Philip Dunne Portrait

Philip Dunne

Conservative - Former Member for Ludlow

First elected: 5th May 2005

Left House: 30th May 2024 (Dissolution)


Liaison Sub-Committee on National Policy Statements
22nd Sep 2021 - 30th May 2024
Committee of Privileges
4th Dec 2023 - 30th May 2024
Committee on Standards
4th Dec 2023 - 30th May 2024
Liaison Sub-Committee on Scrutiny of Strategic Thinking in Government
22nd Jun 2023 - 30th May 2024
Environmental Audit Sub-Committee on Polar Research
18th Jan 2023 - 30th May 2024
Liaison Committee (Commons)
20th May 2020 - 30th May 2024
Environmental Audit Committee
29th Jan 2020 - 30th May 2024
European Statutory Instruments Committee
10th Feb 2020 - 30th May 2024
European Statutory Instruments
18th Jul 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Environmental Audit Committee
22nd Jan 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
European Statutory Instruments Committee
18th Jul 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Minister of State (Department of Health)
16th Jul 2016 - 9th Jan 2018
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Defence Procurement)
8th May 2015 - 16th Jul 2016
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
6th Sep 2012 - 8th May 2015
Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
12th May 2010 - 6th Sep 2012
Opposition Whip (Commons)
1st Oct 2008 - 6th May 2010
Public Accounts Committee
24th Jul 2006 - 9th Feb 2009
Treasury Committee
17th Jul 2007 - 17th Nov 2008
Work and Pensions Committee
12th Jul 2005 - 23rd Oct 2006


Division Voting information

Philip Dunne has voted in 3332 divisions, and 27 times against the majority of their Party.

4 Sep 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) Bill - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 57 Conservative Aye votes vs 180 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 65 Noes - 495
27 Mar 2019 - EU: Withdrawal and Future Relationship Votes - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 94 Conservative No votes vs 157 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 160 Noes - 400
14 Mar 2019 - UK’s Withdrawal from the European Union - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 112 Conservative Aye votes vs 188 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 412 Noes - 202
31 Jan 2018 - Restoration and Renewal (Report of the Joint Committee) - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 66 Conservative Aye votes vs 164 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 236 Noes - 220
24 Nov 2014 - Recall of MPs Bill - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 47 Conservative Aye votes vs 117 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 204 Noes - 125
24 Nov 2014 - Recall of MPs Bill - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 71 Conservative Aye votes vs 85 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 119 Noes - 193
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 90 Conservative Aye votes vs 123 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 280 Noes - 184
13 Oct 2011 - Procedure Committee Reports - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 43 Conservative Aye votes vs 124 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 63 Noes - 206
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 51 Conservative No votes vs 93 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 299
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 34 Conservative No votes vs 111 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 206 Noes - 298
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 38 Conservative No votes vs 107 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 194 Noes - 306
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 39 Conservative No votes vs 101 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 183 Noes - 308
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 46 Conservative Aye votes vs 82 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 355 Noes - 129
3 Jul 2008 - Members’ Salaries - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 35 Conservative No votes vs 46 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 155 Noes - 196
3 Jul 2008 - Members’ Salaries - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 34 Conservative No votes vs 46 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 141 Noes - 216
3 Jul 2008 - Members’ Salaries - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 37 Conservative No votes vs 42 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 123 Noes - 224
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 34 Conservative No votes vs 114 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 190 Noes - 332
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 35 Conservative No votes vs 84 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 173 Noes - 309
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 26 Conservative No votes vs 130 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 233 Noes - 304
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 65 Conservative No votes vs 77 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 176 Noes - 336
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 28 Conservative No votes vs 110 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 223 Noes - 286
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 50 Conservative No votes vs 80 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 181 Noes - 314
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 80 Conservative Aye votes vs 96 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 196 Noes - 375
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 55 Conservative Aye votes vs 121 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 337 Noes - 224
1 Nov 2006 - Legislative Process - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 33 Conservative Aye votes vs 115 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 223 Noes - 172
20 Oct 2021 - Environment Bill - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Conservative No votes vs 265 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 268 Noes - 204
23 Nov 2021 - Health and Care Bill - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 18 Conservative Aye votes vs 276 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 219 Noes - 280
View All Philip Dunne 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
John Bercow (Speaker)
(43 debate interactions)
Rob Marris (Labour)
(34 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department of Health and Social Care
(569 debate contributions)
Ministry of Defence
(564 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(49 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Environment Bill 2019-19
(2,034 words contributed)
Environment Act 2021
(1,803 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Philip Dunne's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Philip Dunne

23rd November 2020
Philip Dunne signed this EDM on Friday 27th November 2020

VAT Retail Export Scheme

Tabled by: Tracey Crouch (Conservative - Chatham and Aylesford)
That this House expresses its concern at the Government's decision to abolish the VAT Retail Export Scheme, otherwise known as tax-free shopping, from 1 January 2021 with inaccurate determinations having been made of the impact of that decision; acknowledges that since that decision was announced, businesses have been facing the …
29 signatures
(Most recent: 17 Dec 2020)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 13
Conservative: 11
Labour: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
Independent: 1
22nd January 2019
Philip Dunne signed this EDM on Tuesday 22nd January 2019

150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OFFICE OF THE PARLIAMENTARY COUNSEL

Tabled by: Margaret Beckett (Labour - Derby South)
That this House congratulates the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on its sesquicentennial anniversary; expresses its appreciation of the members of the Office, both past and present, for their contribution to the drafting of legislation and the legislative process; and notes that the Office, now under the leadership of Elizabeth …
26 signatures
(Most recent: 6 Mar 2019)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 15
Labour: 4
Scottish National Party: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Independent: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
View All Philip Dunne's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Philip Dunne, 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.


Philip Dunne has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Philip Dunne has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

1 Bill introduced by Philip Dunne


A Bill to place a duty on water companies to ensure that untreated sewage is not discharged into rivers and other inland waters; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 5th February 2020

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
3 Other Department Questions
20th Apr 2022
To ask the President of COP26, what recent discussions he has had with the COP President-designate and states party to the UNFCCC on the implications for the COP27 agenda of current trends in global energy markets.

Colleagues in the COP Unit and I speak very regularly with our Egyptian partners on a range of matters.

Last month I also attended and spoke to Energy and Climate Ministers at the International Energy Agency’s annual Ministerial where Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and global energy markets were front and centre of discussions.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
5th Jul 2021
To ask the President of COP26, on how many occasions the Climate National Strategy Implementation Group has met since June 2020; what (a) business was considered and (b) decisions were taken at each such meeting; what matters have been referred to the Committee for implementation by (a) the Climate Action Implementation Committee of the Cabinet (b) other Cabinet committees and (c) other bodies; and if he will make a statement.

It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its Committees, and how often they have met, is not normally shared publicly.

Through the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan and our Energy White Paper, we have set out concrete steps we will take to build back greener from the pandemic and reach net zero emissions by 2050. Ahead of COP26, we will set out ambitious plans across key sectors of the economy, including a comprehensive Net Zero Strategy, setting out the Government’s vision for transitioning to a net zero economy. This will raise ambition as we outline our path to meet net zero by 2050, our Carbon Budgets and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
5th Jul 2021
To ask the President of COP26, with reference to his oral evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee on 11 March 2021, HC 222, Qq 80-82, on what dates the Climate Action Implementation Committee of the Cabinet has met since June 2020; what (a) business was considered and (b) decisions were taken at each such meeting; what decisions have been taken by correspondence since the Committee was established; what matters have been referred to the Committee for implementation by the Climate Action Strategy Committee; and if he will make a statement.

It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its Committees, and how often they have met, is not normally shared publicly.

Through the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan and our Energy White Paper, we have set out concrete steps we will take to build back greener from the pandemic and reach net zero emissions by 2050. Ahead of COP26, we will set out ambitious plans across key sectors of the economy, including a comprehensive Net Zero Strategy, setting out the Government’s vision for transitioning to a net zero economy. This will raise ambition as we outline our path to meet net zero by 2050, our Carbon Budgets and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
31st Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an estimate of the proportion of households that are (a) dual fuel, (b) connected to mains gas only and (c) connected to mains electricity only.

I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave on 1 February to Question 11454 and 11455. These figures are published in Table 10 of the Fuel Poverty Statistics here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-statistics#2022-Statistics

31st Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an estimate of the number of households (a) connected to mains electricity only and (b) in fuel poverty.

I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave on 1 February to Question 11454 and 11455. These figures are published in Table 10 of the Fuel Poverty Statistics here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-statistics#2022-Statistics

23rd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what policy recommendations her Department received from the energy efficiency taskforce.

The Energy Efficiency Taskforce was established to support the Government with its target to reduce total UK energy demand by 15% from 2021 levels by 2030. The Secretary of State, after careful deliberation, concluded that the draft work could be streamlined into other Government activity.

23rd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will have discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of the work of the energy efficiency taskforce on the 2024 Budget.

The Energy Efficiency Taskforce concluded in 2023. The Department has regular conversations with the Treasury about energy efficiency.

23rd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she plans to publish outputs produced by the energy efficiency taskforce.

The Energy Efficiency Taskforce was established to support the Government with its target to reduce total UK energy demand by 15% from 2021 levels by 2030. The Secretary of State, after careful deliberation, concluded that the draft work could be streamlined into other Government activity. No finalised document was produced.

26th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy., what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of fluctuations in the rate of electricity market pricing per megawatt hour in the last 10 years; and what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of inflation on those rates.

BEIS carries out regular monitoring of the wholesale market price to inform policy. Ofgem regularly publish data on wholesale electricity market prices.

As has widely been noted, the recent increase in electricity market prices has largely been driven by an increase in the wholesale market price for gas as a result of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, as opposed to wider inflation.

26th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department plans to provide a budget framework for Contracts for Difference auctions over the next 5 years.

BEIS has set clear overall ambitions for renewables deployment to 2030 and beyond. Contracts for Difference Budgets are determined on a round by round basis based on requirements set out in the Energy Act 2013. In 2017, HM Treasury set out the Control for Low Carbon Levies which provides a budget framework for low carbon levies including Contracts for Difference.

9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2022 to Question 7959 on Energy Company Obligation, what assessment he has made of the levels of compliance of licensed (a) gas and (b) electricity suppliers with the Energy Company Obligation scheme since 1 April 2022; and if he will make a statement.

