Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department provides on whether Multi-Academy Trusts are required to take the highest price offered for a land disposal where that land is the last open green space in a town and used by the community for leisure and sport; and whether social and environmental well-being can be considered as having a value in a disposal.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Multi-Academy trusts wishing to dispose of school land are required under both legislation and the terms of their funding agreements to seek the consent of the Secretary of State. The department publishes guidance on the consent process at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6abcb46c3239bb3cc19f51d5/Involving_the_Secretary_of_State_in_land_transactions.pdf .

For disposal of school playing fields, the department would ask for details of local consultation, and how any existing community use of the land would be affected.

Where land is being disposed of, the guidance includes that multi academy trusts must provide “an explanation of how you have assured yourself that the consideration received represents best value” and then clarifies that “best value, in this context, will normally be the best price reasonably obtainable in the market or the open market value, but may, exceptionally, include other benefits which can be assessed in monetary terms”. Social and environmental well-being can therefore be factored into an assessment of value for a disposal, depending on the circumstances.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which public authority is responsible for determining whether the management of privately owned woodland presents a wildfire risk to neighbouring residential communities.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Fire and rescue authorities have statutory responsibilities to assess fire and rescue related risks within their areas and make appropriate provision for responding to fires, including wildfires. They work with local authorities and landowners to identify and manage wildfire risks to communities.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure that employers provide appropriate emotional and practical support to bereaved employees, including reasonable workplace adjustments.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The government will publish guidance alongside the implementation of Bereavement Leave to ensure that employees are fully aware of their rights, and employers are aware of their responsibilities to support bereaved employees. We are also committed to improving access to flexible working. Greater flexibility over when, where and how much someone works can provide important practical support following a bereavement and help make the return to work more manageable. The government will continue to explore how we can support bereaved people in employment.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a statutory minimum of paid bereavement leave for employees whose parent or parental figure has died.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The government has sought to strike a balance by providing meaningful support to bereaved employees and ensuring the entitlement is accessible to those who need it, while also taking account of the costs to employers and the Exchequer. We understand that losing a parent is one of life’s most devastating moments. Bereavement leave sets a statutory minimum, and the government encourages employers to go above and beyond where they can, including by offering paid bereavement leave. The government will assess the policy after implementation to understand how it is working in practice for employees and employers.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the physical condition of the NHS estate in Devon.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

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The Committee is exploring how the education system should adapt to prepare young people to be active and informed citizens in preparation for the introduction of votes at 16. This includes the role of schools and colleges in supporting pupils to engage with challenging political issues, and in tackling misinformation and disinformation, whilst ensuring impartiality and avoiding bias.