The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Elliott on 2014-04-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Prime Minister, (b) Chancellor of the Exchequer and (c) Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the imposition of a cap on the construction and capacity of onshore wind developments.
Michael Fallon
DECC Ministers meet regularly with other Ministers to discuss a range of issues.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Greatrex on 2014-04-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate he has made of the number of combined heat and power plans delivering more than 10 per cent of input energy as heat output.
Gregory Barker
In 2013, the Government reviewed the minimum performance standards for renewable Combined Heat and Power (CHP) set in our Quality Assurance programme. As set out in the Government response, approximately 70% of solid and liquid renewable fuel CHP schemes already certified to Combined Heat and Power Quality and Assurance (CHPQA) deliver more than 10% of their input energy as useful heat output.
No similar assessment has been made for fossil fuel CHPs.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Greatrex on 2014-04-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what forecast he has made of the effect of the Supplemental Balancing Reserve on the Loss of Load Expectation for winter 2014-15.
Gregory Barker
The Government has not made any forecast of the effect of the Supplemental Balancing Reserve (SBR) on the Loss of Load Expectation for winter 2014-15.
SBR is one of National Grid’s two new balancing services, approved by Ofgem in December 2013. SBR and the Demand Side Balancing Reserve (DSBR) will address potential capacity shortfalls in the middle of the decade.
National Grid is currently developing a methodology to determine how much capacity should be contracted via SBR. Once this is approved by Ofgem, National Grid will proceed with the procurement process.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Kirby on 2014-04-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps he has taken to secure the long-term provision of energy for the UK; and if he will make a statement.
Michael Fallon
This Government published its Energy Security Strategy in November 2012 which sets out the range of policies in place to deliver energy security and meet demand up to 2050. The strategy sets out the Government’s approach which is based on competitive markets combined with effective regulation to deliver diversity of supply and robust infrastructure for consumers. This is supported through measures in a number of areas which will enhance energy security further whilst also delivering wider energy goals.
These measures include resilience measures to prevent possible disruptions ranging from flooding through to industrial action, and to reduce the impact of incidents if they do occur and energy efficiency measures to lower our exposure to domestic and international energy market risks. We also work to maximise economic production of our oil and gas reserves to provide reliable energy supplies which are not exposed to international energy supply risks as well as working to improve the reliability of global energy markets to help ensure that, where the UK does require the supply of energy from overseas, it is dependable and affordable. In addition, reliable networks ensure that the energy we need is delivered, where we need it. Lastly, decarbonising our energy supplies will help to reduce our dependence on international fossil fuel markets in the longer term.
Further details are set out in the document which can be found at:
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Kirby on 2014-04-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department takes to support parents whose children attend a school in special measures; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Edward Timpson
The Government is clear that the best way forward for any school judged inadequate by Ofsted is for it to become an academy with the support of a strong sponsor. We consider that sponsored academy arrangements will safeguard the long-term future of such schools and will secure rapid and sustained improvement, which should reassure parents.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nic Dakin on 2014-04-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2014, Official Report, column 356W, on London Academy of Excellence, whether the enrolment data for 2013-14 for the London Academy of Excellence is now available; and if he will publish that data.
Mr Edward Timpson
The London Academy of Excellence is the only 16-19 free school that provides data on its pupil numbers through the individualised learner record; this is the equivalent to the school’s census return for further education institutions.
The enrolment numbers requested are not yet available. We are expecting to have them by the end of April.
The pupil numbers and funding covering all open academies and free schools for the academic year 2014/15 will be published in October. This will include the London Academy of Excellence.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lucy Powell on 2014-04-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2014, Official Report, column 221W, how many three and four year olds in each parliamentary constituency are accessing the free early years entitlement outside of reception classes.
Elizabeth Truss
This information is provided in the accompanying table, which will also be placed in the House Library.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Karen Lumley on 2014-04-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of the school exclusions pilot on pupils with autism.
Mr Edward Timpson
An interim evaluation of the school exclusions pilot, published in March 2013, found early indications of schools taking more responsibility for pupils at risk of exclusion, collaborating with each other and working in partnership with local authorities to improve alternative provision in their areas. Such approaches benefit all pupils vulnerable to exclusion, including those with autism.
The Department for Education has introduced wide ranging reforms through the Children and Families Act 2014 to improve provision and support for children and young people with special educational needs or a disability.
The Act requires local authorities to publish a local offer of services for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) or a disability. The local offer will set out in one place information about provision families can expect to be available across education, health and social care for children and young people who have SEN or are disabled, including those who do not have education, health and care (EHC) plans.
The local offer will provide children, young people and parents with clear, comprehensive and accessible information about the services and support available and how to access it, including that from schools.
It will make provision more responsive to local needs and aspirations by directly involving families and service providers in its development and review, enabling them to have a greater say in how services and support develop over time.
This should therefore have an important role to play in improving outcomes and reducing exclusions for children and young people with SEN, including those with autism.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Karen Lumley on 2014-04-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential role of the local offer in reducing the number of pupils with autism affected by official and unofficial exclusion.
Mr Edward Timpson
An interim evaluation of the school exclusions pilot, published in March 2013, found early indications of schools taking more responsibility for pupils at risk of exclusion, collaborating with each other and working in partnership with local authorities to improve alternative provision in their areas. Such approaches benefit all pupils vulnerable to exclusion, including those with autism.
The Department for Education has introduced wide ranging reforms through the Children and Families Act 2014 to improve provision and support for children and young people with special educational needs or a disability.
The Act requires local authorities to publish a local offer of services for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) or a disability. The local offer will set out in one place information about provision families can expect to be available across education, health and social care for children and young people who have SEN or are disabled, including those who do not have education, health and care (EHC) plans.
The local offer will provide children, young people and parents with clear, comprehensive and accessible information about the services and support available and how to access it, including that from schools.
It will make provision more responsive to local needs and aspirations by directly involving families and service providers in its development and review, enabling them to have a greater say in how services and support develop over time.
This should therefore have an important role to play in improving outcomes and reducing exclusions for children and young people with SEN, including those with autism.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Karen Lumley on 2014-04-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will bring forward proposals to amend the national curriculum to require the teaching of water safety in schools.
Mr Edward Timpson
The Government is committed to ensuring that swimming and teaching water safety takes place in schools. Swimming is an important part of the National Curriculum, which requires that all pupils must be taught to swim at least 25 metres unaided, and be able to use recognised swimming strokes by the end of Key Stage 2 (age 11). It also requires that a child can demonstrate an understanding of water safety. Swimming and water safety remain compulsory in the National Curriculum following the recent curriculum review.
In March 2013 the Prime Minister announced additional ring-fenced funding of £150m per year for each of 2013-14 and 2014-15 to support the provision of PE and sport in primary schools. This funding was extended in the Autumn Statement 2013 to include 2015-16. Qualifying schools would be free to use this to extend their pupils’ access to swimming lessons and water safety awareness.