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1242217

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Garo Paylan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Turkey following reports that Garo Paylan has been subjected to intimidation tactics including (1) threats to his safety, and (2) hate speech.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL9001
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2020 answer text <p>We have seen press reports that the People's Democratic Party (HDP) MP, Garo Paylan, has been targeted publicly by a Turkish research centre over his comments on the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We have also noted reporting that the Turkish authorities may be preparing a case against him. We have made it clear previously to Turkey that we expect the government to undertake any legal processes against MPs, party officials, elected mayors, human rights defenders and journalists, fairly, transparently and with full respect for the rule of law. We will continue to engage closely with Turkey to encourage the full protection of fundamental rights of all people, particularly in the areas of freedom of expression and assembly, press freedom and the treatment of detainees.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 26/10/2020 12:52:39 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1242218

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Peers: Correspondence
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to respond to the letter relating to skeleton bills and skeleton provision sent to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office and the Leader of the House of Commons by the Chairs of the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee, the Constitution Committee and the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee on 25 September.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL9002
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2020 answer text <p>I can confirm to the noble Lord that a response to this letter was sent from the Leader of the House of Commons on 20 October 2020.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord True question first answered 27/10/2020 17:05:29 answering member 4200 label Biography information for Lord True
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1242219

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Pupils: Quarantine
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many students at (1) secondary schools, (2) sixth forms, and (3) University Technical Colleges, did not attend in the week ending 9 October because they were isolating or quarantined; and how many of those students had access to a computer and an internet connection to facilitate remote learning.
tabling member printed	Lord Baker of Dorking
uin	HL9006
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2020 answer text <p>Keeping close track of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases in schools is a priority for the government. Public Health England (PHE) leads in holding data on infection, incidence and COVID-19 cases overall. PHE have published data on COVID-19 incidents by institution, including educational settings. This data is updated weekly and the most recent data can be found online at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-covid-19-surveillance-reports" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-covid-19-surveillance-reports</a>.</p><p>The department is currently collecting data from schools on a daily basis, as well as gathering information from local areas and following up with individual settings to confirm that procedures for requiring pupils to isolate are well understood and that necessary decisions are made on the basis of public health advice.</p><p>The department collects data on the number of schools that have indicated that they have sent children home due to COVID-19 containment measures. We are currently looking at the quality of that data with a view to publishing it as part of the official statistics series. The series includes published data on school openings and attendance, which shows that at a national level approximately 99.3% of state-funded schools were fully open on 22 October (excluding schools on half term or inset days). Of the small proportion (0.7%) of schools that were closed, almost all were due to COVID-19 related reasons. Approximately 86% of all children on roll in all state-funded schools not on half term or inset days were in attendance on 22 October. This data is updated weekly and the most recent data can be found online at: <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak</a>.</p><p>During the summer term, the department provided over 220,000 laptops and tablets and over 50,000 4G wireless routers for disadvantaged pupils in year 10, children with a social worker and care leavers. The department has spent over £195 million on support for disadvantaged children and young people to access remote education through laptops and tablets, internet connectivity support, and access to online education platforms. We have delivered over 100,000 laptops and tablets to disadvantaged children during the autumn term. This is in addition to the over 220,000 delivered earlier this year.</p><p>We are also working with the major telecommunications companies to improve internet connectivity for disadvantaged and vulnerable families who rely on a mobile internet connection.</p><p>Young people aged 16 to 19 without suitable laptops and tablets for education may be eligible for support through the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund. Providers make decisions as to who receives a bursary, based on their own criteria.</p><p>The department does not hold data on the number of students self-isolating who do not have access to a computer and internet connection.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 04/11/2020 17:51:49 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	1028 label Biography information for Lord Baker of Dorking

1242220

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Union Learning Fund
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the independent evaluation of the Union Learning Fund by Exeter University, Union Learning Survey 2018 Results, published in September 2018, whether the Department for Education undertook a further assessment of the Union Learning Fund; and if so, whether (1) that assessment demonstrated a decline in outcomes, and (2) they plan to publish the findings of the assessment.
tabling member printed	Lord Balfe
uin	HL9007
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2020 answer text <p>The department did not undertake a further formal evaluation of the Union Learning Fund following the evaluation by Exeter University.</p><p>As part of the Spending Review process, the Department has assessed its priorities across all its objectives, including considering the evidence from the Unionlearn evaluation. The decision to discontinue funding for Unionlearn beyond this financial year reflects the consolidation of investment to support retraining in major new programmes, including the National Skills Fund, which support progression to higher levels of attainment.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 26/10/2020 17:47:15 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	4302 label Biography information for Lord Balfe

1242221

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Union Learning Fund
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they consulted with (1) the Trades Union Congress, and (2) individual trade unions, prior to terminating the Union Learning Fund.
tabling member printed	Lord Balfe
uin	HL9008
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2020 answer text <p>The government did not consult with any outside bodies prior to making the decision not to continue to provide funding for the Union Learning Fund after 31 March 2021.</p><p>We have made no commitment to funding beyond this date and have always been clear any future funding would depend on the Government’s Spending Review. The decision to cease funding after April 2021 has been communicated at this stage in the Spending Review process in order to give a greater period of notice.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge grouped question UIN HL9009 HL9010 question first answered 26/10/2020 12:50:56 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	4302 label Biography information for Lord Balfe

1242222

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Union Learning Fund
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they consulted with (1) employers, and (2) business and trade representative bodies, prior to terminating the Union Learning Fund.
tabling member printed	Lord Balfe
uin	HL9009
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2020 answer text <p>The government did not consult with any outside bodies prior to making the decision not to continue to provide funding for the Union Learning Fund after 31 March 2021.</p><p>We have made no commitment to funding beyond this date and have always been clear any future funding would depend on the Government’s Spending Review. The decision to cease funding after April 2021 has been communicated at this stage in the Spending Review process in order to give a greater period of notice.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge grouped question UIN HL9008 HL9010 question first answered 26/10/2020 12:50:57 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	4302 label Biography information for Lord Balfe

1242223

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Union Learning Fund
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they consulted with (1) training providers, (2) Sector Skill Councils, and (3) further education organisations, prior to terminating the Union Learning Fund.
tabling member printed	Lord Balfe
uin	HL9010
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2020 answer text <p>The government did not consult with any outside bodies prior to making the decision not to continue to provide funding for the Union Learning Fund after 31 March 2021.</p><p>We have made no commitment to funding beyond this date and have always been clear any future funding would depend on the Government’s Spending Review. The decision to cease funding after April 2021 has been communicated at this stage in the Spending Review process in order to give a greater period of notice.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge grouped question UIN HL9008 HL9009 question first answered 26/10/2020 12:50:57 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	4302 label Biography information for Lord Balfe

1242224

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Union Learning Fund
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to allocate a proportion of the National Skills Fund to projects that aim to directly engage learners in the workplace, replacing the current work undertaken by Union Learn, following the decision to cease funding for the Union Learning Fund.
tabling member printed	Lord Balfe
uin	HL9011
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2020 answer text <p>The government has taken the decision not to continue to provide grant funding to Unionlearn in the next financial year. This decision should not be seen in isolation but as part of the department’s overall plans for improving the skills offer.</p><p>This was a difficult decision. However, we need to prioritise how we use our resources in these challenging times and have decided to concentrate on a number of major investments in further education. The government has announced it will introduce a £2.5 billion National Skills Fund to help adults get the skills they need. My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, as part of his Lifetime Skills Guarantee, recently announced that for adults, who do not currently have a level 3 qualification, we will be fully funding their first full level 3, focusing on the valuable courses that will help them get ahead in the labour market. The offer will be funded from the National Skills Fund and offered from April 2021.</p><p>My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, also recently announced digital bootcamps to support local regions and employers to fill in-demand vacancies by providing valuable skills. Adults in the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Liverpool City Region can now register their interest to take part in the digital bootcamps. In early 2021, the digital bootcamps will also be available in Leeds City Region, Heart of the South West, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. We are planning to expand the bootcamps to more of the country from Spring 2021 and we want to extend this model to include other technical skills training.</p><p>Further plans for the National Skills Fund will be announced in due course.</p><p>Alongside the National Skills Fund, the department has been working to provide further support in response to the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. In his Summer Economic Update, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced investment of over £500 million to deliver a package of support for people to access the training and develop the skills they will need to go on to high-quality, secure and fulfilling employment. The Skills Recovery Package included:</p><ul><li>Apprenticeships: A new payment of £2,000 to employers in England for each new apprentice they hire who is aged 24 or below and a £1,500 payment for each new apprentice they hire who is aged 25 and over, from 1 August 2020 to 31 January 2021.</li><li>Traineeships: £111 million to triple the scale and reform traineeships for those aged 16 - 24 (25 with an Education, Health and Care plan), with additional funding available to providers in 2020-21 to support 30,000 new places. We have also introduced, for the first time, payments of £1,000 per trainee for employers who offer new or additional work placements (up to 10 trainees).</li><li>Careers information, advice and guidance: £32 million over two years to help 269,000 more people of all ages receive advice from the National Careers Service.</li><li>Sector-based work academy programme (SWAP): £17 million to triple the number of SWAP placements in 2020/21, enough funding to support an extra 40,000 job seekers with additional training opportunities and the chance of a job.</li></ul><p> </p><p>In addition, the recently announced expansion of The Skills Toolkit means that people can now choose from over 70 courses, covering digital, adult numeracy, employability and work readiness skills, which have been identified as the skills employers need the most. These courses will help people stay in work or take up new jobs and opportunities.</p><p>The government appreciates the importance of adult education to improving people’s life chances. We will continue to explore options within adult education to aid the post COVID-19 recovery.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 26/10/2020 13:07:48 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	4302 label Biography information for Lord Balfe

1242225

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Cabinet Office: Consultants
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how much was spent on consultancy services by the Cabinet Office and its related agencies in the 2019/20 financial year; and what was the (1) cost of, and (2) reason for, each such contract.
tabling member printed	Lord Berkeley
uin	HL9014
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2020 answer text <p>As set out on page 57, section 2.10 of the Cabinet Office Annual Account (2019-2020) and available on gov.uk, expenditure on consultancy reduced from £43.647 million in 2018-19 to £35.380 million in 2019-20.</p><p>Cabinet Office publishes all contracts over £10,000. Details of all consultancy contracts can be found on Contracts Finder.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord True question first answered 27/10/2020 17:12:28 answering member 4200 label Biography information for Lord True
tabling member	3526 label Biography information for Lord Berkeley

1242226

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Department for Transport: Consultants
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how much was spent on consultancy services by the Department for Transport and its related agencies in the 2019/20 financial year; and what was the (1) cost of, and (2) reason for, each such contract.
tabling member printed	Lord Berkeley
uin	HL9015
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2020 answer text <p>The Department for Transport and its Executive Agencies spent £77.5m in the financial year 2019/20 on consultancy services.</p><p> </p><p>The Department publishes details of all spend above £25000 on Gov.uk and this includes details of consultancy contracts. The main areas for spend for consultancy were within rail, covering rail operations and upgrading rail infrastructure.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 23/10/2020 11:01:03 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
tabling member	3526 label Biography information for Lord Berkeley