Baroness Tonge Portrait

Baroness Tonge

Non-affiliated - Former Member for Life peer

Became Member: 23rd June 2005


HIV and AIDS Committee in the United Kingdom
20th Dec 2010 - 19th Jul 2011
International Development Committee
14th Jul 1997 - 1st Nov 1999


Division Voting information

Baroness Tonge has voted in 807 divisions, and 34 times against the majority of their Party.

29 Feb 2012 - Health and Social Care Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 71 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 185 Noes - 282
14 Feb 2012 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 6 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 59 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 236 Noes - 226
13 Feb 2012 - Health and Social Care Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 59 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 198 Noes - 234
13 Feb 2012 - Health and Social Care Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 63 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 169 Noes - 231
8 Feb 2012 - Health and Social Care Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 3 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 64 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 244 Noes - 240
31 Jan 2012 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 7 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 58 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 246 Noes - 230
25 Jan 2012 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 16 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 30 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 270 Noes - 128
23 Jan 2012 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 17 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 41 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 222 Noes - 250
23 Jan 2012 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 25 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 38 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 252 Noes - 237
17 Jan 2012 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 63 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 213 Noes - 229
11 Jan 2012 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 3 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 60 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 260 Noes - 216
11 Jan 2012 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 2 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 49 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 234 Noes - 186
11 Jan 2012 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 4 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 41 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 222 Noes - 166
14 Dec 2011 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 14 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 43 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 258 Noes - 190
7 Dec 2011 - Health and Social Care Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 61 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 195 Noes - 248
5 Dec 2011 - Health and Social Care Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 59 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 170 Noes - 202
15 Nov 2011 - Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 47 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 165 Noes - 168
25 Oct 2011 - Health and Social Care Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 58 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 212 Noes - 244
12 Oct 2011 - Health and Social Care Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 77 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 220 Noes - 354
12 Oct 2011 - Health and Social Care Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 78 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 262 Noes - 330
14 Jul 2011 - Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 47 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 104 Noes - 151
13 Jul 2011 - European Union Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 62 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 210 Noes - 244
13 Jul 2011 - European Union Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 54 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 148 Noes - 215
15 Jun 2011 - Estates of Deceased Persons (Forfeiture Rule and Law of Succession) Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 9 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 59 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 242 Noes - 209
15 Jun 2011 - Estates of Deceased Persons (Forfeiture Rule and Law of Succession) Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 18 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 47 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 209 Noes - 203
11 May 2011 - Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 13 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 35 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 188 Noes - 176
28 Mar 2011 - Public Bodies Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 6 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 48 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 225 Noes - 162
19 Jan 2011 - Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 13 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 44 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 196 Noes - 122
21 Dec 2010 - Identity Documents Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 10 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 32 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 156 Noes - 112
14 Dec 2010 - Public Bodies Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 4 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 19 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 277 Noes - 165
14 Dec 2010 - Higher Education (Basic Amount) (England) Regulations 2010 - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 58 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 283
14 Dec 2010 - Higher Education (Basic Amount) (England) Regulations 2010 - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 57 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 200 Noes - 273
29 Nov 2010 - Public Bodies Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 42 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 147 Noes - 156
30 Oct 2006 - Education and Inspections Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Tonge voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 8 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 37 Noes - 119
View All Baroness Tonge Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative)
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
(31 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Home Office
(37 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(31 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Baroness Tonge's debates

Lords initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Baroness Tonge, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.


3 Bills introduced by Baroness Tonge


A Bill to raise the minimum age of consent to marriage or civil partnership to eighteen; create an offence of causing a person under the age of eighteen to enter into a marriage or civil partnership; and for connected purposes.

Lords Completed

Last Event - 3rd Reading : House Of Lords
Tuesday 20th December 2016
(Read Debate)

A Bill to require the Secretary of State to consider, before providing development assistance, its likely impact on population dynamics

Lords - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Lords
Monday 15th June 2015

First reading took place on 12 June. This stage is a formality that signals the start of the Bill's journey through the Lords.Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the Bill - is yet to be scheduled. A Bill to amend the Abortion Act 1967 to make provision for the termination of pregnancy following certification by one registered medical practitioner.

Lords - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Lords
Thursday 12th June 2014

Baroness Tonge has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
6 Other Department Questions
5th Oct 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what military hardware and components have been imported into the United Kingdom from Israel in the past 12 months.

Firearms, firearms component parts and ammunition are the only items of military equipment subject to import licensing controls.

In 2014, BIS Import Licensing Branch issued 10 import licences for imports from Israel totalling 240 firearms and 2760 firearms component parts.

In 2015 (to 30th September), BIS Import Licensing Branch issued 20 import licences for imports from Israel totalling 1858 firearms and 3260 firearms component parts.


14th Jul 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to change their policy on selling arms to Israel in line with the policy not to sell arms where they might be used for external aggression or internal repression.

The Government announced the outcome of a review of export licensing for Israel on 14 July 2014.

As a result of the review the Government will now assess all export licence applications for Israel, as for all destinations, against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. Criterion 2 states that the Government “will not grant a licence if there is a clear risk that the items might be used for internal repression”; Criterion 4 states that the Government “will not grant a licence if there is a clear risk that the intended recipient would use the items aggressively against another country, or to assert by force a territorial claim”.

20th Jan 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they plan to take to safeguard the principle of free speech in university campuses in the United Kingdom.

The Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill proposes new measures to reduce the risk of terrorism; these measures, if agreed by Parliament, will in turn reduce the threat terrorism poses to freedom of speech in universities and elsewhere.

The detailed guidance on the proposed new duty, to have regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism, is currently subject to consultation. The Government expects to revise the guidance in the light of the consultation to make clearer universities’ duty to promote freedom of speech.

Baroness Williams of Trafford
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
3rd Dec 2014
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Livingston of Parkhead on 18 August (HL1576) on British military exports to Israel, whether they will clarify the uses of components for combat aircraft, drones, targeting equipment, military radar, weapon night sights, anti-armour ammunition, sniper rifles and high powered radio frequency weapons systems; and whether those components constitute a particular weapon or system being used for internal repression or external aggression as specified in the Export Control Act 2002.

The Government’s review of extant export licences for Israel, the results of which were announced on 12 August, found that the vast majority of licences are not for items that could be used by Israeli forces in operations in Gaza. However the review did identify 12 licences for components which could be part of equipment used by Israeli Defence Forces in Gaza. These licences include components for combat aircraft, components for military radars, and components for targeting equipment. The Government will suspend these licences in the event of a resumption of significant hostilities.

The majority of the remaining licences are for components to be incorporated into other equipment for onward supply to third countries, for test or demonstration purposes, or for hunting and sports shooting.

The Government is currently conducting a further review of licences for Israel. The outcome of the review will be announced in due course.

2nd Dec 2014
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that the European Union decision in 2010 to remove trade concessions from Sri Lanka pending the government of that country improving its human rights record has created a precedent for other countries.

In 2010 some trade preferences, known as GSP+, were removed from Sri Lanka by the European Union following investigations and reports which found significant shortcomings in respect of Sri Lanka’s implementation of three human rights conventions. Sri Lanka continues to receive beneficial but less generous trade preferences from the EU under the ‘standard’ GSP scheme.

As was the case for Sri Lanka, any decision for the EU to remove GSP+ preferences from a country is based on the objective criteria and following the process established in the GSP Regulation as agreed by European Member States and the European Parliament.

11th Feb 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Prime Minister is expected to finish his consideration of the report by the Intelligence and Security Committee into alleged Russian interference in UK democracy; and when they estimate that report to be published.

I refer the noble Baroness to the answer given by Earl Howe to PQ HL274 on 9 January 2020.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
8th Jan 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to conduct an investigation into possible interference by foreign governments in the December 2019 General Election.

The government is determined to protect our democratic and electoral processes.

The government has worked with a large number of organisations to do this, including social media companies and civil society organisations, and would like to thank them for their continued support and work in this area.

As you would expect, the Government examines all aspects of the electoral process following an election, including foreign interference, and that work is ongoing.

Earl Howe
Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
14th May 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Electoral Commission about putting in place safeguards to ensure that political parties do not receive donations from people promoting the interests of other countries during and between election campaigns.

The Electoral Commission in its 2018 report ‘Digital campaigning - Increasing transparency for voters’, included recommendations relating to foreign donations and campaigning. The Government has discussed these with the Electoral Commission.

On 5th May 2019, the Government announced it will consult on safeguarding UK elections. The consultation may consider recommendations for increasing transparency on digital political advertising, including by third parties; closing loopholes on foreign spending in elections; preventing shell companies from sidestepping the current rules on political finance and on action to tackle foreign lobbying.

2nd Apr 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether UK parliamentary candidates are permitted to sign a pledge to another nation.

Candidates at UK parliamentary elections must comply with the requirements for standing as a candidate at these elections. Otherwise, candidates enjoy the same freedom of expression as applicable to all citizens.

1st Oct 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 10 September (HL10037), whether the spend on sexual and reproductive health and rights includes funding from the Conflict Stability and Security Fund, and the Prosperity Fund.

The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) and the Prosperity Fund are both cross-Government funds. Neither has programmes specifically supporting sexual and reproductive health and rights. The CSSF’s portfolio includes programmes which seek to prevent sexual violence in conflict situations and which empower women to seek justice. The Prosperity Fund portfolio will include programmes in the health sector.

More broadly, all ODA funded CSSF and Prosperity Fund programmes must comply with the 2014 International Development (Gender Equality) Act. This means integrating activities which are likely to contribute to reducing gender inequality.

More information on the CSSF, including details on spend broken down by theme, can be found in the CSSF annual report. Information on the Prosperity Fund can be found in its 2016/17 annual report, with updated information available in the next annual report, due later this year.

1st Oct 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the actual UK Official Development Assistance expenditure on sexual and reproductive health and rights from (1) the cross-government funds, (2) the Conflict Stability and Security Fund, and (3) the Prosperity Fund.

The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) and the Prosperity Fund are both cross-Government funds. Neither has programmes specifically supporting sexual and reproductive health and rights. The CSSF’s portfolio includes programmes which seek to prevent sexual violence in conflict situations and which empower women to seek justice. The Prosperity Fund portfolio will include programmes in the health sector.

More broadly, all ODA funded CSSF and Prosperity Fund programmes must comply with the 2014 International Development (Gender Equality) Act. This means integrating activities which are likely to contribute to reducing gender inequality.

More information on the CSSF, including details on spend broken down by theme, can be found in the CSSF annual report. Information on the Prosperity Fund can be found in its 2016/17 annual report, with updated information available in the next annual report, due later this year.

28th Feb 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the incidence of neonatal mortality and morbidity in (1) 2000–05, (2) 2005–10, and (3) 2010–15.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply and I will place a copy of their letter in the Library
of the House.

Letter from John Pullinger CB, National Statistician, to Baroness Tonge, dated 07 March 2018

Dear Baroness Tonge,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am replying to your Parliamentary Questions asking (a) whether the incidence of neonatal mortality and morbidity has decreased over the past five years (HL5969); (b) what was the incidence of neonatal mortality and morbidity in (1) 2000–05, (2) 2005–10, and (3) 2010–15 (HL5970); and (c) what was the incidence of neonatal mortality and morbidity in (1) 2014–15, (2) 2015–16, and (3) 2016–17 (HL5971).

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for publishing statistics on deaths registered in England and Wales. Statistics on deaths are normally published using calendar years. Neonatal mortality figures are available for both the year the death was registered and the year the death occurred. Comparisons over time are more meaningful using death occurrences, to allow for delays in registering deaths. The latest year for which death occurrence figures are available is 2015 [see note 1 below]. The neonatal mortality figures for 2016 will be published on 14 March 2018 and the data for 2017 will be published in early 2019.

Table 1 below provides the number of neonatal deaths and the neonatal mortality rates per 1,000 live births for England and Wales, for each calendar year from 2000 to 2015.

Because the number of neonatal deaths each year is relatively small, there is likely to be some random fluctuation, and no single year since 2000 shows a statistically significant change from the preceding year. However, there has been a generally downward trend throughout the period. In the five years 2011-15, the lowest neonatal mortality rate was in 2014, and this was significantly lower than in 2011 and all previous years. The rate in 2015 was higher than in 2014, but is still significantly lower than in 2011 (taking into account rounding of the figures to one decimal place).

NHS Digital is responsible for publishing statistics on NHS patient care in England. There is no widely accepted measure of neonatal morbidity, however trends in the admission of neonates to hospital may be useful information. Therefore, figures based on Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) have been given here.

Table 2 below provides the number of neonatal finished consultant episodes (FCEs) and corresponding neonatal hospitalisation rate per 1,000 live births for England, for each financial year from 2000-01 to 2016-17, and the five-year periods 2001-02 to 2004-05, 2005-06 to 2009-10, and 2010-11 to 2014-15. Note that HES data include activity ending in the year in question and run from April to March, e.g. 2012-13 includes activity ending between 1st April 2012 and 31st March 2013.

Changes to the HES figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. Conversely, apparent increases in activity may be due to improved recording of diagnosis or procedure information.

There has been year on year fluctuation in the number and rate of hospital episodes for neonates over the period of interest, but with a clear overall upward trend. The hospitalisation rate in 2015-16 was significantly higher than five years before. However, as noted above, it is likely that the trend is influenced to some extent by factors such as changing clinical practice and recording.

Yours sincerely,

John Pullinger

Note 1:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/datasets/childmortalitystatisticschildhoodinfantandperinatalchildhoodinfantandperinatalmortalityinenglandandwales

Table 1: Neonatal deaths occurring in England and Wales, numbers and rates, 2000 to 2015

Year

Neonatal deaths

Neonatal mortality rate

Lower confidence limit

Upper confidence limit

2000

2,335

3.9

3.7

4.0

2001

2,137

3.6

3.4

3.7

2002

2,126

3.6

3.4

3.7

2003

2,264

3.6

3.5

3.8

2004

2,209

3.5

3.3

3.6

2005

2,227

3.4

3.3

3.6

2006

2,325

3.5

3.3

3.6

2007

2,248

3.3

3.1

3.4

2008

2,261

3.2

3.1

3.3

2009

2,205

3.1

3.0

3.3

2010

2,123

2.9

2.8

3.1

2011

2,135

2.9

2.8

3.1

2012

2,042

2.8

2.7

2.9

2013

1,871

2.7

2.6

2.8

2014

1,762

2.5

2.4

2.7

2015

1,838

2.6

2.5

2.8

  1. Neonatal deaths are defined as deaths of live-born infants at less than 28 days

  2. Rates are per 1,000 live births

  3. The 95% lower and upper confidence limits have been provided. These form a confidence interval, which is a measure of the statistical precision of a rate and shows the range of uncertainty around the calculated rate. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures.

Source: Office for National Statistics

Table 2: Neonatal hospital episodes occurring in England, numbers and rates, 2000-02 to 2016-17

Year

Neonatal episodes (FCEs)

Neonatal hospitalisation rate

Lower confidence limit

Upper confidence limit

2000-01

57,983

96.3

95.5

97.1

2001-02

56,097

94.3

93.5

95.1

2002-03

58,610

97.3

96.5

98.1

2003-04

64,574

103.1

102.4

103.9

2004-05

65,873

102.7

101.9

103.5

2005-06

69,000

105.9

105.1

106.7

2006-07

74,893

111.0

110.2

111.8

2007-08

84,755

122.0

121.2

122.8

2008-09

91,420

129.1

128.3

129.9

2009-10

96,005

135.1

134.3

136.0

2010-11

102,847

142.2

141.3

143.1

2011-12

101,577

140.0

139.2

140.9

2012-13

106,531

147.6

146.7

148.5

2013-14

109,509

157.0

156.0

157.9

2014-15

114,229

164.1

163.2

165.1

2015-16

114,420

164.1

163.1

165.0

2016-17*

116,573

-

-

-

2000-01 to 2004-05†

301,700

98.4

98.0

98.7

2005-06 to 2009-10†

414,060

120.4

120.0

120.7

2010-11 to 2014-15†

532,149

149.3

148.9

149.7

  1. Neonatal episodes are defined as counts of patients where there is a finished consultant episode (FCE) for neonates with an extended hospital stay immediately following birth, or an admission within the first 28 days of life. An FCE is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year.

  2. Rates are per 1,000 live births. The number of births per financial year has been estimated based on births in the relevant calendar years.

  3. The 95% lower and upper confidence limits have been provided. These form a confidence interval, which is a measure of the statistical precision of a rate and shows the range of uncertainty around the calculated rate. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures.

* A rate for 2016-17 cannot be calculated as the number of births in 2017 is not yet available.

† As a patient may have been in hospital in two consecutive years, the total per five-year grouping will not be equal to a sum of the corresponding five individual years.

Source: NHS Digital and Office for National Statistics

28th Feb 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the incidence of neonatal mortality and morbidity in (1) 2014–15, (2) 2015–16, and (3) 2016–17.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

Letter from John Pullinger CB, National Statistician, to Baroness Tonge, dated 07 March 2018

Dear Baroness Tonge,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am replying to your Parliamentary Questions asking (a) whether the incidence of neonatal mortality and morbidity has decreased over the past five years (HL5969); (b) what was the incidence of neonatal mortality and morbidity in (1) 2000–05, (2) 2005–10, and (3) 2010–15 (HL5970); and (c) what was the incidence of neonatal mortality and morbidity in (1) 2014–15, (2) 2015–16, and (3) 2016–17 (HL5971).

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for publishing statistics on deaths registered in England and Wales. Statistics on deaths are normally published using calendar years. Neonatal mortality figures are available for both the year the death was registered and the year the death occurred. Comparisons over time are more meaningful using death occurrences, to allow for delays in registering deaths. The latest year for which death occurrence figures are available is 2015 [see note 1 below]. The neonatal mortality figures for 2016 will be published on 14 March 2018 and the data for 2017 will be published in early 2019.

Table 1 below provides the number of neonatal deaths and the neonatal mortality rates per 1,000 live births for England and Wales, for each calendar year from 2000 to 2015.

Because the number of neonatal deaths each year is relatively small, there is likely to be some random fluctuation, and no single year since 2000 shows a statistically significant change from the preceding year. However, there has been a generally downward trend throughout the period. In the five years 2011-15, the lowest neonatal mortality rate was in 2014, and this was significantly lower than in 2011 and all previous years. The rate in 2015 was higher than in 2014, but is still significantly lower than in 2011 (taking into account rounding of the figures to one decimal place).

NHS Digital is responsible for publishing statistics on NHS patient care in England. There is no widely accepted measure of neonatal morbidity, however trends in the admission of neonates to hospital may be useful information. Therefore, figures based on Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) have been given here.

Table 2 below provides the number of neonatal finished consultant episodes (FCEs) and corresponding neonatal hospitalisation rate per 1,000 live births for England, for each financial year from 2000-01 to 2016-17, and the five-year periods 2001-02 to 2004-05, 2005-06 to 2009-10, and 2010-11 to 2014-15. Note that HES data include activity ending in the year in question and run from April to March, e.g. 2012-13 includes activity ending between 1st April 2012 and 31st March 2013.

