The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2014-04-10.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions the Office for National Statistics has had with EU counterparts about differences in the way projected growth is estimated.
Mr Nick Hurd
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen O’Brien on 2014-04-10.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, in what circumstances he uses a calculation of the (a) value of preventing a fatality, (b) willingness to pay and (c) cost-per-quality adjusted life year approach to quantify the value of a policy intervention; what other tools he uses to quantify the benefit of a policy intervention; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Nick Hurd
These things are not easy to quantify. Approaches to quantifying benefits of a policy intervention are used in accordance with principles outlined in HM Treasury’s guidance on conducting appraisal and evaluation in central government (known as the “Green Book”). The Green Book recognises that using these approaches to quantify the benefits of an intervention is challenging, and that the approaches should be used appropriately.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chuka Umunna on 2014-04-10.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans his Department has to ensure that the Latin American community is better recognised in official statistics.
Mr Nick Hurd
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chuka Umunna on 2014-04-10.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of people of Latin American ethnicity in (a) the UK, (b) England and Wales, (c) London, (d) each London borough and (e) Streatham constituency.
Mr Nick Hurd
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2014-04-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what alternative office accommodation was sought in the Hull area to reduce the operating costs of the Hull Official Receiver’s office.
Jenny Willott
Alternative Government accommodation was sought through the Government Property Unit and its online database and various possibilities considered. The costs of such alternative accommodation in Hull were included in reaching the final decision to close the Hull office.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2014-04-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what review was undertaken of the Hull Official Receiver’s office before his Department’s decision to close that office; what the timescale for that review was; and what evidence was collected in that review.
Jenny Willott
The decision on Hull was one of a number of decisions made by the Insolvency Service Board n the context of a review of the Insolvency Service’s estate. That review covered all 36 buildings occupied by the Insolvency Service and had the objectives of ensuring that its estate met the Insolvency Service’s needs to provide efficiency and excellent customer service and to reduce costs against a context of significant falls in case numbers. The review of the estates strategy started in early 2013 and Hull was in the final phase of buildings being reviewed in February 2014. The Board considered the options of remaining in the same accommodation in Hull, moving to alternative Government property in Hull and moving the Hull operation to Leeds. The evidence collected comprised, for each option, impact on customers, impact on employees, an assessment of strategic benefits, financial impact and how any move could be delivered.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2014-04-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he has taken to ensure that the Official Receiver’s statutory duties are completed in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire once the Hull Official Receiver’s office is closed.
Jenny Willott
The Official Receiver’s office will be based in Leeds, and in common with other Official Receivers, be responsible for insolvencies over a geographical area, which will include the East Riding of Yorkshire and Hull. An interview facility will be opened in the Hull area so that face-to-face interviews can be undertaken locally as needed and there is no reduction in the service provided to customers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2014-04-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what negotiations took place with trade unions prior to the decision to close the Hull Official Receiver’s office; and on what dates those negotiations took place.
Jenny Willott
Extensive discussions have taken place between the Insolvency Service and trade union officials in connection with the estates review of our 36 offices throughout the last 2 years, in the context of continued falling case numbers. As a result of this on-going consultation, changes have been made to our excess fares, home moves and flexible working policies, to support those affected by office closures. The trade unions were made aware on 25 February 2014 that the future of the Hull office was being considered, and were invited to provide any views they wished. Following the announcement of the office closure on 27 March 2014 a 90 day formal consultation period with employees and their trade unions representatives commenced. The purpose of the consultation is to ensure that the Insolvency Service explores what the decision means for each of its employees, as well as discussing and agreeing the support that it can provide.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2014-04-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, on which date authority was given for the closure of the Hull Official Receiver’s office; and who gave such authority.
Jenny Willott
The decision to close the Insolvency Service office in Hull was made by the Insolvency Service Board on 18 March 2014.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2014-04-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the potential cost of buying out the lease for the Hull Official Receiver’s office.
Jenny Willott
No assessment of the costs of buying out the lease have been made. The financial information considered when the decision to close the office was made assumed that the Insolvency Service would be responsible for lease payments until the lease end in September 2016.