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I heard what the Minister for Borders and Immigration said earlier about the new visa arrangements for English language schools, but may I just point out that last Thursday I met a young man from Taiwan who was studying English in this country preparatory to going to Sheffield Hallam university and who will need four or possibly even five visas to achieve that? Indeed, under the new arrangements he may even have to go back Taiwan to make one of those applications. Will my hon. Friend at least consider all the material that I have sent to him and to the Secretary of State and reconsider the position?

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Topical questions - Supplementary

Status

Answered

Date

22 March 2010

Reference

508 c19

House

House of Commons

Thanet

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to South Thanet constituency, the effects on South Thanet of his Department's policies and actions since 2000.

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

1 February 2010

For answer on

3 February 2010

Answered on

5 March 2010

The Home Office has introduced a range of policies and initiatives since 1997. However, it is not always possible to quantify their effects particularly at constituency level. The available statistical information therefore relates to the Thanet Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership area.In terms of police recorded crime in Thanet, between 2002-03 and 2008-09, total recorded crime fell by 3 per cent. More specifically:"Violence against the person - up 27 per cent. (down 6 per cent. in last year)""Sexual offences - up 10 per cent. (down 25 per cent. in last year)""Robbery - up 12 per cent. (up 17 per cent. in last year)""Burglary - down 17 per cent. (down 7 per cent. in last year)""Offences against vehicles - down 34 per cent. (down 15 per cent. in last year)""Other theft offences - no change (no change in last year)""Criminal damage - no change (down 19 per cent. in last year)""Drug offences - down 28 per cent. (down 22 per cent. in last year)"Data prior to 2002-03 is not directly comparable because of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. Additionally, no data at borough level is available prior to 1998-99.With regard to police numbers, the available information relates to the East Kent Basic Command Unit which had 448 police officers as at 30 March 2009. The number of police officers has increased by 17 since 2007 (different boundaries where in place prior to this). Comparisons with 1997 for East Kent BCU are not available. There were 67 Police Community Support Officers as at 30 March 2009 while there were none in existence in 2000.ASBKent is to receive an additional £64,000 to tackle AntiSocial Behaviour as part of the joint announcement in November 2009 by the Home Secretary and the Communities Secretary of additional funding for tackling ASB.Tackling KnivesKent is part of the Tackling Knife Crime and Serious Youth Violence Programme (TKAPIISYV). This includes work with young people and the community to prevent and educate about knife crime and serious youth violence. Kent has been allocated £100,000 from the TKAP programme for 2009-10.Alcohol Related ViolenceThanet is part of the Alcohol Partnership Support Programme receiving funding for 2008-09 of £30, 000 and 2009 -10 of £30,000 for alcohol initiatives and communications. £25,000 has been used to assist Thanet in putting in place the necessary components for the successful multi agency running of the night time economy or other meeting place. The remaining £5,000 is for communication work.Domestic ViolenceFor 2009-10 GOSE has provided Kent with £40,000 funding from the Home Office Private Place Violence regional funds for Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs). The IDVA works with and supports high risk victims of domestic violence.In 2008-09 GOSE provided Kent with £35,000 funding to increase their MARAC coverage across the region, and also funded MARAC training of £20,000 and IDVA funding of £40,000. Thanet is served by the East Kent MARAC covering Thanet and Canterbury. Thanet is benefiting from GOSE regional support on improving performance of MARACs through the commissioning of tailored MARAC chair training providing them with the tools and skills to develop their MARAC and improve delivery of NI32 - reducing repeat victimisation. The Home Office have provided NI32 data collection workshops for MARAC co-ordinators.Drug-related offendingSince the inception of the national Drugs Intervention Programme (DIP) in 2003, Kent has received Home Office funding to deliver the DIP programme enabling it to tackle and reduce drug-related crime through targeting and steering individuals into treatment to reduce their offending. In 2009-10 Kent received a grant of £1,168,644.Migration Impact Fund (MIF)The MIF will be targeted at projects which have identified innovative solutions to migration related pressures. Funding will be allocated to local projects from Government Offices working closely with local partners. It will be targeted at projects which have identified innovative solutions to migration related pressures - where possible involving and benefiting a number of local services. Thanet will benefit from MIF through monies that were awarded to Kent county council.(a) Thanet SpecificCzech/Roma Integration - £70,000 in respect of year one (2009-10) and £90,000 provisionally awarded for year two (2010-11) focused which is specifically Thanet(b) Kent award, which will include some benefit to Thanet£210,000 in respect of year one (2009-10) and £210,000 (in aggregate, as per year 1) provisionally awarded for year two (2010-11); to promote the participation and inclusion of new migrants in Kent; mobile information and advice service to hard to reach rural migrant workers; and one-stop-shop for migrantsThe Neighbourhood Statistics Service provides a wide range of statistical information at parliamentary constituency level, taken from the 2001 census and other sources. This service is available on the National Statistics website at:"http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk"

