Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Ogmore)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools in England and Wales of any height are estimated to have combustible (a) cladding and (b) insulation.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The information requested is not held centrally.
Following the Grenfell tragedy, the Department contacted all bodies responsible for safety in school buildings in England. They were instructed to carry out checks to identify any buildings which had aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding of potential concern, so that they could be further investigated, and any risks were managed and dealt with appropriately and promptly. This work focussed on identifying buildings over 18 metres or with residential accommodation with ACM. The Department has identified just one school over 18 metres with ACM cladding. This school has already taken remedial action.
The Government attaches the highest priority to the safety of pupils and staff in schools. The Department is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to implement the ban on the use of combustible cladding on new residential buildings over 18 metres, including residential schools and student accommodation. More widely, we will continue to work across Government to take forward the findings from the Hackitt Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety.
Schools are, in general, very safe environments in this regard as they are typically occupied during the daytime and have multiple exit routes. In addition, all schools must comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, including having an up-to-date fire risk assessment and conducting regular fire drills.
The position for Wales is the responsibility of the Welsh Government.
Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Ogmore)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to develop an informed and co-ordinated range of child-centred services and support to ensure positive outcomes for the children of mothers serving short-term prison sentences.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
Families can play a significant role in supporting prisoners, as studies show that positive relationships are an important factor in reducing reoffending. The government has taken the following action to improve support for prisoners and their families:
Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Ogmore)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to increase funding for those caring for children under special guardianship orders.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
We have not assessed the adequacy of funding for those caring for children under special guardianship orders and have no plans to increase funding as these are matters for local authorities. They have a clear legal duty to carry out an assessment and make arrangements for the provision of special guardianship support services.
Since April 2016 previously looked after children and their special guardians have had access to the Adoption Support Fund. The Fund pays for therapeutic services designed to help children recover from their previous experiences and bond with their new families.
The Welsh Government determines arrangements for the provision of special guardianship support services in Wales, including financial support.
Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Ogmore)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding available to those caring for children under special guardianship orders.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
We have not assessed the adequacy of funding for those caring for children under special guardianship orders and have no plans to increase funding as these are matters for local authorities. They have a clear legal duty to carry out an assessment and make arrangements for the provision of special guardianship support services.
Since April 2016 previously looked after children and their special guardians have had access to the Adoption Support Fund. The Fund pays for therapeutic services designed to help children recover from their previous experiences and bond with their new families.
The Welsh Government determines arrangements for the provision of special guardianship support services in Wales, including financial support.
Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Ogmore)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to end the exemption of universities from Freedom of Information legislation.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
The Government has no plans to amend the application of the Freedom of Information Act to universities.
Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Ogmore)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to facilitate the learning of the Welsh language by pupils in England.
Answered by Nick Gibb
Primary and secondary schools can choose to teach the Welsh language to pupils if there is sufficient demand. It is possible for a pupil in England to take privately a Welsh language GCSE offered in Wales if an examination centre is willing to enter them. This will include a revised Welsh Second Language GCSE available for first teaching from September 2017.