First elected: 8th June 2017
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
Automatically suspend PR rights of parent guilty of murdering the other parent.
Gov Responded - 16 Jun 2022 Debated on - 7 Nov 2022 View Ellie Reeves's petition debate contributionsProvide a mechanism within existing legislation whereupon a person with parental responsibility (PR) is found guilty of murdering the other parent with PR, has PR automatically suspended throughout the duration of the term of imprisonment of the aforesaid person convicted.
Do not reform the Human Rights Act
Gov Responded - 17 Mar 2022 Debated on - 24 Oct 2022 View Ellie Reeves's petition debate contributionsThe proposed Human Rights Act reforms must be withdrawn. The Government must not make any changes to the Human Rights Act, especially ones that dilute people's human rights in any circumstances, make the Government less accountable, or reduce people's ability to make human rights claims.
Commission an independent review of childcare funding and affordability
Gov Responded - 23 Jun 2021 Debated on - 13 Sep 2021 View Ellie Reeves's petition debate contributionsWe have the second most expensive childcare system in the world. A full time place costs, on average, £14,000 per year, making it completely unaffordable for many families. Parents are forced to leave their jobs or work fewer hours, which has a negative impact on the economy and on child poverty.
Review the decision to use previous data to calculate exam grades
Gov Responded - 4 Sep 2020 Debated on - 12 Oct 2020 View Ellie Reeves's petition debate contributionsWe want the Education Secretary and the Government to step in and review the exam board’s decision on how GCSE and A-Level grades will be calculated and awarded due to the current coronavirus crisis. We want a better solution than just using our previous data to be the basis of our grade.
Reduce curriculum content for year 10 & 12 students who will sit exams in 2021.
Gov Responded - 30 Jul 2020 Debated on - 12 Oct 2020 View Ellie Reeves's petition debate contributionsA significant number of students will sit their final 2021 examinations. The outcome of which undoubtedly will be their passport, for many of their future life chances and successes. In order for this to be done fairly, it is imperative that the amount of content they are tested on is reduced.
Extend maternity leave by 3 months with pay in light of COVID-19
Gov Responded - 14 May 2020 Debated on - 5 Oct 2020 View Ellie Reeves's petition debate contributionsIn light of the recent outbreak and lock down, those on maternity leave should be given 3 extra months paid leave, at least. This time is for bonding and social engaging with other parents and babies through baby groups which are vital for development and now everything has been cancelled.
These initiatives were driven by Ellie Reeves, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Ellie Reeves has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Ellie Reeves has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
Ellie Reeves has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Clean Air (No. 2) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Chris Philp (Con)
Employment and Workers' Rights Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Stephanie Peacock (Lab)
Individuals who experience pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace can access justice through an employment tribunal, under the Equality Act 2010. While the time limit for bringing a claim is three months, tribunals have the discretion to provide extensions where they consider it ‘just and equitable’ to do so.
The Government continues to look closely at extending the time limit for bringing Equality Act 2010 based cases to an employment tribunal. This decision, however, must take account of wider impacts across the justice system. We recognise that the pandemic has put additional pressure on the entire courts and tribunals service, particularly the employment tribunal, and that restoring its existing levels of service needs to be the priority before additional loading is added.
The Government response to the Women and Equalities Committee's Fifth Report of Session 2019-21, ‘Unequal impact? Coronavirus and the gendered economic impact’, was published on 14 May 2021 and is available on the Parliament website.
The Home Office holds the data on the number of arrests for specific offences.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is responsible for data on charges, including data for murder and manslaughter. No information is held regarding the number of murder charges which resulted in manslaughter convictions.
Each of the 14 CPS Areas has a dedicated RASSO Unit, staffed by specially trained prosecutors and other operational delivery staff, equipped to deal with the complexities of rape cases. The below data shows the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff employed in each CPS RASSO Unit, which were established in 2016, as of 31 March for each year from 2017. The figures are set out in decimals as there are many part-time members of staff who work in RASSO Units.
CPS Areas are not uniform in size and as such there is a disparity in the staffing levels between each Area. Furthermore, case numbers and types of case in RASSO Units may vary from year to year and across Areas.
It is also important to note that CPS Areas have the flexibility to move staff between teams to support local needs. While the below figures show the number of FTE staff employed in each CPS RASSO Unit in each year, they do not include members of staff who have been moved to teams in other Areas to support local needs
CPS Area | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
Cymru Wales | 27.01 | 24.64 | 21.64 | 20.06 | 18.97 |
East Midlands | 20.02 | 20.54 | 22.19 | 20.14 | 23.95 |
East of England | 22.29 | 23.85 | 23.70 | 19.19 | 19.65 |
London North | * | 31.76 | 31.75 | 24.76 | 26.11 |
London South | * | 38.02 | 36.33 | 33.01 | 34.14 |
Merseyside and Cheshire | 19.98 | 21.80 | 20.94 | 19.95 | 19.48 |
North East | 27.00 | 28.31 | 28.68 | 26.70 | 24.49 |
North West | 44.57 | 50.53 | 47.87 | 45.82 | 42.26 |
South East | 27.96 | 25.15 | 24..64 | 20.91 | 19.21 |
South West | 23.29 | 21.90 | 20.02 | 18.08 | 16.68 |
Thames and Chiltern | 19.80 | 21.82 | 20.02 | 27.33 | 24.14 |
Wessex | 26.26 | 21.30 | 22.52 | 18.98 | 19.33 |
West Midlands | 34.38 | 33.69 | 35.74 | 36.51 | 34.05 |
Yorkshire and Humberside | 37.45 | 34.80 | 35.06 | 32.48 | 35.95 |
*Prior to 2017, London South and London North operated as a single CPS Area, and the combined number of FTE staff in the pan-London RASSO Unit for 2017 was 66.23.
As has been the case under successive Administrations, it is not government policy to comment on security procedures in government buildings.
As has been the case under successive Administrations, it is not government policy to comment on security procedures in government buildings.
FOI requests are referred to the Clearing House in line with the published criteria available on gov.uk. The Clearing House, which has been in existence since 2004, provides advice to ensure a consistent approach across government to requests for information.
The Crown Prosecution Service takes cases of domestic abuse extremely seriously. CPS prosecutors undertake specific e-learning modules with domestic abuse training delivered to all new lawyers joining CPS Areas. In the past 12 months, 349 staff have completed evidence led prosecution e-learning and 303 advocates have completed the domestic abuse drills course (an advocacy-based course supporting prosecutors dealing with domestic abuse cases, which covers issues around bail, guilty pleas, special measures, and case management). In addition to these mandatory modules, wider training on domestic abuse is also available to prosecutors.
As part of an ambitious domestic abuse programme launched in January 2021, the CPS is working with sector experts to review the current e-learning modules, to create additional learning opportunities and share messages with staff. The recent Domestic Abuse Best Practice Framework Conference demonstrates how key information can be shared virtually with prosecutors.
On 23 April, the Cabinet Secretary wrote to the Chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee on the management of outside interests in the Civil Service.
The Committee published this letter on 26 April. It can be found here:
https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/5623/documents/55584/default/
The Cabinet Secretary’s letter sets out a series of steps to improve processes. This programme of work will also take account of any recommendations that emerge from Nigel Boardman’s review.
The Civil Service Management Code sets out, at paragraph 4.3.4, the requirement that civil servants must seek permission before accepting any outside employment which might affect their work either directly or indirectly. The applicable principles are those set out in the Business Appointment Rules. The Civil Service Management Code is published here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-servants-terms-and-conditions
Where the civil servant is a member of the departmental board any outside employment, as well as other relevant interests will be published as part of the Annual Report and Accounts or other transparency publication.
The Crown Prosecution Service (‘CPS’) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (‘NPCC’) introduced an interim charging protocol in response to the Coronavirus pandemic on 1 April 2020 to identify and prioritise the highest risk cases. This includes those that involve domestic abuse.
The Charging Board, chaired jointly by the CPS and the NPCC, oversees and monitors arrangements for charging at a national level, including the interim charging protocol. Local police forces and CPS Areas (including CPS Direct that covers charging outside usual working hours) monitor local arrangements for charging through local Prosecution Team Performance Management meetings.
The interim charging protocol continues to operate and is the subject of ongoing discussion between the CPS and the police. No end date has been set.
As of 2nd February 2021, the CPS has recruited:
(Source data – CPS HR Recruitment records)
The Crown Prosecution Service (‘CPS’) has worked with other prosecutors, law enforcement, the courts and the Home Office to ensure the CPS continues to have access to the capabilities it needs and that effective international cooperation with EU Member States on extradition, gathering of evidence and asset recovery continues. The CPS has also engaged extensively with EU counterparts in order to safeguard existing cases using EU tools as well as operate the new arrangements effectively.
As well as providing for streamlined extradition arrangements, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) provides for cooperation between the UK and Europol and the UK and Eurojust to facilitate multilateral law enforcement and criminal justice cooperation. The UK remains fully operational at Eurojust with a Liaison Prosecutor Desk which was up and running from 1 January 2021. In December 2020, the CPS was participating in 33 out of 41 Joint Investigation Teams involving the UK and the CPS remains equally involved in all of these today.
The TCA equips operational partners on both sides with the capabilities that help protect citizens and bring criminals to justice – promoting the security of all our citizens.
The Crown Prosecution Service (‘CPS’) has worked with other prosecutors, law enforcement, the courts and the Home Office to ensure the CPS continues to have access to the capabilities it needs and that effective international cooperation with EU Member States on extradition, gathering of evidence and asset recovery continues. The CPS has also engaged extensively with EU counterparts in order to safeguard existing cases using EU tools as well as operate the new arrangements effectively.
As well as providing for streamlined extradition arrangements, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) provides for cooperation between the UK and Europol and the UK and Eurojust to facilitate multilateral law enforcement and criminal justice cooperation. The UK remains fully operational at Eurojust with a Liaison Prosecutor Desk which was up and running from 1 January 2021. In December 2020, the CPS was participating in 33 out of 41 Joint Investigation Teams involving the UK and the CPS remains equally involved in all of these today.
The TCA equips operational partners on both sides with the capabilities that help protect citizens and bring criminals to justice – promoting the security of all our citizens.
The Law Officers promote the unduly lenient sentence scheme and its extension, including in Parliament and on social media.
The AGO has also worked with the Ministry of Justice to take steps to raise awareness of the scheme as part of the revised statutory Code of Practice for Victims of Crime, which was published in November 2020 following consultation. The revised Code will come into force on 1 April, and now includes a requirement for the Witness Care Unit to inform victims of the unduly lenient sentence scheme promptly once sentencing has taken place. This will help to improve awareness of the scheme and also understanding of when cases may be eligible.
The latest HMCPSI report on the Victim Communication and Liaison (VCL) scheme was published on 22 October 2020. The report suggested the CPS should fundamentally review at national level how the VCL scheme is being delivered.
The CPS accepts the need for a radical review of their communications with victims, and the need to make quick progress. The CPS is therefore planning to undertake an evidence-based assessment of victims’ needs, including conducting user research to inform the review. The CPS are taking a phased approach to this work so that early, targeted improvements can be made at the same time as developing a longer-term programme of more impactful change.
The Crown Prosecution Service (‘CPS’) has worked with other prosecutors, law enforcement, the courts and the Home Office to ensure the CPS continues to have access to the capabilities it needs and that effective international cooperation with EU Member States on extradition, gathering of evidence and asset recovery continues. The CPS has also engaged extensively with EU counterparts in order to safeguard existing cases using EU tools as well as operate the new arrangements effectively.
As well as providing for streamlined extradition arrangements, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) provides for cooperation between the UK and Europol and the UK and Eurojust to facilitate multilateral law enforcement and criminal justice cooperation. The UK remains fully operational at Eurojust with a Liaison Prosecutor Desk which was up and running from 1 January 2021. In December 2020, the CPS was participating in 33 out of 41 Joint Investigation Teams involving the UK and the CPS remains equally involved in all of these today.
The TCA equips operational partners on both sides with the capabilities that help protect citizens and bring criminals to justice – promoting the security of all our citizens.
The number of staff employed by the Crown Prosecution Service (‘CPS’), broken down by grade, between 31/03/12 to 31/03/20, can be found in the tables below. To retrieve data for years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, and the detail for roles across all years, would represent a disproportionate cost to the CPS.
31/03/2020 |
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ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE | |
AA/AO | 1351 | 1226.88 | |
EO | 1217 | 1115.80 | |
G6/G7 | 2656 | 2447.11 | |
HEO/SEO | 886 | 849.75 | |
SCS | 82 | 80.71 | |
Grand Total | 6192 | 5720.26 |
31/03/2019 | ||
ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE |
AA/AO | 1392 | 1263.23 |
EO | 1175 | 1069.66 |
G6/G7 | 2589 | 2384.21 |
HEO/SEO | 791 | 757.75 |
SCS | 78 | 77.10 |
Grand Total | 6025 | 5551.95 |
31/03/2018 | ||
ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE |
AA/AO | 1436 | 1309.02 |
EO | 1186 | 1084.08 |
G6/G7 | 2472 | 2274.88 |
HEO/SEO | 810 | 775.08 |
SCS | 76 | 75.38 |
Grand Total | 5980 | 5518.44 |
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31/03/2017 | ||
ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE |
AA/AO | 1536 | 1409.30 |
EO | 1199 | 1094.03 |
G6/G7 | 2399 | 2206.89 |
HEO/SEO | 780 | 745.46 |
SCS | 70 | 69.38 |
Grand Total | 5984 | 5525.04 |
31/03/2016 | ||
ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE |
AA/AO | 1527 | 1398.90 |
EO | 1223 | 1112.19 |
G6/G7 | 2354 | 2170.88 |
HEO/SEO | 743 | 710.50 |
SCS | 68 | 67.78 |
Grand Total | 5915 | 5460.26 |
31/03/2015 | ||
ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE |
AA/AO | 1683 | 1549.14 |
EO | 1298 | 1189.95 |
G6/G7 | 2445 | 2258.48 |
HEO/SEO | 789 | 754.83 |
SCS | 65 | 65.00 |
Grand Total | 6280 | 5817.40 |
31/03/2014 | ||
ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE |
AA/AO | 1882 | 1726.96 |
EO | 1381 | 1267.24 |
G6/G7 | 2558 | 2362.03 |
HEO/SEO | 777 | 744.30 |
SCS | 65 | 65.00 |
Grand Total | 6663 | 6165.54 |
31/03/2013 | ||
ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE |
AO/AA | 2061 | 1877.40 |
EO | 1551 | 1422.82 |
G6/7 | 2801 | 2592.40 |
HEO/SEO | 850 | 807.52 |
SCS | 66 | 66.00 |
Grand Total | 7329 | 6766.14 |
31/03/2012 | ||
ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE |
AA/AO | 2087 | 1896.94 |
EO | 1601 | 1468.00 |
G6/G7 | 2961 | 2740.09 |
HEO/SEO | 932 | 887.29 |
SCS | 67 | 66.80 |
Grand Total | 7648 | 7059.12 |
*Data is as at 31st March each year | ||||||||
This data is taken from the Trent and Oracle HR Database. | ||||||||
The data is compiled to ONS specification – it excludes career break, unpaid loans, fee paid and non-salaried staff. | ||||||||
The data excludes no pay staff which are derived from the CIS file provided to us. | ||||||||
Data shows HC and FTE to ONS Grade |
The Crown Prosecution Service (‘CPS’) holds data on staff who have been absent due to COVID-19 and received Special Leave with Pay. The Table below summarises that data, with the column labelled ‘Special Leave With Pay – Other reasons’ including those who have self-isolated. This column shows that 253 staff (approximately 3.8% of the workforce) fall within this category. However, in general, those who have self-isolated will predominantly have continued to work remotely and will not have needed to take time away from the workplace.
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The CPS Victims’ Right to Review (VRR) scheme provides an important safeguard for victims. Following a request for a review, a new prosecutor not previously involved in the original decision will conduct a review of the case. If they decide that the original decision was wrong that decision will be overturned and proceedings reinstituted, where possible.
The HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate’s ‘Charging Inspection 2020’ report notes that in 84.7% of the cases where there was a decision to take no further action that qualified for the VRR scheme, there was enough information for the police to explain the decision to the victim.
The CPS are actively engaged in the development of the revised Victims’ Code which sets out victims’ rights to receive services from Criminal Justice agencies, including information about the VRR scheme. The CPS is committed to delivering its responsibilities under the Code to ensure that victims have the information they need to exercise their right to review CPS decisions.
The CPS offers an enhanced service to victims of rape or serious sexual offences and the bereaved families of homicide victims. This includes writing to victims or relatives within one day informing them of a decision not to charge a case.
I note that the recent Charging Inspection found 75% of appropriate VCL letters were sent within set enhanced service timescales. The CPS is committed to delivering an excellent service to victims, including working with the Ministry of Justice on revisions to the Victims’ Code, and continues to consider ways to further improve communication with victims, including timeliness.
HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) commenced the Area Assurance Programme (AAP) in 2016 and completed the programme in 2018. HMCPSI assessed each CPS Area’s compliance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and these results are included in the individual AAP reports available on the HMCPSI website. Therefore, figures were published by Area and by year. In October 2019, HMCPSI published a composite report of all the AAP inspection findings; the overall CPS Area compliance rate with the Code for Crown Prosecutors was 95.1%.
HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate’s report on the Crown Prosecution Service’s Victim Communication and Liaison scheme will be published 22nd October 2020.
Work on the joint inspection by HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (led by the latter) has been delayed by COVID-19. However, a draft framework and methodology have been shared with stakeholders, including the Victims Commissioner, for consultation and an external reference group has been formed with the first virtual meeting to take place on 10th August 2020.
Thereafter, it is envisaged that interviews with national leads can commence in August 2020 and fieldwork across six police forces will start in September and continue until the mid-November.
It is essential that perpetrators, victims and their families know and understand that the criminal justice system remains open and operational during the covid-19 outbreak. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is working closely with colleagues across the Criminal Justice System to ensure that these offences continue to be brought to justice.
The interim charging protocol ‘Coronavirus: Interim CPS Charging Protocol between the National Police Chiefs' Council and Crown Prosecution Service’ was published on 31st March 2020. The interim protocol sets out how charging for all cases including domestic abuse should be managed by the police and the CPS.
The interim protocol specifies that priority must be given to the most serious cases to make sure dangerous offenders are dealt with quickly. The protocol aims to prioritise and focus demand so we are only putting the most serious cases into the courts system immediately. All non-custody domestic abuse cases have been categorised as Category B - High Priority cases. The CPS is committed to working closely with criminal justice partners and the third sector to ensure that victims and witnesses remain at the heart of the process.
The Law Officers promote the unduly lenient sentence scheme and its extension, including in Parliament and on social media. It is important that those in contact with victims at the time of sentencing ensure those victims are aware of the right to request a review of the sentence in qualifying cases. The Lord Chancellor consulted on including this in the Victims’ Code which is due to be published later this year.
The Law Officers promote the unduly lenient sentence scheme and its extension, including in Parliament and on social media. The Lord Chancellor, in the recent Victims’ Code public consultation, sought views on a requirement that witness care officers inform victims of the right to request a review of a sentence, at the time of sentence. The Ministry of Justice are currently analysing the responses to the consultation and aim to publish the revised Victims’ Code later this year. As set out in the consultation, raising awareness of the Victims’ Code will be an important part of the re-launch.
The case study referred to in the Victims Commissioners Annual Report was HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI)’s Rape Inspection Report published on 17th December 2019, which focussed on the role of the Crown Prosecution Service.
The Inspection and Report were carried out as a part of the cross-Government end-to-end review of the criminal justice system response to rape. One of the recommendations from this report was that HMCPSI should carry out a joint inspection with the police inspectorate, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire Rescue Services (HMICFRS), of the CPS and police response to rape allegations in order to delve deeper into this issue. That inspection is expected to commence in late August 2020.
I am pleased that the Lord Chancellor has recently approved national rollout plans for pre-recorded cross examination, for Section 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, for vulnerable witnesses in Crown Court centres in England and Wales.
This plan includes a focus on rolling out Section 28 to London and the South East in the first wave in August, followed by all remaining Crown Courts in England in Wales in the autumn. This is a crucial step to support vulnerable victims and witnesses to give their best evidence.
HMCTS’s intention has always been to complete a national rollout of this service to all Crown Courts by the end of this year and there is extra benefit in having this service available to support more victims and witnesses in light of COVID-19.
From records held on the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Oracle HR database for the period 1 April 2020 to 10 August 2020, five CPS employees (0.08% of the workforce) have been absent from work, but not ill, because of the need to quarantine or be in self isolation due to COVID-19. Three of those are employed at Executive Officer equivalent grade and held non-prosecutor roles and two at Grade 7 equivalent and held prosecutor roles.
Data Source: CPS Oracle HR 10 August 2020, categorisation in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon. Member's Parliamentary Questions of 16 May are attached.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon. Member's Parliamentary Questions of 16 May are attached.
The UK has one of the best workers’ rights records in the world. Our high standards were never dependent on our membership of the EU and this Government has raised domestic standards in recent years, while also retaining important flexibilities for employers which benefit the economy and wider labour market.
The Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) is delivering a £400 non-repayable discount to households with a domestic electricity meter. EBSS Alternative Funding will provide equivalent support of £400 for energy bills for the small minority of households who will not be reached through the EBSS.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy does not routinely collect data on the take-up of parental leave entitlements, including unpaid Shared Parental Leave. However, we are currently completing an extensive evaluation of the Shared Parental Leave and Pay schemes. This has included commissioning and interrogating information collected through large scale, representative, surveys of employers and parents. We also commissioned a qualitative study of parents who have used the schemes. The various data sources will give us a fuller picture of the level of take-up of paid and unpaid entitlements to Shared Parental Leave, tell us how the schemes are being used in practice, and help us to better understand the barriers and enablers to parents taking Shared Parental Leave. We will publish our findings later this year.
Shared Parental Leave (SPL) and Pay was introduced in December 2014 for the parents of children due or adopted from 5 April 2015. The scheme enables eligible working parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay in the first year, where the mother does not intend to use her full maternity entitlements.
Information provided by employers to HMRC in respect of claims for Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) indicates that 4,100 individuals were in receipt of ShPP in Quarter 3 of 2020-21, and 3,300 individuals were in receipt of ShPP in Quarter 4 of 2020-21.
Please note that HMRC does not hold information which calculates the total duration of ShPP received by individual claimants. However, the following table sets out the number of individuals in receipt of ShPP in 2019-20 by the number of months in the year that they made a claim:
Number of months claimed in 2019-20 (see note 4) | Number of claimants |
1 | 4,400 |
2 | 3,100 |
3 | 2,300 |
4 | 1,500 |
5 | 800 |
6 | 500 |
7 | 300 |
8 | 100 |
9 | 100 |
Please note:
Shared Parental Leave (SPL) and Pay was introduced in December 2014 for the parents of children due or adopted from 5 April 2015. The scheme enables eligible working parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay in the first year, where the mother does not intend to use her full maternity entitlements.
Information provided by employers to HMRC in respect of claims for Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) indicates that 4,100 individuals were in receipt of ShPP in Quarter 3 of 2020-21, and 3,300 individuals were in receipt of ShPP in Quarter 4 (January and February only) of 2020-21.
Please note that HMRC does not hold information which calculates the total duration of ShPP received by individual claimants. However, the following table sets out the number of individuals in receipt of ShPP in 2019-20 by the number of months in the year that they made a claim:
Number of months claimed in 2019-20 (see note 4) | Number of claimants |
1 | 4,400 |
2 | 3,100 |
3 | 2,300 |
4 | 1,500 |
5 | 800 |
6 | 500 |
7 | 300 |
8 | 100 |
9 | 100 |
Please note:
The guidance is non-statutory but does not change existing obligations relating to health and safety, employment, or equalities. Employers, therefore, need to bear in mind the particular needs of different groups or individuals, and make sure that the steps they take to address the risk of COVID-19 do not unjustifiably impact on some groups compared with others. Some workers, whether through specific vulnerability, family caring responsibilities or an abundance of caution may be reluctant to re-enter a workplace even though the employer feels it is safe to do so. The Government would encourage employers to engage constructively with such workers and their representatives and try to find solutions that are agreeable to all.
If anyone has concerns that employers are not taking all reasonably practicable steps to reduce the risks of COVID-19, they should get in touch with their employee representative or union, or with the Health and Safety Executive. Health and safety legislation is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and by local authorities. We have been clear that there will be Health and Safety Executive spot checks on businesses to ensure they keep their employees safe. If the enforcing authority finds that an employer is not taking action to properly manage workplace risk, a range of actions are is open to them including specific advice or issuing enforcement notices.
To tackle the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on disabled people DCMS launched the £2.5m digital inclusion Digital Lifeline fund on 25 February. The fund will provide 5000 devices, data and support for disabled people to use the devices safely and confidently.
The government is working on the project with leading digital inclusion charities Good Things Foundation and AbilityNet, both highly experienced in helping disabled people boost their mental health and achieve their goals through digital technology.
The Government has worked closely with industry throughout the pandemic and has agreed a set of commitments with the UK’s major broadband and mobile operators to support vulnerable consumers during the Covid-19 period. Providers committed to working with customers who are finding it difficult to pay their bill as a result of Covid-19 to ensure that they are treated fairly and appropriately supported. Supplementary to this work, Ofcom published a Vulnerability Guide for providers, setting out its expectations and good practice on how vulnerable telecoms consumers should be supported.
The Spring Budget did not include additional support specifically for organisations working to tackle loneliness and isolation amongst older people.
The government has rolled out a substantial package of support which has been available to charities and the wider voluntary sector. Together with the sector-specific £750million package and pan economy measures such as the furlough scheme, the VCSE sector has accessed a multi-billion pound package of support. This has helped to ensure that organisations at risk of financial hardship have been able to continue their vital work supporting the country during the coronavirus outbreak.
As part of this package of support, we have provided over £30 million this financial year to organisations which support people experiencing loneliness or social isolation. Most recently we launched the £4 million Local Connections Fund, made up of £2 million from government and £2 million from the National Lottery Community Fund, supporting small local organisations tackling loneliness. A second round of this funding will open later this year.
The Online Harms White Paper set out government’s plans to establish in law a new duty of care on companies towards their users, enforced by an independent regulator. As part of our plans, companies will be required to take action to address harmful suicide and self-harm content that provides graphic details of suicide methods and self-harming, including encouragement of self-harm and suicide.
There are already arrangements between companies and charities to improve the identification and removal of content when it is reported, and services that signpost help and supportive content to users. The Samaritans has a strategic partnership with social media companies and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). The partnership works together to set guidance on moderating suicide and self-harm content, and supporting users to stay safe online.
The government is investing £289 million in a new wraparound childcare programme to support local authorities to work with primary schools and private providers to set up and deliver more wraparound childcare before and after school in the term time.
This is the first step in the government’s ambition for all parents of primary school children who need it to access childcare in their local area from 8am to 6pm. Successfully meeting this objective will go some way to ensuring that parents have enough childcare to work full time, more hours and more flexible hours.
The department is also providing over £200 million of funding a year for the continuation of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, with all local authorities in England to deliver in the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays. The HAF programme provides heathy meals, enriching activities and free childcare places to children from low income families, benefiting their health, wellbeing and learning. In summer 2022, the programme reached around 600,000 children across England, including over 475,000 children eligible for free school meals across England. The department is working to ensure that the creation of new or expanded wraparound childcare provision can also help to support the delivery of sustainable holiday childcare provision, wherever possible.
The investment in wraparound childcare for primary school pupils announced by the Chancellor at the Spring Budget is part of wider transformative reforms to childcare for parents, children, and the economy. By 2027/28, this government will expect to be spending in excess of £8 billion every year on free hours and early education, helping working families with their childcare costs. This represents the single biggest investment in childcare in England ever.
A daily record of the number of places available in secure homes on any specified date during the year is not held centrally.
The latest information on the number of places available in secure homes in England and Wales, which reflects the position as at 31 March 2022, is published here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-accommodated-in-secure-childrens-homes. Information relating to the 31 March 2023 will be published in May 2023 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/announcements/children-accommodated-in-secure-childrens-homes-england-and-wales-31-march-2023.
Neither the department, the Secure Welfare Coordination Unit or the Ministry of Justice publishes data relating to the number of occasions a secure place was requested but not found.
As per the data published in the ‘Children accommodated in Secure Children’s Homes’ (SCHs) statistics release, a breakdown of the number of children that were accommodated in SCHs is provided below:
Figures relate to the position on 31 March each year, except for 2020 when the reference date was changed to 29 February to reflect the position in secure children's homes before COVID-19 and the national lockdown.
The figures include both secure welfare and justice placements. Children can be placed in secure children's homes either by local authorities or the Youth Custody Service (YCS). The YCS place vulnerable children when they are remanded to custody by the courts or are serving a custodial sentence. Local authorities place children when no other type of placement can keep them safe as they are a significant risk to themselves or others.
A monthly breakdown of children placed in an SCH via the welfare route is not available. A monthly breakdown of the number of children admitted into secure homes who have been sentenced or remanded by a criminal court has been included in the attached table.
A breakdown of the number of referrals relating to welfare placements per year received since the Secure Welfare Coordination Unit (SWCU) was created has been provided below. The SWCU is a small unit grant funded by the department for the purposes of administering placements and collecting data on secure welfare, created in 2016.
This data relates to secure welfare placements only. An annual breakdown of the number of new admissions into secure for children sentenced or remanded by a criminal court has been included in attached table.
We recognise the importance of engaging all adults, particularly those with additional needs, to provide them with the skills and learning they need to equip them for work, an apprenticeship or further learning.
We are continuing to invest in education and skills training for adults through the Adult Education Budget (AEB) which fully funds, or co-funds, skills provision for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry to level 3, to help them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning.
Community Learning within the AEB plays a particularly vital role in supporting those furthest from the workplace, and in improving the health and well-being of learners. Delivered in nearly every local authority area across England through adult education services, FE colleges, Institutes of Adult Learning, other training providers and voluntary sector organisations, this provision is an important stepping-stone for learners who are not ready for formal accredited learning, or who would benefit from learning in a more informal way particularly for (post-19) disadvantaged learners.
Community Learning is funded through the Education and Skills Funding Agency and the AEB, which requires providers to prioritise disadvantaged learners, particularly learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, learners with low basic skills, learners with mental health issues, and learners facing financial hardship. Colleges and training providers have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their Community Learning funding, to determine how best to meet their learners needs.
Currently, approximately half of the AEB has been devolved to seven Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) and the Mayor of London, acting where appropriate through the Greater London Authority (GLA). Devolving the AEB enables MCAs/GLA to directly support adults in developing the skills that local employers need, reducing skills shortages, boosting productivity and economic prosperity, and improving wellbeing in communities. The GLA is responsible for funding AEB learners resident in Lewisham West and Penge.
Any consultation with learners, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, on the local adult learning offer is the responsibility of local AEB funded providers, MCAs and the GLA.
On 24 February 2021, the Government announced a new £700 million plan to help young people catch up on lost education due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This package includes funding that will be provided directly to schools as well as funding for national support programmes that will provide additional capacity to support schools.
The funding includes: