Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of the responses by the University and College Union and relevant university authorities to complaints by students of anti-Semitism and violence perpetrated by fellow students and staff.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department is deeply concerned about the growth in antisemitic incidents on campus since the 7 October terrorist attacks against Israel and this government takes antisemitism extremely seriously. Departmental officials have assessed evidence of antisemitism and racial hatred linked to incidents at English universities. There is an online "Reporting Extremism" page from where members of the public can raise concerns to the department directly. Where concerns have arisen, officials have reached out to relevant universities to understand what actions they have taken, including reporting issues to the police where appropriate.
The department is also concerned to see antisemitic motions being passed at some universities. The department urges universities to crack down on inflammatory, politically motivated displays of support for a proscribed terrorist organisation, and on demonstrations which make Jewish staff and students feel unsafe.
My right hon. Friend, The Secretary of State for Education and my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education (HE), wrote to all schools, colleges and universities on 11 October, urging them to respond swiftly to hate-related incidents and actively reassure Jewish students that they can study without fear of harassment or intimidation. Minister Halfon wrote again to Vice Chancellors on 16 November, further emphasising the use of disciplinary measures and the importance of police engagement, as well as the suspension of student visas where the student is a foreign national and requested that the universities review its policies and procedures to ensure that they remain fit for purpose at this challenging time. This was one of the key actions set out in the five-point plan for tackling antisemitism in HE, which was published on 5 November. A link to more information can be found here: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2023/11/05/how-were-protecting-jewish-students-on-university-campuses/.
Asked by: Matthew Offord (Conservative - Hendon)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help prevent children taking part in anti-Israel demonstrations during school times.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
While the department wants all want young people to be engaged in the issues that affect them and the wider world, the government is crystal clear that missing school for political activism is unacceptable and should not be condoned.
The department has been monitoring events closely and has written to all schools and local authorities supporting headteachers and teachers in taking firm action. Schools and local authorities should set clear expectations to parents on attendance, confirming that absence for this kind of activity should be treated as unauthorised. The department has been clear that school leaders and local authorities should be enforcing attendance policies, and they should take immediate action where these policies have been breached. In the most egregious cases this can mean fines or prosecution. The department has shared this communication with Ofsted to ensure all inspectors are clear on the position.
This does not mean shutting down appropriate and sensitive discussions about these issues. It is important that children are taught about global events and that they are encouraged to think about how these events affect them and their communities. Schools offer children the opportunity to do that in a safe and controlled environment, but the law is clear that schools must remain politically impartial. Schools must not promote partisan political views and should ensure the balanced treatment of political issues. The department has published clear and comprehensive guidance which should help those working with and in schools to better understand legal duties on political impartiality. The guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools.
Asked by: Peter Kyle (Labour - Hove)
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.
Asked by: Peter Kyle (Labour - Hove)
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.
Asked by: Peter Kyle (Labour - Hove)
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.
Asked by: Peter Kyle (Labour - Hove)
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.
Asked by: Lord Pendry (Labour - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Peter Kyle (Labour - Hove)
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.
Asked by: Peter Kyle (Labour - Hove)
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.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment he has made of the welfare of children living in Gaza.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The UK continually monitors the humanitarian situation in Gaza. We are concerned by the high levels of poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, and the impacts of the humanitarian situation on children. The World Health Organisation (WHO) in a report on 31 May titled ‘The Gaza trauma response’, noted that from 30th March 2018 to 30th March 2019, during the ‘Great March of Return’ demonstrations, 172 people became permanently disabled because of their injuries, of whom 36 were children.
The UK is committed to help the growing needs of approximately 1.5 million registered refugees in Gaza through support to the UN Refugees and Works Agency (UNRWA). Between 2019-2020, the UK will provide up to £80m to UNRWA. UNRWA runs over 274 schools and educates over 278,000 children in Gaza. We are providing £2 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to help support several of the most urgent health needs in Gaza, including drugs, surgical equipment and physical rehabilitation for people with disabilities. We have recently announced £1.6m aid to the World Health Organisation Appeal, which will support trauma medical treatment in the Gaza Strip, including establishment of a new limb reconstruction centre.