The Parliamentary Information Office reported in 2010 on the building of the 2050 Pathway Calculator and has been flowing closely its adaptation for use in other countries

Unprecedented collaboration between energy strategists from the UK and China will culminate today in the start of a high level conference, 18-21st September in Beijing, aimed at understanding how best to tackle climate change and ensure energy security.

China’s Energy Research Institute (ERI) has been working with its British counterparts to adapt the UK Government’s ‘2050 Calculator’ to their own economy. The online tool, which will be available to the public, exposes the risks and trade-offs associated with different future energy scenarios. For
example: what balance could be struck between energy efficiency and building new power supply? What is the role for new nuclear? Which technologies will be adopted?

The UK is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, relative to 1990 levels. We need a transformation of the UK economy while ensuring secure, low carbon energy supplies to 2050, and face major choices about how to do this. In 2010, the Department for
Energy and Climate Change built the 2050 Calculator to help the public engage in the debate and for Government to ensure its short- and medium-term planning was consistent with achieving the long-term aim. In the Carbon Plan published in December 2011, the Calculator was used to illustrate three 2050 futures that show some of the plausible routes towards meeting the target.

The 2050 Pathways work presents a framework through which to consider some of the choices and trade-offs we will have to make over the next forty years. It is system-wide, covering all parts of the economy and all greenhouse gases emissions released in the UK. It is rooted in scientific and engineering realities, looking at what is thought to be physically and technically possible in each sector.

The Department for Energy and Climate Change is working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the Department for International Development to engage with experts from other countries in developing 2050 Calculators.

The 2050 Calculator can be readily adapted for use by other countries: China, Belgium and South Korea have already tailored the Calculator for their own use.

Following dialogue between the UK and the Chinese Government, the Chinese Energy Research Institute decided to build their own China 2050 Calculator, to be published at the 2050 Energy and Emissions Pathways Conference.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, with the support of the British Embassy Beijing, are to jointly host the conference, alongside China’s Energy Research Institute (ERI), which will showcase the work to date and look to further countries taking part.

Ed Davey, DECC Secretary of State, said:

“The 2050 Calculator is a ground-breaking tool to help countries better plan their future energy strategy, in a transparent and evidence-based way. We welcome the work of our Chinese colleagues.”

Using the latest and most detailed data available, ERI have created a tool that allows the user to select how China will achieve its energy security up to 2050. The tool covers the entire energy sector, and will be open to experts and ordinary people alike, to model how different energy decisions will affect the whole country.

The UK’s 2050 Calculator, the first of its kind created, provides a comprehensive analysis of plausible pathways to a secure, low carbon energy system in the UK to 2050.

An online user-friendly web application, My2050, is also available in the UK, which allows the public to develop their own energy scenarios out to 2050.

DECC Director of Strategy, Ravi Gurumurthy said:

“We are collaborating with China and other countries in building a wider base for this innovative and practical analysis, and I would like to invite other interested countries to join us in enriching this collaboration further.”

Together, the UK and China will engage with other developing and developed countries at the Conference to promote the use of this modelling methodology.

The Parliamentary Yearbook will continue to report on environmental issues and their impact on the UK as we go through the months ahead.

Web: www.parliamentaryinformationoffice.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

18th September 2012

The Parliamentary Information Office has been monitoring progress in Government policy relating to education, particularly relating to the plurality of our system and continues to report on changes as they occur

The Government yesterday announced that 55 new Free Schools will open this September. The first 24 Free Schools opened in September 2011 while a further 114 have been approved to open in 2013 and beyond.

Free Schools aim to achieve higher standards and offer a genuine alternative. They are funded by the Government but have greater freedoms than local authority-run schools. They are run by teachers – not local councils or Westminster politicians – and have freedom over the length of the school day and term, the curriculum and how they spend their money.

Independent state schools have existed for several decades. In the 1980s, City Technology Colleges were established in deprived areas. In the 1990s, existing state schools were given more freedom and independence under the status of Grant Maintained schools. In 2000, Academies were established – like City Technology Colleges, they are independent state schools in deprived areas, with sponsors from business and education. In 2005 the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, expanded the Academy programme, citing charter schools in the United States and Free Schools in Sweden as a model for the UK.

The schools opening this month include:

• Dixon’s Music Primary Academy, in Bradford, which is the first specialist music primary school in England.
• Everton in the Community Free School, on Merseyside. The alternative provision school is being run by Everton Football Club and will cater for pupils aged 14 to 19 not in mainstream education.
• Bilingual Primary School, in Brighton & Hove, will be the first bilingual Free School in England, specialising in English and Spanish.
• School 21, in Newham, east London, is a teacher-led all-through Free School, including a sixth-form, in an area of significant deprivation. One of the founder members, and the executive head teacher, is Peter Hyman, previously a speech-writer for ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair.
• Rosewood Special Free School, in Southampton. A special school for children who have Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities.
• Tiger Primary School, in Maidstone, Kent, where all children will learn Mandarin and a musical instrument.
• Perry Beeches II The Free School, in Birmingham, is a new 11-18 Free School set up by an existing outstanding secondary school, Perry Beeches The Academy. The academy’s head, Liam Nolan, turned round the school’s performance from 21 per cent of pupils achieving five A*-C GCSEs including English and maths in 2007 to 77 per cent this year.
• London Academy of Excellence, in Newham, east London. This is a sixth-form Free School which is being run by eight leading independent schools including Brighton College and Eton College.

Of the new Free Schools opening this September, 19 are primary schools, 19 are secondary schools and seven are all-age schools. There is one 14-19 school and one 16-19 school. Five are alternative provision schools – the first Free Schools of their type – and three are special schools.

The schools are spread across England. They are primarily concentrated in areas of deprivation or areas where there is a shortage of school places. 25 of the 55 schools are located in the most deprived 25 per cent of communities in the country. 33 of the schools are in areas where there is need for more school places.

12 have been set up by teachers, 19 by parent or community groups, 9 by charities and 13 are set up by existing education providers. Two existing independent schools will join the state sector as Free Schools.

Groups that were successful in applying to open a Free School went through a robust process to make sure they were suitable and capable to run a school. They had to:

• provide evidence of demand for the particular new local school they wanted to set up;
• set out in detail the curriculum the school would offer, the type of teachers it would recruit, and how the school would run its pupil admissions to make sure they are fair;
• develop robust plans for how the school planned to run its finances (which then were scrutinised to make sure the school was financially viable);
• secure an appropriate site for the school that provided value for money for the taxpayer; and
• be CRB checked and undergo in-depth vetting by the Department’s Due Diligence Unit.

Like other state-funded schools, Free Schools are inspected by Ofsted, will have their exam and test results published and will have to teach a broad and balanced curriculum. Action will be taken if results slip or if teaching isn’t up to scratch. Free Schools also have to abide by the same rules for pupil admissions as other schools – making sure that these are fair and inclusive of children from different backgrounds.

Education Secretary Michael Gove said:

“Every child should have the choice to go to an excellent local school. These new schools have been set up by idealistic people who are determined to give parents the kind of choice that only the rich can currently afford. The first 24 Free Schools are enormously popular and I expect this second wave to be equally successful.”

Liam Nolan, executive head teacher of Perry Beeches II, Birmingham, said:

“This is a fabulous opportunity for us to expand our brand of success into a new community and to work with a new group of young people in the heart of Birmingham. This is one of the beauties of Free Schools, that the very best schools can extend their outstanding practice.”

Marina Gutierrez, Chair of the Bilingual Primary School Trust, Brighton, said:

“I am delighted that this project has now become a reality and that Brighton & Hove's children will have bilingualism as an educational choice.”

Free Schools have proved hugely popular with parents. All 24 which opened last year have filled, or almost filled, all their places for this year. Many have expanded to meet demand and many have large waiting lists.

New York Charter Schools, one of the inspirations behind Free Schools, have been shown to substantially narrow the attainment gap between rich and poor – by 86 per cent in maths and 66 per cent in English. In Chicago they halve the achievement gap between inner-city students and their wealthier suburban counterparts.

In England academies, which have the same freedoms as Free Schools, improve at a faster rate to state secondary schools – between 2010 and 2011 the proportion of pupils achieving five or more GCSEs at A* to C including English and maths rose by 5.7 per cent in academies, compared to 3.1 per cent in state secondary schools.

The Parliamentary Information Office will continue to report on free school development as we go through the months ahead.


Web: www.parliamentaryyearbookinformationoffice.co.uk

Email: [email protected]


4th September 2012

The Parliamentary Information Office has watched with considerable interest the changes in attitudes and the effect of the London Paralympic Games as part of its commitment to monitor community action to increase diversity and inclusiveness in our business and social activities

As the world gathers to experience the inspiring Paralympic Games in London, business leaders, governments and the Paralympic Movement have come together for a two day summit to discuss inclusion and accessibility, how this impacts on society, and what the Paralympic Games represent as a catalyst for societal change.

The summit aims to build on the success of the Accessibility Summit in Vancouver in 2010 and is being run by the IPC Academy and held in Lancaster House from 6th to 8th September.

Just opposite Buckingham Palace and close to St James’ Palace, Lancaster House is a stunning venue. A classic example of opulent Victorian design, with its ornate decoration and the dramatic sweep of it’s great staircase, Lancaster House has set the scene for what is an important and vital occasion.

At the London 2012 Paralympic Games the world has been inspired by the remarkable performances of Paralympians. Indeed, the Paralympic Games are first and foremost about elite sport as the pinnacle of achievement for these athletes and teams. More broadly the Games provide a platform and a point in time for the world to reflect and appreciate the diverse nature of the people around us. As such, the Paralympic Movement inherently creates an inclusive and accessible ethos which leads societies it touches towards progressively inclusive communities.

Ban Ki-Moon, United Nations Secretary General said of the paralympic movement:

“The United Nations convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities aims to achieve human rights and development for all. The Paralympic Games are a powerful force for advancing this objective; they inspire not only athletes, but all of us, to recognize the unlimited potential of all persons”.

Presenters at the Summit include:

• Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee
• Lord Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
• Stevan Griffiths, Head of Technical Services, International Rugby Board
• Dmitry Chernyshenko, President, Sochi 2014 Organising Committee
• Carlos Arthur Nuzman, President, Rio 2016 Organising Committee
• Stephen Frost, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, LOCOG
• Margaret Hickish, Inclusive Design Director, Movement Strategies
• Peter Searle, CEO UK and Ireland, Adecco
• Keith Williams, CEO, British Airways
• Gerry Walsh, Head of Procurement, LOCOG
• Patrick de Maeseneire, CEO Adecco Group
• Bruce Roch, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Adecco Group, France
• Steve Girdler, Director of London 2012 Partnership, Adecco
• Katja Saarinen, active paralympic athlete
• Aileen McGlynn OBE, active paralympic athlete
• Florence Gravellier, retired paralympian athlete
• Jayne Pletser-Dent, Curriculum Manager for Inclusive Education, International Baccalaureate
• Patrick Glennon, Senior Vice President for the International Paralympic Committee
• Daniel Moylan, Chairman, London Legacy Development Corporation

The Summit is being presented in partnership with the Adecco Group, one of the world's leading provider of HR solutions, and UK Trade & Investment, the UK Government department that works with businesses based in the UK to ensure their success in international markets.

Patrick De Maeseneire, CEO Adecco Group said:

"The skills, drive, commitment and resilience that Paralympians bring to the workplace are truly unique. We experience this first hand at Adecco, where Paralympic athletes are a part of our team. Through our involvement in the IPC Athlete Career Programme, we are able to share with other companies how valuable Paralympians are for their workforce while we support the athletes themselves on their career paths beyond elite sports. The inclusion of people with disabilities in the working world is high on our agenda and we are proud of Adecco UK’s role as the Official Recruitment Services Provider for the London 2012 Games. With a key focus on diversity and a disability talent pool, this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games can be assured of a truly diverse and inclusive workforce.”

The Parliamentary Information Office will continue to report on inclusiveness as we go through the months ahead.

Web: www.parliamentaryyearbookinformationoffice.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
7t September 2012

The Parliamentary Information Office is, with constitutional pundits generally, following closely the reaction to the Prime Minister’s first Cabinet shuffle since the General Election in 2010.

David Cameron has shuffled his cabinet, making thirteen changes in total and raising much speculation about a shift of his government to the right leaving the Lib Dems and the coalition weakened over policies such as crime, the environment, Heathrow airport and business-friendly policies.

Downing Street itself announced that the shuffle, which would be the only major change made to the Cabinet before the 2015 election, is an attempt to promote ministers capable of delivering on policies already announced.

At Prime Minister’s questions today Mr Cameron said, in response to a question by the Leader of the Opposition “Let me explain what this reshuffle is all about. It is not that there are two economic Departments in our country, the Treasury and Business; I want every single Department to be about the economy. I want the transport department building roads; I want the communities department building houses; I want the culture department rolling out broadband; and I want the agriculture department backing British food. This is a Government who mean business, and we have got the team to deliver it.”

In a symbol of the commitment to delivery, Mr Cameron has appointed LOCOG chief executive, Paul Deighton, as Treasury minister based in the Lords to deliver infrastructure.

Although No 10 said the shuffle did not mean any change in coalition policy, his appointments have caused much speculation to the contrary.

Justine Greening, a fierce opponent of a third runway at Heathrow, along with Theresa Villiers, another opponent, have been moved from Transport. Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary has been demoted following his handling of health reforms to be replaced by a surprise appointment in Jeremy Hunt. Chris Grayling’s appointment as Justice Secretary in place of Ken Clarke is seen by many as a move to the right on sentencing, legal aid and the Human Rights Act.

Only three Ministers have been moved entirely from Government … Caroline Spelman from Environment; Cheryl Gillan from the Wales Office and Sir George Young as Leader of the House.

The full Cabinet list is shown below:

Rt Hon David Cameron mp (Con)
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service

Rt Hon Nick Clegg mp (LD)
Deputy Prime Minister, Lord President of the Council

Rt Hon George Osborne mp (Con)
Chancellor of the Exchequer


Rt Hon William Hague mp (Con)
First Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

Rt Hon Chris Grayling mp (Con)
Lord Chancellor, Secretary of State for Justice

Rt Hon Theresa May mp (Con)
Secretary of State for the Home Department

Rt Hon Philip Hammond mp (Con)
Secretary of State for Defence

Rt Hon Dr Vincent Cable mp (LD)
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills

Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith mp (Con)
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Rt Hon Edward Davey mp (LD)
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change

Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt mp (Con)
Secretary of State for Health

Rt Hon Michael Gove mp (Con)
Secretary of State for Education

Rt Hon Eric Pickles mp (Con)
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin mp (Con)
Secretary of State for Transport

Rt Hon Owen Paterson mp (Con)
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Rt Hon Justine Greening mp (Con)
Secretary of State for International Development

Rt Hon Theresa Villiers mp (Con)
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Rt Hon Michael Moore mp (LD)
Secretary of State for Scotland (and provides ministerial support to the Deputy Prime Minister in the Cabinet Office)

Rt Hon David Jones mp (Con)
Secretary of State for Wales


Rt Hon Maria Miller mp (Con)
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Minister for Women and Equalities

Rt Hon Danny Alexander mp (LD)
Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Rt Hon Lord Strathclyde (Con)
Leader of the House of Lords, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

Rt Hon Grant Shapps mp (Con)
Minister without Portfolio (Minister of State)

Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke qc, mp (Con)

 Minister without Portfolio, Cabinet Office

Also attending Cabinet meetings

Rt Hon Francis Maude mp (Con)
Minister for the Cabinet Office, Paymaster General

Rt Hon Oliver Letwin mp (Con)
Minister of State — Cabinet Office (providing policy advice to the Prime Minister in the Cabinet Office)

Rt Hon David Willetts mp (Con)
Minister of State (Universities and Science) — Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Rt Hon Andrew Lansley mp (Con)
Leader of the House of Commons, Lord Privy Seal

Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell mp (Con)
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and Chief Whip

Also invited to attend Cabinet meetings when required

Rt Hon Dominic Grieve qc, mp (Con)
Attorney-General


The Parliamentary Information Office will watch developments with considerable interest and continue to report on this and other constitutional issues.

Web: www.parliamentaryyearbookinformationoffice.co.uk

Email: [email protected]


5th September 2012

The Parliamentary Information Office has reported over the years on industrial and domestic waste management and recycling and is monitoring closely progress across Europe as well as in the UK

Improved rules from Brussels on the collection and treatment of e-waste entered into force last week. E-waste (i.e. waste electrical and electronic equipment, or WEEE) is one the fastest growing waste streams, and it offers substantial opportunities in terms of making secondary raw materials available on the market. Systematic collection and proper treatment is a precondition for recycling materials like gold, silver, copper and rare metals in used TVs, laptops and mobile phones. The new Directive is a clear step forward in terms of environmental protection and a major boost to resource efficiency in Europe.

Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said:

"In these times of economic turmoil and rising prices for raw materials, resource efficiency is where environmental benefits and innovative growth opportunities come together. We now need to open new collection channels for electronic waste and improve the effectiveness of existing ones. I encourage the Member States to meet these new targets before the formal deadline."

The Directive introduces a collection target of 45% of electronic equipment sold that will apply from 2016 and, as a second step from 2019, a target of 65% of equipment sold, or 85% of electronic waste generated. Member States will be able to choose which one of these two equivalent ways to measure the target they wish to report. From 2018, the Directive will be extended from its current restricted scope to all categories of electronic waste, subject to an impact assessment beforehand.

The Directive gives Member States the tools to fight the illegal export of waste more effectively. Illegal shipments of WEEE are a serious problem, especially when they are disguised as legal shipments of used equipment to circumvent EU waste treatment rules. The new Directive will oblige exporters to test whether equipment works or not, and provide documents on the nature of shipments that could be thought illegal.

Another expected improvement is the reduction of administrative burdens through harmonisation of national registration and reporting requirements. Requirements by Member States' registers for producers of e-waste will now be aligned more closely.

Currently only one third of electrical and electronic waste in the EU is separately collected within the documented system. The existing EU collection target is 4 kg of WEEE per capita, representing about 2 million tons per year, out of around 10 million tonnes of WEEE generated annually in the EU. By 2020, it is estimated that the volume of WEEE will increase to 12 million tons. The final target of the new Directive, an ambitious 85% of all WEEE generated, will ensure that in 2020 around 10 million tons, or roughly 20kg per capita, will be separately collected in the EU.

Next Steps

By 14 February 2014 at the latest, Member States will have to amend their existing legislation on WEEE and align it with the new Directive and the new targets. Consumers can then return small e-waste at large retail shops unless existing alternative schemes are shown to be at least as effective. From the date of national transposition onwards, a reversed burden of proof will apply to shipments of used equipment which are suspected to be illegal waste shipments.

From 2016 onwards, Member States will be required to ensure that 45% of electrical and electronic equipment sold in each country is collected.

From 2018 onwards, the scope of the Directive is widened from today's categories to all electrical and electronic equipment.

From 2019 onwards, the collection target is raised to 65 % of electrical and electronic equipment sold, or the alternative measure of 85 % of WEEE generated.

Some Member States will be able to derogate from the new targets for a limited time, where this is justified by a lack of necessary infrastructure or low levels of consumption of electronic equipment.

The Commission will use the powers given in the new Directive to harmonise the frequency of reporting by producers to the national registers, and the format for registration and reporting. The Commission will review certain changes agreed with the new Directive, for example as regards the scope, in order to identify any undesirable effects.

The existing WEEE Directive (Directive 2002/96/EC) has been in force since February 2003. It provides for the creation of collection schemes where consumers return their used e-waste free of charge. The purpose is to prevent harm to human health and the environment from hazardous substances contained in WEEE, and to increase the recycling and/or re-use of products and materials. In December 2008, the Commission proposed a recast WEEE Directive, and this has now been modified and adopted by the Parliament and the Council.

In January this year Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik announced that, according to a European Commission study, full implementation of EU waste legislation would save €72 billion a year, increase the annual turnover of the EU waste management and recycling sector by €42 billion and create over 400,000 jobs by 2020. Illegal waste operations in Member States are causing missed opportunities for economic growth, but stronger national inspections and better knowledge about waste management would bring major improvements.

Mr Potočnik said at the time:

"We need to see waste as a resource – and to bury that resource in the ground is worse than short-sighted. This report shows that waste management and recycling can make a big contribution to economic growth and job creation. If the existing legislation was implemented properly, we could avoid costly clean-up operations, pollution and health problems. And let's not forget that recycled materials are cheaper than virgin ones – and that they reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our dependence on imports."

The Parliamentary Information Office will continue to report on environmental issues and their impact on the UK and our European partners as we go through the months ahead.

As part of its ongoing reports on the Government’s energy and climate change policy the Parliamentary Information Office  has been monitoring the achievements of the Government’s Low Carbon Innovation Coordination Group

Low carbon technologies have been put under the spotlight with the publication last week of three in-depth reports into key areas of innovation.

This new analysis, the Technology Innovation Needs Assessments (TINAs), delves into marine energy, electricity networks and storage, and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). The TINAs examine the potential for innovation in these technologies and assess the economic benefits to the UK. This work will also help inform the prioritisation of public and private sector investment to ensure these technologies reach their full potential.

The work has been undertaken by the Low Carbon Innovation Coordination Group (LCICG), which is made up of a range of different bodies including the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Carbon Trust, the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and other organisations with significant low carbon innovation interests.

The LCICG’s TINA Project is a collaborative effort involving all members of the LCICG group and aims to identify and value the key innovation needs of specific low carbon technologies, in order to inform the prioritisation of public sector investment in low carbon innovation.

The TINA analytical framework was developed and implemented by the Carbon Trust with contributions from all core LCICG members as well as input from numerous other expert individuals and organisations.

Each TINA analyses the potential role of the technology in the UK’s energy system; estimates the value to the UK from cutting the costs of the technology through innovation; estimates the value to the UK of the green growth opportunity from exports; assesses the case for UK public sector intervention in innovation; and identifies the potential innovation priorities to deliver the greatest benefit to the UK.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said:

“Innovation is key to the growth of the low carbon economy here in the UK. This new analysis will help us better understand the value of these technologies to our growing green economy as well as the barriers to commercialisation, helping us put our available investment in the right place to spur on further innovation.”

Key findings of the Technology Innovation Needs Assessments (TINAs):

• CCS: Innovation across the CCS technology chain could reduce UK energy system costs by £10-45bn to 2050, and innovation to ensure the security of long-term CO2 storage remains particularly critical to CCS viability. The key technological components of carbon capture, transport and injection have been demonstrated at commercial scale, however, component costs and efficiency penalties remain high and uncertain, and many challenges related to full integration remain to be tackled. Innovation could also help create a UK industry with the potential to contribute further economic value of £3-16bn to 2050.
• Electricity networks and storage (EN&S): Advanced EN&S technologies have the potential to address new stresses that are likely to be placed on the electricity system, and to do so more cost-effectively than would be possible through traditional methods of grid reinforcement and fossil-fuel-powered system balancing capacity. EN&S technologies could play an important role in the future energy system, supporting the uptake of renewable electricity generation, renewable heat, electric vehicles (EVs), and other low carbon technologies. Innovation in EN&S technologies could save the UK £4-19bn to 2050 and could help create UK-based business opportunities that could contribute an estimated £6-34bn to GDP to 2050.
• Marine energy: The UK has a large natural resource of marine energy that could make a meaningful contribution to the UK energy mix from around 2025. Cost of energy generated will need to reach around £100/MWh by 2025 for marine energy to be competitive with other technologies. This pathway is ambitious but possible with significant innovation. If successful, innovation in Marine energy could save the energy system approximately £3 - 8bn and help create a UK industry that could contribute an estimated £1-4bn to GDP up to 2050.

The TINA findings will be used to underpin the design and focus of DECC’s and other LCICG’s members’ programmes and activities in these technology areas.

The first TINA on offshore wind was published in February 2012. TINAs for other technology areas including Bioenergy, Industrial Energy Efficiency, Heat, Domestic Buildings, Nuclear Fission and Hydrogen are expected to be published over the next few months.

The Parliamentary Information Office will continue to report on progress as we go through the months ahead.

The Parliamentary Information Office has been monitoring progress towards the set up and implementation of the UK Green Investment Bank following the Energy Act last year

The UK is to set up the world’s first investment bank solely dedicated to greening the economy.

The initiative is part of the Government’s commitment to setting the UK firmly on course towards a green and growing economy, while also delivering long-term sustainable growth.

This transition to a green economy presents significant growth opportunities for UK-based businesses, both at home and abroad.

It will require unprecedented investment in key green sectors - an estimated £200 billion is needed for the energy system alone over the period to 2020.

The UK Green Investment Bank (GIB) will be a key component of the progression towards a green economy, complementing other green policies to help accelerate additional capital into green infrastructure.

Its mission will be to provide financial solutions to accelerate private sector investment in the green economy. Capitalised with £3 billion, the GIB will play a vital role in addressing market failures affecting green infrastructure projects in order to stimulate a step up in private investment.

It will build the necessary deep expertise in financial markets and green investments, working towards a ‘double bottom line’ of both achieving significant green impact and making financial returns.

Following best practice, the UK Green Investment Bank has been established under the Companies Act and will operate at arm’s length from government.

The Government expects to obtain state aid approval for the GIB by autumn 2012. In advance of this, the Government will begin making investments in green projects from April 2012.

The GIB is one of a number of key policies designed help meet environmental objectives and promote economic growth. Other initiatives include the creation of a National Infrastructure Plan, reforms to the electricity market, changes to the climate change levy, the introduction of a renewable heat incentive, the review of waste policy and the reviews of Ofgem and Ofwat.

Several non-green specific policies also support our growth and environmental objectives, including banking reform, support for early stage innovation and skills provision.

Delivery schedule

The UK Green Investment Bank project will evolve over two phases, preceded by a programme of preliminary Government investment in green infrastructure.

• Preliminary phase: UK Green Investments – from 2012 until state aid approval for GIB is granted, BIS’s UK Green Investments team will make direct investments in green infrastructure projects
• GIB establishment – GIB will be established as a stand-alone institution following state-aid approval. It is expected that state aid approval will be granted by autumn 2012
• GIB full borrowing – from April 2015, the GIB will be given full powers to borrow, subject to public sector net debt falling as a percentage of GDP and further state aid approval being granted.

Project Governance

The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills is leading the Government’s work to develop the UK Green Investment Bank. It is working with a number of other government departments including the DECC, DEFRA, HMT, DfT, CLG and Infrastructure UK.

And in May this year the UK Green Investment Bank (UK GIB) moved a step closer to going live. The Business Secretary announced the formation of the public company and the appointment of its top directors.

Lord Smith of Kelvin will be the new Chair of UK Green Investment Bank plc. Currently Chair of SSE and The Weir Group, he has a strong financial services background, chairing the group set up by the Financial Reporting Council in 2003 to clarify the role of audit committees.

Sir Adrian Montague has been appointed as Deputy Chair and Senior Independent Director. Sir Adrian, who is chair of companies including 3i and Anglian Water Group, has been chairing the GIB Advisory Group and has been closely involved with the development of the bank.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

"The UK GIB is a major new innovation vital to securing investment in what is one of the great challenges of our age, the decarbonisation of our energy supply. It has found two candidates of outstanding calibre well suited to leading the bank through its important early phase."

Lord Smith said:

“It is a pleasure to be asked by the Business Secretary to chair this groundbreaking institution. I look forward to working with Sir Adrian Montague and can’t wait to get started.”

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said:

"Lord Smith and Sir Adrian bring significant expertise and strong track records of delivery. Britain is already a powerhouse in green industries, but we are still not tapping all of our potential. I am determined that the Government will do everything it can to support this burgeoning sector and set the UK firmly on course towards a green and growing economy. The UK GIB will play a key part in this."

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said:

“The UK GIB is set to play an essential part as we build and invest in a greener future. This is a UK institution headquartered in Edinburgh supported by a strong team in London and the news that Lord Smith and Sir Adrian Montague have been appointed is another step towards the bank opening for business. They bring a wealth of experience to the roles and will bring that to bear as we look to encourage private sector investment in key energy projects.”

The will begin the recruitment of the company’s other directors and senior executive team shortly. The Board is aiming for a fully operational UK GIB this autumn, subject to state aid approval from the European Commission.

Following these appointments, the Advisory Group chaired by Sir Adrian Montague will be disbanded.

The UK GIB headquarters will be in Edinburgh, with an office in London to enable a greater commercial reach nationally than could be achieved from one location.

The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill includes legislation to set the Bank’s green purpose, embed its independence and make funding provision for the Bank.

The Parliamentary Information Office will continue to report on environmental issues and their impact on the UK as we go through the months ahead.

The Parliamentary Information Office is, with constitutional pundits generally, following closely the progress of the Scottish National Party’s attempts to hold a referendum on Scottish independence.

The Scottish Affairs Committee yesterday published the fourth report in its series of reports about the referendum on separation for Scotland.

This follows on from a Report last week on the legal competence of the Scottish Parliament to hold a referendum on separation. The House of Commons Scottish Affairs Select Committee in that report said that the overwhelming weight of evidence shows that the Scottish Parliament cannot presently legislate to hold a referendum on separation, and that agreement should be reached between Holyrood and Westminster to create the necessary legal powers. Otherwise Scotland risks indefinite legal and political wrangling and uncertainty over its future.

Commenting on yesterday’s report, Chair of the Committee Ian Davidson MP said:

"It is important that any referendum on Scotland's future is clear and decisive. The Committee is of the view that a three option choice would be neither.

“We were surprised how complex the process of a three sided referendum would be; in particular how the wording and layout of the question, and the method of counting, could affect the result. This, together with the uncertainty of how a triangular context could be regulated, opens up the prospect of interminable wrangling over process at the expense of debate on the substance of Separation.

“We believe evolving devolution is the settled will of the Scottish people, as shown in the 1997 referendum and the General Election of 2010. Nevertheless, those who support Separation have, by gaining a majority of seats in the Scottish Parliament in 2011, won the right to put their alternative vision to the vote.

“There is no such mandate for any, as yet identified, pattern of devolution and we believe that while Separation can be agreed unilaterally, changes to the Devolution Settlement must be negotiated multilaterally, consensually and in good faith.

“We believe a clear and decisive referendum requires a binary choice and urge both Governments to get on with it."

Report Summary

Widening the number of options to be put in front of the voters in a referendum may at first sight be an attractive proposition: but it suffers from a number of fatal defects. Leaving aside the charges of political opportunism which can quite fairly be laid against the Scottish Government in pursuing this option, the evidence we heard shows very clearly the challenges and defects of the notion.

The Scottish Government does not have a mandate to hold a referendum on greater devolution. What it promised was a referendum on separation, and we agree they should be enabled to hold that. It is for those political parties and organisations which genuinely support devolution to make proposals for developing it, and propose how put those plans before the electorate.

It is perfectly clear that there are, at present, no developed plans for further devolution. In particular, the idea of "devolution max" is no more than a phrase in search of content. No plans exist, and none are in prospect which could properly be put forward to the voters in any referendum.

A referendum is a way in which the voters make a decision, or a choice. It is entirely appropriate to deal with the question of separation. But changing the devolution settlement is a different kind of choice. A referendum could only deal with the question of more powers if there were a proposal, and if the voters could be assured that, were they to support it, it would be put into effect. That means such a proposal has to be developed and broadly agreed in advance in the UK and the Scottish governments and then. No such proposal exists, and none is being developed.

The Parliamentary Information Office will watch developments with considerable interest and continue to report on this and other constitutional issues.

   

Following the announcement by UKTI of the series of Global Business Summits to take place during the London Olympics, the Parliamentary information Office  has been closely following progress and achievements as the conferences take place

East London receives a boost today as five ICT firms announce plans to expand their operations in Tech City, Europe’s fastest-growing digital hub. The announcements were made at today’s Global Business Summit at Lancaster House. The new investment will help drive growth by boosting jobs and company start ups in the area, while helping cement the UK’s reputation as a leading player in ICT.

During the six weeks of the Games, the British Business Embassy will host 17 global business summits at Lancaster House, following the annual Global Investment Conference on July 26. Each will be targeted at individual sectors or countries.

The series of global business summits taking place at the British Business Embassy will be the largest and most ambitious set of trade and investment events ever held in this country.

Over 3,000 Government Ministers, business leaders and policy-makers from the UK and around the world will come through the doors of Lancaster House. These events will allow businesses and Governments to exchange views and ideas, discuss local and international economic challenges, develop strong global partnerships for future growth and showcase the best of British business to the world.

Today’s summit will showcase the best of UK ICT innovation and technology to delegates from around the world, promoting new opportunities for international business. Keynote speakers include Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, BBC Director General Mark Thompson, and BT Chief Executive Ian Livingston.

Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Ulster will also benefit from multi-million pound international business deals announced at the Global Business Summit on ICT, one of 18 summits organised by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

International business announced today includes:

• Vodafone announces new Tech City technology lab
• Barclays and Central Working set up new club in Tech City to help 22,000 businesses
• Italian incubator sets up in Tech City, creating 50 jobs
• GREE mobile social gaming company relocating to Tech City and opening a new development studio
• Tech City-based USTWO and London-based MPP Global Solutions both set to expand in the UK
• Airwatch planning to hire 75 more workers in Milton Keynes
• Tribal Group takes on workers in Sheffield after winning £32m in overseas contracts
• University of Ulster software spin-out gains $3.7m funding boost.

The Chancellor, George Osborne, said:

“The Government is determined to make Britain the technology centre of Europe, with the London’s Tech City at its heart.

“London 2012 is the perfect stage to show investors and entrepreneurs how much we have already achieved, and the exciting potential of what is to come. We are also proud to demonstrate the world-class innovation of the British tech industry, which is helping to deliver the most digitally-advanced Games in history.”

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:

“It’s fantastic that more and more companies are taking advantage of the enormous benefits of doing business in London, and I am delighted to welcome these new additions to Tech City. London is at the forefront of the high tech revolution, and the 2012 Games have given us a unique opportunity to showcase the unrivalled opportunities for businesses in the capital.

“The official promotional organisation for London, London & Partners, continue to do a sterling job of promoting the city to our international visitors and I look forward to welcoming many more businesses in the future.”

Ian Livingston, BT Chief Executive, said:

“We are delighted to be participating in the British Business Embassy summits at Lancaster House. This is a unique opportunity for us to showcase our expertise to international visitors and potential new customers in one place.”

Other speakers today include Derek McManus, the Chief Operating Officer of Telefonica O2 UK; and Stephen Leonard, the Chief Executive of IBM UK & Ireland. Seminars will focus on key fields including broadband; digital innovation; multimedia; and next-generation mobility.

The total IT & telecoms workforce in the UK now comprises 1.5 million individuals – five per cent of the total current UK workforce. This is made up of 900,000 specialists within the IT & telecoms supply industry and a further 600,000 working as IT or telecoms professionals in other industries.

The UK is a strong market for technology, with some of Europe’s most voracious consumers of technology.

The UK is Europe’s leading market for software and IT services with a market value of €61 billion in 2011.

London’s Tech City has grown dramatically to become the capital’s leading destination for digital, creative and high-technology companies. In just three years, it has expanded naturally from around 15 companies to over 700 – growth that is set to continue, with the UK Government actively supporting the area’s development.

UKTI helps around 1,200 ICT companies every year to export

The Parliamentary Information Office will continue to monitor and report on progress as we go through the weeks ahead.

The Parliamentary Information Office is, with constitutional pundits generally, following closely the progress of the Scottish National Party’s attempts to hold a referendum on Scottish independence.

In a report published today, Tuesday 7 August 2012, the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Select Committee says the overwhelming weight of evidence shows that the Scottish Parliament cannot presently legislate to hold a referendum on separation, and that agreement should be reached between Holyrood and Westminster to create the necessary legal powers. Otherwise Scotland risks indefinite legal and political wrangling and uncertainty over its future.

In its manifesto for the 2007 Scottish Parliament election, the SNP pledged to hold an independence referendum by 2010. After winning the election, the SNP-controlled Scottish Government published a White Paper entitled Choosing Scotland’s Future, which outlined options for the future of Scotland, including independence.

In August 2009, the SNP announced that the Referendum (Scotland) Bill 2010 would be part of its third legislative programme for 2009-10, which would detail the question and conduct of a possible referendum on the issue of independence. The Bill was to be published on 25 January 2010 (Burns Night), with the referendum proposed for on or around 30 November 2010 (St. Andrew’s Day). The Bill was not expected to be passed, because of the SNP's status as a minority government, and the opposition of all the major parties in the Parliament. In September 2010, the Scottish Government announced that no referendum would occur before the 2011 elections.

Following the SNP's victory in the 2011 election which gave the party an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament, First Minister Alex Salmond stated his desire to hold a referendum "in the second half of the parliament" which would place it in 2014 or 2015.

Then in January 2012, politicians clashed over whether the Scottish Parliament has the power to hold a referendum on independence and Scotland can only separate from the UK if the Scottish people make that decision in a referendum.

Today the Select Committee says any such referendum must have an unchallengeable legal and moral basis, to avoid delays and challenges to the legitimacy of the process and its result. The Scottish Parliament can legislate only on devolved matters, and the Union between Scotland and England is a reserved matter.

The Scottish Government has argued that Holyrood is legally competent to set up a referendum but the Committee can find no evidence for this and the Scottish Government has provided no legal justification for this view. Given that it is clear that the result of a referendum will decide Scotland's position, in or out of the Union, it must have an unchallengeable legal and moral basis. It cannot be described as simply "advisory".

The Committee says any attempt to conduct a referendum on a dubious legal basis would inevitably be challenged in the courts. This could take years to be resolved and would lead to even further damaging uncertainty about Scotland's future. No-one should be allowed to use legal wrangles to put off a referendum even longer than is currently planned. It is vital both that any referendum must be conducted on a sound legal footing and that it takes place within an appropriate time-scale.

The Committee says the best way to ensure a sound legal basis for the referendum is for the UK and Scottish Governments and Parliaments to agree the specific detail of an order under section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998 to give the Scottish Parliament power to conduct a referendum. The committee believes that any Section 30 order proposed by the Government should be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny by the Scottish Affairs Committee and to approval by all of Scotland’s MPs before being proceeded with.

The Committee says it is "highly desirable" that both Governments and both Parliaments should agree the legislative and organisational form of any referendum, to reduce the scope for either side of the argument to claim afterwards that the process was in any way improper or unfair. However, this should not be used to allow those who anticipate being defeated to stall or derail the process.

Chair of the Committee Ian Davidson MP said:

"With a consensus for a referendum on Separation, it is essential that any ballot is held on an unchallengeable legal and moral basis.

“The Labour Government’s referendum in 1997 created the Scottish Parliament and determined that MPs should have control of further constitutional change. These decisions were made by the Scottish people.

“It is clear from our evidence that the Scottish Parliament has no powers to hold either a binding or an advisory referendum on constitutional change. It is also clear that any attempt to do so would result in legal disputes and delay.

“Thus we believe the best way to proceed is for the Government to propose a detailed and specific Section 30 notice, giving the Scottish Parliament powers to conduct a referendum on Separation, and that this S30 notice should be subject to a scrutiny process by the Scottish Affairs Committee and approval by Scotland’s MPs.

“Since the forthcoming referendum will settle the question of Separation for a generation it is important that it takes place legally, speedily and honestly. While delay may be attractive to those anticipating defeat, any effort to stall or derail the process will not be in Scotland’s best interest. Continued uncertainty will neither protect nor create jobs nor will it enhance public services.

The Government should therefore come forward with a proposed Section 30 notice as quickly as possible."

The Parliamentary Information Office will watch developments with considerable interest and continue to report on this and other constitutional issues.