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1355400

registered interest
date	14/09/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Apprentices: Taxation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will conduct a review of the Apprenticeship Levy focused on what further potential flexibility for businesses can be introduced into the scheme.
tabling member constituency	Wycombe
tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
uin	49109
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2021 answer text <p>In response to employer feedback, we are continuing to improve apprenticeships, making them more flexible for employers and making it easier for employers to make greater use of their levy funds.</p><p>The department is making it easier for large employers to transfer levy funds to support new starts in small businesses, or in a certain sector or region. On 13 September 2021, we launched a new online service to allow levy paying employers to advertise funding pledges, enabling a much wider range of businesses to browse and apply for available funds.</p><p>In addition, the department is making apprenticeships more flexible so that they better meet the needs of employers in all sectors. We are encouraging greater use of innovative apprenticeship training models, such as the front-loading of off-the-job training so apprentices can be productive from day one in the workplace. We are also developing accelerated apprenticeships so that apprentices with substantial prior learning from other skills programmes, such as traineeships and T Levels, can complete an apprenticeship more quickly.</p><p>In August, the department launched a new £7 million flexi-job apprenticeship fund to support greater use of apprenticeships in sectors, such as creative and construction, where flexible working practices are commonplace. Flexi-job apprenticeships will enable apprentices to move between different host employers in a sector or region as they complete the training requirements for their apprenticeship.</p><p>The department currently has no plans to review the apprenticeship levy and what funds can be spent on.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 22/09/2021 15:37:35 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1256551

registered interest
date	30/11/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Special Educational Needs: 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 deliver of covid- secure teaching without the use of (a) facemasks and (b) social distancing at special educational needs and disability schools during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Wycombe
tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
uin	122675
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2020 answer text <p>The guidance entitled ‘full opening: special schools and other specialist settings’ includes details on how settings should put in place proportionate ‘System of Control’ measures to minimise the risk of transmission, including advice on the use of face masks and managing social distancing. This guidance is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-other-specialist-settings/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-other-specialist-settings" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-other-specialist-settings/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-other-specialist-settings</a>. Relevant for all specialist settings, this guidance is informed by advice from Public Health England and is updated, as necessary, to reflect current advice. Based on current evidence and the measures that settings have already put in place, such as the system of controls and consistent bubbles, face coverings will not be necessary in the classroom even where full social distancing is not possible. Face coverings could have a negative impact on teaching and their use in the classroom should currently be avoided.</p><p>Mainstream and special schools that teach children in years 7 and above, and which are under tier 1 local restrictions, may decide to recommend the wearing of face coverings for pupils and adults in indoor communal areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain. When an area moves to tier 2 or 3 local restrictions, face coverings should be worn by adults and pupils in year 7 and above in communal areas, and when moving around the premises outside of classrooms. This does not apply to those of any age who are exempt, such as those who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical impairment or disability, illness or mental health difficulties.</p><p>Primary school head teachers have the discretion to require adults to wear face coverings in indoor situations where social distancing is difficult to maintain. Primary-aged school children do not need to wear a face covering.</p><p>We recognise that maintaining distance or forming bubbles could be particularly difficult in special schools, particularly given the need for staff to administer care and provide therapies to children and young people. However, the average number of pupils or students attending a special school is much lower than the average number in a mainstream school, and this, in itself, will help to limit the number of contacts for any individual.</p><p>Our guidance, entitled ’Safe working in education, childcare and children’s social care settings, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)’ provides further support on preventing and controlling infection, including the use of PPE in education, childcare and children’s social care settings during the COVID-19 outbreak. This guidance is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe#what-care-should-be-taken-in-residential-settings-including-residential-schools-residential-special-schools-and-childrens-care-homes" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe#what-care-should-be-taken-in-residential-settings-including-residential-schools-residential-special-schools-and-childrens-care-homes</a>.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 03/12/2020 11:46:15 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1231631

registered interest
date	04/09/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Universities: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make it his policy under his Department's restructuring regime to enable (a) Buckinghamshire New University and (b) other financially strong higher education institutions to assist nearby institutions in financial difficulty; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Wycombe
tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
uin	85039
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/09/2020 answer text <p>The government recognises the value of the higher education sector and that a high level of uncertainty remains around the scale of problems that higher education providers, as a whole and individually, may face in the coming academic year. We have been working closely with the higher education sector, in the Higher Education Taskforce, as well as with the Office for Students (OfS) and across the government to understand the financial risks that providers are facing and to help providers to access the support on offer. Providers with concerns about their financial viability or sustainability have been encouraged to contact the OfS at the earliest opportunity. They can now also directly contact the department’s Restructuring Unit at:<br><a href="mailto:HE.RestructuringRegime@education.gov.uk" target="_blank">HE.RestructuringRegime@education.gov.uk</a>.</p><p>My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced further information about the Higher Education Restructuring Regime on 16 July and more details are available here:<br><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-restructuring-regime" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-restructuring-regime</a>.</p><p>This may be deployed as a last resort, if a decision has been made to support a provider in England, when other steps to preserve a provider’s viability and to mitigate the risks of financial failure have not proved sufficient. The overarching objectives that will guide the department’s assessment of cases will be to protect the welfare of current students, to preserve the sector’s internationally outstanding science base and to support the role that higher education providers play in regional and local economies through the provision of high-quality courses aligned with economic and societal needs.</p><p>We will consider providers’ circumstances on a case-by-case basis, supported by expert advice, to ensure there is a robust value-for-money case for intervention. In cases where an Independent Business Review is carried out, the resulting restructuring plan may include options for a merger as well as for consolidation and services sharing between providers. The department’s Restructuring Unit will work with the provider and other stakeholders to ensure that the best option forward is chosen to ensure that the overarching objectives, as mentioned previously, are met.</p><p>Regarding the circumstances of Buckinghamshire New University, the government does not comment on individual higher education providers.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 14/09/2020 15:50:12 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1216861

registered interest
date	23/06/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Boarding Schools
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make it his policy to ensure state boarding resumes in September 2020; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Wycombe
tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
uin	63321
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2020 answer text <p>We want to get all children and young people back into education as soon as the scientific advice allows because it is the best place for them to learn, and because we know how important it is for their mental wellbeing to have social interactions with their peers, carers and teachers.</p><p>We are working to bring all children and young people, including those at boarding schools, back into education in September.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 29/06/2020 15:20:15 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1216862

registered interest
date	23/06/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Boarding Schools: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate he has made of the boarding fee income forgone by individual state boarding schools during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Wycombe
tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
uin	63322
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2020 answer text <p>Many boarding schools have been impacted by loss of income from a range of sources including boarding fees, catering and sports facilities. While these schools have, in some cases, been able to benefit from schemes such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, in line with guidance on the GOV.UK website (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care</a>), many have still been left facing financial challenges.</p><p> </p><p>The Department continues its work to monitor and support the financial health of the whole education sector and the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is a crucial part of that.</p><p> </p><p>The Department supports academy trusts facing financial difficulties through the existing framework for financial support (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-support-for-academy-trusts-in-financial-difficulty" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-support-for-academy-trusts-in-financial-difficulty</a>), which enables academies to approach the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for additional financial support.</p><p> </p><p>A temporary measure has also been agreed that enables academy trusts to apply to the ESFA to use their general unrestricted reserves to support boarding provision in response to these circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>In the case of maintained schools, schools should discuss with their local authority to make sure their use of unrestricted reserves complies with the local authority’s accounting requirements.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 63323 63324 question first answered 29/06/2020 14:58:04 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1216863

registered interest
date	23/06/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Boarding Schools: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the effect on state boarding schools' finances of lost boarding fees as a result of the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Wycombe
tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
uin	63323
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2020 answer text <p>Many boarding schools have been impacted by loss of income from a range of sources including boarding fees, catering and sports facilities. While these schools have, in some cases, been able to benefit from schemes such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, in line with guidance on the GOV.UK website (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care</a>), many have still been left facing financial challenges.</p><p> </p><p>The Department continues its work to monitor and support the financial health of the whole education sector and the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is a crucial part of that.</p><p> </p><p>The Department supports academy trusts facing financial difficulties through the existing framework for financial support (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-support-for-academy-trusts-in-financial-difficulty" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-support-for-academy-trusts-in-financial-difficulty</a>), which enables academies to approach the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for additional financial support.</p><p> </p><p>A temporary measure has also been agreed that enables academy trusts to apply to the ESFA to use their general unrestricted reserves to support boarding provision in response to these circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>In the case of maintained schools, schools should discuss with their local authority to make sure their use of unrestricted reserves complies with the local authority’s accounting requirements.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 63322 63324 question first answered 29/06/2020 14:58:04 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1216866

registered interest
date	23/06/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Boarding Schools: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make it his policy to provide financial assistance to state boarding schools who have lost boarding fees to support them through the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Wycombe
tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
uin	63324
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2020 answer text <p>Many boarding schools have been impacted by loss of income from a range of sources including boarding fees, catering and sports facilities. While these schools have, in some cases, been able to benefit from schemes such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, in line with guidance on the GOV.UK website (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care</a>), many have still been left facing financial challenges.</p><p> </p><p>The Department continues its work to monitor and support the financial health of the whole education sector and the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is a crucial part of that.</p><p> </p><p>The Department supports academy trusts facing financial difficulties through the existing framework for financial support (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-support-for-academy-trusts-in-financial-difficulty" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-support-for-academy-trusts-in-financial-difficulty</a>), which enables academies to approach the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for additional financial support.</p><p> </p><p>A temporary measure has also been agreed that enables academy trusts to apply to the ESFA to use their general unrestricted reserves to support boarding provision in response to these circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>In the case of maintained schools, schools should discuss with their local authority to make sure their use of unrestricted reserves complies with the local authority’s accounting requirements.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 63322 63323 question first answered 29/06/2020 14:58:04 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1174350

registered interest
date	29/01/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Family Hubs: Capital Investment
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 the Chancellor of the Exchequer on capital funding for family hubs.
tabling member constituency	Wycombe
tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
uin	9657
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2020 answer text <p>We are working with councils to champion family hubs. We have commissioned research from the Early Intervention Foundation to learn from effective local practice, which will be reported in spring 2020. We are exploring what other steps could support the family hub model.</p><p> </p><p>The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced additional funding of up to £165 million to extend the Troubled Families Programme for an extra year. This will mean more people in need get access to the programme's early, practical and coordinated support to transform their lives for the better.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan grouped question UIN 9658 question first answered 07/02/2020 13:16:47 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1174351

registered interest
date	29/01/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Family Hubs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if the Government will make it its policy to include family hubs as part of its (a) early years strategy, (b) Troubled Families programme and (c) children's services reform; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Wycombe
tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
uin	9658
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2020 answer text <p>We are working with councils to champion family hubs. We have commissioned research from the Early Intervention Foundation to learn from effective local practice, which will be reported in spring 2020. We are exploring what other steps could support the family hub model.</p><p> </p><p>The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced additional funding of up to £165 million to extend the Troubled Families Programme for an extra year. This will mean more people in need get access to the programme's early, practical and coordinated support to transform their lives for the better.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan grouped question UIN 9657 question first answered 07/02/2020 13:16:47 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1167003

registered interest
date	29/10/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Pre-school Education: Finance
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 17 October 2019 to Question 1676, for how long he will maintain supplementary funding for local authorities to preserve the funding rates of maintained nursery schools.
tabling member constituency	Wycombe
tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
uin	7127
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>The Government recognises that maintained nursery schools are an important part of the early years sector and that they provide valuable services to disadvantaged children.</p><p>The Government invests approximately £60 million of supplementary funding each financial year for local authorities to preserve the funding rates of maintained nursery schools.</p><p>The Government plans to spend £3.6 billion to support early education in the financial year 2020-21. I confirmed details of this spending review in a written statement to the House on 31 October 2019, available here: <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2019-10-31/HCWS56/" target="_blank">https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2019-10-31/HCWS56/</a>.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 04/11/2019 11:02:31 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker