The government will carefully consider the findings of the National Food Strategy Part One\u202freport and will be responding fully in due course.<\/p>
Free school meals are an integral part of our provision for families on low incomes and our wider actions to promote social mobility. We are supporting around 1.4 million of the most disadvantaged children through free school meals, saving families around £400 a year. It is right that we are targeting our support towards those families that are most in need of it.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4218", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Berridge"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Berridge"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-08-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-08-11T14:03:12.727Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-07-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Free School Meals"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recommendation in the National Food Strategy Part One report, published on 20 July, that free school meals should be extended to all children in families receiving Universal Credit.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4234", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Lister of Burtersett"} ], "uin" : "HL7534"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1228260", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Women and Equalities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1228260/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
This Government is committed to tackling prejudice, racism and discrimination - and to improving the quality of data and evidence about the types of barriers faced by people from different backgrounds to help drive effective and lasting change.<\/p>
That is why we have established a new Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities. This cross-government commission will examine all aspects of continuing racial and ethnic inequalities in Britain. The Commission aims to set out a new, positive agenda for change - balancing the needs of individuals, communities and society, maximising opportunities and ensuring fairness for all.<\/p>
It will build on the work of the Race Disparity Unit. The Commission will carry out a deeper examination of what the causes of these disparities are, and seek to establish what works to address them effectively.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4218", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Berridge"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Berridge"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-08-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-08-12T10:05:43.777Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "31"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Women and Equalities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Women and Equalities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-07-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Racial Discrimination"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the study by Number Cruncher Politics, published on 16 July, which stated that 55 per cent of ethnic minorities said that racism has stayed the same or has got worse during their lifetimes.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1796", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Taylor of Warwick"} ], "uin" : "HL7561"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1228261", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1228261/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We want all students to see science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) as potential career options, and the government is committed to ensuring that anyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to pursue a rewarding career in a STEM occupation. There are a growing number of girls taking STEM subjects at A level and the 2018/19 A Level results showed, for the first time, more girls taking science subjects than boys. Although proportionally fewer pupils from BAME groups take STEM A Levels, they perform well with 67.1% of entrants from BAME groups achieving A*-C in 2018/19. UK domiciled BAME students are also more likely to study STEM subjects in higher education than their white counterparts \u2013 47% of BAME students were accepted to full-time STEM subjects in 2019/20 compared to 42% of white students.<\/p>
<\/p>
However, we recognise there is more we can do, which is why we are building on that progress through the STEM Ambassadors programme, creating a network of Maths Hubs, and funding gender balance programmes in physics and computing to increase STEM take up amongst girls. In 2019/20, 45% of STEM Ambassadors were female and 15% were from BAME groups. This programme helps broaden pupils\u2019 understanding of careers in science and engineering and how they can apply their individual skills and interests to different opportunities.<\/p>
<\/p>
We are also funding the Institute of Physics to deliver the Improving Gender Balance research trial. This randomised control trial will scale up an approach that has shown significant early promise in increasing girls\u2019 uptake of A level physics. Gender balance coaches will support girls\u2019 resilience, tackle subject-specific teaching issues, and address whole school gender stereotyping.<\/p>
<\/p>
The government is backing the New Model in Technology and Engineering (NMiTE) institute which has been established in Herefordshire to provide a world leading institution where students can learn engineering. NMiTE will take its first full cohort of students in 2020 and has a 50:50 gender balance recruitment target.<\/p>
<\/p>
The government is also funding Institutes of Technology (IoTs), which will be the pinnacle of technical training. These unique collaborations between further education colleges, universities and businesses offer higher technical education and training (mainly at Levels 4 and 5) in key sectors such as digital, construction, advanced manufacturing and engineering.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4218", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Berridge"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Berridge"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-08-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-08-11T15:46:50.567Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-07-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "STEM Subjects: Equality"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to increase the diversity of students taking STEM subjects, in particular engineering.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1796", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Taylor of Warwick"} ], "uin" : "HL7562"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1228266", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1228266/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The department has been working closely with local authorities to assess the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, setting up dedicated regional teams that are in frequent contact. Bringing together expertise from across the department, these teams monitor the challenges that local authorities are facing, including any increases in demand, and they can provide support and guidance where appropriate.<\/p>
We are aware that there may be an increase in demand for children\u2019s social care services in autumn. We are monitoring referrals via our regional teams and via a new Vulnerable Children and Young People Survey, which collects data fortnightly from local authorities in England. It includes data on contact with children supported by children\u2019s social care, workforce, cost and system pressures as well as the number of referrals to children\u2019s social care. We are planning to publish the data in due course.<\/p>
The government has provided £3.7 billion of additional funding to support local authorities in meeting COVID-19 related pressures, including in children\u2019s services.<\/p>
We will continue to work closely with local authorities as the outbreak progresses.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4218", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Berridge"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Berridge"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-08-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-08-11T14:37:11.337Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-07-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Social Services"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the demand likely to be placed upon children\u2019s social care services in the autumn.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1241", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Watson of Invergowrie"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Watson of Invergowrie"} ], "uin" : "HL7571"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1228267", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1228267/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
There are approximately 69,000 Ofsted-registered early years childcare providers and school based early year providers in England. In the week beginning 13 July, it was estimated that 43,000 settings were open based on data supplied by local authorities. This represented 62% of all settings, with 30% closed and the status of 9% unknown. See https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak<\/a>.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4218", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Berridge"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Berridge"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-08-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-08-11T14:38:05.34Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-07-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pre-school Education: Coronavirus"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government how many early years settings are registered in England; and of those, what proportion were open in the week beginning 13 July.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1241", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Watson of Invergowrie"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Watson of Invergowrie"}
], "uin" : "HL7572"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1228268", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1228268/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " In order to control the spread of COVID-19, early years providers were initially only open for children of critical workers and vulnerable children.<\/p> From 1 June, early years providers have been able to welcome back children of all ages and since 20 July, they have been able to return to their normal group sizes. This paves the way for more children to transition back to their early education and support parents to return to work.<\/p> The department has provided detailed guidance for early years providers to support them to welcome back more children and implement the required protective measures: On 20 July, we announced our commitment to continue paying local authorities for the childcare places they usually fund throughout the autumn term. This means that providers who are caring for fewer children can continue to be funded at the same levels as before the COVID-19 outbreak. Local authorities will also continue to fund providers which have been advised to close, or left with no option to but close, for public health reasons. These measures give another term of secure income to nurseries and childminders who are open for the children who need them.<\/p>
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures<\/a>.<\/p>