Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to assist Key Stage 4 pupils in state schools whose study is disrupted by the closure of the Latin Excellence Programme; and what plans they have to ensure these students are able to complete their exam courses.

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

The fiscal situation this government inherited means there are difficult decisions to take on how money is spent right across the public sector to ensure we deliver on our priorities. Given this, the decision has been made to not extend the Latin Excellence Programme beyond the end of the agreed initial three-year contract, which will end on 28 February 2025. This was not an easy decision, and we are grateful to the Centre for Latin Excellence for its work to deliver the programme and that of the schools who have participated.

Over the course of the programme Latin was delivered to over 4,000 pupils in over 40 schools across England, with an emphasis on schools outside London and the South East. All schools on the programme will continue to have access to the curriculum resources and we hope that many schools will continue to deliver Latin after the programme ends.

The department will work closely with the Centre for Latin Excellence to ensure that teachers currently delivering the Latin curriculum to key stage 4 pupils will be prioritised and will receive extra support in the lead up to the end of the programme on 28 February.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the ending of the Latin Excellence Programme on access to Latin education in different parts of the country; and whether any areas will be disproportionately affected.

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

The fiscal situation this government inherited means there are difficult decisions to take on how money is spent right across the public sector to ensure we deliver on our priorities. Given this, the decision has been made to not extend the Latin Excellence Programme beyond the end of the agreed initial three-year contract, which will end on 28 February 2025. This was not an easy decision, and we are grateful to the Centre for Latin Excellence for its work to deliver the programme and that of the schools who have participated.

Over the course of the programme Latin was delivered to over 4,000 pupils in over 40 schools across England, with an emphasis on schools outside London and the South East. All schools on the programme will continue to have access to the curriculum resources and we hope that many schools will continue to deliver Latin after the programme ends.

The department will work closely with the Centre for Latin Excellence to ensure that teachers currently delivering the Latin curriculum to key stage 4 pupils will be prioritised and will receive extra support in the lead up to the end of the programme on 28 February.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact that the decision by Meta to end fact-checking across its online platforms will have on the implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Meta has stated that they are not rolling out these changes for the UK market at this stage. We are in contact with the platform to understand potential implications for UK users and will monitor changes as they are operationalised.

Regardless of changes to Meta’s US policies, the UK’s Online Safety Act will oblige all social media companies to remove illegal content and content harmful to children in the UK. Failure to comply could lead to significant fines and potentially legal action. We continue to engage with Meta on the implementation of the OSA.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions Ministers and special advisers in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have had with representatives of the tourism industry, including from lobbying firms, in relation to the implementation of the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 provides a framework for the introduction of future bans on the advertising and offering for sale, in England and Northern Ireland, of low-welfare animal activities abroad.

We are engaging stakeholders including the tourism industry and animal welfare groups on the most effective way to deliver the Act and will be setting out next steps in due course.

In addition, we are committed to introducing ambitious plans to improve animal welfare, including bans on trail hunting, puppy smuggling and farming, and snare traps.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 6 January (HL3528), whether the Charity Commission has completed reviews of "its handling of the case, and communication with complainants", as recommended by the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman on 18 May 2024; if not, when they expect the reviews to be completed; and whether the reviews will be published.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Charity Commission has completed its reviews and informed the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman of the outcome. Any publication of the reviews is a matter for the Commission and the Ombudsman to determine.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether, for Operation Grange, they have received any proposals from the Metropolitan Police Service for Special Grant funding for the financial year 2025–26; what costs have been incurred during the current financial year; and what the total expenditure has been to date.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

Special Grant funding of up to £192,000 was agreed for provision to the Metropolitan Police Service for the costs of Operation Grange in financial year 2024/25. In-year costs will not be available until after the conclusion of the current financial year.

Special Grant funding is reviewed annually by the Home Office, and the Department liaises regularly with the Operation Grange investigation team to discuss progress and the use of funds.

The total expenditure to date since 2011 for Operation Grange, up to and including financial year 23/24, is £13.2m.