Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

Independent Ulster Unionist - Suspended Member for Life peer

Suspended since: 7th December 2020

Became Member: 20th July 2001


Lord Maginnis of Drumglass is not a member of any APPGs
2 Former APPG memberships
Armed Forces, Veterans
Draft Civil Contingencies Bill (Joint Committee)
11th Jul 2003 - 28th Nov 2003
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
16th Nov 1994 - 21st Mar 1997
Defence Committee
9th Jun 1983 - 17th Dec 1985


Division Voting information

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass has voted in 536 divisions, and 11 times against the majority of their Party.

26 Apr 2012 - Sunday Trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes vs 1 Ulster Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 110 Noes - 187
24 Apr 2012 - Protection of Freedoms Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes vs 2 Ulster Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 89 Noes - 190
5 Mar 2012 - Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes vs 2 Ulster Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 238 Noes - 201
14 Feb 2012 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes vs 2 Ulster Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 236 Noes - 226
13 Feb 2012 - Health and Social Care Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes vs 2 Ulster Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 198 Noes - 234
31 Jan 2012 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes vs 1 Ulster Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 246 Noes - 230
31 Oct 2011 - Localism Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes vs 1 Ulster Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 152 Noes - 196
17 May 2011 - Postal Services Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party No votes vs 2 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 165 Noes - 235
10 May 2011 - Jobseeker’s Allowance (Mandatory Work Activity Scheme) Regulations 2011 - View Vote Context
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes vs 1 Ulster Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 122 Noes - 155
9 Feb 2011 - Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party No votes vs 2 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 275 Noes - 257
11 Nov 2009 - Coroners and Justice Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Ulster Unionist Party No votes vs 2 Ulster Unionist Party Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 70 Noes - 175
View All Lord Maginnis of Drumglass 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.

Department Debates
Scotland Office
(22 debate contributions)
Home Office
(18 debate contributions)
Wales Office
(13 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Lord Maginnis of Drumglass's debates

Lords initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.


Lord Maginnis of Drumglass has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass 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
18th Jun 2014
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the light of the allegations made regarding expert witnesses in the BBC Panorama programme Justice for Sale, broadcast on 9 June, they intend to review independently the evidence given by Michael Ansell in the Asil Nadir trial.

No. Michael Ansell was instructed by the defence in the trial of Asil Nadir and if the defence have concerns about the evidence given by one of their witnesses it is a matter for them to take forward.

2nd Sep 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether all automatic replies acknowledging receipt of emails sent to government and ministerial accounts provide that a full response will be supplied; and if not, why not.

Cabinet Office publishes guidance for departments on how to handle correspondence including emails. Departments will make their own arrangements for acknowledging receipt of emails.

Departments are required to provide substantive responses to correspondence from MPs and Peers promptly, and no later than 20 days after receipt. In specific circumstances, Ministers may decide that a response is not necessary.

Lord True
Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
2nd Sep 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government who decides whether a substantive response to an email to a Minister or Government department from a member of the House of Lords should be provided; and whether such a decision is made by the relevant Secretary of State or a departmental official.

Cabinet Office publishes guidance for departments on how to handle correspondence including emails. Departments will make their own arrangements for acknowledging receipt of emails.

Departments are required to provide substantive responses to correspondence from MPs and Peers promptly, and no later than 20 days after receipt. In specific circumstances, Ministers may decide that a response is not necessary.

Lord True
Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
14th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Common Purpose receives financial support from (1) the EU, and (2) any external sources; and if so, how much.

The Government does not hold this information.

Lord True
Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
13th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what has been the total sum they have spent buying places on Common Purpose courses during each of the last 20 years; and to detail exactly (1) how, and (2) where, such expenditure is recorded.

No centrally held record of expenditure on training or learning is maintained covering the entirety of the period specified.

Common Purpose is not a provider of training through Civil Service Learning.

Lord True
Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
4th Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the average age of the population of the United Kingdom in (1) 1990, (2) 2000, (3) 2010, (4) what is the current 2020 figure, and (5) the projected figure for 2050.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

Dear Lord Maginnis,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking what the average age of the population of the United Kingdom was in (1) 1990, (2) 2000, (3) 2010, (4) what is the current 2020 figure, and (5) the projected figure for 2050 (HL5312).

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published the latest (30 June 2019) mid-year population estimates on 6 May 2020[1]. Table MYE6 contains the median age for the years from 2001 to 2019. Median age is that at which half the population is above that age and half below. For 1990, 2000 and 2010, the ONS have used the already published median age, and, for 2020 and 2050, have taken the median age from the latest 2018-based Principal Population Projections, UK Summary[2] published on 21 October 2019. Table 1 shows the median ages for the requested years.

Table 1: UK median ages

Year

Median age (years)

1990

35.8

2000

37.6

2010

39.5

2020

40.4

2050

43.7

Source: ONS mid-year population estimates and 2018-based population projections

Yours sincerely,

Professor Sir Ian Diamond

[1]https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/populationestimatesforukenglandandwalesscotlandandnorthernireland

[2]https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationprojections/datasets/tablea11principalprojectionuksummary

Lord True
Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
10th Jun 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the number of (1) electors, (2) postal votes cast, and (3) proxy votes applied for, in the Peterborough constituency for (a) the general election in 2010 and (b) the by-election on 6 June.

Data on the number of electors, postal votes cast, and proxy votes applied for in general elections or by-elections are not collected by the Government.

10th Jun 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 3 July 2017 (HL3), 15 September 2017 (HL1448), and 13 October 2017 (HL1671), and by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 21 December 2017 (HL3975), 16 March 2018 (HL6045), 20 November 2018 (HL11393 and HL11394), and 17 May (HL15556), what plans they have to introduce legislation to prevent any abuse of the electoral system in the UK.

On 5th May the Minister for the Constitution announced a range of new measures to safeguard UK elections by cracking down on intimidation, influence and disinformation.

As part of that, the Government has committed to: legislating for a new electoral offence of intimidation; clarifying the electoral offence of undue influence of a voter; implementing an imprints regime for digital election material; and launching a consultation on electoral integrity. Before formally launching the consultation, the Government will be inviting the views of interested groups to establish what the consultation could seek to address, and also see what scope there is for broad cross-party agreement.

Any legislative changes relating to issues or specific cases in Northern Ireland would, however, be a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

1st May 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Young of Cookham on 30 April (HL6934), when the Office for National Statistics expects to be able to produce regional price indices, including for Northern Ireland.

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 Lord Maginnis of Drumglas , dated 3 May 2018.

Dear Lord Maginnis,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking, further to the Written Answer by Lord Young of Cookham on 30 April (HL6934), when the Office for National Statistics expects to be able to produce regional price indices, including for Northern Ireland (HL7465).

The Office for National Statisitcs (ONS) commissioned the University of Southampton to produce a feasibility study into producing price indices for all the Government Office Regions, including Northern Ireland, using current price and expenditure data. The results of this research were published in November 2017[1]. Following this publication, we have further commissioned University of Southampton to continue the study. While still underway, initial findings of the study suggest that we will be unable to produce reliable regional price indices without a significant increase in the price sample for this area, which would be costly. We expect the study to be completed by December 2018.

We are actively pursuing access to retailers' transactional databases as part of our work exploring alternative data sources for consumer price statistics under the Digital Economy Act’s framework to access data for statistical purposes. At such a time as we receive access to these data we will have a sufficiently detailed data source to explore more reliable regional consumer price statistics; however, our timescales are dependent on when retailers might provide us with such data.

Yours sincerely,


John Pullinger

[1] Feasibility study into producing CPIH consistent inflation rates for UK regions

16th Apr 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the percentage cost-of-living increases nationally during each of the last five years; and what was the annual percentage increase in rates in Northern Ireland over the same period.

​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 Lord Maginnis of Drumglass, dated 20 April 2018

Dear Lord Maginnis,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking what was the percentage cost-of-living increases nationally during each of the last five years; and what was the annual percentage increase in rates in Northern Ireland over the same period (HL6934).

The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH) is our most comprehensive measure of inflation, and measures the change in price of a fixed basket of goods and services. The 12-month percentage change in the index is published on a monthly basis. The table below summarises the average 12-month percentage change for each of the last five years.

Table 1: Annual average percentage 12-month change, CPIH, UK, 2013 to 2017

Year

Annual average 12-m change (%)

2013

2.3

2014

1.5

2015

0.4

2016

1.0

2017

2.6

These data are taken from Table 10 of our Consumer Price Inflation bulletin[1]. In this publication you will also find the 12-month CPIH inflation rates, and similar figures for the Consumer Prices Index (CPI, the Monetary Policy Committee’s current inflation target). CPIH is the same as CPI but includes Council Tax and a measure of owner occupiers’ housing costs, which are not included in CPI. CPIH and CPI are both National Statistics.

Unfortunately, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) does not currently produce an inflation measure for Northern Ireland. This is because the price sample is optimised at the national level and therefore regional price samples are small. Nevertheless, I do recognise that there is an important user need for regional measures of inflation, and to address this ONS have asked the University of Southampton to carry out a feasibility study into calculating regional price indices[2].

You may also be interested to know that ONS analysis suggests that prices in Northern Ireland were on average 2.3% lower than the UK average for 2016. (Note that this analysis refers to the relative difference in price between regions, which is distinct from the rate at which prices change over time). This is taken from our Relative Regional Consumer Price Levels of Goods and Services, UK: 2016 publication[3], which is based on estimates produced for Eurostat once every 6 years.

Yours sincerely John Pullinger

[1] https://www.ons.gov.uk/releases/ukconsumerpriceinflationmar2018

[2] See our Consumer Prices Development Plan, section 3.3.5

[3]https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/articles/relativeregionalconsumerpricelevelsuk/2016

5th Mar 2018
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total number of postal votes issued in (1) England, (2) Scotland, (3) Wales, and (4) Northern Ireland, for each general election from 2010 to 2017; and what were the comparative (a) percentages of the total poll in each of the four UK electoral areas, and (b) percentage increases in each region, at each general election.

The Government does not hold this information. The data required is provided by each Returning Officer directly supplying information on postal votes to the Electoral Commission, which collates and publishes it.

The information can be found at https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/our-work/our-research/electoral-data/electoral-data-new

6th Jan 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Government Ministers routinely inform all members of Parliament of the names, phone numbers and email addresses of their private offices; and if not, why not.

The Cabinet Office publication, the List of Ministerial Responsibilities, includes email addresses and phone numbers of Minister’s private offices. Copies are available in the Vote Office, Printed Paper Office, and the Libraries of both Houses. It is also available on GOV.UK. I have a sent a copy to the Noble Lord for his ease of reference.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
6th Jan 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Government Ministers routinely acknowledge written communications from members of Parliament, including emails; and if not, why not.

Guidance on handling correspondence from Members of Parliament, Peers, MEPs and Members of devolved Administrations is available online.

The guidance states that:

'Individual departments' targets for routine correspondence from MPs should be a maximum of 20 working days. Departments should consider setting themselves more challenging targets'

The guidance adds that, when delays occur, Departments should:

'Ensure all correspondence is responded to as quickly as possible, keeping the MP informed at all times'

Departments should apply the same standards when dealing with correspondence from Peers.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/61196/guide-handling-gov-correspondence.pdf

Lord Wallace of Saltaire
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
6th May 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that trade and business resources in the UK are not exploited by foreign businesses, in particular businesses based in China, during any economic depression resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government continues to monitor the market closely during the Covid-19 pandemic and will take steps, as necessary, to ensure that UK businesses are not exploited.

The Government has existing powers, under the Enterprise Act 2002, to intervene in mergers and takeovers under three public interest considerations - national security, financial stability, and media plurality.

In December 2019, the Queen’s Speech lobby pack confirmed the Government’s intention to legislate to “strengthen the Government’s existing powers to scrutinise and intervene in business transactions to protect national security”.

Lord Callanan
Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
11th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to arrange a debate on the report into the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme, following its publication on 13 March.

My Noble Friend the Government Chief Whip does not intend to schedule such a debate in Government time. Members who wish to initiate a debate of their own are able to do so by tabling a question for short debate. Members can also seek to initiate a debate by entering the ballot for one of the monthly pairs of balloted debates.

3rd Sep 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they attached any conditions to the agreement for the BBC to fund TV licences for those aged over 75; what plans they have to reduce any grants to the BBC in line with the decision to discontinue free TV licences for those aged over 75; and what plans they have, if any, to meet the costs of providing such TV licences.

In the 2015 Licence Fee funding settlement, the Government agreed with the BBC that the BBC would take responsibility for the over 75s concession from June 2020. In return, the Government closed the iPlayer loophole, agreed to increase the licence fee in line with inflation for the duration of the settlement period, and reduced other BBC spending commitments. In advance of the BBC taking on full responsibility for the concession, the Government also provided phased transitional funding to the BBC to gradually introduce the cost to the BBC.

The BBC is responsible for the over 75 licence fee concession, not the Government. Following a public consultation, the BBC Board decided that from June 2020, any household with someone aged over 75 who receives Pension Credit will be entitled to a free TV licence paid for by the BBC. The Government is deeply disappointed that the BBC has chosen not to extend the over 75 licence fee concession in full. We recognise the value of free TV licences for over-75s and believe they should be funded by the BBC.


Baroness Barran
Shadow Minister (Education)
2nd Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to review the involvement of Huawei in developing the UK's 5G infrastructure.

The final conclusions of the Government’s Telecoms Supply Chain Review in relation to high risk vendors were announced on 28 January. The Government has been clear, however, that as risks, threats and technology changes we need to keep the position under review. On the 15th May the US Department of Commerce announced that they were taking further action against Huawei. The National Cyber Security Centre is considering what the impact of the US sanctions might be.

Baroness Barran
Shadow Minister (Education)
6th May 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to reconsider the role of Huawei in the development of telecommunications infrastructure in the UK.

The final conclusions of the Government’s Telecoms Supply Chain Review in relation to high risk vendors were announced on 28 January. High risk vendors should be excluded from those parts of the 5G and full fibre networks that are critical to security (“the core”), and their presence in the rest of the UK’s networks should be limited to 35 per cent, with further restrictions in sensitive geographic locations.

The UK Government does not plan to reconsider this decision. We will be introducing the Telecoms Security Bill to implement the new security framework for our telecoms networks, including the restrictions to be applied to the presence of high risk vendors, at the earliest possible opportunity.

Baroness Barran
Shadow Minister (Education)
17th Oct 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the World Chess Federation's decision to enforce a requirement on all competitors in the Women's World Chess Championship 2017 in Iran to wear the hijab, and what discussions they have had with, and what advice they have given to, UK Chess Associations about the safety of UK citizens competing in the event.

We have had no discussions with the World Chess Federation on this matter. Visitors to any country should refer to FCO advice when travelling abroad, including abiding by local laws and customs.

11th Jul 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to allow transgender athletes to compete at the Olympic Games; what consultation they have had with the British Olympic Association about that issue; what rules apply in the UK regarding transgender athletes competing in sport; and whether they consider the IOC's ruling to be a disadvantage to non-transgender female athletes.

We have had no such discussions with the British Olympic Association. Sports competition regulations are a matter for the governing body.

Home Nation Sports Councils published the attached guidance in 2013 for national governing bodies of sport entitled "Transsexual people and competitive sport”.

11th Mar 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Garden of Frognal on 10 March (HL5444), whether the Equality and Human Rights Commission has intervened and reported back to them on the Marks and Spencer discrimination matter.

The Equality and Human Rights commission is an independent body and is under no obligation to report back to government on specific cases. Any discussions between the EHRC and Marks and Spencer would be a matter to be dealt with between the parties.

11th Mar 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Garden of Frognal on 10 March (HL5444), whether the guidance found within the document she has cited, and which runs to more than 60,000 words, includes, or is intended to include, any effective measures relevant to protecting the rights and sensitivities of Christians: and if so, where in that document it might be found.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is very aware of concerns about freedom to hold and express religious beliefs and the guidance it produces does specifically cover these issues: for example in guidance about employment which can be found at http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/private-and-public-sector-guidance/employing-people/religion-or-belief-guidance-employers . The EHRC recently completed a public consultation on this subject, which was its largest ever, and following that will be issuing further guidance and a report on the adequacy of the laws protecting religion or belief, to be issued later this year.

4th Mar 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of public sensitivity caused by Marks and Spencer's refusal to acknowledge and use the words "Jesus Christ" in a greeting attached to a gift purchased within its premises, they have issued guidance on the application of equality legislation to policies to be adopted by companies in respect of words and phrases they are prepared to reproduce when offering such a service; and if so, in what terms.

Statutory guidance about compliance with equality legislation is issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and is intended to give businesses and service providers the information they need to understand the Act and meet their responsibilities.

A copy of the guidance can be found at:

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/publication/services-public-functions-and-associations-statutory-code-practice

The Government has no current plans to supplement this guidance.

26th Oct 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the intended educational outcomes for the pupils of the sexual aspects to be included in relationships education in primary schools; whether parents have the right to withdraw their children from any such classes; and what discretion head teachers have about permitting the teaching of relationships education.

We want to support all young people to be happy, healthy and safe. That is why we made Relationships Education compulsory for primary school pupils, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) compulsory for secondary school pupils, and Health Education compulsory for pupils in all state-funded schools.

There is no requirement for primary schools to cover sex education. If a primary school chooses to teach sex education, it must be covered in the school’s RSE policy. Schools are required to consult parents on a draft of their policy. The statutory guidance states that when schools consult with parents on their policy, they should also ensure that they provide examples of the resources that they plan to use in teaching the new subjects as this can be reassuring for parents and enables them to continue the conversations started in class at home. This will also reassure parents that the resources schools choose to use are age appropriate and do not contain oversexualised content.

The department remains committed to supporting all schools in their preparations to deliver the content of these subjects. On 24 September 2020 the department published thePlan your relationships, sex and health curriculum’ implementation guidance to support schools to choose appropriate resources. Training resources were also published alongside the guidance and will equip all schools to provide comprehensive teaching in these areas in an age-appropriate way. These materials should give schools the confidence to construct a curriculum that reflects diversity of views and backgrounds, whilst fostering all pupils’ respect for others, understanding of healthy relationships, and ability to look after their own safety and wellbeing. This guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/teaching-about-relationships-sex-and-health.

In primary schools, age-appropriate relationships education will involve supporting children to learn about what healthy relationships are and their importance, as well as how to develop mutually respectful relationships in all contexts, including online. This will then provide a foundation for RSE at secondary school. Children will also be taught the importance of permission-seeking and giving in relationships with friends, peers and adults, as the building blocks for consent in secondary school.

Where sex education is covered in primary schools, parents have an automatic right to withdraw their child from this part of the curriculum, although not from any sex education in the science curriculum. Head teachers must comply with these requests from parents.

The findings of the impact assessment published in January 2019 refer to the importance of teaching children and young people about healthy relationships as an element in the approach to contributing to reducing child sexual exploitation. These findings can be viewed at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/924/impacts.

26th Oct 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether there is any increased risk of primary school-aged children being targeted for child abuse as the outcome of discussions outside of the classroom about sexual behaviour arising from relationship education being taught in primary schools.

We want to support all young people to be happy, healthy and safe. That is why we made Relationships Education compulsory for primary school pupils, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) compulsory for secondary school pupils, and Health Education compulsory for pupils in all state-funded schools.

There is no requirement for primary schools to cover sex education. If a primary school chooses to teach sex education, it must be covered in the school’s RSE policy. Schools are required to consult parents on a draft of their policy. The statutory guidance states that when schools consult with parents on their policy, they should also ensure that they provide examples of the resources that they plan to use in teaching the new subjects as this can be reassuring for parents and enables them to continue the conversations started in class at home. This will also reassure parents that the resources schools choose to use are age appropriate and do not contain oversexualised content.

The department remains committed to supporting all schools in their preparations to deliver the content of these subjects. On 24 September 2020 the department published thePlan your relationships, sex and health curriculum’ implementation guidance to support schools to choose appropriate resources. Training resources were also published alongside the guidance and will equip all schools to provide comprehensive teaching in these areas in an age-appropriate way. These materials should give schools the confidence to construct a curriculum that reflects diversity of views and backgrounds, whilst fostering all pupils’ respect for others, understanding of healthy relationships, and ability to look after their own safety and wellbeing. This guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/teaching-about-relationships-sex-and-health.

In primary schools, age-appropriate relationships education will involve supporting children to learn about what healthy relationships are and their importance, as well as how to develop mutually respectful relationships in all contexts, including online. This will then provide a foundation for RSE at secondary school. Children will also be taught the importance of permission-seeking and giving in relationships with friends, peers and adults, as the building blocks for consent in secondary school.

Where sex education is covered in primary schools, parents have an automatic right to withdraw their child from this part of the curriculum, although not from any sex education in the science curriculum. Head teachers must comply with these requests from parents.

The findings of the impact assessment published in January 2019 refer to the importance of teaching children and young people about healthy relationships as an element in the approach to contributing to reducing child sexual exploitation. These findings can be viewed at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/924/impacts.

22nd Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government why they have introduced compulsory relationships education for children attending primary school.

Section 34 of The Children and Social Work Act 2017 requires regulations to be made to provide for Relationships Education for primary aged pupils and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) for secondary aged pupils. This provision also specified that the regulations must include the circumstances in which pupils are to be excused from receiving RSE or elements thereof.

The Relationships Education, RSE and Health Education statutory guidance sets out the content to be covered for each subject. There is no right to withdraw from Relationships Education lessons. The key aim of Relationships Education for primary aged pupils is to put in place the building blocks needed for positive and safe relationships of all kinds, starting with family and friends, and moving out to other kinds of relationships, including those off and online.

For secondary aged pupils the emphasis under the RSE curriculum moves from the experience of the child in the context of their family to the young person as a potential partner and parent, and the characteristics of healthy intimate relationships are explored. RSE will also cover the concepts of, and laws relating to sex and relationships.

There is no prescription for primary schools to cover sex education. If a primary school chooses to deliver sex education, it must be covered in the school’s Relationships Education policy. Schools are required to consult parents on a draft of their policy. Where sex education is covered in primary schools, parents have an automatic right to withdraw their child from this part of the curriculum.

In making decisions about resources and materials to use in teaching the new subjects, the statutory guidance sets out that schools should assess each resource that they propose to use carefully to ensure it is appropriate for the age and maturity of pupils and sensitive to their needs. Schools should also be aware of their duties regarding impartiality and balanced treatment of political issues in the classroom to ensure content is handled in an appropriate way.

The statutory guidance states that when schools consult with parents on their Relationships Education and RSE policy, they should also ensure that they provide examples of the resources that they plan to use in teaching the new subjects as this can be reassuring for parents and enables them to continue the conversations started in class at home. The statutory guidance can be accessed via this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.

We will be issuing further implementation guidance on the teaching of RSE and health education shortly.

22nd Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether parents of children attending primary schools can ask for their children to not participate in relationships education lessons.

Section 34 of The Children and Social Work Act 2017 requires regulations to be made to provide for Relationships Education for primary aged pupils and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) for secondary aged pupils. This provision also specified that the regulations must include the circumstances in which pupils are to be excused from receiving RSE or elements thereof.

The Relationships Education, RSE and Health Education statutory guidance sets out the content to be covered for each subject. There is no right to withdraw from Relationships Education lessons. The key aim of Relationships Education for primary aged pupils is to put in place the building blocks needed for positive and safe relationships of all kinds, starting with family and friends, and moving out to other kinds of relationships, including those off and online.

For secondary aged pupils the emphasis under the RSE curriculum moves from the experience of the child in the context of their family to the young person as a potential partner and parent, and the characteristics of healthy intimate relationships are explored. RSE will also cover the concepts of, and laws relating to sex and relationships.

There is no prescription for primary schools to cover sex education. If a primary school chooses to deliver sex education, it must be covered in the school’s Relationships Education policy. Schools are required to consult parents on a draft of their policy. Where sex education is covered in primary schools, parents have an automatic right to withdraw their child from this part of the curriculum.

In making decisions about resources and materials to use in teaching the new subjects, the statutory guidance sets out that schools should assess each resource that they propose to use carefully to ensure it is appropriate for the age and maturity of pupils and sensitive to their needs. Schools should also be aware of their duties regarding impartiality and balanced treatment of political issues in the classroom to ensure content is handled in an appropriate way.

The statutory guidance states that when schools consult with parents on their Relationships Education and RSE policy, they should also ensure that they provide examples of the resources that they plan to use in teaching the new subjects as this can be reassuring for parents and enables them to continue the conversations started in class at home. The statutory guidance can be accessed via this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.

We will be issuing further implementation guidance on the teaching of RSE and health education shortly.

22nd Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government to what extent they expect explicit sexual and gender issues to be introduced in relationships education for six to 11 year olds in primary schools; and what plans they have to make a statement to both Houses of Parliament about this issue.

Section 34 of The Children and Social Work Act 2017 requires regulations to be made to provide for Relationships Education for primary aged pupils and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) for secondary aged pupils. This provision also specified that the regulations must include the circumstances in which pupils are to be excused from receiving RSE or elements thereof.

The Relationships Education, RSE and Health Education statutory guidance sets out the content to be covered for each subject. There is no right to withdraw from Relationships Education lessons. The key aim of Relationships Education for primary aged pupils is to put in place the building blocks needed for positive and safe relationships of all kinds, starting with family and friends, and moving out to other kinds of relationships, including those off and online.

For secondary aged pupils the emphasis under the RSE curriculum moves from the experience of the child in the context of their family to the young person as a potential partner and parent, and the characteristics of healthy intimate relationships are explored. RSE will also cover the concepts of, and laws relating to sex and relationships.

There is no prescription for primary schools to cover sex education. If a primary school chooses to deliver sex education, it must be covered in the school’s Relationships Education policy. Schools are required to consult parents on a draft of their policy. Where sex education is covered in primary schools, parents have an automatic right to withdraw their child from this part of the curriculum.

In making decisions about resources and materials to use in teaching the new subjects, the statutory guidance sets out that schools should assess each resource that they propose to use carefully to ensure it is appropriate for the age and maturity of pupils and sensitive to their needs. Schools should also be aware of their duties regarding impartiality and balanced treatment of political issues in the classroom to ensure content is handled in an appropriate way.

The statutory guidance states that when schools consult with parents on their Relationships Education and RSE policy, they should also ensure that they provide examples of the resources that they plan to use in teaching the new subjects as this can be reassuring for parents and enables them to continue the conversations started in class at home. The statutory guidance can be accessed via this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.

We will be issuing further implementation guidance on the teaching of RSE and health education shortly.

17th Jul 2017
Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the decision by Transport for London to stop using the term “ladies and gentlemen” for public announcements, whether they have issued guidance to local authorities and other public bodies on appropriate forms of address for members of the public; if so, what form that guidance takes and whether it has been, or will be, published; whether any such guidance specifically refers to the use of the term “ladies and gentlemen”; and if so, whether public bodies are encouraged to avoid the use of that term.

It important that our public services reflect the language used by everyone.

The Government has issued no guidance for local authorities or other public bodies on this issue but we would encourage everyone to think about how they can tailor services to be as inclusive as possible.

9th Jan 2017
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Nick Gibb MP on 20 October 2016 (HC47083), what proportion of the state school teachers who have left the profession within five years of starting in 2010 were (1) professionally trained, and (2) 1-year post-graduate PGCE trained; and what proportion of those come from (a) the primary sector; and (b) the post-primary sector.

The statistics provided in the Written Answer from the Minister of State for School Standards on 20 October 2016 (HC47083) show that around 90% of qualified teachers are employed in a state-funded school in the year after qualification (and this has been the case since 1996). Of the qualified teachers who started teaching in 2010, 70% were still teaching in a state-funded school five years later.

These teacher retention statistics only cover qualified teachers, that is teachers who have successfully completed an accredited programme of training or assessment and have been awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Statistics on teacher retention by length of time in post are not available by school phase nor by the route through which the teacher trained.

The published teacher retention statistics are in Tables 7 and 8 of the ‘School Workforce in England: November 2015’ statistical release.

9th Jan 2017
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the ongoing annual additional cost of state school teachers leaving the profession within five years of starting in 2010.

There are more than 456,000 teachers in state-funded schools throughout England – up more than 15,000 since 2010. The retention rate for new teachers is around 90% and of those that started in 2010, 70% are still in the classroom.

The Department’s Teacher Supply Model estimates the number of new teachers we need to train each year. Based on the National Audit Office Report on “Training new teachers”, it cost £700 million to train 33,200 trainees in 2013/14. This report is attached.

21st Oct 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are planning to restrict the ability of local authorities to request information about children’s self-perception of their sexual orientation.

The Department for Education do not require schools or local authorities to collect any information on the sexual orientation of children. Any information collected locally by schools and / or local authorities on sexual orientation for their own purposes is a matter for them to manage locally.

The Department for Education has provided schools with guidance on complying with the Equality Act.

The Public Sector Equality Duty, at section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, is a duty on public bodies (and others carrying out public functions) to consider, in their day to day work, the needs of people who share particular protected characteristics. This includes schools and children’s services.

Under the Duty, public bodies must have due regard to the need to:

  • eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conducted that is prohibited under the Equality Act 2010
  • advance equality of opportunity, and;
  • foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not.

The Equality Duty covers the protected characteristics listed in the Equality Act, which includes age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Guidance on complying with the Act and the Equality Duty can be found on GOV.UK (under Equality Act 2010 guidance). Earlier guidance formed under the Coalition Government has been archived on the National Archives website (under the ‘Equality Bill’ guidance). The Equality and Human Rights Commission has also issued guidance on the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Local authorities will also have to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 on the data they collect. The Information Commissioner’s Office state that data should only be collected if organisations have legitimate grounds for collecting and using the personal data; that they do not use the data in ways that have unjustified adverse effects on the individuals concerned; that they be transparent about how they intend to use the data, and give individuals appropriate privacy notices when collecting their personal data.

21st Oct 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance they have given to local authorities, in particular Brighton and Hove Council, concerning requests for information about children’s self-perception of their sexual orientation.

The Department for Education do not require schools or local authorities to collect any information on the sexual orientation of children. Any information collected locally by schools and / or local authorities on sexual orientation for their own purposes is a matter for them to manage locally.

The Department for Education has provided schools with guidance on complying with the Equality Act.

The Public Sector Equality Duty, at section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, is a duty on public bodies (and others carrying out public functions) to consider, in their day to day work, the needs of people who share particular protected characteristics. This includes schools and children’s services.

Under the Duty, public bodies must have due regard to the need to:

  • eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conducted that is prohibited under the Equality Act 2010
  • advance equality of opportunity, and;
  • foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not.

The Equality Duty covers the protected characteristics listed in the Equality Act, which includes age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Guidance on complying with the Act and the Equality Duty can be found on GOV.UK (under Equality Act 2010 guidance). Earlier guidance formed under the Coalition Government has been archived on the National Archives website (under the ‘Equality Bill’ guidance). The Equality and Human Rights Commission has also issued guidance on the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Local authorities will also have to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 on the data they collect. The Information Commissioner’s Office state that data should only be collected if organisations have legitimate grounds for collecting and using the personal data; that they do not use the data in ways that have unjustified adverse effects on the individuals concerned; that they be transparent about how they intend to use the data, and give individuals appropriate privacy notices when collecting their personal data.

21st Oct 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the need for, and benefit to be derived from, the questionnaire issued by Brighton and Hove Council requesting information about children’s self-perception of their sexual orientation.

These questions refer to an answer given by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 12 October 2016, and also link to previous questions asked by Lord Macginnis, and answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford in April 2016.

As Baroness Williams set out in her previous reply, the Department for Education provides guidance on the Equality Act 2010 to schools which contains advice on the Public Sector Equality Duty and on the protected characteristic of gender reassignment.

The Department is not responsible for the decision by Brighton and Hove Council to include gender identity information on the pupil registration form it issued in April 2016. The Council has the independence to make this decision. The Department has had no involvement and has not made any assessment of the questionnaire.

The Department does not hold details of any additional information collected by local authorities outside of those required by the Department for our centrally specified, mandatory data collections. Brighton and Hove Council is responsible for securing answers and restricting access to information generated by any questionnaire it issues.

The Department has not inquired into the gender identity of children in Brighton and Hove and has no correspondence on the matter.

20th Oct 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 12 October (HL Deb, col 1889), what correspondence there has been between the Department for Education and Brighton and Hove Council pertaining to questionnaires seeking information about children’s self-perception of their sexual orientation; and whether they will place a copy of that correspondence in the Library of the House.

These questions refer to an answer given by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 12 October 2016, and also link to previous questions asked by Lord Macginnis, and answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford in April 2016.

As Baroness Williams set out in her previous reply, the Department for Education provides guidance on the Equality Act 2010 to schools which contains advice on the Public Sector Equality Duty and on the protected characteristic of gender reassignment.

The Department is not responsible for the decision by Brighton and Hove Council to include gender identity information on the pupil registration form it issued in April 2016. The Council has the independence to make this decision. The Department has had no involvement and has not made any assessment of the questionnaire.

The Department does not hold details of any additional information collected by local authorities outside of those required by the Department for our centrally specified, mandatory data collections. Brighton and Hove Council is responsible for securing answers and restricting access to information generated by any questionnaire it issues.

The Department has not inquired into the gender identity of children in Brighton and Hove and has no correspondence on the matter.

20th Oct 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 12 October (HL Deb, col 1889), who has responsibility for (1) securing the answers to, and (2) restricting access to the information deriving from, Brighton and Hove Council’s questionnaires to (a) young teenagers, and (b) the parents of 4 to 6 year-old children, about those children’s self-perception of their sexual orientation.

These questions refer to an answer given by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 12 October 2016, and also link to previous questions asked by Lord Macginnis, and answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford in April 2016.

As Baroness Williams set out in her previous reply, the Department for Education provides guidance on the Equality Act 2010 to schools which contains advice on the Public Sector Equality Duty and on the protected characteristic of gender reassignment.

The Department is not responsible for the decision by Brighton and Hove Council to include gender identity information on the pupil registration form it issued in April 2016. The Council has the independence to make this decision. The Department has had no involvement and has not made any assessment of the questionnaire.

The Department does not hold details of any additional information collected by local authorities outside of those required by the Department for our centrally specified, mandatory data collections. Brighton and Hove Council is responsible for securing answers and restricting access to information generated by any questionnaire it issues.

The Department has not inquired into the gender identity of children in Brighton and Hove and has no correspondence on the matter.

25th Apr 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the actions of Brighton and Hove City Council regarding its inquiries into children's gender identity, rather than their physical sex, have been referred to the police in the light of any risk that such questioning might sexualise vulnerable young people.

The Department for Education provides guidance on the Equality Act 2010 to schools which contains advice on the Public Sector Equality Duty and on the protected characteristic of gender reassignment.

The Department has not inquired into the gender identity of children in January 2016 and has no correspondence on the matter.

The addition of gender identity information on the pupil registration form was solely a decision of the Brighton and Hove City Council. They have the independence to make this decision.

The Department does not hold details of any additional information collected by local authorities outside of those required by the Department for our centrally specified, mandatory data collections.

The Department is not aware of any referral on this issue to the Police.

Baroness Williams of Trafford
Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
25th Apr 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish any relevant correspondence between the Department for Education and Brighton and Hove City Council following its January 2016 inquiry into the gender identity rather than the physical sex of secondary school children.

The Department for Education provides guidance on the Equality Act 2010 to schools which contains advice on the Public Sector Equality Duty and on the protected characteristic of gender reassignment.

The Department has not inquired into the gender identity of children in January 2016 and has no correspondence on the matter.

The addition of gender identity information on the pupil registration form was solely a decision of the Brighton and Hove City Council. They have the independence to make this decision.

The Department does not hold details of any additional information collected by local authorities outside of those required by the Department for our centrally specified, mandatory data collections.

The Department is not aware of any referral on this issue to the Police.

Baroness Williams of Trafford
Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
25th Apr 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any guidance or instruction from the Department of Education has prompted Brighton and Hove City Council to seek to establish the gender identity rather than the physical sex of four and five year-old children, and how many other education bodies have sent similar requests to parents.

The Department for Education provides guidance on the Equality Act 2010 to schools which contains advice on the Public Sector Equality Duty and on the protected characteristic of gender reassignment.

The Department has not inquired into the gender identity of children in January 2016 and has no correspondence on the matter.

The addition of gender identity information on the pupil registration form was solely a decision of the Brighton and Hove City Council. They have the independence to make this decision.

The Department does not hold details of any additional information collected by local authorities outside of those required by the Department for our centrally specified, mandatory data collections.

The Department is not aware of any referral on this issue to the Police.

Baroness Williams of Trafford
Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
11th Jan 2016
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the written answers by Lord Nash on 26 and 27 October 2015 (HL2579 and 2580), and the oral response by Baroness Evans of Bowes Park on 4 November (HL Deb, col 1635), what is the percentage turnover of (1) teachers who achieved Qualified Teacher Status through an undergraduate qualification, and (2) teachers who trained via the Postgraduate Certificate in Education, within (a) two years, (b) five years, and (c) 10 years, of beginning to teach.

The latest statistics show that 81 percent of qualified teachers remain in service after 2 years, 72 percent of qualified teachers remain in service after 5 years, and 62 percent of qualified teachers remain in service after 10 years. This information is available in Table C2 of the statistical first release ‘School Workforce in England, November 2014’ published in July 2015.

The requested breakdown by under/postgraduate route is not available.

13th Oct 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 17 July (HL558), what assessment they have made of the impact of the declining number of professionally trained teachers in primary schools on classroom discipline and pupil behaviour at secondary level; and whether they intend to undertake any research on that issue.

Between 2010 and 2014 the full-time equivalent (FTE) number of teachers in primary schools in England has increased by 19,100 (from 196,400 FTEs to 215,500 FTEs). This represents an increase of 9.7% since 2010.


The full-time equivalent number of qualified teachers in primary schools in England has increased over the same period by 17,100 FTEs – from 192,500 FTEs in 2010 to 209,600 FTEs in 2014.


We are determined that every child is able to work and study hard without disruption. We have given head teachers more powers to tackle poor behaviour, including strengthening their powers to search pupils and the removal of the requirement to give parents 24 hours’ written notice of after-school detention. We have revised and simplified advice to schools on promoting good behaviour and maintaining discipline, ensuring they have the confidence to exclude pupils when it is necessary.


Now we are going further by appointing behaviour expert Tom Bennett to lead a review to ensure new teachers are fully trained in dealing with disruptive children and also consider all of the challenges of managing behaviour in schools.

13th Oct 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 17 July (HL558), what assessment they have made of the impact of the declining number of professionally trained teachers in primary schools on the reading, writing and numerical attainment of children at 11 years of age; and whether they intend to take steps to reverse the decline in teachers who are professionally trained.

Between 2010 and 2014, the full-time equivalent (FTE) number of teachers in primary schools in England has increased by 19,100 (from 196,400 FTEs to 215,500 FTEs). This represents an increase of 9.7% compared with 2010.


The full-time equivalent number of qualified teachers in primary schools in England has increased over the same period by 17,100 FTEs – from 192,500 FTEs in 2010 to 209,600 FTEs in 2014.


The proportion of children in England achieving level 4 or above in reading, writing and mathematics has continued to rise over recent years; from 75% in 2013 to 80% in 2015.

17th Jun 2015
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of primary school teachers in England have been professionally trained through recognised three-year teacher training courses, and what percentage through a one-year Postgraduate Course in Education; and how those percentages have changed since 2005.

The department does not hold data on the percentage of primary teachers professionally trained through recognised three-year teacher training courses or one-year postgraduate courses. The department does hold information on primary trainee teachers who were awarded qualified teacher status (QTS).

In the 2012 to 2013 academic year, 28% of those awarded QTS in England trained through an undergraduate programme. 72% trained through a postgraduate programme. This has changed from 37% and 63% respectively in the 2004 to 2005 academic year.

Undergraduate courses are typically three or four years. Postgraduate courses are typically for one year and the vast major lead to PGCE.

Number of primary trainees gaining QTS who were on undergraduate courses

Number of primary trainees gaining QTS who were on postgraduate courses

Total number of primary trainees gaining QTS

Percentage primary trainees gaining QTS who were on undergraduate courses

Percentage of primary trainees gaining QTS who were on postgraduate courses

2004/05

4,550

7,774

12,324

37%

63%

2005/06

4,652

7,542

12,194

38%

62%

2006/07

5,091

7,397

12,488

41%

59%

2007/08

5,335

7,916

13,251

40%

60%

2008/09

5,609

10,135

15,744

36%

64%

2009/10

5,212

10,454

15,666

33%

67%

2010/11

5,093

10,701

15,794

32%

68%

2011/12

5,381

12,101

17,482

31%

69%

2012/13

5,111

12,934

18,045

28%

72%

1) Data excludes Teach First and Assessment Only

2) Data includes Employment Based Teacher Training (EBITT)

3) Data for 2013/13 includes School Direct Trainees

27th Oct 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the lack of direct flights from the UK to Ercan International Airport, and (2) the reasons why there are no such flights; and what discussions they have had with airline operators about how long it is intended to divert such flights via Turkey.

In accordance with the rest of the international community, the UK does not recognise the self-declared ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ as an independent state. Additionally, direct flights to and from the UK and the northern part of Cyprus would breach the UK’s international obligation under the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation. As a result, it would be illegal, as a matter of domestic law, for the UK Government to support direct flights to the northern part of Cyprus.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Shadow Minister (Treasury)
21st Apr 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they have made, while the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 apply, to enable UK citizens coming back from Northern Cyprus, or travelling to Northern Cyprus if currently a resident there, to fly directly to avoid an additional period of isolation if they are required to stop en route and disembark at a Turkish airport.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office worked with the Government of Cyprus to secure the necessary arrangements for 154 British Nationals in the north of Cyprus to transit to the Republic of Cyprus, to then depart on direct flights back to the UK operated by EasyJet and Aegean. This meant no repatriation flights travelled via Turkey.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Shadow Minister (Treasury)
4th Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the proportion of the UK population over state pension age in 1990; and what is the projected figure for 2050.

In 1990, State Pension age was 60 years of age for females and 65 years for males. Based upon Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-year population estimates, the proportion of the total UK population over State Pension age in 1990 was 18.4 per cent.

In 2050, State Pension age is legislated to be 68 years of age for both males and females. Based upon ONS 2018 mid-year population projections, the most up-to-date ONS population projections available, the proportion of the total UK population over State Pension age in 2050 is estimated to be 21.4 per cent.

Percentages have been rounded to 1 decimal place.

These figures have been calculated using data available on the ONS website: www.ons.gov.uk

Baroness Stedman-Scott
Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
10th Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bethell on 10 June (HL3794), why they will not provide figures for the percentage of the population who have died from COVID-19 in (1) England, (2) Scotland, (3) Wales and (4) Northern Ireland in order to facilitate a strategic assessment of comparative regional efficiencies.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes the weekly numbers of deaths registered in England and Wales, and National Records Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency are responsible for publishing the number of deaths registered in Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. The number of deaths involving COVID-19 are published rather than the percentage of the population who have died from COVID-19, as this is a more useful and accurate way of keeping a consistent record of death data.

The ONS also routinely publishes population estimates. The current data, for mid-2018, for the four nations of the United Kingdom allow the required percentages to be calculated as shown in the following table.

Registered deaths involving COVID-19

Mid-2018 population estimates

Percentage

England

45,016

56,286,961

0.080

Wales

2,300

3,152,879

0.073

Scotland

4,070

5,463,300

0.074

Northern Ireland

774

1,893,667

0.041

Source: ONS weekly figures on death registrations week ending 5 June 2020.