Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Department for Education policies have been assessed against the Family Test; and whether they will publish any such assessments.

The Department for Work and Pensions published guidance for departments and officials on how the Family Test should be applied when formulating policy and my department follows that guidance, which is attached and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/family-test-assessing-the-impact-of-policies-on-families.

We do not hold a central record of the amount of policies assessed against the Family Test as it is an integral part of the policy making process. It is applied in a proportionate way in the development of all new policy in line with the Family Test guidance. As a result potential impacts of policy on family functioning and relationships have been identified and brought to the attention of Ministers where appropriate, and as part of the normal process of agreeing policy.

We have published assessments of the impact on families on a number of occasions when legislation was introduced to Parliament.

The Childcare Act 2016 assessment can be found attached and also at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childcare-bill-impact-assessment.

The Education and Adoption Act 2016 assessment can be found attached and also at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-and-adoption-bill-impact-assessment.

The Higher Education and Research Act 2017 assessment has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and can also be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/528005/bis-16-295-he-research-bill-detailed-impact-assessment.pdf.

The Children & Social Work Act 2017 assessment has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and can also be found at: https://www.parliament.uk/documents/impact-assessments/IA16-008.pdf.