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1248367

registered interest
date	03/11/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Holiday Activities and Food Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 24 September 2020 to Question 91162, if he will provide an update on when his Department plans to publish the independent evaluation of the 2019 Holiday Activities and Food programme.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	110819
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/11/2020 answer text <p>Last year, we commissioned Ecorys to carry out an independent evaluation of our 2019 Holiday Activities and Food programme.</p><p>The report has been delayed due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak but it is now in the final stages and is being prepared for publication. We will continue to work with Ecorys on this and we expect their report to be published in the near future.</p><p>This summer, our £9 million Holiday Activities and Food programme worked across 17 local authority areas, providing thousands of children with access to healthy meals and enriching activities, building on the success of the programme in 2018 and 2019.</p><p>Future policy and spending decisions will be set following completion of the current Spending Review.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford grouped question UIN 110820 question first answered 09/11/2020 13:47:40 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1248368

registered interest
date	03/11/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Holiday Activities and Food Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 23 September 2020 to Question 91763 on Holiday Play Schemes: Free School Meals and the Treasury’s News story of 21 October 2020, Spending Review to conclude late November, whether the Government plans to make an announcement on the long-term future of his Department’s Holiday Activities and Food programme after that Spending Review on 25 November 2020.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	110820
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/11/2020 answer text <p>Last year, we commissioned Ecorys to carry out an independent evaluation of our 2019 Holiday Activities and Food programme.</p><p>The report has been delayed due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak but it is now in the final stages and is being prepared for publication. We will continue to work with Ecorys on this and we expect their report to be published in the near future.</p><p>This summer, our £9 million Holiday Activities and Food programme worked across 17 local authority areas, providing thousands of children with access to healthy meals and enriching activities, building on the success of the programme in 2018 and 2019.</p><p>Future policy and spending decisions will be set following completion of the current Spending Review.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford grouped question UIN 110819 question first answered 09/11/2020 13:47:40 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1248369

registered interest
date	03/11/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Union Learning Fund: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if the Government will rescind its plans to cease funding the Union Learning Fund in response to the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Belfast South
tabling member printed	Claire Hanna
uin	110928
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/11/2020 answer text <p>We are focusing on a much larger and more comprehensive package of training support. This includes the establishment of a £2.5 billion National Skills Fund to help adults get the skills they need, including the Lifetime Skills Guarantee which will support any adult who does not yet have an A level equivalent qualification to obtain one. This is in addition to the existing entitlement for adults without English and maths level 2 qualifications or Basic Digital Skills level 1 to get fully funded support to gain these essential qualifications.</p><p>As part of our expanded commitment to skills development through the National Skills Fund and Lifetime Skills Guarantee, I can confirm all the money will be invested in skills and retraining that will be fully accessible to everyone.</p><p>The government has no plans to reverse this decision.</p> answering member constituency Chichester answering member printed Gillian Keegan question first answered 09/11/2020 10:51:39 answering member 4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan
tabling member	4827 label Biography information for Claire Hanna

1248373

registered interest
date	03/11/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Performing Arts: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether theatrical and music schools in England will be permitted to remain open during the period of the new national covid-19 lockdown restrictions from 5 November 2020.
tabling member constituency	Hampstead and Kilburn
tabling member printed	Tulip Siddiq
uin	110879
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/11/2020 answer text <p>On Saturday 31 October 2020, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, announced new national restrictions from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December, to control the spread of COVID-19. On 4 November, the Department for Education published guidance for education and childcare settings on the impact of these restrictions. The guidance can be found through the following link: <a href="http://www.gov.uk/guidance/education-and-childcare-settings-new-national-restrictions-from-5-november-2020" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/guidance/education-and-childcare-settings-new-national-restrictions-from-5-november-2020</a>.</p><p>Schools that provide a full-time education should continue to remain open for all children and young people, as they have since the start of the autumn term for the duration of the national restrictions. This includes schools that specialise in music and/or performing arts, such as Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Hertfordshire, or the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in Croydon. The Department guidance makes clear that music, dance and drama can be undertaken in school, so long as safety precautions are undertaken.</p><p>Where educational provision is taking place outside of school, this provision should only operate where it is reasonably necessary to enable parents to work, search for work, or attend education or training, or where the provision is used for the purposes of respite care, including for vulnerable children. This includes provision by supplementary schools offering music or performing arts activities for children on a part-time basis.</p><p>Out-of-school activities that are primarily used by home educating parents as part of their arrangements for their child to receive a suitable full-time education (which can include supplementary schools, tuition centres or private tutors) may also continue to operate. All other out of school activities, not being primarily used by parents for these purposes, should close for face to face provision, but can offer remote education for the duration of the national restrictions.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 09/11/2020 16:54:00 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4518 label Biography information for Tulip Siddiq

1248401

registered interest
date	03/11/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2020 to Question 104751 on Schools: Coronavirus, if he will publish local data on pupil attendance on a monthly basis.
tabling member constituency	Wirral West
tabling member printed	Margaret Greenwood
uin	110844
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2020 answer text <p>The Department is constantly reviewing the content of its publications. The final decision on the publication of official statistics lies with the head of profession for statistics in the Department. Announcements about future content will be made through the official statistics release page, which can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education/about/statistics" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education/about/statistics</a>.</p><p>The number of primary, secondary and special schools closed as a result of COVID-19 is published regularly. The most recent publication can be found at: <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak</a>.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 110845 question first answered 12/11/2020 13:27:07 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4400 label Biography information for Margaret Greenwood

1248402

registered interest
date	03/11/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2020 to Question 104751, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special schools that are closed as a result of the covid-19 outbreak in the latest period for which information is available.
tabling member constituency	Wirral West
tabling member printed	Margaret Greenwood
uin	110845
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2020 answer text <p>The Department is constantly reviewing the content of its publications. The final decision on the publication of official statistics lies with the head of profession for statistics in the Department. Announcements about future content will be made through the official statistics release page, which can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education/about/statistics" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education/about/statistics</a>.</p><p>The number of primary, secondary and special schools closed as a result of COVID-19 is published regularly. The most recent publication can be found at: <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak</a>.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 110844 question first answered 12/11/2020 13:27:07 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4400 label Biography information for Margaret Greenwood

1248417

registered interest
date	03/11/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children and Young People: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) vulnerable young people and (b) young people with additional needs receive the care and support they require during the November 2020 covid-19 lockdown period.
tabling member constituency	Portsmouth South
tabling member printed	Stephen Morgan
uin	110898
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/11/2020 answer text <p>The government recognises the significant challenges that the COVID-19 outbreak has presented for children and young people, and their families, and that the impact is likely to be greater for some groups, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Supporting children and young people with SEND continues to be a priority for this government, and their wellbeing has been central to our response throughout the outbreak.</p><p>As my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, made clear in his statement of 31 October 2020, our priority remains keeping all early years settings, schools and colleges open to children and young people during the lockdown period, which commenced on 5 November 2020. Schools and colleges should continue to ensure that children and young people with SEND receive the education, therapeutic or specialist support required to enable them to successfully engage with school or college, and to support their wellbeing, during this period.</p><p>Where a child or young person with SEND has provision specified within their Education, Health and Care plan, it remains the duty of the local authority and relevant health bodies to secure or arrange the delivery of this provision. The department will continue to closely monitor the provision of services and support for those with SEND during the COVID-19 outbreak and engage with local authorities where there appear to be issues. For children and young people with SEND who require health services, the new regulations in effect from 5 November 2020 specifically allow access to medical services, whether they are delivered at home, in an educational setting or in the community. Furthermore, we recognise the importance of respite care for disabled children and young people, and their families. That is why parents and carers may continue to access respite care, to support them in caring for their disabled children while the new national restrictions are in force.</p><p>Local authorities have also been allocated a further £4.6 billion to help their communities through the COVID-19 outbreak. This funding is un-ringfenced, recognising that local authorities are best placed to decide how to meet the major COVID-19 outbreak service pressures in their local area, including children’s services. This year, we have also committed £37.3 million (including £10 million in response to the COVID-19 outbreak) to the Family Fund, which provides grants to low-income families caring for disabled children or seriously ill children.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 11/11/2020 11:43:17 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4653 label Biography information for Stephen Morgan

1248418

registered interest
date	03/11/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Students: Quarantine
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of a two week period of self-isolation for university students before they return home during or after the November 2020 covid-19 lockdown in England.
tabling member constituency	Portsmouth South
tabling member printed	Stephen Morgan
uin	110899
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/11/2020 answer text <p>The government is committed to ensuring that students who wish to return home for the winter break are able to do so. It is essential that measures are put in place to ensure this can happen as safely as possible for students, staff and the communities that they return to.</p><p>On 11 November, the department published guidance for providers on the plans for the end of the autumn term, available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses/student-movement-and-plans-for-the-end-of-autumn-2020-term#specific-support-for-students" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses/student-movement-and-plans-for-the-end-of-autumn-2020-term#specific-support-for-students</a>.</p><p>As outlined in the guidance, we expect higher education (HE) providers to support students to return home following the period of national restrictions, whilst mitigating the risk of transmission of the virus. We are asking that students return home once the national restrictions have been lifted, in a “student travel window” lasting from 3-9 December. This should be in line with specific arrangements put in place by their HE provider, which should include a staggered end to face-to-face provision, with learning being moved online by 9 December.</p><p>We are also working closely with universities and the Department for Health and Social Care to roll out mass testing for students and we will offer this to as many students as possible before they travel home, targeting this in areas of high prevalence of COVID-19. This will help to provide further confidence that students can leave safely if they test negative. If a student tests positive before their departure, they will need to remain in self-isolation, following the relevant guidance. Moving all learning online by 9 December allows enough time for students to complete the isolation period before returning home for Christmas.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 13/11/2020 13:54:19 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	4653 label Biography information for Stephen Morgan

1248438

registered interest
date	03/11/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Erasmus+ Programme and Horizon Europe
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Scottish Government and (b) other devolved Administrations on potential alternatives to the (i) Erasmus Plus and (i) Horizon Europe programmes.
tabling member constituency	East Renfrewshire
tabling member printed	Kirsten Oswald
uin	110846
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/11/2020 answer text <p>I have regular conversations with our counterparts in the Scottish government and other devolved administrations across a wide range of research and development issues.</p><p>These discussions include the UK’s approach to EU research programmes, where the government is seeking to negotiate with the EU a fair and balanced deal for the UK’s participation, including in Horizon Europe. Alongside this, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is working with the devolved administrations and other stakeholders to develop credible options, should alternative schemes be required. We will continue to actively engage with the devolved administrations in policy development.</p><p>On Erasmus+, the government remains open to considering participation in some elements of the next programme. This will be subject to our ongoing negotiations with the EU. We will, in parallel with the negotiations, continue to develop a domestic alternative to Erasmus+. I regularly engage with my counterparts in the devolved administrations on matters relating to education and the EU exit, including Erasmus+ and the potential domestic alternative. The devolved administrations are also part of the governance and development process for the domestic alternative scheme, and we will continue to co-operate closely with them.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 11/11/2020 12:37:11 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	4413 label Biography information for Kirsten Oswald

1248482

registered interest
date	03/11/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Special Educational Needs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to ensure SEND specialists are available to schools to support pupils who require additional help through (a) the national tutoring programme and (b) other programmes.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	110748
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/11/2020 answer text <p>The COVID-19 outbreak, and consequent disruptions, will have both long and short-term impacts on the education and wellbeing of children and young people. However, for some groups, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), we recognise that this impact is likely to be greater, and that additional support may be required.</p><p>We introduced a COVID-19 ‘Catch Up Premium’ worth £650 million to support mainstream and special schools in making up for lost teaching time. There is additional weighting for specialist settings, in recognition of the significantly higher per pupil costs they face. Headteachers will decide how this premium is spent. For example, this might be on educational psychologists, speech and language therapy or other activities required to support children in catching up. All schools should use the catch-up premium funding available to them as a total from which to prioritise support for particular pupils, including children with SEND or education, health and care plans (EHCPs), according to their needs. The Education Endowment Fund has published the National Tutoring Programme Guidance on effective interventions to support schools, which is available at: <a href="https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/index.php?/covid-19-resources/national-tutoring-programme/" target="_blank">https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/index.php?/covid-19-resources/national-tutoring-programme/</a>.</p><p>Additionally, since 2018, the department has funded the National Association for Special Educational Needs on behalf of the Whole School SEND Consortium, for a programme of work to embed SEND into school practice. During the COVID-19 outbreak specifically, the Whole School SEND Consortium have run training sessions and developed resources for teachers and professionals supporting pupils with SEND to enable them to successfully return to and engage in school, and to support their wellbeing. Further information on the Whole School SEND Consortium can be found here: <a href="http://www.sendgateway.org.uk/whole-school-send" target="_blank">www.sendgateway.org.uk/whole-school-send</a>.</p><p>More widely, where a pupil has provision specified within their EHCP, it remains the duty of the local authority and relevant health bodies to secure or arrange the delivery of this provision in the setting that the plan names. The department has been closely monitoring the provision of services and support for children with SEND during the COVID-19 outbreak and engaging with local authorities where there appear to be issues.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 11/11/2020 12:00:58 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson