The below Parliamentary question was asked by Catherine West on 2015-11-30.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the current average waiting time is for a workplace capability assessment.
Priti Patel
Official statistics for the current average waiting times for a Work Capability Assessment are not readily available and to provide the information requested would incur disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2015-11-30.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the report of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on Dupuytren’s contracture due to hand-transmitted vibration, Cm 8860, published in May 2014, when he plans to add that condition to the list of industrial injuries disablement benefit diseases.
Justin Tomlinson
The proposal to add Dupuytren’s Contracture is under consideration and a decision on this will be made in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Roger Godsiff on 2015-11-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what modelling her Department has undertaken of the potential effect of freezing her Department’s budget in cash terms on (a) educational outcomes and (b) pupil wellbeing.
Mr Sam Gyimah
We are protecting the schools budget in real terms, as we pledged in our manifesto. Throughout this Parliament, the amount of money for our schools will increase as pupil numbers rise. In 2015-16 we increased funding for the 69 least well-funded local authorities by £390 million, and that increased level of funding will be included in the baseline for future years. We will go further to target funding effectively, and end historic unfairness in the system, by introducing a national funding formula. We will provide every school with a fair allocation matched to need, that allows them to continue driving up educational standards and support every child to achieve to the best of their potential, whatever their background and wherever they live.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2015-11-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the (a) quantity and (b) quality of mental health services available to children and young people in the care system.
Edward Timpson
The Ofsted Single Inspection Framework provides the basis for the inspection of services for children in need of help and protection, looked-after children, and care leavers in England. The Framework includes judgments on whether child and adolescent mental health services are available when needed. The evidence from inspection reports indicates that local provision to meet the mental health needs of looked-after children is variable.
In May 2015, NHS England asked all Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) to work with other local agencies to develop Local Transformation Plans (LTPs) for children’s mental health services. LTPs are expected to cover the full spectrum of mental health issues and address the needs of the most vulnerable children and young people, including looked-after children and care leavers. All CCGs have now submitted plans and these are currently being assured by NHS England. The plans will be published once that assurance process is complete and, taken together, will provide a comprehensive picture of how mental health services for looked-after children are being improved across the country.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jess Phillips on 2015-11-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2015 to Question 15557, on what date her Department plans to publish updated information on free school projects that opened or were withdrawn or cancelled.
Edward Timpson
We intend to publish updated expenditure for free school projects in early 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2015-11-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to raise awareness among pupils of forced marriage and domestic violence.
Edward Timpson
Schools play an important role in safeguarding children from all forms of abuse. Our statutory guidance is clear that schools have an important role in identifying children who may be suffering abuse, or at risk of abuse, and then take necessary action, working with other services where appropriate. Schools also have an important role in raising pupils’ awareness of these issues, thus helping pupils to keep themselves safe.
The Department for Education has produced statutory guidance for schools, ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, which sets out the roles and responsibilities of schools and their staff, and which contains links to more detailed advice on specific forms of abuse, including domestic violence, teenage relationship abuse and forced marriage.
Schools can use relevant parts of the curriculum, including sex and relationship education and personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE), to raise pupils’ awareness. It is for schools to determine which issues they address and how, and the Government’s statutory guidance on sex and relationship education makes clear that schools should ensure that young people develop positive values and a moral framework that will guide their decisions, judgements and behaviour. To complement work done in schools, the Government’s ‘This is Abuse’ campaign has helped to educate young people about damaging behaviours within relationships.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2015-11-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that schools provide support and guidance to pupils who are victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Edward Timpson
Schools play an important role in safeguarding children from all forms of abuse. Our statutory guidance is clear that schools have an important role in identifying children who may be suffering abuse, or at risk of abuse, and then take necessary action, working with other services where appropriate. Schools also have an important role in raising pupils’ awareness of these issues, thus helping pupils to keep themselves safe.
The Department for Education has produced statutory guidance for schools, ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, which sets out the roles and responsibilities of schools and their staff, and which contains links to more detailed advice on specific forms of abuse, including domestic violence, teenage relationship abuse and forced marriage.
Schools can use relevant parts of the curriculum, including sex and relationship education and personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE), to raise pupils’ awareness. It is for schools to determine which issues they address and how, and the Government’s statutory guidance on sex and relationship education makes clear that schools should ensure that young people develop positive values and a moral framework that will guide their decisions, judgements and behaviour. To complement work done in schools, the Government’s ‘This is Abuse’ campaign has helped to educate young people about damaging behaviours within relationships.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Austin on 2015-11-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will ensure that the terms of pupil premium are weighted towards pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds with prior high attainment.
Mr Sam Gyimah
We have no plans to change the basis on which the pupil premium is distributed to schools.
Our school reforms are intended to deliver educational excellence everywhere so that every child, regardless of background, reaches their potential. This includes the new ‘progress 8’ performance measure for secondary schools, so that schools are recognised for the improved achievement of every child.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-11-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what consultations he has had with the chief ministers of the UK Overseas Territories on the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR); if he will take steps to ensure that the security interests and requirements of the Overseas Territories are adequately addressed in the SDSR; and if he will make a statement.
Michael Fallon
The Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) consulted widely with external stakeholders and internal staff. As reflected in chapter four of the SDSR, the Government takes seriously its responsibility to support communities in the Overseas Territories and their right to safety, security and determination. My hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office responsible for the Overseas Territories (James Duddridge), has written to the Chief Ministers to inform them of the SDSR’s outcome and he looks forward to discussing the conclusions further at the Joint Ministerial Council on 1 and 2 December.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-11-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many qualified fast-jet pilots were employed by the RAF in each of the last five years.
Mark Lancaster
The number of qualified fast jet pilots in the Royal Air Force, as of 1 January in each of the last five years is shown below, and includes both Regular and Reserve personnel.
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
720 |
680 |
660 |
670 |
640 |
In accordance with Defence Statistics rounding policy, the numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10, with numbers ending in five being rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.