Written Statement of 12 February 2004

TRANSPORT

  London Transport Grant 2004–05
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport(Mr. Tony McNulty)
  The GLA Transport Grant for 2004–05 has today been determined by the Secretary of State for Transport at £2,224,536,000, following consultation with the Mayor of London. This grant is a block grant provided by the Government to Transport for London to support improvements to London Underground and other transport services in London.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Higher Education Reform
  The Secretary of State for Education and Skills(Mr. Charles Clarke)
  I stated in the House on 27 January that I was commissioning a report to examine the gateways into the professions. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sir Alan Langlands, VC of the University of Dundee, to lead this work.

  Sir Alan will act as an independent person to oversee the report which will examine how the public sector and the professions can sustain and improve recruitment opportunities for graduates, especially those who do not qualify for the full £3000 support, and, to make recommendations to Ministers on action that can be taken by the employing organisations to provide clear accessible gateways for all graduates who want to pursue such careers and which will benefit the recruitment needs of these sectors.

  The report will cover mainly the public sector but will also look at good practice in the private sector and will include those who work in a professional capacity in the voluntary sector. Additionally there will be reference groups established, one for each sector and with voluntary sector representation on each group.

  On the public sector, the report will analyse support that is currently available, (through bursaries, golden hellos, fee payment and loan write-offs) its effectiveness and future plans for post autumn 2006. Furthermore it will assess whether these (plus any changes) are likely to continue to work after autumn 2006; and whether there are any gaps in what is available which are likely to create recruitment and retention problems.

  On the private sector, it will research current and possibly international practice on incentives for graduates, and assess how employers might respond in a variable fees environment;

  I am asking Sir Alan to start this work after Royal Assent this year with the aim of reporting to me by mid-2005.
  74WS

  Building Schools for the Future
  The Minister for School Standards(Mr. David Miliband)
  I am pleased to announce further details about "Building Schools for the Future" (BSF), including the projects in the first wave, the establishment of Partnerships for Schools, and the publication of the exemplar designs of schools of the future. This follows my statements of 26 February and 26 June 2003.

  These developments start to deliver the Government's long-term commitment to a programme of rebuilding and renewal to ensure that secondary education in every part of England has facilities of 21st century standard.

  We are announcing today the projects that will make up wave 1 of "Building Schools for the Future", starting in 2005–06. Wave 1 will benefit from government support for £2.2 billion capital investment in our secondary schools. We hope to announce further waves during 2004.

  The projects in wave 1 are:
  the four BSF pathfinder projects, which were announced last March: Bradford, Bristol, Greenwich-Lewisham-Southwark (joint project), and Sheffield;
  plus ten further projects. These are: Knowsley, Leeds, Manchester (phase 1 of their proposal only), Newcastle, Newham, Solihull, Gateshead/South Tyneside (joint project), Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland. and Waltham Forest; and
  two reserve projects: Lancashire (Burnley) and Leicester City.

  That is a total of 16 projects involving 19 local education authorities (LEAs) and substantial investment in some 180 schools.

  BSF must get off to a flying start, to ensure that the considerable benefits that this programme promises are delivered: greater impact on educational standards and local deprivation, improved procurement, and better value for money. Our focus on delivery will be enhanced through the creation of a new agent to support delivery—Partnerships for Schools. The Department will manage Partnerships for Schools jointly with Partnerships UK, and with the participation of 4ps (Public Private Partnerships Programme), to co-ordinate the national delivery of the programme and provide support for LEAs. This body aims to build on the many strengths of the LEAs, and will respond to their needs, with a view to complementing rather than duplicating their role.

  At the national level, Partnerships for Schools will:
  support the Government in selecting areas to receive investment. establish best practice in delivery, both nationally and locally; and
  develop innovative and effective models of procurement, which help create long-term public-private partnerships (PPPs), reduce the burden of bid costs, and streamline procurement through standard documentation.

  We are also publishing today a compendium of exemplar designs of the schools of the future. The designs are examples of high-quality school design by 11 leading architectural firms who have created some of the country's best modern buildings. The designs will help LEAs and schools to develop their educational vision and requirements, and will drive consistently high standards across all LEAs. They are not a straitjacket, but an inspiring basis for thinking about future provision.
  75WS
  The resulting designs are innovative and inspirational. The compendium contains the aims of the programme, detail of the designs themselves, as well as some of the common emerging themes across the designs. The designs balance the need to design schools for today—for example, incorporating concepts from extended schools and special needs—with innovative ideas for tomorrow—such as the potential teaching models of ICT- rich open learning spaces in all-through schools or schools-within-schools.

  Further information can be found in the launch document which has been published today, copies of which have been placed in the Library

  LSC Annual Report and Accounts 2002–03
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Skills(Mr. Ivan Lewis)
  I would inform the House that the Learning and Skills Council for England has today published its annual report and accounts for the period to 31 March 2003. Copies have been placed in the House Libraries

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

  National Land Information Service
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs(Mr. David Lammy)
  The Government have today accepted the recommendation of the review of the National Land Information Service Central Government Stakeholder Group that the Group should be abolished. Central Government Departments will continue to support the development of the National Land Information Service (NLIS) through direct contact and by liaising with each other to ensure a joined up response to issues relating to NLIS. A copy of the review has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

  Courts Boards
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs(Mr. Christopher Leslie)
  Courts boards will be a means of ensuring local involvement in the way in which courts are run. They will work with the new unified courts agency, which will integrate the management of the courts within a single agency to replace the Magistrates Courts Committees and the Court Service. Courts boards will provide a vital local input, to ensure that the courts' administration is run in a way that meets the needs of their areas. We intend to appoint the first members to courts boards towards the end of 2004, so that the boards will run in shadow form before the new agency is launched in April 2005.