Compliance for obligated energy suppliers is monitored by the scheme administrator, Ofgem. Ofgem works with suppliers to communicate rules for installing energy efficiency measures.

Ofgem run monthly compliance checks to ensure that what has been delivered to date is eligible and compliant under the scheme. They will make a final decision on all installations at final determination of the ECO3 scheme – the most recent iteration of the scheme – later this year and make a final decision on each supplier’s compliance with their obligation. Those found non-compliant may face Enforcement Action.

A written Ministerial statement will be issued once the draft Statutory Instrument for ECO4 is laid.

9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2022 to Question 7959 on Energy Company Obligation, what plans he has to (a) lay and (b) secure Parliamentary approval of the secondary legislation implementing the ECO4 scheme before expiry of the interim delivery phase; and if he will make a statement.

The Government is working quickly to lay regulations as early as possible. A Written Ministerial Statement will be issued once the draft Statutory Instrument is laid.

9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2022 to Question 7959 on Energy Company Obligation, what statutory provisions in force (a) between December 2018 and March 2022 and (b) since April 2022 require energy suppliers to install energy efficiency measures under the Energy Company Obligation scheme.

The Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) Order 2018 required obligated energy suppliers to install heating and energy efficiency measures between December 2018 and March 2022.

Since April 2022, a statutory provision has not been in place. Installations under ECO have continued under transitional arrangements that were announced in the ECO4 Government response; primarily via ECO3 interim delivery, as referred to in the answer I gave the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion on 1 June 2022 to Question 7959.

12th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to incentivise the use of renewable liquid fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil in home heating.

The Department has recently published a Call for Evidence to inform the development of the Biomass Strategy. This strategy will review the amount of sustainable biomass available to the UK, including liquid biofuels, and how this could be best used across the economy to achieve our net zero target. It will also assess the UK’s current biomass sustainability standards, which are some of the most stringent in the world, to see where and how we can improve them even further.

14th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will publish any independent accredited research undertaken or commissioned by his Department on the number of electively home-educated children who do not receive a suitable education.

The department does not currently collect data on numbers of home educated children or school attendance orders. Such data as is collected is held by local authorities. Parents are not required to register if they are home educating their children and, therefore, there is not a robust basis on which the department or independent accredited researchers can reliably collect statistics on home education.

The department supports the right of parents to educate their children at home. Most do so with the best education of their child at the centre of their decision. The department is aware of increasing numbers of home educated children, which cannot be overlooked. For some parents, the child’s education is not the primary reason behind the decision to home educate, which can mean that some children are not being provided with a suitable education.

Local authorities are under a duty to take action if it appears to them that the home education provided to a child is unsuitable. The department issued revised and strengthened guidance to local authorities in April 2019, setting out how they can exercise their powers in this regard. This guidance will be reviewed again in due course.

The department remains committed to a form of local authority register for children not in school and we will legislate for it at the next suitable opportunity. The department have already consulted on proposals in the Children Not in School consultation, and their response to the consultation, published on 3 February 2022, reaffirmed this commitment to create local authority registers of children not attending registered independent or local authority- maintained schools, and to place a duty on local authorities to provide support for home-educating families (should they want it). Such duties will help local authorities undertake their existing duties, improve data on children in scope, as well as help safeguard all children who are in scope. In addition to the Children Not in school consultation, officials continue to engage with relevant stakeholders as we prepare for the next legislative opportunity. There are no immediate plans to commission, undertake or publish any independent accredited research on elective home education, for the reason noted above.

14th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he plans to launch a public consultation on his proposal for a register of electively home-educated children when the draft legislation is published.

The department does not currently collect data on numbers of home educated children or school attendance orders. Such data as is collected is held by local authorities. Parents are not required to register if they are home educating their children and, therefore, there is not a robust basis on which the department or independent accredited researchers can reliably collect statistics on home education.

The department supports the right of parents to educate their children at home. Most do so with the best education of their child at the centre of their decision. The department is aware of increasing numbers of home educated children, which cannot be overlooked. For some parents, the child’s education is not the primary reason behind the decision to home educate, which can mean that some children are not being provided with a suitable education.

Local authorities are under a duty to take action if it appears to them that the home education provided to a child is unsuitable. The department issued revised and strengthened guidance to local authorities in April 2019, setting out how they can exercise their powers in this regard. This guidance will be reviewed again in due course.

The department remains committed to a form of local authority register for children not in school and we will legislate for it at the next suitable opportunity. The department have already consulted on proposals in the Children Not in School consultation, and their response to the consultation, published on 3 February 2022, reaffirmed this commitment to create local authority registers of children not attending registered independent or local authority- maintained schools, and to place a duty on local authorities to provide support for home-educating families (should they want it). Such duties will help local authorities undertake their existing duties, improve data on children in scope, as well as help safeguard all children who are in scope. In addition to the Children Not in school consultation, officials continue to engage with relevant stakeholders as we prepare for the next legislative opportunity. There are no immediate plans to commission, undertake or publish any independent accredited research on elective home education, for the reason noted above.

14th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, in how many cases where school attendance orders were issued by local authorities in England on electively home-educated children did a court subsequently direct that the order should cease to be in force because it was found that the education was suitable in each of the last five years.

The department does not currently collect data on numbers of home educated children or school attendance orders. Such data as is collected is held by local authorities. Parents are not required to register if they are home educating their children and, therefore, there is not a robust basis on which the department or independent accredited researchers can reliably collect statistics on home education.

The department supports the right of parents to educate their children at home. Most do so with the best education of their child at the centre of their decision. The department is aware of increasing numbers of home educated children, which cannot be overlooked. For some parents, the child’s education is not the primary reason behind the decision to home educate, which can mean that some children are not being provided with a suitable education.

Local authorities are under a duty to take action if it appears to them that the home education provided to a child is unsuitable. The department issued revised and strengthened guidance to local authorities in April 2019, setting out how they can exercise their powers in this regard. This guidance will be reviewed again in due course.

The department remains committed to a form of local authority register for children not in school and we will legislate for it at the next suitable opportunity. The department have already consulted on proposals in the Children Not in School consultation, and their response to the consultation, published on 3 February 2022, reaffirmed this commitment to create local authority registers of children not attending registered independent or local authority- maintained schools, and to place a duty on local authorities to provide support for home-educating families (should they want it). Such duties will help local authorities undertake their existing duties, improve data on children in scope, as well as help safeguard all children who are in scope. In addition to the Children Not in school consultation, officials continue to engage with relevant stakeholders as we prepare for the next legislative opportunity. There are no immediate plans to commission, undertake or publish any independent accredited research on elective home education, for the reason noted above.

14th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many school attendance orders were issued by local authorities on electively home-educated children in England in each of the last five years.

The department does not currently collect data on numbers of home educated children or school attendance orders. Such data as is collected is held by local authorities. Parents are not required to register if they are home educating their children and, therefore, there is not a robust basis on which the department or independent accredited researchers can reliably collect statistics on home education.

The department supports the right of parents to educate their children at home. Most do so with the best education of their child at the centre of their decision. The department is aware of increasing numbers of home educated children, which cannot be overlooked. For some parents, the child’s education is not the primary reason behind the decision to home educate, which can mean that some children are not being provided with a suitable education.

Local authorities are under a duty to take action if it appears to them that the home education provided to a child is unsuitable. The department issued revised and strengthened guidance to local authorities in April 2019, setting out how they can exercise their powers in this regard. This guidance will be reviewed again in due course.

The department remains committed to a form of local authority register for children not in school and we will legislate for it at the next suitable opportunity. The department have already consulted on proposals in the Children Not in School consultation, and their response to the consultation, published on 3 February 2022, reaffirmed this commitment to create local authority registers of children not attending registered independent or local authority- maintained schools, and to place a duty on local authorities to provide support for home-educating families (should they want it). Such duties will help local authorities undertake their existing duties, improve data on children in scope, as well as help safeguard all children who are in scope. In addition to the Children Not in school consultation, officials continue to engage with relevant stakeholders as we prepare for the next legislative opportunity. There are no immediate plans to commission, undertake or publish any independent accredited research on elective home education, for the reason noted above.

14th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children were recorded as being electively home-educated by local authorities in England in each of the last five years.

The department does not currently collect data on numbers of home educated children or school attendance orders. Such data as is collected is held by local authorities. Parents are not required to register if they are home educating their children and, therefore, there is not a robust basis on which the department or independent accredited researchers can reliably collect statistics on home education.

The department supports the right of parents to educate their children at home. Most do so with the best education of their child at the centre of their decision. The department is aware of increasing numbers of home educated children, which cannot be overlooked. For some parents, the child’s education is not the primary reason behind the decision to home educate, which can mean that some children are not being provided with a suitable education.

Local authorities are under a duty to take action if it appears to them that the home education provided to a child is unsuitable. The department issued revised and strengthened guidance to local authorities in April 2019, setting out how they can exercise their powers in this regard. This guidance will be reviewed again in due course.

The department remains committed to a form of local authority register for children not in school and we will legislate for it at the next suitable opportunity. The department have already consulted on proposals in the Children Not in School consultation, and their response to the consultation, published on 3 February 2022, reaffirmed this commitment to create local authority registers of children not attending registered independent or local authority- maintained schools, and to place a duty on local authorities to provide support for home-educating families (should they want it). Such duties will help local authorities undertake their existing duties, improve data on children in scope, as well as help safeguard all children who are in scope. In addition to the Children Not in school consultation, officials continue to engage with relevant stakeholders as we prepare for the next legislative opportunity. There are no immediate plans to commission, undertake or publish any independent accredited research on elective home education, for the reason noted above.

24th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what resources are available nationally to support teachers when discussing death, dying and bereavement in (a) primary schools Key Stages 1 and 2 and (b) secondary schools Key Stages 3 and 4.

The department wants to support all young people to be happy, healthy, safe, to equip them for their adult life and to make a positive contribution to society.

Schools and colleges have an important role to play in supporting the resilience and mental health of children and young people. We have made relationships education compulsory for all primary school pupils, relationships, and sex education compulsory for all secondary school pupils, and health education compulsory for all pupils in state-funded schools from September 2020.

Under the topic of physical health and mental wellbeing, the statutory relationship, sex, and health education (RSHE) guidance sets out that teachers should be aware of common adverse childhood experiences. For example, family breakdown, bereavement, exposure to domestic violence, and when and how these may be affecting any of their pupils. This will help teachers to tailor their lessons accordingly, taking decisions on appropriate resources and support to enable them to teach the curriculum effectively. Teachers are free to draw on the support and expertise of subject associations and other providers of curriculum support. The RSHE guidance can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.

In response to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on mental health and wellbeing, the department accelerated the RSHE teacher training module relating to mental health to be available in July 2020. The department subsequently provided £15 million for the Wellbeing for Education Return and Wellbeing for Education Recovery schemes. These schemes provided training and support for education staff in schools and colleges in how to respond to COVID-19 outbreak issues. They also included a focus on supporting children and young people with bereavement. Local areas continue to share examples of practice and lesson plans covering themes such as bereavement and loss, understanding anxiety and low mood, and actions for building resilience and recovery, with us and each other.

The department has made no assessment of the changes in the level of awareness of death, dying, and bereavement among school-age children because of the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the department has published its report, which provides an in-depth picture of the experiences of children and young people aged 5 to 24 during the 2020/21 academic year. The report can be accessed here : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/state-of-the-nation-2021-children-and-young-peoples-wellbeing.

24th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of education on death, dying and bereavement in (a) primary schools at key stages 1 and 2 and (b) secondary schools at key stages 3 and 4.

The department wants to support all young people to be happy, healthy, safe, to equip them for their adult life and to make a positive contribution to society.

Schools and colleges have an important role to play in supporting the resilience and mental health of children and young people. We have made relationships education compulsory for all primary school pupils, relationships, and sex education compulsory for all secondary school pupils, and health education compulsory for all pupils in state-funded schools from September 2020.

Under the topic of physical health and mental wellbeing, the statutory relationship, sex, and health education (RSHE) guidance sets out that teachers should be aware of common adverse childhood experiences. For example, family breakdown, bereavement, exposure to domestic violence, and when and how these may be affecting any of their pupils. This will help teachers to tailor their lessons accordingly, taking decisions on appropriate resources and support to enable them to teach the curriculum effectively. Teachers are free to draw on the support and expertise of subject associations and other providers of curriculum support. The RSHE guidance can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.

In response to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on mental health and wellbeing, the department accelerated the RSHE teacher training module relating to mental health to be available in July 2020. The department subsequently provided £15 million for the Wellbeing for Education Return and Wellbeing for Education Recovery schemes. These schemes provided training and support for education staff in schools and colleges in how to respond to COVID-19 outbreak issues. They also included a focus on supporting children and young people with bereavement. Local areas continue to share examples of practice and lesson plans covering themes such as bereavement and loss, understanding anxiety and low mood, and actions for building resilience and recovery, with us and each other.

The department has made no assessment of the changes in the level of awareness of death, dying, and bereavement among school-age children because of the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the department has published its report, which provides an in-depth picture of the experiences of children and young people aged 5 to 24 during the 2020/21 academic year. The report can be accessed here : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/state-of-the-nation-2021-children-and-young-peoples-wellbeing.

18th Aug 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he has taken to encourage procurement of British produce within meals available for (a) staff of his Department and (b) people in his Department's care since 1 January 2021.

The Department has staff in 13 offices across England and is only responsible for the procurement of produce for meals in one of these offices. The Coventry Office contract to provide meals, available for staff to purchase, was let before 1 January 2021. The remaining 12 offices are managed by other government departments or other organisations where the Department for Education has no involvement with the meals contracts.

The supplier for the Coventry Office meals contract is committed to supporting local produce, with all fresh goods to travel a maximum of 50 miles. 100% of the fresh meat is reared and sourced through local British suppliers, all fresh fruit and vegetables are sourced through local and regional suppliers and all fresh bakery products are made by bakers in close proximity of the Coventry office.

Environments where teaching takes place, such as schools, colleges and universities, are autonomous and have the freedom to make their own procurement decisions based on individual need and circumstances regarding British produce used within meals.

The Department has, and continues to review, a wide range of deals across public sector buying organisations, including three catering frameworks. All have been assessed for compliance with procurement regulations, ease of use, suitability and value for money.

31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect of ending independent inspections of local authority children's services on the effectiveness of the safeguarding of young people by those services.

A uniquely independent and balanced assessment of all local authority children’s social care departments is provided by Ofsted and, as such, the inspectorate is an important driver of standards and accountability in the system. Where Ofsted inspectors use their powers to take a focussed look at the lived experience of children in a given area, and find a local authority is failing (‘inadequate’) to protect children or promote their welfare, the government is then able to take quick and decisive action to intervene and make services safe as quickly and decisively as possible. In recent years, we have seen an improvement in the performance of local authority children’s social care services, with 48% of local authorities now rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’, compared to 36% at the end of 2017.

31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the amount owed is in respect of loans for (a) tuition fees and (b) living costs to date; and what projections his Department has made of the amounts owed in respect of each of those loans in (i) 2025, (ii) 2030, (iii) 2040 and (iv) 2050.

At the end of the 2018-19 financial year, the total outstanding loan balance was £121.8 billion[1].

This figure includes all loan products and covers borrowers who received loans as English

domiciled students studying in the UK or as EU domiciled students studying in England.

The corresponding forecasts are detailed in table 1 (attached).

The information by product (maintenance loans/tuition fee loans) is not readily available

and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

[1] Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/student-loans-in-england-2018-to-2019. (Table 1A)

31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of increasing teacher starting salaries to £30,000 by 2022-23 on the recruitment and retention of teachers; how much new teachers in inner and outer London will receive in addition to that starting salary; and whether existing teachers will receive salary increases to ensure that their salary is above the new starting salary.

We introduced the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy in January 2019. This highlighted evidence demonstrating the need to take significant action on starting salaries and early career pay over the medium term to address recruitment and retention challenges. By raising starting salaries for new teachers to £30,000, we are increasing the competitiveness of the early career pay framework, and ensuring the teaching profession is positioned at the top of the graduate labour market.

Our proposals include pay rises for all teachers, and new starters after 2022 will not ‘overtake’ existing teachers. London weighting will continue, providing a salary uplift for teachers within the London areas. These proposals will be put forward in our evidence to the School Teachers’ Review Body. We have asked them in the remit letter to consider how best to design the overall pay structure, alongside the move to a significantly higher starting salary, to best support recruitment and retention to the profession. This evidence will be published in due course.

31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the projected budget is for schools in the (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23 academic years.

The attached table shows the total value of the core schools budget each year.

31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the schools budget in cash terms in each year (a) since 1997 and (b) until 2022-23 .

The table below shows the value of the core schools budget each year since 2015-16:

Year

Core schools budget (in billions of pounds)

2015-16

39.6

2016-17

40.1

2017-18

40.9

2018-19

42.4

2019-20

43.5

2020-21

47.6

2021-22

49.8

2022-23

52.2

The figures for 2020-21 to 2022-23 include the £1.5 billion per year that the Department will provide to fund additional pension costs for teachers.

Changes to the school funding system mean that the Department does not have comparable figures for years before 2015-16.


31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of children were (a) looked-after and (b) assessed as being in need by local authority children's services rated (i) inadequate, (ii) requires improvement, (iii) good and (iv) outstanding in each year since 1997.

This is a matter for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to my right hon. Friend and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) looked after children and (b) children in need there are by (i) local authority and (ii) parliamentary constituency in the most recent period for which figures are available.

The latest figures on children looked after by local authority were published in the local authority tables (Table LAA1) of the statistical release ‘Children looked after in England including adoption: 2017 to 2018’, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018. The 2018/19 statistics on children looked after will be released on 5 December 2019.

The latest figures on children in need by local authority were published on 31 October 2019, in the statistical release ‘Characteristics of children in need: 2018 to 2019’, which is available at : https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/characteristics-of-children-in-need-2018-to-2019. Table B1 shows the number of children in need at 31 March by local authority (column S).

The department does not collect information on looked after children or children in need by Parliamentary constituency.

31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the annual cost to the public purse would be of the provision of 30 hours free childcare a week to (a) 0 to 1 year-olds (b) 1 to 2 year-olds (c) 2 to 3 year-olds, (d) 3 and 4 year-olds; and what assessment he has made of the capacity of nurseries to extend childcare provision to each of those age groups.

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

31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children were in (a) early years settings, (b) primary schools, (c) secondary schools and (d) further education rated (i) inadequate, (ii) requires improvement, (iii) good and (iv) outstanding by Ofsted in each year since 1997.

The information detailed below on early years settings, primary and secondary schools, and further education is available.

The latest Ofsted data for early years settings cover the period from 2011-2014 and can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/childcare-providers-and-inspections-as-at-31-march-2019.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/official-statistics-early-years-and-childcare-registered-providers-inspections-and-outcomes.

The Department for Education only collects data on the number of children benefiting from free funded early education and holds no data on all children in early years settings.

The latest Ofsted data on Primary and Secondary school inspection data (which covers the period from 2010-2019) can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/maintained-schools-and-academies-inspections-and-outcomes-official-statistics.

Ofsted changed their methodology in 2018 and the latest statistics are based on the new methodology. Information on the changes made can be found here :

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/changes-to-ofsteds-statistical-reporting-of-inspection-outcomes-for-state-funded-schools-an-analysis-of-the-changes.

The latest Ofsted data on the further education inspection ratings (covering the period from 2013 to 2019) can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/further-education-and-skills-inspection-outcomes.

Due to differences between the data sets of each area, and the time scales covered, data since 1997 for each area requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) looked after children and (b) children in need are on the roll of independent schools.

3,372 looked after children were on the roll of independent schools in January 2019, according to the most recent School Level Annual School Census figures. Through our Board School Partnerships initiative, we are encouraging local authorities to be more proactive in this field.

The department does not collect information in the school census on the number of children in need in independent schools.

31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the annual cost to the public purse of extending the current system of 15 hours of free childcare for all three and four year olds to include an additional 15 hours for three and four year olds whose parents are in work.

Since September 2017, 3- and 4-year old children of working parents have been able to access an additional 15 hours free childcare, on top of the universal 15 hours entitlement. Details of this expenditure can be found in the Dedicated Schools Grant Allocations tables, here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dedicated-schools-grant-dsg-2019-to-2020.

31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the October 2019 national funding formula release, what estimate he has made of the average per-pupil funding increase in (a) 2020-21, (b) 2021-22 and (c) 2022-23 in (i) each (i) school, (ii) local authority and (iii) parliamentary constituency.

In 2020-21, the National Funding Formula (NFF) will ensure that every school attracts at least a per-pupil increase in line with inflation, with faster than inflation for most. Nationally, per-pupil funding is increasing by 4.2% per pupil next year. The Department has published provisional NFF allocations to show what each school is attracting under the NFF, and what each local authority will receive, per pupil, for schools in its local area. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-funding-formula-tables-for-schools-and-high-needs-2020-to-2021.

The attached table shows the increase in funding that schools are receiving by constituency area.

Local authorities continue to be responsible for determining final allocations, in consultation with local schools, and will inform schools of their budgets for next year early in 2020. While the Department has not yet determined school funding allocations beyond 2020-21, we have announced that funding levels will increase by £4.8 billion in 2021-22, and £7.1 billion in 2022-23, compared to 2019-20.

31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has been made of the effect on school standards of removing independent, national assessments by OFSTED of school standards and safeguarding on (a) provision (b) primary schools (c) secondary schools and (d) further education provision.

Ofsted is the only body able to provide an independent, rounded judgement of schools, further education provision, and early years settings. This role has helped to raise standards in our schools with 87% of primary schools and 75% of secondary schools rated good or outstanding, compared to 67% and 64% respectively in 2010. Currently, 82% further education and skills providers are judged good or outstanding, compared to 64% in 2012. Currently, 95% of early years providers are rated good or outstanding, compared to 74% in 2012.

Ofsted also plays an important role in safeguarding for early years, schools and further education provision. As part of the overall effectiveness judgement, inspectors will always make a written judgement about the effectiveness of the arrangements for safeguarding children and pupils.

31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the average per pupil funding increase in each parliamentary constituency in 2020-21.

In 2020-21, the National Funding Formula (NFF) will ensure that every school attracts at least a per-pupil increase in line with inflation, with faster than inflation for most. Nationally, per-pupil funding is increasing by 4.2% per pupil next year. The Department has published provisional NFF allocations to show what each school is attracting under the NFF, and what each local authority will receive, per pupil, for schools in its local area. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-funding-formula-tables-for-schools-and-high-needs-2020-to-2021.

The attached table shows the increase in funding that schools are receiving by constituency area.

Local authorities continue to be responsible for determining final allocations, in consultation with local schools, and will inform schools of their budgets for next year early in 2020. While the Department has not yet determined school funding allocations beyond 2020-21, we have announced that funding levels will increase by £4.8 billion in 2021-22, and £7.1 billion in 2022-23, compared to 2019-20.

31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many more students have attended university since the cap on student numbers was lifted; and what recent assessment his Department has made of whether there has been an increase in the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds attending university since that cap was lifted.

In 2013, the government announced that the student number controls at publicly funded higher education institutions in England would be removed by 2015/16. This was preceded by a relaxation of student number controls for AAB students, who were made exempt from 2012/13, and ABB students, who were exempt from 2013/14.

Student number controls applied to full-time undergraduate students at English higher education institutions who were domiciled in the UK or European Union prior to study.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes statistics on students enrolled in higher education institutions in England. Time series for UK and EU domiciled full-time undergraduate entrants at higher education institutions in England have been provided in the table.

UK and EU domiciled full-time undergraduate entrants

English Higher Education Institutions

Academic years 2011/12 to 2017/8

Academic year

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

Total entrants

389,575

334,820

362,910

373,950

387,610

395,485

393,675

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student Record 2011/12 to 2017/18

Note: (1) Figures in this table are rounded to the nearest multiple of five.

(2) Entrants refers to first year students.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) publish data on the proportion of disadvantaged 18-year-olds from England accepted to full-time higher education. In 2018 there were a record proportion of disadvantaged 18-year-olds from England accepted onto full-time higher education courses.

Entry rates for English disadvantaged 18 year olds

Application cycle

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Disadvantaged entry rate

14.4%

14.4%

15.6%

17.0%

18.0%

18.9%

19.9%

20.2%

Source: UCAS End of Cycle report 2018

Note: The disadvantage measure refers to POLAR Quintile 1. POLAR is an area-based measure of educational disadvantage.

31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of whether it is possible to replace tuition fees with maintenance grants and be cost-neutral to the public purse; and whether there would need to be a reduction in the number of student places to achieve that change in the current spending round.

Taxpayers subsidise around 50% of the cost of higher education. The cost of the student finance system is a function of 3 main parameters: (i) the number of students supported, (ii) the level of resource per student and (iii) the terms of the funding (for example the balance of loan vs. grant funding) provided to students and institutions. Changing any of these parameters, for example by reintroducing maintenance grants, will require changes either or both of the other 2 if the outcome is to be cost neutral.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has recently published illustrative estimates of the potential cost to HM Treasury of abolishing tuition fees. This can be found here: https://www.ifs.org.uk/publications/14369.

31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the initial Ofsted ratings were for local authority children’s services; and what the most recent Ofsted rating was for each of those authorities.

The attached table includes inspection dates and Ofsted ratings for local authority children’s services under the previous Single Inspection Framework and the current Inspections of Local Authority Children’s Service framework. In recent years, we have seen an improvement in the performance of local authority children’s social care services, with 48% of local authorities now rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’, compared to 36% at the end of 2017.

31st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether per pupil funding will be the highest ever in real terms in 2022-23.

The increases in school funding announced at the 2019 Spending Round will mean the biggest funding boost for schools in a decade. The independent Institute for Fiscal Studies have gone on record as saying that this settlement will restore real terms per pupil funding to previous levels.

This settlement also means that next year alone school funding will increase by 5%. This means that, under the national funding formula, every school in the country will attract at least a real terms increase in per pupil funding.

15th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what are the projected emissions resulting from waste over the period of the 4th, 5th and 6th budget periods.

The Government's Net Zero Strategy sets the UK on the path to deliver on its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The Net Zero Strategy sets out Government's vision for transitioning to a net zero economy and covers a wide range of actions across different sectors.

Sectoral emissions for Waste and F-gases over forthcoming carbon budget periods are set out in Table 8 of the technical annex to the net zero strategy. These are: Carbon Budget (CB) 4 24-27 MtCO2e; Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 17-20 MtCO2e and CB6 12-15 MtCO2e.

n.b. NDC is the midpoint of CB5

15th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what are the projected resulting emissions for Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use over the period of the 4th, 5th and 6th carbon budget periods.

The Government’s Net Zero Strategy sets the UK on the path to deliver on its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The Net Zero Strategy sets out the Government’s vision for transitioning to a net zero economy and covers a wide range of actions across different sectors.

Sectoral emissions for Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) over forthcoming carbon budget periods are set out in Table 8 of the technical annex to the Net Zero Strategy. These are Carbon Budget (CB) 4; 51-57 MtCO2e; Nationally Determined Contribution 44-52 MtCo2e and CB6 38-48 MtCO2e.

15th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has an emissions reductions plan.

On 19 October, the Government's Net Zero Strategy was published, setting the UK on the path to deliver on its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The Net Zero Strategy sets out Government's vision for transitioning to a net zero economy and covers a wide range of actions across different sectors. The Natural Resources, Waste and Fluorinated-Gases (F-Gases) chapter covers Defra related sectors and their emission reductions including agriculture, peat and tree planting.

17th Jun 2021
What steps he is taking to improve river water quality.

I would like to thank my Honourable Friend for the role he has played in championing action to tackle pollution. He will know that our amendments to the Environment Bill will require the Government to produce and report on a statutory plan to tackle unacceptable discharges of untreated sewage that affect our rivers and beaches. Water companies and the Environment Agency will also be required to report annually on storm overflow activity. We are also acting to tackle agricultural pollution in rivers, including funding advice to farmers and vital investment in slurry management.

22nd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the (a) scope and (b) terms of reference are of the taskforce on reducing the frequency and volumes of sewage discharges from storm overflows.

The Storm Overflows Taskforce comprises representatives of Defra, the Environment Agency, Ofwat, CCW, Water UK and a water company. In addition, Blueprint for Water have been asked to nominate a representative to the group. I will ensure that the Rt Honourable Member receives a copy of the terms of reference. The Taskforce meets regularly and is developing proposals to reduce the frequency and volumes of spills from storm overflows. The group is exploring further short-term actions water companies can take to accelerate progress on storm overflows. The first phase of the taskforce to develop short term actions runs until November 2020. The second phase, to develop proposals and mechanisms to reduce the frequency and volumes of spills from storm overflows, will report in spring 2021. No timescale for how long the Taskforce will operate has been set as yet.

22nd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish the terms of reference of the taskforce reviewing sewage pollution from storm overflows.

The Storm Overflows Taskforce comprises representatives of Defra, the Environment Agency, Ofwat, CCW, Water UK and a water company. In addition, Blueprint for Water have been asked to nominate a representative to the group. I will ensure that the Rt Honourable Member receives a copy of the terms of reference. The Taskforce meets regularly and is developing proposals to reduce the frequency and volumes of spills from storm overflows. The group is exploring further short-term actions water companies can take to accelerate progress on storm overflows. The first phase of the taskforce to develop short term actions runs until November 2020. The second phase, to develop proposals and mechanisms to reduce the frequency and volumes of spills from storm overflows, will report in spring 2021. No timescale for how long the Taskforce will operate has been set as yet.

22nd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish the membership of the taskforce reviewing sewage pollution from storm overflows.

The Storm Overflows Taskforce comprises representatives of Defra, the Environment Agency, Ofwat, CCW, Water UK and a water company. In addition, Blueprint for Water have been asked to nominate a representative to the group. I will ensure that the Rt Honourable Member receives a copy of the terms of reference. The Taskforce meets regularly and is developing proposals to reduce the frequency and volumes of spills from storm overflows. The group is exploring further short-term actions water companies can take to accelerate progress on storm overflows. The first phase of the taskforce to develop short term actions runs until November 2020. The second phase, to develop proposals and mechanisms to reduce the frequency and volumes of spills from storm overflows, will report in spring 2021. No timescale for how long the Taskforce will operate has been set as yet.