here - United Kingdom Parliament

1245W
Written Answers
6 JUNE 2013
Written Answers
1246W
The figures show that there were 626 sales through
the Right to Buy scheme in Birmingham, the local
authority that covers the Hall Green constituency, in
the three years between 2010-11 and 2012-13. It should
be noted that these are sales from local authorities and
do not include sales of social housing stock through
Preserved Right to Buy made by registered providers
(such as housing associations).
Right to Buy sales have doubled in Birmingham since
the new discounts were introduced, but there is more to
do to inform tenants of their new rights and help them
up the ladder of home ownership.
Temporary Accommodation
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government what the
average length of time people spend in temporary
accommodation after being made homeless is. [157076]
Mr Prisk: The Department does not collect precise
information on the average length of time spent by
homeless households in temporary accommodation,
but estimates suggest that the average length of time has
fallen, from an average across England of 19 months in
2009-10 to 13 months in 2012-13.
We are investing £470 million in homelessness prevention
over four years (2011-12 to 2014-15) to help local authorities
and voluntary sector partners prevent and tackle
homelessness, rough sleeping and repossessions. We
have also invested an additional £1.7 million over two
years (2012-13 to 2013-14) in a new scheme to support
local authorities deliver a ’Gold Standard’ homelessness
prevention service to stem future increases in statutory
homelessness and rough sleeping. Homelessness is around
half the average level it was under the last Administration.
Homelessness acceptances remain lower than in 27 of
the last 30 years.
Wind Power: Planning Permission
Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government if he will put
measures in place to allow local communities to object
to onshore wind farms. [156965]
Mr Prisk: I refer my hon. Friend to the written
ministerial statement made today.
ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Biofuels
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy
and Climate Change what assessment he has made of
the use of the biomass gasifier technology using pyrolysis,
combustion and reduction to enable the combustion of
biomass from areas contaminated by radioactive fallout
to be used safely. [158016]
Michael Fallon: Emissions from biomass power stations
in England are regulated by the Environment Agency.
The agency has not received any requests to use radioactively
contaminated biomass, and has not, therefore, made
any such estimates.
Energy
Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for
Energy and Climate Change whether the Government
plans to review the threshold at which energy suppliers
are required to participate in social and environmental
programmes. [157865]
Gregory Barker: The Government is keen to ensure a
regulatory framework that facilitates competition among
current participants, encourages new entrants and allows
small suppliers to grow.
The exemptions for small suppliers from certain
environmental and social programmes are a key element
of the framework which we continue to consider as we
look at removing barriers to entry and growth.
Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for
Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to
reduce demand for energy. [158083]
Mr Davey: This Government’s November Energy
Efficiency Strategy clearly sets out the importance of
reducing our energy demand and how the UK has an
opportunity to lead the world in improving its energy
efficiency. Game changing initiatives such as the Green
Deal, Electricity Demand Reduction and the roll-out of
smart meters are central to realising this opportunity.
Fracking
Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy
and Climate Change what progress the Government has
made on facilitating exploration of UK shale gas reserves.
[158088]
Michael Fallon: We have strengthened the regulatory
framework to protect the environment and to ensure
that hydraulic fracturing is done properly and safely,
but we do want to encourage shale exploration. We have
announced fiscal incentives for developers and are working
on community benefits for example discounts on residents
bills in drilling areas.
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy
and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 16 May
2013, Official Report, column 358W, on fracking, what
plans he has to commission further studies on the
volume of shale gas in place to determine a total UK
shale gas resource. [158553]
Michael Fallon: DECC has already commissioned
further work by the British Geological Survey to assess
the potential shale gas resource in the Weald area in the
South of England. Once that study has been carried
out, DECC will consider whether further analysis will
be needed to assess the potential shale gas resource in
other parts of Great Britain.
Nuclear Power Stations
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy
and Climate Change when the UK’s new fleet of
nuclear power stations will come on line; and if he will
make a statement. [158451]