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1486108

registered interest
date	04/07/2022
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Treasury: Pay
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) direct employees, (b) contractors, and (c) agency workers who work in their Department and relevant agencies and public bodies, receive a wage below that of either (i) the UK Real Living Wage outside of Greater London, or (ii) the London Living Wage inside of Greater London, as determined by the Living Wage Foundation.
tabling member constituency	Wolverhampton South East
tabling member printed	Pat McFadden
uin	29982
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2022 answer text <p>As of 31/03/2022, the total number of full-time employees in HM Treasury earning below the London Living Wage rate of £11.05 per hour was 17. This number is comprised mainly of apprentices. The Living Wage rate is a suggested rate of pay by the Living Wage Foundation, rather than a legislated minimum wage.</p><p> </p><p>All HM Treasury employees are paid above the statutory minimum wage. Since 31/03/2022 we have been conducting a review of all pay ranges across the department in line with this year’s Cabinet Office remit guidance.</p><p> </p><p>As pay and conditions are set between employee and employer, the rate of pay for agency workers and contractors will be determined by the company for which they work and not HM Treasury.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Havant answering member printed Alan Mak question first answered 11/07/2022 17:06:43 answering member 4484 label Biography information for Alan Mak
tabling member	1587 label Biography information for Pat McFadden

1484407

registered interest
date	28/06/2022
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Rape
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to tackle incidences of rape; and how she is monitoring and measuring the impact of her Department's policies and interventions.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	26798
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2022 answer text <p>Rape and sexual violence are devastating crimes that can have an impact on victims for the rest of their life. The most recent published annual data shows that in the year to December 2021, the volume of police recorded rape offences rose to the highest ever recorded figure at 67,125. We welcome the fact that victims of sexual offences, which are all too often hidden crimes, are bravely coming forward to report to the police.</p><p>In June 2021, the Government published its End-to-End Rape Review Findings and Action Plan. The Action Plan set out a robust programme of work to drive improvements in the criminal justice system’s (CJS) handling of adult rape cases. A year on, we have started to see increases in the number of referrals of adult rape cases from the police to the Crown Prosecution Service and in the number of charges.</p><p>On June 16, we published our second six-monthly Rape Review Progress Update which sets out the important progress that we have made, including:</p><p>o The Home Office is providing £5m in 2022/3 to support the expansion into a further 14 police forces of Operation Soteria, which will develop a new national operating model for police forces to adopt by June 2023;</p><p>o Running a public consultation on the police requests for third-party material, which can sometimes be unnecessary and disproportionate; and</p><p>o Continuing to make progress towards the target of recruiting 20,000 additional police officers by March 2023. As of March 2022, the Home Office had supported the recruitment of 13,578 police officers, and in 2022/3 we have allocated £550m to achieve the target of 20,000 officers by March 2023.</p><p>Accountability and transparency are key to ensuring we achieve our ambition of doubling the volume of adult rape cases reaching court over the Parliament. We developed a CJS delivery dashboard for recorded adult rape offences which brings together data from across the criminal justice system. This is published quarterly, and the most recent national and local dashboards were published on 16 June. By closely monitoring this data we will be able to understand the ongoing impact of our work, drive improvements and share best practice.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Derby North answering member printed Amanda Solloway question first answered 11/07/2022 15:50:35 answering member 4372 label Biography information for Amanda Solloway
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1484408

registered interest
date	28/06/2022
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Sexual Offences: Crime Prevention
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will (a) adopt a public health approach to the prevention of sexual violence and (b) take steps to reduce such criminal behaviour.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	26799
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2022 answer text <p>Tackling and preventing violence against women and girls (VAWG), including sexual violence, is a key priority for this Government. As set out in our Tackling VAWG Strategy, our approach is focused on prioritising prevention, ensuring victims receive the support they deserve, seeing perpetrators brought to justice, and making sure agencies work together effectively.</p><p>We welcome the fact that more victims of sexual offences, which are all too often hidden crimes, are coming forward and reporting to the police, however, we know there is much more to do.</p><p>In June 2021 we published the End-to-End Rape Review Report and Action Plan which outlined a robust programme of work to achieve a significant improvement in the way the criminal justice system responds to rape. As set out in the update we published on 16 June, progress to date includes:</p><ul><li>confirming the 14 further police forces we are expanding Operation Soteria into. This work is developing a new national operating model for the investigation of rape which will be available to all police forces to from June 2023;</li><li>launching a consultation on police requests for third-party material, which can sometimes be unnecessary and disproportionate;</li><li>working with the Police Digital Service and technology sector, to identify, test, and deploy new technological capability that address invasive requests for data and reduce time delays;</li><li>providing an additional £550 million to fund the final 8,000 officers in the third year of the Police Uplift Programme to reach the target of 20,000 additional police officers by March 2023;</li><li>confirming an investment of over £460 million in victim support over the next three years, which includes funding more than 1,000 Independent Sexual and Domestic Violence Advisors a new 24/7 helpline for rape victims, and local support services nationwide; and</li><li>confirming a pilot of enhanced specialist sexual violence support at three major courts.</li></ul><p>More broadly, through the VAWG Strategy we have:</p><ul><li>supported the introduction of a new full-time National Policing Lead for Violence Against Women and Girls – with DCC Maggie Blyth now in post;</li><li>launched a new national communications campaign, Enough<strong>,</strong> with a focus on targeting perpetrators and harmful misogynistic attitudes, educating young people about healthy relationships and ensuring victims can access support; and made available £30 million for local areas through the ‘Safety of Women at Night Fund and the Safer Streets Fund to prevent VAWG in public spaces, including in the night-time economy.</li></ul> answering member constituency Derby North answering member printed Amanda Solloway question first answered 11/07/2022 15:46:13 answering member 4372 label Biography information for Amanda Solloway
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1483337

registered interest
date	27/06/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Citizenship: Education
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to ensure that the teaching of British values in schools respects protected characteristics, freedom of speech, and the freedom of conscience.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
uin	HL1289
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2022 answer text <p>All schools must offer a curriculum which is balanced and broad, and which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental, and physical development of pupils and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences of later life. The department expects all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance.</p><p> </p><p>As part of a broad and balanced curriculum, pupils should be taught about different societies, and how different groups have contributed to the development of Britain, and this can include experiences and voices of people from all backgrounds. The curriculum offers many opportunities for schools to do this, notably through citizenship education and relationships, sex, and health education (RSHE).</p><p> </p><p>The RSHE curriculum has a strong focus on equality, respect, the harmful impact of stereotyping, as well as the importance of valuing difference. The citizenship curriculum includes content on democracy and human rights.</p><p> </p><p>In delivering the curriculum, schools should be aware of their duties relating to political impartiality as set out under the Education Act 1996, and must ensure that, where political issues are discussed in the classroom, they are presented in a balanced way.</p><p> </p><p>Pupils should learn about equality, kindness, and respect, and it is for schools to decide how they teach these important values. The department believes in the importance of these shared values which are taught and reinforced every single day in schools across the UK.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 11/07/2022 11:18:18 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1484518

registered interest
date	28/06/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Free School Meals
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent estimate they have made of the number of children in England who are eligible for income-related free school meals but are not registered for the scheme.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Gloucester
uin	HL1307
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2022 answer text <p>The department does not routinely collect information on the proportion of pupils that would be entitled to a free school meal but do not make a claim. Our last estimate is that take-up is around 89% of those who are entitled.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst take-up of free school meals is strong, the department wants to make sure as many eligible pupils as possible are claiming their free school meals, and to make it as simple as possible for schools and local authorities to determine eligibility. To support this, we provide an Eligibility Checking System to make the checking process as quick and straightforward as possible for schools and local authorities. We have also developed a model registration form to help schools encourage parents to sign up for free school meals and provide guidance to Jobcentre Plus advisers so that they can make Universal Credit recipients aware that they may also be entitled to wider benefits, including free school meals.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 11/07/2022 13:41:50 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	4540 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Gloucester

1484521

registered interest
date	28/06/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Food Technology
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) to teach cookery skills at (a) primary, and (b) secondary, schools in England, and (2) to introduce a model curriculum which covers a basic range of cookery skills.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Gloucester
uin	HL1310
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2022 answer text <p>Cooking and nutrition are part of the national curriculum for design and technology, which is mandatory in state-maintained schools from key stages 1 to 3. The curriculum aims to teach children how to cook, with an emphasis on savoury dishes, and how to apply the principles of healthy eating and nutrition. It recognises that cooking is an important life skill that will help children to feed themselves, and others, healthy and affordable food.</p><p>A food preparation and nutrition GCSE was introduced in September 2016. This requires pupils to understand and apply the principles of food science, nutrition and healthy eating when preparing and cooking food. The first exams in this new qualification were taken in September 2018.</p><p>Furthermore, the department recognises that a firm grounding in cooking and healthy eating can play an important part in enabling individuals to reach their full potential to lead fulfilling and healthy lives. The Levelling Up White Paper has furthered the department’s ambitions to drive up food education in schools. This will include developing new curriculum content covering a basic range of cookery skills. We will also be investing up to £200,000 to pilot new training for school governors and academy trusts on a whole school approach to food.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 11/07/2022 14:21:53 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	4540 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Gloucester

1484540

registered interest
date	28/06/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Apprentices: Taxation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to allow all employers to use their apprenticeship levy funds to tackle labour shortages.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL1329
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2022 answer text <p>The apprenticeship levy is an important part of the government’s reforms, supporting employers of all sizes to invest in high-quality apprenticeship training, and helping employers address industry labour shortages by building the skilled workforces they need.</p><p>Employers can already choose from over 640 high-quality employer-designed apprenticeship standards, at all levels and in all sectors of the economy, to meet their skills needs and develop a diverse pipeline of talent for the future. The Institute for Apprenticeships &amp; Technical Education continues to work with employers to develop new apprenticeship standards where there is an employer demand.</p><p>The department is encouraging more employers to make greater use of their levy funds by helping them choose more flexible training models, such as accelerated and flexi-job apprenticeships, so that employers in all sectors can benefit from apprenticeships and apprentices can hit the ground running from day one.</p><p><br> We continue to make improvements to the apprenticeship levy transfer system to make it easier for large employers to make full use of their levy funds and support starts in their supply chain, sector, or local area, and to support more employers, including small-medium-sized employers, to meet local or sectorial skills needs.</p><p>We also provide £1,000 payments to both employers and training providers when they take on apprentices aged between 16 and 18 years old, helping to support younger people into apprenticeships.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 11/07/2022 13:50:11 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1484919

registered interest
date	29/06/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Apprentices: Specific Learning Difficulties
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what programmes are currently in place to increase the number of people with learning difficulties taking part in apprenticeships.
tabling member printed	Lord Browne of Belmont
uin	HL1336
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2022 answer text <p>Apprenticeships are available for all people of all backgrounds including people with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (LDD) to start, progress or to re-train in a variety of industries.</p><p>In recent years we have seen an improved representation of people who have declared LDD starting apprenticeships, and we want this to continue. We have improved our Find an Apprenticeship service to allow people to identify Disability Confident Employers offering opportunities and ensuring apprenticeships are available to all.</p><p>In partnership with the Disability Rights UK, we launched a Disabled Apprentice Network to provide insight and evidence on how to attract and retain disabled people into apprenticeships. Disability Rights UK published a report during National Apprenticeship Week 2022 to support employers to improve the diversity of their apprenticeship programmes whilst highlighting the barriers people may face when undertaking an apprenticeship. In this report, the apprentices identified the opportunity to build confidence, skills and networks with people with different experiences and gain paid work experience as the key points which influenced them towards undertaking an apprenticeship.</p><p>To ensure that more people who declare LDD feel confident to undertake apprenticeships, we have lowered the English and Maths requirements to apprenticeships for a defined group of individuals with LDD. We have also introduced British Sign Language (BSL) as an alternative to English Functional Skills for those who have BSL as their first language.</p><p>Furthermore, we make £1,000 payments to employers and providers for taking on 16 to 18-year-olds, or those 19 to 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan and also offer £150 per month to help providers make reasonable adjustments for eligible apprentices with special educational needs. Providers can claim additional funding if the cost of support exceeds this rate.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 11/07/2022 14:19:29 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	3801 label Biography information for Lord Browne of Belmont

1484920

registered interest
date	29/06/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Special Educational Needs: Vocational Guidance
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current career support available for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
tabling member printed	Lord Browne of Belmont
uin	HL1337
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2022 answer text <p>Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.</p><p>The government’s education policies are intended to ensure that all young people, whatever their background or circumstances, have the opportunity to reach their potential. Careers support for young people supports anyone, including young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) or in disadvantaged groups, to go as far as their talents will take them and have a rewarding career.</p><p>The statutory guidance for schools and colleges on careers guidance includes an expectation that schools and colleges will use the Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance to develop and improve their careers programmes. The guidance is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/careers-guidance-provision-for-young-people-in-schools" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/careers-guidance-provision-for-young-people-in-schools</a>. The third benchmark focusses on addressing the individual needs of each student. The department expects schools and colleges to tailor careers activities and educational goals to the needs of each student, taking account of their prior knowledge and skills, the choices and transitions they face, and any additional support that may be needed to overcome barriers.</p><p>The department is working in collaboration with The Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC) and the National Careers Service to ensure careers advice for young people with SEND is of the highest quality. The department funds the CEC to increase young people’s exposure to the world of work and support schools and colleges to achieve the Gatsby Benchmarks. The CEC runs a community of practice focused on inclusion. Schools, colleges and training providers work together to support each other in their local community to work with students from disadvantaged groups, including young people with SEND, through the sharing of good practice and the development of resources. The National Careers Service provides free careers information, advice and guidance to both young people and adults through a website and telephone helpline.</p><p>To help more young people with SEND get into great careers, the department is also taking action to improve careers guidance, providing support, resources and SEND-specific training for Careers Leaders and special educational needs coordinators who design and deliver inspirational careers education programmes, tailored to the needs of young people with SEND.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 11/07/2022 14:16:03 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	3801 label Biography information for Lord Browne of Belmont

1484929

registered interest
date	29/06/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children: Finance
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have carried out an impact assessment of revising the income-based eligibility threshold for the (1) 15-hour childcare offer for two year olds, (2) the Healthy Start Scheme, and (3) free school meals.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Gloucester
uin	HL1346
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2022 answer text <p>At present, we do not plan to revise the income thresholds for the 15-hour childcare for two-year-olds. The national eligibility criteria aims to support the most disadvantaged children. It is right to target the support based on evidence of which children stand to benefit the most but are least likely to be accessing a place.</p><p>The Healthy Start Scheme is the responsibility for the Department of Health and Social Care.</p><p>Free school meal eligibility is kept under review ensuring that these meals are supporting those who most need them.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 11/07/2022 14:16:27 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	4540 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Gloucester