here - United Kingdom Parliament

833W
Written Answers
1 DECEMBER 2010
Written Answers
834W
Proportion of the population who have applied for unsecured credit and
the outcome of this application (where the outcome is known) in the
last six months
Credit
product
Proportion of the
population who
applied for credit/
loans
(percentage)
Application
was rejected
(percentage)
Percentage of
total population
Credit card 8 24 1.9
Unsecured
3 33 0.7
loan
Overdraft
2 29 0.8
facility
Store card 1 19 0.3
Mail order 1 14 0.2
Car finance
1 9 0.1
loan
Notes:
1. Based on 2009-10 YouGov data, sample size 13,172.
2. The statistics in the table need to be interpreted with caution. Due
to data limitations, we are unable to say how many individuals were
refused credit completely in the last six months. For instance, a
borrower may have refused a credit card, but was able to secure an
overdraft facility. In addition, the values in the table cannot be
summed, to produce statistics on the proportion of the population
refused credit. This is because some borrowers may have been rejected
for more than one credit product. Certain credit products have been
excluded such as payday loans and home credit, which are unlikely to
be offered by banks and building societies.
Departmental Food
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business,
Innovation and Skills whether his Department has
guidelines on ensuring that food used for his Department’s
official functions is of domestic origin. [25438]
Mr Davey: The Department’s contracted catering
and conference supplier Baxterstorey are accredited to
the Red Tractor Farm Assurance Scheme and are fully
compliant, demonstrating robust support for enhanced
animal welfare, environmental responsibility, quality
produce and supporting British producers.
The Department adheres wherever possible to the
five key objectives of the Public Sector Food Procurement
Initiative (PSFPI). These objectives run in parallel to
those of Baxterstorey, which form part of the policies
that result in the approach to sustainable and ethical
procurement. For example all eggs used on the departmental
estate are British, Lion Brand standard and free range
and 99% of all pork and bacon products are British and
supplied by Red Tractor accredited suppliers.
Higher Education: Admissions
Elizabeth Truss: To ask the Secretary of State for
Business, Innovation and Skills what the participation
rate was of people aged 18 years in each income
quintile entering higher education for the first time in
the latest period for which figures are available. [27759]
Mr Willetts: The Department does not publish
information in the form requested. Latest figures show
that 15% of pupils aged 15 in 2003/04 who claimed free
school meals (FSM) at English maintained schools
progressed to HE by the age of 19 in 2007/08. The
equivalent figure for young people who did not claim
free school meals is 33%.
FSM eligibility is means tested and the majority of
FSM young people are from households in receipt of
some form of income support. Some 14% of young
people claim free school meals.
These figures have been estimated using matched
data from the National Pupil Database, the Higher
Education Statistics Agency Student Record and the
Learning and Skills Council Individualised Learner
Record. Figures for 2008/09 will be available next year.
The Department uses a number of measures to monitor
progress on participation of disadvantaged students,
such as those from low participation neighbourhoods,
and low socio-economic groups. However, figures in
this answer have been provided as receipt of FSM is
directly related to family income.
Higher Education: Finance
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for
Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer
of 11 November 2010, Official Report, column 480W,
on higher education: finance, what the outcomes were
of his discussions with the Secretary of State for Work
and Pensions. [27309]
Mr Willetts: The Secretary of State for Business,
Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member
for Twickenham (Vince Cable) and I have discussed the
proposed changes to higher education funding and
student finance at Cabinet. Our statements to the House
of Commons on this subject reflect the Government
position, as agreed at these meetings.
Local Enterprise Partnerships
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for
Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has to
fund the development of Local Enterprise Partnerships;
by what mechanisms such partnerships will he be able
to bid for funds from his Department to fulfil their
duties; and if he will make a statement. [27714]
Mr Prisk: No central Government spending has been
allocated specifically to fund the activities of local
enterprise partnerships. As set out in the White Paper
on Local Growth local enterprise partnerships will be
expected to fund their own day-to-day running costs
and will also want to consider how they can obtain the
best value for public money by leveraging in private
sector investment. The mechanisms for how local enterprise
partnerships may bid for centrally available funds, such
as the regional growth fund, will be specific to the fund
itself. Details regarding how to access the regional
growth fund can be found on the Department’s website
at the following address:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/regional-economicdevelopment/regional-growth-fund
Manufacturing Industries: Trade Competitiveness
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State
for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has to
support competitiveness in the manufacturing sector.
[27090]