Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to (1) a statutory inquiry, or (2) an inquiry by the Office of Road and Rail, into the redevelopment of Oxford station by Network Rail to investigate (a) the sufficiency of preliminary planning, (b) the overrun and overspend of that project, (c) the progress in building a new platform and entrance, and (d) any compensation owed to businesses and residents in Oxford as a result of the impact of that project.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

There are no plans for either sort of enquiry, as Network Rail has apologised (as I have, as the former chair) for the prolonged time the works have taken, and the inconvenience it has caused to residents and businesses. It has also, through the former Chief Executive, Sir Andrew Haines, made sure that lessons have been learned about the false optimism which accompanied the original plan and timescale for the works, and those learnings have been applied to other projects and schemes.

I agreed with Network Rail that they would focus on getting Botley Road reopened by August, and progress is continuing on developing Network Rail’s plans to deliver the new platform and western entrance. Network Rail will present credible plans to the department to deliver this work over the coming months.

I am very sorry that these delays have impacted the local community and businesses in the area, which is why I agreed that Network Rail should make goodwill payments totalling £850,000 to businesses most impacted by the works. Network Rail, working with the Valuation Office and Oxford City Council, also agreed a reduction of up to 15% in business rates, backdated to 2023. Finally, a range of mitigation measures, including reimbursement of residents parking, provision of dedicated buses for those with mobility impairments and improvements to local roads have been put in place to reduce the impacts on residents.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that children who spend the majority of their schooling hours in religious education are enabled to take national examinations and apply for admission to higher education institutions.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

State‑funded schools with a religious character may teach religious education in line with their faith, but they are subject to the same requirements as other state‑funded schools to promote community cohesion and to teach a broad and balanced curriculum.

Since 2014, all schools, including independent schools and those with a religious character or ethos, have been required to actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.

Independent schools with a religious character or ethos must be registered with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and meet the Independent School Standards, which set minimum requirements relating to safeguarding, the quality of education, and pupils’ welfare. The Standards include, among other things, a requirement to teach a broad curriculum.

The government assesses the sufficiency of education through the inspection and regulatory framework. All registered schools are inspected by Ofsted, and the Secretary of State has statutory powers to intervene where standards are not met.

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill includes measures to strengthen the regulation and oversight of independent schools and will bring additional full-time educational settings, including some which provide a religious education, within the same regulatory regime as independent schools.

The government does not routinely monitor examination entry or progression to higher education for pupils in independent schools, as responsibility rests with schools and parents.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that religious education offered to children who spend the majority of their schooling hours in religious schools does not promote hostility towards religions other than their own.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

State‑funded schools with a religious character may teach religious education in line with their faith, but they are subject to the same requirements as other state‑funded schools to promote community cohesion and to teach a broad and balanced curriculum.

Since 2014, all schools, including independent schools and those with a religious character or ethos, have been required to actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.

Independent schools with a religious character or ethos must be registered with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and meet the Independent School Standards, which set minimum requirements relating to safeguarding, the quality of education, and pupils’ welfare. The Standards include, among other things, a requirement to teach a broad curriculum.

The government assesses the sufficiency of education through the inspection and regulatory framework. All registered schools are inspected by Ofsted, and the Secretary of State has statutory powers to intervene where standards are not met.

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill includes measures to strengthen the regulation and oversight of independent schools and will bring additional full-time educational settings, including some which provide a religious education, within the same regulatory regime as independent schools.

The government does not routinely monitor examination entry or progression to higher education for pupils in independent schools, as responsibility rests with schools and parents.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the sufficiency of secular education offered to schoolchildren who spend the majority of their schooling hours in religious schools.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

State‑funded schools with a religious character may teach religious education in line with their faith, but they are subject to the same requirements as other state‑funded schools to promote community cohesion and to teach a broad and balanced curriculum.

Since 2014, all schools, including independent schools and those with a religious character or ethos, have been required to actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.

Independent schools with a religious character or ethos must be registered with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and meet the Independent School Standards, which set minimum requirements relating to safeguarding, the quality of education, and pupils’ welfare. The Standards include, among other things, a requirement to teach a broad curriculum.

The government assesses the sufficiency of education through the inspection and regulatory framework. All registered schools are inspected by Ofsted, and the Secretary of State has statutory powers to intervene where standards are not met.

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill includes measures to strengthen the regulation and oversight of independent schools and will bring additional full-time educational settings, including some which provide a religious education, within the same regulatory regime as independent schools.

The government does not routinely monitor examination entry or progression to higher education for pupils in independent schools, as responsibility rests with schools and parents.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 26 March (HL Deb col 1610) that "we are opposed to item 7 in the Human Rights Council", and the speech by the UK Human Rights Ambassador on 31 March in which she stated that there had been a change in the UK voting position, what is their current position on item 7; why they changed their voting position; and whether they have responded to the objections raised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK's longstanding and principled objection to Item 7 remains unchanged. Item 7 unfairly and uniquely singles out the State of Israel in comparison to other countries. The UK will continue to argue for the removal of Item 7 and to push for issues related to Israel-Palestine to be discussed under alternative agenda items.

We believe that engaging in negotiations, including abstaining where we judge appropriate, while making clear our principled opposition to Item 7, is more likely to secure UK influence over the texts. This is the approach that the UK maintained between 2006 and 2018 and is in line with the approach taken by many European partners.

UK Ministers regularly engage with the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council, to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest and concern.

Found: This is not to dismiss it, but I am seven weeks in and I have had my first engagement with Baroness Deech