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  • Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the incidence of traffic jams.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    This Government is investing £24 billion on strategic roads in England across this Parliament and the next six years. This includes £317 million, before April 2015, on Highways Agency pinch point schemes tackling congestion and supporting economic growth. We are also providing, before April 2015, £265 million from the Local Pinch Point Fund for 112 projects across England aimed at relieving congestion and supporting economic growth.

    In England, subject to approval, ‘Permit Schemes’ are available to local authorities in England so that anyone wanting to dig up the road must first apply for a permit to work. This provision gives authorities the power to better challenge how long those works take, to impose conditions, and to co-ordinate works. They can also charge ‘over-run’ charges to utility companies. The Department is also currently trialling Lane Rental in two highway authority areas, which enables them to charge for works taking place on the busiest roads at the busiest times.

    Outside of England, measures to reduce the incidence of traffic jams are a matter for the respective devolved administration.

  • Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of children in care in residential children’s homes who have been placed outside their local authority area.

    Mr Edward Timpson

    This information is available in Table A3 of ‘Children looked after in England, including adoption’ statistical first release: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption

    “

  • Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what meetings (a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have had with the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families since she took up her post.

    Mr Edward Timpson

    Since starting as the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families in September 2013, Isabelle Trowler has spoken at a wide range of events. In particular she has made presentations to and engaged in discussion with more than 2,500 social workers to support and challenge the profession and spoke at the National Fostering Association conference on 13 May 2014. Isabelle’s presentations are not published.

    As the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families, Isabelle provides independent expert advice to Ministers on social work reform. She meets my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, and other Ministers in the Department for Education frequently to discuss her ideas for social work reform and to provide policy advice.

  • Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will take steps to liaise with the Secretary of State for Health over publication of reports into historic child abuse.

    Mr Edward Timpson

    Officials from the Department for Education are already working closely with other relevant departments to ensure that there is a consistent approach to investigations into allegations of historical child abuse, including on the publication of reports.

  • Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what public speeches the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families has made since taking up her post; and where those speeches are published.

    Mr Edward Timpson

    Since starting as the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families in September 2013, Isabelle Trowler has spoken at a wide range of events. In particular she has made presentations to and engaged in discussion with more than 2,500 social workers to support and challenge the profession and spoke at the National Fostering Association conference on 13 May 2014. Isabelle’s presentations are not published.

    As the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families, Isabelle provides independent expert advice to Ministers on social work reform. She meets my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, and other Ministers in the Department for Education frequently to discuss her ideas for social work reform and to provide policy advice.

  • Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he has taken to speed up payments by public bodies and private concerns to small businesses; and what recent assessment he has made of average payment times.

    Matthew Hancock

    We announced further reforms to public procurement on 30 May to speed up payments by public bodies to small businesses. These include improvements to e-invoicing, procurement processes and greater powers for Ministers to investigate complaints raised by the Cabinet Office’s ‘mystery shopper scheme’.

    We have also announced new legislation that will require larger businesses to report on their payment performance and practices. Increasing transparency and driving openness is at the heart of building a more responsible payment culture that UK businesses need to thrive.

    Recent research suggests that UK businesses experience an average 17 day delay to payment of invoices. This is a reduction in the past two years but a figure that is still too high and is holding back investment and growth.

  • Luciana Berger – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Luciana Berger – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which mental health services he and each Minister in his Department have visited since they were appointed; and what the date of each such visit was.

    Dr Daniel Poulter

    The following list provides details of the visits undertaken by my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and his ministerial team to mental health services in an official capacity, since their appointment.

    Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt):

    06 February 2014
    Redwoods Centre, South Staffordshire and Shropshire NHS Foundation Trust

    13 March 2014
    Springfield Hospital, South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust

    1 May 2014
    East London NHS Foundation Trust

    Minister of State for Care and Support (Norman Lamb):

    13 November 2012
    Raid Birmingham Heartlands Hospital

    19 December 2012
    South London and Maudsley NHS Mental Health Trust

    7 February 2013
    The Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme and Child and Adolescent, Mental Health services project, Oxford

    4 July 2013
    Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust

    19 August 2013
    Leicester Mental Health Triage Care Project

    5 September 2013
    Gnosall Surgery, Stafford

    12 September 2013
    Yeovil Hospital

    12 September 2013
    Royal United Hospital, Bath

    31October 2013
    Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust

    19 December 2013
    Broadmoor Hospital

    3 January 2014
    Bethnal Green Police Station (Bi-lateral visit with Damian Green MP Home Office), London (A Liaison and Diversion scheme, this scheme brings together three large mental health trusts)

    17 February 2014
    Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Crisis Resolution Service

    12 March 2014
    Humphrey Booth Resource Centre, Manchester

    Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health (Dr Daniel Poulter):

    11 July 2013
    Disraeli School and Children’s Centre, High Wycombe

    17 October 2013
    Parkview Clinic, Birmingham Children’s Hospital

    8 May 2014
    Bethlem Royal Hospital- Channi Kumar Mother and Baby Unit (Perinatal mental health)

    Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health (Earl Howe):

    18 April 2012
    BuddyApp – Mental health innovation product launch – Maudsley Hospital

    Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health (Jane Ellison):

    15 April 2014
    Roshni Ghar Mental Health Charity, Keighley

  • Luciana Berger – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Luciana Berger – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people who used to work in his Department have taken up jobs at Public Health England; and what their job titles and salary levels (a) were at his Department and (b) are at Public Health England.

    Jane Ellison

    Public Health England (PHE) was established as an Executive Agency of the Department of Health on 1 April 2013. 184 staff from the Department were transferred to PHE as part of a planned transfer of functions. Their terms and conditions of employment, job titles and salary levels all remained the same.

    PHE has since appointed 21 staff formerly employed by the Department as set out below. These appointments were made following competitive selection procedures carried out in accordance with the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles.

    PHE Job Title*

    PHE Salary Level

    Change (if any)

    Head of Engagement

    Grade 6 (Inner London)

    Promotion

    Programmes Manager

    SEO (Inner London)

    Promotion

    Deputy Director of Strategy

    SCS1

    Integration Manager

    Grade 7 (Inner London)

    Promotion

    Head of Operations and Corporate
    Management

    Grade 6 (Inner London)

    Healthy Adults Coordinator

    Grade 7 (Inner London)

    Promotion

    Tobacco Control Programme Manager

    Grade 7 (National)

    Pay Reduction

    Head of One to One Marketing

    Grade 7 (Inner London)

    Promotion

    Deputy Director – International
    Commercial Healthcare Policy

    SCS1

    Programmes and Policy Manager

    Grade 7 (National)

    Business Manager

    Grade 7 (Inner London)

    Promotion

    Strategy Unit Team Member

    Grade 7 (National)

    Promotion

    Head of Planning

    Grade 6 ((Inner London)

    Integration and Engagement Manager

    Grade 7 (National)

    Promotion

    Deputy Director of Strategic
    Partnerships

    SCS1

    Promotion

    Strategic Partnership Manager

    Grade 7 (Inner London)

    Promotion

    Engagement and Policy Manager

    Grade 7 (Inner London)

    Promotion

    Expert Advisor – Behavioural Insight

    Grade 6 (Inner London)

    Promotion

    Senior Nutrition Science Officer

    SEO (Inner London)

    Promotion

    Head of Communications
    Drugs and Alcohol

    Grade 7 (Inner London)

    Promotion

    Senior Alcohol Policy Adviser

    HEO (Inner London)

    * Previous Department of Health job title not available

    PHE’s Salary Levels were published in November 2012 in the Public Health England People Transition Policy Module 2 Module 2 and can be found at:

    www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/213175/single-combined-document.pdf

    Senior Civil Service salary levels are set centrally by the Cabinet Office. The range for SCS1 is £60,000 to £117,800.

  • Luciana Berger – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Luciana Berger – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many children were diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome in each of the last four years.

    Jane Ellison

    The following table contains the number of finished admission episodes where there was either a primary or secondary diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome in England.

    It should be noted that these figures are not a count of people as the same person may have had more than one episode of care within any given time period.

    Number of finished admission episodes (FAEs)1 with either a primary or secondary diagnosis2 of fetal alcohol syndrome3 for the years 2009-10 to 2012-13.4

    Age

    2009-10

    2010-11

    2011-12

    2012-13

    0

    45

    45

    34

    68

    1

    27

    40

    31

    25

    2

    20

    17

    27

    22

    3

    6

    16

    10

    36

    4

    10

    8

    17

    14

    5

    5

    9

    16

    5

    6

    6

    4

    11

    9

    7

    27

    4

    20

    6

    8

    5

    23

    5

    8

    9

    4

    5

    40

    5

    10

    7

    7

    2

    4

    11

    1

    5

    6

    8

    12

    3

    2

    8

    5

    13

    4

    5

    2

    4

    14

    1

    4

    1

    7

    15

    1

    –

    4

    3

    16

    2

    4

    –

    2

    17

    1

    –

    4

    1

    18+

    9

    14

    32

    20

    Total

    184

    212

    270

    252

    Notes:

    1Finished admission Episodes (FAEs)

    A FAE is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year or month in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the period.

    2Number of episodes in which the patient had a primary or secondary diagnosis

    The number of episodes where this diagnosis was recorded in any of the 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and 7 prior to 2002-03) primary and secondary diagnosis fields in a Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) record. Each episode is only counted once, even if the diagnosis is recorded in more than one diagnosis field of the record.

    3ICD-10 diagnosis code

    ICD-10 diagnosis code used Q86.0 Fetal alcohol syndrome (dysmorphic)

    4Assessing growth through time (Admitted patient care)

    HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care.

    Data quality:

    HESs are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. Health and Social Care Information Centre liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.

    Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector.

    Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC)

  • Luciana Berger – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Luciana Berger – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what Government-funded education and support on alcohol consumption during pregnancy is available to pregnant women.

    Jane Ellison

    The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s 2008 guideline includes recommendations for doctors and midwives on the advice they should give to pregnant women about drinking alcohol.

    This advice is complemented by Government funded information provided through the Start4Life Information Service for Parents, Start4Life and NHS Choices websites.

    The Government funds the Start4Life Information Service for Parents service, which provides pregnant women/new mothers and their partners with comprehensive advice on staying healthy in pregnancy, preparing for birth and looking after their baby, and includes advice on risks of drinking before conception and during pregnancy.

    The Information Service for Parents is a digital service which provides National Health Service and other quality assured advice, including on alcohol consumption via regular text and email updates. Since launching on 18 May 2012, 339,277 new parents have signed up to the service (as of 1 June 2014).

    The Government is also committed to improving the labelling of alcoholic drinks, including a warning for women who are pregnant or trying to conceive.

    As part of the Public Health Responsibility Deal, alcohol retailers and producers have a responsibility to help raise this awareness and committed to putting an agreed warning or a pregnancy warning logo on 80% of labels on bottles and cans by the end of 2013. An independent market survey is underway to measure compliance.