  The consultation paper "Courts boards: constitution and procedures" sought views on how appointments should be made to courts boards and the procedures by which they should operate. The consultation period ran from 25 September 2003 to 5 January 2004 and 141 responses were received.

  A post-consultation report for the paper courts boards: constitution and procedures will be published on 26 February. The report will set out the Government's decisions on how courts boards will be
  76WS
  set up, in the light of the responses received to consultation. It will also inform regulations which will be laid before Parliament on that day.

  I am keen for courts boards to be set up in shadow form during this year so that the boards may then consider the draft business plans for the first year of the new unified courts agency

PRIME MINISTER

  Senior Salaries
  The Prime Minister(Mr. Tony Blair)
  The 26th Report of the Review Body on Senior Salaries, which makes recommendations about the pay of the senior civil service, senior military personnel and the judiciary, is being published today. Copies are in the Vote Office and the Library of the House. I am grateful to the Chairman and Members of the Review Body for their work.

  The main recommendations of the Review Body for the senior civil service are:
  an increase from 1 April 2004 of 2 per cent. to the pay ranges for each of the senior civil service pay bands below permanent secretary;
  a range of base pay awards from 0 to 9 per cent. depending on performance;
  a minimum unconsolidated bonus payment of 3 per cent. or £2,500, whichever is the higher, for those making the greatest contribution; and
  an uplift to the pay range for permanent secretaries resulting in a new range of £121,100 to £256,550; the uplift is broadly equivalent to the increase proposed to the pay ranges for the senior civil service pay bands below permanent secretary.

  The main recommendation of the Review Body for the senior military is:
  an increase from 1 April 2004 of 2.8 per cent. in the value of all points on the incremental pay scales for senior military officers
  The main recommendation of the Review Body for the judiciary is:
  an increase from 1 April 2004 of 2.5 per cent. in judicial salaries.

  The Government have decided to accept these recommendations. Their cost will be met within existing departmental expenditure limits.

  The Review Body has also recommended that broad salary linkage between its remit groups should be achieved from now on by maintaining general equivalence in salary levels at the top of the structures only. The Government will be considering this.

  Pay increases for Members of Parliament and Ministers are linked automatically to the increase in pay bands for the senior civil service. Their pay entitlement will therefore increase by 2 per cent. from 1 April 2004

HEALTH

  Maternity Services (Select Committee Report)
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health(Dr. Stephen Ladyman)
  The Government's response to the Health Committee's Fourth Report of Session 2002–03 on Provision of Maternity Services, the
  77WS
  Eighth Report of Session 2002–03 on Inequalities in Access to Maternity Services, and the Ninth Report of Session 2002–03 on Choice in Maternity Services (Cm 6140), has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  The Government recognise that women and their families currently benefit from high standard maternity services provided by dedicated and hardworking National Health Service staff.

  The Government are committed to maintaining and building on the quality of maternity services by tackling inequalities as a matter of priority and promoting choice for all women and their families

  David Bennett
  The Minister of State, Department of Health(Ms Rosie Winterton)
  The report of the independent inquiry into the death of David 'Rocky' Bennett is published today. David Bennett's death is a tragedy and my sincere sympathies go out to his family for their loss. He died five years ago in a medium secure unit after being restrained by staff. The report raises a number of very important issues. We have a duty to understand these and act upon their findings.

  It is essential that the health service is safe for service users and staff. Following a meeting with David Bennett's family, we established the Cross-Government Group on the management of aggression and violence. We have just published positive practice standards for local services, and have established a programme of work with the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) to help improve the organisation and quality of training for staff. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence will shortly publish guidance in this area.

  I accept that there is discrimination in the NHS, both direct and indirect. There is no place for racism or discrimination. It is unacceptable; it contradicts the basic value of equity that is the cornerstone of the health service. In mental health we have already made a start by publishing "Delivering Race Equality" which outlines a national framework for local action.

  Behaviours and processes that have grown up in mental health services mean that there is particular inequity in the provision of care and outcomes for people from black and minority ethnic groups. We are committed to rooting out racism, tackling these inequalities and ensuring that the experience of people from black and ethnic minority groups is improved. The consultation feed back on "Delivering Race Equality" and the recommendations of the David Bennett inquiry report will help inform future action.

  We also need senior, committed, leadership to ensure that change happens. This is why Professor Kamlesh Patel, chair of the Mental Health Act Commission, has been asked to direct the national programme of work, including the work of the National Institute for Mental Health. A national steering group, co-chaired by Lord Victor Adebowale, from Turning Point will also inform us. I will expect quarterly reports on progress.

  The National Institute for Mental Health has been set up to help improve local mental health services. Its largest programme is focused on black and minority ethnic mental health. It covers:
  better quality and more intelligently used information;
  78WS
  more appropriate and responsive services; and,
  increased community engagement.

  In order to ensure that change is sustainable we need to work with local communities to help us understand their needs and to build their confidence. To help achieve this we will fund 80 community engagement projects and appoint 500 community development workers to make a direct connection between local people, staff and services.

  In "Delivering Race Equality" we are absolutely committed to ensuring that staff have the knowledge and skills to enable them to deliver services to, and in partnership with, all groups in their community. This includes race equality training.

  Last but not least, when serious incidents occur, we know that good communication is essential. Families and carers need to be involved, and different agencies must communicate more effectively with each other. We are therefore working with the Home Office and police to improve local liaison; and with the NPSA to reform the process of independent inquiries. This will help to ensure that families and carers can be more closely engaged, and that staff and services learn the lessons they need to. We deeply regret the death of David Bennett. We are committed to making change happen.

  NHS Charges
  The Minister of State, Department of Health(Ms Rosie Winterton)
  We shall lay before the House regulations to increase national health service charges in England from 1 April 2004. There will be a cash increase in the prescription charge of 10 pence from £6.30 to £6.40 for each quantity of a drug or appliance dispensed.

  The cost of prescription prepayment certificates will rise to £33.40 for a four month certificate and £91.80 for an annual certificate. These offer savings for those needing more than five items in four months or 14 in one year.

  Prescription charges are expected to raise some £462 million for the NHS in 2004–05.

  Charges for elastic stockings and tights, wigs and fabric supports supplied through the hospital service will be increased similarly.

  The maximum patient charge for a single course of dental treatment begun on or after 1 April 2004 will increase from £372 to £378.

  The prescription charge increase is the same as in the previous five years and is well below the current level of inflation. The other increases are in line with this percentage increase.

  The majority of optical voucher values will increase by 2.5 per cent. to help children and people on low income with the cost of spectacles or contact lenses. In recognition of the greater costs which people with high prescription lenses may face, vouchers for these individuals will increase by 10 per cent. We will continue to monitor the costs of high prescription lenses over the coming year to see if further changes are necessary.

  NHS charges and optical voucher values in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for the devolved administrations.

  Details of the revised charges and optical voucher values have been placed in the Library.
  79WS

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (Renewal)
  The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office(Jane Kennedy)
  On 21 September 2003, I announced a review of the effectiveness of the temporary provisions of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. Principally these relate to 50:50 recruitment. That review was initiated as part of the Secretary of State's statutory duty, under section 47 of that Act, both to have regard to progress made towards securing that membership of the police and police support staff is representative of the community in Northern Ireland, and to consult the Policing Board, when making a decision as to whether those temporary provisions should be renewed. The review ended on 19 December, but I have continued to meet with political parties on this issue until recently.

  As a direct result of these temporary provisions, steady progress towards a more representative police service has been achieved. The number of Catholic applications to the PSNI has been unprecedented, averaging 35 per cent. over six competitions. As a direct result, the proportion of Catholic officers in the regulars has increased from around 8 per cent. to almost 14 per cent. Increase in Catholic representation among civilian staff has been slower, in part because 50:50 does not apply to all civilian recruitment competitions, only to those where six or more are sought in the same field at the same time.

  A number of issues were raised during the review about the efficiency of the 50:50 recruitment process and its fairness to candidates. I am looking seriously at those issues and my officials are liaising with the police to assess the scope for potential improvements. The Government is keen to move forward with increasing the representativeness of the police service. The more progress we can make now, the sooner it may be possible to put an end to a procedure that is difficult for many people to accept, but justified in our view for the greater good.

  For these reasons, and after considering carefully all the views expressed during the consultation period, the Secretary of State has now decided that those temporary provisions should be renewed for a further three years. That is why I am today laying before Parliament the draft Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (Renewal of Temporary Provisions) Order 2004. There will be an opportunity to debate the Order in both Houses of Parliament

  Prison Service Pay
  The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office(Jane Kennedy)
  The report of the Prison Service pay review body on the pay of governor and officer grades in the Northern Ireland Prison Service for 2004 has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Both the Secretary of State and I welcome the recognition in the report of the work of staff in the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
  80WS
  The Review Body has recommended a 2 per cent. increase (part consolidated—part non-consolidated) on existing rates of pay for the 12 month period commencing 1 April 2004.

  I have decided to accept the recommendations and implement the award in full.

DEFENCE

  Armed Forces Pay
  The Secretary of State for Defence(Mr. Geoffrey Hoon)
  The 2004 Report of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body has been published today. Copies of the Report are available in the Vote Office and the Library of the House. I wish to express my thanks to the Chairman and members of the Review Body for their clear and wide-ranging report.

  The AFPRB has recommended an increase in basic military salary of 2.8 per cent. for the majority of personnel and 3.2 per cent. for certain Privates and Lance Corporals (those on the lower pay range). The AFPRB has also recommended increases in the rates of Specialist Pay (eg Flying Pay, Submarine Pay, Diving Pay and Hydrographic Pay), and in accommodation charges. The AFPRB has also recommended a 3.2 per cent. increase to rates of longer separated service allowance and longer service at sea bonus which are designed to compensate for separation.

  The additional cost to the defence budget will be £196M. This will be met within existing departmental expenditure limits.

  The AFPR B's recommendations are to be accepted in full, with implementation effective from 1 April 2004

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Child Support
  The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions(Mr. Andrew Smith)
  Progress in new scheme performance has continued to be made and future improvement is expected. The number of poor families now benefiting from the new child maintenance premium has almost tripled in the last quarter. More than three times as many non-resident parents have now made a first payment of maintenance as at the end of the previous quarter. In each of the three months during the quarter, the agency made more maintenance calculations on the new scheme than it made on the old scheme in the same months last year.

  In clearing cases so far, the ratio of those reaching calculation to those that have been closed in the new scheme remained 6:4, compared with the ratio of 4:6 in the old scheme. During the third quarter, the agency cleared nearly as many cases as it did in the first two quarters combined, taking the total number of clearances (calculations and closures) to over 100,000.

  The Department continues to retain around 15 per cent of each monthly due to EDS the service provider due to the continuing problems with the computer and telephone system
  81WS
  Technical issues continue to preclude reliable figures on compliance for the latest quarter. However, the agency is focusing more effort on compliance and is working on alternative mechanisms to derive this information.

  The current accuracy (to the nearest penny) level is estimated at 83 per cent. against a 90 per cent. target. We expect to see the target reached as further improvements are made to the computer support and staff become more and more familiar with the new scheme.

  Because of continuing issues with the new computer's management information systems, we are still unable to provide a reliable throughput figure for the latest quarter. Alternative methods for measuring throughput are being developed.

  Summary of Agency Performance to December 2003

  Agency Performance

  Quarter 1 Mar—Jun 2003

  Quarter 2 Jul—Sep 2003

  Quarter 3 Oct—Dec 2003

  Scheme to 2003

  Applications received

  73,582

  78,982

  85,306

  237,870

  Applications cleared

  12,648

  38,583

  49,453

  100,684

  of which:

  Maintenance Calculations

  6,671

  23,857

  29,672

  60,200

  Closures

  5,977

  14,726

  19,781

  40,484

  First payments made through the Agency

  461

  5,164

  11,473

  17,098

  First child Maintenance Premium payments made

  77

  3,314

  6,173

  9,564

  Agency Performance (March 2003 to June 2003)

  Mar-03

  Apr-03

  May-03

  Jun-03

  Total In Quarter

  Applications Received

  3,444

  25,228

  19,951

  24,959

  73,582

  Applications Cleared

  43

  1,616

  3,441

  7,548

  12,648

  of which

  Maintenance Calculations

  10

  721

  1,810

  4,130

  6,671

  Closures

  33

  895

  1,631

  3,418

  5,977

  First Payments Made Through the Agency

  *136 for 1st 3 months

  325

  461

  First Child Maintenance Premium Payments Made

  *17 for 1st 3 months

  60

  77

  Agency Performance (July 2003 to September 2003)

  Jul-03

  Aug-03

  Sep-03

  Total In Quarter

  Scheme To Sep-03

  Applications Received

  28,897

  23,761

  26,324

  78,982

  152,564

  Applications Cleared

  10,526

  11,923

  16,134

  38,583

  51,231

  of which

  Maintenance Calculations

  6,922

  7,199

  9,736

  23,857

  30,528

  Closures

  3,604

  4,724

  6,398

  14,726

  20,703

  First Payments Made Through the Agency

  1,032

  1,752

  2,380

  5,164

  5,625

  82WS

  Agency Performance (July 2003 to September 2003)

  Jul-03

  Aug-03

  Sep-03

  Total In Quarter

  Scheme To Sep-03

  First Child Maintenance Premium Payments Made

  267

  1,596

  1,451

  3,314

  3,391

  Agency Performance (October 2003 to December 2003)

  Oct-03

  Nov-03

  Dec-03

  Total In Quarter

  Scheme To Dec-03

  Applications Received

  35,724

  28,841

  20,741

  85,306

  237,870

  Applications Cleared

  19,832

  16,011

  13,610

  49,453

  100,684

  of which

  Maintenance Calculations

  11,807

  9,975

  7,890

  29,672

  60,200

  Closures

  8,025

  6,036

  5,720

  19,781

  40,484

  First Payments Made Through the Agency

  3,978

  3,503

  3,992

  11,473

  17,098

  First Child Maintenance Premium Payments Made

  2,108

  1,915

  2,150

  6,173

  9,564

  Notes:

  1. Figures marked with * are not available on a monthly basis for this period.

  2. Figures for August and September differ from those previously published as information relating to Northern Ireland Child Support Agency has now been removed. All figures now exclude Northern Ireland.

  3. A proportion of cases that have a maintenance calculation in place may already be receiving payment directly, but will not be reflected in the figures shown above.

  4. Figures for Child Maintenance Premium payments include an estimate of the number of parents who receive the premium by way of a disregard to their Income Support/income-based Jobseekers Allowance. The disregard has been added from August as data was not available prior to this, and has also been included into the scheme to date figure.

  Average weekly child support maintenance payments to parents with care

  1 Qualifying Child

  2 Qualifying Children

  3 Qualifying Children

  Average Weekly Payment

  £31.56

  £45.40

  £48.70

  Note

  Figures are for December 2003 only and are calculated as the total amount received and allocated divided by the number of cases.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Regional Assemblies
  The Minister for Local and Regional Government(Mr. Nick Raynsford)
  The Regional Governance White Paper, Your Region, Your Choice: Revitalising the English Regions published in May 2002 announced that elected regional assemblies would:"have the power to request the Secretary of State to call in for his or her determination strategic planning applications which were not consistent with the regional spatial strategy" (paragraph 4.34)
  83WS
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister proposes to strengthen these arrangements so that they have the same effect as those in London. We propose to give elected assemblies a power to direct local planning authorities to refuse strategic planning applications on similar grounds to those in London. The Mayor of London can exercise this power where he or she considers it would be:
  "contrary to the SDS [Sustainable Development Scheme] or prejudice its implementation, or otherwise be contrary to good strategic planning in London" (paragraph 6.12 of Government Office for London Circular 1/2000).

  European Parliamentary, Local Authority and Greater London Authority Elections 2004
  The Minister for Local and Regional Government(Mr. Nick Raynsford)
  Following consultation with the Electoral Commission and other key stakeholders the following instruments have now been made and laid before Parliament:The Local Elections (Principal Areas) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Rules 2004, SI No. 223
  The Local Election (Parishes and Communities) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Rules 2004, SI No. 224
  The Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2004. SI No. 227

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have also laid before Parliament, following consultation, the following draft Instruments on which we are seeking the approval of the House:
  The Local Elections (Ordinary Day of Election 2004) Order 2004
  The European Parliamentary Elections Regulations 2004
  The Representation of the People (Combination of Polls) (England and Wales) Regulations 2004
  The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2004
  The Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2004

  As a package of measures these instruments would:
  give effect to the Government's announced intention to move the date of the English local authority and Greater London Authority elections in 2004, so that they take place at the same time as the European Parliamentary elections, and make consequential amendments relating to:

  the term of office of councillors affected by the postponement;

  the 'six month period' during which by-elections need not be held;

  the date of annual meetings for authorities affected by the postponement.

  make provision for the conduct of European Parliamentary elections in Great Britain and Gibraltar;
  provide revised rules for the combination of polls at all elections and also referendums pursuant to the Local Government Act 2000; and
  provide for other amendments to the Greater London Authority election rules.

  A summary of the responses we received during consultation on the draft instruments has been made available in the Libraries of the House.
  84WS

  Supporting People Programme 2004–05
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister(Yvette Cooper)
  The Government are today publishing the Independent Review of the Supporting People programme, which was conducted by Eugene Sullivan of RSM Robson Rhodes LLP. Copies of the review will be available in the Libraries of both Houses and on the ODPM website www.spkweb.org.uk.

  The Government is allocating £1.801 billion for the Supporting People programme in 2004–05, which will fund housing related support services for over 1 million vulnerable people including victims of domestic violence, older people and those with mental health problems. The programme funds an estimated 250,000 units of housing related support, compared to fewer than 100,000 in 2000.

  On the basis of the Independent Review, local authorities will be expected to make efficiency savings of up to 2.5 per cent. in 2004–05, with a proportion of the savings reallocated to local authorities to fund services that have come on stream in 2003–04 and are reaching unmet need.

  The Supporting People programme began in April 2003, drawing together nine different funding programmes, including Transitional Housing Benefit. Following significant late growth in costs last year, the government commissioned the Independent Review to look at value for money and the variation in unit costs and services across local authorities. The Review has found that there are wide variations in unit costs between authorities, and that 1.8 billion is too much to pay for the legacy services. It recommends that efficiency savings can be made, but that the pace of change needs to be managed to avoid difficulties for service users and small providers.

  The Government are concerned to ensure that value for money is achieved and that valuable services for the vulnerable are sustained. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are therefore asking the Audit Commission to undertake detailed inspections in a series of local authorities with high unit costs, alongside their routine inspections, to inform the Spending Review and funding allocations for 2005–06.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are also beginning today a consultation on the grant conditions for Supporting People in 2004–05, which we are proposing to keep broadly the same as 2003–04. The consultation ends on 24 March. We are writing to local authorities to inform them of their allocations.

  Rent Service
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister(Yvette Cooper)
  Responsibility for the Rent Service, an executive agency, is to transfer from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to the Department for Work and Pensions. The Deputy Prime Minister has agreed with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (DWP), that this transfer will take place with effect from 1 April 2004.

  The reasons for transferring the Rent Service (TRS) to the Department for Work and Pensions are that the vast majority of TRS's work (around 90 per cent.) is on

  85WS
  rental valuations to determine how much housing benefit (HB) claimants should receive. Although this is carried out primarily for local authorities, the policy and legislative lead rests with DWP. TRS, which will retain its executive agency status on transfer, will be better placed to assist with taking forward the on-going work on housing benefit reform—announced by the Secretary of State for DWP in October 2002—if it is operating within DWP.

  Only a small percentage of TRS's current workload (around 10 per cent.) relates to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's responsibilities on fair rents. The transfer will not prevent the Agency from contributing to ODPM's policy objectives, as the role and functions of TRS remain the same.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is consulting with the trade unions involved in this change of Departmental responsibilities

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prison Service Pay
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department(Paul Goggins)
  The Third Report of the Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB) on the pay of in-charge governors and operational managers, prison officers and related grades in England and Wales in 2004 has been published today and copies placed in the Library.

  The PSPRB have recommended a 2.4 per cent. basic increase to pay rates for prison officer and related grades and 1.5 per cent. to in-charge governors and other operational managers. Nearly all in-charge governors and other operational managers receive performance payments on top of their basic award, which contribute to earnings growth for them above the level of inflation.

  The Home Secretary has decided that the recommendations will be implemented in full, with effect from the operative date of the award of 1 April 2004.

  The key recommendations of the report are:
  A 2.4 per cent. basic increase to pay rates for prison officer and related grades from 1 April 2004;
  86WS
  A 1.5 per cent. basic increase to in-charge governors and other operational managers from 1 April 2004;

  Revised local pay allowance rates introduced from 1 April 2004:
  from £3,800 to £4,000 per annum for the "top" rate
  from £3,000 to £3,100 per annum for the "high" rate
  from £2,500 to £2,600 per annum for the "middle" rate
  the £1,100 per annum "lower" rate continues unchanged

  Required hours addition for operational managers to be increased by the basic award figure 1.5 per cent.;

  Healthcare specialist allowance increased by 2.4 per cent. but all others frozen at current rates. Staff new to jobs attracting specialist allowances to get them at the current rates:

  All other allowances, such as Tornado, bedwatch, on call, dirty protest, increased by 2.4 per cent.

TREASURY

  Financial Services
  The Financial Secretary to the Treasury(Ruth Kelly)
  As I set out in my written statement of 5 January, Official Report, column I W, Lord Penrose delivered the report of his inquiry into Equitable Life to the Treasury on 23 December.

  Further to that statement and my written answer to the Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire on 26 January, Official Report, column 110W, I wish to inform the House that named individuals from Equitable Life's current senior management and their advisers have now been shown limited extracts of Lord Penrose's report, to assist the Treasury with its public functions. The Treasury is also taking independent actuarial advice.

  Consequently, the report, or extracts from it, are now the subject of examination by Treasury officials and their legal and actuarial advisers, named FSA and DTI officials, the Serious Fraud Office, and a small number of Equitable Life's current senior management and their advisers.

  As I set out in my statement of 5 January, the Treasury intends to publish the report in full as soon as possible. I will continue to keep the House fully informed

  Northern Ireland: Prison Service Pay Review Body Report
  The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos)
  My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Northern Ireland has made the following Ministerial Statement.

  The report of the Prison Service Pay Review Body on the pay of governor and officer grades in the Northern Ireland Prison Service for 2004 has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Both the Secretary of State and I welcome the recognition in the report of the work of staff in the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

  The review body has recommended a 2 per cent increase (part consolidated, part non-consolidated) on existing rates of pay for the 12-month period commencing 1 April 2004.

  I have decided to accept the recommendations and implement the award in full.

  Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000: Renewal of Temporary Provisions
  Baroness Amos
  My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Northern Ireland has made the following Ministerial Statement.

  On 21 September 2003, I announced a review of the effectiveness of the temporary provisions of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. Principally these relate to 50:50 recruitment. That review was initiated as part of the Secretary of State's statutory duty, under Section 47 of that Act, both to have regard to progress made towards securing that membership of the police and police support staff is representative of the community in Northern Ireland, and to consult the Policing Board, when making a decision as to whether those temporary provisions should be renewed. The review ended on 19 December, but I have continued to meet with political parties on this issue until recently.

  As a direct result of these temporary provisions, steady progress towards a more representative police service has been achieved. The number of Catholic applications to the PSNI has been unprecedented, averaging 35 per cent over six competitions. As a direct result, the proportion of Catholic officers in the
  WS 52
  regulars has increased from around 8 per cent to almost 14 per cent. Increase in Catholic representation among civilian staff has been slower, in part because 50:50 does not apply to all civilian recruitment competitions, only to those where six or more are sought in the same field at the same time.

  A number of issues were raised during the review about the efficiency of the 50:50 recruitment process and its fairness to candidates. I am looking seriously at those issues and my officials are liaising with the police to assess the scope for potential improvements. The Government are keen to move forward with increasing the representativeness of the police service. The more progress we can make now, the sooner it may be possible to put an end to a procedure that is difficult for many people to accept, but justified in our view for the greater good.

  For these reasons, and after considering carefully all the views expressed during the consultation period, the Secretary of State has now decided that those temporary provisions should be renewed for a further three years. That is why I am today laying before Parliament the draft Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (Renewal of Temporary Provisions) Order 2004. There will be an opportunity to debate the order in both Houses of Parliament.

  Rent Service
  The Minister of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Lord Rooker)
  Responsibility for the Rent Service, an executive agency, is to transfer from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The transfer will take place with effect from 1 April 2004.

  The reasons for transferring the Rent Service (TRS) to the Department for Work and Pensions are that the vast majority of TRS's work (around 90 per cent) is on rental valuations to determine how much housing benefit (HB) claimants should receive. Although this is carried out primarily for local authorities, the policy and legislative lead rests with DWP. TRS, which will retain its executive agency status on transfer, will be better placed to assist with taking forward the ongoing work on housing benefit reform—announced by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in October 2002—if it is operating within DWP.

  Only a small percentage of TRS's current workload relates to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's responsibilities on fair rents. The transfer will not prevent the agency contributing to the ODPM's policy objectives, as the role and functions of TRS remain the same.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is consulting with the trade unions involved in this change of departmental responsibilities.

  European Parliamentary, Local Authority and Greater London Authority Elections 2004
  Lord Rooker
  Following consultation with the Electoral Commission and other key stakeholders the following instruments have now been made and laid before Parliament:

  The Local Elections (Principal Areas) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Rules 2004, SI No. 223

  The Local Election (Parishes and Communities) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Rules 2004, SI No. 224

  The Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2004, SI No. 227

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also laid before Parliament, following consultation, the following draft instruments on which we are seeking the approval of the House:

  The Local Elections (Ordinary Day of Election 2004) Order 2004

  The European Parliamentary Elections Regulations 2004

  The Representation of the People (Combination of Polls) (England and Wales) Regulations 2004

  The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2004

  The Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2004

  As a package of measures these instruments would:

  give effect to the Government's announced intention to move the date of the English local authority and Greater London Authority elections in 2004, so that they take place at the same time as the European Parliamentary elections, and make consequential amendments relating to:

  the term of office of councillors affected by the postponement;

  the six-month period during which by-elections need not be held;

  the date of annual meetings for authorities affected by the postponement.

  make provision for the conduct of European Parliamentary elections in Great Britain and Gibraltar;

  provide revised rules for the combination of polls at all elections and also referendums pursuant to the Local Government Act 2000; and provide for other amendments to the Greater London Authority election rules.

  A summary of the responses we received during consultation on the draft instruments has been made available in the Libraries of the House.

  Elected Regional Assemblies: Planning Applications
  Lord Rooker
  The regional governance White Paper,Your Region, Your Choice: Revitalising the English Regions published in May 2002 announced that elected regional assemblies would, "have the power to request the Secretary of State to call in for his or her determination strategic planning applications which were not consistent with the regional spatial strategy" (paragraph 4.34).

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister proposes to strengthen these arrangements so that they have the same effect as those in London. We propose to give elected assemblies a power to direct local planning authorities to refuse strategic planning applications on similar grounds to those in London. The Mayor of London can exercise this power where he or she considers it would be, "contrary to the SDS [sustainable development scheme] or prejudice its implementation, or otherwise be contrary to good strategic planning in London". (paragraph 6.12 of Government Office for London Circular 1/2000).

  NHS: Prescription and Other Charges
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner)
  My honourable friend the Minister of State (Ms Rosie Winterton) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

  We shall lay before the House regulations to increase National Health Service charges in England from 1 April 2004. There will be a cash increase in the prescription charge of 10 pence from £6.30 to £6.40 for each quantity of a drug or appliance dispensed.

  The cost of prescription prepayment certificates will rise to £33.40 for a four-month certificate and £91.80 for an annual certificate. These offer savings for those needing more than five items in four months or 14 in one year.

  Prescription charges are expected to raise some £462 million for the NHS in 2004–05.

  Charges for elastic stockings and tights, wigs and fabric supports supplied through the hospital service will be increased similarly.

  The maximum patient charge for a single course of dental treatment begun on or after 1 April 2004 will increase from £372 to £378.

  The prescription charge increase is the same as in the previous five years and is well below the current level of inflation. The other increases are in line with this percentage increase.

  The majority of optical voucher values will increase by 2.5 per cent to help children and people on low income with the cost of spectacles or contact lenses In recognition of the greater costs which people with high prescription lenses may face, vouchers for these individuals will increase by 10 per cent. We will continue to monitor the costs of high prescription lenses over the coming year to see if further changes are necessary.
  WS 55
  NHS charges and optical voucher values in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for the devolved administrations.

  Details of the revised charges and optical voucher values have been placed in the Library.

  Maternity Services
  Lord Warner
  My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Dr Ladyman) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

  The Government's response to the Health Committee's fourth report of Session 2002–03 on Provision of Maternity Services, the eighth report of Session 2002–03 on Inequalities in Access to Maternity Services, and the ninth report of Session 2002–03 on Choice in Maternity Services, Cm 6140, has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  The Government recognise that women and their families currently benefit from high standard maternity services provided by dedicated and hardworking National Health Service staff.

  The Government are committed to maintaining and building on the quality of maternity services by tackling inequalities as a matter of priority and promoting choice for all women and their families.

  David Bennett Inquiry
  Lord Warner
  My honourable friend the Minister of State (Ms Rosie Winterton) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

  The report of the independent inquiry into the death of David "Rocky" Bennett is published today. David Bennett's death is a tragedy and my sincere sympathies go out to his family for their loss. He died five years ago in a medium secure unit after being restrained by staff. The report raises a number of very important issues. We have a duty to understand these and act upon their findings.

  It is essential that the health service is safe for service users and staff. Following a meeting with David Bennett's family, we established the cross-government group on the management of aggression and violence. We have just published positive practice standards for local services, and have established a programme of work with the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) to help to improve the organisation and quality of training for staff. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence will shortly publish guidance in this area.

  I accept that there is discrimination in the NHS, both direct and indirect. There is no place for racism or discrimination. It is unacceptable; it contradicts the basic value of equity that is the cornerstone of the health service. In mental health we have already made a start by publishing Delivering race equality, which outlines a national framework for local action.
  WS 56
  Behaviours and processes that have grown up in mental health services mean that there is particular inequity in the provision of care and outcomes for people from black and minority ethnic groups. We are committed to rooting out racism, tackling these inequalities and ensuring that the experience of people from black and ethnic minority groups is improved. The consultation feedback on Delivering race equality and the recommendations of the David Bennett inquiry report will help to inform future action.

  We also need senior, committed, leadership to ensure that change happens. This is why Professor Kamlesh Patel, chair of the Mental Health Act Commission, has been asked to direct the national programme of work, including the work of the National Institute for Mental Health. A national steering group, co-chaired by Lord Victor Adebowale, from Turning Point will also inform us. I will expect quarterly reports on progress.

  The National Institute for Mental Health has been set up to help to improve local mental health services. Its largest programme is focused on black and minority ethnic mental health. It covers:

  better quality and more intelligently used information;

  more appropriate and responsive services; and,

  increased community engagement.

  In order to ensure that change is sustainable we need to work with local communities to help us to understand their needs and to build their confidence. To help to achieve this we will fund 80 community engagement projects and appoint 500 community development workers to make a direct connection between local people, staff and services.

  In Delivering race equality we are absolutely committed to ensuring that staff have the knowledge and skills to enable them to deliver services to, and in partnership with, all groups in their community. This includes race equality training.

  Last but not least, when serious incidents occur, we know that good communication is essential. Families and carers need to be involved, and different agencies must communicate more effectively with each other. We are therefore working with the Home Office and police to improve local liaison; and with the NPSA to reform the process of independent inquiries. This will help to ensure that families and carers can be more closely engaged, and that staff and services learn the lessons they need to. We deeply regret the death of David Bennett. We are committed to making change happen.

  Learning and Skills Council: Annual Report and Accounts 2002–03
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland)
  My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Skills (Mr Ivan Lewis) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
  WS 57
  I would inform the House that the Learning and Skills Council for England has today published its annual report and accounts for the period to 31 March 2003. Copies have been placed in the House Libraries.

  Higher Education Reform
  Baroness Ashton of Upholland
  My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (Mr Charles Clarke) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

  I stated in the House on 27 January that I was commissioning a report to examine the gateways into the professions. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sir Alan Langlands, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee, to lead this work.

  Sir Alan will act as an independent person to oversee the report, which will examine how the public sector and the professions can sustain and improve recruitment opportunities for graduates, especially those who do not qualify for the full £3,000 support, and to make recommendations to Ministers on action that can be taken by the employing organisations to provide clear accessible gateways for all graduates who want to pursue such careers and which will benefit the recruitment needs of these sectors.

  The report will cover mainly the public sector but will also look at good practice in the private sector and will include those who work in a professional capacity in the voluntary sector. Additionally there will be reference groups established, one for each sector and with voluntary sector representation on each group.

  On the public sector, the report will analyse support that is currently available, (through bursaries, golden hellos, fee payment and loan write-offs), its effectiveness and future plans for post-autumn 2006. Furthermore it will assess whether these (plus any changes) are likely to continue to work after autumn 2006; and whether there are any gaps in what is available which are likely to create recruitment and retention problems.

  On the private sector, it will research current and possibly international practice on incentives for graduates, and assess how employers might respond in a variable fees environment.

  I am asking Sir Alan to start this work after Royal Assent this year with the aim of reporting to me by mid-2005.

  Building Schools for the Future
  Baroness Ashton of Upholland
  My honourable friend the Minister for School Standards (Mr David Miliband) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

  I am pleased to announce further details about Building Schools for the Future (BSF), including the projects in the first wave, the establishment of Partnerships for Schools, and the publication of the
  WS 58
  exemplar designs of schools of the future. This follows my statements of 26 February and 26 June 2003.

  These developments start to deliver the Government's long-term commitment to a programme of rebuilding and renewal to ensure that secondary education in every part of England has facilities of 21st century standard.

  We are announcing today the projects that will make up wave I of Building Schools for the Future, starting in 2005–06. Wave I will benefit from government support for£2.2 billion capital investment in our secondary schools. We hope to announce further waves during 2004. The projects in wave I are:

  the four BSF pathfinder projects, which were announced last March: Bradford, Bristol, Greenwich-Lewisham-Southwark (joint project), and Sheffield;

  plus 10 further projects. These are: Knowsley, Leeds, Manchester (phase 1 of their proposal only), Newcastle, Newham, Solihull, Gateshead/South Tyneside (joint project), Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland, and Waltham Forest; and two reserve projects: Lancashire (Burnley) and Leicester City.

  That is a total of 16 projects involving 19 local education authorities (LEAs) and substantial investment in some 180 schools.

  BSF must get off to a flying start, to ensure that the considerable benefits that this programme promises are delivered: greater impact on educational standards and local deprivation, improved procurement, and better value for money. Our focus on delivery will be enhanced through the creation of a new agent to support delivery—Partnerships for Schools. The department will manage Partnerships for Schools jointly with Partnerships UK, and with the participation of 4ps (Public Private Partnerships Programme), to co-ordinate the national delivery of the programme and provide support for LEAs. This body aims to build on the many strengths of the LEAs, and will respond to their needs, with a view to complementing rather than duplicating their role.

  At the national level, Partnerships for Schools will:

  support the Government in selecting areas to receive investment;

  establish best practice in delivery, both nationally and locally; and

  develop innovative and effective models of procurement, which help to create long-term public/private partnerships (PPPs), reduce the burden of bid costs, and streamline procurement through standard documentation.

  We are also publishing today a compendium of exemplar designs of the schools of the future. The designs are examples of high-quality school design by 11 leading architectural firms who have created some of the country's best modern buildings. The designs will help LEAs and schools to develop their educational vision and requirements, and will drive consistently high standards across all LEAs. They are

  WS 59
  not a straightjacket, but an inspiring basis for thinking about future provision.

  The resulting designs are innovative and inspirational. The compendium contains the aims of the programme, detail of the designs themselves, as well as some of the common emerging themes across the designs. The designs balance the need to design schools for today—for example, incorporating
  WS 60
  concepts from extended schools and special needs— with innovative ideas for tomorrow, such as the potential teaching models of ICT-rich open learning spaces in all-through schools or schools-within-schools.

  Further information can be found in the launch document which has been published today, copies of which have been placed in the Library.