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.<\/p>
The budget for the SSRO in the financial year 2014-2015 has been set at £2.9 million.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1542", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Philip Dunne"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ludlow"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Philip Dunne"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-12-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-12-03T16:45:35.32Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Single Source Regulations Office"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/268", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Peter Luff"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Worcestershire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Peter Luff"} ], "uin" : "216326"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/166542", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/166542/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1542", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Philip Dunne"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ludlow"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Philip Dunne"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-12-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-12-02T17:51:03.28Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Defence: Procurement"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/268", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Peter Luff"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Worcestershire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Peter Luff"} ], "uin" : "216299"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/166605", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Women and Equalities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/166605/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
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.<\/p>
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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.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Swinson"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Dunbartonshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jo Swinson"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-12-04T11:35:11.16Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "31"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Women and Equalities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Women and Equalities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Science: Females"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/268", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Peter Luff"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Worcestershire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Peter Luff"} ], "uin" : "216327"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/164365", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/164365/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government is committed to reforming progression pay in the National Health Service to ensure that the system is fair, consistent and sustainable.<\/p>
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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.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
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All of these eligible staff will receive at least a 1% increase.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
Two thirds of those staff are eligible for at least 3%, which is the average incremental increase. This is around 410,000 staff (headcount).<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3932", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Dan Poulter"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Suffolk and North Ipswich"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Daniel Poulter"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-27T16:42:27.31Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "NHS: Pay"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/268", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Peter Luff"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Worcestershire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Peter Luff"} ], "uin" : "215716"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/164373", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/164373/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
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.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
Just over 50% of staff are eligible for incremental pay progression subject to satisfactory performance, which averages a 3% rise.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
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.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3932", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Dan Poulter"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Suffolk and North Ipswich"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Daniel Poulter"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-12-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-12-01T17:11:00.333Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "NHS: Pay"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/268", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Peter Luff"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Worcestershire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Peter Luff"} ], "uin" : "215693"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 5, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }