Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to WPQ 75126, pursuant to the Answer of 23 November 2021 to Question 75126 on UN Climate Conference 2021: Government, how many Ministers in his Department travelled to COP26 by airplane.
Answered by Michelle Donelan
Four ministers attended COP26 including myself, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, my hon. Friend, the Minister for Skills, and my hon. Friend, the Minister for the School System. Ministers took the train to COP26 in Glasgow. Any unavoidable carbon emissions from COP26 will be offset, including those associated with travel.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of his Department's energy usage in (a) 2019, (b) 2020 and (c) 2021.
Answered by Nick Gibb
Details of the Department’s energy usage for financial years 2018/19 and 2019/20 are available in the consolidated annual report and accounts publications, which are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dfe-annual-reports.
The annual report for financial year 2020/21 will be published later in the year, which will include details on the cost of energy for that period.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
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 and Islwyn)
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 and Islwyn)
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 and Islwyn)
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 and Islwyn)
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
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 and Islwyn)
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
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.