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1047034

	registered interest
	date	23/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	16-19 Bursary Fund
	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 adequacy of current funding for the 16 to 19 bursary.
	tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
	tabling member printed	Gordon Marsden
	uin	211663
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2019 answer text <p>The department provides a number of financial support programmes for economically disadvantaged 16 to 19 year olds to help with the education-related costs associated with staying in post-16 education. The 16-19 Bursary Fund is the principal scheme. Under the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund, young people are eligible for awards of up to £1,200 per year (in particular, vulnerable groups that generally do not receive financial support from their families). Those not in these particular vulnerable groups, but who still need financial support, can apply to their education institution for discretionary bursary support. Each institution receives an allocation to make available these discretionary bursaries.</p><p>The department spoke with a sample of schools, colleges and other 16-19 education providers in 2018 to help us understand how the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund was being used and to assess the extent to which discretionary bursary allocations met the needs of students in the different institutions. Providers were using the available funds to support their most disadvantaged students, but there were different responses on the adequacy of funding. We are continuing to keep the use of the fund under review to inform our understanding of whether it is providing effective support to our most economically disadvantaged students.</p><p>With regard to its effectiveness in promoting social mobility, providers have the flexibility to target those young people in most need of financial support to stay on in further education and training. This flexibility helps to ensure that the poorest students get the same opportunities available to those with more financial support, for example, by purchasing equipment for technical courses, taking part in trips, purchasing books, participating in industry placements and getting support with UCAS fees. The majority of providers that the department spoke to in 2018 confirmed that this funding was making a significant impact on the ability of young people to access opportunities.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 29/01/2019 16:49:43 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton previous answer version 97554 answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
	tabling member	465 label Biography information for Gordon Marsden

1023911

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	16-19 Bursary Fund: Carers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of formally identifying young adult carers as a vulnerable group in order to give them full access to the 16-19 bursary.
	tabling member constituency	Bradford South
	tabling member printed	Judith Cummins
	uin	201690
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2018 answer text <p>It is very important that we make sure that young carers can participate in education and receive the support they need. However, financial need will vary significantly from family to family.</p><p>The department keeps under review the use of the 16-19 Bursary Fund to inform our understanding of whether it is providing effective support to our most economically disadvantaged students.</p><p>The defined vulnerable groups eligible for particular support from the 16-19 Bursary Fund are groups that generally do not receive financial support from their families. Young carers can receive help from the discretionary element of the 16-19 Bursary Fund, which is made available to education and training institutions. It is their role to determine which young people need bursaries and the level of financial support required to enable these students to participate.</p><p>Young carers are able to discuss their particular needs with their school or college, which can then provide appropriate individualised support. Government guidance for those institutions is very clear about the need to encourage young carers to apply for the bursary fund, to reassure them about confidentiality and to consider whether they need extra help because of their caring responsibilities. Our view is that institutions are best placed to assess the needs of young carers, rather than making a decision at national level.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 17/12/2018 15:16:54 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
	tabling member	4391 label Biography information for Judith Cummins

