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1489796

registered interest
date	15/07/2022
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Offences against Children: Rotherham and Telford
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will direct (1) the Home Office, and (2) other government departments, to stop using the terms "Asian men" and "men of Pakistani origin" to describe the members of the child sexual exploitation gangs in Rotherham and Telford.
tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
uin	HL1808
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/07/2022 answer text <p>In 2020 the Government published a paper on the characteristics of group-based child sexual exploitation, setting out the best available evidence on offender characteristics. We know that child sexual exploitation is not exclusive to any single culture, community, race or religion. However, political or cultural sensitivities must not get in the way of uncovering and tackling these devastating crimes, and understanding local community and cultural factors is clearly an important part of this.</p><p>That is why the Government is working with policing to drive up the quality of police data on child sexual exploitation. As part of this, the Home Secretary has made it mandatory from March 2022 for police forces to record the ethnicity of those held on suspicion of group-based child sexual exploitation. We are also funding dedicated child sexual abuse and exploitation analysts in every policing region, and we will shortly publish an updated version of our Child Exploitation Disruption Toolkit, supporting police and local agencies in working together to better understand and disrupt offending in their areas.</p><p>In addition, the Home Secretary has recently commissioned the policing inspectorate to conduct an inspection into how the police respond to group-based child sexual exploitation. This will ensure policing is learning from past mistakes including those highlighted in the local inquiries in Rotherham and Telford, and that the very best practice is now being put in place by forces across the country.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford grouped question UIN HL1809 question first answered 27/07/2022 10:03:41 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch

1489797

registered interest
date	15/07/2022
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Offences against Children: Rotherham and Telford
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will initiate an inquiry into the factors that inspired the members of the child sexual exploitation gangs in Rotherham and Telford; and in particular, the extent to which Islamic teachings were a determining factor.
tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
uin	HL1809
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/07/2022 answer text <p>In 2020 the Government published a paper on the characteristics of group-based child sexual exploitation, setting out the best available evidence on offender characteristics. We know that child sexual exploitation is not exclusive to any single culture, community, race or religion. However, political or cultural sensitivities must not get in the way of uncovering and tackling these devastating crimes, and understanding local community and cultural factors is clearly an important part of this.</p><p>That is why the Government is working with policing to drive up the quality of police data on child sexual exploitation. As part of this, the Home Secretary has made it mandatory from March 2022 for police forces to record the ethnicity of those held on suspicion of group-based child sexual exploitation. We are also funding dedicated child sexual abuse and exploitation analysts in every policing region, and we will shortly publish an updated version of our Child Exploitation Disruption Toolkit, supporting police and local agencies in working together to better understand and disrupt offending in their areas.</p><p>In addition, the Home Secretary has recently commissioned the policing inspectorate to conduct an inspection into how the police respond to group-based child sexual exploitation. This will ensure policing is learning from past mistakes including those highlighted in the local inquiries in Rotherham and Telford, and that the very best practice is now being put in place by forces across the country.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford grouped question UIN HL1808 question first answered 27/07/2022 10:03:41 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch

1489798

registered interest
date	15/07/2022
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Offences against Children: Rotherham and Telford
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that prosecutions are brought against (1) the members of the child sexual exploitation gangs in Rotherham and Telford, and (2) the responsible authorities that failed to prevent the abuse from taking place.
tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
uin	HL1810
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/08/2022 answer text <p>Following the Alexis Jay report in 2014 and identification of the problems that existed in responding to investigations of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) gangs in Rotherham, the National Crime Agency (NCA) launched Operation Stovewood, a dedicated team investigating similar offending which had occurred within Rotherham. As outlined in the Telford Inquiry report, a number of other forces across the country have successfully investigated similar offending in their force areas.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS has a national response to these types of investigations. Each area has formerly dealt with large CSE cases within their Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RASSO) units. Since its inception, Operation Stovewood has been handled by a team of lawyers within the former Organised Crime Division. On 1 April 2022, the CPS created a new unit in direct response to the number and scale of these investigations being undertaken across England and Wales. The Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit (OCSAU) is a dedicated team of lawyers, which in addition to the casework generated by NCA Op Stovewood and Child Exploitation and Online Protection teams, will undertake all similar casework generated by police forces nationwide.</p><p> </p><p>The unit currently has casework involving approximately 255 suspects and defendants. The lawyers within the unit work closely with investigators from the earliest stage of the commencement of investigations to ensure that the strongest possible cases can be built, so that those committing these offences are prosecuted. Where the CPS’s legal test is met, they will always prosecute these offenders for the offences they have committed.</p> answering member printed Lord Stewart of Dirleton question first answered 01/08/2022 11:42:51 answering member 4899 label Biography information for Lord Stewart of Dirleton
tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch

1489057

registered interest
date	13/07/2022
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Hatun Tash
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 13 July (HL1352), whether they will now answer the question put; namely, what plans they have, if any, to instigate an inquiry into (1) the arrest of Miss Hatun Tash at Speakers' Corner on 26 June and her subsequent detention, strip search and questioning at 4am on 27 June, and (2) the actions of the police towards other individuals present at Speakers' Corner (a) before, and (b) during, Miss Tash's arrest.
tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
uin	HL1745
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/07/2022 answer text <p>Ministers are unable to intervene in individual cases and complaints against the police.</p><p>If an individual is unhappy with the decisions made by the police, they have the option of submitting a complaint to the relevant police force. Police force websites include information about how to complain. A complaint can also be made via an online form available on the website of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) at: <a href="https://policeconduct.gov.uk/complaints-and-appeals/make-complaint" target="_blank">https://policeconduct.gov.uk/complaints-and-appeals/make-complaint</a>.</p><p>A short guide to the police complaints system is also available on the IOPC’s website and is attached: <a href="https://policeconduct.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Documents/Complaint_forms/IOPC_A_guide_to_complaint_system_2020.pdf" target="_blank">https://policeconduct.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Documents/Complaint_forms/IOPC_A_guide_to_complaint_system_2020.pdf</a></p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 26/07/2022 14:28:41 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford attachment 1 file name IOPC_A_guide_to_complaint_system_2020.pdf title IOPC Police complaints
tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch

1487153

registered interest
date	06/07/2022
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Mobile Broadband: Cybersecurity
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the vulnerability of mobile internet systems in the UK to hostile actions; and what steps they plan to take to ensure that all homes and businesses have access to landline connections.
tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
uin	HL1533
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2022 answer text <p>DCMS works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to understand and identify vulnerabilities. The NCSC has performed extensive and detailed analysis of the security of the telecommunications sector. This analysis informed the UK Telecommunications Supply Chain Review, and subsequently informed the development of the Telecommunications (Security) Act, which received Royal Assent in November 2021.</p><p>The Act introduces a new telecommunications security framework in the UK which places duties on public telecommunications providers to protect their networks and services against security compromises. It also introduces new national security powers which are designed to manage the risks posed by high-risk vendors, both now and in the future.</p><p>The universal service obligations set in the Electronic Communications (Universal Service) Order 2003 require designated providers to offer telephony services throughout the UK. BT and KCOM are therefore required to maintain access to a range of telephony services (including landlines), as well as provide a series of special measures designed for users who have a disability.</p> answering member printed Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay question first answered 20/07/2022 16:59:51 answering member 4728 label Biography information for Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch

1485915

registered interest
date	04/07/2022
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Ministers: Aviation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the effects of jet-lag on ministerial decision-making at all levels.
tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
uin	HL1446
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2022 answer text <p>Ministers, on occasion, are required to travel abroad for government business to enable the delivery of the government’s objectives. In cases where a Minister is required to travel long distances across time zones, flexibility in internal departmental travel guidance exists to enable ministers to travel more comfortably.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>This exists to mitigate the side effects of jet-lag and tiredness and ensure that efficiency, judgement and concentration are not negatively impacted. Departments publish details of overseas flights on a quarterly basis on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministers-transparency-publications.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord True question first answered 18/07/2022 16:25:19 answering member 4200 label Biography information for Lord True
tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch

1484935

registered interest
date	29/06/2022
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Hatun Tash
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to instigate an inquiry into (1) the arrest of Miss Hatun Tash at Speakers' Corner on 26 June and her subsequent detention and questioning at 04.30 am on 27 June, and (2) the actions of the police towards other individuals present at Speakers' Corner before and during Miss Tash's arrest.
tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
uin	HL1352
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2022 answer text <p>It is a long-standing tradition in this country that people are free to demonstrate their views, provided they do so within the law.</p><p> </p><p>The investigation of criminal offences where they are suspected of having occurred is an operational matter for the police. Ministers are unable to intervene in individual cases or in operational decisions made by the police. To do so would undermine the principle that the police are independent of Government.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 13/07/2022 11:42:31 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch

1452008

registered interest
date	16/03/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Universities: Remote Education
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the savings to universities of delivering courses online and re-using digital teaching materials; and what plans they have, if any, to require universities to pass these savings on to students.
tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
uin	HL7021
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/03/2022 answer text <p>The former Secretary of State for Education commissioned Sir Michael Barber, in his former capacity as chair of the Office for Students (OfS), to lead a review following the rapid shift toward digital teaching and learning in higher education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>The conclusion of the review set out a series of recommendations for higher education providers outlining what a successful approach to building digital skills looks like, with practical suggestions for action. Sir Michael Barber’s report can be read here: <a href="https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/gravity-assist-propelling-higher-education-towards-a-brighter-future/" target="_blank">https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/gravity-assist-propelling-higher-education-towards-a-brighter-future/</a>.</p><p>Crucially, Sir Michael Barber’s review of digital teaching and learning found that universities had invested significantly in developing their digital teaching and learning offer, and did not find evidence that online tuition is less expensive to deliver than face-to-face provision.</p><p>The government has removed all restrictions on in-person teaching, meaning providers are able to offer the full face-to-face teaching experience that they were offering before the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual learning is a fantastic innovation that can be used to complement and enhance a student’s learning experience, not detract from it, but it should not be used as a cost-cutting exercise.</p><p>The OfS has recently launched a review of blended learning. The review will examine blended methods of course delivery and consider which approaches represent high-quality teaching and learning, as well as which approaches fall short of the OfS' regulatory requirements.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 30/03/2022 15:51:42 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch

1439505

registered interest
date	09/03/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Higher Education: Fees and Charges
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to reduce fees for (1) university students whose courses will be predominantly online, and (2) former university students whose courses were moved online, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
uin	HL6812
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2022 answer text <p>The unprecedented and unique nature of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated changes to the way higher education (HE) providers delivered their teaching. However, online learning should only be offered to enhance the student experience, not to detract from it, and it should not be used as a cost-cutting measure.</p><p>The department has written to all English HE providers, making clear that we expect them to offer a high-quality face-to-face student experience. This year, my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Higher and Further Education, has spoken with leaders of a number of universities regarding concerns about their face-to-face teaching provision, to ensure they are offering students the amount of in-person teaching they expect.</p><p>As autonomous institutions, it is for HE providers to determine their own provision, including their learning approach, taking account of any government guidance. HE providers have delivered new and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Some providers continue to use some of these approaches alongside in-person provision. However, online learning should only be offered to enhance the student experience, not to detract from it, and it should not be used as a cost-cutting measure.</p><p>The Office for Students is clear that all HE providers must comply with registration conditions relating to quality and standards regardless of whether a provider is delivering its courses through in-person teaching, remote online learning, or a combination of both. It will act where this is not the case, and may impose sanctions if there has been a breach of registration conditions.</p><p>If students and former students have concerns about the delivery of their university courses, they should first follow their university’s internal complaints procedure. If their concerns remain unresolved, students in England and Wales can ask the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education to consider their complaint. Recommendations can include practical remedies as well as financial compensation, where that is deemed appropriate.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 23/03/2022 17:53:27 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch

1405026

registered interest
date	20/01/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Out-of-school Education: Islam
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Barran on 18 January (HL5056 and HL5057), what steps they take to ensure that radical Islamism is not being taught in madrassas in the UK; whether they have any evidence that radical Islamism is being taught in those settings; and if so, what further steps they intend to take.
tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
uin	HL5587
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2022 answer text <p>The government is committed to ensuring all children are safe, wherever they are educated, including safe from extremism and radicalisation. The department is actively working with the education sector, national partners, and local partners to safeguard children and young people from these risks. In addition to the work that we do with schools and colleges to ensure our children and young people are resilient to extremist ideology, we jointly fund with the Home Office a network of experts who provide frontline support to education providers</p><p>We have also established an online form to allow concerns regarding extremism within the education sector to be reported directly to the department, to complement our existing counter extremism helpline, and we encourage anyone with a concern to use this service.</p><p>As mentioned in my answer of 18 January, in instances where the department becomes aware of a provider where extremist activity might be taking place, we will also work closely with relevant agencies, such as the local authority, Ofsted and the police to act. In those rare cases, such as the case of Umar Haque in 2018, which saw the attempted radicalisation of several children in a London Madrassa through devious and sophisticated grooming techniques, we have worked closely with safeguarding partners to intervene and safeguard the children, and to act against the perpetrators. In the case of Umar Haque, we saw multi-agency action result in the conviction of him and his associates under the Terrorism Act 2006.</p><p>However, while there are many legal powers in place to protect children in out-of-school providers including madrassas, which have been proven to be effective, we have not ruled out further action.</p><p>As outlined in my previous answer, the department has been taking forward a package of activity aimed at further enhancing safeguarding in this sector. This includes the provision of over £3 million of targeted funding to pilot ways in which we can boost local capacity further to identify and intervene in out-of-school providers of concern, and testing the utility of existing powers held across multiple agencies, such as local authorities, the police and Ofsted, to safeguard children attending these providers.</p><p>These pilots were taken forward with the intention of building our evidence base to inform our national next steps for supporting safeguarding in the sector, including the need for any legislation. This work concluded at the end of last year, and we are currently evaluating the outcome of these pilots. We will set out our next steps to this work in due course.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 25/01/2022 17:28:23 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch