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Written Question
Drugs: Rehabilitation
Thursday 8th June 2023

Asked by: Crispin Blunt (Independent - Reigate)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to present the first annual report monitoring her Department's progress on the strategy and delivery of 10-year drug strategy From Harm to Hope.

Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)

Each relevant Secretary of State has accountability for delivery of the elements in the drug strategy, From Harm to Hope, that lie within their department’s remit. As the Combating Drugs Minister, I have overarching accountability for the strategy and delivery of the ambitions and commitments, and will present an annual report to Parliament to monitor progress.

The report is scheduled for publication in summer 2023 and will contain an update on progress on work funded by the strategy.


Written Question
Psilocybin
Thursday 8th June 2023

Asked by: Crispin Blunt (Independent - Reigate)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the (a) date and (b) minutes of the meeting referred to in The Official Report of 18 May 2023, Vol. 732, Col. 1038, between her Department's Chief Scientific Adviser and the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Officer in the Department of Health and Social Care on the topic of the rescheduling of psilocybin.

Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)

The meeting referred to in Hansard was on reducing barriers to research into controlled drugs, rather than on the rescheduling of psilocybin. It took place on 28 April 2023.

The Home Office has no plans to publish minutes of this meeting, which was intended to support the provision of advice to Ministers.


Written Question
Hate Crime: Transphobia
Monday 22nd May 2023

Asked by: Crispin Blunt (Independent - Reigate)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department plans to take to tackle the rise in transphobic hate crime.

Answered by Sarah Dines

The Government takes all forms of hate crime seriously. We expect the police to fully investigate these hateful attacks and make sure the cowards who commit them feel the full force of the law.

The Government is committed to reducing all crime, including hate crime, which is why we have successfully recruited more than 20,000 extra police officers.


Written Question
Nitrous Oxide: Misuse
Tuesday 9th May 2023

Asked by: Crispin Blunt (Independent - Reigate)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Working Protocol between the Home Secretary and the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, published on 15 November 2011, whether she discussed with the Chair or a nominated representative her reasons to reject the Council's recommendations on nitrous oxide before making a final decision.

Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)

As Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire, I met the Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) and the Chair of the ACMD Novel Psychoactive Substances Committee, which undertook the nitrous oxide review, on 7 March 2023 to discuss the findings of the updated ACMD harms assessment on nitrous oxide before a final decision had been taken.

This is in accordance with Part 4 (iv) of the Working Protocol between the Home Secretary and the ACMD.


Written Question
Nitrous Oxide: Misuse
Tuesday 2nd May 2023

Asked by: Crispin Blunt (Independent - Reigate)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 18 April 2023 to Question 176520 on Nitrous Oxide: Misuse, with reference to the Working Protocol between the Home Secretary and the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, published 15 November 2011, for what reasons the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs was not advised in writing of the Government’s reasons for rejecting the Council’s recommendations on nitrous oxide in advance of any public comment.

Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)

On 27 March we published the Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) Action Plan announcing our intention to control nitrous oxide as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs were notified in writing of our intention not to accept recommendation 1 of their updated harms assessment in advance of the publication of the ASB Action Plan. In line with the Working Protocol, the letter set out the reasons behind our decision to reject their recommendation.


Written Question
Faith Schools: Admissions
Monday 24th April 2023

Asked by: Crispin Blunt (Independent - Reigate)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the national secular society report entitled how state school admissions policies enable coercive control in religious communities, published in February 2023, whether she has made an assessment of the implications for her policies of that report's findings on admissions requirements for state-funded faith schools.

Answered by Nick Gibb

Like all other mainstream state funded schools, schools designated with a religious character, commonly known as faith schools, must admit all children who apply, without reference to faith, where there are places available. Where they are oversubscribed, they may give priority for places to applicants on the basis of faith. No parent is required to provide information on their membership or practice of the faith when applying to a faith school, although they may not then be eligible for priority under any faith oversubscription criteria.

The Department does not intend to remove faith schools’ ability to set faith-based oversubscription criteria. Faith-based oversubscription criteria provide a means to support parents to have their children educated in line with their religious and philosophical beliefs, where they wish to do so.

The admission authority of a faith school is responsible for setting their admission arrangements and deciding whether or not to use faith-based oversubscription criteria.

The Department issues the statutory School Admissions Code which applies to all mainstream state funded schools, including faith schools, and places requirements on admission authorities about their arrangements and what they may ask from parents as part of the admissions process. The Code also signposts other relevant laws which admission authorities must comply with, including the Human Rights Act 1998.

In constructing any faith oversubscription criteria, a faith school’s admission authority must have regard to any guidance from the body or person representing the religion or religious denomination, to the extent that the guidance complies with the Code. They must also consult with the religious body when deciding how membership or practice of the faith is to be demonstrated. Ultimately, the admission authority must ensure its arrangements comply with the Code and other relevant legislation, including the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010.

Anyone who is concerned that a school’s admission arrangements are unfair or unlawful is encouraged to refer an objection to the independent Schools Adjudicator, whose decision is binding and enforceable. The Government does not routinely make an assessment of the impact of individual faith schools’ admissions criteria. All legislation, including admissions law, must be compatible with equalities and human rights law.

The Department has no current plans to introduce more specific requirements for faith school admissions beyond those already set out in law. The Department routinely considers reports and guidance from stakeholders and other bodies, such as the report issued by the National Secular Society. All such information helps to inform future policy development.


Written Question
Faith Schools: Admissions
Monday 24th April 2023

Asked by: Crispin Blunt (Independent - Reigate)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing admissions exemptions that allow faith schools to select pupils based on the religious beliefs and practices of parents.

Answered by Nick Gibb

Like all other mainstream state funded schools, schools designated with a religious character, commonly known as faith schools, must admit all children who apply, without reference to faith, where there are places available. Where they are oversubscribed, they may give priority for places to applicants on the basis of faith. No parent is required to provide information on their membership or practice of the faith when applying to a faith school, although they may not then be eligible for priority under any faith oversubscription criteria.

The Department does not intend to remove faith schools’ ability to set faith-based oversubscription criteria. Faith-based oversubscription criteria provide a means to support parents to have their children educated in line with their religious and philosophical beliefs, where they wish to do so.

The admission authority of a faith school is responsible for setting their admission arrangements and deciding whether or not to use faith-based oversubscription criteria.

The Department issues the statutory School Admissions Code which applies to all mainstream state funded schools, including faith schools, and places requirements on admission authorities about their arrangements and what they may ask from parents as part of the admissions process. The Code also signposts other relevant laws which admission authorities must comply with, including the Human Rights Act 1998.

In constructing any faith oversubscription criteria, a faith school’s admission authority must have regard to any guidance from the body or person representing the religion or religious denomination, to the extent that the guidance complies with the Code. They must also consult with the religious body when deciding how membership or practice of the faith is to be demonstrated. Ultimately, the admission authority must ensure its arrangements comply with the Code and other relevant legislation, including the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010.

Anyone who is concerned that a school’s admission arrangements are unfair or unlawful is encouraged to refer an objection to the independent Schools Adjudicator, whose decision is binding and enforceable. The Government does not routinely make an assessment of the impact of individual faith schools’ admissions criteria. All legislation, including admissions law, must be compatible with equalities and human rights law.

The Department has no current plans to introduce more specific requirements for faith school admissions beyond those already set out in law. The Department routinely considers reports and guidance from stakeholders and other bodies, such as the report issued by the National Secular Society. All such information helps to inform future policy development.


Written Question
Faith Schools: Admissions
Monday 24th April 2023

Asked by: Crispin Blunt (Independent - Reigate)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department issues to faith schools on the implications of the UK's human rights obligations under international law for their admissions policies.

Answered by Nick Gibb

Like all other mainstream state funded schools, schools designated with a religious character, commonly known as faith schools, must admit all children who apply, without reference to faith, where there are places available. Where they are oversubscribed, they may give priority for places to applicants on the basis of faith. No parent is required to provide information on their membership or practice of the faith when applying to a faith school, although they may not then be eligible for priority under any faith oversubscription criteria.

The Department does not intend to remove faith schools’ ability to set faith-based oversubscription criteria. Faith-based oversubscription criteria provide a means to support parents to have their children educated in line with their religious and philosophical beliefs, where they wish to do so.

The admission authority of a faith school is responsible for setting their admission arrangements and deciding whether or not to use faith-based oversubscription criteria.

The Department issues the statutory School Admissions Code which applies to all mainstream state funded schools, including faith schools, and places requirements on admission authorities about their arrangements and what they may ask from parents as part of the admissions process. The Code also signposts other relevant laws which admission authorities must comply with, including the Human Rights Act 1998.

In constructing any faith oversubscription criteria, a faith school’s admission authority must have regard to any guidance from the body or person representing the religion or religious denomination, to the extent that the guidance complies with the Code. They must also consult with the religious body when deciding how membership or practice of the faith is to be demonstrated. Ultimately, the admission authority must ensure its arrangements comply with the Code and other relevant legislation, including the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010.

Anyone who is concerned that a school’s admission arrangements are unfair or unlawful is encouraged to refer an objection to the independent Schools Adjudicator, whose decision is binding and enforceable. The Government does not routinely make an assessment of the impact of individual faith schools’ admissions criteria. All legislation, including admissions law, must be compatible with equalities and human rights law.

The Department has no current plans to introduce more specific requirements for faith school admissions beyond those already set out in law. The Department routinely considers reports and guidance from stakeholders and other bodies, such as the report issued by the National Secular Society. All such information helps to inform future policy development.


Written Question
Faith Schools: Admissions
Monday 24th April 2023

Asked by: Crispin Blunt (Independent - Reigate)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the impact of faith schools setting admissions criteria relating to families' private lives on those families.

Answered by Nick Gibb

Like all other mainstream state funded schools, schools designated with a religious character, commonly known as faith schools, must admit all children who apply, without reference to faith, where there are places available. Where they are oversubscribed, they may give priority for places to applicants on the basis of faith. No parent is required to provide information on their membership or practice of the faith when applying to a faith school, although they may not then be eligible for priority under any faith oversubscription criteria.

The Department does not intend to remove faith schools’ ability to set faith-based oversubscription criteria. Faith-based oversubscription criteria provide a means to support parents to have their children educated in line with their religious and philosophical beliefs, where they wish to do so.

The admission authority of a faith school is responsible for setting their admission arrangements and deciding whether or not to use faith-based oversubscription criteria.

The Department issues the statutory School Admissions Code which applies to all mainstream state funded schools, including faith schools, and places requirements on admission authorities about their arrangements and what they may ask from parents as part of the admissions process. The Code also signposts other relevant laws which admission authorities must comply with, including the Human Rights Act 1998.

In constructing any faith oversubscription criteria, a faith school’s admission authority must have regard to any guidance from the body or person representing the religion or religious denomination, to the extent that the guidance complies with the Code. They must also consult with the religious body when deciding how membership or practice of the faith is to be demonstrated. Ultimately, the admission authority must ensure its arrangements comply with the Code and other relevant legislation, including the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010.

Anyone who is concerned that a school’s admission arrangements are unfair or unlawful is encouraged to refer an objection to the independent Schools Adjudicator, whose decision is binding and enforceable. The Government does not routinely make an assessment of the impact of individual faith schools’ admissions criteria. All legislation, including admissions law, must be compatible with equalities and human rights law.

The Department has no current plans to introduce more specific requirements for faith school admissions beyond those already set out in law. The Department routinely considers reports and guidance from stakeholders and other bodies, such as the report issued by the National Secular Society. All such information helps to inform future policy development.


Written Question
Schools: Admissions
Monday 24th April 2023

Asked by: Crispin Blunt (Independent - Reigate)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to ban school admissions policies that require women to dress modestly.

Answered by Nick Gibb

Like all other mainstream state funded schools, schools designated with a religious character, commonly known as faith schools, must admit all children who apply, without reference to faith, where there are places available. Where they are oversubscribed, they may give priority for places to applicants on the basis of faith. No parent is required to provide information on their membership or practice of the faith when applying to a faith school, although they may not then be eligible for priority under any faith oversubscription criteria.

The Department does not intend to remove faith schools’ ability to set faith-based oversubscription criteria. Faith-based oversubscription criteria provide a means to support parents to have their children educated in line with their religious and philosophical beliefs, where they wish to do so.

The admission authority of a faith school is responsible for setting their admission arrangements and deciding whether or not to use faith-based oversubscription criteria.

The Department issues the statutory School Admissions Code which applies to all mainstream state funded schools, including faith schools, and places requirements on admission authorities about their arrangements and what they may ask from parents as part of the admissions process. The Code also signposts other relevant laws which admission authorities must comply with, including the Human Rights Act 1998.

In constructing any faith oversubscription criteria, a faith school’s admission authority must have regard to any guidance from the body or person representing the religion or religious denomination, to the extent that the guidance complies with the Code. They must also consult with the religious body when deciding how membership or practice of the faith is to be demonstrated. Ultimately, the admission authority must ensure its arrangements comply with the Code and other relevant legislation, including the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010.

Anyone who is concerned that a school’s admission arrangements are unfair or unlawful is encouraged to refer an objection to the independent Schools Adjudicator, whose decision is binding and enforceable. The Government does not routinely make an assessment of the impact of individual faith schools’ admissions criteria. All legislation, including admissions law, must be compatible with equalities and human rights law.

The Department has no current plans to introduce more specific requirements for faith school admissions beyond those already set out in law. The Department routinely considers reports and guidance from stakeholders and other bodies, such as the report issued by the National Secular Society. All such information helps to inform future policy development.