Stephen McPartland Portrait

Stephen McPartland

Conservative - Former Member for Stevenage

First elected: 6th May 2010

Left House: 30th May 2024 (Dissolution)


National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)
17th May 2022 - 30th May 2024
National Security Bill
12th Jul 2022 - 7th Sep 2022
Minister of State (Home Office) (Security)
7th Jul 2022 - 6th Sep 2022
Regulatory Reform
2nd Mar 2020 - 20th May 2021
Regulatory Reform
4th Mar 2020 - 20th May 2021
Liaison Committee (Commons)
20th May 2020 - 20th May 2021
Liaison Committee Sub-committee on the effectiveness and influence of the select committee system
13th Feb 2019 - 6th Nov 2019
Liaison Committee (Commons)
28th Nov 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Regulatory Reform
6th Nov 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Finance Committee (Commons)
30th Oct 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Regulatory Reform
28th Nov 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Finance Committee (Commons)
16th Jan 2017 - 3rd May 2017
Regulatory Reform
16th Jan 2017 - 3rd May 2017
Science and Technology Committee (Commons)
14th Feb 2011 - 27th Feb 2012
Science and Technology Committee
14th Feb 2011 - 27th Feb 2012
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
14th Feb 2011 - 27th Feb 2012


Division Voting information

Stephen McPartland has voted in 2175 divisions, and 64 times against the majority of their Party.

25 Mar 2021 - Coronavirus - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 35 Conservative No votes vs 305 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 484 Noes - 76
22 Mar 2021 - Fire Safety Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 33 Conservative No votes vs 320 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 322 Noes - 253
6 Jan 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Conservative No votes vs 322 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 524 Noes - 16
30 Dec 2020 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Conservative No votes vs 328 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 335 Noes - 212
7 Dec 2020 - United Kingdom Internal Market Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 349 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 359 Noes - 265
7 Dec 2020 - United Kingdom Internal Market Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 349 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 360 Noes - 265
7 Dec 2020 - United Kingdom Internal Market Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Conservative No votes vs 346 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 357 Noes - 268
7 Dec 2020 - United Kingdom Internal Market Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Conservative No votes vs 347 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 359 Noes - 55
2 Dec 2020 - Deferred Division - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 353 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 362 Noes - 202
1 Dec 2020 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 53 Conservative No votes vs 290 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 291 Noes - 78
4 Nov 2020 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 33 Conservative No votes vs 308 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 516 Noes - 38
12 Oct 2020 - Agriculture Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 14 Conservative No votes vs 327 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 332 Noes - 279
10 Mar 2020 - Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 36 Conservative Aye votes vs 301 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 282 Noes - 306
9 Apr 2019 - Section 1 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2019 - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 97 Conservative No votes vs 131 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 420 Noes - 110
3 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 91 Conservative No votes vs 212 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 220 Noes - 400
3 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 110 Conservative Aye votes vs 190 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 123 Noes - 488
27 Mar 2019 - EU Exit Day Amendment - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 93 Conservative No votes vs 150 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 441 Noes - 105
15 Jan 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) Act - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 118 Conservative No votes vs 196 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 202 Noes - 432
30 Nov 2016 - Chilcot Inquiry and Parliamentary Accountability - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Conservative Aye votes vs 271 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 70 Noes - 439
2 Mar 2016 - Welfare Reform and Work Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Conservative No votes vs 308 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 309 Noes - 274
2 Mar 2016 - Welfare Reform and Work Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Conservative No votes vs 308 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 309 Noes - 275
23 Feb 2016 - Welfare Reform and Work Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Conservative No votes vs 305 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 306 Noes - 279
23 Feb 2016 - Welfare Reform and Work Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Conservative No votes vs 303 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 304 Noes - 280
2 Dec 2015 - ISIL in Syria - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 8 Conservative Aye votes vs 315 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 211 Noes - 390
2 Dec 2015 - ISIL in Syria - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Conservative No votes vs 313 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 397 Noes - 223
15 Sep 2015 - Tax Credits - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Conservative No votes vs 322 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 325 Noes - 290
7 Sep 2015 - European Union Referendum Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 8 Conservative Aye votes vs 307 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 80 Noes - 516
7 Sep 2015 - European Union Referendum Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 37 Conservative No votes vs 276 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 285 Noes - 312
16 Jun 2015 - European Union Referendum Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 25 Conservative Aye votes vs 285 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 97 Noes - 288
27 Oct 2014 - Recall of MPs Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 110 Conservative Aye votes vs 135 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 166 Noes - 340
5 Mar 2014 - Judgments - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 83 Conservative No votes vs 123 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 360 Noes - 104
5 Mar 2014 - Registration of Births, deaths and marriages etc - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 81 Conservative No votes vs 124 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 363 Noes - 100
5 Mar 2014 - Registration of births, deaths and marriages etc - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 83 Conservative No votes vs 123 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 366 Noes - 103
5 Mar 2014 - Marriage - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 81 Conservative No votes vs 126 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 367 Noes - 100
5 Mar 2014 - Marriage - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 84 Conservative No votes vs 123 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 365 Noes - 103
5 Mar 2014 - Marriage - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 79 Conservative No votes vs 126 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 368 Noes - 98
22 Nov 2013 - European Union (Referendum) Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 14 Conservative Aye votes vs 244 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 15 Noes - 249
29 Aug 2013 - Syria and the Use of Chemical Weapons - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 31 Conservative No votes vs 240 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 272 Noes - 285
5 Jun 2013 - Badger Cull - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Conservative Aye votes vs 260 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 250 Noes - 299
5 Jun 2013 - Badger Cull - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Conservative No votes vs 261 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 298 Noes - 237
5 Feb 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 34 Conservative No votes vs 224 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 499 Noes - 55
5 Feb 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Conservative No votes vs 215 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 481 Noes - 34
5 Feb 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 28 Conservative No votes vs 207 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 464 Noes - 38
28 Jan 2013 - Succession to the Crown Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Conservative Aye votes vs 174 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 38 Noes - 371
31 Oct 2012 - Multiannual Financial Framework - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 51 Conservative Aye votes vs 235 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 307 Noes - 294
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 87 Conservative No votes vs 142 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 241 Noes - 256
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 93 Conservative Aye votes vs 139 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 267 Noes - 233
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland 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
30 Nov 2011 - Hairdressers Registration (Amendment) - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Conservative Aye votes vs 41 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 63 Noes - 67
24 Oct 2011 - National Referendum on the European Union - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 81 Conservative Aye votes vs 209 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 111 Noes - 483
7 Sep 2011 - Health and Social Care (Re-committed) Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 94 Conservative Aye votes vs 115 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 118 Noes - 368
27 Apr 2021 - Fire Safety Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative No votes vs 320 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 320 Noes - 256
28 Apr 2021 - Fire Safety Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 32 Conservative No votes vs 321 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 322 Noes - 256
7 Dec 2021 - Nationality and Borders Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Conservative Aye votes vs 289 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 251 Noes - 296
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 38 Conservative No votes vs 271 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 441 Noes - 41
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 97 Conservative No votes vs 224 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 369 Noes - 126
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 60 Conservative No votes vs 258 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 385 Noes - 100
16 Jan 2023 - Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 308 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 309 Noes - 249
30 Jan 2023 - Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 312 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 315 Noes - 246
22 Mar 2023 - CRIMINAL LAW - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 14 Conservative No votes vs 282 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 290 Noes - 14
28 Nov 2023 - Business without Debate - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 277 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 280 Noes - 199
28 Nov 2023 - Business without Debate - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 278 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 281 Noes - 201
28 Nov 2023 - Business without Debate - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 279 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 285 Noes - 203
29 Nov 2023 - Strikes: Minimum Service Levels - View Vote Context
Stephen McPartland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Conservative No votes vs 289 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 297 Noes - 166
View All Stephen McPartland 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
Kevan Jones (Labour)
(34 debate interactions)
Holly Lynch (Labour)
(25 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Home Office
(158 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(57 debate contributions)
Department for Education
(54 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(44 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
National Security Act 2023
(33,184 words contributed)
Finance Act 2018
(4,826 words contributed)
Building Safety Act 2022
(4,090 words contributed)
Investigatory Powers Act 2016
(3,629 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Stephen McPartland's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Stephen McPartland

