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100554

registered interest
date	22/10/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Pre-school Education: Basic Skills
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to reduce attainment gaps in literacy and numeracy between boys and girls in pre-school education in the short and long term.
tabling member printed	Lord Storey
uin	HL2291
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the statutory framework for all early years providers [1]. The EYFS seeks to provide quality and consistency in all early years settings, so that every child makes good progress, attainment gaps are reduced and no child gets left behind. The EYFS specifies areas in which early years providers must support children to develop, including literacy and numeracy. It is the responsibility of early years providers to identify and meet the learning and development needs of the children attending their setting. The EYFS requires providers to carry out ongoing assessment of children’s development and needs and should address any learning and development needs in partnership with parents and/or carers, and any relevant professionals.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Education is increasing the level of required English and maths qualifications for members of the early years workforce. This will ensure that all those working with young children have the right skills to support all children to achieve appropriate levels of literacy and numeracy.</p><p> </p><p>1. We have published guidance on Teacher’s Standards (Early Years) which includes a requirement for Early Years Teachers to demonstrate a clear understanding of synthetic phonics and strategies for teaching early mathematics. The standards also require Early Years Teachers to plan and adapt education to cater for the needs of individual children, to make accurate assessments to inform children’s learning and development and to promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.</p><p> </p><p>2. Early Years Teachers must pass the same professional skills tests as trainee school teachers and must have GCSE English and maths at grade C or above on entry to training courses.</p><p> </p><p>3. NCTL published new, more robust, criteria for level 3 qualifications in July 2013 – the “Early Years Educator” criteria. They set out the minimum requirements for the knowledge, understanding and skills which learners must demonstrate during assessment for their qualification to be considered qualified at level 3. The criteria include a requirement for qualifications to include a focus on recognising and meeting the individual learning and development needs of children.</p><p> </p><p>4. From 1 August 2014, Government funding of Level 3 Early Years Educator training courses through the Skills Funding Agency will require trainees to have GCSEs in English and maths, at grade C or above, on entry. The EYFS has been amended to require staff holding a new Early Years Educator qualification to have achieved GCSEs in English/English Language and maths, at grade C or above, in order to count in the staff ratios at level 3. From September 2014, GCSE English and maths, at grade C or above, will be required on exit from a level 3 early years apprenticeship. This is an interim measure to support the sector in reaching the higher standards required. From August 2015, the GCSEs in English and maths, at grade C or above, will be required on entry to an early years apprenticeship.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department is also working with experts in the voluntary sector and charitable organisations to support work in these key areas. We have funded English and Maths Champions programmes through the National Day Nurseries Association to spread good practice in teaching literacy and numeracy in the early years.</p><p> </p><p>We are investing £1.4m in the Early Language Development Programme – which has so far helped well over 100,000 parents and family members to spot problems and get support with their children’s speech and language. This work is being led by I CAN, the children’s communications charity. We are also investing almost £1m in the work of the Literacy Trust to develop a model to improve targeting and engagement of the most vulnerable families by staff in Children’s Centres and support volunteers to improve children's early literacy and language skills.</p><p> </p><p>[1] <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2</a></p> answering member printed Lord Nash question first answered 03/11/2014 17:12:51 answering member 4270 label Biography information for Lord Nash
tabling member	4238 label Biography information for Lord Storey

100555

registered interest
date	22/10/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Climate Change: Curriculum
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the presence of climate change analysis in schools' science curricula.
tabling member printed	Lord Storey
uin	HL2292
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The draft key stage 4 science curriculum, currently being consulted on, and the new science GCSE criteria, published in April 2014, include opportunities for students to learn about climate change as part of what they are taught about atmospheric and Earth science. This includes evidence for the composition and evolution of the Earth’s atmosphere since its formation, along with the evidence, and uncertainties in evidence, for additional anthropogenic causes of climate change. This builds on the key stage 3 science curriculum introduced into schools in September 2014 where pupils are taught about the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere and the carbon cycle. This includes the production of carbon dioxide by human activity and the impact on climate.</p><p> </p><p>Pupils will also be taught about the change in the Earth’s climate from the Ice Age to the present day as part of the new key stage 3 Geography curriculum that was also introduced in September 2014.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Nash question first answered 03/11/2014 15:30:24 answering member 4270 label Biography information for Lord Nash
tabling member	4238 label Biography information for Lord Storey

100556

registered interest
date	22/10/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Secondary Education
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the teaching of philosophical and critical thinking in secondary schools at a (1) pre-GCSE, and (2) post-GCSE level.
tabling member printed	Lord Storey
uin	HL2293
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The new national curriculum, which was introduced in September 2014, focuses on the essential knowledge that must be taught, allowing teachers to take greater control over the wider curriculum in schools and how it is taught. Whilst philosophical and critical thinking skills are important, it is not necessary to specify these in the national curriculum. Instead, it should be left to teachers’ professional judgement to decide how best to ensure that their pupils develop these skills, as part of a broad and balanced school curriculum which encompasses, but is not limited by, the national curriculum.</p><p> </p><p>A number of Religious Studies GCSE specifications allow pupils to study philosophy. At post GCSE-level, level 3 qualifications are available in critical thinking and philosophy.</p> answering member printed Lord Nash question first answered 03/11/2014 15:29:03 answering member 4270 label Biography information for Lord Nash
tabling member	4238 label Biography information for Lord Storey

100574

registered interest
date	22/10/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	EU External Relations
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government by what date it is anticipated that all the stages of ratification of the Association Agreements between each of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia and the European Union and European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States will be completed.
tabling member printed	Lord Bowness
uin	HL2311
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The EU Association Agreements with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia must be ratified by all 28 Member States, the EU, the European Atomic Energy Community and Ukraine, Moldova or Georgia, as the case may be, in order to enter fully into force. Ukraine ratified its Association Agreement on 16 September, Moldova on 2 July and Georgia on 18 July 2014. <br><br>At EU level, the ratification procedure involves the European Parliament giving its consent to the conclusion of the Agreements and the Council adopting a decision concluding each Agreement. The European Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Association Agreement with Ukraine by the EU, acting on behalf of its Member States, on 16 September 2014, and is expected to give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreements with Georgia and Moldova by the end of the year. The conclusion of each Agreement by the European Commission, acting on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, was approved on 23 June 2014 in relation to the Ukraine Association Agreement, 16 June in relation to Georgia and 16 June in relation to Moldova. In addition, each Member State must go through its internal procedures for ratification. <br><br>The UK’s procedures leading to ratification are underway. The Ukraine Association Agreement was laid before Parliament under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 on 6 October 2014; the Georgia Association Agreement on 3 October 2014 and the Moldova Association Agreement on 10 October 2014.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 03/11/2014 15:17:54 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	3496 label Biography information for Lord Bowness

100041

registered interest
date	21/10/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	European Union
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to repatriate powers from the European Union; and if so, which powers.
tabling member printed	Lord Stoddart of Swindon
uin	HL2247
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The Government is committed to reforming the EU to the benefit of all Member States, to make it more competitive, democratically accountable and fair for those inside and outside the Eurozone. Political parties have set out their position on the question of the appropriate exercise of competence in the EU. The Government’s policy is clear: we need an EU where decisions are taken at the right level, with issues best left to member states decided at the national level. We have already shown that such reform is possible: cutting the EU budget; ending the UK’s bailout obligations; cutting red tape in line with Business Taskforce recommendations; ensuring our fish stocks are managed regionally rather than centrally, agreeing three major Trade Agreements and launching trade talks with the US.</p><p>Support for EU reform is growing: this summer, the President-elect of the European Commission committed to explore improving the interaction between the Commission and national parliaments, which he recognised have a key role to play in enforcing the principle of subsidiarity; to completing the internal market in products and services; to creating the right regulatory environment and promoting a climate of entrepreneurship and job creation; and to working for a deal that “accepts the specificities of the UK in the EU, while allowing the Eurozone to integrate further.” The European Council also recognised the need for reform. It concluded in June that there was a need to protect the right to free movement from “misuse or fraudulent claims” and that “the concept of ever closer union allows for different paths of integration.”</p><p>The Government’s proposals for EU reform will continue to respect the UK’s obligations under the existing Treaties.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns grouped question UIN HL2246 HL2249 question first answered 03/11/2014 15:07:43 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	950 label Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon

100043

registered interest
date	21/10/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	European Union
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of recent comments by Mr José Manuel Barroso, they will publish details of what powers they consider can be repatriated from the European Union to the United Kingdom which would not be illegal under the existing treaties.
tabling member printed	Lord Stoddart of Swindon
uin	HL2249
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The Government is committed to reforming the EU to the benefit of all Member States, to make it more competitive, democratically accountable and fair for those inside and outside the Eurozone. Political parties have set out their position on the question of the appropriate exercise of competence in the EU. The Government’s policy is clear: we need an EU where decisions are taken at the right level, with issues best left to member states decided at the national level. We have already shown that such reform is possible: cutting the EU budget; ending the UK’s bailout obligations; cutting red tape in line with Business Taskforce recommendations; ensuring our fish stocks are managed regionally rather than centrally, agreeing three major Trade Agreements and launching trade talks with the US.</p><p>Support for EU reform is growing: this summer, the President-elect of the European Commission committed to explore improving the interaction between the Commission and national parliaments, which he recognised have a key role to play in enforcing the principle of subsidiarity; to completing the internal market in products and services; to creating the right regulatory environment and promoting a climate of entrepreneurship and job creation; and to working for a deal that “accepts the specificities of the UK in the EU, while allowing the Eurozone to integrate further.” The European Council also recognised the need for reform. It concluded in June that there was a need to protect the right to free movement from “misuse or fraudulent claims” and that “the concept of ever closer union allows for different paths of integration.”</p><p>The Government’s proposals for EU reform will continue to respect the UK’s obligations under the existing Treaties.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns grouped question UIN HL2246 HL2247 question first answered 03/11/2014 15:07:43 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	950 label Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon

100050

registered interest
date	21/10/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	EU Enlargement
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the process of accession of further countries from the former Yugoslavia to the European Union, any steps are being taken to ensure that British citizens are compensated for any deprivation of property during the Tito era.
tabling member printed	Lord Ashcroft
uin	HL2256
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The accession process of countries from the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the European Union does not involve steps specifically aimed at ensuring that British citizens are compensated for any deprivation of property during the Tito era. However the criteria for EU accession for candidate countries do include a requirement to implement measures to ensure that the rule of law is firmly embedded within the judicial and political system. This includes respect for private property, and we note that the European Commission has highlighted specifically the need for progress on restitution of property in its most recent annual enlargement Progress Reports on the Western Balkans countries published on 8 October. Furthermore, all Western Balkan countries have ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms, the First Protocol of which enshrines the principle of respect for private property. <br><br>Some Western Balkans countries have, in recent years, made progress on the restitution of private property. Serbia invited applications for restitution and received 75,000 of them. Montenegro and Albania have been slower to implement their legislation on restitution, as highlighted in successive annual country Progress Reports by the European Commission. In 2012, the Commission recognised progress regarding restitution of property in Macedonia seized under the former Yugoslav Communist regime, despite administrative and judicial delays. In May, Albania (which was not part of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) submitted an action plan to the Council of Europe, aiming to create, by June 2015, an effective mechanism to enforce decisions on restitution of, or compensation for, property nationalised during the Communist regime. The Kosovo Property Claims Commission and Kosovo Property Agency continue to resolve outstanding private property disputes resulting from the 1998-99 armed conflict. Over 40,000 claims have been decided. Bosnia and Herzegovina has made no progress on restitution of private property in the last four years. Despite earlier attempts to enact a legal framework, there is none in place.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 03/11/2014 15:09:31 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	2568 label Biography information for Lord Ashcroft

100055

registered interest
date	21/10/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	National Identity
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of comments by the Secretary of State for Education, what they mean by "British values".
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL2261
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The Secretary of State was referring to the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and the mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. These values were defined in the Government’s Prevent Strategy in 2011. All schools are now required to actively promote these values.</p> answering member printed Lord Nash question first answered 03/11/2014 15:29:39 answering member 4270 label Biography information for Lord Nash
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

100059

registered interest
date	21/10/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Mental Health Services: Young People
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what criteria they use when distributing grants to groups offering mental health support to young people.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL2265
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>On 16 October the Department for Education published a national prospectus setting out the key activities the Department wishes to promote through organisations working with children, young people and families. Children and young people's mental health is one of the seven priority areas on which applications are sought. Within that area, the Department is looking to support projects which work with education providers and children’s services to improve prevention, early identification and access to specialist interventions.</p><p> </p><p>The detailed process and criteria for applications to the Prospectus can be found online at: <a href="https://online.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/Common/View%20Notice.aspx?site=1000&amp;lang=en&amp;NoticeId=1592512" target="_blank">https://online.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/Common/View%20Notice.aspx?site=1000&amp;lang=en&amp;NoticeId=1592512</a></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Nash question first answered 03/11/2014 17:59:44 answering member 4270 label Biography information for Lord Nash
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick