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1718323

registered interest
date	15/05/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Foster Care: Barnet
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department is taking steps to help increase the number of foster care placements in the London Borough of Barnet.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	26420
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>The department is investing over £36 million this parliament to deliver a fostering recruitment and retention programme, so that foster care is available for more children who need it. This will boost the number of foster carers recruited, as well as taking steps to retain the foster carers that we have.</p><p> </p><p>Greater financial support for foster carers will help to improve the experience of all children in care. For the second year running, the department is uplifting the National Minimum Allowance (NMA) above the rate of inflation. For the 2024/2025 financial year, the NMA will increase by 6.88%. This is on top of a 12.43% NMA increase in 2023/24.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the department estimates that changes to tax and benefit allowances will give the average foster carer an additional £450 per year, as well as simplifying the process for self-assessment returns for most foster carers.</p> answering member constituency Wantage answering member printed David Johnston question first answered 23/05/2024 16:33:02 answering member 4761 label Biography information for David Johnston
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1718324

registered interest
date	15/05/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children in Care: Barnet
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 trends in the number of looked-after children in the London Borough of Barnet.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	26421
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>The latest information on the number of looked after children at 31 March 2023 for the last five years by local authority, region and for England can be found in table LAA1 in the statistical release ‘Children Looked After in England: Including Adoption: 2022 to 2023’ at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2022-to-2023" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2022-to-2023</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Additional information on the numbers of looked after children can be found in the local authority interactive tool on GOV.UK. This shows rates of children looked after in Barnet are consistently below those of comparator areas and have remained broadly static in rate per 10,000.</p> answering member constituency Wantage answering member printed David Johnston question first answered 23/05/2024 16:34:47 answering member 4761 label Biography information for David Johnston
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1690445

registered interest
date	20/02/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance: Higher Education
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 implications for her policies of the number of higher education institutions that have not adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	14842
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2024 answer text <p>Last week’s report by the Community Security Trust highlights the unprecedented increase in antisemitic incidents in higher education. All antisemitism is abhorrent and universities should have robust systems in place to deal with incidents of support for unlawful antisemitic abuse and harassment. This government takes antisemitism extremely seriously and is deeply concerned about the growth in incidents on campus since 7 October 2023. This is completely unacceptable. The department will not tolerate unlawful harassment or the glorification of terrorism. A link to the report can be found here: <a href="https://cst.org.uk/data/file/9/f/Antisemitic_Incidents_Report_2023.1707834969.pdf" target="_blank">https://cst.org.uk/data/file/9/f/Antisemitic_Incidents_Report_2023.1707834969.pdf</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The government has formally adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. The department is pleased to see that as of 21 February 2024, 245 providers in England have adopted the definition, including the vast majority of universities. While adoption of the IHRA definition is not compulsory for universities, as they are autonomous, the department continues to strongly encourage providers to adopt the definition for universal clarity on what constitutes antisemitic behaviour. However, the department recognises that the IHRA definition alone is not enough. That's why the department is working to introduce the tackling antisemitism quality seal. This is a framework of measures that will allow universities to demonstrate support for Jewish students and staff. This quality seal is part of the package resulting from the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement announcement of an additional £7 million over three years to tackle antisemitism in education.</p><p> </p><p>The Quality Seal is an award for universities demonstrating exemplary standards in addressing antisemitism. It encompasses policies related to communication with Jewish students, training programs, and robust complaint processes. The department has invited bids from capable organisations to implement this initiative. The deadline for bids is 7 March 2024 and the department aims to appoint a contractor in April 2024. A Tackling Antisemitism Champion, respected by both the Jewish community and higher education sector, will be appointed to help universities meet these standards and strengthen universities’ ability to deal with the rising levels of antisemitism on campuses. Additionally, funding allocated for combating antisemitism in education will support universities in achieving the required benchmarks.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Harlow answering member printed Robert Halfon question first answered 28/02/2024 17:18:19 answering member 3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1689954

registered interest
date	19/02/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Universities: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the financial sustainability of the university sector.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	14540
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2024 answer text <p>The Office for Students (OfS), as the independent regulator of higher education (HE) in England, collects and analyses financial data from HE providers, as well as other intelligence, to ensure they have an up to date understanding of the sustainability of the sector.  In their most recent report on the financial health of the HE sector, which was published in May 2023, the OfS stated that the overall aggregate financial position of the sector is sound.</p><p>The full report can be found here: <a href="https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/media/0b7d9daa-d6c7-477e-a0b2-b90985d0f935/financial-sustainability-report-2023-updated-june-2023.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/media/0b7d9daa-d6c7-477e-a0b2-b90985d0f935/financial-sustainability-report-2023-updated-june-2023.pdf</a>.</p><p>The department continues to work closely with the OfS, HE representative bodies, as well as other government departments, where appropriate, to understand the ongoing financial sustainability in the sector.</p><p>Middlesex University’s most recent financial statement can be found here: <a href="https://www.mdx.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/770102/MDX_Financial_Statements_2022-2023.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.mdx.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/770102/MDX_Financial_Statements_2022-2023.pdf</a>.</p> answering member constituency Harlow answering member printed Robert Halfon grouped question UIN 14541 question first answered 27/02/2024 15:42:22 answering member 3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1689955

registered interest
date	19/02/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Middlesex University: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the financial sustainability of Middlesex University.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	14541
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2024 answer text <p>The Office for Students (OfS), as the independent regulator of higher education (HE) in England, collects and analyses financial data from HE providers, as well as other intelligence, to ensure they have an up to date understanding of the sustainability of the sector.  In their most recent report on the financial health of the HE sector, which was published in May 2023, the OfS stated that the overall aggregate financial position of the sector is sound.</p><p>The full report can be found here: <a href="https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/media/0b7d9daa-d6c7-477e-a0b2-b90985d0f935/financial-sustainability-report-2023-updated-june-2023.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/media/0b7d9daa-d6c7-477e-a0b2-b90985d0f935/financial-sustainability-report-2023-updated-june-2023.pdf</a>.</p><p>The department continues to work closely with the OfS, HE representative bodies, as well as other government departments, where appropriate, to understand the ongoing financial sustainability in the sector.</p><p>Middlesex University’s most recent financial statement can be found here: <a href="https://www.mdx.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/770102/MDX_Financial_Statements_2022-2023.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.mdx.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/770102/MDX_Financial_Statements_2022-2023.pdf</a>.</p> answering member constituency Harlow answering member printed Robert Halfon grouped question UIN 14540 question first answered 27/02/2024 15:42:22 answering member 3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1689097

registered interest
date	16/02/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Department for Education: Information Officers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many posts there are for (a) press, (b) media and (c) other communications staff in her Department; and what the salary band is for each post.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	14026
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2024 answer text <p>The department’s press and media team is made up of 34.1 full time equivalent (FTE) employees. Roles range from grades Assistant Information Officer (AIO) to Deputy Director (SCS1). Salary bands range from between £32,970 to £34,006 for an AIO and from £75,000 to £117,800 for a Civil Service Deputy Director (SCS1). There is one role at SCS1 level.</p><p>​The above FTE figure is for the department’s press and media team only, which includes social media.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 28/02/2024 10:54:11 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1684465

registered interest
date	23/01/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Department for Education: Carbon Emissions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what targets her Department has set to help achieve the Government's commitments on net zero.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	11081
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/01/2024 answer text <p>The department sets out its plans to set targets to meet net zero in ‘Sustainability and Climate Change: a strategy for the education and children’s services systems’, which was published in April 2022 and can be viewed here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sustainability-and-climate-change-strategy/sustainability-and-climate-change-a-strategy-for-the-education-and-childrens-services-systems" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sustainability-and-climate-change-strategy/sustainability-and-climate-change-a-strategy-for-the-education-and-childrens-services-systems</a>.</p><p>The department is on track to set science-based targets from 2025, ensuring the department plays its part in reducing public sector emissions by 50% by the end of Carbon Budget 5 in 2032 and by 75% by the end of Carbon Budget 6 in 2037, against a 2017 baseline.</p><p>To support the monitoring of targets, the department is developing a 2017 baseline for schools and maintained early years settings. The department has supported the publication of a standardised reporting framework for higher and further education, and the standardised reporting framework for nurseries and schools is due to be published this year.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 30/01/2024 16:32:32 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1675836

registered interest
date	06/12/2023
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Department for Education: Employment Tribunals Service
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many employment tribunals were brought by employees of their Department in the last 12 months.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	5513
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/12/2023 answer text <p>Details of all employment tribunal decision outcomes are available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/employment-tribunal-decisions" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/employment-tribunal-decisions</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 15/12/2023 16:43:53 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1675414

registered interest
date	05/12/2023
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Antisemitism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to tackle anti-semitism in schools.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	5215
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/12/2023 answer text <p>The government unequivocally condemns the recent terrorist attacks by Hamas and stands in solidarity with Israel in its hour of need. Antisemitism has no place in our society.</p><p>The government is committed to ensuring that all schools and colleges prepare children for life in modern Britain. Every school and college should actively promote the shared values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.</p><p>The department has published guidance to support schools and colleges to monitor bullying incidents and evaluate the effectiveness of their approaches, which is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-tackling-bullying" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-tackling-bullying</a>.</p><p>Where behaviour extends into antisemitism or other discriminatory bullying, the department expects schools to deal with it head on, in line with their behaviour policy.</p><p>My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, and her Ministers visited a Jewish school to show her support and has written to school and college headteachers on 17 October 2023 to remind them of their relevant responsibilities, including the need to challenge intolerance and actively respond to discrimination, as well as outlining their duties under the Prevent programme. The department’s Educate Against Hate website provides a range of resources and support to challenge discrimination and intolerance, and how to respond where you have concerns. This is available at: <a href="https://www.educateagainsthate.com/" target="_blank">https://www.educateagainsthate.com/</a>.</p><p>In the Autumn Statement, the government announced £7 million to support schools, colleges and universities to identify and tackle antisemitism. The department is preparing to issue an invitation for interested organisations to tender in due course.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 13/12/2023 15:20:14 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1675490

registered interest
date	05/12/2023
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Pupils: Protest
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help prevent children taking part in anti-Israel demonstrations during school times.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	5253
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/12/2023 answer text <p>While the department wants all want young people to be engaged in the issues that affect them and the wider world, the government is crystal clear that missing school for political activism is unacceptable and should not be condoned.</p><p> </p><p>The department has been monitoring events closely and has written to all schools and local authorities supporting headteachers and teachers in taking firm action. Schools and local authorities should set clear expectations to parents on attendance, confirming that absence for this kind of activity should be treated as unauthorised. The department has been clear that school leaders and local authorities should be enforcing attendance policies, and they should take immediate action where these policies have been breached. In the most egregious cases this can mean fines or prosecution. The department has shared this communication with Ofsted to ensure all inspectors are clear on the position.</p><p> </p><p>This does not mean shutting down appropriate and sensitive discussions about these issues. It is important that children are taught about global events and that they are encouraged to think about how these events affect them and their communities. Schools offer children the opportunity to do that in a safe and controlled environment, but the law is clear that schools must remain politically impartial. Schools must not promote partisan political views and should ensure the balanced treatment of political issues. The department has published clear and comprehensive guidance which should help those working with and in schools to better understand legal duties on political impartiality. The guidance can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 13/12/2023 15:23:07 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord