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75WS Written Ministerial Statements 1 DECEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 76WS pleased to see that these conclusions recognise the importance of digital technologies as one of the key economic drivers for Europe’s future prosperity; welcome the emphasis on the re-use of public sector data as a potential driver of private-sector led innovation; and welcome the “active and healthy ageing” EIP pilot that will be jointly developed by DG-INFSO and DG-SANCO (the latter being the part of the Commission that deals with health issues). 4. European Broadband: investing in digitally driven growth— Adoption of Council conclusions The last substantive item on the agenda is the adoption of the Council conclusions that specifically cover the European broadband strategy (EM 13874/10). This strategy is another component of the Commission’s “Broadband Package”. The importance of broadband roll-out is noted under item 1 above and I plan to make the following interventions during the planned discussion on these conclusions: HMG welcomes the adoption of these conclusions and hope that they will be taken note of by member states and the Commission to aid them in the rollout of super-fast broadband; The UK recognises the value of these conclusions and will shortly publish a UK-wide broadband strategy, detailing HMG’s plan to ensure every UK citizen is able to access broadband; and The EU broadband objectives are challenging, but by working together, and alongside the private sector, we can achieve them. I will inform the House of the outcome of the discussion on this, and the preceding item in my post-Council statement. This concludes the formal substantive business items for Council. However, there are three items that are covered by “Any Other Business”. They are: A. A report on the state of development of roaming services within the European Union—Presentation by the Commission. This item will be coupled with a discussion over lunch preceding the Council. These items will be centred around the Commission’s recent Interim Report on the State of the Roaming Market (EM11711/10) During the lunch, Ministers have been asked to consider and discuss three questions. In summary they cover issues relating to stimulating competition, the impact of technological change and the introduction of a price cap on the retail price of data while roaming. During my lunch time discussion and any debate following the presentation from the Commission, I intend to make the following points: we look forward to proposals from the Commission on how they intend to deal with the roaming issue when the current regulation expires in June 2012; we fully support the call by the Commissioner for a functioning single market in mobile roaming services; especially with respect to data (which is of increasing importance for EU citizens); and we would welcome high-level but detailed discussions between all interested parties on this issue to try—possibly using the same format as the recent meeting on net neutrality—and find a way forward that benefits consumers but also does not undermine competition, investment or innovation in the mobile sector. B. Internet Governance Forum (IGF)—Briefing by the Commission and the Presidency. I do not plan an intervention on this item but if the opportunity arises, I will reaffirm HMG’s policy lines that: supports the multi-stakeholder approach on internet governance; welcomes the agreements reached at the recent ITU plenipotentiary; and anticipates a positive outcome to a vote in the UN General Assembly later in December to extend the mandate of the IGF for another five years. C. The next presidency’ programme and events—Briefing by the Hungarian delegation This item is a presentation from the Hungarian delegation on their plans once they assume the presidency of the EU (1 January 2011 to 30 June 2011). I do not plan an intervention for this item but you may wish to note that my officials are in the final stages of planning a bilateral meeting with Hungarian officials so that we are able to capitalise upon any opportunities that may be presented by Hungary assuming the presidency. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT London Reforms and the Localism Bill The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Eric Pickles): I am today announcing a new settlement for London which includes a package of measures to be included in the forthcoming localism Bill. These far reaching proposals include measures which will significantly devolve power to the Greater London Authority, London boroughs and beyond and they will streamline the plethora of agencies in London’s public sector landscape. They are based on proposals put forward by the Mayor and London boroughs themselves. We have listened to key players in the capital and responded to their ideas. The measures include: The devolution of executive powers over housing investment from the Homes and Communities Agency to the GLA so that there is more decentralised control over housing investment decisions in the capital. The abolition of the London Development Agency, with its city-wide roles on regeneration and management of European funding to be transferred to the GLA so that the mayor is directly accountable. New powers for the Mayor of London to create Mayoral Development Corporations to focus regeneration where it is needed most, such as to help secure East London’s Olympic legacy, in partnership with London boroughs. London boroughs will be given greater control over key local planning decisions that affect their local communities. The mayor will only consider the largest planning applications in future. A more streamlined approach to mayoral strategies and increased powers of scrutiny for the London Assembly over these strategies, including the power to reject final strategies by a two thirds majority. A new requirement for the GLA Group to publish details of all expenditure over £500 and openness rules will be extended to Transport for London.
77WS Written Ministerial Statements 1 DECEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 78WS These reforms will drive decision making back into the hands of the mayor and locally elected London leaders, streamlining the way London is run and paving the way for further devolution to London boroughs. CABINET OFFICE Diamond Jubilee Civic Honours Competitions The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr Mark Harper): I am pleased to announce that the Government are today launching UK-wide competitions for a grant of city status and a grant of Lord Mayoralty (or Lord Provostship) to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Local authorities throughout the United Kingdom who believe that their district, borough, town or city deserves consideration for either of these rare honours are invited to apply by the closing date of 27 May 2011. Entry guidelines have been posted on the Diamond Jubilee section of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s website, www.culture.gov.uk. Copies have also been placed in the Libraries of both Houses, the Vote Office and the Printed Paper Office. The document provides guidance on the contents of applications, as was the case for the competitions held for Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee, as well as full details on the submission of entries. In addition, for the first time in such competitions, the entry guidelines specify a standard format for entries. Local authorities are urged to use the standard format, which is intended to limit the costs of entering the competition and to introduce a fair basis for comparison between entries. The honours will, however, continue to be rare marks of distinction conferred, on ministerial advice, under the royal prerogative, rather than rights to be earned by the meeting of specific criteria. All valid entries will receive individual consideration on their merits and the Government look forward to announcing the results of the competitions in the early months of 2012. ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Single Payment Scheme The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mr James Paice): The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will today begin payments under the 2010 single payment scheme (SPS). Over the next few days payments totalling over £1 billion are expected to be made to some 80,000 claimants. This represents over 75% of eligible claimants. Further progress towards the agency’s 2010 SPS payment targets—to pay 85% of eligible SPS claimants by the end of December 2010 and to pay 95% of the value of SPS payments by the end of March 2011—is being closely monitored by the RPA oversight board which I chair. Against the background of the additional workload created by the update last year to Rural Land Register and reduced staff numbers, it is clear that meeting those targets represents a significant challenge. Farmers may be assured that outstanding payments will be made as individual claims are verified. But that will not mean cutting corners: I am determined to bring a renewed focus on accuracy to the administration of the scheme so that legacy issues are addressed once and for all and the agency is then able to deliver a better quality of service to farmers in the medium term. Equally, we need to ensure taxpayers, interests are safeguarded by ensuring our actions represent good value for money and further discussions will take place with the National Audit Office to that end. As we progress through the payment window, I will keep the House informed on the agency’s progress towards its targets and any related decisions by the RPA oversight board. At an individual level, the RPA are writing to farmers where it appears unlikely that payment will be made during the course of December. HEALTH Stem Cell Transplant Services The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Anne Milton): As part of the Government’s desire to see improved services for NHS patients, the Department asked the NHS Blood and Transplant Authority to lead a review of stem cell transplant services. The authority duly established the UK Stem Cell Strategic Forum, an advisory group of national and international experts, service providers, clinicians, patients and charities which has now reported on its findings. The report, “The Future of Unrelated Donor Stem Cell Transplantation in the UK”, contains 20 recommendations on how we can better deliver this type of stem cell technology for the benefit of NHS patients. The Department welcomes the report. We will now begin work, in collaboration with the NHS, NHS Blood and Transplant and the Anthony Nolan Trust to develop improved partnership working and consider how the findings and recommendations in the report can be best translated into real service improvements. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library and copies are available to hon. Members in the Vote Office. HOME DEPARTMENT Local Licensing Act The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (James Brokenshire): Today, alongside the publication of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill, we are publishing the Government’s response to the Rebalancing the Licensing Act consultation which was conducted earlier this year and includes the full analysis of consultation responses. Our response sets out which proposals we will be taking forward from the consultation document, and how; explains why we have decided not to proceed with some proposals; and outlines new proposals that we have introduced in response to suggestions received during the consultation. The Government believe that local communities should have a greater role in determining local licensing. The package of measures that we are introducing through the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill and the additional changes we will make through secondary legislation and guidance will rebalance the Licensing
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