Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 19 February 2008
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan
As my right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary informed the House earlier, we understand the need to have in place a UN special representative able to undertake with real authority the co-ordination of the international effort to improve Afghan security and reconstruction. We are talking to the United Nations and working towards the appointment of a special representative as a matter of urgency.
The appointment is a matter for the UN Secretary-General. His spokesperson said on 8 February that work was ongoing. We hope an early appointment will be made, to allow more effective co-ordination of the international effort.
Kenya
The Government welcome the progress made by the Kenyan Government and the opposition in negotiations under the mediation of Kofi Annan. We urge Kenya’s leaders to establish the basis for a lasting solution.
My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch Brown, has had regular conversations with Kofi Annan. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed the mediation process with Kofi Annan on 8 February and reaffirmed our support for his work and for a sustainable outcome for the Kenyan people.
Kosovo
On 17 February the Kosovo Parliamentary Assembly passed a resolution that declared Kosovo independent, committing Kosovo to fully implement UN Special Envoy Ahtisaari’s Comprehensive Proposal, including extensive minority safeguards and international supervision.
The UK has decided to recognise Kosovo’s independence and establish diplomatic relations. Thus far we understand that at least 18 countries have indicated their intention to recognise Kosovo. We anticipate more will do so shortly.
Zimbabwe
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised Zimbabwe during the UN General Assembly in September 2007. He underlined the need for UN action to support African leadership and to tackle economic and social devastation in Zimbabwe. Our embassy in Harare holds regular discussions with the UN Development Programme office there regarding human rights, democracy and good governance.
India
The UK enjoys a strategic partnership with India and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s recent visit to New Delhi further strengthened this partnership, when progress was made on a range of bilateral and wider international issues.
Middle East Peace Process
The Government support the political, economic and security elements of the peace process. We are committed to taking forward the Annapolis process to achieve a two-state solution. In support of the Palestinian economy, we committed up to £243 million over three years, linked to political progress. We will co-sponsor the Bethlehem Private Investors Conference and host the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee in London. We are contributing to security sector reform.
The UK condemns suicide bombing. The attack in Dimona on 4 February was the first in Israel for 12 months. Terrorist atrocities must never deflect us from our goal of just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution. The UK continues to support leaders whose commitments at Annapolis and since have given Palestinians and Israelis the best chance of progress in seven years.
Burma
The Government are deeply concerned at the continued lack of progress towards democracy in Burma. On 9 February the Burmese regime announced its intention to hold a referendum on a new constitution in May this year and elections in 2010. However, if any process is to lead to national reconciliation, all stakeholders must be allowed to participate and political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, must be freed.
Pakistan
Parliamentary and provincial elections took place in Pakistan yesterday. It was an important opportunity for the people of Pakistan to exercise their democratic voice.
The UK took part in the EU election observation mission, which is still working in Pakistan. We expect that it will give its preliminary assessment on the election process tomorrow.
Iran
Iran is pursuing enrichment activities and heavy water projects in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions requiring it to suspend those activities and reprocessing. Their realisation would give Iran the capability to produce nuclear weapons. Iran’s development of these technologies is not necessary for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. If Iran suspends its proliferation activities, the E3+3 will negotiate a long-term agreement that would transform the international community’s relationship with Iran.
Hamas
The policy of the Quartet on engagement with Hamas remains based on its three Quartet principles: non-violence; recognition of Israel; and acceptance of previous agreements, including the road map. These principles are not set unreasonably high and remain the fundamental conditions for a viable peace process. We hope that Hamas will accept the principles and grasp the opportunity for dialogue and progress.
The Balkans
I refer the right hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary’s reply to the hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire (Mr. Vara) today (UIN 186594).
The UK recognises how difficult Kosovo’s independence is for Serbia. But we believe that it is in Serbia’s long-term interest.
Having closed this final chapter in the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia, we are determined to support a peaceful and prosperous region moving towards a sustainable, stable European future.
Bilateral Relations
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's recent visit to China strengthened UK-China relations. As a result of his visit a new trade target was announced; new areas of co-operation on climate change, sustainable cities, education, health, science and Olympics links.
British Overseas Territories: Administration of Justice
There are chief justices in the following Overseas Territories: Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the Falkland Islands (including South Georgia), Gibraltar, St. Helena and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The procedures concerning the dismissal of the chief justices in the Overseas Territories are set out in their constitutions. These procedures provide protection against arbitrary dismissal and are compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and other international norms and treaty obligations.
Burundi: Elections
The Government will work to ensure that the conditions and resources are in place for holding peaceful, free and fair elections in 2010. With UN Peacebuilding Commission partners, we are urging that international expertise and resources be put in place for establishing an independent electoral commission. We expect the European Commission to include Burundi in its election monitoring and assistance work. Successful elections would promote peace and stability in Burundi.
Chad: France
The UK has worked through multilateral fora, namely the United Nations and the European Union, to discuss the international response to the rebel incursions in Chad, and to work towards longer term solutions. These discussions have included the French authorities, along with other international partners.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to the French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner, on 11 February to discuss, among other topics, the situation in Chad and to thank him for his country’s help in evacuating British nationals from N’Djamena. He was also contacted by Mr. Kouchner over the weekend of 2/3 February regarding Chad. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have been in regular contact with French Foreign Ministry officials concerning Chad, particularly regarding the evacuation of British nationals.
Chad: Peace Negotiations
The Government are fully supportive of the African Union's efforts to find lasting solutions to the conflict in Chad and welcomes the appointment of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi of Libya and Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville as mediators.
The UK supported the UN Security Council presidential statement of 4 February 2008, which gave backing to the mediators. The UN statement also echoed the African Union in
“strongly condemning the attacks perpetrated by armed groups against the Chadian government, demanding to put an immediate end to the violence and calling on all the countries of the region to respect the unity and territorial integrity of the member states of the African Union”.
Chad: Peacekeeping Operations
The security situation in Chad remains unstable following rebel incursions into the capital, N'Djamena, on 2 February. As of 11 February 2008, the security situation in Chad is calmer, with Chadian rebel groups having retreated from N'Djamena. However, conditions on the ground have been changing rapidly. The UN estimates that over 30,000 people were forced to flee into neighbouring Cameroon as a result of the fighting, though many are now returning. There have been eye-witness reports of widespread looting in N'Djamena.
Deployment of the European Union mission to Chad (EUFOR), was delayed temporarily due to fighting in western Chad. However, Lieutenant General Nash, the EUFOR operation commander, indicated on 7 February that deployment could recommence with immediate effect. The EU agreed on 8 February that the mission should resume deployment, but agreed also to follow closely the evolution of the situation in relation to the mission.
China: Sudan
[holding answer 18 February 2008]: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister agreed with Chinese Premier Wen, when they met during the UK-China Summit from 18-19 January, that both countries were keen to see a resolution to the Darfur conflict. Following their meeting, the Chinese Premier called on the parties to the conflict in Darfur to “realise a complete ceasefire in Darfur and reach a comprehensive peace agreement through negotiation”.
When I visit China later this month I will continue to encourage China to use its influence in Khartoum to work for a solution to the Darfur conflict and support implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We have also agreed with China that the Special Representatives of China and the UK on Darfur will work together for the early realisation of peace, stability and development in Darfur.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Detainees
The UN’s mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is in contact with the Congolese authorities regarding the detention of Major Mbokolo Wawa and Captain Kawende. We have not made representations on this issue ourselves.
We and our international partners in the DRC, including the EU and UN, have registered our concerns at the conduct of the investigation and subsequent trial of Pastor Kutino with the Congolese on several occasions. The UN is in regular contact with the Congolese authorities on the issue of his treatment.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Prisoners
We have called on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) authorities to respect international humanitarian law and human rights conventions. The UK remains in close contact on human rights issues with the UN mission in the DRC and with EU partners, through the local EU human rights forum. The UK supported the EU presidency’s call in August 2007 for the DRC to meet its human rights obligations. We will continue to urge the DRC to uphold international human rights standards, including the treatment of people in custody.
The UK makes a significant contribution to the EU’s programme on security sector reform in the DRC. One of the aims of this project is to promote accountability and awareness of human rights among members of the DRC’s armed forces and its security and justice sectors.
Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisors
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Brent, East (Sarah Teather) on 14 January, Official Report, column 852W.
Departmental Public Relations
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) contracts and the resultant expenditure specifically for public relations, are not categorised separately from that for external consultancy as a whole. The information the hon. Member requests could, therefore, be provided only at disproportionate cost.
However, annual expenditure on external consultants or consultancies as a whole, is published in the FCO’s annual departmental reports, copies of which are available on the FCO website at:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029395438
Departmental Publications
During calendar year 2007, the following public information booklets were published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) centrally.
The following table shows the numbers of copies and the overall cost of the publication.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Directorate/Department Name of Publication Print Run Costs (£) Communication Directorate ‘FCO Departmental Report 2006’ 1,400 40,493 Communication Directorate ‘Your World’ 5,016 8,300 Communication Directorate ‘Stern Report Executive Summary’ English—8,500 66,075 French—1,250 Spanish—1,750 Portuguese—325 Czech—500 Slovak—500 Chinese (Traditional)—800 Hungarian—300 Japanese—1,000 Indonesian—1,000 Brazilian Portuguese—750 Communication Directorate ‘Muslims in Britain’ 3,000 3,028 Consular Directorate ‘Victims of Crime’ 10,000 2,206 Consular Directorate ‘International Child Abduction’ 10,000 1,385 Consular Directorate ‘Transfers Home’ 10,000 1,580 Consular Directorate ’Checklist for Travellers’ 4 million 36,200 Consular Directorate ‘Support for British Nationals (summary)’ 700,000 34,994 Consular Directorate ‘Child Abduction’ 10,000 1,350 Consular Directorate ‘Passport to Extreme Fun’ 20,000 4,944 Consular Directorate ‘Rape and Sexual Assault’ 10,000 2,100 European Union Directorate ‘Guide to the EU’—Welsh 1,000 2,439 Human Rights Department ‘Annual Report on Human Rights 2006’ 400 2,750
The FCOs overseas posts and its non-departmental public bodies also occasionally commission public information booklets, but details are not recorded centrally.
Information about the costs could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Diplomatic Service: Complaints
This information is not held centrally. Responsibility for protests and other diplomatic communications to Ministries of Foreign Affairs is devolved to embassies. Compiling this information would be disproportionately costly.
Ethiopia: Terrorism
Where suitable opportunities arise and we are satisfied that human rights concerns are being met, we remain interested in assisting Ethiopia to develop its internal security infrastructure in order to tackle international terrorism.
EU Grants and Loans: Trade Unions
[holding answer 18 February 2008]: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold the information requested. This information could not be collated without incurring disproportionate cost.
Homosexuality
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and officials have been active in promoting and protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in line with UK international policy. This is especially important in countries where same sex relationships are illegal, or there are moves to introduce criminalisation, where we seek ways to raise the issue and lobby for decriminalisation.
In May 2007, the then Minister for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney) and I, as the then Minister for Women and Equality, issued a joint statement pledging our support for the worldwide protests against homophobia planned to mark the International Day against Homophobia (17 May).
Our High Commissioner in Singapore made representations to Singapore’s Attorney-General on 26 October 2007 about various human rights issues, including the decriminalisation of homosexuality.
The UK has long been at the forefront of encouraging the EU to speak out in favour of promoting and protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people. At the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in September 2007, the EU condemned the fact that relationships between adults of the same sex are criminal in two participating states, namely Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The EU also called on all participating states to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people without discrimination.
Over the last year we have lobbied in support of the UN-Economic and Social Council continuing to grant consultative status to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered non-governmental organisations and we also lobbied to persuade Rwanda not to criminalise same sex acts in the revised penal code, and Nigeria not to outlaw advocacy in favour of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered rights.
Indonesia: Censorship
The human rights situation in Indonesia has improved over the last 10 years and we judge that the government remains committed to further progress, as indicated by its 2006 accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. We recognise that challenges remain and our embassy in Jakarta closely follows the situation in Papua, particularly concerning civil society work on human rights and freedom of expression. We will continue to encourage the Indonesian government to respect their international obligations in this regard. We remain firm in our commitment to freedom of expression, but do not believe that making representations to the Indonesian government on incidents such as the banning of Sendius Wonda's book would be as effective as the wide-ranging engagement we have with Indonesia on human rights.
Papua: Armed Conflict
We continue to encourage EU engagement in promoting human rights in Indonesia, but we have not discussed any plans for EU-sponsored dialogue between Papuan leaders and the central government in Jakarta. We believe that the complex issues in Papua can best be resolved through peaceful dialogue between the people of Papua and the government of Indonesia. The Indonesian President has committed his government to improving the situation in Papua, which we welcome.
We continue to encourage all sides to support meaningful dialogue and to focus on fully implementing the existing special autonomy legislation. We judge that this is the best way to ensure the long-term stability and development of Papua and its people.
Russia: Crime
[holding answer 18 February 2008]: I have been asked to reply.
The Secretary of State for the Home Department has had no conversations with her counterparts in Russia regarding cyber crime.
Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations
[holding answer 18 February 2008]: At present, the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur consists of a total of approximately 10,000 personnel: 7,700 military personnel, 1,500 police and 800 civilian staff. This needs to rise to a total of approximately 31,000 for the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur to reach its full complement: 19,500 troops, 6,500 police, and 5,000 civilian staff, both local and international.
We are working very closely with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the African Union to help achieve the goal of full deployment as soon as practicable. This will be extremely challenging as not all outstanding shortfalls, particularly helicopter capacity, have yet been filled. The UN-African Union Mission in Darfur's deployment to Darfur is one of the most complex and logistically difficult that the UN has ever undertaken.
Treaty of Lisbon
The changes to the competences of the EU to be made by the Lisbon treaty were set out in the White Paper (Cm 7174) ‘The Reform Treaty: The British Approach to the European Union Intergovernmental Conference’ of July 2007, as well as the Explanatory Memorandum on the treaty of Lisbon submitted to Parliament on 17 December 2007.
Children, Schools and Families
A Levels: Standards
The Department for Children, Schools and Families does not hold information on the achievement of pupils in receipt of free schools meals. Instead, the figures relating to pupils eligible for free school meals are given.
In 2006/07, 176 pupils eligible for free school meals in mainstream maintained schools achieved three A grades at A level. This was 3.9 per cent. of the pupils eligible for free school meals.
These figures relate to pupils aged 16 to 18, (age at start of academic year, i.e. 31 August 2006), in all maintained mainstream schools including academies and city technology colleges.
Academies
I refer the hon. Member to my reply given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 13 November 2007, Official Report, column 152W.
35 academies have completed feasibility studies since 1 May 2007 and have progressed to the implementation phase. 32 expressions of interest have been received since 1 May 2007 and feasibility studies have commenced for these proposals. A further three academy proposals have commenced feasibility studies without an expression of interest because they were selected by a local authority competition.
Tables 1, 2 and 3 show the lead sponsors and co-sponsors for each of these proposals.
Local authority Academy name1 Sponsor Co-sponsor 1 Bristol The Bristol Brunel Academy John Cabot Academy — 2 Bristol Oasis Academy Oasis Community Learning — 3 Coventry Grace Academy Bob Edmiston — 4 Croydon Harris City Academy, Crystal Palace Harris Federation of South London Schools Trust — 5 Darlington Eastbourne Church of England Academy Diocese of Durham and David and Anne Crossland — 6 Kent New Line Learning Academy, South Maidstone Federation Cornwallis Online Learning, Kent CC and others tbc — 7 Kent TBC (Cornwallis), South Maidstone Federation Cornwallis Online Learning, Kent CC and others tbc — 8 Kent Marsh Academy Kent County Council Microsoft/Tonbridge School 9 Kent Spires Academy Holiday Extras/Crown Products (Kent) Ltd. — 10 Lambeth Evelyn Grace Academy Ark — 11 Luton Barnfield South Academy Barnfield College Further Education Corporation — 12 Luton Barnfield West Academy Barnfield College Further Education Corporation — 13 Milton Keynes Milton Keynes Edge Foundation — 14 North East Lincolnshire Havelock Academy David Ross — 15 Northamptonshire Brooke Weston Academy Brooke Weston CTC Trust — 16 Northumberland Bede Academy Emmanuel Schools Foundation — 17 Nottingham Nottingham University Samworth Academy University Of Nottingham and David Samworth (TBC) — 18 Nottingham Nottingham Bulwell Academy Edge Foundation — 19 Nottinghamshire The Samworth Church Academy David Samworth and Diocesan of Southwell and Nottingham — 20 Oxfordshire North Oxfordshire Academy UCST (Vodafone) — 21 Rochdale St. Anne's Academy The Manchester Diocese and David and Anne Crossland — 22 Sandwell Shireland Collegiate Academy Ormiston Trust and Shireland Learning — 23 Sandwell George Salter Collegiate Academy Ormiston Trust and Shirefand Learning — 24 Sandwell Q3 Academy Eric Payne — 25 South Gloucestershire John Cabot Academy Rolls Royce/Wolfson Foundation — 26 Southwark Bacon's, A Church of England Sponsored Academy CTC Trust, Southwark Diosesan Board of Education and the Phillip and Pauline Harris Charitable Trust — 27 Southwark St. Michael and All Angels CofE Southwark Diocesan Board of Education Toc H 28 Southwark Walworth Academy Ark — 29 Southwark The Globe Academy Ark — 30 Sunderland Pennywell/Quarry View Academy Gentoo Group Sunderland CC 31 Sunderland Red House Academy Leighton Group with University of Sunderland Sunderland CC 32 Sunderland Castle View Enterprise Academy Northumbrian Water Sunderland CC 33 Swindon Swindon Academy UCST (Honda UK) — 34 Tameside New Charter Academy New Charter Housing Trust — 35 Westminster King Solomon Academy Ark —
Local authority Academy name1 Sponsor Co-sponsor 1 Bexley TBC (New School) Haberdashers and Temple Grove Trust — 2 Birmingham Heartlands Academy Edutrust — 3 Birmingham Shenley Court Edutrust — 4 Birmingham St. Alban's Academy ARK/Aston University/BMW/Cadbury's/Ove Arup — 5 Birmingham Harborne Academy ARK/KPMG/University of Birmingham — 6 Birmingham Eastside Academy Ormiston Trust + UCE (Tbc) — 7 Bolton TBC (Withins) Diocese of Manchester (Church of England) Anne and David Crossland 8 Brent Wembley Park Academy ARK — 9 Bristol Colston's Girls The Society of Merchant Venturers — 10 Bristol Portway Academy Oasis — 11 Bristol Bristol Cathedral School No Sponsor Required: School itself is the sponsor — 12 Cheshire TBC North Area Academy (Whitby High School Cheshire Oaks High School and Ellesmere Port School) Diocese of Chester and David and Anne Crossland — 13 Cheshire TBC South Area Academy (Whitby High School Cheshire Oaks High School and Etlesmere Port School) University of Chester/West Cheshire College/LA/Diocese of Chester — 14 Croydon TBC (Coulsden) Oasis Learning Trust — 15 Cumbria TBC (Morton) Brian Scowcroft and Andrew Tinkler — 16 Cumbria Westlakes Academy BNFL/Sellafield, NDA and the University of Lancashire — 17 Derbyshire TBC (Shirebrook) All Roads DLO/Sheffield Hallam University (TBC) — 18 Essex Rickstones Greensward College — 19 Essex Greensward Greensward College — 20 Essex John Bramston Greensward College — 21 Gloucester TBC (Christ College) Clifton RC Diocese + Gloucester CoE Diocese — 22 Kent Axtane Academy Leigh Technology Academy Trust, University of Kent KCC 23 Kingston upon Hull Archbishop Sentamu Academy Diocese of York — 24 Kingston upon Hull The Pickering Academy Hull College — 25 Lancashire Accrington ULT — 26 Northamptonshire Brooke Weston Academy Brooke Weston CTC Trust — 27 Nottingham TBC (St. Ann's/Eastern) Greenwood Dale Experian (Business Supporter) 28 Tameside Droylsden Academy Tameside College — 29 West Sussex TBC (Kings Manor Community College) Woodard Schools — 30 West Sussex TBC (Boundstone) Woodard Schools — 31 West Sussex TBC (Littlehampton) Woodard Schools — 32 Westminster Pimlico Academy FUTURE —
Local authority Academy name1 Sponsor Co-sponsor 1 Lincolnshire Trent Valley Academy Edutrust/Gainsborough Education Village — 2 Southampton Oasis Academy Mayfield Oasis Community Learning — 3 Southampton Oasis Academy Lords Hill Oasis Community Learning — 1 Predecessor school if academy has not yet been named.
I refer the hon. Member to my reply given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 15 November 2007, Official Report, column 409W.
The following local authorities have agreed to co-sponsor academies:
Cheshire county council
Corporation of London
Coventry city council
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Kent county council
Manchester city council
Sunderland city council
Telford and Wrekin council
West Sussex county council.
The following table shows which academies these local authorities are sponsoring and the date that the Expression of Interest was signed.
Local authority Academy name (predecessor school if academy not yet named) EOI agreed Cheshire TBC (Whitby High School, Cheshire Oaks High School and Ellesmere Port School) 25 July 2007 Corporation of London City of London KPMG Academy 20 March 2006 Corporation of London City of London Academy 20 April 2006 Corporation of London City of London Southwark Academy 1 March 2001 Coventry Swanswell 30 January 2007 Kensington and Chelsea The Chelsea Science Academy 1 January 2005 Kent Marlowe Academy 1 November 2002 Kent Isle of Sheppey 13 March 2006 Kent Marsh Academy 13 March 2006 Kent TBC (Cornwallis), South Maidstone Federation 1 March 2007 Kent New Line Learning Academy, South Maidstone Federation 1 March 2007 Manchester Digital Communications Academy 22 March 2007 Manchester Construction and the Built Environment Academy 18 December 2006 Manchester Creative Media Academy—Girls 22 March 2007 Manchester Creative Media Academy—Boys 22 March 2007 Manchester Finance and Professional Service Academy 22 March 2007 Manchester Business Enterprise Academy 18 December 2006 Manchester Health Academy 18 December 2006 Sunderland Pennywell/Quarry View Academy 8 June 2006 Sunderland Castle View Enterprise Academy 8 June 2006 Sunderland Red House Academy 8 June 2006 Telford and Wrekin Abraham Darby Academy 11 April 2007 West Sussex TBC (Littlehampton Community School) 26 July 2007 West Sussex TBC (Boundstone Community College) 26 July 2007 West Sussex TBC (Kings Manor Community College) 26 July 2007
Building Schools for the Future Programme
The following table shows the schools which have started construction under the Building Schools for the Future programme broken down by local authority and parliamentary constituency.
School Local authority Parliamentary constituency Salt Bradford Shipley Tong Bradford Bradford South Buttershaw Bradford Bradford South Whitefield Bristol Bristol East Brislington Bristol Bristol East Hartcliffe Bristol Bristol South Durham Johnston Durham Durham Ilfield SEN Kent Gravesham St. Edmund Canterbury Knowsley Knowsley South Halewood Knowsley Knowsley South Prescott Knowsley Knowsley South Michael Tippet SEN Lambeth Vauxhall Elm Court SEN Lambeth Dulwich and West Norwood Park Campus PRU Lambeth Streatham West Norwood (temporary) Lambeth Dulwich and West Norwood Shuttleworth Lancashire Burnley Burnley Sixth form Lancashire Burnley Pendle Vale Lancashire Pendle Pendle Vale SEN Lancashire Pendle Sir John Thursby Lancashire Burnley Ridgewood Community High SEN Lancashire Burnley Allerton High Leeds Leeds North East Cockburn Leeds Leeds Central Pudsey Grangefield Leeds Pudsey Rodillian Leeds Morley and Rothwell Temple Moor High Leeds Leeds East Allerton Grange Leeds Leeds North East Beaumont Leys Leicester Leicester West Fullhurst Leicester Leicester West Judgemeadow Leicester Leicester East Soar Valley Leicester Leicester East Sedgehill Lewisham Lewisham West Catford Lewisham Lewisham East Melland SEN Manchester Manchester Gorton Cedar Mount Manchester Manchester Gorton Newall Green Manchester Wythenshawe and Sale East St. Pauls Manchester Wythenshawe and Sale East Piper Hill SEN Manchester Wythenshawe and Sale East Our Lady's (RC) Manchester Manchester Blackley St. Matthew's (RC) Manchester Manchester Blackley Meade Hill SEN Manchester Manchester Blackley Northridge High Manchester Manchester Blackley Walbottle Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne North Kenton Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne North Thomas Bewick SEN Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne North Benfield Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne and Wallsend Newfield Sheffield Sheffield Heeley Silverdale Sheffield Sheffield Hallam Talbot SEN Sheffield Sheffield Heeley Yewlands Sheffield Sheffield Brightside Lanchester SEN Solihull Meriden Park Hall Solihull Meriden The Archbishop Grimshaw (RC) Solihull Meriden Smith's Wood Solihull Meriden Frederick Bremer Waltham Forest Walthamstow Kelmscott Waltham Forest Walthamstow
Capita
Ministers and civil servants meet many people as part of the process of policy development and advice. It is not the usual practice of Government to disclose details of such meetings.
Care Proceedings: Fees and Charges
I have been asked to reply.
The Ministry of Justice is taking steps to minimise the administrative cost to local authorities of paying magistrates court fees (not just for care proceedings). Her Majesty’s Courts Service (HMCS) is developing a new payment system that should mean local authorities will be able to set up accounts with magistrates courts allowing them to pay all court fees incurred by single monthly or quarterly payments. In addition we are currently consulting on proposals to increase court fees paid by public authorities in child care and adoption proceedings to reflect the full cost of the process. The consultation closes on 11 March 2008.
Children
Between their inception in September 2007 and the publication of the Children’s Plan in December 2007, each of the three age-based Children’s Plan expert groups met three times as a group; there was one additional meeting which brought together all three expert groups in a plenary session in November 2007.
Lists of the original expert group members are published as annexes to the expert group reports, which are available on the DCSF Time to Talk website. Attendance lists were not published. Group discussions were held in confidence and minutes not published, as they relate to formulation and development of government policy and free and frank provision of advice and exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation.
The Children's Plan lists a number of documents due to be published during 2008. The intended timings were set out in the plan or in accompanying press notices and are:
Child Health Strategy, spring;
Obesity Action Plan, already published as ‘Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives’ in January;
Review of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, summer;
Play Strategy, summer;
Staying Safe: Action Plan, published in February;
Byron review, March;
Rose review of the Primary curriculum, interim report due in October, final report by March 2009;
Review of progress on special educational needs due to take place in 2009;
Bercow review on children, young people and speech, language and communication, interim report due spring, final report by summer;
Review of progress on implementation of Steer report, by summer;
Youth Task Force Action Plan, spring;
Drugs Strategy, spring;
Youth Grime Action Plan, during 2008;
Children's Workforce Action Plan, spring.
Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service: Finance
The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) has been initially allocated the following net amounts:
Funding (£ million) 2007-08 106.7 2008-09 114.9 2009-10 124.1
Children in Care
The information requested on the average time a child waited in local authority care to be placed with foster parents is not collected centrally.
The average time between the date it was decided that a looked after child should be placed for adoption and the actual date the child was placed for adoption, was nine months in the year ending March 2007, the latest year for which data is available.
Children in Care: Health Services
(2) what percentage of looked after children in each local authority area received a health assessment from their primary care trust on an annual basis in the latest period for which figures are available;
(3) what percentage of looked after children in each local authority area received a dental check on an annual basis in the latest period for which figures are available.
[holding answer 16 January 2008]: Improving the health and well-being of looked after children is of paramount importance, Children in care are more likely to experience health problems, particularly mental health problems, than their peers and it is important that more is done to meet their needs.
Our White Paper ‘Care Matters: Time for Change’ set out how this is a priority for the Government. It outlined a strong package of measures intended to ensure that we improve health outcomes for this vulnerable group of young people, including by ensuring better joint working between local authorities and health care bodies. For the first time guidance on promoting the health of looked after children will be put on a statutory footing for both local authorities and health bodies.
The available information about the health care of looked after children has been placed in the House Libraries.
Children: Accidents
(2) what guidance has been given to local children’s services on measures to reduce incidence of accidental injury among young people;
(3) if he will take steps to (a) identify best practice in child accident prevention and (b) ensure that information on effective measures is shared between local safeguarding boards.
[holding answer 18 February 2008]: The Department has worked across Government to co-ordinate the cross-Government Staying Safe Action Plan which was published on 5 February 2008. The report can be downloaded from www.ecm.aov.uk/stayingsafe and a copy is available in the House Library. In the Staying Safe Action Plan, we set out new commitments to help children, young people and their parents understand better the risks to their safety, including from accidental injury. These include the establishment of a Child Safety Education Coalition to deliver and evaluate child safety education across the country and ensure that more children, including disabled children, are taught about how to manage risk. We also announced new guidance for professionals on common risks in the home as well as a Priority Review of local accidental prevention. These new measures will help to identify and share good practice in accident prevention work between local areas.
My Department issued guidance to schools, “Safety Education Guidance for Schools”, in December 2001 This guidance sets out responsibilities for safety education and National Curriculum requirements, recommends approaches to teaching and learning, and provides examples of good practice. It is for schools to determine exactly how they provide safety education.
The effectiveness of these measures will be assessed by the public service agreement to improve children and young people’s safety, which was announced in October 2007.
Children: Behaviour Disorders
Information on pupils having behavioural, emotional or social difficulties identified as their primary need in maintained primary and secondary schools and all special schools in London local authorities is given in the following table for 2006 and 2007, the only years for which these data are available at local authority level. This information can be found in two SFRs, available on the Department's website here via the following links:
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000661/index.shtml and
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000732/index.shtml
2006 2007 London4 22,320 23,340 Inner London4 8,950 9,150 Camden 672 682 City of London 8 7 Hackney 643 634 Hammersmith and Fulham 348 481 Haringey 529 533 Islington 570 531 Kensington and Chelsea 150 140 Lambeth 1,255 1,301 Lewisham 686 753 Newham 778 828 Southwark 1,248 1,123 Tower Hamlets 698 743 Wandsworth 1,040 996 Westminster 328 404 Outer London4 13,370 14,180 Barking and Dagenham 406 447 Barnet 953 985 Bexley 667 724 Brent 769 769 Bromley 771 877 Croydon 1,125 1,307 Baling 866 907 Enfield 1,111 1,173 Greenwich 1,089 1,061 Harrow 607 675 Havering 361 382 Hillingdon 533 567 Hounslow 819 796 Kingston upon Thames 366 375 Merton 439 426 Redbridge 569 633 Richmond upon Thames 269 293 Sutton 460 566 Waltham Forest 1,192 1,219 1 Includes maintained primary and secondary schools and all special schools. 2 Pupils at School Action Plus and those pupils with a statement of SEN having behavioural, emotional and social difficulties identified as their primary need or, if appropriate, their secondary need. Information on primary need only is given here. 3 Excludes dually registered pupils. 4 Regional totals have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: School Census.
Children: Databases
(2) what assessment he has been made of the effectiveness of the interchange of information between ContactPoint and eCaf;
(3) what consultation took place on eCaf with the consultees of ContactPoint.
[holding answer 22 November 2007]: Security measures are a fundamental component of the national eCaf system design and all proposed security requirements have been reviewed by the Department’s IT Security Officer.
When a common assessment is undertaken and fogged on the national eCaf system, it will automatically notify ContactPoint that an assessment has been carried out along with contact details of the practitioner that can provide information about the assessment (usually the practitioner who performed the assessment). This will help to prevent duplication of effort, allow practitioners to make more informed decisions and respond in a coordinated way. There will be no access to the common assessment, nor any details within it, from ContactPoint. ContactPoint will be provided with limited information (which does not include any case information) extracted from the national eCaf and other systems using a one-way process. ContactPoint will not update the case record systems.
As with ContactPoint, the development of the national eCaf system had significant input from a range of practitioners and managers across a wide range of children’s services. Some of these individuals have been involved in the development of both systems.
Children: Day Care
[holding answer 12 November 2007]: Data on the qualifications of existing child care and early years workers in registered settings are collected as part of the Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey.
This data source is a nationally representative survey of registered Childcare and Early Years Providers, commissioned by the Department. The survey began in 1998 and was repeated in 2001, 2002-03, 2005 and 2006. The survey is also commissioned to take place in 2007 and 2008.
The 2006 Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey shows that the workforce is becoming better qualified across all provider types. There has been a rise in supervisory staff in settings coinciding with a rise in staff qualifications. Over 70 per cent. of all paid staff in full day care, and early years settings in maintained schools hold at least a Level 3 qualification, while in children’s centres this rises to over 80 per cent. of staff. The proportion of staff with a Level 3 qualification or above in full day care is 10 percentage points higher than in 2005.
[holding answer 24 January 2008]: The 2007 Parents’ Childcare Survey collected information about take-up of the free entitlement for three and four-year-olds to 12.5 hours of formal child care per week, by child and family characteristics. This will allow an estimate to be made of the proportion of three to four-year-olds in workless families who had taken up this entitlement.
The findings from the 2007 survey will be published in late February 2008.
Estimates are not available for earlier years as questions about the take-up of the free entitlement to early years education for three and four-year-olds were not asked in previous surveys.
The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate costs.
Children: Sports
As with all other curriculum subjects, time spent on roll call in physical education (PE) lessons is part of the timetabled curriculum, so this will count towards the two-hour target. Time spent on changing for PE lessons also counts towards the two-hour target, as this is used by teachers to explain the lesson plan to pupils and to feed back on their performance after the lesson.
Time spent travelling to or from PE and sporting opportunities does not count towards the two-hour total. As take-up of the two hours is taken from a typical week, time spent before a lesson which starts late does not count towards the two-hour target.
Class Sizes
The available figures are given in the following table:
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Primary Cornwall LA 22.9 22.3 22.4 22.6 22.6 22.1 22.1 South-west GOR 23.0 22.4 22.4 22.6 22.5 21.8 21.6 England 22.9 22.5 22.6 22.7 22.5 22.0 21.8 Secondary Cornwall LA 18.0 17.8 17.6 17.6 17.5 16.9 16.7 South-west GOR 17.5 17.3 17.2 17.3 16.9 16.7 16.6 England 17.1 16.9 17.0 17.0 16.7 16.6 16.5 Source: Schools Census
Information on pupil:teacher ratios in each local authority are published annually by the Department. From 2005 the figures can be found in the Statistical First Release ‘School Workforce in England', the latest of which can be accessed at:
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000743/index.shtml
Figures for 2004 and earlier were published in the Statistical Volume ‘Statistics of Education Schools in England'. The 2004 edition can be accessed at:
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/VOL/v000495/index.shtml
Equivalent publications are available for earlier years.
Classroom Assistants: Qualifications
The information is not collected in the format requested.
The following table shows the number of “NVQ for Teaching Assistant” qualifications awarded at level 2 and level 3 for each year between 2002 and 2006.
NVQ Level 2 NVQ Level 3 2002/03 390 260 2003/04 2,090 2,240 2004/05 3,880 4,540 2005/06 4,840 5,780 Source: National Information System for Vocational Qualifications (NISVQ)
Comprehensive Spending Review
The comprehensive spending review 2007 provides funding for the expansion of the academies programme, a further 50 academies will be opened in each of the next three years, bringing the total to 230 academies open by September 2010. Academies are funded on the basis of equivalence with maintained schools of similar characteristics in the same area, and this will continue.
The average per pupil increases in dedicated schools grant for maintained schools in Dorset by local authority will be as follows:
Dorset Poole Bournemouth 2008-09 4.5 4.4 4.3 2009-10 3.6 3.6 3.6 2010-11 4.2 4.2 4.2
Computers: Disadvantaged
The Government recognise the importance of closing the gap between the number of people with access to information technology and those without, commonly known as the ‘digital divide’.
Since 1997 we have run a range of education-related programmes to widen accessibility to computers and the internet for low-income families, and these have provided hardware, connectivity and training both into homes and into the local community. In 2001, for example, we opened the first UK Online centres to provide community level access to computers, the internet as well as advice and training in how to use them. There is now a network of over 6,000 centres across the country in libraries, community centres and other accessible buildings.
We also supported cross government initiatives such as the seven point action plan to close the digital divide identified in “Connecting the UK: The Strategy for a Digitally Rich Nation” and were one of the main contributors to the plan's national digital challenge for a region to give universal online access to local public services by 2008.
We have concentrated our efforts on young learners and in school the level of access has increased significantly. In a primary school for example, 19 children had to share one computer in 1997 whereas now there is one computer for every 6.2 children and through our extended schools’ programme and our support for the e-learning foundation we have helped schools to provide children with access beyond the school day.
In 2005 we started a £60 million Computers for Pupils programme to put ICT into the homes of the most disadvantaged secondary school pupils in the most deprived areas of the country and last year I established the Home Access Taskforce with representation from industry, education and the third sector. The Taskforce is due to report in April this year on how we might ensure that every family with 5 to 19-year-old learners in England has access to affordable ICT resources and support at home—and I recently announced an additional £30 million to provide further support under the Computers for Pupils programme until the task force proposals can be assessed and if appropriate, implemented.
Dance: Curriculum
Dance will remain an important element for schools to deliver within the PE national curriculum. The increased flexibility allowed by the new secondary curriculum for PE, being introduced from September 2008, will make it easier for schools to offer more dance provision within curriculum PE if there is sufficient demand.
Departmental Data Protection
The internal audit work programme for the Department in line with Government Internal Audit best practice, adopts a risk based approach to identifying areas for audit coverage
The adequacy of controls over data, including personal data and IT equipment, is covered in all assignments where it is relevant to the risks under review.
The risk based audit tasks below had a specific focus on personal data and IT equipment.
2004-05
Payroll
Travel and expenses claims
Teacher’s serious misconduct—follow-up
Teachers Pension—ill health performance reporting
Loss of IT kit
IT hardware asset management
2005-06
Payroll inspection
Foreign Travel
Network account management
IT security
2006-07
Teacher’s serious misconduct
New relationships with schools (data)
Network account follow-up
Review of payroll
Travel and subsistence inspection
2007-08 (to date)
Travel and subsistence post payment checks
Network account management—follow-up
Payroll—follow-up
Information relating to the Department’s agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPB) is not readily available within the cost threshold.
Departmental Freedom of Information
This Department has adopted a selective disclosure log whereby only the most interesting and high profile pieces of information are published. Between 2005 and 2007 12.4 per cent. of responses to Freedom of Information requests, where information has been wholly or partially released, have been published on the Department's disclosure log.
Departmental Manpower
(2) many people have been appointed to his Department outside civil service grades in the last 30 days.
The Department has not made any permanent or temporary appointments outside civil service grades during the period described.
Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers
Special advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the “Model Contract and Code of Conduct for Special Advisers”, copies of which are in the House Library.
Departmental Public Consultation
[holding answer 19 November 2007]: The Department's Time to Talk consultation ran from 6 September to 19 October. I received over 3,000 responses from young people and adults, including public, private and voluntary sector bodies, A total of over 400 people also participated in consultation events in Bristol, Leeds, London, Birmingham and Portsmouth.
Departmental Public Participation
The Department has conducted one major survey since 27 June 2007. This took the form of a Customer Perception Tracking Survey of the public in July and August 2007. The survey is being run by BMG Research Ltd. The purpose is to track perceptions and awareness of developments in education and children’s services among key stakeholder groups. This was wave 2 of a three-year tracking study. The sample of the public is designed to be broadly representative of the general public, and as such, includes parents, whose views are analysed in comparison with non-parents where relevant. The Department intends to publish the outcomes at the end of the study in summer 2009. The cost of this interim wave was £14,000 excluding VAT.
The Department has not conducted any opinion polls or surveys of staff since 27 June 2007.
Departmental Publications
The total cost of producing the document “Aiming High for Young People: a ten year strategy for positive activities” was £14,685 shared between HM Treasury and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The cost of producing the “Children’s Plan” policy documents was £151,259.
Departmental Recycling
(2) how much and what proportion of its waste his Department and its predecessors recycled in each of the last five years.
In the last five published reports on sustainable operations in Government the Department's headquarters estate reported the following volumes and percentages of recycled waste:
Year Volume (metric tonnes) Percentage recycled 2001-02 610.57 34.46 2002-03 284.83 25.13 2003-04 497.93 21.15 2004-05 483.50 21.9 2005-06 1534.55 43.36
The 2005-06 year’s performance met the 40 per cent. of total waste arisings recycling target. The Department's waste recycling performance in 2006-07 will be reported by the Sustainable Development Commission early in the new year.
Departmental Special Advisers
Special advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Copies of the Model Contract are available in the House Libraries.
Education: Assessments
This information has been published as part of a supplement to the “National Curriculum Assessment, GCSE and Equivalent Attainment and Post-16 Attainment by Pupil Characteristics in England 2005/06 (Provisional)” Statistical First Release (SFR) found at:
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000693/index.shtml
The additional publication “Local Authority tables showing achievements at Key Stage 2, by ethnicity, English as a first Language, free school meals and special education needs” to this SFR contains the data requested by my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) and is found at:
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000693/Addition4.xls
I draw your attention to tables 62 (Achievements at Key Stage 2 English Level 4 and above in 2006, for Local Authorities, by Free School Meal provision and gender), 63 (Achievements at Key Stage 2 Mathematics Level 4 and above in 2006, for Local Authorities, by Free School Meal provision and gender) and 64 (Achievements at Key Stage 2 Science Level 4 and above in 2006, for Local Authorities, by Free School Meal provision and gender).
Education: Isle of Wight
There has been no withdrawal of funding. Overall capital support for Isle of Wight and its schools during the period covered by the comprehensive spending review (2008-11) is £36 million. Capital support for the period covered by the current spending review (2005-08) is £37.4 million (excluding funding earmarked specifically for a Building Schools for the Future One School Pathfinder project). Although, in comparison to 2006-07 and 2007-08, there has been a reduction in capital support for the provision of new pupil places in areas of population growth (or Basic Need) this is in line with forecast data provided by the local authority. However, from 2009-10, Isle of Wight will benefit from the introduction of the new Primary Capital Programme which aims to support local authorities in implementing a strategic approach to renewing at least half of all primary schools by 2022-23.
Education: Kent
The Department does not hold information on funding at district level. However it does collect information on funding allocated to Kent county council. The information on capital, revenue and supported borrowing allocations made by the Department are provided in the following tables. In total £114 million of capital funding (including supported borrowing) and £910 million of revenue funding has been allocated to Kent county council in 2007-08 via schools and children services grants. The figures exclude payments made by non-departmental public bodies which can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
£ Specific Grants Dedicated Schools Grant 751,848,000 School Standards Grant 32,347,428 School Standards Grant (Personalisation) 9,101,608 School Development Grant 49,441,196 Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant (EMAG) 934,264 Targeted Improvement Grant 512,500 Targeted School Meals Grant 1,369,512 Devolved School Meals Grant 780,284 Extended Schools 1,589,683 Targeted Support for Primary Strategy 4,294,105 Targeted Support for Secondary Strategy 3,598,387 Fresh Start and New Partnerships: Recurrent 231,000 Primary Strategy: Communication, Language and Literacy 50,000 School Improvement Partners 468,864 Music Services 1,129,485 Music at Key Stage 2 631,167 Education Health Partnerships 261,428 Playing for Success 168,750 Choice Advisers 79,351 School Intervention Grant 409,600 Flexible 14 to 19 Partnerships Funding 744,161 Walking to School Initiatives 95,500 General Duty on Sustainable Travel To School 112,865 Extended Rights for Free Travel 141,603 Aimhigher 623,155 Connexions 11,506,441 Care Matters 70,000 General Sure Start Grant Recurrent 23,429,622 Youth Opportunity Fund 734,395 ContactPoint 421,030 Total Specific Grants 897,125,384 DCSF Recurrent Funding routed through Local Area Agreements (LAA)1 Children's Services Grant 4,476,878 Secondary National Strategy—Behaviour and Attendance 183,300 Secondary National Strategy—Central Co-ordination 639,014 Primary National Strategy Central Co-ordination 662,337 Positive Activities for Young People 352,281 School Travel Advisors 189,000 School Development Grant (local authority retained element) 2,867,656 Children's Fund 3,082,807 Teenage Pregnancy 501,000 Total LAA 12,954,273 Total Recurrent funding including LAAs 873,918,169 1Funding routed through the Children and Young Peoples Block of Local Area Agreements, which is paid out by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
£ Capital Grants National Digital Infrastructure 3,351,099 E-Learning Credits 1,390,731 Devolved Formula Capital 24,015,115 School Travel Plan 493,140 Capital Modernisation: Primary 2,333,179 Capital Modernisation: Secondary 2,690,069 Targeted Capital Fund 4,584,400 Building Schools for the Future 12,146,000 Advance of Modernisation Capital Grants 8,372,080 Specialist Schools Capital 1,114,149 Fresh Start and New Partnerships: Capital 962,842 General Sure Start Grant Capital 13,996,797 Youth Capital Fund 635,193 Information Communication Technology: Mobile Technology 305,127 Integrated Children's System Capital 435,000 Total Capital Grants 76,824,921
£ Grants Capital Modernisation: Primary 5,444,085 Capital Modernisation: Secondary 6,276,827 New pupil places 22,810,151 Schools Access Initiative 2,466,986 SCE(R) Single Capital Pot (Children's element) 279,000 Total LA Allocation 37,277,049
Educentre Ltd: Academies
The Department has informed Educentre Ltd. about the Building Schools for the Future programme. The Department has also included Educentre Ltd. on its list of potential providers to which it circulates details of new school competitions, so that they are aware of projects for which they could enter a bid.
Family Planning: Finance
The amounts paid by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) to the organisations listed in the question, along with a summary of the purpose for which the payments were made, are included in the following table. There no restrictions on the way that funding may be spent other than those that apply to all funding under the programmes listed in the table and that it should be used for the purpose intended. The Department has not provided funding to the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) or Marie Stopes International.
Organisation Amount (£) Source of funding Purpose 2004-06 fpa (formerly Family Planning Association) 250,637 Parenting fund Delivery of the ‘Speakeasy’ training programme, which enables parents and carers to have more knowledge and confidence in speaking to their children about sex and relationships 2006-08 fpa 170,000 Parenting fund Local funding for Speakeasy programmes in Birmingham and Hackney (receiving £85,000 each) 2004-05 fpa 10,000 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding To identify good practice on young people friendly sexual health services in general practice and other health settings 2006-09 fpa 575,000 (175,000 in 2006-07; 200,000 in 2007-08; 200,000 in 2008-09) Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) Grant programme To support fpa’s strategic activities in relation to the Speakeasy programme including accredited training courses for professionals and parents; developing and supporting local Speakeasy networks; and recruiting two trainers to the programme 2004-06 fpa 58,000 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding To develop and deliver a training course for health and non-health professionals, to enable them to provide more pro-active contraceptive advice to help young people to avoid second pregnancies 2004-06 fpa 20,565 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding To deliver courses on sex, relationships, pregnancy and parenthood for those working with looked after children and young people 2007-10 Brook 119,572 (36,223 in 2007-08) CYPF Grant programme Strategic funding for training and consultancy support on all aspects of teenage pregnancy prevention and sexual health promotion for vulnerable young people from disadvantaged communities 2006-07 Brook 11,750 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding To develop a leaflet “Contraceptive choices after having a baby” for young parents to support them in preventing second unplanned pregnancies 2006-08 Brook 9,925 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding Developing and circulating a poster “Believe it or not” which reminds young women of the ease of getting pregnant immediately after haying a baby 2007-08 Brook 14,306.04 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding Developing and circulating a poster “contraception after abortion” informing young women about the risk of becoming pregnant after an abortion 2006-07 Brook 15,000 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding Developing guidance on effective sexual health outreach work 2006-08 Brook London 19,350 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding Developing and evaluating dual language cards in eight foreign languages for newly arrived young people in the UK whose first language is not English to encourage them to use sexual health advice services 2004-07 Education for Choice (EfC) 38,000 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding Delivery of training programmes for health and education professionals to facilitate discussion about pregnancy and abortion; revision and development of EfC’s website; work with boys and young men; and support for parents to help them discuss pregnancy choices and abortion
Finance
The Department operates a devolved financial framework in which budget responsibility for policy initiatives is delegated to those charged with administering and delivering the policy. The specific role of the Finance Director within this delegated framework is to ensure that line managers within policy areas are supported with professional accountancy and financial advice when considering the financial implications of policy proposals. In line with the Treasury's guidance within “Managing Public Money” (October 2007) the Finance Director is responsible for providing financial leadership within the Department by setting the financial governance framework, establishing the internal financial controls and maintaining the essential external links with Treasury and the National Audit Office.
The Department has a qualified accountant as Director General of Corporate Services who sits on the board and has overall strategic responsibility for all operational matters and for directly supporting the Accounting Officer. On a day-to-day basis many of the key financial tasks are delegated to a professionally qualified Finance Director who manages the Department's central finance function, is responsible for improving financial literacy of budget managers and ensuring that the Department meets all its statutory financial reporting obligations.
Forced Marriage
Schools have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of their pupils, and we have encouraged them, through guidance, to make available information about helplines and access to support for victims or people in fear of forced marriage. School staff should also be alert to the risk of forced marriage, as with other potential risks of harm to their pupils. They should not attempt to mediate in suspected cases, but should contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Forced Marriage Unit where experienced caseworkers are able to offer support and guidance.
Foster Care
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to her on 25 June 2007, Official Report, column 532W.
Free School Meals
The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The information requested in the first part of this question could be provided only at disproportionate cost. No information is readily available to meet the second part of this request.
[holding answer 14 November 2007]: The available information is given in tables 3A, 3B and 3C of SFR30/2007 (Schools and Pupils in England, January 2007 (Final)) which can be found at
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000744/index.shtml
Information for earlier years cannot be provided within the time scale required by Parliament.
Day pupils2 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Number on roll 4,350,260 4,293,180 4,243,110 4,187,630 4,148,390 Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 731,610 741,150 717,230 670,340 658,910 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 16.8 17.3 16.9 16.0 15.9 1 Includes middle schools as deemed. 2 Prior to 2003, ‘Day pupils’ includes all full-time and part-time pupils who are solely registered, excluding boarding pupils. Due to underlying changes in data collection, this coverage was extended to also include all pupils with dual (main) registration and boarding pupils from 2003. Note: Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. There may be discrepancies between the sum of constituent items and totals as shown. Source: School Census
Day pupils2 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Number on roll 3,308,490 3,326,800 3,317,590 3,309,720 3,272,480 Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 478,920 477,290 465,520 448,680 429,700 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 14.5 14.3 14.0 13.6 13.1 1 Includes middle schools as deemed. 2 Prior to 2003, ‘Day pupils’ includes all full-time and part-time pupils who are solely registered, excluding boarding pupils. Due to underlying changes in data collection, this coverage was extended to also include all pupils with dual (main) registration and boarding pupils from 2003. Note: Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. There may be discrepancies between the sum of constituent items and totals as shown. Source: School Census
Day pupils1 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Number on roll2 94,660 92,620 91,210 90,450 90,600 Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 33,430 33,100 30,690 29,410 29,110 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 35.3 35.7 33.6 32.5 32.1 1 Prior to 2003, ‘Day pupils’ includes all full-time and part-time pupils who are solely registered, excluding boarding pupils. Due to underlying changes in data collection, this coverage was extended to also include all pupils with dual (main) registration and boarding pupils from 2003. 2 Excludes general hospital schools. Note: Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. There may be discrepancies between the sum of constituent items and totals as shown. Source: School Census
Free School Meals: Somerset
The requested information is shown in the table.
Pupil achievement and attainment tables1 Somerset Number of pupils (used for FSM calculation) Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals Manor Court Community Primary School 403 47 11.7 Neroche Primary School 161 5 3.1 South Petherton Junior School 99 7 7.1 Parcroft Community Junior School 275 27 9.8 Grass Royal Junior School 265 59 22.3 Norton-sub-Hamdon Church of England Primary School 127 15 11.8 Wadham School 554 38 6.9 1 Includes pupils with sole and dual registration who are full time and aged 0 to 15 (inclusive) and those who are part-time and aged 5 to 15 (inclusive).
GCE A-Level
The 2013 review will consider the evidence and experience following the introduction of Diplomas and the implementation of changes to A- level and GCSE, with a view to reaching conclusions about how in practice the overall offer meets the needs of young people in progressing to further study and employment.
General Certificate of Secondary Education
The 2006/07 figures for parts (d), (f) and (g) are as follows.
Number of schools entering one or more pupils Percentage of schools entering one or more pupils Mathematics 4,583 82.6 English 4,463 80.4 Science 3,758 67.7
These figures relate to pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 in all secondary schools.
To answer the other parts of the question would go over the disproportionate cost threshold.
(2) how many comprehensive schools did not enter any pupils for GCSEs in English, mathematics, science and a modern language in the latest period for which figures are available;
(3) how many independent schools did not enter any pupils for GCSE examinations in English, mathematics, science and a modern language in the latest period for which figures are available;
(4) how many and what proportion of pupils in pupil referral units were entered for GCSE examinations in the latest period for which figures are available.
The information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
General Certificate of Secondary Education: Greater London
The information has been placed in the Library.
General Certificate of Secondary Education: Standards
I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave him on 29 October 2007.
The information is provided as follows.
Number Number of pupils achieving one GCSE grade D-G and no grades C or above 9,881 Number of pupils achieving two GCSEs grade D-G and no grades C or above 13,977 Number of pupils achieving three GCSEs grade D-G and no grades C or above 19,611
28,114 pupils achieved no GCSEs.
The figures relate to pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 in 2006/07.
The information requested is not available and requires significant data development and recalculations to create, which would be at a disproportionate cost.
The information is not readily available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
In 2006/07, the number of mainstream maintained schools in which one or more pupils gained no passes at GCSE (or equivalent) was 2,031. This is 66.7 per cent. of all mainstreamed maintained schools.
Headteachers: Qualifications
I refer the hon. Member to my reply given to him on 14 January 2008, Official Report, column 823W.
Health Education: Nutrition
[holding answer 7 February 2008]: I have been asked to reply.
The Department launched the 5 A DAY programme to promote the health benefits of eating a variety of at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day as we believe this gives a positive message to the consumer.
The 5 A DAY logo was launched by the Department; over 640 organisations are licensed to use the 5 A DAY logo. The Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) Consumer Attitudes Survey, 2006 showed that 72 per cent. of people are now aware that they should eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, up from 43 per cent. in 2000.
‘Top Tips for Top Mums’ is a new 5 A DAY campaign. The campaign aims to help families by sharing real tips from real mums on how they got their kids to eat more fruit and vegetables. Mums or dads can e-mail mums@5adaytoptips.co.uk to send in their tip which may then be shared with other families via the 5 A DAY website, the media and other 5 A DAY partners.
In November 2006, the new Healthy Start scheme was implemented across the United Kingdom to provide vouchers for milk, fruit, vegetables and infant formula and free vitamin supplements to qualifying families and to back this up with information and advice through their health care professional on breastfeeding/healthy eating. They also receive an information booklet and a magazine with links to the healthy start website.
The Government will invest £75 million in an integrated marketing programme to inform, support and empower parents to make changes to their children’s diets and levels of physical activity. It will include simple universal messages for all families as well as tailored messages for at-risk families. There will be an emphasis on highlighting opportunities to take part in activities in the local area—everything from fruit-tasting sessions to ‘walking buses’ and safe play areas.
The Government will also seek to further develop the NHS Choices website so that it provides highly personalised advice on diet, activity and how to maintain a healthy weight. The Government will work with the FSA and other relevant bodies to ensure that this advice is based on the best available evidence, so that individuals can make sense of often conflicting advice from other sources. We will also explore the potential to include information on which companies meet which aspects of the codes of good practice in food and entertainment technology.
Health Education: Sex
The Department issued its “Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) Guidance (DfES 0116/2000)” to all maintained schools in July 2000. This outlines the responsibility of schools in this area and provides information on the issues to be covered at each of the four key stages, taking account of the age and the physical and emotional maturity of the young people receiving this education.
The Department has not commissioned research on the impact of SRE on the attitudes and lifestyle choices of young people. However, as part of the Children’s Plan we have given a commitment to review best practice in effective SRE and how it is delivered in schools. We have listened to young people and recognise that many feel that they do not currently have the knowledge they need to make safe and responsible choices about relationships and sexual health. We will involve young people fully in the review to make sure that future SRE better meets their needs.
Home Education
The requested information is not collected centrally.
Home Education: Females
The requested information is not collected centrally.
Languages: Education
[holding answer 4 February 2008]: My hon. Friend will be aware from my answer of 13 December that the Children’s Plan, published that month, has announced a review of the primary curriculum that will examine how best to introduce languages as a compulsory subject in primary schools.
We are taking a number of steps to build up the capacity of the primary school system to deliver this, including a teacher training programme in a primary languages specialism. This has so far trained nearly 3,000 teachers, with thousands more to be trained over the next few years. A report by Ofsted, published on 29 January, showed that trainees on the course are being well prepared as future teachers of languages. Increased funding for local authorities to support the delivery of primary languages—£32.5 million in 2008-09, up from £27.5 million in 2007-08 will help schools to buy in specialist advice or resources. Teachers can also make use of sources of support in the classroom, such as schemes of work in French, German and Spanish and materials on the Primary Languages Training Zone, the online training resource for teaching and learning languages at Key Stage 2.
My answer of 13 December set out what we are doing to raise standards of teaching and learning at Key Stage 3. In addition, to ensure that gains made at primary level are not lost, CILT, the National Centre for Languages, is working with groups of primary and secondary schools in a variety of contexts to develop solutions to transition, and will be publishing draft guidelines later this term. There is already guidance for schools in the Key Stage 2 Framework for Languages and as part of the National Strategies and CILT Key Stage 3 programme to ensure that teaching of languages in secondary school builds on progress made earlier.
Languages: Qualifications
The Department for Children, Schools and Families does not hold information on the subjects each school offers at GCSE.
Leisure: Finance
The Government do not collect specific information on local funding for leisure facilities as responsibility rests with local authorities.
However, Government are committed to investing in facilities “Aiming high for young people; a ten year strategy for positive activities”, which was published in July 2006, announced the launch of a new programme of capital investment based on the reinvestment of unclaimed assets from dormant bank accounts and £60 million of new DCSF funding. Our ambition is that this will lead to new and improved youth facilities in every constituency over the next 10 years.
The “Children’s Plan” subsequently announced a further £160 million of DCSF investment over the next two years to support this ambition.
We expect local authorities and the third and private sector to forge genuine partnership to deliver world class facilities driven by the active participation of young people.
Literacy: Enfield
Improving standards of literacy and numeracy at all stages of education has been one of the Government's top priorities. There is no nationally expected level of achievement for 16-year-olds (pupils at the end of key stage 4). The Government's current public service agreement target is for 60 per cent. of 16-year-olds to achieve 5 good GCSE grades (A*-C) or equivalent by 2008. Figures for 2007 published on 9 January show that this target has been met. But we are raising the bar and in future the target for the end of key stage 4 will be measured against the proportion of pupils achieving 5 grades A*-C or equivalent, including GCSE English and mathematics. The 2007 figure for England achieving this standard was 46.7 per cent. compared with 37.0 per cent. in 1998.
The following table shows the proportion of pupils in Enfield and Enfield, North achieving 5 or more grades A*-C or equivalent, including GCSE English and mathematics for each year since 1998:
Enfield Enfield, North 1998 33.4 30.9 1999 36.5 30.5 2000 35.2 28.4 2001 37.4 32.5 2002 38.4 35.2 2003 38.3 37.9 2004 40.5 39.8 2005 42.2 40.8 2006 42.8 40.1 2007 47.5 45.4
In 2007 60 per cent. of pupils in England achieved at least Grade C in GCSE English compared with 53.2 per cent. in 1998. We do not publish disaggregated figures for GCSE subjects at local authority level.
Literacy: Greater London
The following table shows, for each London borough, the number of children included in the calculation of those achieving five or more A*-C GCSE (and equivalent) including GCSE English and mathematics.
Local authority name Number of 15-year-old pupils Percentage 5 +A*-C including English and mathematics Barking and Dagenham 2,097 39.2 Barnet 3,285 59.3 Bexley 3,290 49.7 Brent 2,654 49.5 Bromley 3,484 55.3 Camden 1,444 45.1 City of London — — Croydon 3,803 44.1 Ealing 2,631 49.0 Enfield 3,729 47.4 Greenwich 2,477 33.9 Hackney 1,323 41.3 Hammersmith and Fulham 1,078 57.8 Haringey 2,066 37.1 Harrow 2,209 56.0 Havering 3,072 53.6 Hillingdon 3,048 44.4 Hounslow 2,639 50.2 Islington 1,479 37.0 Kensington and Chelsea 606 56.4 Kingston upon Thames 1,497 61.3 Lambeth 1,423 41.1 Lewisham 2,255 40.4 Merton 1,611 39.7 Newham 3,316 44.1 Redbridge 3,279 61.2 Richmond upon Thames 1,460 47.7 Southwark 2,282 38.3 Sutton 2,572 64.7 Tower Hamlets 2,527 36.3 Waltham Forest 2,595 42.0 Wandsworth 1,793 46.6 Westminster 1,371 45.6 Note: The number of 15-year-olds relates to those on roll at the start of the academic year.
London Academy Edgware
The following table provides data on the number and percentage of students at the London Academy who:
(a) are eligible for free school meals (FSM);
(c) have a special educational need (SEN);
(d) have English as an additional language.
Number Percentage Pupils entitled to FSM1 432 43.0 Pupils with SEN with statement2 51 3.9 Pupils with SEN without statement2 425 32.2 Pupils with English as an additional 464 35.2 1 Based on all pupils of compulsory school age. 2 Based on all pupils. Source: PLASC 20O7
The Learning and Skills Council operate the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme for the Department and hold the information about take-up and payments made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the Council's chief executive, will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 21 January 2008:
I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question that asked: “How many and percentage of students at the London Academy (a) are entitled to free school meals, (b) are in receipt of educational maintenance allowance, (c) have a special educational need and (d) have a mother tongue other than English.”
EMA take-up is defined as young people who have received one or more EMA payments in the academic year.
EMA take-up for the London Academy is as follows:
Academic year Number in receipt (percentage of post-16 learners in receipt) 2006/07 184 (59%)
EMA take-up data showing the number of young people who have received one or more EMA payments during 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07 and to date in 2007/08 is now also available on the LSC website, at the following address:
http://www.lsc.gov.uk/providers/Data/statistics/learner/EMA_take_up.htm
Minibuses: Licensing
[holding answer 13 December 2007]: We have received no formal representations on funding teachers or others to train and be tested for the D1PCV licence or MiDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme). Schools can provide such funding from within their dedicated school budget and local authorities, as employers, can help with the arrangements. Licensing Incidental Drivers of the School Minibus carries details at:
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/healthandsafety/visits/
Numeracy: Qualifications
I have been asked to reply.
The adult numeracy qualifications referred to are properly called the “Certificate in Adult Numeracy’ and were developed as part of the Government's national Skills for Life strategy for improving adult literacy, language and numeracy skills. The Skills for Life numeracy curriculum covers a tightly defined set of topics as laid out in the National Adult Numeracy Standards.
The Key Skills qualifications are properly called “Key Skills in Application of Number’ and were designed for 16 to 19-year-olds as part of the Curriculum 2000 reforms of Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5, The “Key Skills in Application of Number” is a broader qualification than Skills for Life Numeracy and covers a wider range of topics. As well as following a curriculum and completing a test, Key Skills qualifications require the student to present a portfolio of work.
The names of the respective qualifications were chosen to reflect the content of the qualifications and, in the case of Key Skills, to reflect the name of the policy. We do not believe there is potential for confusion between these two qualifications since they are named, marketed and described differently. We see these two qualifications as a lateral progression pathway for adult numeracy: adults can take the smaller Certificate in Adult Numeracy and, if they wish, then achieve the broader Key Skills in Application of Number qualification with the addition of a portfolio of work.
Physical Education: Teachers
The information is not available in the format requested.
Information is available for England from the Secondary Schools Curriculum Survey (SSCSS) which is an occasional sample survey last conducted in 2002 and 2007. 2007 figures will be published in spring 2008. The 2002 survey showed that there were 21,400 teachers in secondary schools teaching physical education of which 78 per cent. had a post A-level qualification in the subject. All teachers in primary schools are qualified to teach all subjects of the national curriculum including physical education.
The 2002 SSCSS figures were published in Statistics of Education, School Workforce in England (including teachers’ pay for England and Wales), January 2003 edition, a copy of which has been placed in the House Library.
Primary Education
(2) how many primary schools with fewer than 150 pupils there are in (a) Cornwall, (b) Devon, (c) Dorset, (d) Somerset and (e) Wiltshire;
(3) how many primary schools with fewer than 150 pupils there are in (a) Gloucestershire, (b) Herefordshire, (c) Shropshire, (d) Staffordshire, (e) Warwickshire, (f) West Midlands, (g) Worcestershire, (h) Derbyshire (i) Leicestershire, (j) Lincolnshire, (k) Northamptonshire, (l) Rutland and (m) Nottinghamshire;
(4) how many primary schools with fewer than 150 pupils there are in (a) Lancashire, (b) Cheshire, (c) Merseyside, (d) Cumbria, (e) Greater Manchester, (f) County Durham, (g) Northumberland, (h) Tyne and Wear, (i) East Yorkshire, (j) South Yorkshire and (k) West Yorkshire.
The available information is shown in the following table.
Each local authority area Fewer than 150 pupils 150 pupils or more Total England 4,721 12,640 17,361 201 City of London 0 1 1 202 Camden 2 39 41 203 Greenwich 0 64 64 204 Hackney 1 52 53 205 Hammersmith and Fulham 0 35 35 206 Islington 0 45 45 207 Kensington and Chelsea 0 26 26 208 Lambeth 1 59 60 209 Lewisham 0 69 69 210 Southwark 0 71 71 211 Tower Hamlets 1 68 69 212 Wandsworth 0 56 56 213 Westminster 2 38 40 301 Barking and Dagenham