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1599200

registered interest
date	27/02/2023
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Higher Technical Qualifications
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to increase the uptake of Higher Technical Qualifications.
tabling member constituency	Wimbledon
tabling member printed	Stephen Hammond
uin	903752
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2023 answer text <p>The department believes that increasing uptake in Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) is key to helping people climb the ladder of opportunity.</p><p>HTQs began teaching from September 2022, starting with Digital HTQs. 106 qualifications have now been approved as HTQs across Digital, Construction and Health and Science routes, available for teaching from September this year. All occupational routes are due to be rolled out by 2025 where relevant occupational standards are available.</p><p>To support more people studying HTQs:</p><ul><li>We are promoting HTQs as part of the communications and engagement campaigns for young people, adults and employers.</li><li>We have extended student finance access for HTQs for September 2023. This will allow learners studying them part-time to access maintenance loans, as they can with degrees. This will help learners fit study around work and other commitments.</li><li>We have announced investments of around £70 million to date to support the growth of high-quality higher technical education.</li></ul><p> </p> answering member constituency Harlow answering member printed Robert Halfon question first answered 28/02/2023 14:56:37 answering member 3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon
tabling member	1585 label Biography information for Stephen Hammond

1599201

registered interest
date	27/02/2023
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Buildings
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of information published by her Department on the condition and safety of school buildings.
tabling member constituency	Sheffield, Hallam
tabling member printed	Olivia Blake
uin	903755
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2023 answer text <p>The Condition Data Collection (CDC) was one of the largest and most comprehensive data collection programmes in the UK public sector. It collected data on the building condition of Government funded schools in England. It provides a robust evidence base to enable the Department to target the capital funding it provides for maintaining and rebuilding school buildings.</p><p>The key, high level findings of the CDC programme were published in May 2021 in the ‘Condition of School Buildings Survey: Key Findings’ report. This is available at: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/989912/Condition_of_School_Buildings_Survey_CDC1_-_key_findings_report.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/989912/Condition_of_School_Buildings_Survey_CDC1_-_key_findings_report.pdf</a>.</p><p>Individual reports have been provided to schools and the relevant local authority or trust to help inform their maintenance plans alongside their own more detailed surveys and safety checks. The Department plans to publish detailed school level CDC data. This data is being prepared and will be published as soon as possible.</p><p>Well maintained, safe school buildings are a priority for the Department. Over £13 billion has been allocated for improving the condition of schools since 2015, including £1.8 billion committed this financial year. The 10-year School Rebuilding Programme is condition led and 400 of the 500 available places on the programme have now been provisionally allocated.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 27/02/2023 17:19:04 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4864 label Biography information for Olivia Blake

1599202

registered interest
date	27/02/2023
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Reading: Teaching Methods
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will provide schools on the Isle of Wight with funding for systematic synthetic phonics programmes.
tabling member constituency	Isle of Wight
tabling member printed	Bob Seely
uin	903757
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2023 answer text <p>In 2018, the Department launched the £26.3 million English Hubs Programme, which is dedicated to improving the teaching of reading, with a focus on supporting children making the slowest progress in reading, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds.</p><p>The 34 English Hubs in the programme are primary schools which are outstanding at teaching early reading. A further £17 million has been allocated for this school to school improvement programme, which focusses on systematic synthetic phonics, early language, and reading for pleasure.</p><p>Schools on the Isle of Wight may contact their nearest English Hub, Springhill Catholic Primary, if they wish to receive funding support for phonics. The hub has, so far, recruited one partner school on the Isle of Wight and is actively reaching out to other eligible schools, including planning an Isle of Wight specific engagement event in the coming term.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 27/02/2023 17:27:25 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4681 label Biography information for Bob Seely

1599203

registered interest
date	27/02/2023
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Apprentices: Degrees
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to increase the uptake of degree apprenticeships.
tabling member constituency	South West Bedfordshire
tabling member printed	Andrew Selous
uin	903756
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2023 answer text <p>The department continues to see strong growth in degree-level apprenticeships with over 170,000 starts since 2014. We are making £8 million available to higher education providers to grow their degree apprenticeship provision and are partnering with UCAS, so young people can use their website to search and apply for these apprenticeships, alongside degrees.</p> answering member constituency Harlow answering member printed Robert Halfon question first answered 28/02/2023 15:12:00 answering member 3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon
tabling member	1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous

1599265

registered interest
date	27/02/2023
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Russia: Ukraine
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, if she will make an assessment with her Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of allowing UK courts to be used for hearings about damage to Ukrainian infrastructure caused by Russian forces.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	153751
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/03/2023 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td><p>Those responsible for the atrocities that have been committed in Ukraine will be held to account, including military commanders and other individuals in the Putin regime. Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is barbaric. The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, and we are committed to helping them secure justice for a growing catalogue of war crimes, which would of course include deliberate or disproportionate damage caused to civilian infrastructure by Russian forces. The international community is rightly focused on prosecution for war crimes. That is the right focus to ensure accountability and to have a deterrent effect on the behaviour of those fighting this conflict at the moment. At Ukraine’s invitation, the UK will play a leading role in a core group of like-minded partners to pursue criminal accountability for Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. The Attorney General has just returned from Ukraine, supporting our training of Ukrainian judges. Cases are already being heard in Ukraine itself. Although consideration could be given to using the courts in England and Wales, it will be necessary to have an international tribunal, and we are determined to help secure justice for the growing catalogue of war crimes in Ukraine.</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Mid Dorset and North Poole answering member printed Michael Tomlinson question first answered 07/03/2023 17:35:07 answering member 4497 label Biography information for Michael Tomlinson
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1599266

registered interest
date	27/02/2023
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Courts: Standards
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what recent discussions she has had with her counterparts in the devolved administrations on court delays due to covid-19; and if she will take steps to support those administrations in tackling those delays.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	153752
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/03/2023 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td><p>The Attorney General’s Office have had no recent discussions with counterparts in devolved administrations in relation to court delays. In England and Wales, court delays are a matter for the Ministry of Justice and HM Courts and Tribunal’s Service.</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Mid Dorset and North Poole answering member printed Michael Tomlinson question first answered 07/03/2023 11:25:56 answering member 4497 label Biography information for Michael Tomlinson
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1599267

registered interest
date	27/02/2023
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Cemeteries: Vandalism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what discussions he has had with representatives of the arch-diocese of Jerusalem on damage to graves at the Protestant Cemetery on Mount Zion in January 2023; and what steps he plans to take to (a) help promote religious acceptance and harmony in the UK and (b) prevent vandalism at cemeteries.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	153753
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2023 answer text <p>The escalating violence in Jerusalem and the occupied Palestinian territories is of deep concern. Representatives of the Church continue to work closely with the Department of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, the British Consulate in Jerusalem, the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem and other faith leaders in the city. The Archbishop of Canterbury remains in close contact with the Archbishop of the Diocese of Jerusalem, the Rt Revd Hosam Naoum, and the Bishop of Southwark regularly visits the region with Roman Catholic bishops as part of the Holy Land Coordination Group.</p><p>Following the attacks, the Archbishop of Canterbury issued a statement that read, “The desecration of Christian graves in Jerusalem is a blasphemous act. I join the Chief Rabbi [Ephraim Mirvis] and religious leaders in Jerusalem in condemning it and hope those responsible will be brought swiftly to justice. As we continue to pray for peace in the Holy Land, I stand with Archbishop Hosam Naoum and other Jerusalem church leaders in calling for respect, protection, equality and justice for its Christian community – who are the Living Stones of the church.”</p><p>Interviewed immediately after the attacks Archbishop Naoum spoke about the increasing use of exclusion, segregation, and intolerance alongside increasing attacks on the holy sites.</p><p>The Heads of Churches in Jerusalem have urged all sides to &quot;actively reaffirm their commitment to a promotion of an environment of safety, mutual respect and religious tolerance in the Holy Land.&quot; They also called for assurances to be given to the Christian community in Jerusalem following the increasing levels of extremist threats against them. At a recent meeting with the Jordanian Parliament Committee of External Affairs in Amman, the Heads of Churches raised concerns about the future of a continued presence of Christians, specifically Arabic Christians, in Jordan, Jerusalem and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.</p><p>The statement by the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem, the Rt Revd Hosam Naoum, can be read here: <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fj-diocese.org%2Fwordpress%2F2023%2F01%2F04%2Fstatement-on-the-recent-vandalism-and-desecration-of-the-protestant-cemetery-on-mt-zion-4-january-2023%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7Crichard.chapman%40churchofengland.org%7C7eee7cd2aa2b481e260d08db1f4c6e8e%7C95e2463b3ab047b49ac1587c77ee84f0%7C0%7C0%7C638138185383336194%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=WdBwGrAWNln1ikEfZECTdl%2FmbmmsOhYxtXygljd%2BrSk%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://j-diocese.org/wordpress/2023/01/04/statement-on-the-recent-vandalism-and-desecration-of-the-protestant-cemetery-on-mt-zion-4-january-2023/</a><br> <br> The statements of the Patriarchs and Head of all Churches in Jerusalem can be read here: <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fj-diocese.org%2Fwordpress%2F2023%2F01%2F05%2Fhead-of-churches-statement-on-the-recent-vandalism-desecration-of-the-protestant-cemetery-on-mt-zion%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7Crichard.chapman%40churchofengland.org%7C7eee7cd2aa2b481e260d08db1f4c6e8e%7C95e2463b3ab047b49ac1587c77ee84f0%7C0%7C0%7C638138185383336194%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=r1cKj%2Bx0ZEGj9gyZ34sc0dxE6wfl4K%2B3u2tqylO4QLw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://j-diocese.org/wordpress/2023/01/05/head-of-churches-statement-on-the-recent-vandalism-desecration-of-the-protestant-cemetery-on-mt-zion/</a></p><p>The statement of the World Council of Churches can be read here: <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.oikoumene.org%2Fresources%2Fdocuments%2Fwcc-statement-on-desecration-of-historic-protestant-cemetery-in-jerusalem&amp;data=05%7C01%7Crichard.chapman%40churchofengland.org%7C7eee7cd2aa2b481e260d08db1f4c6e8e%7C95e2463b3ab047b49ac1587c77ee84f0%7C0%7C0%7C638138185383336194%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=htYbQCCPE3poMNX4mtrZwE%2FMiUxkG%2Bv362R5aefrDKw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/documents/wcc-statement-on-desecration-of-historic-protestant-cemetery-in-jerusalem</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 10/03/2023 15:51:16 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1599268

registered interest
date	27/02/2023
answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	217
answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Tourist Attractions: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help ensure that cultural attractions around the UK provide sufficient access for disabled people.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	153754
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2023 answer text <p>The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is committed to improving the accessibility of our cultural and heritage attractions across the UK for everyone, regardless of their background.</p><p>In June 2021 the Government Disability Unit launched an enhanced programme of Disability and Access Ambassadors. As part of this, David Stanley was appointed as the Arts and Culture Disability and Access Ambassador. The Department is working closely with him to improve accessibility to the sector for people with disabilities.</p><p>DCMS investment has enabled important accessibility upgrades in cultural venues across the country, including via the joint DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund, and via infrastructure grants to DCMS-sponsored cultural bodies. Examples include support for level access at the National Gallery, and new lifts, ramps, and signage at the People’s History Museum in Manchester, amongst other projects.</p><p>DCMS’s arm’s-length body The National Lottery Heritage Fund has a longstanding commitment actively to promote accessibility in heritage through its grant-making. The Heritage Fund invested £950,900 in the <a href="https://curatingforchange.org/" target="_blank">Curating for Change</a> placement programme, led by and for disabled people, working with 16 national and local museums to deliver employment opportunities. In 2022 research was undertaken by ‘Vocal Eyes’ to improve digital access and information on cultural sites, to expand engagement with blind and visually impaired people.</p><p>Arts Councils across the UK are also working together with the British Film Institute to launch a free, UK-wide arts access scheme by early 2024. This scheme will operate across all arts and cultural venues, for seamless, barrier-free booking which is responsive to individual circumstances and needs.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 06/03/2023 17:57:14 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1599269

registered interest
date	27/02/2023
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Broadband: Rural Areas
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent steps she has taken to help ensure full and equal access to superfast broadband, particularly in rural areas.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	153755
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2023 answer text <p>The Government is committed to delivering nationwide gigabit connectivity as soon as possible. Across the UK, 97.5% of premises can access a superfast connection (&gt;=30Mbps).</p><p>We have introduced measures in the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 to specifically assist suppliers providing broadband services, such as an increased ability to upgrade and share the existing duct and pole network, and procedures to deal with non-responsive landowners. This follows the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act 2021, which makes it easier for broadband operators to install in multiple dwelling units where the landlord is repeatedly unresponsive to requests for access.</p><p>To support those on low-incomes to stay connected, the Government has worked closely with suppliers to ensure the provision of low-cost, high-quality fixed social tariffs in the market. These offers are available in 99% of the UK, and many provide superfast connections. Social tariffs are available to those claiming Universal Credit and other means-tested benefits, starting from £12pm.</p><p>We are also investing £5 billion as part of Project Gigabit to deliver gigabit-capable (1000Mbps) broadband to hard-to-reach areas of the UK. Gigabit-capable coverage currently stands at 74.2% and over £1 billion of public subsidy has already been made available to broadband suppliers to extend gigabit-capable broadband further, to some of the hardest to reach parts of the country.</p><p>Support is also available for homes and businesses in rural areas through the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme. The voucher scheme provides a subsidy of up to £4,500 for residents and businesses towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband via local community broadband projects.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 06/03/2023 17:47:11 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1599271

registered interest
date	27/02/2023
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	Integrated Care Systems
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 he is taking to ensure that integrated care systems support the integration of (a) policies, (b) funding and (c) workforces between health and social care sectors.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	153841
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/03/2023 answer text <p>The Health and Care Act 2022 set up systems and structures to reform how health and adult social care work together by putting partnership at the heart of planning. Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for producing a five year joint forward plan with their partner trusts, foundation trusts, local authorities and other members. This plan should have regard to the integrated care strategy produced by the integrated care partnership (ICP). We are aware of 35 integrated care strategies that have been produced by ICPs in England.</p><p>We committed in the integration white paper ‘joining up care for people and places’ to review, and where necessary simplify, pooled budget arrangements to promote further integrated funding arrangements. This review is underway.</p><p>In July 2022 statutory integrated care systems (ICS) Strategy Guidance recommended ICSs take forward joint workforce planning with Local Authorities as a next step to integrated workforces.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Helen Whately question first answered 02/03/2023 16:27:12 answering member 4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell