Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with StandWithUs UK about taking action to combat antisemitism on university campuses.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
I was grateful to attend a roundtable organised by StandWithUs UK in this House on 11 March 2025. At that event, I heard directly from students about their horrifying experiences of antisemitic abuse, many of which are captured in the StandWIthUs UK Voice of Students report.
The antisemitic incidents detailed in the report are wholly unacceptable and the wellbeing and safety of Jewish students remains a government priority.
I recognise the efforts that university Vice Chancellors and their staff are making to foster cohesion on campuses across the country. However, the StandWithUs UK report highlights that there is still more to do. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education will soon host a roundtable, to which she has invited Vice Chancellors representing many of the institutions featured in the report. This will be an opportunity to discuss what more can be done collectively, and at all levels, to make universities a safe and inclusive environment for all.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with StandWithUs UK about the report Voice of Students 2024/25, published on 7 May.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
I was grateful to attend a roundtable organised by StandWithUs UK in this House on 11 March 2025. At that event, I heard directly from students about their horrifying experiences of antisemitic abuse, many of which are captured in the StandWIthUs UK Voice of Students report.
The antisemitic incidents detailed in the report are wholly unacceptable and the wellbeing and safety of Jewish students remains a government priority.
I recognise the efforts that university Vice Chancellors and their staff are making to foster cohesion on campuses across the country. However, the StandWithUs UK report highlights that there is still more to do. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education will soon host a roundtable, to which she has invited Vice Chancellors representing many of the institutions featured in the report. This will be an opportunity to discuss what more can be done collectively, and at all levels, to make universities a safe and inclusive environment for all.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the scale of antisemitic activity and incidents on university campuses.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
Since the terrorist attacks of 7 October 2023, there has been an unprecedented increase in antisemitic incidents on university campuses.
The Community Security Trust report ‘Campus Antisemitism in Britain 2022-2024', published on 9 December 2024, states that in the two academic years 2022/2024, 325 university-related antisemitic incidents were recorded: 53 incidents in 2022/23 and 272 incidents in 2023/24. This is a 117% increase from the 150 incidents recorded between academic years 2020/2022.
Within the period covered by the report, there was an increase of 413% from academic year 2022/23 to academic year 2023/24, which clearly demonstrates the impact of the 7 October attacks.
Officials and Ministers continue to liaise closely with Universities UK and with key Jewish Community stakeholders, including the Community Security Trust and the Union of Jewish Students, to remain appraised of issues and how they are being handled by universities.
My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education will soon host a roundtable with Vice Chancellors to discuss what more can be done collectively, and at all levels, to make our universities a safe and inclusive environment for all.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what measures have been put in place to support children and the parents of children with autism and neurodiverse conditions required to move schools following the planned introduction of VAT on private school fees in January 2025; and what stakeholder groups have been involved in developing the measures.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
In line with research from the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies, the government does not anticipate the ending of the VAT exemption, that private schools enjoy, to prompt notable movement into the state sector and any movement is expected to take place over several years. This research is attached and can also be found here: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/tax-private-school-fees-and-state-school-spending.
There is significant spare capacity in existing state schools. The department collects pupil forecasts and school capacity data from local authorities annually through the school capacity survey and this data shows that in May 2023, 11.7% of primary capacity and 11.5% of secondary capacity was unfilled nationally, meaning school places are available in many parts of the country. The department will monitor demand and capacity using its normal processes and continue to work with local authorities to meet any pressures.
The department supports local authorities to ensure that every local area has sufficient places for children that need them and works to provide appropriate support where pupils with special educational needs require a place at a state-funded school.
This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, or in alternative provision, receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools.
Where children have an education, health and care plan which requires a local authority funded place at an independent school, they will not be affected by the VAT changes, as the responsible local authority will be able to reclaim VAT.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what processes they have put in place to evaluate the impact on (1) the mental health, and (2) educational attainment, of children with autism and neurodiverse conditions required to move schools following the planned introduction of VAT on private school fees in January 2025; what stakeholder groups have been involved in developing the processes; and at what intervals the evaluations will be conducted.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
In line with research from the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies, the government does not anticipate the ending of the VAT exemption, that private schools enjoy, to prompt notable movement into the state sector and any movement is expected to take place over several years. This research is attached and can also be found here: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/tax-private-school-fees-and-state-school-spending.
There is significant spare capacity in existing state schools. The department collects pupil forecasts and school capacity data from local authorities annually through the school capacity survey and this data shows that in May 2023, 11.7% of primary capacity and 11.5% of secondary capacity was unfilled nationally, meaning school places are available in many parts of the country. The department will monitor demand and capacity using its normal processes and continue to work with local authorities to meet any pressures.
The department supports local authorities to ensure that every local area has sufficient places for children that need them and works to provide appropriate support where pupils with special educational needs require a place at a state-funded school.
This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, or in alternative provision, receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools.
Where children have an education, health and care plan which requires a local authority funded place at an independent school, they will not be affected by the VAT changes, as the responsible local authority will be able to reclaim VAT.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance is being developed for (1) local education authorities and (2) schools to support children and the parents of children with autism and neurodiverse conditions required to move schools following the planned introduction of VAT on private school fees in January 2025; and what stakeholder groups have been involved in developing the guidance.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
In line with research from the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies, the government does not anticipate the ending of the VAT exemption, that private schools enjoy, to prompt notable movement into the state sector and any movement is expected to take place over several years. This research is attached and can also be found here: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/tax-private-school-fees-and-state-school-spending.
There is significant spare capacity in existing state schools. The department collects pupil forecasts and school capacity data from local authorities annually through the school capacity survey and this data shows that in May 2023, 11.7% of primary capacity and 11.5% of secondary capacity was unfilled nationally, meaning school places are available in many parts of the country. The department will monitor demand and capacity using its normal processes and continue to work with local authorities to meet any pressures.
The department supports local authorities to ensure that every local area has sufficient places for children that need them and works to provide appropriate support where pupils with special educational needs require a place at a state-funded school.
This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, or in alternative provision, receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools.
Where children have an education, health and care plan which requires a local authority funded place at an independent school, they will not be affected by the VAT changes, as the responsible local authority will be able to reclaim VAT.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what funding they are making available to ensure (1) local education authorities, and (2) schools, are capable of accommodating children with autism and neurodiverse conditions required to move schools following the planned introduction of VAT on private school fees in January 2025.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
In line with research from the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies, the government does not anticipate the ending of the VAT exemption, that private schools enjoy, to prompt notable movement into the state sector and any movement is expected to take place over several years. This research is attached and can also be found here: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/tax-private-school-fees-and-state-school-spending.
There is significant spare capacity in existing state schools. The department collects pupil forecasts and school capacity data from local authorities annually through the school capacity survey and this data shows that in May 2023, 11.7% of primary capacity and 11.5% of secondary capacity was unfilled nationally, meaning school places are available in many parts of the country. The department will monitor demand and capacity using its normal processes and continue to work with local authorities to meet any pressures.
The department supports local authorities to ensure that every local area has sufficient places for children that need them and works to provide appropriate support where pupils with special educational needs require a place at a state-funded school.
This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, or in alternative provision, receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools.
Where children have an education, health and care plan which requires a local authority funded place at an independent school, they will not be affected by the VAT changes, as the responsible local authority will be able to reclaim VAT.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the capacity of local education authorities to accommodate and meet the needs of children and the parents of children with autism and neurodiverse conditions required to move schools following the planned introduction of VAT on private school fees in January 2025.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
In line with research from the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies, the government does not anticipate the ending of the VAT exemption, that private schools enjoy, to prompt notable movement into the state sector and any movement is expected to take place over several years. This research is attached and can also be found here: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/tax-private-school-fees-and-state-school-spending.
There is significant spare capacity in existing state schools. The department collects pupil forecasts and school capacity data from local authorities annually through the school capacity survey and this data shows that in May 2023, 11.7% of primary capacity and 11.5% of secondary capacity was unfilled nationally, meaning school places are available in many parts of the country. The department will monitor demand and capacity using its normal processes and continue to work with local authorities to meet any pressures.
The department supports local authorities to ensure that every local area has sufficient places for children that need them and works to provide appropriate support where pupils with special educational needs require a place at a state-funded school.
This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, or in alternative provision, receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools.
Where children have an education, health and care plan which requires a local authority funded place at an independent school, they will not be affected by the VAT changes, as the responsible local authority will be able to reclaim VAT.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government which sectors and roles were identified in the most recent Employers’ Skills Survey as being hard to fill; what assessment they have made of the extent to which those gaps could be filled by those coming to the UK from Hong Kong under (1) the British National (Overseas) visa, and (2) any other schemes; and what plans they have (a) to identify, and (b) to recruit, suitably qualified people from Hong Kong for such roles.
Answered by Baroness Berridge
On 31 January, the UK launched the new Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route for those with BN(O) status and their eligible family members to come to the UK to live, study and work in virtually any capacity, on a pathway to citizenship.
There is no cap on numbers on the BN(O) route, nor are there any requirements for BN(O) status holders to have a job offer in order to apply. As such, those on the BN(O) route will be able to work in virtually any capacity (with the exception of working as a professional sportsperson or sports coach) whilst in the UK, including in the sectors and occupations highlighted in the most recent Employer Skills Survey.
The Employer Skills Survey collects data on how many vacancies are proving hard to fill due to a lack of applicants with the right skills, experience, or qualifications – these are called skill-shortage vacancies (SSVs). The most recent survey conducted in 2019 found that 24% of all vacancies were SSVs. By sector, the rates of SSVs were highest in the Construction and Manufacturing industries, with both sectors reporting that 36% of their vacancies were SSVs. By occupation group, the Skilled Trades had the highest rates of SSVs (48% of vacancies were classed as SSVs). The three specific occupations with the highest rates of SSVs were Carpenters and Joiners, Welding trades, and Metal machining setters.
These findings from the Employer Skills Survey can be found at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/936489/ESS_2019_Skills_Needs_Report_Nov20.pdf.
Departments across Government are working together closely to ensure that necessary support and guidance is provided for BN(O) status holders who take advantage of the new visa route.
We want the UK to be the first choice for the highly skilled both from Hong Kong and around the world. This can be seen in the focus on high skilled migration in the Budget, including plans to modernise the immigration system and make it easier to use, as well as new routes for high skilled talent. We also want to ensure the UK is seen as open and welcoming to talent by those who are thinking of moving. At this stage we are considering those coming to the UK from Hong Kong as part of the wider picture of high skilled migration.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how they assess the quality assurance of providers of supported internships in relation to (1) the programme structure, (2) the programme content, and (3) the cohort outcomes. [T]
Answered by Baroness Berridge
Supported Internships are an educational study programme and, as such, are inspected by Ofsted.
This is a matter for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to the noble Lord and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.