Date

5 March 2010

Reference

506 c1505-8W; 315633

House

House of Commons

Thanet

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to South Thanet constituency, the effects on South Thanet of the policies and actions of his Department and its predecessors since 2000.

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Energy and Climate Change

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

1 February 2010

For answer on

3 February 2010

Answered on

22 February 2010

The Department of Energy and Climate Change and its predecessors have implemented a large number of policies to address energy security, emissions reductions, low carbon economic growth and fuel poverty since 2000. Some of the key achievements are set out as follows, along with information on the number of households assisted by the Warm Front scheme in South Thanet constituency. It would be disproportionately costly to provide statistical information on all the impact of all the policies to the level of detail requested, but statistical information covering energy and climate change is available at:"http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/statistics.aspx"Key achievements"Total UK greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by about 12 per cent. compared with 1997.""The UK is on track to cut emissions by nearly twice our Kyoto target (22 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2008-12 compared to the target of 12.5 per cent. set out under the Kyoto agreement).""The Climate Change Act in 2008 set a target of at least 80 per cent. reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050. Our first three carbon budgets legally bind the UK to a cut in greenhouse gases of 34 per cent. by 2018-22 against a 1990 baseline. In 2009, the UK's Low Carbon Transition Plan set out the long-term vision for climate change and energy and showing how we will meet the carbon budgets set out in the Climate Change Act.""In the same year, the Department published National Policy Statements on energy infrastructure which will lead to faster and fairer planning decisions and a diverse low carbon energy mix. An ambitious new framework for clean coal will also drive development of carbon capture and storage.""The UK's energy market is the most competitive in the EU and has attracted over £97 billion of investment from 1997 to 2008 (at 2005 prices). The UK also has the greatest installed capacity of offshore wind in the world.""Turning to household measures, since 2002, the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) and its predecessors have helped over 6 million households with insulation measures with almost 3 million of these in a priority group of vulnerable households.""Government will be providing more financial assistance to help people generate their own heat and electricity in low carbon ways, where appropriate, through 'clean energy cashback' schemes:""Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) will be in place from April 2010. Payment for low carbon electricity produced by small-scale generators (including households), will be provided through the electricity supply companies to encourage the uptake of low carbon and renewable electricity generating technologies by households, businesses and communities.""The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), scheduled for launch in April 2011, will provide households, communities and businesses with payment for getting their heat from renewable sources. The detailed design of the RHI is currently out for consultation."Warm Front scheme: South Thanet constituencyDECC's Warm Front scheme provides grants for households on qualifying income and disability related benefits to install a range of insulation and heating measures in their homes. Since 2000 the scheme has assisted 2,067 households in the South Thanet constituency.

Date

22 February 2010

Reference

506 c73-4W; 315639

House

House of Commons

Urology: Health Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment has been made of the effects on levels of competition in the urology industry of the development of local primary care trust tenders for the provision of urology products and services; and if he will make a statement;

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Health

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

22 February 2010

Reference

506 c154-5W; 317340

House

House of Commons

Urology: Health Services

(2) what assessment has been made of the effects on patient choice of the increasing use of tenders and formularies in primary care for urology and stoma products and services; and if he will make a statement;

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Health

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

22 February 2010

Reference

506 c154-5W; 317341

House

House of Commons

Urology: Health Services

(3) what his Department is doing to ensure that the use of local primary care trust tenders and product formularies for urology products does not prevent patients being able to access their choice of Part IX products via the normal prescription process; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Health

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

22 February 2010

Reference

506 c154-5W; 317342

House

House of Commons

Thanet

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to South Thanet constituency, the effects on South Thanet of her Department's policies and actions since 2000.

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Work and Pensions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

1 February 2010

For answer on

3 February 2010

Answered on

22 February 2010

DWP lead the Government's response to some of the biggest issues facing the country—welfare and pension reform—and are a key player in tackling child poverty¹. As the biggest delivery department in the UK, DWP makes a difference to millions of people every day, helping them to lead safer, fairer and more rewarding lives that are free from poverty. We want to give people more choice and control over their lives and are committed to providing greater choice and personalised support to everyone who needs it so they have the opportunity to get into and remain in work. We believe that work works. Even in economically challenging times we know that work works for the most vulnerable and the disadvantaged.Support to find workThrough Jobcentre Plus, we are promoting work as the best form of welfare for people of working age. Since 2000, although the number of people unemployed in South Thanet has increased by 31 per cent. to 2,153, the number unemployed for more than one year has decreased by 21 per cent. to 280. From May 2000 to May 2009 the number of lone parents claiming income support in South Thanet has decreased by 24 per cent. to 1,070.Our new deals have helped lone parents, the young unemployed, the long-term unemployed, disabled people, the over 50s and partners of unemployed people to move from benefit into work. Since their inception over 2.2 million people in Great Britain have found work with the support of the new deal, and 3,640 have been helped in South Thanet.Support for childrenWe introduced a target to halve child poverty by 2010-11 on the way to eradicating it by 2020. Poverty is measured using a headline indicator of the proportion of children in households with an income below 60 per cent. of contemporary household median income before housing costs. This is in line with international best practice.Statistics on the numbers of children living in poverty are not available at the constituency level. But the latest information for the south east Government office region shows that the proportion of children in poverty has risen from 14 per cent. to 15 per cent. since 2000.²Support for older peopleFigures from 2000 relating to support for older people could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, figures are available from 1997 and these are shown as follows.Since 1997 our strategy has been to target help on the poorest pensioners while providing a solid foundation of support for all.This year we will be spending over £13 billion more on pensioners than if we had continued with the policies that were in place in 1997. Around half of that money will go to the poorest third of pensioners.In 1997 the poorest pensioners, who received income support, lived on £69 a week (£98 in today's prices). Today pension credit, which was introduced in 2003, means no pensioner needs to live on less than £130 a week, £198.45 for couples. As of May 2009 6,340 pensioners in South Thanet are benefiting from pension credit.In 2007-08 there were 900,000 fewer pensioners living in relative poverty in UK compared to 1998-99 (measured as below 60 per cent. of contemporary median household income after housing costs).Statistics on the proportion of pensioners living in relative poverty are not available at the constituency level. But the latest data for the south east Government office region show that the number of pensioners in poverty fell from 23 per cent. to16 per cent. since 2000³. Pensioners in the UK also benefit from a range of additional support such as the winter fuel payment which this winter is worth £250 for households aged between 60 to 79 and £400 for households aged 80 or over. These payments provide vital reassurance to older people that they can afford to turn up their heating during cold weather. Prior to winter 1997-98 less than £60 million was spent helping pensioners meet their fuel bills—this year we will be spending around £2.7 billion on winter fuel payments alone. In 2008-09 22,070 people aged 60 and over benefited from winter fuel payments in South Thanet.We have also taken steps to strengthen and protect the private pensions system to ensure people can continue to have confidence to save for their future through the establishment of the Pensions Protection Fund, the financial assistance scheme and a more powerful and proactive pensions regulator.The protection system ensures that, unlike in 1997, people aren't left without a pension even in the event that their employer becomes insolvent.In total 733 people in the south east region are receiving compensation from the Pension Protection Fund (data not available at constituency level).4We have also taken forward a radical package of pension reforms in the Pensions Acts of 2007 and 2008 which will deliver a fairer and more generous state pension and extend the opportunity of workplace pension saving to millions, many for the first time.The state pension reforms begin to come into effect from 2010 and will mean around three quarters of women reaching state pension age in 2010 are expected to qualify for a full basic state pension compared to half without reform.Support for disabled people and carersSince 2001, we have significantly extended and improved civil rights for disabled people in areas such as employment, education, access to goods and services and transport. Disabled people in South Thanet will have benefited from these improvements. The Welfare Reform Act 2009 contains powers to increase choice and control for disabled adults, including disabled parents who are entitled to state support, enabling them to choose how certain state support is used to meet their individual needs. This will be trailblazed in up to eight local authority areas from late 2010. Older and less well off carers have gained extra help through the provisions within the National Carers Strategy."¹ The Department for Work and Pensions was created in 2001 and so information relates to the Department and its predecessors.""² Based on three-year averages and figures are rounded to the nearest percentage point or 100,000 children between 2000-01 to 2002-03 and 2005-06 to 2007-08.""³ Based on three-year averages and changes are rounded to the nearest percentage point or 100,000 pensioners between 2000-01 to 2002-03 and 2005-06 to 2007-08.""4 Regional information about assistance payments received by members from the financial assistance scheme could be obtained only at disproportionate cost."

Date

22 February 2010

Reference

506 c105-7W; 315632

House

House of Commons

Thanet

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality if she will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to South Thanet constituency, the effects on South Thanet of the policies and actions of the Government Equalities Office since it was established.

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Minister for Women and Equalities

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

10 February 2010

Reference

505 c1009W; 315635

House

House of Commons

Thanet

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to South Thanet constituency, the effects on South Thanet of the policies and actions of his Department and its predecessors since 2000.

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Children, Schools and Families

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

1 February 2010

For answer on

3 February 2010

Answered on

10 February 2010

Since 2000 the Government have transformed education and child care with improved outcomes for children and young people. Figures showing the performance at key stage 2 and at GCSE and equivalents in South Thanet are given in the following tables:

Key stage 2 results of 11 year old pupils attending schools in the South Thanet constituency
Percentage of pupils gaining level 4 and above	2000	2009³	Percentage point improvement 2000-09
South Thanet
English¹	72	74	2
Maths¹	63	70	7
Science¹	75	82	7

England
English²	75	80	5
Maths²	72	79	7
Science²	85	88	3
¹ Local averages include pupils attending all maintained schools (including Academies and City Technology Colleges).
² England averages include pupils attending all maintained schools (including Academies and City Technology Colleges).
³ Revised data.

GCSE and equivalents¹ results for pupils² attending schools³ in the South Thanet constituency
Percentage of pupils gaining:	2000	20095	Percentage point improvement 2000-09
South Thanet
5+ A*-C	52.7	75.1	22.4
5+ A*-G	92.9	92.4	-0.5

England
5+ A*-C4	49.2	70.0	20.8
5+ A*-G4	88.9	92.3	3.4
¹ From 2004 results incorporate GCSEs, GNVQs and a range of other qualifications approved pre-16. Prior to 2004 results are based on GCSEs and GNVQs only.
² From 2006 figures are for pupils at the end of key stage 4. Prior to 2006 results are based on pupils aged 15.
³ Local averages include pupils attending all maintained schools (including Academies and City Technology Colleges) and from 2000 do not include pupils recently arrived from overseas.
4 England averages also include independent schools as well as hospital schools and PRUs.
5 Revised data.

Further information by constituency is provided within the Department's 'In Your Area' website available at:"http://www.dfes.gov.uk/inyourarea"Information available at constituency level includes the number of specialist schools, number of operational Academies, number of teaching assistants and other support staff, number of teachers and pupil:teacher ratios. Where information is not available at constituency level it has been provided at local authority level including the number of free early education places taken up by three and four-year-olds, number full-time and part-time entrants to higher education institutions aged 18 to 20, average A level point score per candidate and per entry together with percentage of people of working age qualified to at least Level 2 and percentage of people of working age qualified to level 4 and above.Additional information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Date

10 February 2010

Reference

505 c1095-7W; 315637

House

House of Commons

Engagements

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Prime Minister

Prime Minister's questions - Lead

Status

Answered

Notes

Lead question not printed

Date

10 February 2010

Reference

505 c908; 316559

House

House of Commons

Engagements

Specialist nurses are going to be vital if we are to meet the Prime Minister's commitment to one-to-one care for cancer patients, as well as helping people with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease to stay in their own home. However, we know from the early 1990s that when Governments decide to squeeze NHS budgets, specialist nurses often do not get a look in. Will the Prime Minister guarantee that under his Government, specialist nursing will get the resources that it needs to deliver the standard of health care at home that we Labour Members want to see?

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Prime Minister

Prime Minister's questions - 1st Supplementary

Status

Answered

Date

10 February 2010

Reference

505 c908

House

House of Commons

Thanet

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to South Thanet constituency, the effects on South Thanet of the policies and actions of his Department since it was established.

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Justice

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

1 February 2010

For answer on

3 February 2010

Answered on

9 February 2010

The Ministry of Justice's work spans criminal, civil and family justice, democracy, rights and the constitution. Every year around nine million people use our services in 900 locations across the United Kingdom, including 650 courts and tribunals and 139 prisons in England and Wales.The range of the Department's policies and actions is wide and the statistical information relating to it is not normally collected on a constituency basis. Consequently, some of the information requested in the question cannot be provided in the form requested except at a disproportionate cost."Although data on sentencing for the period are not available for the constituency of South Thanet, it is available for Kent. This shows an increase in the total number of offenders sentenced annually from 26,321 in 1997 to 34,385 in 2008, the latest period for which such information is available.""The number of offences brought to justice for the Kent area increased from 26,685 for the 12 months ending 31 March 2001 (the earliest period since which such data have been compiled) to 40,846 (provisional figures) for the 12 months ending 31 March 2009.""With regard to prosecutions, data are not available for the constituency of South Thanet. However, the total number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts in Kent increased from 32,160 in 1997 to 41,425 in 2008.""The latest data, which cover reoffending in the period 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009, showed that the three-month reoffending rate for offenders on the probation caseload in the Kent county council area was 8.79 per cent. After controlling for changes in the characteristics of offenders on the probation caseload, there was an increase in reoffending of 9 per cent. compared to the 2007-08 baseline. Data are not available prior to 2007 on this basis.""The number of persons commencing court order supervision by the Probation Service in Kent was 3,324 in 1997and 4,633 in 2008.""33,059 civil non-family proceedings were started in the county courts of Kent HMCS area in 2008, compared to 42,319 in 1998, the first year for which these figures are available. There were also 3,082 private law applications and 105 public law applications made in the county or High Courts of this HMCS area in 2008-09, compared to 2,635 and 238 respectively in 2003-04, the first annual period for which these figures are available."In addition, at a national level:"Local communities are being better engaged in criminal justice—by giving them a say in the types of Community Payback projects offenders carry out and allowing them to see justice being done, for example through the use of high visibility jackets. Offenders have now worked more than 14 million hours, with an estimated value to the taxpayer of over £80 million.""Major constitutional reforms have been delivered, including devolution, the Human Rights Act, Freedom of Information, Lords Reform, and a new Supreme Court for the UK."

Date

9 February 2010

Reference

505 c945-8W; 315634

House

House of Commons

Thanet

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to South Thanet constituency, the effects on South Thanet of his Department's policies and actions since 2000.

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

1 February 2010

For answer on

3 February 2010

Answered on

9 February 2010

My Department's aim is to improve the quality of life for everyone through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries.The impact of bodies and policies of my Department on the South Thanet constituency since 2000 include:"£5,813 given from Arts Council England to organisations based in South Thanet in 2008-09 through the Grants for the Arts programme.""Digital Switchover is due to take place in South Thanet in 2012. By the time switchover is complete at the end of 2012, 98.5 per cent. of households nationwide will be able to receive digital TV—the same number that can currently receive analogue.""Almost £14 million of national lottery grants made to applications from the South Thanet constituency since 1997."The South Thanet constituency has also benefited from other policies and spending whose impact cannot be broken down by constituency. This includes:"£4 billion of Exchequer funding spent on culture.""More than £5.5 billion invested in sport by the Government and the national lottery since 1997.""Almost 400,000 free swims taken in the south east in the first six months of the Free Swimming programme.""A 68 per cent. increase in national museum visits from 1998-99 to 2008-09—10 per cent. of which were by adults from lower socioeconomic groups.""£416.6 million in grants allocated by English Heritage since 1997.""48 per cent. of buildings on the original 1999 Buildings at Risk Register having their future secured.""90 per cent. of all pupils taking part in at least two hours of high quality PE or sport per week in 2008 from an estimated 25 per cent. in 2003-04—exceeding our target."

Date

9 February 2010

Reference

505 c823W; 315630

House

House of Commons

Prisoners Maintaining Innocence

One group of people who often have difficulty expressing and establishing their innocence are those on the autistic spectrum. In the state of Maryland in the United States, this is being tackled by the Maryland curriculum, which trains court officers and police officers to recognise autistic behaviour. Would my hon. Friend be prepared to review the Maryland curriculum to see whether there would be any merit in introducing such a scheme in the United Kingdom?

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Justice

Oral questions - Supplementary

Status

Answered

Date

9 February 2010

Reference

505 c744

House

House of Commons

Thanet

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to South Thanet constituency, the effects on South Thanet of his Department's policies and actions since 2000.

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Health

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

1 February 2010

For answer on

3 February 2010

Answered on

8 February 2010

The Government have put in place a programme of national health service investment and reform since 1997 to improve service delivery in all parts of the United Kingdom. 93 per cent. of people nationally now rate the NHS as good or excellent. The NHS Constitution contains 25 rights and 14 pledges for patients and the public including new rights to be treated within 18 weeks, or be seen by a cancer specialist within two weeks, and an NHS health check every five years for those aged 40-74 years.There is significant evidence that these policies have yielded considerable benefits for the South Thanet constituency. For example:Figures for November 2009 show that in Eastern and Coastal Kent primary care trust (PCT):93 per cent. of patients whose treatment involved admission to hospital started their treatment within 18 weeks.97 per cent. of patients whose treatment did not involve admission to hospital started their treatment within 18 weeks.In September 2009, at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, 99.2 per cent. of patients spent less than four hours in accident and emergency from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge.Between September 2002 and September 2008, the number of consultants at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust has increased from 237 to 281. Between September 2002 and September 2008 the estimated number of nurses has increased from 2,209 to 2,361.Between September 2001 and September 2008, the number of general practitioners (GPs) per 100,000 within Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT has increased from 53.8 to 63.3.92.6 per cent. of urgent GP referrals to East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust with suspected cancer are seen by a specialist within two weeks of the referral.Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT opened its GP-led health centre in early 2009 at Sheppey Community Hospital in Sheerness. The Sheppey NHS Healthcare Centre is open between 8 am and 8 pm, seven days a week, and additional services include minor surgery, podiatry and ultrasound scanning.There is one private finance initiative (PFI) scheme in the area that serves this constituency: a £14 million PFI scheme from Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT that opened in October 2002.Although statistical information is not available at a local level, South Thanet will have also benefitted from national policies in other areas. For example:Since 1997, gross current expenditure on personal social services has increased by around 70 per cent. in real terms, with around 105,000 households now receiving intensive home care and 3,076 new extra care housing units—exceeding the original target of 1,500 new extra care units.Other strategies currently being implemented are:Subject to Parliamentary approval, the Personal Care at Home Bill will guarantee free personal care for 280,000 people with the highest needs and help around 130,000 people who need home care for the first time to regain their independence.““Shaping the Future of Care Together Green Paper””, published in July 2009, sets out a vision of a National Care Service for all adults in England that is fair, simple and affordable. The Department has consulted widely on this reform and is currently analysing the responses, which will feed into a White Paper later this year.The National Carer's Strategy—Carers at the heart of 21st century families and communities—launched in 2008.The first National Dementia Strategy was published in February 2009.““Valuing People Now””—a three-year strategy for people with learning disabilities–was published in January 2009.““New Horizons: A Shared Vision for Mental Health”” was launched in December 2009 to maintain improvements in mental health services, combined with a new cross-Government approach to promoting public mental health.Since 1998, there are 2.4 million fewer smokers in England as a result of the Government's comprehensive tobacco control strategy, which has a measurable impact on reducing smoking prevalence.Child obesity levels are reducing due to the efforts of families across England, supported by the Government's obesity strategy. In 2008, 13.9 per cent. of children (aged 2 to 10) in England were classified as obese, compared with 17.3 per cent. in 2005.Overall, life expectancy at birth for men has increased from 74.5 years (1995-1997 data) to 77.7 years (2006-08 data) while for women, life expectancy at birth has increased from 79.6 years (1995-97 data) to 81.9 years (2006-08 data).

Date

8 February 2010

Reference

505 c715-7W; 315631

House

House of Commons

Thanet

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to South Thanet constituency, the effects on South Thanet of the policies and actions of his Department and its predecessors since 2000.

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Transport

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

1 February 2010

For answer on

3 February 2010

Answered on

8 February 2010

The Transport Act 2000, as amended by the Local Transport Act 2008, has provided a new policy framework benefiting all local transport authorities. The framework gives greater certainty of funding, while encouraging more strategic transport planning with local consultation, and increasing local flexibility and discretion over resources. It was accompanied by a significant increase in capital funding: support from the Department for transport investment in Kent, within which transport authority South Thanet falls, has risen more than fourfold over the last decade.Investment in Kent county council's local transport plan has delivered a number of improvements to the quality, safety and accessibility of the local transport network. Between 2004 and 2008, bus patronage per head of population increased by 19 per cent., and the number of people killed or seriously injured on the local highway network decreased by 36 per cent. in the period 2001-07.In 2003, Kent county council was awarded £447,000 from the Department's 'Urban Bus Challenge' fund to develop the 'Thanet Loop' bus service. The Thanet Loop has provided a simplified, high-frequency network of services linking Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate with the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital and the Westwood Cross shopping centre. The service achieved a 20 per cent. increase in patronage in its first year of operation.In 2005, the county council submitted a successful bid to the Department for 'Kickstart' revenue funding of the 'Dover and Deal Diamond' bus route. The £371,000 award facilitated the implementation of a frequent and fully accessible service, providing Sandwich, Deal, Dover and the Kent coalfield regeneration area with enhanced public transport links to Canterbury, as well as improved bus stop infrastructure funded by the county council.It was announced in August 2009 that the Department had approved Kent County council's major scheme business case for the construction of the £87 million East Kent Access Road. The project will provide high quality road links between areas of deprivation in Thanet and Dover and the major employment sites at the port of Dover, the channel tunnel, and the Eurokent business park in Ramsgate. It is anticipated that construction of the new road will be completed in autumn 2012.

Date

8 February 2010

Reference

505 c673-4W; 315638

House

House of Commons

Thanet

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to South Thanet constituency, the effects on South Thanet of the policies and actions of his Department and its predecessors since 2000.

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

1 February 2010

For answer on

3 February 2010

Answered on

4 February 2010

Since 2000, the policies and actions of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (and its predecessors) have focused on building a competitive economy and on delivering prosperity and sustainable economic growth. The implementation of BIS policy in Thanet, has been taken forward primarily by SEEDA and GOSE, working in partnership with the local authority and other relevant bodies.There are no data on South Thanet as it is not a local authority and consists of a number of wards. Data for Thanet have been used to respond to this question.Examples of how BIS policies and actions have impacted on Thanet include:"The stock of VAT registered businesses has increased from 2,420 businesses in 2000 to 2,835 businesses in 2007¹.""The proportion of business registrations (including VAT and PAYE) per 10,000 resident population aged 16 and above has increased from 40.6 in 2002 to 48.4 in 2008.²""The number of business creation has also increased from 415 new businesses registering for VAT and/or PAYE in 2002 to 425 in 2008.³""The percentage of small businesses showing growth in employment has increased from 10.27 per cent. in 2003 to 13.78 per cent. in 2008.4""Levels of skills have changed in Thanet since 20015.""Performance at level 2 has increased from 57.5 per cent. to 58.7 per cent.""Performance at level 3 has decreased from 41.0 per cent. to 36.7 per cent.""Performance at level 4 has decreased from 23.0 per cent. to 19.2 per cent."Specific data for South Thanet6."Between 2000 and 2008 the number of businesses units in the constituency of South Thanet increased by 600, which represents a 25 per cent. increase in business stock. This compares to an increase of just 14 per cent. in the South East as a whole over the same period.""Between 2000 and 2008 employment (excluding self employment) within South Thanet increased by 5,180, or 20 per cent., while in the South East as a whole employment grew by just 3 per cent. in the same period."For further information on South Thanet specifically, the Neighbourhood Statistics Service provides a wide range of statistical information at parliamentary constituency level, taken from the 2001 census and other sources. This service is available on the National Statistics website at"http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/""¹ Extracted from NOMIS, source: BERR—VAT registrations/de-registrations by industry.""² Data produced by BIS and available on the BIS website:""http://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/national_indicators/index.htm""³ As above.""4 As above.""5 APS—Annual Population Survey data. The data on skills levels is subject to large confidence intervals at district level and shows variation on a year to year basis.""6 Annual Business Inquiry 2008."

Date

4 February 2010

Reference

505 c518-9W; 315636

House

House of Commons

Ex-servicemen: Care Homes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what estimate has he made of the number of residential home and nursing home places that are available specifically for former service personnel;

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

4 February 2010

Reference

505 c465W; 314385

House

House of Commons

Ex-servicemen: Care Homes

(2) what steps his Department is taking to ensure the provision of residential and nursing home places for former service personnel diagnosed with service-related disabilities, long-term illnesses or age-related care needs; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

4 February 2010

Reference

505 c465W; 314388

House

House of Commons

Ex-servicemen: Health

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of former service personnel who have been diagnosed with service-related injuries or long-term illnesses in each year since 1992.

Asked by

Stephen Ladyman (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

26 January 2010

For answer on

28 January 2010

Answered on

2 February 2010

It is only possible to identify veterans who have a health condition related to their service if they have made a claim and received an award under the relevant compensation scheme. The War Pensions Scheme (WPS) provided no-fault compensation for all ex-service personnel where illness, injury or death was caused by service before 6 April 2005. The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) which came into force on 6 April 2005 provided no-fault compensation for injury, illness or death caused by service on or after that date.The following data, available only from 2002, provide the number of first time claims against these schemes as the best way of indicating how many personnel were diagnosed with service-related injuries or long-term illness in the time frame requested. They will therefore exclude ongoing payments through these schemes received by personnel diagnosed as suffering from in-service injuries or illness before 2002.The following table provides the number of first claims awarded under the WPS by calendar year and by type of award. Ongoing war pensions reflect those who receive a regular pension, gratuity payments are a one off single payment, while nil awards are those that are awarded when it is accepted that a particular disablement is a result of service, yet no monetary compensation is given.

	All	Ongoing	Gratuity	Nil
All	46,545	12,140	23,290	11,115
2002¹	3,870	1,045	1,670	1,155
2003	7,330	1,965	3,310	2,055
2004	6,905	1,755	3,485	1,665
2005	6,820	1,760	3,515	1,545
2006	6,185	1,590	3,170	1,420
2007	5,450	1,485	2,770	1,195
2008	5,775	1,495	3,050	1,225
2009²	4,215	1,045	2,320	850
¹ Includes January to September only, data between October and December 2002 cannot be provided in this type of breakdown.
² Includes January to September only, data between October and December 2009 have not yet been published.
Note:
As figures have been rounded to the nearest five, totals may not add due to rounding.

Between 1 November 2005 and 30 September 2009, there were a total of 1,995 individuals awarded under the AFCS who were not in service on 1 January 2010. This is broken down by year as follows:

	Awards
2006	200
2007	360
2008	790
2009	445

A total of 195 individuals have been awarded under both schemes.

Date

2 February 2010

Reference

505 c207-8W; 314386

House

House of Commons

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