Changes to the HES figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. Conversely, apparent increases in activity may be due to improved recording of diagnosis or procedure information.

There has been year on year fluctuation in the number and rate of hospital episodes for neonates over the period of interest, but with a clear overall upward trend. The hospitalisation rate in 2015-16 was significantly higher than five years before. However, as noted above, it is likely that the trend is influenced to some extent by factors such as changing clinical practice and recording.

Yours sincerely,

John Pullinger

Note 1:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/datasets/childmortalitystatisticschildhoodinfantandperinatalchildhoodinfantandperinatalmortalityinenglandandwales

Table 1: Neonatal deaths occurring in England and Wales, numbers and rates, 2000 to 2015

Year

Neonatal deaths

Neonatal mortality rate

Lower confidence limit

Upper confidence limit

2000

2,335

3.9

3.7

4.0

2001

2,137

3.6

3.4

3.7

2002

2,126

3.6

3.4

3.7

2003

2,264

3.6

3.5

3.8

2004

2,209

3.5

3.3

3.6

2005

2,227

3.4

3.3

3.6

2006

2,325

3.5

3.3

3.6

2007

2,248

3.3

3.1

3.4

2008

2,261

3.2

3.1

3.3

2009

2,205

3.1

3.0

3.3

2010

2,123

2.9

2.8

3.1

2011

2,135

2.9

2.8

3.1

2012

2,042

2.8

2.7

2.9

2013

1,871

2.7

2.6

2.8

2014

1,762

2.5

2.4

2.7

2015

1,838

2.6

2.5

2.8

  1. Neonatal deaths are defined as deaths of live-born infants at less than 28 days

  2. Rates are per 1,000 live births

  3. The 95% lower and upper confidence limits have been provided. These form a confidence interval, which is a measure of the statistical precision of a rate and shows the range of uncertainty around the calculated rate. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures.

Source: Office for National Statistics

Table 2: Neonatal hospital episodes occurring in England, numbers and rates, 2000-02 to 2016-17

Year

Neonatal episodes (FCEs)

Neonatal hospitalisation rate

Lower confidence limit

Upper confidence limit

2000-01

57,983

96.3

95.5

97.1

2001-02

56,097

94.3

93.5

95.1

2002-03

58,610

97.3

96.5

98.1

2003-04

64,574

103.1

102.4

103.9

2004-05

65,873

102.7

101.9

103.5

2005-06

69,000

105.9

105.1

106.7

2006-07

74,893

111.0

110.2

111.8

2007-08

84,755

122.0

121.2

122.8

2008-09

91,420

129.1

128.3

129.9

2009-10

96,005

135.1

134.3

136.0

2010-11

102,847

142.2

141.3

143.1

2011-12

101,577

140.0

139.2

140.9

2012-13

106,531

147.6

146.7

148.5

2013-14

109,509

157.0

156.0

157.9

2014-15

114,229

164.1

163.2

165.1

2015-16

114,420

164.1

163.1

165.0

2016-17*

116,573

-

-

-

2000-01 to 2004-05†

301,700

98.4

98.0

98.7

2005-06 to 2009-10†

414,060

120.4

120.0

120.7

2010-11 to 2014-15†

532,149

149.3

148.9

149.7

  1. Neonatal episodes are defined as counts of patients where there is a finished consultant episode (FCE) for neonates with an extended hospital stay immediately following birth, or an admission within the first 28 days of life. An FCE is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year.

  2. Rates are per 1,000 live births. The number of births per financial year has been estimated based on births in the relevant calendar years.

  3. The 95% lower and upper confidence limits have been provided. These form a confidence interval, which is a measure of the statistical precision of a rate and shows the range of uncertainty around the calculated rate. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures.

* A rate for 2016-17 cannot be calculated as the number of births in 2017 is not yet available.

† As a patient may have been in hospital in two consecutive years, the total per five-year grouping will not be equal to a sum of the corresponding five individual years.

Source: NHS Digital and Office for National Statistics

28th Feb 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the incidence of neonatal mortality and morbidity has decreased over the past five years.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

Letter from John Pullinger CB, National Statistician, to Baroness Tonge, dated 07 March 2018

Dear Baroness Tonge,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am replying to your Parliamentary Questions asking (a) whether the incidence of neonatal mortality and morbidity has decreased over the past five years (HL5969); (b) what was the incidence of neonatal mortality and morbidity in (1) 2000–05, (2) 2005–10, and (3) 2010–15 (HL5970); and (c) what was the incidence of neonatal mortality and morbidity in (1) 2014–15, (2) 2015–16, and (3) 2016–17 (HL5971).

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for publishing statistics on deaths registered in England and Wales. Statistics on deaths are normally published using calendar years. Neonatal mortality figures are available for both the year the death was registered and the year the death occurred. Comparisons over time are more meaningful using death occurrences, to allow for delays in registering deaths. The latest year for which death occurrence figures are available is 2015 [see note 1 below]. The neonatal mortality figures for 2016 will be published on 14 March 2018 and the data for 2017 will be published in early 2019.

Table 1 below provides the number of neonatal deaths and the neonatal mortality rates per 1,000 live births for England and Wales, for each calendar year from 2000 to 2015.

Because the number of neonatal deaths each year is relatively small, there is likely to be some random fluctuation, and no single year since 2000 shows a statistically significant change from the preceding year. However, there has been a generally downward trend throughout the period. In the five years 2011-15, the lowest neonatal mortality rate was in 2014, and this was significantly lower than in 2011 and all previous years. The rate in 2015 was higher than in 2014, but is still significantly lower than in 2011 (taking into account rounding of the figures to one decimal place).

NHS Digital is responsible for publishing statistics on NHS patient care in England. There is no widely accepted measure of neonatal morbidity, however trends in the admission of neonates to hospital may be useful information. Therefore, figures based on Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) have been given here.

Table 2 below provides the number of neonatal finished consultant episodes (FCEs) and corresponding neonatal hospitalisation rate per 1,000 live births for England, for each financial year from 2000-01 to 2016-17, and the five-year periods 2001-02 to 2004-05, 2005-06 to 2009-10, and 2010-11 to 2014-15. Note that HES data include activity ending in the year in question and run from April to March, e.g. 2012-13 includes activity ending between 1st April 2012 and 31st March 2013.

Changes to the HES figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. Conversely, apparent increases in activity may be due to improved recording of diagnosis or procedure information.

There has been year on year fluctuation in the number and rate of hospital episodes for neonates over the period of interest, but with a clear overall upward trend. The hospitalisation rate in 2015-16 was significantly higher than five years before. However, as noted above, it is likely that the trend is influenced to some extent by factors such as changing clinical practice and recording.

Yours sincerely,

John Pullinger

Note 1:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/datasets/childmortalitystatisticschildhoodinfantandperinatalchildhoodinfantandperinatalmortalityinenglandandwales

Table 1: Neonatal deaths occurring in England and Wales, numbers and rates, 2000 to 2015

Year

Neonatal deaths

Neonatal mortality rate

Lower confidence limit

Upper confidence limit

2000

2,335

3.9

3.7

4.0

2001

2,137

3.6

3.4

3.7

2002

2,126

3.6

3.4

3.7

2003

2,264

3.6

3.5

3.8

2004

2,209

3.5

3.3

3.6

2005

2,227

3.4

3.3

3.6

2006

2,325

3.5

3.3

3.6

2007

2,248

3.3

3.1

3.4

2008

2,261

3.2

3.1

3.3

2009

2,205

3.1

3.0

3.3

2010

2,123

2.9

2.8

3.1

2011

2,135

2.9

2.8

3.1

2012

2,042

2.8

2.7

2.9

2013

1,871

2.7

2.6

2.8

2014

1,762

2.5

2.4

2.7

2015

1,838

2.6

2.5

2.8

  1. Neonatal deaths are defined as deaths of live-born infants at less than 28 days

  2. Rates are per 1,000 live births

  3. The 95% lower and upper confidence limits have been provided. These form a confidence interval, which is a measure of the statistical precision of a rate and shows the range of uncertainty around the calculated rate. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures.

Source: Office for National Statistics

Table 2: Neonatal hospital episodes occurring in England, numbers and rates, 2000-02 to 2016-17

Year

Neonatal episodes (FCEs)

Neonatal hospitalisation rate

Lower confidence limit

Upper confidence limit

2000-01

57,983

96.3

95.5

97.1

2001-02

56,097

94.3

93.5

95.1

2002-03

58,610

97.3

96.5

98.1

2003-04

64,574

103.1

102.4

103.9

2004-05

65,873

102.7

101.9

103.5

2005-06

69,000

105.9

105.1

106.7

2006-07

74,893

111.0

110.2

111.8

2007-08

84,755

122.0

121.2

122.8

2008-09

91,420

129.1

128.3

129.9

2009-10

96,005

135.1

134.3

136.0

2010-11

102,847

142.2

141.3

143.1

2011-12

101,577

140.0

139.2

140.9

2012-13

106,531

147.6

146.7

148.5

2013-14

109,509

157.0

156.0

157.9

2014-15

114,229

164.1

163.2

165.1

2015-16

114,420

164.1

163.1

165.0

2016-17*

116,573

-

-

-

2000-01 to 2004-05†

301,700

98.4

98.0

98.7

2005-06 to 2009-10†

414,060

120.4

120.0

120.7

2010-11 to 2014-15†

532,149

149.3

148.9

149.7

  1. Neonatal episodes are defined as counts of patients where there is a finished consultant episode (FCE) for neonates with an extended hospital stay immediately following birth, or an admission within the first 28 days of life. An FCE is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year.

  2. Rates are per 1,000 live births. The number of births per financial year has been estimated based on births in the relevant calendar years.

  3. The 95% lower and upper confidence limits have been provided. These form a confidence interval, which is a measure of the statistical precision of a rate and shows the range of uncertainty around the calculated rate. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures.

* A rate for 2016-17 cannot be calculated as the number of births in 2017 is not yet available.

† As a patient may have been in hospital in two consecutive years, the total per five-year grouping will not be equal to a sum of the corresponding five individual years.

Source: NHS Digital and Office for National Statistics

29th Jan 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of Official Development Assistance is disbursed through the Prosperity Fund.
29th Jan 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund is spent on (1) family planning, (2) sexual and reproductive health and rights, and (3) population issues, in the developing world.

The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) does not fund programmes specifically supporting family planning, sexual and reproductive health and rights, or population issues. The CSSF’s portfolio includes programmes which seek to prevent sexual violence in conflict situations and which empower women to seek justice.

More broadly, all CSSF programmes must apply the 2014 International Development (Gender Equality) Act. This means integrating activities into all conflict and stabilisation work which are likely to contribute to reducing gender equality.

Further information on CSSF programmes can be found at

www.gov.uk/government/publications/conflict-stability-and-security-fund-cssf

Further information on how the CSSF is contributing to the government’s National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security can be found at

www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-national-action-plan-on-women-peace-and-security-2018-to-2022

29th Jan 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of the Prosperity Fund is spent on (1) family planning, (2) sexual and reproductive health and rights, and (3) population issues, in the developing world.

During the first year of the Fund, three projects addressed population issues, totalling around £200,000. No work was undertaken on family planning or sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The Prosperity Fund aims to reduce poverty through inclusive economic growth in countries which are eligible for Official Development Assistance. Its recent Annual Report contains more information.

29th Jan 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government which countries receive Official Development Assistance through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund.

The CSSF provides Official Development Assistance funding to the following countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burundi, Burma, Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Guyana, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Mali, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Niger, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Overseas Territories (including Montserrat, St Helena, Pitcairn and Tristan da Cunha), Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Yemen.

More information can be found in the Fund’s Annual Report.

29th Jan 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government which countries receive Official Development Assistance through the Prosperity Fund.

In the first year of the Prosperity Fund, small projects were funded in Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Burma, Chile, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.

Larger, multi-year programmes are now being developed, building on the foundations laid by smaller projects in 2016/17. The countries where these programmes will operate are set out in the Prosperity Fund Annual Report.

17th Oct 2017
To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they intend to take to ensure that other states do not interfere improperly in the UK’s democratic process.

Ahead of the 2017 General Election, a series of protective measures were put in place to mitigate or reduce risks to the UK’s democratic process. The Cabinet Office, with the National Cyber Security Centre, continues to monitor the threat to all UK democratic processes whether at a national, regional or local level.

All Government Departments, organisations and institutions have a role to play in protecting their data and preventing adversaries obtaining information they could misuse.

7th Jun 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they will take with the Charity Commission to prevent UK charitable giving to Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The Charity Commission for England and Wales is the independent registrar and regulator of charities and is not subject to Ministerial direction or control.

The Charity Commission publishes safer giving advice for members of the public to ensure their generous donations support legitimate charitable activities. The advice includes checking that the organisation is a registered charity and verifying further information on the Register of Charities. Any evidence of a registered charity funding illegal activities should be reported to the independent regulator as a matter of priority.

12th Apr 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the fact that donations to the Jewish National Fund are tax deductible, and that one of its primary activities has been the creation of forests over disputed Palestinian land, what action they are taking to rescind the charitable status of organisations that are for the benefit of one group at the expense of another.

The Jewish National Fund is not a charity. The Jewish National Fund Charitable Trust is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales having exclusively charitable purposes. Under s34 of the Charities Act 2011, the Commission must remove a charity from the register if it no longer considers the organisation to be a charity or if it has ceased to exist or does not operate. None of these criteria apply to this charity. Any concern regarding the charitable status of an organisation is a matter for the Commission.

Taxation is a matter for HM Revenue and Customs who do not comment on individual cases.

11th Apr 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Israeli government organisations have been given charitable status in the UK.

In England and Wales the law requires charities to be independent in the way they operate and they must be set up with exclusively charitable purposes for the public benefit. This precludes from charitable status any organisations that are established to further the purposes of any non-charity, which would include a national government.

Charity law is devolved in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but the requirements there are similar.

22nd Mar 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will respond to question HL6501, about trade with Israel, tabled on 26 February.

On 17 February, the Government published procurement guidance for public authorities that makes clear that boycotts in public procurement are inappropriate and may be illegal outside where formal legal sanctions, embargoes and restrictions have been put in place by the UK Government. It is general guidance for public authorities on contracting with suppliers from WTO countries.

26th Feb 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's guidance <i>Overseas Business Risk – The Occupied Palestinian Territories</i>, what advice they have given to local councils and other public bodies on (1) trade with businesses in the state of Israel, (2) trade with businesses in the Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), (3) trade with Israeli companies that also work in the Israeli settlements in the OPTs, and (4) trade with any company from the UK that also has contracts in the Israeli settlements in the OPTs.

On 17 February, the Government published procurement guidance for public authorities that makes clear that boycotts in public procurement are inappropriate and may be illegal outside where formal legal sanctions, embargoes and restrictions have been put in place by the UK Government. It is general guidance for public authorities on contracting with suppliers from WTO countries.

30th Nov 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken to ensure that local authorities do not enter into contracts with companies that also work in countries that they believe are breaking, or have broken, international law and the Geneva Convention.

The new Public Contracts Regulations 2015 impose a legal obligation on public authorities when awarding contracts above certain thresholds to treat EU and GPA suppliers equally. Decisions on sanctions for breaking international law and the Geneva Convention are for the Government's foreign policy, and it is inappropriate and illegal for local authorities in some cases to prejudice suppliers on the basis of their "beliefs". This policy has been in place for many years under successive governments.

9th Nov 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether their plans to introduce rules to stop local councils from taking boycott or divestment initiatives in relation to Israel are compatible with their guidance on overseas business risk in Israel recognising the illegality of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Cabinet office will shortly issue guidance that reminds public authorities of their international obligations when letting public contracts. Foreign policy is not a matter for local authorities. The guidance will make clear that boycotts in public procurement are inappropriate and may be illegal, outside where formal legal sanctions, embargoes and restrictions that have been put in place by the Government.

12th Oct 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they are having with the Charity Commission following reports that the charity UK Toremet is acting as a conduit for donations to Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The Charity Commission for England and Wales is independent and is not subject to Ministerial direction or control. I understand that following concerns that were raised with the Charity Commission, it has written to the trustees of the charity and will be meeting them to review the governance, policies, procedures and operational activity of the charity.

29th Jun 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bridges of Headley on 22 June (HL433), what progress they have made in setting a timetable for the publication of the Muslim Brotherhood Review.

The Government continues work to finalise the Counter Extremism Strategy, and intends to publish both it and the main findings of the Muslim Brotherhood Review this year.

9th Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the environmental impact of the proposed plan by the Europe Asia Pipeline Company to store and transport oil and distillates from the UAE to Europe.

We welcome the normalisation of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. We are aware of the preliminary agreement subsequently announced on 20 October between companies in both countries to collaborate in the storage and transfer of oil and oil products through the Europe Asia Pipeline Company’s (EAPC) infrastructure. Her Majesty’s Government is not a party to this commercial deal.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Jan 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy budget is spent on (1) family planning, (2) sexual and reproductive health and rights, and (3) population issues, in the developing world.

The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) mainly supports projects where the benefits are to multiple countries. In 2016, the latest date for which figures are available, 92.4% of GCRF spend was reported as non-country specific ODA spend with no single benefitting country. Of the remaining 7.6%, the highest spend was assigned to regional projects in Africa and to Tanzania, Cote D’Ivoire, South Africa, Guatemala and Peru.

In 2016, 12% of GCRF spend was categorised as “Medical Research”, we do not hold data on subcategories within this area.

30th Jan 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what countries receive Official Development Assistance through the Global Challenges Research Fund.

The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) mainly supports projects where the benefits are to multiple countries. In 2016, the latest date for which figures are available, 92.4% of GCRF spend was reported as non-country specific ODA spend with no single benefitting country. Of the remaining 7.6%, the highest spend was assigned to regional projects in Africa and to Tanzania, Cote D’Ivoire, South Africa, Guatemala and Peru.

In 2016, 12% of GCRF spend was categorised as “Medical Research”, we do not hold data on subcategories within this area.

30th Jan 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of the Global Challenges Research Fund is spent on (1) family planning, (2) sexual and reproductive health and rights, and (3) population issues, in the developing world.

The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) mainly supports projects where the benefits are to multiple countries. In 2016, the latest date for which figures are available, 92.4% of GCRF spend was reported as non-country specific ODA spend with no single benefitting country. Of the remaining 7.6%, the highest spend was assigned to regional projects in Africa and to Tanzania, Cote D’Ivoire, South Africa, Guatemala and Peru.

In 2016, 12% of GCRF spend was categorised as “Medical Research”, we do not hold data on subcategories within this area.

20th Mar 2017
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what funding they give to the International Atomic Energy Authority for the prevention and treatment of cancer in low- and middle-income member states.

The UK makes annual contributions to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Technical Cooperation Fund. In financial year 2016-2017 the UK contributed just over £3.1 million to the fund. This fund delivers a range of development projects including, but not limited to, those that build human and technical capacity to diagnose and treat cancer, and those that promote and support improved access to quality cancer treatment services for local populations.

The UK also supports the Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) – which provides comprehensive cancer care to low- and middle-income countries worldwide – as one of a wide range of IAEA activities funded through the UK’s annual payments to the IAEA’s Regular Budget.

16th Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay on 9 November (HL9589), what legislative options they are considering to ensure that all higher education institutions sign up to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism.

As set out in my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education’s letter to higher education providers on 9 October 2020, the government sees adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition as a demonstration that providers are taking the matter of antisemitism seriously.

The letter also sets out that officials are exploring how best to ensure that providers are tackling antisemitism, with robust measures in place to address issues when they arise. Options identified by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education in the letter include directing the Office for Students to impose a new regulatory condition of registration, and suspending funding streams for universities at which antisemitic incidents occur and which have not signed up to the definition.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
26th Oct 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the letter by the Secretary of State for Education to university vice-chancellors about the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism, what steps they are taking to ensure that freedom of speech is safeguarded in educational institutions.

Universities are required by law to uphold freedom of speech, allowing academics, students, and visiting speakers to challenge ideas and to discuss controversial subjects. In state-funded schools, it is a requirement to teach a broad and balanced curriculum in a way that encourages freedom of speech. We have made clear that if universities do not act to uphold free speech, the government will.

The right to free speech, however, does not include the right to harass others or incite them to commit acts of violence or terrorism. Universities also have responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 regarding discrimination and harassment, as well as responsibilities under the Prevent duty.

The government urges higher education (HE) institutions to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism. The Department for Education considers this to be an important tool in tackling antisemitism and a strong signal that HE institutions take these issues seriously.

As autonomous institutions, this decision rests with individual HE institutions, but the government will explore all mechanisms to make sure all HE institutions sign up to this.

We are exploring a range of legislative and non-legislative options to ensure that free speech and academic freedom are protected at our universities and the Department for Education will set out further steps in due course.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
23rd Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many children have been taken into care as a result of the introduction of female genital mutilation safeguarding in 2015.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) has been illegal in the UK since the Female Circumcision Act of 1985, later the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, so safeguarding girls from FGM has been a responsibility of relevant services from much earlier than 2015. In 2015, the mandatory reporting of known cases of FGM was introduced.

Data on the children who enter care does not identify the cases where FGM was the reason for a child being taken into care. Any such cases would be included in the broader category of “abuse or neglect”. Therefore, the department cannot say how many girls entering care had undergone FGM or were at risk of FGM.

Every looked after child, whatever the reason for them entering care, must have a care plan that is regularly reviewed and updated, which sets out the plan for their day-to-day care and how decisions about them will be made. The child is assisted to put forward their views, wishes and feelings as part of the review process.

There is no discrete requirement relating to FGM, but reviews would, where relevant, take this into account. The best interests of the child should always be paramount.

23rd Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have received about female genital mutilation education being taught in schools; and from whom.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is child abuse and it is illegal. Services, including schools, should safeguard children from this abuse as from any other form of abuse.

Schools are able to teach about FGM as part of non-statutory personal, social, health and economic education.

By the end of secondary education, pupils should have been taught about FGM. Schools should address the physical and emotional damage caused by FGM. Pupils should be taught where to find support and that it is a criminal offence to perform or assist in the performance of FGM or fail to protect a person for whom one is responsible from FGM. Pupils may also need support to recognise when relationships (including family relationships) are unhealthy or abusive (including the unacceptability of neglect, emotional, sexual and physical abuse, honour-based violence and forced marriage) and strategies to manage this or access support for oneself or others at risk. All teaching for these subjects should be age and developmentally appropriate and sensitive to the needs of the pupil, including ensuring that no pupil feels stigmatised. Schools should work closely with the local community and key partners, such as school nurses, and draw on local health data when planning their teaching for any aspect of these subjects. Teaching about FGM will not be in isolation but as part of a wider context of positive relationships, health and mental wellbeing. The focus on ensuring pupils know how to get further help should be threaded throughout these subjects.

The statutory guidance for these subjects was developed as part of a call for evidence and public consultation, and the government’s response is attached and available here:
https://consult.education.gov.uk/pshe/relationships-education-rse-health-education/supporting_documents/180718%20Consultation_call%20for%20evidence%20response_policy%20statement.pdf.

The summary of the public consultation includes a list of the organisations engaged within Annex A, which is attached and available here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/780768/Government_Response_to_RSE_Consultation.pdf.

23rd Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government how female genital mutilation education is taught in schools.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is child abuse and it is illegal. Services, including schools, should safeguard children from this abuse as from any other form of abuse.

Schools are able to teach about FGM as part of non-statutory personal, social, health and economic education.

By the end of secondary education, pupils should have been taught about FGM. Schools should address the physical and emotional damage caused by FGM. Pupils should be taught where to find support and that it is a criminal offence to perform or assist in the performance of FGM or fail to protect a person for whom one is responsible from FGM. Pupils may also need support to recognise when relationships (including family relationships) are unhealthy or abusive (including the unacceptability of neglect, emotional, sexual and physical abuse, honour-based violence and forced marriage) and strategies to manage this or access support for oneself or others at risk. All teaching for these subjects should be age and developmentally appropriate and sensitive to the needs of the pupil, including ensuring that no pupil feels stigmatised. Schools should work closely with the local community and key partners, such as school nurses, and draw on local health data when planning their teaching for any aspect of these subjects. Teaching about FGM will not be in isolation but as part of a wider context of positive relationships, health and mental wellbeing. The focus on ensuring pupils know how to get further help should be threaded throughout these subjects.

The statutory guidance for these subjects was developed as part of a call for evidence and public consultation, and the government’s response is attached and available here:
https://consult.education.gov.uk/pshe/relationships-education-rse-health-education/supporting_documents/180718%20Consultation_call%20for%20evidence%20response_policy%20statement.pdf.

The summary of the public consultation includes a list of the organisations engaged within Annex A, which is attached and available here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/780768/Government_Response_to_RSE_Consultation.pdf.

16th Oct 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the causes and consequences of the Irish famine are part of the current curriculum in English schools; and if not, whether they intend to add this to the curriculum.

The history curriculum gives teachers and schools the freedom and flexibility to use specific examples from history to teach pupils about the history of Britain and the wider world. Schools and teachers can determine which examples, topics and resources to use to stimulate and challenge pupils and reflect key points in history.

There are opportunities within the themes and eras of the history curriculum for teachers and schools to teach the Irish Famine at key stages 1-3. Schools can teach it at key stage 1, about events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally and at key stage 2, within a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066. There are also opportunities at key stage 3, within the ‘ideas, political power, industry and empire: Britain, 1745-1901’ theme – ‘Ireland and Home Rule’ is one of the example topics in this theme - or within a local history study. The Irish Famine also falls within the scope of the subject content set out for GCSE History.

One of the aims of the history curriculum is to ensure all pupils know and understand the history of these islands as a coherent, chronological narrative, from the earliest times to the present day: how people’s lives have shaped this nation and how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world. This could also include teaching about Britain’s role in the abolition of slavery.

19th Mar 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to monitor the impact on social cohesion and integration of 100 per cent selective voluntary-aided schools in areas where such schools are established.

All state funded schools, whatever their type, have a legal obligation to promote community cohesion and to teach a broad and balanced curriculum. The Integrated Communities Strategy made clear the important role schools play in knitting communities together. They are also required to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. Their effectiveness in doing so is inspected by Ofsted.

19th Mar 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to monitor the impact on social cohesion of new 100 per cent voluntary-aided religiously selective schools.

All state funded schools, whatever their type, have a legal obligation to promote community cohesion and to teach a broad and balanced curriculum. The Integrated Communities Strategy made clear the important role schools play in knitting communities together. They are also required to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. Their effectiveness in doing so is inspected by Ofsted.

11th Mar 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to educate primary school children about the harmful effects of FGM as part of relationships and sex education; and to include any such information in any relevant guidance issued to teachers.

The government is committed to protecting young people from harm, including the horrific crime of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), perpetrated against some of the most vulnerable children in society. Through the introduction of compulsory relationships and sex education (RSE) in all secondary schools, we will ensure that pupils are fully aware of the illegality of FGM and that it will not be tolerated. This has been included, alongside topics such as honour-based abuse, grooming, forced marriage and domestic abuse, as core content for secondary pupils in the updated draft statutory guidance for relationships education, RSE and health education. Through these subjects we want to support all children to be healthy, happy and safe; arming them with the knowledge to recognise unhealthy behaviour in relationships, and how to seek help when necessary.

At primary level, we are introducing compulsory relationships education for all pupils, to put in place the building blocks for developing healthy relationships. There is no statutory requirement for schools to deliver teaching on FGM at primary, but schools are free to build on the core content to reflect the needs of their cohort of pupils. If a school considers the teaching of FGM to be age-appropriate for their pupils at primary, they are free to deliver this.

There will be a legal requirement for schools to consult with parents in the development of their policies for both relationships education and RSE. During this consultation, schools should share example resources with parents and ensure they understand the age-appropriate content that their child will receive. Schools will continue to be free to choose materials that are age-appropriate and sensitive to the needs of their pupils. Many organisations already provide high quality resources to support this teaching – schools can consider, for example, drawing on the expertise of the main subject associations, who also quality assure third party resources from expert organisations on specific topics.

We have committed to supporting schools and teachers to deliver these subjects to a high standard. We have an initial budget of £6 million for the 2019-20 financial year to develop a programme of support for schools, which will include supporting them to make appropriate choices regarding resources.

21st Jun 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, or have taken, to ensure that schoolgirls who become pregnant can continue their education during pregnancy and after their baby's birth; whether they have held any consultations on this issue in the last five years; and if so, with whom they consulted.

The department published the attached guidance for local authorities in January 2013: ‘Ensuring a good education for children who cannot attend school because of health needs’.

In this guidance, we made clear that local authorities are responsible for arranging suitable full-time education for permanently excluded pupils, and for other children who – because of illness or other reasons – would not receive suitable education without such provision. This means that where a child cannot attend school because of a health condition or any other condition, for example pregnancy, and would not otherwise receive a suitable full-time education, the local authority is responsible for arranging provision and must have regard to this guidance.

The department has not consulted on this issue in the last five years.

The department is committed to improving education to ensure young people are supported to make informed decisions around sexual health. The department is making Relationships and Sex Education compulsory at secondary, in all schools in England and has completed an engagement process including a call for evidence with over 23,000 responses, including from young people. From these findings, the department will develop draft regulations and guidance for public consultation shortly.

4th Dec 2017
To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they intend to take to ensure that free speech is maintained in university settings following guidance issued to universities by the Higher Education Funding Council for England under their Prevent counter-extremism strategy.

Universities and certain other higher education providers are required by the Education (No.2) Act 1986, to take reasonable steps to secure freedom of speech within the law for staff, students and visiting speakers. The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, specifically requires providers that are subject to the statutory freedom of speech duty, to have particular regard to that duty when carrying out their responsibilities under Prevent. The Higher Education Funding Council for England monitors the implementation of the Prevent duty in relevant higher education bodies and issues relevant guidance.

The Higher Education and Research Act extends the freedom of speech duty to all higher education providers registered with the Office for Students (OfS). The current OfS consultation is seeking views on proposals around institutions’ freedom of speech responsibilities.

Viscount Younger of Leckie
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
2nd Oct 2017
To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in developing guidance for schools on the teaching of relationship and sex education as required by section 34 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017; when they expect the draft guidance to be published; and when they expect to lay the relevant regulations before Parliament.

The Children and Social Work Act (2017) places a duty on the Secretary of State for Education to make Relationships Education mandatory in all primary schools, and Relationships and Sex Education mandatory in all secondary schools, in England.

As part of our next steps, the Department intends to conduct thorough and wide ranging engagement on Relationships Education and Relationships and Sex Education. This will determine the content of the regulations and statutory guidance, covering subject content, school practice and quality of delivery. We will ensure the subjects are carefully designed to safeguard and support pupils whilst being deliverable for schools.

The Department is committed to this programme of work and will set out shortly more details about the engagement process, the timetable and the work to consider age appropriate subject content.

This will result in draft regulations and guidance on which we will consult. Following consultation, the regulations will be laid in the House allowing for a full and considered debate.

Viscount Younger of Leckie
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
24th Nov 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Nash on 24 November, when they expect to announce a date for the introduction of statutory sex and relationship education in all state schools.

Sex education is already compulsory in secondary maintained schools, and the Government is clear that all schools should make provision for high quality, age-appropriate sex and relationship education, which is a vital part of preparing young people for life in modern Britain.

The Secretary of State agreed that we need to look again at how schools deliver high quality personal, social, health and economic education including sex and relationship education. The Government is considering all the options and will give a view in due course.