Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the treatment of girls in schools who wish to go to the toilet to use sanitary products, and what steps they are taking to ensure that such girls are treated with empathy and dignity.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Education)

It is crucial that every young person is supported to achieve and thrive. All state-maintained primary and secondary schools, alongside 16-19 educational organisations, are eligible for the period products scheme, which supports this by providing free period products to girls and women in their place of study so that nobody misses out on education because of their period. There is high take-up from the sector, with 99% of secondary schools having used the scheme since it began.

The scheme assists in breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation by making products readily available during school time. Guidance for the scheme suggests that schools consider the potential impact of any perceived stigma around periods when making products available and contains several examples and insights from learners on how to best distribute products.

The advice on standards for school premises is clear that suitable toilet and washing facilities must be provided for the sole use of pupils. It is for schools to find reasonable ways, in accordance with the law, to balance every child’s right to access clean and safe toilet facilities when they need them, with every child’s right to have a safe and calm environment to learn in. The guidance is attached and can also be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/410294/Advice_on_standards_for_school_premises.pdf.

Since September 2020, menstrual wellbeing has been part of statutory health education for primary and secondary pupils. This includes being taught about menstrual wellbeing, key facts about the menstrual cycle and implications for emotional and physical health. The relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance is currently being reviewed and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has said that she will analyse consultation responses, look at recent evidence and talk with stakeholders before deciding on next steps. The RSHE statutory guidance is attached and can also be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to support schools to encourage 'period positivity', to avoid degrading or embarrassing children during their periods, and to enable them to access what they need.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Education)

It is crucial that every young person is supported to achieve and thrive. All state-maintained primary and secondary schools, alongside 16-19 educational organisations, are eligible for the period products scheme, which supports this by providing free period products to girls and women in their place of study so that nobody misses out on education because of their period. There is high take-up from the sector, with 99% of secondary schools having used the scheme since it began.

The scheme assists in breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation by making products readily available during school time. Guidance for the scheme suggests that schools consider the potential impact of any perceived stigma around periods when making products available and contains several examples and insights from learners on how to best distribute products.

The advice on standards for school premises is clear that suitable toilet and washing facilities must be provided for the sole use of pupils. It is for schools to find reasonable ways, in accordance with the law, to balance every child’s right to access clean and safe toilet facilities when they need them, with every child’s right to have a safe and calm environment to learn in. The guidance is attached and can also be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/410294/Advice_on_standards_for_school_premises.pdf.

Since September 2020, menstrual wellbeing has been part of statutory health education for primary and secondary pupils. This includes being taught about menstrual wellbeing, key facts about the menstrual cycle and implications for emotional and physical health. The relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance is currently being reviewed and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has said that she will analyse consultation responses, look at recent evidence and talk with stakeholders before deciding on next steps. The RSHE statutory guidance is attached and can also be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what provision secondary schools have to enable girls to access sanitary products when needed.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Education)

It is crucial that every young person is supported to achieve and thrive. All state-maintained primary and secondary schools, alongside 16-19 educational organisations, are eligible for the period products scheme, which supports this by providing free period products to girls and women in their place of study so that nobody misses out on education because of their period. There is high take-up from the sector, with 99% of secondary schools having used the scheme since it began.

The scheme assists in breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation by making products readily available during school time. Guidance for the scheme suggests that schools consider the potential impact of any perceived stigma around periods when making products available and contains several examples and insights from learners on how to best distribute products.

The advice on standards for school premises is clear that suitable toilet and washing facilities must be provided for the sole use of pupils. It is for schools to find reasonable ways, in accordance with the law, to balance every child’s right to access clean and safe toilet facilities when they need them, with every child’s right to have a safe and calm environment to learn in. The guidance is attached and can also be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/410294/Advice_on_standards_for_school_premises.pdf.

Since September 2020, menstrual wellbeing has been part of statutory health education for primary and secondary pupils. This includes being taught about menstrual wellbeing, key facts about the menstrual cycle and implications for emotional and physical health. The relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance is currently being reviewed and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has said that she will analyse consultation responses, look at recent evidence and talk with stakeholders before deciding on next steps. The RSHE statutory guidance is attached and can also be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they plan to issue about school policies which allow children to go to the toilet only during morning break and lunchtime, particularly where there are not enough toilets to accommodate all children during those times.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Education)

The advice on standards for school premises (2015) is clear that suitable toilet and washing facilities must be provided for the sole use of pupils. It is for schools to find reasonable ways, in accordance with the law, to balance every child’s right to access clean and safe toilet facilities when they need them, with every child’s right to have a safe and calm environment to learn in.

All schools are required by law to have a behaviour policy which outlines effective strategies that will encourage good behaviour. It is for school leaders to develop and implement a policy which reflects their school’s individual contexts and needs. Any policy must be lawful, proportionate, and reasonable and comply with the school’s duties under the Equality Act 2010 and the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

The 'Behaviour in schools' guidance provides advice on how schools should use sanctions lawfully, including the need for a consistent approach and any adjustments that may need to be made.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they have issued to schools about policies of giving girls detention or suspension for using the toilet outside break time when they have their periods.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Education)

The advice on standards for school premises (2015) is clear that suitable toilet and washing facilities must be provided for the sole use of pupils. It is for schools to find reasonable ways, in accordance with the law, to balance every child’s right to access clean and safe toilet facilities when they need them, with every child’s right to have a safe and calm environment to learn in.

All schools are required by law to have a behaviour policy which outlines effective strategies that will encourage good behaviour. It is for school leaders to develop and implement a policy which reflects their school’s individual contexts and needs. Any policy must be lawful, proportionate, and reasonable and comply with the school’s duties under the Equality Act 2010 and the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

The 'Behaviour in schools' guidance provides advice on how schools should use sanctions lawfully, including the need for a consistent approach and any adjustments that may need to be made.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the viability of dental practices of the increase in employer National Insurance contributions set out at Autumn Budget 2024.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The employer National Insurance rise will be implemented in April 2025, and the Department will set out further details on the allocation of funding for next year in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to establish a supervised toothbrushing scheme and what estimate they have made of the number of children that would be covered by such a scheme.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We are committed to introducing a national supervised toothbrushing scheme, targeted at three- to five-year-olds living in the 20% most deprived areas of England. Supervised toothbrushing schemes are implemented on a setting-based approach, rather than an individual children approach. The number of children participating in schemes will be determined by rates of local participation.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much funding they will allocate to establishing a national supervised toothbrushing scheme for children in England.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is currently considering allocations of funding following the Budget on 30 October. We will also set out further details on a national supervised toothbrushing scheme at the earliest opportunity.

Found: young people: • Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge • Earl of Clancarty • Baroness Smith of Newnham • Baroness Benjamin