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1327820

registered interest
date	25/05/2021
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Family Courts: Custody
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the presumption of contact at the Family Court does not result in unsafe contact arrangements.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	7148
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2021 answer text <p>Section 1 of the Children’s Act 1989 sets out that the welfare of the child is the court’s paramount concern. This is the fundamental principle that guides any decision made by a court regarding the future arrangements of children.</p><p> </p><p>The presumption of parental contact requires courts to presume that the involvement of both parents will further the child’s welfare; because it is a presumption, it applies unless the contrary is shown. This means that the presumption only applies if the parent’s involvement in the child’s life does not put the child at risk of suffering harm. If the court considers that the parent’s involvement does put the child at risk of harm, the presumption does not apply.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is currently conducting a review into the presumption of parental involvement in child arrangement cases. Launched in November 2020, this review focuses on understanding how the presumption is applied where there is an allegation, or evidence to suggest, that parental involvement will put the child at risk of harm. Conclusions from the review will be announced in due course.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 07/06/2021 16:04:57 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1327821

registered interest
date	25/05/2021
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Family Courts: Disclosure of Information
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to improve transparency in the Family Court process.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	7149
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2021 answer text <p>Ensuring that decisions made in family proceedings are open and transparent to the public is something to which this Government<del class="ministerial"> has</del> give<ins class="ministerial">s</ins><del class="ministerial">n</del> careful consideration. We recognise that there is a delicate balance to be struck between ensuring that family proceedings are open and transparent to ensure adequate public scrutiny and the principle of public justice, whilst also ensuring that <del class="ministerial">the</del> we protect the privacy of vulnerable children and families who are party to such proceedings.</p><p><ins class="ministerial">In terms of attendance at hearings, most family proceedings are held in private. However, ‘accredited media representatives’ have been permitted to attend most types of hearings in family proceedings for several years. In addition, a pilot scheme to allow duly authorised lawyers, attending for journalistic, research or public legal educational purposes (colloquially referred to as 'legal bloggers') access to those same types of hearings was initiated in October 2018. That pilot scheme is scheduled to end in December 2021, but it is intended that it should be replaced by permanent provision in court rules, before that end date.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">In terms of disclosure of information from family proceedings, for example by reporting it in the press or online, there are various legal provisions which determine if and when it is possible to disclose such information. These include laws on reporting restrictions and contempt of court. Judges dealing with cases have discretion to allow publication of information from family proceedings. In addition, court rules include provision about when it is possible to make disclosures of information without this being a potential contempt of court.</ins></p><p><del class="ministerial">This Government has taken several steps to increase transparency in family proceedings where appropriate. This has included continuing to support a pilot which allows accredited representatives of media outlets to have access to proceedings. The pilot allows legal bloggers access to proceedings with permission of the presiding judge. It also allows the blogger to write about their experiences at court but requires that names and personal information are kept anonymous.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The livestreaming of some Court of Appeal family proceedings is also now possible as a result of amendments made by the Court of Appeal (Recording and Broadcasting) (Amendment) Order 2020, which extended the existing livestreaming provision to cover family proceedings. Under this scheme, members of the public may view selected Court of Appeal family cases on the internet. Members of the judiciary select suitable cases for livestreaming, having taken into account the public interest. Proceedings involving litigants in person, and those with specific reporting restrictions, will not be selected. Participants in all selected hearings will be given the opportunity beforehand to object or to obtain further information.</ins></p><p><del class="ministerial">We have also allowed the livestreaming of Court of Appeal family proceedings. This became a permanent arrangement in June 2020 through the Live Streaming Court of Appeal SI 2020 and allows anyone to view a Court of Appeal family case on the internet (again, whilst protecting the anonymity of the parties involved).</del></p><p>Further recommendations for increasing transparency will be carefully considered to ensure that the children and families who use the family courts continue to be protected, whilst also ensuring adequate scrutiny is given to the family courts.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 07/06/2021 16:18:44 question first ministerially corrected 29/07/2021 08:31:40 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp previous answer version 4558 answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1316765

registered interest
date	20/05/2021
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Menopause
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that women who are diagnosed with early menopause are (a) referred to specialists and (b) receiving regular checks.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	4580
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2021 answer text <p>The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for menopause were updated in December 2019 and include criteria for the diagnosis, investigation and treatment of early menopause. NHS England and NHS Improvement expect all providers to give due regard to NICE’s guidance.</p><p>After diagnosis has been confirmed in primary care, women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) or early menopause are generally referred to a specialist menopause clinic. The clinic will conduct further tests and, where appropriate, women will be offered treatment and fertility advice. After the initial consultations, women with POI should be reviewed after three months to assess the efficacy of their treatment. Further appointments should then be tailored to the needs of the individual.</p> answering member constituency Mid Bedfordshire answering member printed Ms Nadine Dorries question first answered 02/06/2021 09:11:41 answering member 1481 label Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1315314

registered interest
date	17/05/2021
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	Education: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of using dormant assets set to be unlocked from the savings and investment sector to fund the delivery of financial education at a primary level to build future financial resilience.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	2265
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2021 answer text <p>The distribution of dormant assets is a devolved matter, and in England, dormant assets spend is currently restricted by legislation to three areas, including financial inclusion. To date, in England, we have invested £96 million of dormant assets in financial inclusion, delivered by an independent organisation (Fair4All Finance) who have focused on building financial resilience through better access to affordable credit.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The purpose of the Dormant Assets Bill, which has recently been introduced to parliament, is to expand the Scheme and amends the approach to restrictions in England to mirror the model used for the devolved administrations. This will allow the government to consult on, and respond more flexibly to, changing social and environmental needs in England over time.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Subject to this measure passing, the Government is committed to launching a public consultation to give people a say in how future funds are spent in England.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The funding unlocked through Scheme expansion will consist of all eligible dormant assets in scope of the Scheme and will not be differentiated by sector or asset class.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman question first answered 24/05/2021 16:38:32 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1314426

registered interest
date	13/05/2021
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Mental Health Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to work with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy to improve mental health provision.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	1042
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2021 answer text <p>We recognise the vital role played by the British Association for Counselling and Psychology (BACP) in improving mental health support. The BACP has responded to our consultation on reforms to the Mental Health Act 1983 and we are now considering these responses.</p> answering member constituency Mid Bedfordshire answering member printed Ms Nadine Dorries question first answered 21/05/2021 09:13:30 answering member 1481 label Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1314504

registered interest
date	13/05/2021
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Menopause
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to raise awareness of the difficulties that women experience as a result of menopause.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	1043
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/05/2021 answer text <p>From September 2020, relationships, sex education and health education became compulsory in all state funded schools. As part of this pupils are taught about menstrual health and the menopause. On 8 March, the Government launched a 14-week call for evidence as part of the Women’s Health Strategy for England. The online survey within the call for evidence seeks information on the menopause. By understanding women’s experiences, we can ensure key parts of the health service are meeting women’s needs.</p> answering member constituency Mid Bedfordshire answering member printed Ms Nadine Dorries question first answered 19/05/2021 10:53:26 answering member 1481 label Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1313996

registered interest
date	12/05/2021
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Mental Health Services: Waiting Lists
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for mental health services.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	680
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/05/2021 answer text <p>The NHS Long Term Plan aims to invest at least a further £2.3 billion a year into mental health services by 2023/24. This will allow an additional 345,000 children and young people and 380,000 adults a year accessing National Health Service-funded mental health support 2023/24. We are also trialling two four-week waiting time pilots for children and young people and adults.</p><p>In March we published the COVID-19 mental health and wellbeing recovery action plan, with an additional £500 million to address waiting times for mental health services.</p> answering member constituency Mid Bedfordshire answering member printed Ms Nadine Dorries question first answered 19/05/2021 10:43:48 answering member 1481 label Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1314042

registered interest
date	12/05/2021
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Menopause
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support women who have been diagnosed with early menopause.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	681
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/05/2021 answer text <p>The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for menopause were updated in December 2019 and include clear criteria for the diagnosis, investigation and treatment of early menopause. NHS England and NHS Improvement expect all providers to give due regard to NICE guidance.</p><p><em> </em></p><p>Treatment for early menopause usually involves Hormone Replacement Therapy or a combined hormonal contraceptive pill both for relief of symptoms and to prevent against the long-term consequences of oestrogen deficiency. Women diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency are generally managed in a specialised menopause clinic and should have regular reviews to assess the efficacy of treatment and to be offered fertility advice if appropriate. NHS.UK provides signposting to a range of counselling and support groups, such as the Daisy Network and to fertility support groups, where necessary.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Mid Bedfordshire answering member printed Ms Nadine Dorries question first answered 17/05/2021 19:07:45 answering member 1481 label Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries previous answer version 386 answering member constituency Mid Bedfordshire answering member printed Ms Nadine Dorries answering member 1481 label Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1312800

registered interest
date	11/05/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Databases
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, on what date his Department plans to publish the data from the national school census for autumn 2020.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	22
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/05/2021 answer text <p>The Department does not routinely publish data from the autumn school census.</p><p>The school census collection takes place termly, but not all of the information is collected on a termly basis. We publish a routine annual summary of school census data based on spring census figures, which can be found here: <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics</a>. The next release, relating to January 2021, will be published in June 2021.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 17/05/2021 12:31:41 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1312338

registered interest
date	27/04/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Pre-school Education: Fees and Charges
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that private early years providers do not charge top-up fees to parents entitled to free childcare under the Free Early Education Entitlement.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	188083
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2021 answer text <p>Government funding is intended to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of free, high quality, flexible childcare for eligible two, three and four year olds across 38 weeks of the year. It is not intended to cover the costs of meals, additional hours or additional services, and providers may charge parents for these.</p><p>Our statutory guidance is clear that local authorities should work with providers to ensure all parents have fair access to a free place, which must be delivered completely free of charge. Providers should not charge parents “top-up” fees (any difference between a provider’s normal charge to parents and the funding they receive from the local authority to deliver free places) or require parents to pay a registration fee as a condition of taking up their child’s free place.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 29/04/2021 08:39:21 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon