§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to bring forward reform of family courts to enable them to play a greater role in mediation. [141185]
Pupils achieving both GCSEs and GNVQs who: Pupils achieving GCSEs only who: Year Number achieving 5+A*-C GCSE/
GNVQ
Percentage 5+A*-C
Achieved 5+A*-c
% Achieved 5+A*-C
% Achieved 5+A*-C % 1999–00 285,718 49.2 4,550 1.6 2,289 0.8 278,880 97.6 2000–01 301,617 50.0 7,962 2.6 3,597 1.2 290,058 96.2 2001–02 312,739 51.6 19,098 6.1 8,367 2.7 285,274 91.2 2002–03 327,301 52.6 40,747 12.4 47,582 5.4 268,972 82.2 Note:
2003 figures are provisional and may change once the performance tables checking process is complete. The figures quoted in the answer relate to the achievements of pupils that were aged 15 at the start of the academic year—ie those pupils aged 15 on 31 August.
284W
§ Margaret HodgeThe Government encourage the use of family mediation as an alternative to court proceedings in appropriate cases. Mediation can be particularly beneficial in resolving disputes over child contact. Public funding for family mediation is now available throughout England and Wales through the Community Legal Service.
Courts can allow cases to be adjourned so that parties can attempt to resolve the dispute by using family mediation. As part of its project to reduce the proportion of cases resolved by resort to the courts the Government have arranged a pilot whereby selected courts send out information about family mediation to parties in various family proceedings, including child contact disputes.
The Government are also testing the provision of a Family Advice and Information Service (FAInS) which will provide advice for people with family difficulties and will facilitate referrals to other appropriate agencies, including family mediation services.