Hansard - United Kingdom Parliament

27W
Written Answers
20 JUNE 2011
Written Answers
28W
Maldives: Overseas Aid
Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for
International Development if he will include the Maldives
in future non-direct grant programmes relating to (a)
climate change mitigation and (b) other issues. [59951]
Mr Duncan: The UK is one of 10 donors contributing
to the Scaling up Renewable Energy Programme which
has allocated finance to the Maldives. We will consider
further support as appropriate.
The Department has recently conducted a full review
of bilateral aid. Future bilateral support will be focused
on 27 countries. The list excludes the Maldives.
Overseas Aid
Mr Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for
International Development what funding classified as
official development assistance his Department has provided
(a) in cash terms and (b) in per capita terms to each
country through (i) UK-administered aid including aid
paid through the EU and (ii) aid administered by EU
aid programmes in the latest period for which figures
are available. [59956]
Mr O’Brien: Provisional 2010 official development
assistance (ODA) figures, including country breakdowns,
have recently been published on the Department for
International Development (DFID) external website:
www.dfid.gov.uk
While this country list is not exhaustive, final figures
will be reported later in the year in DFID’s publication
‘Statistics on International Development’. This will be
made available in the House Library or online at DFID’s
external website.
The United Kingdom’s attribution of the European
Commissions External Assistance budget in 2010-11 is
estimated at £954 million. In 2010 DFID’s core funding
to the European Development fund was 425 million.
The European Union’s most recent Annual Report, the
Annual Report 2010 on the European Community’s
Development and External Assistance Policies and their
Implementation in 2009, is available in the House Library.
Scotland
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for
International Development what proportion of contracts
issued by (a) his Department and (b) agencies for
which he is responsible were awarded to small and
medium-sized enterprises in (i) Scotland, (ii) South
Lanarkshire and (iii) Rutherglen and Hamilton West
constituency in the latest period for which figures are
available. [60207]
Mr O’Brien: The Department for International
Development (DFID) does not currently hold information
relating to contracts awarded to small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs). To collate this information would
incur disproportionate costs.
In April 2011, DFID developed and published on
our external website, a specific action plan to assist
SMEs. The document can be accessed at:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Working-with-DFID/Procurement/
Actions-to-Assist-Small-and-Medium-Enterprises/
WORK AND PENSIONS
Carer’s Allowance
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State
for Work and Pensions whether he plans to adjust the
carer’s allowance in line with changes to the cost of
living; and if he will make a statement. [60445]
Maria Miller: The rate of carer’s allowance is increased
annually in line with the consumer price index (CPI).
The CPI is the official, internationally recognised measure
of consumer prices in the United Kingdom, and it is the
most recognisable measure of price inflation. The
Government have no plans to change these arrangements.
The weekly rate for carer’s allowance was increased
from £53.90 to £55.55 in April 2011.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State
for Work and Pensions what recent representations he
has received on increasing the level of the carer’s
allowance; and if he will make a statement. [60446]
Maria Miller: The Government recognise the importance
of carer’s allowance in providing an independent source
of income and recognition of the important role that
carers play in society. We acknowledge carers’ concerns
on the level of carer’s allowance, and over the last few
months have had a number of representations on this
from Members of Parliament and from groups representing
carers, including Carers UK.
The rate of carer’s allowance is increased every April
in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The
Government keep the level of carer’s allowance under
review, but carers in lower income households can receive
additional help through the income- related benefits,
such as income support, housing benefit and council
tax benefit. These benefits include a carer premium of
£31.00 a week. Carers will also be supported through
the universal credit from 2013.
Carers Week
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Work
and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to
(a) promote and (b) mark Carers Week; and if he will
make a statement. [59047]
Maria Miller: I am proud to support Carers Week
2011. It gives us the opportunity to highlight and celebrate
the outstanding contribution that all carers make to
their families and their communities, through their tireless
devotion of time, energy and efforts to looking after a
loved one. The Department for Work and Pensions will
be supporting Carers Week in a number of ways:
actively working with advisory and representative groups to
ensure that carers, and carers groups, have access to the information
they need on benefits and other forms of support the Department
can offer;
raising staff awareness of Carers Week to increase understanding
of the issues that face carers, and encouraging participation in
local activities;
seeking staff feedback on how it can better support them in the
challenging role of maintaining employment and care.
In addition to this a number of staff in Jobcentre
Plus and the Pensions and Disability Carers Service will
be taking part in local Carers Week events.