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100100

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The Department has made no systematic assessment of the effect of the precautionary principle on scientific innovation in the UK.</p><p> </p>

100107

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>This Government is committed to a competitive tax regime and has introduced a range of measures to reduce the burden of National Insurance Contributions (NICs), as part of our long term economic plan to back business and create jobs.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Employment Allowance, introduced in April this year, means that around 450,000 employers– one third of all employers – are expected to be taken out of paying employer NICs altogether in 2014-15 and from April 2015, employer NICs for under 21 year olds will be abolished, helping to support jobs for almost 1.5 million young people currently in employment.</p><p> </p>

100108

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>There is no definition of a part-time entrepreneur within the Taxes Acts. In general, the tax system treats part-time entrepreneurs in the same way as full-time entrepreneurs, and there are no plans to change this.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>

100123

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>All public sector spectrum users are subject to Administered Incentive Pricing (AIP) which serves to encourage spectrum to be used efficiently or released to other uses. This charge is set by HM Treasury with advice from Ofcom and the DCMS.</p>

100150

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The Department for Education is committed to recruiting high-quality graduates into teaching. The latest data published by UCAS on 25 September 2014 in its ‘UCAS Teacher Training statistical releases’[1], indicates that there will be an increase in computing trainees commencing initial teacher training (ITT) this year, although this will not be certain until the 2014/15 ITT census is published.</p><p>For computing trainees starting their training in 2015/16, we have increased bursaries to up to £25,000 tax-free. We are also funding a prestigious scholarship scheme for computing trainees worth £25,000 tax-free and offering a range of professional benefits. Additional funding has also been made available to schools offering School Direct (salaried) places in computing to boost starting salaries; computing trainees will be able to earn over £21,000 nationally and £25,000 in inner London.</p><p>There are a range of other incentives in place to attract high quality computing trainees into the teaching profession, including:</p><ol><li>The delivery of a targeted marketing campaign to encourage high-quality computing graduates and potential career changers to consider a career in teaching.</li><li>The offering of tailored support for graduates and career changers interested in teaching computing, including access to a School Experience Programme.</li><li>Funding of computing subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) programmes, which prepare applicants for teacher training by building up or refreshing their existing knowledge. 31% of computing applicants who accepted an ITT place for 2013/14 accessed a SKE course.</li></ol><p>[1] <a href="http://www.ucas.com/data-analysis/ucas-teacher-training-statistical-releases" target="_blank">www.ucas.com/data-analysis/ucas-teacher-training-statistical-releases</a></p>

100253

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The assessment of the noise impact of the trial will be made by Heathrow Airport Ltd in consultation with NATS.</p>

100664

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>Net migration statistics are produced by the independent Office for National Statistics (ONS). In line with the internationally agreed UN definition, these statistics define a migrant as someone changing their normal place of residence for more than a year. This includes students in net migration in the same way as other migrants. Other countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand also include students in their net migration figures. <br><br>Net migration measures the difference between the number of peoplecoming the UK and the number leaving, so if students return home after<br>their studies, their impact on long-term net migration will be minimal. The ONS has recently improved its methodology so that it is possible to<br>better identify students in the emigration flows to give a more accurate measure of the contribution of students to overall net migration.In the last year, 124,000 non-EU students came to Britain to stay for more than 12 months, and the ONS estimates that only 50,000 left the country. <br><br>All migrants who are in the UK for 12 months or more have an impact on our communities, infrastructure and public services. Changing the way we measure migration would not make any difference to our student migration policy. There is no cap on the number of students who can come to the UK, and the county remains open to the brightest and the best.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>

100672

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The last published cost for changing the cap on entrepreneurs' tax relief related to increasing the lifetime limit from £5m of qualifying gains to £10m. This is available in the full Budget 2011 document at the following address on page 42 in table 2.1 of the report.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130129110402/http:/www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget.htm" target="_blank">http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130129110402/http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget.htm</a></p>

101048

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>Supporting businesses and helping them to invest, create jobs and to grow is a key part of the Government’s long term economic plan. Since 2010 we have already cut Corporation Tax (CT) from 28% to 21%, and next year it will fall to 20% - the joint lowest rate in the G20. The Government has also cut the small profits rate to 20%. Overall these CT cuts for large and small firms will be worth £9.5bn a year to business by 2016.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>HM Treasury has not estimated the number of jobs reshored.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We will continue to work to ensure that the tax system in the UK remains competitive and enables us to attract business investment.</p><p> </p>

101106

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The following table provides the number of science (by separate science subject), technology, engineering and mathematics teachers in service in publicly funded secondary schools in England in November of each year from 2011 to 2013: [1], [2]</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Subject [3]</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2011</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2012</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2013</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Physics</p></td><td><p>5,900</p></td><td><p>6,000</p></td><td><p>6,200</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Chemistry</p></td><td><p>6,900</p></td><td><p>7,200</p></td><td><p>7,400</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Biology</p></td><td><p>8,500</p></td><td><p>8,700</p></td><td><p>8,800</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Combined/General Science</p></td><td><p>34,700</p></td><td><p>32,700</p></td><td><p>32,900</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Other Sciences</p></td><td><p>2,800</p></td><td><p>2,400</p></td><td><p>2,400</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Technology</p></td><td><p>14,800</p></td><td><p>13,800</p></td><td><p>13,400</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Engineering</p></td><td><p>1,600</p></td><td><p>1,500</p></td><td><p>1,500</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Mathematics</p></td><td><p>35,200</p></td><td><p>32,800</p></td><td><p>33,300</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"><p><em>Source: School Workforce Census</em></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>[1] Figures are based on a large sample of over 70% of secondary schools.</p><p>[2] Figures are rounded to the nearest 100.</p><p>[3] Each teacher is counted once under each subject they teach.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Information for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a matter for the respective devolved administrations.</p><p> </p>

101117

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>We have worked with Energy UK, Ofgem, suppliers and other key industry partners to develop and implement proposals which will enable domestic customers to switch supplier 17 days, half the time it currently takes. The industry code changes to enable to this will come in to force on 6 November and Energy UK members have all committed to offering it by the end of the year. These code changes will also enable more streamlined switching of non-domestic customers.</p><p>The Department is also working with Ofgem to support their proposals for a longer term move to next day switching. A key element of this is the roll out of smart meters.</p>

41989

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p> We know that open data is of huge value to the economy. It is difficult to cite an exact figure for the net benefit of data.gov.uk. </p><p /> <p>A recent <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/198905/bis-13-743-market-assessment-of-public-sector-information.pdf" target="_blank">Deloitte report</a>, available at LINK, cited £1.8bn of direct benefit and £6.8bn of indirect benefit to the UK economy from the use of open data, although this also includes data that is not government data. </p><p> </p><p> </p>

43527

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>As part of the reforms to the national curriculum, the Department for Education is strengthening the teaching of computing in schools by replacing information and communications technology with computing. The new programmes of study for computing, which will be taught in maintained schools from September 2014, have a much greater emphasis on computer science. For example, pupils at key stage 1 will be taught to create and debug simple programs and key stage 3 pupils will be taught to use two or more programming languages.</p><p>We also working with exam boards and sector experts to review the computer science GCSE and A level so that they reflect and build upon the changes made to the curriculum. The inclusion of computer science in the English Baccalaureate will provide further encouragement for pupils to take up the subject at GCSE level. We are also providing funding for several projects to help teachers acquire the necessary subject knowledge and skills to teach the new computing curriculum.</p><p>We are funding the British Computer Society to build a network of 400 ‘Master Teachers', create online teach-yourself resources and deliver 800 in-school workshops to help primary school teachers improve their subject knowledge. A further £500,000 competitive match-funded scheme was announced on 4 February to support excellent computing teaching and lever additional investment and engagement from business.</p>

44643

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The UK has been recognised as the international leader in data transparency. During our Presidency of the G8 in 2013 we led Members to commit to publishing data openly by default as a matter of principle through the Open Data Charter.<br> <br> Departments are engaging the public and special interest groups about the most important data held by Government (whether old or new); publishing open data strategies and reporting to Parliament on progress on a quarterly basis.<br> <br> Those data sets that are judged to have the most significant economic and social impact we refer to as the National Information Infrastructure, and are our priority for making available and accessible.</p><p> </p>

44784

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) advises the Government on economic issues relating to migration.<br><br>On 1 July 2013 the MAC published a &quot;Report on the economic and labour market impacts of tier 1 entrepreneur and investor migrants to the UK&quot; which it had commissioned from the Migration Observatory. The report made a number of findings, although it concluded that it was too early to make a full assessment of the economic contribution of the two routes without further research. The report is available on the gov.uk website at:<br><br><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/economic-and-labour-market-impacts-tier-1-entrepreneur-and-investor-migrants" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/economic-and-labour-market-impacts-tier-1-entrepreneur-and-investor-migrants</a><br><br>More recently, on 25 February 2014 the MAC published its own report, &quot;Tier 1 (Investor) route: investment thresholds and economic benefits&quot; in response to a Government commission. The MAC concluded that the direct investment required by the route is of little or no benefit, but there is some benefit from indirect spending by investors and their families in the UK (although this is difficult to quantify). The report is available on the gov.uk website at:<br><br><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-investment-limits-and-economic-benefits-of-the-tier-1-investor-route-feb-2014" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-investment-limits-and-economic-benefits-of-the-tier-1-investor-route-feb-2014</a><br><br>The Government keeps all routes under review and is currently considering its response to the MAC's report on the Tier 1 (Investor) route.</p><p> </p>

45856

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The Sirius Programme, led by UK Trade and Investment, enables talented graduates with innovative start up ideas to start a business in the UK. Successful applicants receive support via a structured mentoring programme and participants requiring a visa, are able to access support through a dedicated visa route for the Sirius Programme. The current programme is a 2 year pilot - the first round was launched on 6 September 2013 and closed on 15 January 2014. A total of 1543 people applied.<br><br>A second round of the Sirius Programme will open shortly.</p>

45921

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>DFID's work on microfinance is integrated into broader financial sector development programmes that work to strengthen policy and regulation, build infrastructure and innovate new products and services that meet the needs of poor people.</p><p>DFID monitors expenditure in terms of actual spend. Actual spend on the financial sector development portfolio totalled £50.9 million in 2010-11; £50.9m in 2011-2012 and £59.2m in 2012-2013. Cumulative spend between 2007 and 2012 totalled £282.0m.</p><p> </p>

46020

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>People are setting up and growing different types of businesses all the time. We continue to work hard to provide the right support to make life easier for them all.</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/" target="_blank">www.gov.uk</a> is the home for Government services and information online. One of the tools available is the 'Finance Finder;' a searchable database of publicly-backed sources of finance. The website <a href="http://www.greatbusiness.gov.uk/" target="_blank">www.greatbusiness.gov.uk</a> also provides support and advice for anyone trying to grow a business as well as for entrepreneurs starting out.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to on-line support, the Business Support Helpline is available to provide a quick response on queries about starting a business, or a personalised and in-depth advice service for more complex needs. For those looking for start up finance and advice there are Start-Up Loans: 7 loans worth a total of £37,000 have been drawn down in Windsor since the scheme began in 2012.</p>

47135

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p> </p><p>DCMS is responsible for the policy that supports the growth of domestic and international tourism, working in partnership with other Government Departments and our Arms-Length Bodies, VisitBritain and VisitEngland. Between 2011 and 2015, Government is investing more than £105m in tourism through the GREAT and other international campaigns. Investment to date is showing positive results. 2013 was a record year for inbound tourism with 32.9 million international visits being made which generated a record £21 billion into the UK in 2013.</p><p>In terms of Berkshire specifically, VisitBritain's public-facing website includes a range of tourism information relating to Windsor which is available via the following link: <a href="http://www.visitbritain.com/en/Destinations-and-Maps/History-and-heritage/Windsor.htm" target="_blank">http://www.visitbritain.com/en/Destinations-and-Maps/History-and-heritage/Windsor.htm</a>. VisitBritain's ‘Heritage is GREAT' advertising campaign also prominently featured Highclere Castle, which is the setting for Downton Abbey.</p><p>The South East region will benefit from a number of thematic campaigns currently being run by VisitEngland which can be found at <a href="http://www.visitengland.com/" target="_blank">http://www.visitengland.com/</a>. It will also benefit from VisitEngland's Holidays at Home are GREAT campaign, which has been broadcast on mainstream terrestrial channels since 1 April, while those areas in the South East region affected by the recent floods are also benefitting from both VisitEngland's ‘Spot on England' marketing campaign and business support events.</p>

47166

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p><strong>The Current Account Switching Service launched in September of last year, and has had a very positive impact. Early signs are positive, with switching numbers in Q4 of 2013 up by 17 per cent compared to Q4 of the previous year. </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>The Financial Conduct Authority will carry out a review in September of this year into the effectiveness of the Current Account Switching Service. This will include an assessment of the effect the introduction of seven day account switching has had on the number of people changing bank account provider. </strong></p><p> </p>

47167

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>Treasury Ministers regularly meet with the Office of Tax Simplification and other parts of Treasury group as part of normal departmental and Government business. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings and discussions<em>.</em></p><p> </p><p>Details of Ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at:</p><p><a href="http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm" target="_blank">http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm</a>.</p><p> </p>

47195

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The £200 million Forces Help to Buy scheme commenced on 1 April 2014, meaning that Servicemen and women can now borrow up to 50% of their salary, up to a maximum of £25,000, interest-free, providing a boost to those needing to find a deposit to buy their own home.</p><p> </p><p>To assist the transition of serving personnel to civilian life, the MOD offers a wide-ranging resettlement programme which includes a briefing by the Joint Services Housing Advice Office. This offers advice and information about a range of topics that armed forces personnel may find useful relating to an individual's housing needs before they leave the armed forces.</p><p> </p><p>Once a person leaves service, any need for social housing becomes a local authority matter. The MOD is working closely with the Department for Communities and Local Government to ensure the fair treatment of service families in need of social housing and ensure they are given proper priority on housing waiting lists.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises that there is more that can be done to provide practical support to our veterans and their families in this area. In February I announced LIBOR funding of £40 million to support charities which assist veterans with housing needs in order to build new homes, buy new accommodation and renovate old facilities. Projects are expected to include hostels and half-way houses for veterans who have fallen on hard times, supported housing for the wounded, injured and sick, and long-term care homes.</p><p> </p>

47349

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p> </p><p>The programme to increase passenger capacity on the Windsor to Waterloo railway by 25% is now under way and will be completed in early 2015. 60 additional carriages are being incorporated into an extended and refurbished fleet of trains to operate as a maximum 10 carriage train length. The first additional vehicles are now in service. From May 2014, platform 20 of the former Waterloo International station will be brought into use for scheduled services. Construction of Crossrail is now half completed and electrification of the Great Western Main Line is also under way; the Slough to Windsor &amp; Eton Central line will be electrified by 2019. The Highways Agency is welcoming preliminary comments on the M4 Smart Motorway scheme between Junction 3 (Hayes) and Junction 12 (Theale) until the end of April 2014, and will conduct a formal public consultation on the scheme in the autumn. Subject to development consent and the final business case, construction could start in spring 2016.</p>

47897

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>UK Export Finance can provide support for intangibles, such as software licenses, where they are provided in connection with goods or services. As far as the supply of intangibles by themselves are concerned, UK Export Finance has initiated a public consultation on proposals to widen its powers under its enabling legislation, the Export and Investment Guarantees Act 1991 (as amended). These proposals include giving UK Export Finance the ability to support exports of intangible goods such as intellectual property rights by themselves. If, having regard to the responses to that consultation, it is deemed to implement these proposals, they will form part of a Bill that will be introduced in the next session of Parliament.</p>

48012

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>DFID is supporting projects that use satellite data. DFID supports the World Agroforestry Centre to use data to help monitor and assess agriculture land use and environmental risks including land degradation. DFID contributes to the UK Environment Observations Framework Coordinating Climate Observations Group which coordinates Her Majesty's Government activities supporting the development and use of climate data, including from satellites.</p>

48050

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p>The majority of winter fuel payments are sent out automatically. However, people can simply return their winter fuel payment to the office that issues it. They can also write to the Department requesting not to receive a winter fuel payment for future years, either in advance of first getting a payment, or after they have received one or more payments.</p><p> </p><p>Anyone aged 75 or over is entitled to a free TV Licence for their main address. The free licence is not issued automatically and needs to be applied for. Once issued, licences are renewed automatically every year unless the customer does not have a National Insurance Number in which case TV Licensing will contact them to confirm their circumstances have not changed each year. An over 75 licence can be cancelled at any time and a paid-for licence requested.</p><p> </p><p>The concessionary travel benefit is optional. An eligible person can choose not to take up the entitlement. The National Travel Survey 2011 shows that in GB, 79 per cent of people eligible for an older persons' bus pass held one.</p>

48730

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>People of all ages and experiences are setting up and growing businesses all the time. We continue to work hard to provide the right support to make life easier for them all.</p><p> </p><p>www.gov.uk is the home for Government services and information online. One of the tools available is the 'Business Finance and Support Finder;' a source of government backed support and finance for business. The website www.greatbusiness.gov.uk also provides support and advice for anyone trying to grow a business as well as for entrepreneurs starting out.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to on-line support, the Business Support Helpline is available to provide a quick response on queries about starting a business, or a personalised and in-depth advice service for more complex needs. For those looking for start-up finance and advice there are Start-Up Loans: 7 loans worth a total of £37,000 have been drawn down in Windsor since the scheme began in 2012.</p>

48776

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>Officials have consulted Ofcom who hold such information. Ofcom advise that they do not hold such information for bands below 87.5MHz, but have provided information for bands from 87.5MHz-30GHz.</p><p> </p><p>Ofcom has identified the proportion of spectrum accessed for public sector uses (not limited to the military), defined as all spectrum bands used by the public sector with Crown immunity (i.e. without need for authorisation by Ofcom). For the purpose of this analysis, this category includes all aeronautical uses of spectrum.</p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td><p>Crown use of spectrum as a % of total weighted spectrum</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>87.5 MHz</p></td><td><p>30 GHz</p></td><td><p>54%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>26% of the total weighted spectrum in the 87.5MHz to 30 GHz is allocated for radiolocation services/radar.</p><p> </p><p>Ofcom cannot provide specific information with regards to spectrum in use for public service broadcasting as the national allocation of frequencies does not distinguish between public service broadcasting and non-public service broadcasting. The table below provides information with regards to the proportion of total weighted spectrum in use for terrestrial broadcasting, split into TV and radio.</p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td><p>Terrestrial broadcasting spectrum as a % of total weighted spectrum</p></td><td><p>TV</p></td><td><p>Radio</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>87.5 MHz</p></td><td><p>30 GHz</p></td><td><p>8%</p></td><td><p>7%</p></td><td><p>1%</p></td></tr></tbody></table>

48778

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p> </p><p>Officials have consulted Ofcom who hold such information. Ofcom advise that they do not hold such information for bands below 87.5MHz (as frequencies above this are considered to be the most important and usable), but have provided information for bands from 87.5MHz-30GHz.</p><p> </p><p>The table provides an overview of the proportion of total weighted spectrum accessed for market uses by band.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Lower frequency</p></td><td><p>Upper frequency</p></td><td><p>Spectrum authorised for Market uses as a % of total weighted spectrum</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>87.5 MHz</p></td><td><p>328.6 MHz</p></td><td><p>47%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>328.6 MHz</p></td><td><p>3.1 GHz</p></td><td><p>73%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>3.1 GHz</p></td><td><p>30 GHz</p></td><td><p>80%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Public Sector Spectrum Release Programme aims to release 500MHz of sub-5GHz spectrum from public sector use by 2020. The most recent Programme update can be found on the GOV.UK website: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spectrum-strategy" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spectrum-strategy</a></p><p> </p>

48811

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p> </p><p>Further to my answer to the hon. Member for Windsor on Monday, 24 February 2014, Official Report column 83W, the Environment Agency is continuing to work with partners to develop the River Thames Scheme (Datchet to Teddington). This includes flood channel capacity improvements, property level protection measures and the construction of three new channels.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Preparatory work, which is under way, includes establishing appropriate consents and approval needed with planning authorities, undertaking surveys needed to gain consents, and the development of a funding package with other risk management authorities. The Environment Agency is planning to submit its Strategic Outline Case for this project to Defra as part of the HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office's Major Projects Authority approvals process.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency aims to start the work on improving weir capacity in 2016.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Full appraisal and outline design of the flood channel and capacity improvements will commence this summer. It is expected that this will take three to four years to enable the proposal for the new flood channels to be submitted for planning consents and authorisations. It is estimated that the construction of the flood channel will commence in 2020 and will take five to six years to complete.</p><p> </p>

49058

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p><strong>At Budget 2014 the government announced it will implement Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) recommendations to simplify the taxation of employee benefits and expenses, employee share schemes, and partnerships. It will also simplify National Insurance contributions (NICs) for the self-employed by collecting class 2 NICs through Self Assessment from April 2016, as recommended by the OTS. </strong></p>

50009

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>Treasury Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the Home Office on a wide variety of topics as part of the process of policy development and delivery.</p>

50010

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>There is no register containing every business in the UK. The Companies House register provides information on a subset of businesses required to file information with the registrar of companies; for example, those businesses that incorporate as companies or limited liability partnerships or register as limited partnerships. Not all of the companies that register with Companies House are businesses or go on to becomeactively tradingbusinesses.</p><p> </p><p>Companies House statistics show that in the years in question the following numbers of companies were registered (a) online and (b) offline:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2010/11</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2011/12</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2012/13</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Online </strong></p></td><td><p>366,051</p></td><td><p>437,441</p></td><td><p>470,800</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Offline</strong></p></td><td><p>34,504</p></td><td><p>18,208</p></td><td><p>11,995</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p>400,555</p></td><td><p>455,649</p></td><td><p>482,795</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p>

50011

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>Government is aware of the need to put more spectrum into the market to support innovation and growth and launched the Public Sector Spectrum Release Programme in 2011. This programme aims to release 500MHz of sub-5GHz spectrum from public sector use by 2020. One of the early actions was to gauge stakeholder demand at a series of events. The most recent Programme update was published on 10 March 2014. On the same day Government published the UK Spectrum Strategy which sets out a vision for efficient and flexible spectrum management, with specific actions and the goal of doubling the contribution of spectrum use to the economy by 2025. Both documents can be found on the GOV.UK website: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spectrum-strategy" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spectrum-strategy</a></p>

50012

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p> </p><p>Defra has funded a number of studies to investigate the potential for the absorption of contaminants by organisms that consume plastics. These studies are published in scientific literature. Defra is also currently conducting an analysis of the costs and benefits of the carrier bag charge, including on the marine environment.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) has been monitoring seabed litter since 1992 through fisheries stock assessments and marine litter surveys.</p><p> </p>

50013

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p> </p><p>The Home Office has had meetings with a number of immigration law firms who <br>represent Tier 1 (Investor) clients in which these issues have been raised. <br>The firms consider that removing the requirement to top up investments, and <br>extending the list of qualifying investments, would attract more investors to <br>the UK and encourage investments which would lead to greater returns.<br><br>The Government is currently considering its response to the report on the Tier <br>1 (Investor) route published by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) on 25 <br>February 2014, which made recommendations on these issues. We will announce <br>our decisions in due course.</p><p> </p>

50014

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p> </p><p>The Home Office has had meetings with a number of immigration law firms who <br>represent Tier 1 (Investor) clients in which these issues have been raised. <br>The firms consider that removing the requirement to top up investments, and <br>extending the list of qualifying investments, would attract more investors to <br>the UK and encourage investments which would lead to greater returns.<br><br>The Government is currently considering its response to the report on the Tier <br>1 (Investor) route published by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) on 25 <br>February 2014, which made recommendations on these issues. We will announce <br>our decisions in due course.</p><p> </p>

61450

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p> </p><p>The assessment of the impact the scope of the Flood Re Scheme will have was done at a UK level. There was no specific assessment for individual constituencies or regions.</p><p> </p>

61451

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The Government recognises the value of the census but I have long said that it is outdated in its current form and could be more effectively and more cheaply delivered. Decisions about its future will be announced in the usual way, but the Government agrees with the conclusion of the Public Affairs Select Committee that the census needs to change.</p><p> </p>

61452

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The UK Space Agency (UKSA) was created in April 2011 to lead and foster the growing UK space sector. It does so through funding and delivery of civil space projects and downstream space related activities, developing space policy including advice to Ministers and regulating UK space activities to meet international obligations.</p><p>The UKSA formally tests its performance against such objectives in a number ways and includes amongst these a measure of its effectiveness in promoting the UK space industry. This is primarily through an independent bi-annual “Size and Health” survey of the UK industrial sector which assesses the growth of the UK space economy. The Agency also monitors contracts that flow back to UK industry from Agency-targeted subscriptions to the European Space Agency as well as monitoring where Agency-supported research and development work has positioned UK industry for success in future operational contracts. More recently the Agency has extended its role in actively supporting and promoting UK industrial exports of both satellite and emerging space-related data services.</p><p>All objective measures from these activities point to a growing success story for our space industry. Indeed it is one of our economy's fastest growing sectors, with an average growth rate of almost 7.5%, and it has ambitions to increase its annual turnover to £40 billion by 2030. The role of the Agency in this development is significant and it has developed close relationships with industry.</p><p>The Size and Health survey due to be published in autumn 2014 is expected to show that the Space Economy has continued to grow between 2011 and 2013.</p><p>Its coordination of a business-driven industrial space policy has provided leadership for the UK industrial community (acknowledged by the UK space Innovation and Growth Strategy published in 2013) and this has been recognised by the Parliamentary Select Committee report into the UKSA which was published in October 2013.</p><p>The Agency serves as an effective platform to raise awareness of the successes of the UK space sector. BIS and Agency officials continue to evaluate its success in promoting that work using Government Communications Service best practice.</p><p>A further key measure of success is the increasing number of overseas space companies choosing to invest in the UK and so growing the UK's wider space capability and economic development.</p>

61453

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p /> <p /> <p>In the financial year April 2013 – March 2014 DWP supported 4066 disabled customers who are registered as self employed through the Access to Work programme. Of which 57 customers were also from The New Enterprise Allowance programme.</p><p> </p>

61454

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The return on investment delivered by the UK Space Agency (UKSA) is subject to biennial assessment as part of the Agency survey of the size and health of the space industry. Results of the 2014 survey are due to be published in the autumn of 2014, though I hope to be in a position to announce headline figures such as turnover and employment numbers at the Farnborough Airshow in July 2014.</p><p>The European Space Agency (ESA) is the primary route for Government R&amp;D space investment. Several economic analyses of investment impact have been undertaken, drawn together in BIS Economics Paper No3 . The Agency's biennial survey of the size and health of the UK space industry has shown growth from £3.4Bn turnover in 1999/2000 to £9.5Bn in 2011, reflecting the results of sustained investment as well as the growth of the market.</p><p>UKSA investment through the European Space Agency (ESA) in the last five years is as follows:</p><p>2009/10: £242.8m</p><p>2010/11: £231.1m</p><p>2011/12: £232.0m</p><p>2012/13: £207.6m</p><p>2013/14: £267.5m</p><p>In addition, national expenditure averaging £20M a year has been invested within the UK to build and operate scientific instruments carried on ESA spacecraft. The funding to ESA has been used to contribute to missions and technology in the fields of space science and exploration, Earth observation for science and applications, telecommunications and broadband delivery, access to microgravity facilities for life and physical sciences, space weather, navigation technologies, human spaceflight and weather monitoring. As well as resulting expenditure in the UK due to the <em>juste retour</em> principle, wider benefits have accrued in economic growth; new scientific knowledge and improved delivery of public services.</p>

61455

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p> </p><p>The Government is committed to reintroducing exit checks. By April 2015, comprehensive exit checks will apply on scheduled and commercial air, sea and rail routes. <br><br>We have recently introduced new powers in the Immigration Act 2014 to support embarkation checks at the border, and we continue to work with carriers and port operators to explore the least burdensome way of delivering the exit checks commitment.</p><p> </p>

61456

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.</p><p> </p>

63174

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.</p><p> </p>

63176

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The Government announced Digital and IT savings of £0.3bn for 2010-11, £0.2bn for 2011-12, and £0.5 bn for 2012-13, against a 2009-10 baseline.</p><p>We don't hold full details of the discrete savings made by departments in digitising their data records.</p><p> </p>

63203

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The Enterprising Libraries programme, a £1.2 million partnership between Arts Council England, the British Library and the Department for Communities and Local Government, is supporting local economic growth by turning libraries into spaces for the development of business ideas, providing coaching, advice, meeting spaces and IT support for local businesses and entrepreneurs. Currently sixteen public libraries in England are actively engaged in the programme and receiving financial support.</p><p>Other specific initiatives being delivered through public libraries includes the Access to Research service. This two year pilot commenced in January 2014 and provides a free service enabling local libraries to provide users with access to a wealth of research, including business information. In addition, library authorities are developing business resources to meet local needs. Staffordshire for example has introduced Start2, a service that is available in all public libraries across the county and has trained staff offering information and signposting on all aspects of looking for and finding work, including providing a starting point for entrepreneurs who want to start their own business and small enterprises looking to expand by signposting them to relevant sources of information or specialist organisations.</p>

63204

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>I can confirm that the Berkshire broadband project was allocated £2.03m, which was matched by the Berkshire councils, the project signed its supplier contract on 04 October 2013 and is proposing to make available superfast broadband to over 17,000 premises that would not otherwise have got it.</p><p> </p><p>Ofcom monitors and reports on broadband and the table is of Next Generation Access availability across Berkshire between 2012 and 2013:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Local Authorities</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2012</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2013</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>BRACKNELL FOREST</p></td><td><p>76.8%</p></td><td><p>96.2%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>READING</p></td><td><p>92.9%</p></td><td><p>95.0%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>SLOUGH</p></td><td><p>91.7%</p></td><td><p>96.6%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>WEST BERKSHIRE</p></td><td><p>59.5%</p></td><td><p>65.1%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>WINDSOR AND MAIDENHEAD</p></td><td><p>83.1%</p></td><td><p>89.7%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>WOKINGHAM</p></td><td><p>87.3%</p></td><td><p>92.5%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Berkshire</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>81.7%</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>88.5%</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table>

63227

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>The Department for Education publishes pupil results at the end of key stage 4, which signals the end of compulsory education. Information on the key stage 4 results of pupils by admission basis and school type is published in the “GCSE and equivalent results in England, 2012 to 2013 (revised)”[1] Statistical First Release. The relevant tables have been placed in the House Library.</p><p> </p><p>[1]<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2012-to-2013-revised" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2012-to-2013-revised</a> (National tables: SFR01/2014 document, Table 3a and b)</p>

64638

	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	answer	answer answer text <p>There is no register covering all businesses in the UK. The Registrar of Companies registers a subset of businesses and provides online registration for those businesses that register as companies or limited liability partnerships. HMRC registers sole traders for tax purposes.</p><p>Online incorporation via software filing agents was introduced in July 2001, followed in April 2010 by the launch of the Citizen Incorporation service via Companies House Webfiling. The number of companies on the register has almost doubled, from 1.66 million at the end of March 2001 to 3.25 million at March 2014. In the financial year 2013/14, 98% of all new companies were incorporated electronically.</p><p>Companies House has carried out several studies to identify the main factors contributing to the increasing trend for company incorporations. This is attributed to a number of combined factors, such as the benefits of limited liability, changes to tax legislation and developments in the wider UK economy. There is no indication that the electronic enablement of company registration in itself has acted as a direct driver for the increase in new company registration rates, as just one of the methods the Government has used to help reduce the burden on business and the costs of running a company. This in turn has helped to make the UK one of the best places to set up and run a company.</p><p>Electronic services have also enabled Companies House to absorb the significant additional workload resulting from the growing register, make organisational efficiency savings and pass these efficiencies on to customers in the form of lower fees. For incorporation, the UK charges some of the lowest fees in the World.</p>