Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what actions they are taking to assist society in tackling homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools.

Homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying is unacceptable and the government is committed to tackling it.

Individuals who are, or are perceived to be, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, are disproportionately affected by bullying. Bullying can have a devastating effect on individuals, blighting their education and damaging their mental health.

In September 2016, we announced a £3 million programme from 2016-2019 to prevent and address homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in a sustainable way. This programme focuses on primary and secondary schools in England, which currently have no or few effective measures in place.

We have published new cyberbullying guidance, attached, and an online safety toolkit for schools is available at: http://www.childnet.com/resources/school-pack-for-online-safety-awareness. Funded by government and developed by the UK Safer Internet Centre, these resources will help provide advice to schools on understanding, preventing and responding to cyberbullying.