To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Free School Meals: Disability
Monday 4th December 2023

Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the finding by the charity Contact that a third of eligible disabled children do not access free school meals for reasons that may be linked to their disability, such as being too unwell to attend school or being unable to eat the meals due to dietary or sensory requirements; what steps they are taking in response; and, in particular, whether they intend to offer a voucher scheme to such children during term time.

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

Schools have a duty to provide nutritious, free meals to pupils that meet the eligibility criteria, including being a registered pupil of a state funded school. Free School Meal (FSM) provision should be made to eligible pupils either on the school premises or at any other place where education is being provided. The department expects schools to act reasonably in ensuring that their food provision accounts for medical, dietary and cultural needs. The department has published statutory guidance (attached), which describes steps a school may take, including the establishment of individual healthcare plans which may include special diets.​

Local authorities are funded to support children with special educational needs, including those who are unable to attend school on a long-term basis. The department has published guidance to provide more information, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/illness-child-education. The department continues to keep its guidance under review to ensure that free school meal eligibility supports those who most need them.


Written Question
Free School Meals
Monday 4th December 2023

Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to update the Free Schools Meals Guidance to explain how local authorities and schools should provide free school meals to eligible disabled children who, for whatever reason, cannot access them.

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

Schools have a duty to provide nutritious, free meals to pupils that meet the eligibility criteria, including being a registered pupil of a state funded school. Free School Meal (FSM) provision should be made to eligible pupils either on the school premises or at any other place where education is being provided. The department expects schools to act reasonably in ensuring that their food provision accounts for medical, dietary and cultural needs. The department has published statutory guidance (attached), which describes steps a school may take, including the establishment of individual healthcare plans which may include special diets.​

Local authorities are funded to support children with special educational needs, including those who are unable to attend school on a long-term basis. The department has published guidance to provide more information, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/illness-child-education. The department continues to keep its guidance under review to ensure that free school meal eligibility supports those who most need them.


Written Question
Railway Stations: Tickets
Monday 18th September 2023

Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government which disability and accessibility groups they consulted before launching the consultation on proposed closures to rail ticket offices.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

In partnership with industry, the Rail Minister and department officials held roundtables with industry and accessibility stakeholders and passenger representative groups on 6 June and 18 July 2023 to discuss potential reforms. Over 20 different organisations were represented at the different roundtables.

Through the industry-led Ticketing and Settlement Agreement process train operating companies have put forward proposals to change the opening hours or closure of station ticket offices and recently consulted on these. The consultation closed on 1 September and the independent passenger bodies, Transport Focus and London TravelWatch, are currently assessing the proposals and consultation responses.

We expect train operators to work collaboratively with the passenger bodies in the coming weeks, to listen to the concerns raised and to refine their proposals accordingly.

The Department continues to engage with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee and other accessibility and transport groups.


Written Question
Railways: Tickets
Tuesday 25th July 2023

Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consultation took place, and with which disability groups, organisations and charities, before the Rail Delivery Group's consultation on Ticket Office closures was launched on 5 July.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Department hosted roundtable discussions with industry and accessibility and transport groups to discuss this matter prior to the Rail Delivery Group's consultation launched on 5 July. We continue to engage with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee and other accessibility and transport groups.

When proposing major changes to ticket office opening hours – including closures – train operators are required to take into account the adequacy of the proposed alternatives in relation to the needs of passengers who are disabled; and to include this in the notice of the proposal sent to other operators and passenger groups. We would also expect operators to consider other equality related needs and make this clear in the notice sent to other operators and passenger groups.


Written Question
Railways: Tickets
Monday 24th July 2023

Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that public consultations on railway ticket office closures will be accessible for disabled people.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

When proposing major changes to ticket office opening hours, including closures, operators are required to take into account the adequacy of the proposed alternatives in relation to the needs of passengers who are disabled, and to include this in the notice of the proposal sent to other operators and passenger groups.

Under the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement process, train operators are required to put notices at stations advising passengers of any proposals and what changes could mean for them. Train operators have also made information relating to their consultations available on their websites. We would expect train operating companies to make sure their consultations are accessible.


Written Question
Electric Vehicles: Charging Points
Tuesday 14th March 2023

Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to enforce the new British Standards Institute Accessible Electric Vehicle Standard for charging stations.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

While compliance with Publicly Available Standard (PAS) 1899, published by the British Standards Institution (BSI) last year, is voluntary, the Government is actively encouraging relevant parties to adopt its specifications.

The Government will continue to work with industry and other parties to ensure effective implementation of PAS 1899 and inform the 24-month review of the standard, which will be led by the BSI.


Written Question
Electric Vehicles: Charging Points
Wednesday 1st March 2023

Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their announcement on 21 February regarding new electric vehicle charging points to be installed across England, how many will be accessible for wheelchair users.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Local EV Infrastructure Fund provides Local Authorities with funding to deliver a public chargepoint network that best suits the needs of the local area. Through the Local EV Infrastructure Support Body, the Government provides Local Authorities with expert advice to develop these projects, including guidance on accessibility.

The Government will continue to monitor whether further intervention is needed on accessibility over time.


Written Question
Fires: Safety Measures
Thursday 17th February 2022

Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish the outcomes of their consultation on Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans, which ran from 8 June 2021 to 19 July 2021.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

The Government’s response to the consultation on Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) will be published shortly, once the views of all individuals and organisations who contributed have been carefully considered.


Written Question
Olympic Games: China
Friday 11th February 2022

Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they have issued to sporting representatives of (1) Team GB, and (2) Paralympics GB, participating in the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games regarding the exercise of fundamental human rights in China.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We have provided specific advice to the British Olympic and Paralympic Associations, including in respect of security, Chinese law and society, to ensure Team GB and Paralympics GB are as well prepared as possible for the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing. We wish our athletes every success and they will continue to have our full support throughout the games. Officials in Beijing stand ready to provide consular assistance if needed.


Written Question
Gynaecology: Waiting Lists
Tuesday 7th December 2021

Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to reduce the waiting lists for gynaecology services.

Answered by Lord Kamall

Gynaecology services will be included within the recovery of elective care. This will be funded by £2 billion this year and an additional £8 billion over the next three years, which could deliver the equivalent of approximately nine million more checks, scans and procedures. The delivery plan for tackling the elective care backlog will be published later this year.