Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what Cabinet-level interdepartmental discussions have taken place in the last year about the ‘not in education, employment or training’ (NEET) rate for 18 to 24-year olds; what objectives have been set for this NEET rate; and what steps they will take to achieve those objectives.
Answered by Baroness Berridge
My hon. Friend, the Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills recently met with my hon. Friend, the Minister for Employment to discuss how our respective departments can work even more closely on the skills and employment agenda to ensure people are equipped with the skills they need for their futures and are informed about their options.
We know that 13.1% of 18-24 year olds in the UK were not in education, employment or training (NEET) in July – September 2020, according to the Office for National Statistics, which represents a fall on the same quarter from last year (13.3% July – September 2019). We will continue to monitor the NEET rate and review the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on young people NEET.
As part of my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Plan for Jobs, we made a number of skills commitments such as a significant expansion of the traineeships programme, the introduction of high value courses for year 13 leavers to continue in learning and payments for employers to hire new apprentices. We are tripling the scale of the traineeship programme to help even more young people who are NEET or at risk of being NEET, prepare for apprenticeships and work through a combination of sector-focused skills development and work experience. Alongside the expansion, we have reformed the traineeship programme to enable providers to deliver a more flexible and tailored programme during the COVID-19 outbreak. We are working with employers to develop sector-focused models of traineeships that prepare young people for specific roles, such as construction.
The National Careers Service in the community prioritises those aged 18-24 NEET and supports those most in need of intensive careers advice and guidance.
Kickstart and the introduction of Youth Hubs by the Department for Work and Pensions will also create many high quality work placements for young people claiming Universal Credit deemed at risk of long-term unemployment. More sector-based work academy programmes will provide vocational training and guaranteed interviews for more people, helping them gain the skills needed for jobs in their local area. We will be monitoring progress and take up of these offers alongside NEET numbers.
Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to reconsider their decision that the communal lavatories in the visitors’ section of Sanctuary Buildings are not for women only.
Answered by Baroness Berridge
In previous questions from the noble Lord regarding the visitor’s toilets in Sanctuary Buildings, he has been advised that the department is undertaking maintenance works within the building. A large part of these works is to address longstanding issues with the building water and drainage systems and to ensure our wash facilities remain at the required standard for a government building. Whilst we haven’t finalised the design of the facilities in the visitor area, it is anticipated that individual and disabled toilets will be installed.
Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that schools and local education authorities have available to them best-practice guides on (1) race issues, and (2) the Black Lives Matter campaign, so that they do not have to rely on advice from third parties; and what assessment they have made of reports of pressure groups with divisive philosophies seeking to provide schools with educational materials on these subjects.
Answered by Baroness Berridge
The Department for Education is committed to an inclusive education system which recognises and embraces diversity, and supports all pupils and students to tackle racism and have the knowledge and tools to do so.
We want to support all young people to be happy, healthy and safe. We also want to equip them for adult life and to make a positive contribution to society. That is why we are making Relationships Education compulsory for primary school-age pupils, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) compulsory for secondary school-age pupils and Health Education compulsory for pupils in all state-funded schools, from September 2020.
The statutory guidance sets out that as part of Relationships Educations, all primary-aged pupils will be taught the importance of respecting others, even when they are very different from them, or make different choices or have different preferences or beliefs. Pupils will also be taught what a stereotype is, and how stereotypes can be unfair, negative or destructive. As with other aspects of the curriculum, schools will have flexibility over how they deliver these subjects, so they can develop an integrated approach that is sensitive to the needs and background of their pupils. The statutory guidance can be accessed via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.
The statutory guidance sets out clear advice on choosing resources. Schools should assess each resource they intend to use to ensure that it is appropriate for the age and maturity of pupils, and sensitive to their needs. These resources must be factually accurate. We also expect schools to consult with parents on these matters and to make reasonable decisions about the content of their curriculum. Schools should also ensure that, when they engage parents, they provide examples of the resources they plan to use, for example the books or materials they will use in lessons.
In Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education and Citizenship Education, pupils can develop their understanding of the diverse national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the United Kingdom and the need for mutual respect and understanding.
Schools are required to actively promote fundamental British values, including democracy as well as the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faith and beliefs. The Department for Education has published advice for schools on promoting these values, and has made resources available through the ‘Educate Against Hate’ website. This website provides teachers, school leaders and parents with the information, guidance and support they need to challenge radical and discriminatory beliefs. Schools should also be aware of duties regarding impartiality and balanced treatment of political issues in the classroom to ensure content is handled in an appropriate way.
Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to endorse the advice relating to children with special educational needs and disabilities outlined in the report by Stonewall An Introduction to Supporting LGBT Children and Young People: A guide for schools, colleges and settings, published in March; and what plans they have to issue their own guidance.
Answered by Baroness Berridge
Our ambition is for every child, no matter what challenges they face, to have access to a world-class education that sets them up for life. Schools and teachers are free to use their professional experience in how best to meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
The department does not endorse guidance produced by external organisations. The department’s statutory relationships, sex and health education guidance states that all pupils should receive teaching on LGBT relationships during their school years. Secondary schools should include LGBT content in their teaching and primary schools are strongly encouraged to include families with same-sex parents when teaching about different types of family. Through these subjects, children will be taught about the importance of respectful relationships and the different types of loving and healthy relationships that exist.
The department does not currently have plans to produce more guidance. However, we will ensure that the new programme of support for the new subjects, including training materials, an implementation guide and case studies, are inclusive to all pupils.
Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their policy on the involvement of parents in discussions between a school and a pupil concerning the pupil’s wish to identify as a gender other than the one they were assigned at birth; and which agencies a school should consult, or ask permission from, before deciding to exclude parents from any such discussions.
Answered by Baroness Berridge
The department strongly believes that that all children should be supported whilst growing up, so they can thrive and reach their potential in a safe and respectful environment. We recognise these issues are complex and sensitive matters to navigate. Schools and school leaders are well placed to work with parents, pupils and the appropriate range of public services available to support individual children.
Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their definition of (1) man, (2) woman, (3) male, (4) female, (5) boy, (6) girl, (7) transgender, (8) sex, (9) gender, and (10) gender identity.
Answered by Baroness Berridge
In the Equality Act 2010, "man" is defined as "a male of any age"; and "woman" as "a female of any age". The other terms listed in the question are not defined, except that "the protected characteristic of sex" is defined in Section 11 of the Equality Act as a reference to a man or a woman, or to persons of the same sex, as appropriate.
The Government Equalities Office provided a list of terms to help set the context and support respondents in completing the 2018 Gender Recognition Act Consultation. This included short descriptions of the terms ‘sex’, ‘gender’, ‘transgender’ and ‘gender identity’: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/721725/GRA-Consultation-document.pdf
Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is their policy for schools to provide separate (1) changing rooms, and (2) toilets, for boys and girls; whether all or any of such facilities can be gender neutral under their policy; and what action a parent can take if a school is in breach of any such policy.
Answered by Baroness Berridge
The department publishes advice to support schools in England to meet the standards set out in school premises regulations. For both maintained schools and academies (including free schools), the regulations state that suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided for the sole use of pupils. It also requires separate toilets for boys and girls aged 8 years or over to be provided except where the toilet facility is provided in a room that can be secured from the inside and that is intended for use by one pupil at a time. Suitable changing accommodation and showers should be provided for pupils aged 11 years and over at the start of the school year who receive physical education.
The department’s advice indicates that schools should take into account the age, number and sex of pupils, and any special requirements they have, when determining whether provision is suitable. It also advises that where there is unisex provision of toilet facilities the privacy of the occupant needs to be ensured, for example, by having adequate enclosure and a full height door.
We trust schools to work with parents to determine what is in the best interests of pupils, where there may be concerns. In the rare cases where this is not the case, parents should register their complaint by following the school’s complaint policy.
Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address sex stereotyping in schools.
Answered by Baroness Berridge
From September 2020, it will be compulsory for all primary schools to teach relationships education and for all secondary schools to teach relationships and sex education. Health education will be compulsory in all state-funded schools. These subjects directly support the government’s ambitions to end discrimination against women and girls.
Pupils will be taught about stereotypes, consent, mutual respect, management of conflict, sexual violence and laws relating to sex, relationships and young people in an age-appropriate way.
The department’s careers strategy is clear that positive steps are being taken to tackle gender stereotypes in schools. For example, we are exploring how to close the gender divide in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) across educational and professional routes, such as through STEM apprenticeships and the new T levels.
We are funding gender balance programmes in physics and computing which aim to identify practical interventions that schools can implement to improve girls’ participation in these subjects. We are also funding research that will help us to better understand what works to improve girls’ mathematics and physics A-level participation.
Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Agnew of Oulton on 11 July (HL16827, HL16828, HL16829, and HL16830), what discussions, if any, they have had with the cleaning staff in Sanctuary Buildings about the condition of the gender-neutral toilets in the communal visitor area compared to that of the female-only toilets.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The department has not identified any particular group of visitors that might feel excluded by separate communal male and female toilets or by both toilets being gender-neutral. The current approach for visitors supports individual choice rather than pre-supposing that particular groups of individuals have set or pre-determined preferences.
With this in mind, no estimates have been made regarding the percentage of visitors who may feel excluded by separate communal male and female toilets, and of both toilets being gender-neutral. In addition, because visitors are served by a range of different toilet types, we would not expect individuals to feel excluded. Visitors have not fed back any concerns or sense of exclusion regarding the provision. The department rarely receives feedback on the visitors’ area and where it does, it will take action.
In terms of the conversion of one toilet to gender-neutral status, while leaving the other as female only in the communal visitor area of Sanctuary Buildings, we are currently planning a major refurbishment of the visitor area. As part of that, we will review the facilities including the distribution of single sex and gender-neutral toilets.
No discussions with the cleaning staff in Sanctuary Buildings have been held regarding the condition of the gender-neutral toilets in the communal visitor area compared to that of the female-only toilets. We have set standards of cleanliness across all facilities. We have not been made aware that these standards have not been met in the visitors’ toilets. We will monitor this, and take action, if required.
Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Agnew of Oulton on 11 July (HL16827, HL16828, HL16829, and HL16830), what consideration they have given, if any, to converting one toilet to gender-neutral and leaving the other as female only in the communal visitor area of Sanctuary Buildings; and which people they consider would feel excluded by such an arrangement.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The department has not identified any particular group of visitors that might feel excluded by separate communal male and female toilets or by both toilets being gender-neutral. The current approach for visitors supports individual choice rather than pre-supposing that particular groups of individuals have set or pre-determined preferences.
With this in mind, no estimates have been made regarding the percentage of visitors who may feel excluded by separate communal male and female toilets, and of both toilets being gender-neutral. In addition, because visitors are served by a range of different toilet types, we would not expect individuals to feel excluded. Visitors have not fed back any concerns or sense of exclusion regarding the provision. The department rarely receives feedback on the visitors’ area and where it does, it will take action.
In terms of the conversion of one toilet to gender-neutral status, while leaving the other as female only in the communal visitor area of Sanctuary Buildings, we are currently planning a major refurbishment of the visitor area. As part of that, we will review the facilities including the distribution of single sex and gender-neutral toilets.
No discussions with the cleaning staff in Sanctuary Buildings have been held regarding the condition of the gender-neutral toilets in the communal visitor area compared to that of the female-only toilets. We have set standards of cleanliness across all facilities. We have not been made aware that these standards have not been met in the visitors’ toilets. We will monitor this, and take action, if required.