Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what his policy is on his Department's rates of recycling of plastic, paper, metal and other products; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The Department contributes to, and works within the parameters of, the Government Greening Commitments (GGC) on recycling rates. The last annual report publication, from April 2018 to March 2019, shows that 85% of waste was recycled by the Department.
The Department has committed to increasing the rate of recycled waste, whilst reducing the overall amount of waste generated in line with the next GGC which runs from 2021 to 2025.
Further information on Greening Government Commitments can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/883779/ggc-annual-report-2018-2019.pdf.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of the number of schools that are located in areas with fine particulate matter over levels recommended by the World Health Organisation; and what steps he is taking to protect pupils from air pollution.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The Department has made no such specific estimate as local authorities are responsible for air quality in their area and must ensure that it meets the standards set in local air quality action plans.
If there was concern about the air quality in a school building, it would fall to the body responsible for the school to check and establish what measures needed to be taken to improve air quality. This would generally be the local authority, academy trust or governing body.
In 2018, the Department published Building Bulletin 101 (BB101), establishing guidance for school design on ventilation, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality. This guidance sets out the World Health Organisation’s air quality guidelines and Air Quality Standards Regulation 2010 for indoor air quality. BB101 requires the indoor environment of new or refurbished school buildings to be monitored by recording temperature and levels of carbon dioxide.
The Department is collaborating with other government departments and several academic institutions on air quality projects. The findings from these projects will, in due course, inform our guidance and standards for school buildings.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Prime Minister, when he last had discussions with the First Minister of Wales; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Boris Johnson
My Rt Hon Friends the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Secretary of State for Wales and I have had multiple discussions with the First Minister about Covid-19 and other matters.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Prime Minister, when he last had discussions with the First Minister of Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Boris Johnson
My Rt Hon Friends the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I have had multiple discussions with the First and deputy First Minister about Covid-19 and other matters.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much his Department spent on ministerial travel by (a) first class, (b) second class and (c) in total in 2017.
Answered by Michelle Donelan - Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
In 2017, the department spent £456.00 on first class rail travel and £1,870.70 on standard class ministerial rail travel. Further to this, the department spent £16,946.69 on business class air travel and £4,390.77 on economy class air travel. In total, the department spent £23,664.16 on ministerial travel.
In 2018, the department spent £2,399.70 on first class rail travel, £3,931.15 on standard class ministerial rail travel and £576.00 on premium economy Eurostar travel. Further to this, the department spent £15,994.92 on business class air travel and £3,481.64 on economy class air travel. In total, the department spent £26,383.41 on ministerial travel.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much his Department spent on ministerial travel by (a) first class, (b) second class and (c) in total in 2018.
Answered by Michelle Donelan - Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
In 2017, the department spent £456.00 on first class rail travel and £1,870.70 on standard class ministerial rail travel. Further to this, the department spent £16,946.69 on business class air travel and £4,390.77 on economy class air travel. In total, the department spent £23,664.16 on ministerial travel.
In 2018, the department spent £2,399.70 on first class rail travel, £3,931.15 on standard class ministerial rail travel and £576.00 on premium economy Eurostar travel. Further to this, the department spent £15,994.92 on business class air travel and £3,481.64 on economy class air travel. In total, the department spent £26,383.41 on ministerial travel.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much his Department spent on ministerial travel by (a) first class, (b) second class and (c) in total in 2018.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - President of the Board of Trade
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much his Department spent on ministerial travel by (a) first class, (b) second class and (c) in total in 2017.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - President of the Board of Trade
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many universities have signed up to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism.
Answered by Gavin Williamson
The government has urged all higher education providers (HEPs) to consider adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition. It is a useful tool which will help front-line services better understand and recognise instances of antisemitism. However, HEPs are autonomous organisations who are independent from the government. Each individual provider will decide if, and how they wish to implement the IHRA definition. The government does not gather this data.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much his Department spent on refreshments in (a) 2017 and (b) 2018.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - President of the Board of Trade
The information requested is not held centrally.