1047035

	registered interest
	date	23/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	16-19 Bursary Fund: Social Mobility
	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 effectiveness of the 16 - 19 bursary in promoting social mobility.
	tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
	tabling member printed	Gordon Marsden
	uin	211664
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2019 answer text <p>The department provides a number of financial support programmes for economically disadvantaged 16 to 19 year olds to help with the education-related costs associated with staying in post-16 education. The 16-19 Bursary Fund is the principal scheme. Under the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund, young people are eligible for awards of up to £1,200 per year (in particular, vulnerable groups that generally do not receive financial support from their families). Those not in these particular vulnerable groups, but who still need financial support, can apply to their education institution for discretionary bursary support. Each institution receives an allocation to make available these discretionary bursaries.</p><p>The department spoke with a sample of schools, colleges and other 16-19 education providers in 2018 to help us understand how the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund was being used and to assess the extent to which discretionary bursary allocations met the needs of students in the different institutions. Providers were using the available funds to support their most disadvantaged students, but there were different responses on the adequacy of funding. We are continuing to keep the use of the fund under review to inform our understanding of whether it is providing effective support to our most economically disadvantaged students.</p><p>With regard to its effectiveness in promoting social mobility, providers have the flexibility to target those young people in most need of financial support to stay on in further education and training. This flexibility helps to ensure that the poorest students get the same opportunities available to those with more financial support, for example, by purchasing equipment for technical courses, taking part in trips, purchasing books, participating in industry placements and getting support with UCAS fees. The majority of providers that the department spoke to in 2018 confirmed that this funding was making a significant impact on the ability of young people to access opportunities.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 29/01/2019 16:50:11 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton previous answer version 97893 answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
	tabling member	465 label Biography information for Gordon Marsden

1026694

	registered interest
	date	17/12/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Academic Freedom
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps his Department is taking to support freedom of speech in universities.
	tabling member constituency	Brecon and Radnorshire
	tabling member printed	Chris Davies
	uin	908223
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2018 answer text <p>The government is deeply committed to protecting freedom of speech in Higher Education (HE). The Equality and Human Rights Commission and key partners in the HE sector worked with the previous Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation to develop a single piece of guidance which will set out key principles. This will enable universities and student unions to understand their obligations for protecting and supporting free speech.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 17/12/2018 16:40:13 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	4376 label Biography information for Chris Davies

1043121

	registered interest
	date	17/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Academies
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what records his Department keeps of the ministerial decision process relating to selection of sponsors of schools which are converted to academies.
	tabling member constituency	Ashton-under-Lyne
	tabling member printed	Angela Rayner
	uin	209841
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2019 answer text <p>Regional Schools Commissioners (RSCs) act in the name of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, and are accountable to him and to the National Schools Commissioner. RSCs are advised and challenged by Headteacher Boards (HTBs) comprised of outstanding academy headteachers and sector leaders. Half of all HTBs are directly elected by the academy sector. Working with their respective HTBs, RSCs are well placed to identify and commission the most appropriate support and intervention for underperforming schools and academies.</p><p>The department publishes meeting notes of all HTB meetings. As well as containing other RSC decisions, HTB meeting notes also contain RSC decisions on the selection of sponsors for underperforming schools. HTB meeting notes are published every six weeks and can be found on GOV.UK at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/headteacher-boards" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/headteacher-boards</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 25/01/2019 14:32:17 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4356 label Biography information for Angela Rayner

1043120

	registered interest
	date	17/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Academies
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what criteria are used to determine the sponsor of a school that is subject to an academy order.
	tabling member constituency	Ashton-under-Lyne
	tabling member printed	Angela Rayner
	uin	209840
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2019 answer text <p>The Regional Schools Commissioner’s (RSC) role in intervention is to ensure that a school that is subject to an academy order is matched with an academy trust that can support it to improve.</p><p>RSCs approve sponsors based upon the published criteria for applicants. The criteria are set out on the sponsor application form, which can be found on GOV.UK: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academy-sponsor-application-form" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academy-sponsor-application-form</a>.</p><p>They include the sponsor’s overall visions and plans for growth, educational and financial capacity, and governance. When matching a sponsor to a school that is subject to an academy order, the RSC will also consider a range of other information, such as the sponsor’s geography in relation to the school, the sponsor’s skillsets, capacity, specialist expertise and track record. This will ensure that the sponsor is a good match for the school.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 22/01/2019 17:16:16 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4356 label Biography information for Angela Rayner

1002595

	registered interest
	date	06/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Academies
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what his Department’s policy is on (a) the provision for schools of (a) financial and (b) other information on a multi-academy trust that they are due to join and (b) whether having been provided with that information those schools should have the opportunity to review their decision; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Ashton-under-Lyne
	tabling member printed	Angela Rayner
	uin	188840
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>The department makes a range of information publicly available for schools and other interested parties. Information on the finances of the multi-academy trust (MAT) they intend to join is available through the schools financial benchmarking tool, found here:</p><p><a href="https://schools-financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://schools-financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk/</a>.</p><p>Information on the people involved in the governance of the trust is available, from either the trust’s own website, or the Get Information about Schools website here:</p><p><a href="https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/</a>.</p><p>The department encourages Governing Bodies to consider this information before applying to become an academy.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, where a school is applying for an academy order to become an academy and join a trust, the Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC) will consider the financial health of the school and the MAT the school is joining as part of a robust assessment of the ability of the MAT to run the school. The Governing Body of a maintained school can decide not to proceed with conversion before an academy funding agreement is entered into.</p><p> </p><p>There are different arrangements when a school is directed to become an academy. In this situation, the RSC, with advice from their Headteacher Board, identifies an approved sponsor to run the school. The finances of the school, MAT and the MATs ability to run and improve the school are key elements that inform the decision. The sponsor is however under a duty to communicate their plans to improve the school to parents.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 15/11/2018 15:08:18 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4356 label Biography information for Angela Rayner

1023275

	registered interest
	date	11/12/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Academies
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the total cost to the public purse has been of converting local authority schools to academy schools since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff Central
	tabling member printed	Jo Stevens
	uin	201188
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2018 answer text <p>As of 1 December 2018, there are 7,814 open academies.</p><p>During the last nine financial years, the department has spent £443 million on pre-opening start-up grants to support local authority schools to convert to become academies. Further details are found in the table below:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Costs</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018-19 (as at end November 18)</p></td><td><p>£17 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017-18</p></td><td><p>£38 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>£54 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>£28 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>£48 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>£59 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>£65 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>£67 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>£67 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>£443 million</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 17/12/2018 15:44:35 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4425 label Biography information for Jo Stevens

1035216

	registered interest
	date	04/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Academies
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many academy schools are awaiting transfer from one Trust to another as a result of a new sponsor not being identified.
	tabling member constituency	Oxford West and Abingdon
	tabling member printed	Layla Moran
	uin	205399
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2019 answer text <p>As at 7 January 2019, 78 academies were in the process of transferring from one trust to another and all of these academies have a new sponsor identified.</p><p>Academies may transfer to other trusts in a range of circumstances. In some cases, Regional School Commissioners may intervene due to concerns about academy performance and in other cases, an academy may be moving trust as part of an agreed voluntary arrangement. In all cases, a new trust will have been identified before the transfer is approved. For this reason, the department does not have any academies that have been approved for transfer where a new sponsor (or trust) has not been identified.</p><p>If a transfer is not felt to be the right approach, other improvement activity will take place, including other support arrangements.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 14/01/2019 16:16:04 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4656 label Biography information for Layla Moran

1055962

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Academies Enterprise Trust: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will publish details of the financial turnaround plan agreed between his Department, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and the Academies Enterprise Trust (AET), including (a) how much public money provided by the ESFA has been earmarked to fund AET staff redundancy costs, (b) whether interest is being charged on any grants or loans to AET, (c) the loan repayment schedule for any such grants or loans, (d) financial savings AET is forecast to make while the plan is implemented and (e) whether the plan includes arrangements for outsourcing any AET staff.
	tabling member constituency	Manchester Central
	tabling member printed	Lucy Powell
	uin	217588
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/02/2019 answer text <p>Where trusts face financial difficulty, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) may provide additional funding to protect the education of children. Interest is not charged on the revenue funding provided to trusts by the ESFA for these purposes.</p><p>The ESFA has agreed to provide up to £16.1 million in recoverable and non-recoverable deficit funding to support the turnaround plan of the Academies Enterprise Trust (AET), covering 2017-18 to 2020-21. AET is the largest academy trust in the country, responsible for over 60 academies. To date, we have provided £4.5 million, of which £3.06 million has been earmarked for restructuring costs, which will include redundancy payments. A repayment schedule for the recoverable funding has been agreed with AET and is due to commence in the 2019-20 academic year, subject to their ability to pay.</p><p>The ESFA is continuing to work with AET as it reviews the scope for financial efficiency; these plans are still under development. The Department is not aware of any plans for outsourcing AET staff.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 12/02/2019 11:35:47 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb previous answer version 101136 answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	4263 label Biography information for Lucy Powell

1002594

	registered interest
	date	06/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Academies: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what his Department’s policy is on the period in which a multi-academy trust must repay advances made by the Education and Skills Funding Agency; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Ashton-under-Lyne
	tabling member printed	Angela Rayner
	uin	188839
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>An advance to an academy trust is an early payment on its General Annual Grant, which is allocated to the trust for that year. It is not additional funding for the trust. With each advance, there will be a mutually agreed schedule of monthly reductions to offset the advance.</p><p> </p><p>The department continues to work with the sector to build capacity and expertise in financial management and support effective school resource management with specialist advisers, three year financial forecasting and developing buying hubs and national deals for all schools. Where an academy trust requires additional support, the Education and Skills Funding Agency will work with the trust to build its capacity and help it reach a stronger position.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 15/11/2018 14:33:15 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4356 label Biography information for Angela Rayner

1019963

	registered interest
	date	04/12/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Academies: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much has been spent on rebrokering academies in each of the last three years.
	tabling member constituency	Manchester Central
	tabling member printed	Lucy Powell
	uin	198836
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/12/2018 answer text <p>Information on academy transfers (sometimes referred to as ‘rebrokerage’), and the grant funding provided for those during the financial years 2013-14 to 2017-18 is published here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/academy-transfers-and-funding-england-financial-year-2017-to-2018" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/academy-transfers-and-funding-england-financial-year-2017-to-2018</a>.</p><p>In the financial year 2017-18, around a half of trust moves were single academy trusts joining multi-academy trusts (MATs). The department is actively encouraging single academy trusts to join MATs and we would expect to see this trend continue.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 13/12/2018 15:50:54 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi previous answer version 91103 answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4263 label Biography information for Lucy Powell

1051311

	registered interest
	date	30/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Academies: Insolvency
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of the number of academy chains that have (a) gone into administration and (b) collapsed in each year since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	214465
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2019 answer text <p>Our latest records show that no academy trust has gone into administration. Where there is a risk to public funds, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) will intervene in a proportionate manner to avoid financial issues affecting school provision.</p><p> </p><p>The ESFA has a robust intervention strategy to support an academy trust, which is a company limited by guarantee and subject to company law, to reach a stronger financial position. Intervention actions range from supporting and building trust capacity through to issuing a Financial Notice to Improve, or in the most serious cases, terminating a funding agreement, after schools have been transferred to another trust.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 04/02/2019 17:46:38 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1007863

	registered interest
	date	15/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Academies: Pupil Exclusions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of school exclusions have been made by academies in each of the last three years.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne North
	tabling member printed	Catherine McKinnell
	uin	191920
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2018 answer text <p>The accompanying table provides the numbers of exclusions in academies and other state-funded schools in England in academic years 2014/15 to 2016/17, and the percentage of the total in academies.</p><p>Table 14 of the ‘National tables’ data can be found within the ‘Permanent and fixed-period exclusions in England 2016 to 2017’ release. This table includes information on exclusions in academies and other state-funded schools, including exclusion rates. The full release is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/permanent-and-fixed-period-exclusions-in-england-2016-to-2017" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/permanent-and-fixed-period-exclusions-in-england-2016-to-2017</a>.</p><p>Earlier publications in the series have the equivalent information for earlier years, found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-exclusions" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-exclusions</a>.</p><p>It is important to only consider the context of schools when assessing the percentage of exclusions. At the end of 2017, around 1 in 10 sponsored academies were Good or Outstanding before they converted, compared to almost 7 in 10 after they became an academy (where an inspection has taken place).</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 21/11/2018 17:43:21 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi attachment 1 file name 191920_Table_of_permanent_and_fixed_period_exclusions.pdf title 191920_Permanent_and_fixed_period_exclusions previous answer version 85955 answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4125 label Biography information for Catherine McKinnell

1016441

	registered interest
	date	28/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Academies: Standards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of academy schools that were rated (a) inadequate and (b) requires improvement before being granted academy status have not been subject to an inspection.
	tabling member constituency	Manchester Central
	tabling member printed	Lucy Powell
	uin	196871
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/12/2018 answer text <p>This is a matter for Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 06/12/2018 17:55:19 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4263 label Biography information for Lucy Powell

1027605

	registered interest
	date	18/12/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Adoption
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children were adopted in each of the last three years.
	tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
	tabling member printed	David Simpson
	uin	203262
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/12/2018 answer text <p>The number of adopted children who were formerly looked-after by the local authority in each of the last three years was published in Table E1 in the statistical release ‘Children looked after in England including adoption: 2017 to 2018’ available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018</a>. The department does not estimate the number of adopted children who were not previously looked-after.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 21/12/2018 10:22:32 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

1010694

	registered interest
	date	20/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Adoption
	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 increase the number of children being adopted.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	193574
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2018 answer text <p>Decisions on adoption in England are made by local authorities based on children’s individual needs.</p><p>In 2016 the government published ‘Adoption – A vision for change’ which set out how we intend to radically redesign the whole adoption system in England – the structures, systems and workforce – to ensure we have the foundations in place to build lasting change.</p><p>We have enabled more children to be placed in stable homes earlier by requiring local authorities to consider a fostering for adoption placement wherever possible. We funded a significant growth in the use of innovative adopter-led matching through National Exchange Days and Adoption Activity Days. We have also introduced a new, quicker two-stage process for approving adopters.</p><p>The result has been that the average time taken from entering care to a child being placed with their adopted family has decreased since 2012-13 by 7 months to 14 months in 2017-18. The children waiting in care with a placement order but not yet placed with adopters has dropped from 5,300 reported at 31 March 2013 to 2,760 at the end of 2017-18.[1]</p><p>We are driving further improvements in local adoption recruitment, matching and support through the introduction of Regional Adoption Agencies.</p><p> </p><p>[1] <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018</a>.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 28/11/2018 15:40:20 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1047103

	registered interest
	date	23/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Adoption
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children were adopted in each year since 2012-13; and what the rate of adoption disruptions was in that same period.
	tabling member constituency	Chesterfield
	tabling member printed	Toby Perkins
	uin	211707
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2019 answer text <p>The number of looked-after children who were adopted is published in table E1 and the number who were the subject of a special guardianship order is published in table E5 for the last 5 years in the statistical release ‘Children looked-after in England (including adoption) year ending 31 March 2018 at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018</a>.</p><p>The department does not collect information on adoptions and special guardianship orders that were disrupted. National figures on numbers of children who started to be looked-after who had a previous permanence arrangement, including special guardianship orders and adoption orders, are available in table C1 in the above release. However, these figures were collected for the first time in 2014 and should be treated with caution as the information is based on self-declaration and for a number of children the previous permanence arrangement is not known.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi grouped question UIN 211708 question first answered 01/02/2019 11:01:53 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	3952 label Biography information for Mr Toby Perkins

1008448

	registered interest
	date	16/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Adoption
	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 of the practice of contested adoption on the well-being of the child.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
	tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
	uin	192088
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/11/2018 answer text <p>The information requested is not held centrally. Individual decisions on adoption are ultimately taken by an independent judge based on the evidence presented.</p><p>Adverse childhood experiences such as neglect or abuse often cause lifelong problems. In most cases, local authorities will provide support so that children can remain with their birth families. However, for those children who cannot live with their birth parents, it is vital we find them permanent new homes as quickly as possible, whether that be by adoption, special guardianship or long-term fostering. Adoption can be transformative for many children and can provide them with the stability and care they need to recover from the trauma they may have experienced in early life.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 26/11/2018 12:12:21 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1003844

	registered interest
	date	09/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Adoption
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many contested adoptions have taken place in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
	tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
	uin	189539
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>The information requested is not held centrally. The department does not collect data on specific adoption circumstances.</p><p>Information on those children placed for adoption where consent is dispensed by the court is published annually in Table D1 of the statistical release, ‘Children looked after in England including adoption: 2016 to 2017’ at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2016-to-2017" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2016-to-2017</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Figures for the year ending 31 March 2018 will be published on 15 November 2018. These are circumstances where the court can dispense without the consent of a parent, to the placement and adoption of their child if the welfare of the child requires it. This may be a decision in some situations that is not in accordance with the parents’ wishes.</p><p> </p><p>The welfare of a child is paramount and local authorities have a statutory duty to intervene to undertake child protection enquiries and to take action to safeguard and promote the child’s welfare. However, decisions on adoption are ultimately taken by an independent judge based on the evidence presented.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 19/11/2018 17:24:12 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1039095

	registered interest
	date	10/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Adoption Leave: Self-employed
	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 effect of self-employed people being unable to take paid adoption leave on the level of adoption.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff Central
	tabling member printed	Jo Stevens
	uin	207265
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2019 answer text <p>The department has undertaken no assessment because policy on paid leave for self-employed people is a policy responsibility of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.</p><p>Where adopters do not qualify for family related statutory pay because they are self-employed, local authorities may make a payment equivalent to Maternity Allowance. This is at the discretion of the local authority and is means-tested.</p><p> </p><p>The latest figures on adoptions were published in a statistical release ‘Children looked after in England including adoption: 2017 to 2018’ on 15 November 2018. The release is available on the department’s website at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018</a>.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 15/01/2019 15:55:08 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	4425 label Biography information for Jo Stevens

1054666

	registered interest
	date	04/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Adoption and Free Schools
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many civil servants in his Department work on the (a) free school and (b) adoption policy streams; and how many civil servants worked on those streams in June 2016.
	tabling member constituency	Hemsworth
	tabling member printed	Jon Trickett
	uin	216122
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2019 answer text <p>Civil servants working within the Free Schools Directorate are responsible for the policy development and the delivery of the free schools programme. They are supported by civil servants working within the Free Schools Capital Division, who are responsible for finding sites and buildings, and refurbishing existing buildings for new free schools. The Free Schools Programme is predominantly delivered by central government, with tightly prescribed responsibilities for local authorities. As of 5 February 2019, there are approximately 290 full-time equivalent civil servants working in the Free Schools Directorate and within the Free Schools Capital Division (which sits in the Operations Directorate). In June 2016, there were slightly fewer civil servants working within Free Schools Directorate and the Free Schools Capital Division.</p><p>As of 5 February 2019, there are approximately 15 full-time equivalent civil servants working on adoption policy in the Social Care, Mobility and Disadvantage Directorate. In June 2016, there were approximately 20 full-time equivalent civil servants working on adoption policy in the Social Care, Mobility and Disadvantage Directorate. These civil servants are responsible for national adoption policy. The majority of the delivery of adoption policy is carried out by the local adoption agencies in each top tier local authority, based on the statutory requirements.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 08/02/2019 12:00:08 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton previous answer version 100465 answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
	tabling member	410 label Biography information for Jon Trickett

1013131

	registered interest
	date	23/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Adoption: Medical Examinations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will discuss with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care bringing forward proposals to exempt prospective adoptive parents from fees for medical checks.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	195024
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>The adopter approval process is free for prospective adopters so that they are not charged by adoption agencies for their preparation and assessment. However, the adoption agency must obtain a written report from a registered medical practitioner about the health of the prospective adopter following a full examination. There is often a charge payable to a GP for completion of this report that an adoption agency can cover should it choose.</p><p>The Department of Health and Social Care currently has no plans to make changes to the fees that GPs charge prospective adopters for medical checks. Any changes to the charges by GPs would need to be negotiated between NHS England and the General Practitioner Committee of the British Medical Association as part of the annual contract negotiations.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi grouped question UIN 195025 question first answered 03/12/2018 16:39:58 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1041699

	registered interest
	date	15/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Adult Education
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to publish the conclusions of his Department's consultation, Review of Post-18 Education and Funding.
	tabling member constituency	Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
	tabling member printed	Bill Grant
	uin	208913
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/01/2019 answer text <p>The Review of Post-18 Education and Funding is being informed by independent advice from an expert panel, chaired by Philip Augar.</p><p> </p><p>The panel have undertaken an extensive programme of stakeholder engagement and evidence gathering. They will report in 2019 before government concludes the overall review.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 18/01/2019 14:32:14 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	4605 label Biography information for Bill Grant

1042297

	registered interest
	date	16/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Adult Education
	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 15 January 2019 to Question 207155 on Adult Education, what steps his Department is taking to increase participation rates in adult education courses.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	209294
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2019 answer text <p>For the 2018/19 academic year, we will be supporting those in work on low incomes to access the Adult Education Budget (AEB) through the introduction of a new one-year trial which allows providers to fully fund eligible learners on low wages. This will directly support social mobility by enabling those that have been motivated to move out of unemployment and are low paid/skilled, to further progress. Early results suggest that this is attracting new/additional learners and we are reviewing whether it will be extended to cover the 2019/20 academic year.</p><p> </p><p>Community Learning plays a vital role within AEB provision, it provides an accessible way of progressing to further learning, training or employment and is mainly non-formal non-accredited learning which supports access to further adult education, particularly for disadvantaged adult learners.</p><p> </p><p>It is funded in a way that enables providers to meet the needs of disadvantaged learners; for example, by running smaller classes, by responding quickly to local needs, by offering more intensive support, and by holding classes in community venues, such as community centres, schools and libraries. This encourages adult learners, who may not be suited to more formal learning at this point in their lives, to participate in community and family learning and begin their learning journey.</p><p> </p><p>We also provide full funding for learners who need English and Maths skills to undertake a range of courses in GCSEs, Functional Skills and stepping stone qualifications from entry level to level 2. From 2020, selected basic digital skills courses will also be fully funded.</p><p> </p><p>From 2019/20 academic year, approximately 50% of the AEB will be devolved to 6 Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Tees Valley, West Midlands, West of England) and delegated to the Greater London Authority (GLA). The MCAs and GLA will be responsible for commissioning and funding AEB provision for learners resident in their areas. However, they must ensure access and funding for the statutory entitlements, including the new digital entitlement, to enable eligible learners to be fully funded. The Education and Skills Funding Agency will be responsible for funding learners resident in non-devolved areas.</p><p> </p><p>We are also introducing the National Retraining Scheme, which is an ambitious, far-reaching programme to drive adult learning and retraining. It will help people respond to changes in the economy and support them to progress in work, redirect their careers and secure the higher-paid, higher-skilled jobs of the future, focusing on those individuals that need it most.</p><p> </p><p>To inform the design of the scheme, the Flexible Learning Fund is supporting 31 pilot projects across England with a total value of £11.4 million. The projects are designing and testing innovative, flexible learning that is easy to access, and the best ways to reach working adults and incentivise them to train.</p><p> </p><p>Apprenticeships benefit people of all ages and backgrounds such as people with children returning to part-time work and needing to re-train. 41% of starts in 2017/18 have been by those aged 25 and over.</p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 21/01/2019 17:32:41 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham