Paul Williams Portrait

Paul Williams

Labour - Former Member for Stockton South

First elected: 8th June 2017


Health and Social Care Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Draft Health Service Safety Investigation Bill (Joint Committee)
17th Apr 2018 - 27th Jul 2018
Draft Health Service Safety Investigations Bill (Joint Committee)
17th Apr 2018 - 27th Jul 2018


Division Voting information

Paul Williams has voted in 408 divisions, and 12 times against the majority of their Party.

1 Apr 2019 - EU: Withdrawal and Future Relationship (Votes) - View Vote Context
Paul Williams voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 10 Labour No votes vs 230 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 273 Noes - 276
1 Apr 2019 - EU: Withdrawal and Future Relationship (Votes) - View Vote Context
Paul Williams voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 25 Labour No votes vs 185 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 261 Noes - 282
27 Mar 2019 - EU: Withdrawal and Future Relationship Votes - View Vote Context
Paul Williams voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 42 Labour No votes vs 143 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 188 Noes - 283
27 Mar 2019 - EU: Withdrawal and Future Relationship Votes - View Vote Context
Paul Williams voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 12 Labour No votes vs 226 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 264 Noes - 272
12 Sep 2018 - EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA) And Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) - View Vote Context
Paul Williams voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 21 Labour Aye votes vs 143 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 331 Noes - 145
18 Jul 2018 - 1. European Union - View Vote Context
Paul Williams voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour No votes vs 214 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 535 Noes - 3
18 Jul 2018 - 2. European Union - View Vote Context
Paul Williams voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour No votes vs 214 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 534 Noes - 3
18 Jul 2018 - 3. European Union - View Vote Context
Paul Williams voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour No votes vs 213 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 534 Noes - 3
18 Jul 2018 - 4. European Union - View Vote Context
Paul Williams voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour No votes vs 213 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 534 Noes - 3
18 Jul 2018 - 5. European Union - View Vote Context
Paul Williams voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour No votes vs 214 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 534 Noes - 3
18 Jul 2018 - 6. European Union - View Vote Context
Paul Williams voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour No votes vs 214 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 536 Noes - 3
18 Jul 2018 - 7. Exiting the European Union - View Vote Context
Paul Williams voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Labour Aye votes vs 214 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 311 Noes - 262
View All Paul Williams Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Jackie Doyle-Price (Conservative)
(12 debate interactions)
John Bercow (Speaker)
(11 debate interactions)
Jeremy Hunt (Conservative)
Chancellor of the Exchequer
(11 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department of Health and Social Care
(82 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(14 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Tenant Fees Act 2019
(2,906 words contributed)
Trade Bill 2017-19
(1,126 words contributed)
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
(960 words contributed)
Data Protection Act 2018
(754 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Paul Williams's debates

Stockton South Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Paul Williams has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Paul Williams

15th October 2019
Paul Williams signed this EDM on Friday 1st November 2019

Prison officer pension age

Tabled by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
That this House recognises the dangerous working conditions in the Prison Service; expresses concern at the increasing number of violent assaults on prison staff; believes that prison officers approaching the age of 70 should not be expected to deal with violent and dangerous criminals aged in their twenties, thirties and …
75 signatures
(Most recent: 5 Nov 2019)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 36
Scottish National Party: 19
Democratic Unionist Party: 8
Independent: 6
Conservative: 3
Plaid Cymru: 2
Liberal Democrat: 1
15th October 2019
Paul Williams signed this EDM on Wednesday 16th October 2019

Bus passes for WASPI women

Tabled by: Jim Cunningham (Labour - Coventry South)
That this House is concerned that not all the women living in England who are affected by the 2011 changes to state pension age are entitled to a free bus pass; notes that a free bus pass is a small concession, given that women born in the 1950s have lost …
49 signatures
(Most recent: 5 Nov 2019)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 32
Scottish National Party: 6
Independent: 4
Conservative: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Plaid Cymru: 1
Green Party: 1
View All Paul Williams's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Paul Williams, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Paul Williams has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Paul Williams

Paul Williams has not introduced any legislation before Parliament


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
26th Sep 2019
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effect on (a) Stockton-on-Tees and (b) Teesside of the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

The Government continues to engage across all regions of the country to ensure that the country as a whole is ready for Brexit. It is a UK Government priority to ensure preparedness across both the country and the economy, including through working closely with local government. These issues are discussed regularly by Cabinet and its committees, including the European Exit Operations Committee.

Simon Hart
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
4th Sep 2019
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effect on (a) Stockton-on-Tees and (b) Teesside of the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Simon Hart
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
26th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate she has made of the potential effect on fuel prices of the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

BEIS analysis is that changes in the price of crude oil are the main driver of changes in the national average retail prices of fuels such a petrol and diesel. Other factors include currency exchange rates and the balance of supply and demand for these fuels in the wholesale petroleum products markets.

Crude oil and petroleum products are traded through liquid international markets. The UK benefits from a diverse range of import sources alongside UK domestic production and will continue to do so after we leave the EU.

25th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what meetings her Department has had with the bioethanol industry to discuss preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

BEIS Ministers and officials have been engaging throughout the country with businesses of all sizes and their representatives and trade associations, including the Bioethanol industry. We will continue to engage across the business population to ensure their priorities are reflected and that businesses have the latest information on how to prepare themselves for Brexit, including through a targeted series of roadshows and events.

The Government also has a business readiness website designed to keep businesses and consumers informed about what no deal might mean for them, with information on a range of measures that may need to be taken in order to prepare. These notices are being regularly updated with the latest information, for example BEIS have published 18 sector specific guides with the top three to six priorities per sector on GOV.UK. These guides can be easily accessed through an interactive business search tool: https://www.gov.uk/brexit.

5th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on fuel prices of the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

4th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions her Department has had with (a) Nifco and (b) other organisations which form part of the car manufacturing supply chain to discuss preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Government is in regular dialogue with businesses, including those in the automotive supply chain, to help ensure all companies are prepared for the UK leaving the EU on the 31st October, whatever the circumstances.

We are determined to ensure that the UK continues to be one of the most competitive locations in the world for automotive and other advanced manufacturing.

We are prepared for no-deal but there is more work to be done. The Chancellor has confirmed that all necessary funding will be made available to mitigate any short-term effects and to boost the potential of the UK economy. A £10m Business Readiness Fund for business organisations and trade associations will support businesses in preparing for a ‘No Deal’ Brexit ahead of 31 October 2019.

4th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what meetings her Department has had with the bioethanol industry to discuss preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

2nd Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what meetings her Department has had with businesses on Teesside to discuss preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

BEIS Ministers and officials have been engaging throughout the country with businesses of all sizes and their representatives, trade associations and local enterprise partnerships, including through regular meetings. We communicate regularly with intermediaries to ensure businesses obtain information quickly and efficiently. We will continue to engage across the business population to ensure their priorities are reflected and that businesses have the latest information on how to prepare themselves for Brexit, including through a targeted series of roadshows and events.

The Government also has a business readiness website designed to keep businesses and consumers informed about what no deal might mean for them, with information on a range of measures that may need to be taken in order to prepare. These notices are being regularly updated with the latest information, for example BEIS have published 18 sector specific guides with the top three to six priorities per sector on GOV.UK. These guides can be easily accessed through an interactive business search tool https://www.gov.uk/get-ready-brexit-check

5th Jun 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much and what proportion of the £370m investment funding the Department has allocated to Post Office branches has been allocated to (a) the North East and (b) Thornaby Post Office.

The Government has provided nearly £2 billion in investment since 2010, and is providing a further £370 million between April 2018 and March 2021. The allocation of funding to specific branches and regions is an operational matter for Post Office Limited. However, branches all over the country have benefited, with the network at its most stable in decades. Over 7,500 branches have been modernised, there are nearly a million additional opening hours per month and over 4,400 branches open on Sunday.

25th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessments he has made of the barriers to 3 network customers connecting to the 101 service due to tariff issues.

The inclusion or exclusion of the 101 number from mobile phone plans is a decision made by individual telecom providers. Mobile phone customers can adjust their mobile phone settings, so they can ‘opt in’ to chargeable calls and use the 101 number. It is for telecom providers to provide this information to their customers in their plans.

The Home Office is removing charges for the 101 police non-emergency number, making the number free of charge for all members of the public from April 2020. The Policy for this sits with the Home Office.

2nd Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the barriers to 3 network customers connecting to the 101 service due to tariff issues.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

12th Sep 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he is taking to steps to increase the powers that Ofcom and the Phone-paid Services Authority have to prevent intermediaries charging people to use freephone Government services; and if he will make a statement.

Ofcom has a power under the Communications Act 2003 to regulate premium rate services, those higher rate services charged to telephone bills, which it has delegated to the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA).

Providers of intermediary connection services, known as information, connection and signposting services (ICSS) are subject to PSA’s strict mandatory Code of Practice if they operate under certain number and price ranges. Ofcom recently consulted on proposals to broaden the scope of the rules so that they would apply to all such services, meaning that all ICSS would be subject to the PSA’s remit. Ofcom aims to publish its decision before the end of 2018.

13th Apr 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans his Department has to incentivise housing developers to ensure that all new homes can receive fast broadband.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is strongly committed to ensuring new build developments have high quality, reliable and future-proof connectivity.

In early 2016, DCMS brokered an agreement between Openreach and the Home Builders Federation (HBF) so that all new build developments would be offered with Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) for free, or as part of a co-funded initiative. In November 2016, Openreach announced that it would provide FTTP to all new developments with more than 30 plots for free. Virgin Media and GTC, another infrastructure provider, have similar agreements with the HBF.

My Department’s Barrier Busting Task Force are exploring how we can build on this to ensure that all residents of new build developments receive the connectivity they deserve.

13th Apr 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of launching a new scheme, similar to Project Lightning, to ensure that more homes can provide usable broadband.

The Department welcomes commercial investment in UK digital infrastructure such as Virgin Media’s Project Lightning and is working to encourage further investment through policies and funding. These include Business Rates Relief for fibre investment and the £200m Local Full Fibre Networks programme to fund locally-led projects that leverage commercial investment in full fibre broadband connections. For alternative network providers, £400 million of public funding has also been made available for fibre connectivity through the Digital Infrastructure Investment Fund, which will unlock approximately £1 billion of private investment.

Looking further ahead, the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review is currently assessing what market models can best support broadband infrastructure investment in different areas of the UK.

The Government’s existing £1.7bn Broadband Delivery UK programme reached 95% of premises in December 2017 and is continuing with at least a further 2% likely to be achieved, ensuring that over 97% of premises in the UK can receive superfast broadband.

3rd Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions his Department has had with Teesside University on preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

Department for Education officials have been working closely with higher education (HE) representative bodies including Universities UK, Independent HE, Guild HE, the Russell Group and others (representing the full spectrum of HE providers across the UK) on exiting the EU preparations. In all scenarios, the objective was to not only understand any concerns from universities but to also communicate policy.

The department has also published a number of notices providing advice and guidance to support the HE sector to prepare for exiting the EU. We will continue to update these as relevant, ensuring that HE institutions are aware of these updates.

The government has also launched a public information campaign to ensure that UK citizens, businesses, HE providers and EU citizens living in the UK, as well as UK nationals living in the EU, are well informed about how exiting the EU will affect them.

22nd Mar 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many local authorities are maintaining Education, Health and Care plans por young people up to the age of 25.

All local authorities are maintaining education, health and care (EHC) plans for young people up to the age of 25. The number of pupils with a statement or EHC plan, based on where the child attends school by local authority can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statements-of-sen-and-ehc-plans-england-2018.

22nd Mar 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many young people aged 16 to 24 years old not in education, employment and training have a special educational need.

The information requested is not held centrally. Information on the number of young people who are not in education, employment and training and who have an education, health and care plan is currently being collected from local authorities for the first time and will be published in May 2019 within the “Statements of SEN and EHC plans: January 2019” publication.

21st Mar 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of care and support offered to care leavers.

The quality of support provided for care leavers is assessed under Ofsted’s framework for the inspection of local authority children’s services. In its annual report (2017-18) Ofsted reported that care leaver services were improving, saying “We have continued to explore the experience of care leavers in different local authorities and have been pleased to find an increasing number of local authorities providing high-quality services for them”. The latest Ofsted report for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council rated its leaving care service as ‘outstanding’. A copy of the report is available at: https://files.api.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/2761258.

Department for Education has appointed Mark Riddell MBE as the national improvement adviser for care leavers. Mark was previously the manager of Trafford leaving care service, which was the first to be judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. Mark has worked with over 40 local authorities to help them implement new duties introduced in 2018, which require local authorities to publish their ‘local offer’ for care leavers; and offer support from a Personal Adviser to all care leavers to age 25 (previously support ended at age 21 for most care leavers). Mark has published an annual report highlighting best practice in leaving care services, a copy of which is available via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-implementation-adviser-for-care-leavers-first-year-report.

However, care leavers’ outcomes remain significantly worse than their peers in the general population and the government is determined to further improve the support care leavers receive as they make the challenging transition from care to independence. In addition to the new duties on local authorities mentioned above, government has introduced a range of measures to improve care leavers’ outcomes, including:

  • Launching 3 care leaver social impact bonds, which will use ‘payment by results’ contracts to support care leavers to engage in education, employment or training;

  • Establishing 8 ‘Staying Close’ pilots, which are testing an enhanced support offer for young people leaving residential care;

  • Providing additional funding for 47 local authorities, to enable them to work intensively with small caseloads of care leavers at highest risk of homelessness – as part of the cross-government rough sleeping strategy;

  • Introducing a £1,000 bursary for care leavers starting an apprenticeship (local authorities are already required to provide a £2,000 bursary for care leavers who go to university; and care leavers are a priority group for receipt of a 16-19 bursary if they are in further education).

  • Launching the care leaver covenant, which provides a way for organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors to show their commitment to care leavers, through providing concrete offers of support;

  • Launching the next recruitment round for the Civil Service care leaver internship scheme, which provides 12-month paid internships for care leavers across government. For this intake we are hoping to place 100 care leavers in government departments across the country;

  • Publishing guidance to universities on how they can improve the support they offer to care leavers.
21st Mar 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of care leavers that have (a) been homeless, (b) had diagnosed mental health needs, and (c) entered the criminal justice system in each of the last five years.

The department publishes data annually on the activity and accommodation status of care leavers aged 19-21. It has also published experimental statistics for 17 and 18-year-olds. These data are available in tables F1 to F4 at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018.

Data show care leavers’ activity/accommodation status on or around their birthday, so do not provide answers to the questions in the form they have been asked. However, the latest data for the year ending March 2018 show that of the 28,510 care leavers aged 19 to 21:

  • 1% (320 young people) were reported to be homeless or no fixed abode; and

  • 4% (1,080 young people) were reported to be in custody.

The department does not hold data on the number of care leavers who had diagnosed mental health needs.

The department has recently provided funding of £4.8 million to local authorities to enable them to provide additional support to care leavers at risk of rough sleeping – as part of the cross government rough sleeping strategy.

21st Mar 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of care leavers aged 16-24 that are not in education, employment or training.

Information on care leavers aged 16 or aged 22 and over is not held centrally. Of the care leavers aged 17 to 21 in the year ending 31 March 2018, 14,370 were not in education, employment or training. Further information on care leavers can be found in the statistical release ‘Children Looked After in England Including Adoption: 2017 to 2018’ at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018.

21st Mar 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of post-18 care and support provided to young people with special educational needs.

Under the Children and Families Act 2014, young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged over 18, who continue in education, are entitled to care and support through their Education, Health and Care plans where it contributes to meeting specified outcomes. We have introduced local area SEND inspections by Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) covering education, health and care. These look at implementation of the Children and Families Act reforms, including provision for young people with SEND post-18, moving into adulthood.

The Care Act 2014 requires that where an adult or carer appears to have care and support needs the local authority must carry out an assessment. It must then decide if the person has eligible needs by considering the outcomes the person wants to achieve, what needs they have, and how these impact on their wellbeing. The CQC inspects services to make sure they meet quality and safety standards – in March 2019, 83% of providers of adult social care were rated as good or outstanding.

8th Oct 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of children eligible for free school meals reached a Good Level of Development at age five in Stockton South constituency in each of the last three years.

The requested data is shown in Annex A, which is attached.

The 2016/17 Early Years Foundation Stage Profile results show that the proportion of all children achieving a ‘good level of development’ is improving year on year – in 2017, 71% achieved a good level of development compared to 52% in 2013.

The proportion of children eligible for free school meals (FSM) achieving a good level of development is also increasing year on year. In 2017, 56% achieved a good level of development compared to 36% in 2013. The gap between disadvantaged children (children eligible for FSM) and others achieving a good level of development continues to narrow. It decreased from 19% in 2013 to 17% in 2017.

The department’s ambition is to provide equality of opportunity for every child, regardless of background or where they live. Good early years education is the cornerstone of social mobility and we are making record investment in this area, including providing 15 hours of free early education for disadvantaged two year olds and £100 million of investment through our ambitious social mobility action plan ‘Unlocking Talent, Fulfilling Potential’.

23rd Jul 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information his Department holds on trends in the number of people being home-schooled in Stockton South constituency.

The information requested is not held centrally. A consultation on home education, and call for evidence on the issues of registration, monitoring and support for home educating families, closed on 2 July 2018 and responses are now being considered.

23rd Jul 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many colleges in England offer music at A-Level.

The number of further education sector colleges that had at least one student entering A level music, or music technology, in 2016/17 was 103. [1],[2],[3]

[1] Includes: sixth form colleges, general further education colleges, agriculture and horticulture colleges & art, design and performing art colleges.

[2] Only includes colleges with A level students at the end of their 16-18 study in the 2016/17 academic year. Where qualifications taken by a student are in the same subject area and similar in content, ‘discounting’ rules have been applied to avoid double counting qualifications.

[3] The Department publishes this information at the following link: https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/download-data. Select the academic year, then ‘All of England’, then ’16 to 18 qualification and subject data’ and then download the Excel file.

6th Jun 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential effect of the use of isolation as a form of discipline in schools on children's mental health.

Schools are free to develop their own behaviour policies and strategies for managing behaviour according to their own particular circumstances. To help schools develop effective strategies, the Department has produced advice for schools which covers what should be included in the behaviour policy. This advice can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/behaviour-and-discipline-in-schools.

Schools can adopt a policy which allows disruptive pupils to be placed in isolation away from other pupils for a limited period. If a school uses isolation rooms as a disciplinary penalty, this should be made clear in their behaviour policy. As with other disciplinary penalties, schools must act lawfully, reasonably and proportionately in all cases. The school must also ensure the health and safety of pupils.

The Department is currently refreshing its guidance on pupil behaviour and mental health in schools, which will be published later this year. It will emphasise the importance of setting clear routines and expectations for the school as a whole. It will also support schools to consider the mental health needs of their pupils and to provide an appropriate response that helps pupils to improve their behaviour.

5th Jun 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing British Sign Language as a GCSE qualification.

There are no plans to introduce any new GCSEs in this Parliament, to allow schools a period of stability following the recent reforms. The Government is open to considering a proposal for a British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE for possible introduction in the longer term. The Department has indicated this to Signature, the awarding organisation proposing to develop a GCSE in BSL, and the National Deaf Children’s Society.

Any new GCSE would need to meet the rigorous expectations for subject content, which are set by the Department. It would also need to meet the expectations for assessment and regulatory requirements, which are set by Ofqual, the independent qualifications regulator. The Department and Ofqual will consider carefully the merits of any proposals put forward in due course.

18th Oct 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many young people aged 16 to 25 with autism were allocated places as learners with further education and skills providers in each year since 2012.

The table in the attachment shows learners aged between 16 and 25 with Autism Spectrum Disorder participating in further education and skills programmes in the academic year 2012/13 to 2015/16 (final year figures) and reported to date in 2016/17 (provisional full year figures).

Changes in the methodology of data collection between 2014/15 to 2015/16 produced a variation in learner numbers. This was due to a revision in the way learners with learning difficulties and disabilities were categorised. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/478551/ILRSpecification2015_16_v4_Nov2015.pdf

From the 2015/16 academic year a learning provider can record multiple disabilities on the Individualised Learner Record (ILR) that collects this data. This has led to an increase in the number of learners being reported against certain disabilities.

Prior to 2015/16 only the primary disability was recorded, therefore comparisons of figures in 2015/16 and 2016/17 should not be made with earlier years.

18th Oct 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many young people aged 16 to 25 with high needs were allocated places as learners with further education and skills providers in each year since 2012.

High needs students can attend both specialist and mainstream institutions, including general further education colleges.

In the 2015 to 2016 academic year, 21,982 young people with high needs were either placed in special post-16 institutions or further education institutions which received additional funding from local authorities. In 2016 to 2017, this number rose to 25,675 students.

Further education institutions include further education and sixth form colleges, and independent learning providers (formerly known as post-16 charitable and commercial providers).

Comparable data regarding young people with high needs prior 2015 is not readily available.

18th Oct 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many people with autism aged 16 to 25 years old had (a) a statement of special needs, (b) an education, health and care plan or (c) a learning support assessment in each year since 2012.

The table attached shows learners with autism aged between 16 and 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan or Learning Support Assessment participating in further education and skills programmes in the academic year 2012/13 to 2015/16 (final year figures) and reported to date in 2016/17 (provisional full year figures).

Further education and skills data is collected via the Individualised Learner Record (ILR). The ILR does not hold information on statements of special educational need, this is only collected for school pupils via the school census.

From the 2015/16 academic year a learning provider can record multiple disabilities on the Individualised Learner Record (ILR) that collects this data. This has led to an increased in the number of learners being reported against certain disabilities.

Prior to 2015/16 only the primary disability was recorded, therefore comparisons of figures in 2015/16 and 2016/17 should not be made with earlier years.

Young people with special educational needs and disabilities received support through a Learning Difficulty Assessment (LDA) or a statement prior to September 2014. Revision to this support is reflected in the variation between 2014/15 to 2015/16 learner numbers.

26th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effect on food prices in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

The most important drivers of change in the cost of food to consumers are global food commodity prices, currency exchange rates and oil prices. This will continue to be the case once the UK has left the EU and the UK Government has no direct control of these factors. However, we work closely with industry to promote transparency for consumers, and internationally to promote open global markets.

25th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what meetings her Department has had with Northumbrian Water to discuss preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

We have been working closely with all water companies in the UK, as well as chemical suppliers, regulators and the devolved administrations on contingency planning. Companies are well advanced in their preparations to make sure they can meet their statutory responsibility to maintain services. We are confident that no-deal will not have an impact on water supply.

It will be the case that our water will continue to be safe and of the same quality customers expect when we leave the European Union.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
5th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effect on food prices in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

5th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what meetings she has held with farmers on Teesside on the effect on farming of the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

4th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what meetings her Department has had with Northumbrian Water to discuss preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

9th Jan 2019
What recent steps her Department has taken to help strengthen governance and security in Uganda.

Since 2014 DFID has invested £30 million to improve the governance and security environment in Uganda. We are working with the Ugandan government and non-government actors to strengthen anti-corruption, build local governance capacity, increase accountability, and support public financial management reforms.

12th Oct 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether she plans to increase staff resources in her Department to implement the Government's reforms to private contractor relationships announced on 3 October 2017.

There are no plans to increase staff numbers in order to implement the Supplier Review. Implementation will be delivered within DFID’s existing budget with no additional cost to taxpayers.

3rd Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what meetings his Department has had with Teesside International Airport on preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

The Department has regular meetings with UK airports and their trade body representatives and we encourage aviation stakeholders to contact us directly if they have any specific concerns that they feel have not been covered in these meetings. The UK and EU have both put in place measures to ensure that flights can continue in any EU Exit scenario. This gives industry certainty and the public the assurance needed to book and fly with confidence.

Chris Heaton-Harris
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
14th Feb 2019
What steps he is taking to improve bus services in Teesside.

The Bus Services Act 2017 provides the tools that local authorities need to improve local bus services. Bus Open Data powers in the Act will require bus operators in England to open up information about routes, timetables, fares and tickets in real time for passengers by 2020. These improvements aim to improve journey planning and help passengers secure best value tickets.

We are working with interested local authorities to determine which of the powers provided are best able to support bus networks in their areas.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)
5th Feb 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2019 to Question 214641 on Personal Independence Payment: Appeals, what estimate she has made of the clearance times for mandatory reconsiderations for personal independence payments (a) nationally and (b) in the North East of England in (i) November 2018, (ii) December 2018 and (iii) January 2019.

Data on clearance times for mandatory reconsiderations for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is currently available up to October 2018 as provided in the response to Question 214641 on 4 February 2019.

Information for the period November 2018 to January 2019 will be available once the data processing and quality assurance is complete for the next release of the PIP Official Statistics on 19 March 2019. Until then the information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

30th Jan 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, what estimate she has made of the clearance times for mandatory reconsiderations for personal independence payments (a) nationally and (b) in the North East of England.

The median clearance time, in calendar days, for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) to be cleared was 34 days for both Great Britain and the North East of England in the period April to October 2018.

This data on MR clearance times is unpublished data. It should be used with caution and it may be subject to future revision. Data has been provided for the period to October 2018 to be consistent with the latest official statistics that have been published on MR clearance volumes.

MR is a key element of the decision making process for both the Department and claimants, and whilst ensuring they make quality decisions, decision makers work hard to clear applications without delay. Gathering the right evidence is critical at the MR stage if decisions are not to go to appeal; and we are reviewing our processes to not only obtain this, but to do so whilst continuing to make decisions timeously.

8th Oct 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 16 April 2018 to Question 134635 on the Department for Work and Pensions: telephone services, how many times her Department has made a referral to the National Trading Standards Board about a website that has failed to publicise the cost of a call to her Department since the introduction of freephone numbers in 2017.

Since the introduction of freephone numbers at the end of 2017, the Department for Work and Pensions has referred 6 websites to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau following concerns about the how the information relating to the cost of calls is displayed.

The referrals were made to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau rather than the National Trading Standards Board due to the nature of the concerns relating to the information on the cost of calls.

23rd Jul 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps are being taken to (a) make the HMRC Gateway service more accessible and (b) enable improved access to Government services for people with no online or digital access.

(a) DWP are key stakeholders in the development of the new HMRC Government Gateway Service. HMRC are leading on user research around accessibility with DWP participation via Government Departmental Working Groups.

(b) We are working with partner organisations and with other departments to understand the level of support users of government services need. As part of this programme of work we are looking at the current internet devices we have in our Jobcentre Plus Offices, this includes Digital propensity, Digital Inclusion and the level of support DWP provides. DWP assures all our digital services meet the quality requirements of the Digital Service Standard which, includes both accessibility and assisted digital needs. Face to face appointments’ for claimants and free phone lines are part of the breadth of services we also have available to people without digital access.

17th Jan 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of personal independence payments assessments on carers of people with disabilities.

Carer’s Allowance (CA) provides a measure of financial support and recognition for people who give up the opportunity of full-time employment in order to provide regular and substantial care for a severely disabled person. In order for CA to be paid, the disabled person must be in receipt of a “gateway benefit” which includes the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Once a claim to Personal Independence Payment for the disabled person has been awarded, CA may be backdated to the date payment started. In order to have a claim to CA backdated, it must be made within three months of the decision on the disability benefit claim, and the qualifying conditions for CA must be satisfied throughout the past period.

Since 2010 the rate of CA has increased from £53.90 to £62.70 a week, meaning an additional £450 a year for carers. In April 2018, a further increase to £64.60 is planned. This will mean that since 2010, the rate of CA will have increased by over £550 a year. Carers also have access to the full range of social security benefits according to their circumstances.

25th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of trends in health visitor recruitment in (a) the UK, (b) Teesside, and (c) Stockton South constituency.

Health visitors are often employed by organisations outside of the National Health Service, meaning data about total workforce numbers is not held centrally. At a national level, this means we do not make assessments on local health visitor numbers. However, we are working with partners on the NHS interim People Plan to ensure that we have access to the staff we need across England, including areas such as Teesside and Stockton South.

Health visitor education, training and recruitment in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland is a matter for the devolved administrations.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
25th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to work with the NHS and other partners in primary and community care to increase health visitor numbers in (a) the UK, (b) Teesside, and (c) Stockton South constituency.

Health visitors are often employed by organisations outside of the National Health Service, meaning data about total workforce numbers is not held centrally. At a national level, this means we do not make assessments on local health visitor numbers. However, we are working with partners on the NHS interim People Plan to ensure that we have access to the staff we need across England, including areas such as Teesside and Stockton South.

Health visitor education, training and recruitment in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland is a matter for the devolved administrations.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
5th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to ensure adequate staffing levels in the social care sector in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

The Government hugely values the contribution of the 104,000 European Union staff who work in the social care sector. The Prime Minister has made it clear that we not only want them to stay, but also to feel welcomed and encouraged to do so. The EU Settlement Scheme has now fully opened, is free and will allow EU nationals employed in the social care sector to secure their long-term status in the United Kingdom.

The Department continues to monitor and analyse overall staffing levels across both the health and social care sectors and we have been monitoring leaver and joiner rates of European Union staff on a regular basis since the 2016 referendum. We are not complacent and have plans in place to ensure there will continue to be enough staff to deliver the high-quality services on which the public relies.