The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy Slaughter on 2016-02-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2016 to Question 24706, how many improvised or self-made weapons were confiscated in prisons or young offenders institutes in each year since 2010.
Andrew Selous
The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-03-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the number of people aged under 18 who travelled to parts of Syria and Iraq controlled by IS/Daesh in each of the last two years.
Mr John Hayes
We believe approximately 800 UK linked individuals of national security concern have travelled to take part in the Syrian conflict since it began. Of those who are known to have travelled, about half have returned. This number will include some individuals who were under 18 at the point of travel.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nic Dakin on 2016-03-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that local authorities are required to take action on education and early years settings that intentionally exclude disabled children and do not meet their legal duties to such children under the Equality Act 2010.
Edward Timpson
Promoting equality in education settings is a priority for this Government. In combination with our guidance to schools on managing medical conditions, the Equality Act 2010 provides a broad basis for ensuring that disabled pupils are included and supported to achieve their full potential.
The Equality Act requires all schools (whether maintained or academy) to produce an accessibility plan. These plans ensure that all aspects of school life are accessible to disabled pupils. The Act also requires Local Authorities to produce accessibility strategies with the same aims as the school-level plan, but with different coverage. There is no evidence of schools or early years settings systematically refusing to accept disabled children. However, we do take action where individual cases are brought to our attention.
Our Early Implementer Package for the new extended childcare offer will include testing how we can improve access for children with SEN and disabilities. This will provide critical information before the national rollout.
Any exclusions from school must be lawful, reasonable and fair. Schools have a legal duty not to discriminate against a pupil because of a protected characteristic. The statutory guidance on exclusion emphasises the importance of early intervention to address underlying causes of disruptive behaviour, including an assessment of whether suitable provision is in place to support any SEN or disability a pupil may have. It also states that headteachers should, as far as possible, avoid excluding permanently any pupil with a statement of SEN.
In certain circumstances, governing bodies must review head teachers’ decisions to exclude and have the power to reinstate a pupil. Where a governing body upholds a permanent exclusion, parents can request that the decision is reviewed by an independent review panel. However, the governing body has the final say on whether the pupil can return to the school. Parents can request that a SEN expert provides impartial advice to the panel.
Parents can also make a claim to the First-tier Tribunal (SEN and Disabilities) when it is alleged that an exclusion relates to disability discrimination. The Tribunal has the power to order the pupil’s reinstatement.
When Ofsted inspect a school and look at the behaviour management policies they can also consider whether the school is disproportionately excluding pupils with disabilities and can use this to inform their assessment.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stewart Malcolm McDonald on 2016-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans his Department has to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Alexander Thomson in 2017.
David Mundell
Alexander “Greek” Thomson is one of the most important and original architects of the nineteenth century. Many of his exceptional neo-classical buildings still grace the city of Glasgow, which was Thomson’s home from boyhood. One such is ‘Holmwood,’ in the hon Member’s constituency, which is described by the Oxford Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture as ‘a sumptuous villa at once Classical and Picturesque.’ While I am not aware of any formal plans to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Thomson’s birth, my officials have been in touch with various organisations to discuss the bicentenary, and I would be happy to meet the hon Member to discuss any suggestions he has.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2016-06-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the mechanisms in place for patients to pursue complaints against dentists who leave the country before the General Dental Council can investigate.
Ben Gummer
The General Dental Council (GDC) is an independent statutory body. As the regulator of all registered dentists it has the power to take fitness to practise action, and investigate any complaints made against a dentist who is currently registered with the GDC. The Professional Standards Authority conducts annual reviews of the GDC’s fitness to practise process, to ensure it meets the set professional standards. The Dental Complaints Service, run by the GDC, can assist in resolving complaints raised about private dental treatment provided by all GDC registered dentists in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, if a dentist is registered with the GDC, the GDC has the power to investigate that dentist, whether they are in the UK or not. Therefore, if a dentist is registered with the GDC and was working in the UK but returned to their home country, the GDC would be able to take action. If the dentist does not hold a current registration with the GDC, the GDC cannot investigate further, but an unregistered dentist, whether they have a complaint against them or not, cannot practise in the UK, which ensures UK patient safety, and maintains professional standards.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jack Dromey on 2016-09-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many supported housing providers in (a) Birmingham, Erdington constituency and (b) the West Midlands will be affected by the local housing allowance cap on supported housing.
Caroline Nokes
The Secretary of State has confirmed that the Government expects to make an announcement on the way forward for supported housing in early autumn.
Full impact and equality impact assessments will be undertaken in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gill Furniss on 2016-10-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the number of job offers made to people with 3C Leave and subsequently withdrawn by employers (a) unwilling to use and (b) unaware of the Employer Checking Service in the last 12 months.
Mr Robert Goodwill
We do not hold this information.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Clwyd on 2016-01-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 17 December 2015 to Question 19906, when he expects to publish Lady Justice Macur’s report.
Caroline Dinenage
The report needs to be considered by law enforcement agencies and the government before it can be published. This includes considering whether redactions need to be made. Lady Justice Macur has recommended that certain material should be considered for redaction.
The work is proceeding at pace with a view to publication as soon as possible.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-02-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations he has received from charities on the adequacy of employment and support allowance payments; and if he will make a statement.
Priti Patel
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2016-03-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve educational standards in Bradford.
Nick Gibb
This Government is committed to educational excellence everywhere. The new powers in the Education and Adoption Bill are designed to help raise standards in underperforming areas such as Bradford, ensuring all failing maintained schools become academies with strong sponsors, and coasting schools are challenged to improve.
The Regional Schools Comissioner has already prioritised Bradford for the Northern Fund and brought two new sponsors into the area.
We have also significantly expanded School Direct and Teach First, to ensure schools in Bradford have access to high-quality teachers. The new National Teaching Service, which will place outstanding teachers and middle leaders into schools which most need additional support to improve their teaching, will begin with a pilot later this year; Bradford will be one of the areas eligible to participate in this pilot.
I recently had the pleasure of being able to see some of the excellent work that is already being done to raise standards in Bradford, when I visited the outstanding Beckfoot School in Bingley, where 46% of pupils achieve the E-Bacc combination of core academic GCSEs.