Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the prevalence of covid-19 anti-vaccination protests outside school gates (a) nationally, (b) regionally and (c) by local authority.

Answered by Robin Walker

The right to peaceful protest is a vital part of a democratic society. However, this does not extend to unlawful behaviour, and it is never acceptable for anyone to intimidate pupils and teachers. Should a protest contravene the law, the police have comprehensive powers to deal with activities that spread hate or deliberately raise tensions through violence or public disorder. The use of these powers and the management of demonstrations are an operational matter for the police.

Through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, the government is introducing new measures which will allow the police to take a more proactive approach in managing highly disruptive protests.

Separately, the Department for Education and the UK Health Security Agency have provided information in guidance for schools on how to handle any misinformation or disruption. In the event of a protest or disruptive activity outside a school, or if schools know a protest is planned, they should alert the School Age Immunisation Service provider, local authority and local police contacts to discuss the best way to manage the situation.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many incidents of anti covid-19 vaccination protestors harassing schools and pupils have been recorded in 2021 as of 22 November 2021.

Answered by Robin Walker

The department continues to closely monitor anti-vaccination activity occurring around schools alongside the Department of Health and Social Care and other government departments.

There is a close working relationship between the vaccine programme, local police, local authorities and other partners to gather intelligence and provide proportionate mitigations to keep people safe.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many anti-vaccination protestors have been arrested for harassment and intimidation outside school gates since September 2021.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

The Home Office does not centrally hold data regarding the number of anti-vaccination protesters arrested outside of school gates since September 2021.

The use of powers to manage protests is an operational decision for the police. Through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, the Government is introducing new measures which will allow the police to take a more proactive approach in managing highly disruptive protests.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has held discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on the targeting of schools by anti-vaccine protestors.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

Officials at the Home Office have been working closely with counterparts at the Department of Education on the issue of anti-vaccination protests outside of schools.

The Department for Education and the UK Health Security Agency have provided information in guidance for schools on how to handle any misinformation or disruption. Furthermore, the police have comprehensive powers to intervene should protesters contravene the law.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that no children are harmed during the anti-vaccination protests outside schools.

Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

It is never acceptable for anyone to pressurise or intimidate pupils, teachers or the wider school community, and protestors engaging in this type of behaviour should immediately bring it to an end.

The department has provided guidance for schools on how to handle any misinformation or disruption, details of which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-resources-for-schools/covid-19-vaccination-programme-for-children-and-young-people-guidance-for-schools. In the event of a protest or disruptive activity outside a school, or if schools know a protest is planned, they should alert the School Age Immunisation Service provider, local authority and local police contacts to discuss the best way to manage the situation.

Should a protest contravene the law, the police have comprehensive powers to deal with activities that spread hate or deliberately raise tensions through violence or public disorder. This does not negate the right to peaceful protest.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what resources she plans to make available to schools to prevent anti-vaccine protestors disrupting pupils and staff.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

The right to peaceful protest is a vital part of a democratic society. However, this does not extend to unlawful behaviour and it is never acceptable for anyone to intimidate pupils and teachers. Should a protest contravene the law, the police have comprehensive powers to deal with activities that spread hate or deliberately raise tensions through violence or public disorder. The use of these powers and the management of demonstrations are an operational matter for the police.

Through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, the Government is introducing new measures which will allow the police to take a more proactive approach in managing highly disruptive protests.

Separately, the Department for Education and the UK Health Security Agency have provided information in guidance for schools on how to handle any misinformation or disruption. In the event of a protest or disruptive activity outside a school, or if schools know a protest is planned, they should alert the School Age Immunisation Service provider, local authority and local police contacts to discuss the best way to manage the situation.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to stop anti-vaccination protestors disrupting schools.

Answered by Robin Walker

It is never acceptable for anyone to pressurise or intimidate pupils, teachers or the wider school community, and protestors engaging in this type of behaviour should immediately bring it to an end.

The department has provided information in guidance for schools on how to handle any misinformation or disruption. In the event of a protest or disruptive activity outside a school, or if schools know a protest is planned, they should alert the School Age Immunisation Service provider, local authority and local police contacts to discuss the best way to manage the situation.

Should a protest contravene the law, the police have comprehensive powers to deal with activities that spread hate or deliberately raise tensions through violence or public disorder.  This does not negate the right to peaceful protest.