Schools should publish data on permanent and fixed-term exclusions
The Commons Select Educational Committee has recommended that schools should publish data on the number of permanent and fixed-term exclusions they carry out by year group every term. This information should include details about children with SEND and looked-after children.
The report also says that the Department for Education (DfE) should reconsider the use of independent advocates, where pupils are excluded from school for more than five non-consecutive days in a school year. MPs believe that, for some pupils, home education isn't a free choice and independent advocates ‘could guard against coercive off-rolling and provide families considering elective home education with neutral guidance’.
Fully vaccinated adults won’t have to self-isolate as close contacts from Monday 16 August
The government has announced that as of Monday 16 August 2021, fully vaccinated adults and under 18s won't have to self-isolate if they've been identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19. They will still be advised to take a PCR test, and must isolate if the test is positive.
Fully vaccinated passengers returning from an amber list country don’t have to quarantine
The government has ended quarantine for fully vaccinated passengers returning from amber list countries to England. Government advice against travelling to amber list countries has also ended.
Adult passengers will still need to produce a negative COVID-19 test three days before departure, three days before returning and on day two after their arrival.
Exemption from quarantine also applies to children under the age of 18 who are returning to England.
Information Commissioners Office updates guidance on vaccination and coronavirus status checks
The Information Commissioners Office has published updated information regarding COVID-19 vaccination and status checks to help organisations comply with data protection requirements.
How the government plans to select schools for its rebuilding programme
The DfE has opened a consultation seeking views on the approach it should take when prioritising schools for future places in the programme. It named a second set of 50 schools which will be included in the rebuilding programme – leaving 400 places remaining. The consultation ends on Friday 8 October 2021.
MPs start to look at menopause in the workplace
A recent survey found that three in five menopausal women were negatively affected at work, and that almost 900,000 women in the UK left their jobs because of menopausal symptoms. They're often leaving work at the peak of their experience.
The Women and Equalities Committee are seeking views to help inform the development of a Women’s Health Strategy. This inquiry will examine the extent of discrimination faced by menopausal people in the workplace, and will investigate how government policy and workplace practices can better support those experiencing the menopause. It's hearing evidence until Friday 17 September.
Department for Work and Pensions launches National Disability Strategy to improve workplace inclusivity
The Department for Work and Pensions and the Disability Unit has launched its National Disability Strategy, which it hopes will provide better job prospects, accessible housing, and easier commuting for disabled people.
The strategy has received £1.6 billion in funding and is expected to address the disability employment gap, and ensure children with SEND are central to the strategy.
This will be done by:
- Increasing the number of disabled people employed by MI5, MI6, Government Communications Headquarters, the Reservists, and the civilian military
- Launching a new advice hub to provide information on discrimination in the workplace and reasonable adjustments
- Investing £300 million to improve existing provisions in schools for children with SEND.
There will also be a consultation on introducing workforce reporting on the number of disabled people employed for organisations with over 250 members of staff.
New advice hub for people with disabilities
The Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy has joined forces with Acas to launch a new advice hub.
The hub explains how the law protects disabled people from discrimination at work, and the basic rights they're entitled to. It also includes tips on how to prevent disability discrimination, how to make reasonable adjustments, and how employees can raise complaints about discrimination at work.
Normal pension age to increase to 57 in 2028
The government will legislate to increase the normal minimum pension age from 55 to 57. The change will come into effect in 2028. It will provide further advice on proposed transitional arrangements and guidance on unqualified rights in due course.
Read more – August 2021
For general enquiries
0808 291 3524
Or we can call you back at a time of your choice
Phone lines are open 24/7, 365 days a year
