The Government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those participating in the democratic process, including those who decide to stand for election. This commitment extends to individuals of all faiths (or none). Any particular added protection for individuals or groups would be determined on a threat-led basis. The physical security of those taking part in elections is organised at the local level.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4888", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Sharpe of Epsom"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Sharpe of Epsom"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-15T13:17:11.977Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Elections: Christianity"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to provide protection for Christians who are running for public office.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/655", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown"} ], "uin" : "HL6050"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1420179", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1420179/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We do not agree with the use of this terminology. Any judgment on whether serious crimes under international law have occurred is a matter for judicial decision, rather than for governments or non-judicial bodies. As a friend of Israel, we have a regular dialogue on human rights.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-02-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-02-21T14:58:25.093Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "208"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-02-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Israel: Palestinians"} , "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 report by Amnesty International Israel\u2019s Apartheid Against Palestinians, published on 1 February; and what discussions they have had with the government of Israel about the findings in the report.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4548", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Sheehan"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Sheehan"} ], "uin" : "HL6050"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1217189", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1217189/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Local Government Act 1972 allows local planning authorities (including National Parks) to arrange for the discharge of any of its functions by a committee, sub-committee, or an officer. The operation of such committees, including which applications are considered by members and the procedure by which they are governed, are administrative matters for the National Park Authority.<\/p>
Like other planning committees, where a decision is made by a National Park planning committee, members should carefully consider all the evidence before them and must be prepared to modify or change their initial view in light of the arguments and evidence presented to them. They must make their final decision at the meeting with an open mind based on this evidence. The law requires that planning decisions are made in accordance with the local development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.<\/p>
National Park authorities must also promote and maintain high standards of conduct by their members. Members have to abide by their authorities\u2019 code of conduct and this must be consistent with the seven \u2018Nolan\u2019 principles of standards in public life. National Park Authorities are responsible for ensuring members observe their codes of conduct and maintain high standards.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4877", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Greenhalgh"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-07-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL6051"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-07-06T13:22:30.567Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-06-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "National Park Authorities"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether members of national park planning boards are bound by collective responsibility under rules approved by a Secretary of State.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/499", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Campbell-Savours"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Campbell-Savours"} ], "uin" : "HL6050"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/855444", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/855444/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Although children from more disadvantaged areas often do less well on average than their peers from more affluent areas, significant progress has been made in recent years. The national index measuring the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers in key stage 4 narrowed by 10% overall since 2011. For key stage 2, the gap has narrowed by 10.5%. The department recently published plans to improve social mobility and support all children and young people, wherever they live, to fulfil their potential. The report, \u2018Unlocking Talent, Fulfilling Potential\u2019 was placed in the Libraries of both Houses.<\/p>
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Government reforms aim to create a culture in which skilled staff are able to operate in environments where strong practice is valued and developed to secure services that meet the needs of local children and families. Where children\u2019s services are not of an acceptable standard, the government will intervene to ensure that effective improvement plans are in place and delivered at pace.<\/p>
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Funding for children\u2019s services is un-ring fenced, as part of the wider local government finance settlement. This gives local authorities the flexibility to focus on locally determined priorities and, of course, their statutory responsibilities to children. Local authorities used this flexibility to increase spending on children and young people\u2019s services to around £9.2 billion in 2016/17. The Spending Review 2015 made more than £200 billion available to councils for local services, including children\u2019s social care, up to 2019/20.<\/p>
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