The Defending Democracy Taskforce's review into the UK's approach to transnational repression is nearing completion. It remains a priority to ensure the UK has a robust and joined up response across government and law enforcement to this threat to our democracy.

I intend to update the House on the review in due course.

The Integrated Review (IR) refresh process is being run by a joint No10-Cabinet Office team under the leadership of the Prime Minister’s Special Adviser for Foreign Affairs and the National Security Adviser. The core team comprises 18 FTE civil servants, supported by a virtual team across Cabinet Office who are assisting the IR refresh as part of their roles.

The core No10-CO team is also coordinating a wider government effort drawing on policy expertise from across key departments, meaning that a higher number of civil servants in total will have some interaction with the process.

Work is underway on the review into the presumption of parental involvement in private law proceedings. The review is focused on the application of the presumption, and the statutory exception, in cases where there is evidence to suggest that parental involvement will put the child at risk of harm. Covid-19 has led to delays in the commissioning and delivery of the literature review, qualitative research project, and judgment analysis. All three strands are now on track to complete by the end of the year.

Work is underway on the review into the presumption of parental involvement in private law proceedings. The review is focused on the application of the presumption, and the statutory exception, in cases where there is evidence to suggest that parental involvement will put the child at risk of harm. Covid-19 has led to delays in the commissioning and delivery of the literature review, qualitative research project, and judgment analysis. All three strands are now on track to complete by the end of the year.

The special educational needs and disability (SEND) Review was set up to improve the outcomes for children and young people with SEND, with a focus on targeting and distributing resources in a way that best ensures children’s needs are met quickly and effectively.

The Department for Education is working with a range of partners including children and young people with SEND, the Children’s Commissioner, parents and carers, system leaders, SEND sector organisations, representatives from educational establishments and many others.

Proposals are being developed and we will consult publicly on them. We are not yet in a position to provide a firm date for the publication of proposals but are looking to do so as soon as possible.

The Government remains absolutely committed to looking at the broader aspects of the constitution and the relationship between the Government, Parliament and the courts as pledged in our Manifesto. As set out to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, we are taking forward this work through a number of separate workstreams to ensure all policy development is given the utmost consideration.

Of those workstreams which have already been announced, two of these have been subject to independent review including an expert panel. These are the Independent Review of Administrative Law chaired by Lord Faulkes which presented its findings to Government earlier this year, and the current Independent Review of the Human Rights Act chaired by Sir Peter Gross.

We will consider the composition and focus of future workstreams carefully including whether these should be the subject of an independent review.

The government recognises the importance of re-opening our indoor and outdoor pools and we agree that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The consideration of different venues and the activities involved are underpinned by an understanding of the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 associated with particular activities. There are concerns about transmission around points of contact within such facilities, like changing rooms due to the high volume of contacts. As such, we need to provide reassurance that these facilities will be safe, and are working hard to achieve this in the coming weeks.

The government is actively working towards a safe way to re-open these facilities, with supporting guidance.

The Government considers national security implications arising from foreign investment on a case-by-case basis.

On 22 June this Government laid secondary legislation to amend the Enterprise Act 2002, strengthening the Government’s powers to intervene in certain investments made into the UK.

The Government will also bring forward the National Security and Investment Bill when Parliamentary time allows. As announced in the Queen’s Speech, the Bill will upgrade the Government’s powers to scrutinise investments and consider the risks that can arise from hostile parties acquiring ownership of, or control over, businesses or other entities and assets that have national security implications.

The government announced on 31 August 2019 that it will invest an extra £400 million in 16 to 19 education in 2020-21. This is the largest injection of money in a single year since 2010 and represents an increase of 7% in overall 16 to 19 funding. As part of this, the base rate of 16 to 19 funding will increase by 4.7% in the academic year 2020/21, from £4,000 to £4,188.

The government appreciates the importance of adult education to improving people’s life chances and is looking carefully at all elements of further education funding, in preparation for the forthcoming Spending Review.

We are committed to undertaking a review of the relative needs and resources of local authorities in England.  The review will consider the drivers of local authorities’ needs, the resources available to them to fund services, and how to account for these in a way that draws a more transparent and understandable link between local circumstances and local authority funding.

We aim to develop a funding methodology that will give a more up-to-date and robust assessment of the needs and resources for every local council, whether in the north or south, and are working closely with local government representatives and others to examine all elements of the review.

We intend to share emerging results with the sector shortly, followed by a full consultation in the Spring.  Our aim is to implement the review in 2021-22.

We will review our counter-terrorism arrangements to ensure that we are doing everything possible to address the threat from terrorism and to keep the public safe, drawing on lessons from the recent attacks in London and Manchester.

This review will ensure that the police and the security services have the powers they need and that the prison sentences for those found guilty of terror offences are sufficient to keep us all safe. The review will also consider what further steps need to be taken to halt the spread of extremist material and poisonous propaganda online, so there are no safe spaces on the internet for terrorists.

MI5 and the police are conducting an internal review into the recent terrible attacks in Manchester and London. David Anderson QC will provide external assurance of the MI5 and police review. This independent scrutiny will provide confidence that the work is thorough and the Government will take forward recommendations that may arise. The findings of this review work will feed into a new counter-terrorism strategy.

May I begin by saying how proud I am of the fantastic work already being done by the NCS and the I Will campaign, which is making a dramatic difference to young people and volunteering? I announced a review yesterday, and of course we will respond in detail to the report’s findings.