Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to improve the UK's space-based (a) positioning, (b) navigation and (c) timing capabilities, in the context of encrypted and alerting services.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not currently have any UK space-based position, navigation and timing (PNT) capabilities, nor any plans for a future space based PNT system. The MOD works closely with the National PNT Office, in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, to develop proposals for the UK Government’s PNT capabilities as part of the cross-Government initiative, concerning future space-based and non-space-based PNT solutions.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress the Health and Safety Executive has made in its review of the Approved Code of Practice and guidance in the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 on provision of disposal facilities in workplace toilets; and whether the Executive plans to hold a public consultation on any changes.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are reviewing the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) and guidance of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 regarding provision of disposal facilities in workplace toilets.
This work is included within the government’s wider plans under Make Work Pay, and HSE will hold appropriate consultation in due course.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the value of charity given to (a) state schools and (b) local communities by independent schools in each of the last five years.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department does not collect data about the value of charity given to state schools and local communities by private schools. Therefore, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has not made an estimate of its value in each of the last five years.
The Independent Schools Council, which represents over 1,400 private schools belonging to an association, publishes an annual report which sets out the support private schools give to schools in the state sector through partnership working and bursaries.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of increasing bus fares on customers.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The previous bus fare cap was unfunded beyond 2024. The Government is stepping in and investing over £150 million to ensure single bus fares in England outside London remain capped at £3 throughout 2025. The cap ensures that millions can continue to travel for less and access better opportunities with potential savings of up to 80% on some routes.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to (a) encourage victims of sexual harassment in the workplace to come forward and (b) ensure their protection during the reporting process.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
DWP internal guidance encourages those experiencing sexual harassment to come forward via their choice of several available routes:
Line Managers
DWP colleagues can speak to their own or a trusted alternative manager.
Ambassadors for Fair Treatment
DWP has over 500 Ambassadors for Fair Treatment (AFTs) who support colleagues to speak up about all forms of bullying, harassment and discrimination. AFTs are ACAS-trained volunteers who provide confidential listening and signposting to any colleague who believes they are facing, have witnessed, or have been accused of bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment) or discrimination. AFTs also deliver information sessions across the department to raise awareness of bullying, harassment and discrimination, and to signpost to further sources of support.
Speak Up Safely helpline
DWP operates a “Speak Up Safely” helpline, which colleagues can call, anonymously if they choose, and in confidence, for advice and signposting. From the 4th – 8th November 2024 DWP ran its annual Speak Up Safely week as part of the wider civil service Speak Up campaign. The week featured a range of events for colleagues across DWP focused on the important role of line managers in creating teams where colleagues feel safe to speak up on concerns and on demystifying the concern raising process in DWP to help colleagues understand the informal, formal and protected way colleagues can speak up on any concerns.
Whistleblowing helpline
Colleagues may raise concerns, including concerns relating to sexual harassment, by speaking to senior managers or through independent routes including the confidential Whistleblowers’ Hotline or via email to the Counter Fraud and Investigation team. Colleagues may choose to raise concerns anonymously.
To ensure protection during the reporting process, managers provide support including regular check-ins with colleagues reporting harassment, to ensure they are not experiencing any repercussions as a result of the report made, and that they feel adequately supported. There is a range of support available to colleagues including Mental Health First Aiders, counselling services, temporary or permanent relocations or change of role, and signposting to external support and advice bodies.
Confidentiality is guaranteed throughout the process.
As a public sector organisation, DWP have a duty to the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). In line with this we regularly carry out mandatory PSED training across DWP. The most recent training data shows that almost 99% of the target audience completed this learning.
DWP policies are currently being reviewed in line with the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what training her Department provides to investigators handling sexual harassment cases to ensure investigations are (a) trauma-informed and (b) compliant with best practices.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ensures that its investigators handling sexual harassment cases are accredited and equipped with the necessary skills to conduct trauma-informed investigations, compliant with best practice. All DWP investigators assigned to these sensitive cases have undergone specialised training and have successfully completed the Advanced Professional Certificate in Investigative Practice.
This certification ensures they are proficient in best practices for handling complex and sensitive investigations, including:
• Trauma-Informed Approaches: Understanding the impact of trauma on individuals, employing empathetic and non-judgmental communication, and avoiding re-traumatisation during interviews.
• Compliance with Legal and Procedural Standards: Adhering to relevant laws, such as the Equality Act 2010, and ensuring fair, impartial, and thorough investigations.
• Advanced Interview Techniques: Using open-ended, non-leading questions to gather accurate information while being sensitive to the needs of all parties involved.
• Impartial Analysis and Reporting: Maintaining objectivity throughout the investigation, analysing evidence comprehensively, and delivering well-structured and unbiased reports.
By requiring this certification, DWP demonstrates its commitment to fostering a respectful and supportive environment, ensuring that all investigations are handled with the highest standards of professionalism and care.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what specific (a) care, (b) counselling and (c) support services are made available to staff who have been victims of sexual harassment within her Department.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
DWP offers the provision and delivery of a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme delivered by People Asset Management (PAM). The provision is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be accessed either via telephone or email for in the moment support and referrals for counselling by trained personnel.
DWP also has:
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing specialist family judges to determine all child arrangement orders.
Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The Ministry of Justice and HMCTS do not collect data on the number or outcome of applications for Child Arrangement Orders heard by magistrates in the family courts.
When sitting in the family courts, magistrates are supported by legal advisers who are qualified to provide advice on the law and procedures magistrates must follow, and who are also subject to an ongoing family training requirement.
All judges – including magistrates – who hear applications for Child Arrangements Orders are obligated by the Children Act 1989 to have the child’s welfare as their paramount consideration and must undergo extensive training.
To safeguard their independence, the appointment and training of magistrates is overseen by the judiciary as set out under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, and Coroners and Justice Act 2009. Magistrates have been determining cases in the family court since that court’s inception in 2014, and in the predecessor Family Proceedings Courts before then.
To be appointed as a magistrate, each individual must undertake training on determining the best interests of the child, navigating the welfare checklist, and ways of communicating with people in court, particularly where there is high conflict.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many Child Arrangement Orders determined by a bench of lay magistrates have been appealed; and how many of those appeals were successful.
Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The Ministry of Justice and HMCTS do not collect data on the number or outcome of applications for Child Arrangement Orders heard by magistrates in the family courts.
When sitting in the family courts, magistrates are supported by legal advisers who are qualified to provide advice on the law and procedures magistrates must follow, and who are also subject to an ongoing family training requirement.
All judges – including magistrates – who hear applications for Child Arrangements Orders are obligated by the Children Act 1989 to have the child’s welfare as their paramount consideration and must undergo extensive training.
To safeguard their independence, the appointment and training of magistrates is overseen by the judiciary as set out under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, and Coroners and Justice Act 2009. Magistrates have been determining cases in the family court since that court’s inception in 2014, and in the predecessor Family Proceedings Courts before then.
To be appointed as a magistrate, each individual must undertake training on determining the best interests of the child, navigating the welfare checklist, and ways of communicating with people in court, particularly where there is high conflict.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of magistrates determining Child Arrangement Orders.
Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The Ministry of Justice and HMCTS do not collect data on the number or outcome of applications for Child Arrangement Orders heard by magistrates in the family courts.
When sitting in the family courts, magistrates are supported by legal advisers who are qualified to provide advice on the law and procedures magistrates must follow, and who are also subject to an ongoing family training requirement.
All judges – including magistrates – who hear applications for Child Arrangements Orders are obligated by the Children Act 1989 to have the child’s welfare as their paramount consideration and must undergo extensive training.
To safeguard their independence, the appointment and training of magistrates is overseen by the judiciary as set out under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, and Coroners and Justice Act 2009. Magistrates have been determining cases in the family court since that court’s inception in 2014, and in the predecessor Family Proceedings Courts before then.
To be appointed as a magistrate, each individual must undertake training on determining the best interests of the child, navigating the welfare checklist, and ways of communicating with people in court, particularly where there is high conflict.