entertainment sector and the wider UK economy. We will be providing Government funded support to the PMSE industry through the 700MHz spectrum clearance programme, aimed at mitigating the impacts on the industry and enabling them to continue to provide high quality services to the entertainment industry after spectrum clearance.
Following Ofcom advice to Government, Ofcom consulted on a Help Scheme to provide support to the industry. We are awaiting Ofcom’s assessment of responses to this consultation and a decision on the level of support will be made once this has been taken into account.
To further mitigate impacts on the industry, and provide the possibility for future growth, Ofcom has also decided to allocate frequencies in the 960-1164MHz band for PMSE.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, when he plans to fill the role of trade envoy to South Africa.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We have a strong trade and investment relationship with South Africa and wide-ranging activities on the broader prosperity and inclusive growth agenda. South Africa is the UK’s third biggest Commonwealth trading partner; the UK’s largest export market in Africa; and the largest recipient of UK investment in Africa, some £13.75 billion in 2015, accounting for 45% of South Africa’s FDI.
An announcement on vacant Trade Envoy posts will be made in due course.
Asked by: Christopher Pincher (Independent - Tamworth)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she plans to take to encourage more women to work in the food and farming industries.
Answered by Elizabeth Truss
Our farming and food sector need to draw from the widest possible range of talents, including women. A record 2600 women are now leading farms and am I keen to build on this, which is why I championed women’s involvement in farming at a recent round table.
There was significant growth in the take-up of agriculture as a degree course last year and it is encouraging that so many people are seeing the potential of this exciting career. More women than ever before are taking agriculture-related courses, with women now accounting for 62% of enrolments.
Asked by: Adam Afriyie (Conservative - Windsor)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the contribution of (a) crowdfunding businesses, (b) peer-to-peer lending businesses and (c) big data businesses to the UK economy.
Answered by Anna Soubry
The state of equity investment in small businesses was assessed by the British Business Bank in March this year. Their report shows an overall increase in equity investment to small firms in each of the past four years, with both the number of deals and the total amount invested showing a clear upward trend. The contribution from crowdfunding has grown strongly since 2012. By the third quarter of 2014, deal numbers exceeded those of private equity, accounting for almost one-third of seed funding deals in the first half of 2014.
The Peer-to-Peer Finance Association publishes quarterly performance data, which show net new lending to small businesses of £91m in Q3 2015. According to NESTA, peer-to-peer lending in the UK grew at a rate of 250% annually between 2012 and 2014. The growth of the UK peer-to-peer lending sector has been facilitated by a responsive and flexible regulatory regime that recognises the importance of a competitive and diverse market for business finance.
The Centre for Economics and Business Research estimates that the big data market could benefit the UK economy by up to £216 billion between 2012 and 2017. Research by NESTA has also found that UK companies making greater use of online customer data are up to 13% more productive than their peers.
Asked by: Stephen McPartland (Conservative - Stevenage)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to encourage UK-based pharmaceutical companies to increase their contribution to global health research and development.
Answered by George Freeman
The UK life sciences sector, which includes pharmaceuticals, is one of the most productive in the world. The pharmaceuticals sector also remains the largest contributor to UK research and development, accounting for 22% of the total spend in 2013.
Since 2011, the Government has invested £2 billion in health and life science research, through the UK Research Councils, Innovate UK and the Department of Health’s research programme (National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)), leveraging over £3.5 billion of private sector investment, and making the UK the leading European destination for life science fundraising. Alongside, the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) has developed tools to help companies to deliver their research in the NHS to quality, time and target.
There has also been significant direct support to business including £232m of the £240m Biomedical Catalyst awarded to over 250 business and Higher Education Institutions, attracting £118m in industry match-funding and supporting fundamental research from discovery through to commercialisation to deliver patient benefit. The Regional Growth Fund and Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain provided over £92 million to 27 projects, leveraging a further £337 million. This funding has enabled companies from all parts of the life sciences sectors to invest in innovative research and development, and direct and indirect funding support for businesses and relevant wider infrastructure will continue to be available through successor public programmes.
The Small Business Research Initiative will continue to generate new business opportunities for companies, enabling the development of innovative products and services through the public procurement of research and development.
The Cell Therapy Catapult (CTC) Centre was set up to help translate promising scientific discoveries towards clinical impact for this new and emerging field. The CTC will be opening a world-leading manufacturing centre in Stevenage in 2017 to support companies to manufacture and supply Phase 3 clinical trials – important components of the research and development cycle.
Uptake and demand from the NHS for innovation complements industry investment in research and development in the UK by ensuring there is a market for new cost-effective products. The Accelerated Access review will make recommendations to Government by the end of this year, on accelerating access for NHS patients to cost-effective, innovative medicines and medical technologies.
The Early Access to Medicines Scheme (EAMS) provided a platform for drugs to be brought to patients at a much faster rate than ever before. Seven Promising Innovative Medicine (PIM) designations and the first early access Scientific Opinion were awarded in the first year. The Accelerated Access Review will include a review of the first year of EAMS.
Government has also introduced a series of measures through the taxation system to create the conditions for business growth and encourage business investment. These include R&D Tax Credits for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and relief for larger firms; The Patent Box; Enterprise Investment and Venture Capital Trust schemes as well as Entrepreneur’s Relief.
Asked by: Stephen O'Brien (Conservative - Eddisbury)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of industry rebate payments under the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) on improving patients' access to innovative medicines; and what estimate he has made of the additional number of innovative medicines prescribed as a result of those payments.
Answered by George Freeman
In England, Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) payments are taken into account in the allocations to NHS England through the Mandate. All the payments will go back into spending on improving patients’ health and care.
The NHS England budget for 2015-16 already takes account for money anticipated from higher than expected PPRS payments. The Mandate for 2015-16 has a set firm NHS England budget for 2015-16, which is £3billion (3%) higher than its budget for 2014-15. This increase takes into account a number of things, including additional funding for the National Health Service announced in the Autumn Statement and the fact that the PPRS payment in 2015-16 is now forecast to be higher than originally expected.
It will be up to NHS England how they split that overall budget between clinical commissioning groups, specialised commissioning etc. Following normal Government accounting rules there is no separately identified ring-fenced funding stream associated with the PPRS payment.
The PPRS helps all member companies to compete globally by providing stability in United Kingdom prices. It includes a number of initiatives to help speed uptake of medicines approved by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the NHS. Sales of new active substances launched on or after 1 January 2014 are exempt from payments though still included in the overall limit on growth and the payments made by industry as a whole. This recognises and rewards innovation.
Net sales growth from the first nine months of 2014 compared to 2013 was 5.9 per cent. This was higher than the agreed forecast growth of 3.87 per cent. and shows that patients are benefitting from greater access to branded medicines. Most companies have enjoyed growth in sales in 2014, with over 40 per cent. of companies having double-digit growth rates.
Asked by: Stephen O'Brien (Conservative - Eddisbury)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will ensure that all monies received from industry rebate payments under the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme are utilised for the prescribing of medicines by NHS England.
Answered by George Freeman
In England, Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) payments are taken into account in the allocations to NHS England through the Mandate. All the payments will go back into spending on improving patients’ health and care.
The NHS England budget for 2015-16 already takes account for money anticipated from higher than expected PPRS payments. The Mandate for 2015-16 has a set firm NHS England budget for 2015-16, which is £3billion (3%) higher than its budget for 2014-15. This increase takes into account a number of things, including additional funding for the National Health Service announced in the Autumn Statement and the fact that the PPRS payment in 2015-16 is now forecast to be higher than originally expected.
It will be up to NHS England how they split that overall budget between clinical commissioning groups, specialised commissioning etc. Following normal Government accounting rules there is no separately identified ring-fenced funding stream associated with the PPRS payment.
The PPRS helps all member companies to compete globally by providing stability in United Kingdom prices. It includes a number of initiatives to help speed uptake of medicines approved by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the NHS. Sales of new active substances launched on or after 1 January 2014 are exempt from payments though still included in the overall limit on growth and the payments made by industry as a whole. This recognises and rewards innovation.
Net sales growth from the first nine months of 2014 compared to 2013 was 5.9 per cent. This was higher than the agreed forecast growth of 3.87 per cent. and shows that patients are benefitting from greater access to branded medicines. Most companies have enjoyed growth in sales in 2014, with over 40 per cent. of companies having double-digit growth rates.
Asked by: Clive Efford (Labour - Eltham)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when his Department's non-executive directors met ministers or officials in his Department in the last two years; what the agenda of each meeting was; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Helen Grant
There have been 20 formal meetings between Non-Executive Board Members and ministers and officials in this period, the agendas for which are set out below. Any informal meetings are not recorded.
Departmental Board agenda items December 2012 to December 2014
26 March 2013
Permanent Secretary’s Update
Finance
DCMS 2013-16
Performance and Capability
16 May 2013
Permanent Secretary’s Update including update from Performance Review Group
Finance Update
Soft power’ and influencing internationally
Civil Service Reform: Capability & Capacity
Board effectiveness evaluation
15 July 2013
Permanent Secretary’s Update including update from Performance Review Group
Finance Update
DCMS & ALBs
Capacity and Prioritisation
Broadband
10 September 2013
Update from the Executive Board
Update from Performance Review Group
Finance Update
DCMS – working for growth
Internal Audit’s approach to DCMS and its ALBs
28 November 2013
Permanent Secretary’s Update
Update from Performance Review Group
Finance Update
The Value of Culture
15 January 2014
Permanent Secretary’s Update
Performance Report
Finance Update
Departmental Improvement Plan
Staff Engagement
24 March 2014
Permanent Secretary’s Update
Performance Report
Finance Update
Synergies between GEO and wider Departmental agenda
First World War commemorations – strategic risk management
14 May 2014
Permanent Secretary’s Update
Strategic Narrative
Board Effectiveness Review
Performance Report
Finance Update
ALB accountability
BDUK Overview
14 July 2014
Permanent Secretary’s Update
Performance Review, including Finance
Strategic Property Agenda
20 October 2014
Permanent Secretary’s Update
Performance Review, including Finance
Implications for DCMS of Scottish Referendum
Departmental Sub Board agenda items December 2012 to December 2014
The Departmental Sub Board was established in September 2014 to supplement the Departmental Board.
15 September 2014
Sub-Board Operating Framework
Permanent Secretary’s Update
Performance Review including Finance
People Strategy
Annual Stocktake
Audit and Risk Committee agenda items December 2012 to December 2014
December 2012
Scene setting
Government Equalities Office:
DCMS Group Accounts
NLDF / OLDF accounts
Internal Audit Report
Olympics
8 April 2013
Scene Setting
DCMS Group Accounts
OLDF/NLDF plans
Internal Audit
Olympics
11 June 2013
Scene Setting
Broadband Update
Spending Review – outcome for DCMS
Financial Statements
29 October 2013
Scene Setting
Broadband – Urban Vouchers
Governance Statement and year-end assurance
Consolidated Accounts for DCMS
NAO Report
Internal Audit Report
Fraud, error and debt
18 December 2013
Scene Setting
National Lottery Annual Assurance Review
ALB Risk Review
Issues arising from Consolidated Accounts for DCMS
NAO Report
Internal Audit Report
Liabilities that DCMS will inherit when ODA closes
Information assurance and system security
5 March 2014
Scene Setting
Consolidated Accounts for DCMS
NAO Report
Internal Audit Report
Preparedness for major ceremonials
Improvement programme
ALB new governance arrangements
ARC chair’s annual report to the Board and Accounting Officer
2 July 2014
Scene Setting
NLDF/OLDF Annual Report & Accounts
Group Annual Report & Accounts
NAO Report
Internal Audit Report
Changes to Corporate Services
Improvement Programme
ALB Governance Update
1 September 2014
Scene Setting
Group Annual Report & Accounts
Plans for 14-15 Annual Report & Accounts
NAO Report
Internal Audit Report
BDUK
Security Policy Framework
Embedding Good Government Debt Management
4 December 2014
Scene setting
Group Annual Report & Accounts
NAO Report
Internal Audit Report
Shared Services Update
Options for Legal Risk reporting to ARC
IT project update
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department plans to take to facilitate sustainable recovery in the construction industry.
Answered by Nick Boles
Returning the UK to sustainable and balanced growth is a key priority for Government. Construction has a central to play in that – accounting for 6.5% of GVA and employing around 3.1 million people.
We are therefore working with the industry to remove barriers to growth by improving the planning system and access to finance, and easing the burden of regulation.
On the demand side, we are stimulating the house building industry - in Autumn Statement 2013 my Rt Hon Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a £1bn extension of the Local Infrastructure Fund for large scale housing sites, to unlock around 250,000 homes over 6 years. We are also stimulating infrastructure development. The National Infrastructure Plan (NIP) sets a strategic vision for forthcoming infrastructure needs. It has identified a pipeline of over 500 projects costing around £250bn to 2015 and beyond.
On the supply side, we are working closely with the Construction Leadership Council to ensure that the industry is well placed to respond to growing markets, tackling issues such as skills, innovation, sustainability, productivity, efficiency and export performance.