1st July 2020
Stephen McPartland signed this EDM as a sponsor on Wednesday 1st July 2020

National Museum of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic History and Culture

Tabled by: Oliver Heald (Conservative - North East Hertfordshire)
That this House recognises the important role played by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC since it opened its doors to the public on 24 September 2016, documenting and enabling the study of the life, history and culture of African Americans; notes that …
15 signatures
(Most recent: 15 Jul 2020)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 9
Liberal Democrat: 2
Scottish National Party: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Independent: 1
Labour: 1
4th June 2019
Stephen McPartland signed this EDM on Tuesday 4th June 2019

LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE FOR THE SIXTH TIME

Tabled by: Dan Carden (Labour - Liverpool Walton)
That this House congratulates Liverpool Football Club on its sixth European Cup title victory; applauds the club's players and those of Tottenham Hotspur for providing a competitive all-English final to Europe's most prestigious club competition; further applauds the club's manager Jürgen Klopp, staff, and dedicated supporters on this magnificent and …
27 signatures
(Most recent: 25 Jul 2019)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 14
Scottish National Party: 5
Conservative: 4
Independent: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
View All Stephen McPartland's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Stephen McPartland, 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.


Stephen McPartland has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Stephen McPartland has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

Stephen McPartland 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
9 Other Department Questions
9th Oct 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the proposal in paragraph 1.154 of the Autumn Statement 2014 to introduce income contingent loans for postgraduate taught Master's students, what progress the Government has made on introducing that policy.

The Government has consulted on the proposal for an income contingent loan of up to £10,000 for Postgraduate Taught Master’s students.

We are analysing responses to the consultation and expect to publish a response in the autumn.

7th Jul 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what comparative assessment he has made of Government support for medical research and development in the UK and other major economies.

Every two years, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills commissions an international comparison of the UK research base. The most recent report, “International Comparative Performance of the UK Research Base – 2013”, assesses the performance of the UK compared with seven other research-intensive countries (Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the US). Where data is available, it also makes comparisons with the EU27, OECD member countries’ groups, and three other fast growing nations (Brazil, Russia and India). The report showed that while the UK represents just 0.9% of the global population, it accounts for 3.2% of R&D expenditure, 4.1% of researchers, 6.4% of research articles, 9.5% of research article downloads and 15.9% of the world's most highly-cited articles. Some of the data is broken down by subject area, showing that UK research publications in the fields of health and medical sciences and clinical sciences increased their citation impact between 2008 and 2012, and are well above the world average.

7th Jul 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the benefits of supporting medical research and development to the (a) UK science sector, (b) NHS and (c) economy.

In 2014 the HEFCE supported Research Excellence Framework conducted the largest ever assessment of academic research impact. A selection of just 10 of the 1600 impact case studies submitted to the clinical sciences REF panel were found to contribute roughly £2 billion in economic benefit between 2008 and 2012.

Work to systematically collect details of the output from all research council funded work has established a national database of more than 1 million reports of achievements linked to more than £40 billion of public and charity funded research projects, which is proving to be a comprehensive approach to describe the benefits of supporting not only medical research but research across all disciplines. More than 100 research organisations are now subscribing to this approach including the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and Cancer Research UK.

Recent academic studies in to the returns to medical research estimated the returns to the UK economy from cardiovascular research at 39% and returns from cancer research at 40%. There is ongoing further research to refine these estimates.

Finally, the UK is one of world’s strongest performers in Health and Medical Science research and is ranked 1st in field weighted citation index for Health & Medical science research of comparator nations. In 2012, the UK accounted for 8.9% of all Health and Medical Science publications (2nd out of comparator nations) and for 16% of the top 1% most highly cited research (2nd out of comparator nations).

6th Jul 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to ensure that technology and knowledge generated through Medical Research Council investments is open access.

The Government and its delivery partner the Medical Research Council (MRC), remains committed to open access to research publications in line with the recommendations of the 2012 Finch Group Report.

Research Councils UK (RCUK) has published guidance agreed by all of the parties involved in the Finch Group. An independent panel set up by RCUK published a review of implementation of open access in March 2015, and later this summer RCUK will issue its response which will describe how the MRC and other research councils will address the issues identified. A UK Open Access Co-ordination Group was set up to inform and guide implementation of the changes, including publishers, funders, and other key interests.

The research councils recognise access to underlying research data complements open access to research publications. RCUK recently published further guidance on best practice in the management of research data which applies to MRC funded research in universities, research organisations and the MRC’s own research units and institutes. The Government welcomes the production of a Concordat on Open Data agreed across the research community, which will be published this summer.

Responsibility for managing technologies and other intellectual property resulting from MRC investments rests with the organisation that generates them. It is the responsibility of the research organisation, and all engaged in the research, to make every reasonable effort to ensure that the intellectual assets obtained in the course of the research are used to the benefit of society and the economy.

9th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to promote basic science research into (a) TB, (b) HIV/AIDS, (c) malaria and (d) other global health priorities.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills supports research in these areas through the UK Research Councils, which support a strong portfolio of research addressing different aspects of these diseases and global health priorities. Basic, clinical and translational research into pathogens implicated in human infectious diseases is primarily supported by the Medical Research Council (MRC). Much of the fundamental research in these areas is supported through the MRC’s infections portfolio. This provides the basis for further research funded through targeted support for translation and global health, to ensure that the findings from basic research are translated into practice and new treatments.

A new UK Research and Development Vaccines Network has recently been announced, which will bring together the UK’s leaders in vaccine development and research to focus on the most serious global health threats. Up to £20m will be invested from the outset to focus on the most threatening diseases including Ebola, Lassa, Marburg and Crimean-Congo Fever.

The UK, through the MRC and the Department for International Development, is a member of and contributes funding to the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), which aims to accelerate the development of new or improved drugs, vaccines, microbicides and diagnostics against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other neglected diseases.

In December 2014 the second phase of the partnership, EDCTP2, was launched with funding of over 1billion euros over the next 10 years from the European Union, the Participating States and third parties. Further information can be found at: http://www.edctp.org/

9th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to encourage its EU counterparts to increase support for global health research and development.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills supports research in this area through the UK Research Councils, which fund a strong portfolio addressing global health.

The Medical Research Council (MRC) currently leads the UK delegation for the Horizon 2020 Health, Demographic Change and Wellbeing Challenge. This involves inputting into and approving the content of Health Challenge calls, working in conjunction with representatives from other EU member states. Horizon 2020 is the current EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. It brings together European Commission research and innovation funding, including the Framework Programme for Research, the innovation related activities of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.

The UK, through the MRC and the Department for International Development, is a member of and contributes funding to, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), which aims to accelerate the development of new or improved drugs, vaccines, microbicides and diagnostics against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other neglected diseases. In December 2014 the second phase of the partnership, EDCTP2, was launched, with funding of over 1billion euros over the next 10 years from the European Union, the Participating States and third parties. The General Assembly of the EDCTP is currently chaired by the MRC. Further information can be found at: http://www.edctp.org/

9th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that technology and knowledge generated through UK universities and research institutions using public funding is open access.

The Government remains committed to open access to research publications in line with the recommendations of the 2012 Finch Group Report. Since Finch, the Government has provided £47m to support the transition to increased open access. A survey by the Publishers Association reported that within one year, as a result of UK policy, 70% of journals published open access immediately (‘Gold’) or included a Gold open access option, and 96% of journals had an embargo period of 24 months or less and 64% an embargo period of 12 months or less.

Research Councils UK (RCUK) has published guidance agreed by all of the parties involved in the Finch process. A panel set up by RCUK published a review of implementation of open access on 26 March 2015 and RCUK will issue its response in the summer. A UK Open Access Co-ordination Group has been set up to inform and guide implementation, including publishers, funders, and other key interests.

The Government recognises access to underlying research data as a complementary need to open access to research publications. We welcome the production of a Concordat on Open Data agreed across the research community, which will be published this summer.

9th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to encourage UK-based pharmaceutical companies to increase their contribution to global health research and development.

The UK life sciences sector, which includes pharmaceuticals, is one of the most productive in the world. The pharmaceuticals sector also remains the largest contributor to UK research and development, accounting for 22% of the total spend in 2013.

Since 2011, the Government has invested £2 billion in health and life science research, through the UK Research Councils, Innovate UK and the Department of Health’s research programme (National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)), leveraging over £3.5 billion of private sector investment, and making the UK the leading European destination for life science fundraising. Alongside, the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) has developed tools to help companies to deliver their research in the NHS to quality, time and target.

There has also been significant direct support to business including £232m of the £240m Biomedical Catalyst awarded to over 250 business and Higher Education Institutions, attracting £118m in industry match-funding and supporting fundamental research from discovery through to commercialisation to deliver patient benefit. The Regional Growth Fund and Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain provided over £92 million to 27 projects, leveraging a further £337 million. This funding has enabled companies from all parts of the life sciences sectors to invest in innovative research and development, and direct and indirect funding support for businesses and relevant wider infrastructure will continue to be available through successor public programmes.

The Small Business Research Initiative will continue to generate new business opportunities for companies, enabling the development of innovative products and services through the public procurement of research and development.

The Cell Therapy Catapult (CTC) Centre was set up to help translate promising scientific discoveries towards clinical impact for this new and emerging field. The CTC will be opening a world-leading manufacturing centre in Stevenage in 2017 to support companies to manufacture and supply Phase 3 clinical trials – important components of the research and development cycle.

Uptake and demand from the NHS for innovation complements industry investment in research and development in the UK by ensuring there is a market for new cost-effective products. The Accelerated Access review will make recommendations to Government by the end of this year, on accelerating access for NHS patients to cost-effective, innovative medicines and medical technologies.

The Early Access to Medicines Scheme (EAMS) provided a platform for drugs to be brought to patients at a much faster rate than ever before. Seven Promising Innovative Medicine (PIM) designations and the first early access Scientific Opinion were awarded in the first year. The Accelerated Access Review will include a review of the first year of EAMS.

Government has also introduced a series of measures through the taxation system to create the conditions for business growth and encourage business investment. These include R&D Tax Credits for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and relief for larger firms; The Patent Box; Enterprise Investment and Venture Capital Trust schemes as well as Entrepreneur’s Relief.

10th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the potential (a) environmental and (b) economic impact of the use by Government departments of data storage contracts signed since 2015.

The Central Digital and Data Office, in the Cabinet Office, does not hold a specific estimate of the environmental and economic impact of data storage contracts.

Improving sustainability is a commitment within the Transforming for a digital future: 2022 to 2025 roadmap for digital and data, and a requirement within the Technology Code of Practice, which is a set of criteria to help government design, build and buy technology.

Data storage requirements across departments will not solely be met through specific contracts for these services; they will be met through capital purchase of hardware and through agreements for broader services, such as the provision of cloud platforms, or of software-as-a-service solutions.

Alex Burghart
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
9th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of cross-departmental implementation of the Government Cloud First policy.

The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), in the Cabinet Office, is responsible for the Government’s Cloud strategy and for advising government departments on Cloud.

CDDO has a quarterly data commissioning process that collects metrics across a number of strategic areas including cloud adoption. Central government organisations report their estimated percentage of technology assets hosted on cloud. Further to this, CDDO operates the Quarterly Business Review, a joint Cabinet Office-HM Treasury assurance review of departmental delivery that allows CDDO to query departmental progress on implementing cloud first adoption.

Alex Burghart
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
9th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the changes to energy usage by the Government as a result of the use of Crown Hosting Data Centres.

Commercial benefit, as assessed by the Crown Commercial Service using third party market intelligence, shows that existing Government organisations save 51% by using Crown Hosting Data Centres.

On relocation of their back-office IT infrastructure to Crown Hosting, Government organisations typically save 75% of their costs, when comparing before and after relocation. Savings are made through a combination of energy efficiency and economy of scale of Crown Hosting.

Using data reported by the EU Resource Efficiency Coordination Action (EURECA) 2018 study, Crown Hosting reduces electricity consumption by approximately 300% compared to the average public sector data centre.

Alex Burghart
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
9th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the impact of the establishment of Crown Hosting Data Centres on the cost of data centre services for the Government in the last 12 months.

Commercial benefit, as assessed by the Crown Commercial Service using third party market intelligence, shows that existing Government organisations save 51% by using Crown Hosting Data Centres.

On relocation of their back-office IT infrastructure to Crown Hosting, Government organisations typically save 75% of their costs, when comparing before and after relocation. Savings are made through a combination of energy efficiency and economy of scale of Crown Hosting.

Using data reported by the EU Resource Efficiency Coordination Action (EURECA) 2018 study, Crown Hosting reduces electricity consumption by approximately 300% compared to the average public sector data centre.

Alex Burghart
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
20th Jan 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of homeless deaths in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) Hertfordshire and (d) Stevenage in each year since 2010.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

2nd Sep 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate his Department has made of the employment rate for disabled working people in each year from 2010 to 2016; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

17th Nov 2015
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many pupils are known to be (a) victims, (b) perpetrators of domestic assaults; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

16th Nov 2015
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many students in higher and further education have been recorded as victims of domestic assaults in each year since 2012.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

2nd Dec 2014
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish a timetable of the public land that will be made available for development in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

We recently launched the Government Property Finder which allows anyone to search and map data for Government property.

The Government's ambition is to release land with capacity for 100,000 homes by the end of March 2015. We are on track to deliver, if not exceed this, having so far released land for over 89,000 homes. Of this, land for over 25,000 homes was released between September 2013 and September 2014.

Following the Strategic Land and Property Review, Government announced at Budget 2014 that there was scope to release at least £5bn land and property between 2015 – 2020.

1st Dec 2014
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of producing a register of all public land available; and if he will make a statement.

We recently launched the Government Property Finder which allows anyone to search and map data for Government property.

The Government's ambition is to release land with capacity for 100,000 homes by the end of March 2015. We are on track to deliver, if not exceed this, having so far released land for over 89,000 homes. Of this, land for over 25,000 homes was released between September 2013 and September 2014.

Following the Strategic Land and Property Review, Government announced at Budget 2014 that there was scope to release at least £5bn land and property between 2015 – 2020.

1st Dec 2014
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the amount of public land released for development in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

We recently launched the Government Property Finder which allows anyone to search and map data for Government property.

The Government's ambition is to release land with capacity for 100,000 homes by the end of March 2015. We are on track to deliver, if not exceed this, having so far released land for over 89,000 homes. Of this, land for over 25,000 homes was released between September 2013 and September 2014.

Following the Strategic Land and Property Review, Government announced at Budget 2014 that there was scope to release at least £5bn land and property between 2015 – 2020.

12th Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy to cap the price of energy for GP surgeries.

The Energy Bill Relief Scheme for non-domestic customers was announced on 21 September and details can be found at the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/energy-bill-relief-scheme-help-for-businesses-and-other-non-domestic-customers

7th Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if she will make it her policy to abolish LEPs.

Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) continue to play an important role in providing a business voice to inform investment decisions and drive economic growth. Government continues to support LEPs in fully implementing the recommendations in the ‘Strengthening LEPs’ report, published in July 2018, in order to maximise this role.

25th Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps the Government has taken to ensure that (a) mothers and (b) people with primary care responsibilities have access to flexible working.

The 2014 revision to the Right to Request Flexible Working provided all employees with the same access to flexible working, seeking to eliminate the view that flexible working is only for parents/carers.

The Government is keen to ensure that the existing “right to request” legislation continues to have the desired effect and has committed to review its impact in 2020. Government has also announced that it will consult on asking employers to consider whether a job can be done flexibly, and to make that clear when advertising.

In parallel, the Government is looking to work with employers on a voluntary basis. We have established a Flexible Working Taskforce with representatives from across Whitehall, from key organisations like Carers UK and Working Families, the TUC and key business groups to promote wider understanding and implementation of flexible working practices.

30th Apr 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he has taken to increase workers rights.

On 17 December 2018 we published the Good Work Plan, which sets out our vision for the future of the labour market and our ambitious plan for implementing the recommendations arising from the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices.

Since publishing the Good Work Plan, we have passed legislation that means:

  • All workers receive a day one statement of rights setting out leave entitlements and pay;
  • An maximum additional penalty that Employment Tribunals can use quadrupling from £5,000 to £20,000, helping ensure workers are protected from employers who show malice, spite or gross oversight;
  • The ending of the Swedish Derogation, the legal loophole that enables some firms to pay agency workers on less than permanent staff, which will benefit up to 120,000 agency workers;
  • New agency workers will receive a key facts page before signing up with an agency, providing them with greater clarity, particularly around their pay; and
  • The threshold for an information and consultation request being reduced from 10% to 2% of employees, meaning a stronger voice in the workplace.

In delivering the Good Work Plan. we will also:

  • Legislate to make improvements to the clarity of employment status tests to reflect the reality of modern working relationships;
  • Bring forward proposals for consultation on creating a new, single labour market enforcement agency to better ensure that vulnerable workers are more aware of and can exercise their rights, and that businesses are more supported to comply with the law;
  • Enforce holiday pay for vulnerable workers;
  • Introduce a right to request a more predictable and stable contract;
  • Launch a new scheme to name and shame, for the first time, employers who fail to pay employment tribunal awards.
30th Apr 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps he has taken to increase support for businesses in Stevenage.

Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are playing a vital role in driving forward economic growth across the country, helping to build a country that works for everyone. That’s why by 2021 Government will have invested over £12bn through the Local Growth Fund, allowing LEPs to use their local knowledge to get all areas of the country firing on all cylinders.

The Government will have invested £160m Growth Deal funding in Hertfordshire by 2021, and the LEP was allocated £16.2m Growing Places Funding. The LEP has prioritised spending on science, research and innovation, developing skills, cultivating world-leading sectors and supporting businesses to start up and grow. In Stevenage, this has included allocating £1.2m to the Airbus Foundation Discovery Space.

Since 2012, the Start-Up Loans Programme has delivered 71 loans in Stevenage, worth £487, 289 to small businesses.

25th Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps his Department has taken to tackle the spread of disinformation and fake news online.

Disinformation is one of the harms in scope of the new regulatory framework for online safety, announced in the Online Harms White Paper. Under this framework, companies will be expected to take proactive but proportionate measures to limit the spread of disinformation on their platforms and help their users understand the information they are receiving.

The White Paper also sets out our plans to develop an Online Media Literacy Strategy to empower users to manage their online safety and make informed choices about online content. We are currently consulting on the measures proposed in the White Paper, and will provide more detail on our approach to tackling disinformation in the Government response to that consultation, which we intend to publish by the end of the year.

We are also considering a wide range of other initiatives to tackle the spread of disinformation and build our population’s resilience. This includes further research to understand the scale, scope and impact of disinformation, as well as continuing work with the tech sector to develop technological responses and strengthen the online environment.

25th Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle social isolation in older people through the digital sector.

Government is committed to helping older people acquire basic digital skills as part of its broader strategy to reduce digital exclusion, as outlined in the Digital Strategy. Through its £400,000 Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, the Government is supporting three pilot projects aimed at addressing the digital exclusion of older and disabled people. There is evidence that tackling digital exclusion helps mitigate social isolation; The Future Digital Inclusion Programme, funded by DfE and run by Good Things Foundation, shows that 61% are less lonely and 76% feel more connected following involvement in the programme.

Government’s £1million Tech to Connect challenge prize, delivered by Nesta, will fund organisations to tackle social isolation using tech innovation. This will benefit a broad range of groups including older people.

Mims Davies
Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities
14th May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps is he taking to ensure that social media companies tackle the advertising of online sales of knives and other weapons used in violent crime.

Tackling serious violence is a top priority for the government through measures set out in the Serious Violence Strategy and further initiatives to tackle knife crime and serious violence more generally, including the Offensive Weapons Act which received Royal Assent on 16 May.

The Online Harms White Paper, published in April, sets out plans for a regulatory framework to further ensure companies take action to address online harmful behaviour, including the sale of weapons and other illegal goods and services. A new statutory duty of care will require companies to take more responsibility for harm caused by content or activity on their services. Compliance with this duty of care will be overseen and enforced by an independent regulator. The regulator will issue codes of practice on what companies need to do to fulfil their duty of care, working with law enforcement for codes of practice on illegal harms to ensure they adequately keep pace with the threat.

19th Mar 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure the safety of children and young people online.

The DCMS and Home Office Online Harms White Paper, due to be published in the coming weeks , will contain a range of legislative and non-legislative measures, setting out definitive plans to tackle a wide range of harms that users, including children and young people face online.

DCMS have worked closely with the Department for Education on the new Relationships and Sex Education curriculum guidance to ensure that relationships in digital environments are represented and children are educated about staying safe online.

24th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will announce a timetable for the Independent Review into the secondary ticketing market.

The Government will be appointing an independent chair for the review, and will make an announcement on this as soon as possible. It will be the responsibility of the chair to set out the timetable for conducting the review, which is due to report back to government by May 2016.

26th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to help support (a) children with (i) a vision impairment and (ii) dyslexia and (b) other children to access the (A) RNIB bookshare service and (B) other book sharing services.

The department aims for all children and young people, to receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life, including those with visual impairments, dyslexia and other neurodiverse conditions. The department is creating a new single national Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) system which will focus on how needs are identified and met across Education, Health and Care. This new single national system will set standards on what support should be made available in mainstream settings, including for children with visual impairments, and when specialist provision, including AP, is most appropriate for meeting a child or young person’s needs.

Early identification of need and support is critical to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND, including those with dyslexia. The department already has numerous measures to help teachers do this, including the Phonics Screening Check and statutory assessments at the ends of key stage 1 and 2. The department has also introduced a package of measures to support the effective teaching of reading, including for those at risk of falling behind. This includes the launch of the English Hubs programme; the publication of the Reading Framework; and an updated list of high-quality phonics programmes for schools.

The department is committed to ensure a steady supply of teachers of children with visual impairments in both specialist and mainstream settings. To teach a class of pupils with visual impairments, a teacher is required to hold the relevant mandatory qualification in sensory impairment (MQSI). There are currently six providers of the MQSI, with a seventh from September 2024. In addition, the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) is developing a new occupational standard for teachers of sensory impairment, expected to launch in 2025.

On 11 July 2023, the department published an updated version of the Reading Framework. The Reading Framework includes guidance on teaching reading to pupils with moderate to severe SEND and complex needs. It is primarily aimed at mainstream schools where, with the right support, the vast majority of pupils will be able to make expected progress.

It is for individual schools to decide how best to provide and maintain a library service for their pupils, including whether to employ a qualified librarian. Many head teachers recognise the important role school libraries play in improving literacy and encouraging pupils to read for pleasure and ensure that suitable library facilities are provided.

17th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to confirm Primary PE and Sports Premium funding allocations for young children.

The department is aware of the importance of giving primary schools as much notice as possible of the funding for the PE and sport premium in order to support its effective use. The department will confirm the level of funding for the PE and sport premium for the 2022/23 academic year in due course.

30th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to announce future plans for primary PE and sport premium funding.

The department is considering arrangements for the primary PE and sport premium for the 2022-23 academic year and beyond and will confirm the position as early as possible in the new year.

16th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to announce Additional High Needs funding to March 2024; and whether he plans that funding will be based on an assessment of local need rather than historical spend.

As a part of our major investment in education, the department has announced significant increases to high needs funding. This year, we have already provided an £780 million increase into high needs, which will be followed up by an additional £730 million in the 2021-22 financial year. This means that the high needs budgets will have grown by over £1.5 billion, nearly 25%, in just 2 years.

High needs funding for the 2022-23 financial year will be drawn from the overall core schools budget. As announced last year, the core school budget for the 2022-23 financial year will total £52.2 billion, which is a year-on-year increase of £4.8 billion. We will announce the high needs budget for 2022-23 in due course. Funding for the 2023-24 financial year will be determined in the next Spending Review.

This additional high needs funding will be allocated via the high needs national funding formula. This formula was introduced in the 2018-19 financial year after extensive consultation and was a significant step forward in making the allocation of funding fairer. The formula is based on the population of 2 to 18-year olds in a local authority area, and includes a number of factors which together are intended to reflect the level of need in the area.

1st Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what Government support is available to help small tutoring companies become an approved Tuition Partner; and if he will make a statement.

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), our delivery partner on the Tuition Partner strand of the National Tutoring Programme (NTP), launched the funding criteria on 31 August. Organisations will be selected to become NTP Tuition Partners through an open competition - the process is transparently set out on their website, together with information on criteria and expectations of partners: https://nationaltutoring.org.uk/ntp-tuition-partners/for-tuition-partners.

As this is a competitive process, there are no plans to offer specific support for individual companies. Quality is the core principle of this programme, and EEF are seeking high quality tutoring organisations of any size, who can manage delivery in line with robust quality, safeguarding and evaluation standards. EEF anticipate inviting a large number of organisations to be Tuition Partners. In addition to existing tutoring providers, EEF are happy to accept applications from other organisations, for example, charities, local authorities or universities who are able to meet the necessary criteria. Applications will also be welcome from partnerships made up of a number of organisations with differing, but relevant, experience.

EEF will not have an appeals system for this process. They will, however, offer feedback on all applications, to help unsuccessful applicants understand how they might improve their offer in the future.

28th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate he has made of the cost of extending 30 hours' free childcare to 52 weeks a year.

All the free early education and childcare entitlements can be ‘stretched’ by taking fewer hours per week over up to 52 weeks of the year to cover term-time and the school holidays, for example 23 hours for 48 weeks of the year, and free places can be delivered at weekends.

No estimate has been made of the cost of 30 hours’ free childcare for 52 weeks of the year.

14th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will extend the free childcare entitlement to the equivalent of 30 hours a week for 52 weeks of the year.

The Department plans to spend around £3.5 billion on early education entitlements this year alone. Government funding is intended to deliver 570 or 1140 hours a year, over no fewer than 38 weeks of the year of free, high quality, flexible childcare for eligible 2, 3 and 4 year olds. This equates to 15 or 30 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year to mirror school terms.

All the free entitlements can be “stretched” by taking fewer hours per week over up to 52 weeks of the year to cover term-time and the school holidays and free places can also be delivered at weekends (for example, 23 hours a week for 48 weeks of the year). These entitlements will allow providers to respond flexibly to parents’ individual needs and requirements so that parents are supported to work.

2nd Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to support deaf children’s education in the upcoming Spending Review.

Our ambition for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including hearing impairments, is exactly the same as for every other child and young person, to achieve well in school and college, find employment and go on to live happy and fulfilled lives.

Over 90% of children identified with hearing impairment as their primary type of need are in mainstream schools. Overall school funding is over £43.5 billion this year. This includes £6.3 billion of high needs funding for children and young people with the most complex SEND, up from £5 billion in 2013.

However, we are well aware that local authorities and schools are facing challenges in managing their budgets in the context of increasing costs and rising levels of demand. We are looking carefully at how much funding for education will be needed in future years, as we approach the next Spending Review.

25th Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department taking to fund performing arts education for young people under 18 years-old.

Performing arts education is an important part of a broad and balanced curriculum and should not be the preserve of the elite, but the entitlement of every child. Between 2016-20, the Government is providing almost £500 million funding for a range of creative and performance arts education programmes including the Music and Dance Scheme, and the Dance and Drama Awards.

The Government is also funding performing arts education through their Youth Performance Partnerships scheme which brings arts organisations and schools together to teach practical performance skills both on and off stage. The scheme is providing £5 million in funding between 2018-21 and aims to provide new opportunities for children and young people (aged 8-18) from areas of low cultural engagement and high levels of deprivation to take part in putting on productions, as well as developing backstage and technical skills including dance, art, creative writing, lighting, sound and set design. The Youth Performance Partnerships will be delivered by Arts Council England and will reach 10,000 young people.

20th May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to encourage more women into apprenticeships.

Women are well-represented in terms of overall apprenticeship starts. In the first half of 2018/19, 47% of apprenticeship starts were by women, which is an increase from 45.8% for the equivalent period in 2017/18.

However, we also want to make sure that more women are able to access apprenticeships in traditionally male-dominated fields as well as in fields that offer the highest returns. Starts by women in the construction, planning and the built environment sector increased by 36.7% in the first half of 2018/19, compared to the same period in 2017/18, from 790 starts to 1,080 starts.

Through the Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network (ADCN), we are championing gender representation in apprenticeships amongst employers in industries where improvement is needed. This includes making sure that more women can access science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) apprenticeships and it is encouraging to see the progress that is being made. For example, ADCN member GlaxoSmithKline are well ahead of their aim to achieve 25% of women representation in their STEM apprenticeships. Women now make up 47% of their UK intake. The ADCN has recently published an update on its work which can be found at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/802200/ADCN-Report-2019-LR-v2.pdf.

Furthermore, we are working to raise awareness of apprenticeships and the benefits that they bring to people of all backgrounds. Our ‘Fire It Up’ communication campaign seeks to change the way that people think about apprenticeships and to demonstrate that they are an aspirational choice for anyone. ‘Fire It Up’ advertising features apprentices from a diverse range of backgrounds and showcases female apprentices in STEM occupations.

30th Apr 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps his Department has taken to improve the outcomes of children with special educational needs and disability.

The department is taking steps to ensure every child and young person with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can achieve highly in education, find employment and lead happy and fulfilled lives.

We have established a SEND System Leadership Board that will focus on improving how local health, education and social care partners can plan better, commission strategically and work jointly to provide services and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission continue to inspect local areas to identify strengths and weaknesses in relation to children and young people with SEND. Where there are concerns, the local area is required to produce a Written Statement of Action. The area will be revisited within 18 months to ensure improvements have been made.

To support local authorities, we have provided an additional £250 million in high needs funding up to 2020 on top of the funding increases we had already committed. This brings the total allocation for high needs in 2019-20 to £6.3 billion and will help local authorities to manage the significant pressures on their high needs budgets.

30th Apr 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that schools receive equitable levels of funding under the national funding formula.

The national funding formula (NFF) will mean that, for the first time, school funding will be distributed based on the specific characteristics of every school and pupil in the country. It is directing money where it is most needed – not accidents of geography or history.

Schools are already benefitting from the gains delivered by the NFF. This year, all schools are attracting an increase of at least 1% per pupil compared to their 2017-18 baselines. Those schools that have been historically underfunded will attract up to 6% more per pupil compared to 2017-18, as we continue to address historic unfairness. Details of the NFF beyond 2019-20 are subject to the next Spending Review.

Local authorities continue to have some flexibility on how this funding is distributed locally, in consultation with schools. Flexibility allows local authorities, in consultation with their schools, to smooth the transition toward the NFF, where this represents a significant change.

10th Jul 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress she has made on her plans to abolish SATs at Key Stage 1; and if she will make a statement.

In March, we published a consultation document, ‘Primary Assessment in England’, which set out a number of proposals to improve the primary assessment system. One of those proposals was that a new assessment should be introduced in the reception year, to provide a new baseline for measuring the progress that pupils make at primary school. One of the potential benefits of introducing such an assessment would be that schools could receive greater credit for the education that they provide during reception, Year 1 and Year 2.

We made it clear that, once this new baseline assessment had become established, and its data available to calculate progress measures for pupils reaching the end of Key Stage 2, we would no longer require data from statutory assessments currently administered at the end of Key Stage 1.

We sought views on whether those Key Stage 1 assessments should be made non-statutory.

The consultation exercise closed on 22 June, and we will be publishing our response in due course. The consultation document is available to read at:

www.gov.uk/government/consultations/primary-assessment-in-england.

28th Jun 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will (a) introduce legislation and (b) issue guidance requiring schools to publish details of their annual budgets on their websites.

The Department publishes the schools block allocations for individual maintained schools and academies in November each year. Details of the allocations for 2016 to 2017 are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-block-funding-allocations-2016-to-2017.

Information on income and expenditure in local authority maintained schools (for financial years of April to March) is published in December each year and can be found on the school performance website at: https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/download-data.

Information on income and expenditure in academy schools (for academic/financial years of September to August) is published in July each year and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-local-authority-school-finance-data.

22nd Jun 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to publish school leaders' remuneration on school websites; and if she will make a statement.

Schools are autonomous institutions, run by the head teacher, under the control of the governing body which has responsibility for staffing matters within the school. Therefore, publishing school leaders’ remuneration on school websites is a matter for individual schools.

The current School Workforce Statistical First Release (published by the Department on 22 June), however, gives the numbers of teachers, including leadership teachers and heads, who fall into salary bands and the average salary. The publication can be found here.

22nd Jun 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to increase transparency in school budgets for parents; and if she will make a statement.

The Department publishes information annually on income and expenditure for maintained schools and academies.

Data on income and expenditure for academies is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-and-expenditure-in-academies-in-england-2014-to-2015

Data on income and expenditure for maintained schools is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/la-and-school-expenditure-2015-to-2016-financial-year.

We know that the way funding is distributed to schools in England is currently unfair and opaque. That is why we recently consulted on a national funding formula for schools, and why we will deliver on our commitment to make funding fairer and more transparent.

We received over 25,000 responses to the consultation, which we are analysing in detail. We are grateful to all those who expressed their views on school funding and the proposed formula as part of this process. We will publish the response to the consultation in due course.

16th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many pupils have been suspended from school for having committed domestic assaults in each year since 2012; and if she will make a statement.

The Department for Education does not hold information on exclusions linked with domestic assault.

The latest available data on exclusions, including reasons for exclusions, was published in the Statistical First Release ‘Permanent and Fixed Period Exclusions from Schools in England 2013/14’ on 30 July 2015 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/permanent-and-fixed-period-exclusions-in-england-2013-to-2014

Any violence in school is unacceptable. We encourage all schools to take reasonable and proportionate measures to ensure security. The government has also introduced a range of powers for teachers to ensure discipline, behaviour and safety are maintained. We have introduced new search powers, no-notice detentions, and have ensured that the final decision on whether to reinstate permanently excluded pupils rests with schools.

4th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to (a) regulate freelance tutors and (b) ensure that such tutors have an enhanced DBS check in order to safeguard children.

It is the responsibility of any school or parent to assure themselves that they are entirely satisfied as to the suitability of any freelance tutor they might choose to employ before they engage them. Private tutors have several options open to them to enable them to obtain appropriate checks in order to provide employers with the assurances they might need. For example, employment agencies are required to process DBS checks for all tutors working with children.

It is of course a serious criminal offence to seek to work with children in regulated activity after having been barred from doing so.