Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label attachment file name file name title title
tabling member	label

Search

1024226

	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	City, University of London: Freedom of Expression
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with City, University of London about the cancellation of a planned speech by the Israeli Ambassador on 21 November; and whether they have received any representations from the Office for Students about freedom of speech at that University.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Deech
	uin	HL12225
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2018 answer text <p>​​Both the Department for Education (DfE) and Office for Students (OfS) were made aware of the decision to defer the planned speech by the Israeli Ambassador. The DfE’s Further Education/Higher Education coordinator has been in contact with the institution.</p><p>​Freedom of speech is a crucial element of higher education and government and OfS are committed to championing it and to promoting open debate and challenge. Universities are autonomous bodies and are responsible for taking their own decisions around how to manage events and mitigate risks; handling of individual cases is not dictated by government or by the OfS. The OfS has powers to intervene if providers are not following their own free speech codes of practice</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 20/12/2018 17:35:40 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3756 label Biography information for Baroness Deech

1024227

	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	Academic Freedom
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will issue guidance to universities on the misuse of data protection law and non-cooperation with security requirements in relation to upholding free speech.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Deech
	uin	HL12226
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2018 answer text <p>The previous Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation held a free speech summit in May, where sector leaders agreed to collectively develop a single piece of guidance. The government has worked alongside sector leaders to set out key principles for universities and student unions managing free speech. The Equalities and Human Rights Commission will be publishing guidance in 2019 on how to ensure that freedom of speech within the law is upheld effectively in higher education institutions, whilst acknowledging their other legal duties.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 20/12/2018 17:42:48 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3756 label Biography information for Baroness Deech

1024228

	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	Academic Freedom
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of section 43 of the Education (No. 2) Act 1986 in upholding lawful freedom of speech on university campuses following the cancellation of a planned speech by the Israeli Ambassador at City, University of London on 21 November.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Deech
	uin	HL12227
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2018 answer text <p>The government is deeply committed to protecting freedom of speech within the law. The freedom to express views openly, challenge ideas and engage in robust debate is crucial to the student experience and to democracy. Individuals should never be in a position where they can be stopped from expressing an opinion perfectly lawfully. Institutions are required to balance risks and legal obligations with a view to ensuring freedom of speech wherever reasonably practicable.</p><p>The Joint Committee on Human Rights held an inquiry into freedom of speech in universities earlier this year, which looked in detail and collected evidence in relation to upholding freedom of speech in universities. Drawing on information from the inquiry, which found the current regulatory landscape protecting freedom of speech to be extremely complex, the Equality and Human Rights Commission and key partners in the higher education sector have worked with the Department of Education to develop a single piece of guidance, which will set out key principles. This guidance will enable universities and student unions to understand their obligations for protecting and supporting free speech.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 20/12/2018 17:51:48 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3756 label Biography information for Baroness Deech

1037590

	registered interest
	date	08/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Music: Higher Education
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government which universities or other higher education institutions they have consulted about adding music to their lists of facilitating subjects.
	tabling member printed	Lord Black of Brentwood
	uin	HL12648
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2019 answer text <p>Universities are autonomous from government, and consequently control the criteria used to determine admissions. We are aware that some universities, notably those that comprise the Russell Group, identify the A level subjects most likely to facilitate entry to university. However, many other higher education institutions are guided simply by UCAS calculations of tariff points, which give equal weighting to A levels, regardless of subject. The government recognises the importance of arts subjects, including music. Students’ ability to make informed choices is at the heart of our recent reforms to higher education. The department is increasing the information available to students to ensure they can make informed choices about what and where to study.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 16/01/2019 12:45:22 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4171 label Biography information for Lord Black of Brentwood

1037605

	registered interest
	date	08/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Post-18 Education and Funding Review
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when their review of post-18 education and funding will be published.
	tabling member printed	Lord Goodlad
	uin	HL12661
	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>The government will want to move swiftly to improve the post-18 system once the review has concluded. Implementation timetables will depend on the review’s findings and recommendations and the legislative and operational requirements.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 18/01/2019 11:25:54 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	670 label Biography information for Lord Goodlad

1042971

	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	Disabled Students' Allowances
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to require assessors of Disabled Students' Allowance to hold an Assessment Practising Certificate.
	tabling member printed	Lord Addington
	uin	HL12921
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2019 answer text <p>Study needs assessors of Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) determine the specific support a student requires. They are currently not required to hold an Assessment Practising Certificate.</p><p> </p><p>We recently announced the decision to allow students with Specific Learning Difficulties, such as dyslexia, who are applying for DSA to use evidence of their diagnosis from before 16 years of age. Currently, for the purposes of DSA, the person carrying out this diagnostic assessment must hold an Assessment Practising Certificate, but we are considering whether to allow alternative accreditation routes.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 28/01/2019 11:39:14 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3453 label Biography information for Lord Addington

1046297

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	School of Oriental and African Studies: Radicalism
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the finding of the report by the Henry Jackson Society Extreme Speakers and Events: In the 2017–18 Academic Year, published on 21 January, that SOAS University of London has hosted 70 events that were addressed by extremist speakers; whether they have discussed that report with SOAS; if so, what was the outcome of any such discussions; and what steps they intend to take in response.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL13007
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2019 answer text <p>​There is no place for extremism in our society and extremist views should be exposed and challenged.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Education has not engaged with any institutions, including SOAS University of London, in relation to the Henry Jackson Society report.</p><p> </p><p>The government believes that free speech should been encouraged, provided that it is within the law as it encourages debate and understanding. Challenging extremist speakers and events is an important part of tackling extremist narratives. However, this does not mean closing down lawful speech, but rather ensuring the right steps are taken to counter extremist narratives and make sure that those who wish to spread hatred do not go unchallenged.</p><p> </p><p>The Prevent duty requires higher education institutions to ensure they have mitigated the risk of extremist speakers spreading harmful narratives before an event can go ahead.</p><p> </p><p>​The Equality and Human Rights Commission is developing new guidance on freedom of speech in higher education, which will be published shortly.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 01/02/2019 14:53:40 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1049558

	registered interest
	date	28/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Admissions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many unconditional offers have been made by universities to school and college leavers in each year since 2010; and in each of those years, what percentage of total offers were unconditional.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bassam of Brighton
	uin	HL13147
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text <p>Applicants to full-time undergraduate degrees apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). UCAS have published data on the number of unconditional offers and the proportion of offers made that were unconditional since 2010. The data covers offers made to 18 year olds from England, Northern Ireland and Wales.</p><p>The table shows the number of unconditional offers made and the proportion of offers made that were unconditional to 18 year old applicants from England, Northern Ireland, and Wales.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of unconditional offers</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Proportion of offers made that were unconditional</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>5,105</p></td><td><p>0.6%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>3,355</p></td><td><p>0.4%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>2,605</p></td><td><p>0.3%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>2,985</p></td><td><p>0.4%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>12,115</p></td><td><p>1.4%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>23,410</p></td><td><p>2.5%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p>36,825</p></td><td><p>3.9%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017</p></td><td><p>51,615</p></td><td><p>5.3%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018</p></td><td><p>67,915</p></td><td><p>7.1%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>Source: UCAS End of Cycle reports 2017 and 2018:</p><p><a href="https://www.ucas.com/file/196151/download?token=jzRAy4kS" target="_blank">https://www.ucas.com/file/196151/download?token=jzRAy4kS</a>.</p><p><a href="https://www.ucas.com/file/140406/download?token=pfzLAKRe" target="_blank">https://www.ucas.com/file/140406/download?token=pfzLAKRe</a>.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Notes</p><ol><li>UCAS defines an unconditional offer as a provider decision to grant a place to an applicant that is not subject to the applicant satisfying academic and/or other criteria.A conditional unconditional offer is an offer made by a provider which was originally conditional, but becomes unconditional if the applicant selects that offer as their firm (first) choice. By definition, conditional unconditional offers that are selected as a firm choice by the applicant become unconditional and are also included in the unconditional offers group.Offer with an unconditional component are defined as an offers showing as having an element of unconditional offer-making, that is, unconditional offers plus conditional unconditional offers that have not been selected as firm (and hence remain conditional unconditional).</li><li>Figures provided in the table are based on the offer status at the 30 June application deadline.</li><li>Data on conditional unconditional offers, and offers that had an unconditional component have not been included in the table due to data not being published prior to 2013.</li></ol><p> </p><p> </p><p>Information regarding which universities allocated places to applicants on an unconditional basis and for each of those universities, what percentage of total offers were unconditional in each of those years is not held centrally.</p><p>However, on 31 January UCAS published data on unconditional offers by each provider for the first time as part of their 2018 End of Cycle data releases. For each provider, UCAS have published data on the number and proportion of offers that were unconditional, conditional unconditional, and offers that had an unconditional component since 2013. Further information can be found at: <a href="https://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/ucas-undergraduate-end-cycle-reports/2018-ucas-undergraduate-unconditional-offer-making-provider-reports" target="_blank">https://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/ucas-undergraduate-end-cycle-reports/2018-ucas-undergraduate-unconditional-offer-making-provider-reports</a> – then select ‘Individual 2018 provider level unconditional offer-making CSVs’.</p><p> </p><p>The government are concerned by the increase in unconditional offers, and have asked the higher education (HE) regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), to monitor and review how they are being used by HE providers. Where institutions cannot justify the rising numbers being offered we have made clear to the OfS that they should use the full range of powers at their disposal to take action.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie grouped question UIN HL13148 question first answered 11/02/2019 14:01:28 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3504 label Biography information for Lord Bassam of Brighton

1049559

	registered interest
	date	28/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Admissions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government which universities allocated places to applicants on an unconditional basis in each year since 2010; and for each of those universities, what percentage of total offers were unconditional in each of those years.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bassam of Brighton
	uin	HL13148
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text <p>Applicants to full-time undergraduate degrees apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). UCAS have published data on the number of unconditional offers and the proportion of offers made that were unconditional since 2010. The data covers offers made to 18 year olds from England, Northern Ireland and Wales.</p><p>The table shows the number of unconditional offers made and the proportion of offers made that were unconditional to 18 year old applicants from England, Northern Ireland, and Wales.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of unconditional offers</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Proportion of offers made that were unconditional</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>5,105</p></td><td><p>0.6%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>3,355</p></td><td><p>0.4%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>2,605</p></td><td><p>0.3%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>2,985</p></td><td><p>0.4%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>12,115</p></td><td><p>1.4%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>23,410</p></td><td><p>2.5%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p>36,825</p></td><td><p>3.9%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017</p></td><td><p>51,615</p></td><td><p>5.3%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018</p></td><td><p>67,915</p></td><td><p>7.1%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>Source: UCAS End of Cycle reports 2017 and 2018:</p><p><a href="https://www.ucas.com/file/196151/download?token=jzRAy4kS" target="_blank">https://www.ucas.com/file/196151/download?token=jzRAy4kS</a>.</p><p><a href="https://www.ucas.com/file/140406/download?token=pfzLAKRe" target="_blank">https://www.ucas.com/file/140406/download?token=pfzLAKRe</a>.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Notes</p><ol><li>UCAS defines an unconditional offer as a provider decision to grant a place to an applicant that is not subject to the applicant satisfying academic and/or other criteria.A conditional unconditional offer is an offer made by a provider which was originally conditional, but becomes unconditional if the applicant selects that offer as their firm (first) choice. By definition, conditional unconditional offers that are selected as a firm choice by the applicant become unconditional and are also included in the unconditional offers group.Offer with an unconditional component are defined as an offers showing as having an element of unconditional offer-making, that is, unconditional offers plus conditional unconditional offers that have not been selected as firm (and hence remain conditional unconditional).</li><li>Figures provided in the table are based on the offer status at the 30 June application deadline.</li><li>Data on conditional unconditional offers, and offers that had an unconditional component have not been included in the table due to data not being published prior to 2013.</li></ol><p> </p><p> </p><p>Information regarding which universities allocated places to applicants on an unconditional basis and for each of those universities, what percentage of total offers were unconditional in each of those years is not held centrally.</p><p>However, on 31 January UCAS published data on unconditional offers by each provider for the first time as part of their 2018 End of Cycle data releases. For each provider, UCAS have published data on the number and proportion of offers that were unconditional, conditional unconditional, and offers that had an unconditional component since 2013. Further information can be found at: <a href="https://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/ucas-undergraduate-end-cycle-reports/2018-ucas-undergraduate-unconditional-offer-making-provider-reports" target="_blank">https://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/ucas-undergraduate-end-cycle-reports/2018-ucas-undergraduate-unconditional-offer-making-provider-reports</a> – then select ‘Individual 2018 provider level unconditional offer-making CSVs’.</p><p> </p><p>The government are concerned by the increase in unconditional offers, and have asked the higher education (HE) regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), to monitor and review how they are being used by HE providers. Where institutions cannot justify the rising numbers being offered we have made clear to the OfS that they should use the full range of powers at their disposal to take action.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie grouped question UIN HL13147 question first answered 11/02/2019 14:01:28 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3504 label Biography information for Lord Bassam of Brighton

1050775

	registered interest
	date	29/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Overseas Students: EU Nationals
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that nationals of other EU member states who no longer reside or work in the UK make their student loan repayments.
	tabling member printed	Lord Browne of Belmont
	uin	HL13201
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text <p>​The terms and conditions of repayment of student loans are set out by the Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) Regulations 2009 (as amended). These regulations make provision for repayment for borrowers resident both in the UK and overseas, including the EU.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Education continues to work closely with the Student Loans Company (SLC) to ensure a robust overseas repayment strategy. The SLC has arrangements in place to collect repayments from borrowers who move away from the UK and establishes a repayment schedule based on the borrower’s income and provides information on the methods of repayment available.</p><p> </p><p>If borrowers based overseas fail to remain in contact with the SLC, the SLC will set up a fixed repayment schedule and place those borrowers in arrears. Borrowers with post-2012 loans who have not remained in contact with the SLC are charged the maximum interest rate of RPI+3% until they get back in touch. Further action, including legal action, can then be taken to secure recovery.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 11/02/2019 17:08:19 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3801 label Biography information for Lord Browne of Belmont

1050776

	registered interest
	date	29/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Overseas Students: EU Nationals
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many nationals of other EU member states with student loans outstanding are currently uncontactable; and what estimate they have made of the amount of outstanding loans owed by such people.
	tabling member printed	Lord Browne of Belmont
	uin	HL13202
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text <p>The Student Loans Company (SLC) administers student loans for each of the UK government administrations. The information is not held in the requested format, however the SLC publishes data on the number of EU nationals who have been placed in arrears, as they have not provided details of their income. Around 9,600 EU borrowers had not provided details of their income and had been placed in arrears as at 31 April 2018.</p><p> </p><p>Statistics covering loan repayments are published annually by the SLC for each UK government administration as part of the ‘Debt and repayment statistics for England 2017-18’. More detailed information on the repayment statuses of home and EU domiciled borrowers, who are liable for repayment, can be found in tables 3A and 3B of the statistics publication (attached).</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 11/02/2019 17:04:25 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie attachment 1 file name HL13202_Debt_and_repayment_statistics_for_England_2017-18.xlsx title hl13202_Debt_and_repayment_statistics
	tabling member	3801 label Biography information for Lord Browne of Belmont

1052513

	registered interest
	date	01/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Ethnic Groups
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what role the Office for Students will play in monitoring the performance of universities in reducing ethnic inequalities in university academic staffing; and what plans they have to require universities to address such inequalities.
	tabling member printed	Lord Boateng
	uin	HL13346
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text <p>The government and the Office for Students (OfS) are focused on addressing inequalities in higher education. Government consulted on the publication of data on senior staff remuneration, including in relation to gender and ethnicity. The OfS retains the power to require the disclosure of such information through its accounts direction.</p><p>Higher education institutions are independent and responsible for decisions about who they employ. Universities, like every employer, must ensure they meet their obligations under the Equality Act 2010. On February 1, the government announced measures to tackle ethnic disparities in higher education including encouraging higher education providers to make use of tools such as the Race at Work Charter and the Race Equality Charter to drive forward a step-change in the recruitment and progression of ethnic minority employees.</p><p>The government has also consulted on ethnicity pay reporting in order to inform future government policy.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 11/02/2019 17:09:11 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	147 label Biography information for Lord Boateng

1052514

	registered interest
	date	01/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Ethnic Groups
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the low numbers of university academics and staff from black and minority ethnic backgrounds on the attainment of black and minority ethnic students.
	tabling member printed	Lord Boateng
	uin	HL13347
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text <p>Higher education institutions are independent and responsible for decisions about who they employ. Universities, like every employer, must ensure they meet their obligations under the Equality Act 2010. Through the Race Disparity Audit, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister set out her expectation that more must be done to create a workforce that is representative of British society today. On 1 February, the government launched measures to drive change in tackling inequalities between ethnic groups in higher education.</p><p>Equality and Diversity in higher education is a priority for government and the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS will use Access and Participation Plans to hold higher education providers to account for disparities in access and attainment of black and ethnic minority students.</p><p>This year, for the first time, registered higher education providers will be required to publish data on measures including attainment broken down by ethnicity, gender and socio-economic groups. This will increase transparency on attainment gaps for ethnic minority students, shining a light on those providers that are not performing well.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 11/02/2019 17:09:47 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	147 label Biography information for Lord Boateng

1056429

	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	Disabled Students' Allowances: Dyslexia
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee will recognise assessments carried out by Associate Members of the British Dyslexia Association for children under 16 for the purposes of the Disabled Students' Allowance without the need for a second assessment.
	tabling member printed	Lord Addington
	uin	HL13490
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>It is the department, not the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee, that decides which diagnostic assessments should be recognised as suitable evidence to determine eligibility for Disabled Students’ Allowances. The department is currently considering which accreditation requirements should be met for diagnostic assessments carried out on young people below the age of 16.</p><p>Information regarding the qualifications or professional memberships of those undertaking dyslexia assessments for young people below the age of 16 is not held centrally, nor is it held by the Student Loans Company.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie grouped question UIN HL13491 question first answered 19/02/2019 16:42:17 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3453 label Biography information for Lord Addington

1056430

	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	Disabled Students' Allowances: Dyslexia
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how common it is for those holding a British Dyslexia Association Assessment Practising Certificate to be involved with dyslexia assessments for those under the age of 16.
	tabling member printed	Lord Addington
	uin	HL13491
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>It is the department, not the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee, that decides which diagnostic assessments should be recognised as suitable evidence to determine eligibility for Disabled Students’ Allowances. The department is currently considering which accreditation requirements should be met for diagnostic assessments carried out on young people below the age of 16.</p><p>Information regarding the qualifications or professional memberships of those undertaking dyslexia assessments for young people below the age of 16 is not held centrally, nor is it held by the Student Loans Company.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie grouped question UIN HL13490 question first answered 19/02/2019 16:42:17 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3453 label Biography information for Lord Addington

1056486

	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	Erasmus+ Programme
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that university funding may be lost for UK students wishing to study abroad under the Erasmus scheme in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
	tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
	uin	HL13536
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>We are in close contact and working with the UK National Agency to ensure that in the event that the UK leaves the EU with no agreement in place, the government’s guarantee on Erasmus will cover the payment of awards to UK applicants for all successful Erasmus+ bids submitted before the end of 2020.</p><p>The UK government has repeatedly made clear that it values international exchange and collaboration in education and training as part of its vision for a global Britain, and we believe that the UK and European countries should continue to give young people and students the chance to benefit from each other’s world leading universities post-exit. This is reliant on the UK government reaching agreement with the EU for UK organisations to continue participating in Erasmus+ projects and we are seeking to hold these discussions with the EU.</p><p>We published a new technical notice, attached, at the end of January, which provides detailed guidance to organisations and students on the UK’s anticipated participation in the current Erasmus+ programme (2014 to 2020) in the event of no deal. The notice can also be found at: <a href="https://bit.ly/2GaP28y" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/2GaP28y</a>.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 19/02/2019 16:41:34 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie attachment 1 file name HL13536_Erasmus_technical_notice.docx title HL13536_Erasmus_Technical_Notice
	tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1056914

	registered interest
	date	07/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Veterinary Medicine: Training
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to build capacity in the Higher Education system to address the shortage of veterinary surgeons in England.
	tabling member printed	Lord Trees
	uin	HL13568
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/02/2019 answer text <p>The government recognises the importance of ensuring there are sufficient skilled graduates to meet industry demand. We are working with different veterinary sector stakeholders, to look at ways of increasing veterinary school capacity and the number of graduates in all UK vet schools going forward.</p><p>The government also subsidises the costs of teaching high-cost subjects such as veterinary medicine, where tuition fee income does not meet the costs of teaching. This is supported through the teaching grant allocated annually to providers via the Office for Students.</p><p>In 2018/19, the recurrent teaching grant provided by the government totals £1,290 million, of which £681 million is specifically targeted at supporting high-cost subjects, including veterinary science. This is currently around £10,000 per veterinary science student.</p><p> </p><p>English higher education providers are autonomous institutions. Their institutional autonomy, which includes decisions as to what they teach, is protected by the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.</p><p>However, the lifting of student number controls in 2015/16 means that there is no longer an artificial cap on the numbers of students that higher education providers are able to recruit, including for veterinary science courses.</p><p> </p><p>There has been progress in the sector in increasing places for veterinary students. The first cohort of students to graduate with the University of Surrey's new veterinary degree is scheduled for July 2019, thereby bringing more domestically trained vets in to the profession. Alongside this, the new Harper and Keele Veterinary School will be commencing its new 5 year degree course in 2020.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 15/02/2019 12:55:10 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4260 label Biography information for Lord Trees

1059175

	registered interest
	date	11/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Admissions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by the Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation on 28 March 2018 (HC Deb, col 408WH) about unconditional university offers and autonomy over admissions, what data they hold on the number of students with offers for study at British universities with admission for deferred entry who were contacted by the Admissions and Access Service of those universities to indicate that they would no longer be offered their intended course; what assessment they have made of the cost implications that such decisions hold for each prospective student who as a result may be obliged to pursue their intended studies further afield; and what compensatory arrangements they consider to be appropriate for the failure to honour such places offered to students who satisfied previously advertised admissions criteria.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL13570
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2019 answer text <p>Higher Education institutions are independent, autonomous bodies. As such, they are responsible for their own admissions decisions.</p><p> </p><p>Data on the number of applicants with offers for deferred entry who were no longer offered their intended course is not held centrally. Consequently, no assessment has been made of the cost implications to prospective students in this scenario.</p><p> </p><p>We are concerned by the steep rise in the number of unconditional offers being made to students. Where institutions cannot justify the rising numbers being offered we have made clear to the Office for Students that they should use the full range of powers at their disposal to take action. We expect universities to act responsibly when setting admissions criteria and expect admissions to be fair, accessible and transparent.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 20/02/2019 17:25:18 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1061390

	registered interest
	date	14/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Education: Travellers
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 4 February (HLWS1264), what action they will take to improve access for Gypsy, Traveller and  Roma young people to further and higher education.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Whitaker
	uin	HL13770
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/02/2019 answer text <p>Widening access and participation in higher and further education is a priority for this government. Everyone with the capability to succeed should have  the opportunity to benefit from a university education, regardless of their background or where they grew up. On 1 February 2019, we announced measures to tackle ethnic disparities in higher education. The announcement is attached and can also be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/universities-must-do-more-to-tackle-ethnic-disparity" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/universities-must-do-more-to-tackle-ethnic-disparity</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The new regulator for higher education, the Office for Students (OfS) has a statutory duty in regards to students who share particular characteristics, (protected under the Equality Act 2010), and where there is specific evidence that barriers exist that may prevent equality of opportunity, including those from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.</p><p> </p><p>Through Access and Participation Plans agreed with the OfS, higher education providers are expected to reduce the gaps in access, success and progression for under-represented groups amongst their students.</p><p> </p><p>Eligible 16 to 19 year olds do not pay tuition fees for post-16 further education (e.g. A Levels and approved technical qualifications). This enables young people to meet the requirement of continuing to participate in education or training beyond the age of 16.</p><p> </p><p>Eligibility to receive public funding for further education for adults (those aged 19 and above), is based on age, prior attainment and a learner’s circumstances. Skills provision is prioritised and focussed towards young adults, those with low skills and unemployed people who are actively seeking work.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the government also provides financial support to enable learners to participate in post-16 further education, whatever their financial situation. This includes contributions to costs such as transport, childcare, essential books, equipment and accommodation.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 26/02/2019 12:25:55 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie attachment 1 file name HL13770__tackling_ethnic_disparity.pdf title HL13770_Tackling_ethnic_disparity
	tabling member	2510 label Biography information for Baroness Whitaker

1063551

	registered interest
	date	18/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Billing
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government who is responsible for monitoring the payment performance of universities and ensuring that they comply with the Public Service Contracts Regulations 2015.
	tabling member printed	Lord Mendelsohn
	uin	HL13789
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2019 answer text <p>Under the definitions of “contracting authorities” and “bodies governed by public law” as specified by regulation 2 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, not all universities fall under these regulations because, for some, the majority of their funding does not come from public sources.</p><p>Where the regulations do apply, it is the universities’ responsibility, as independent contracting authorities, to ensure they comply with their legal obligations. Failure to comply can leave them open to legal remedies, as set out in the regulations, following complaints from aggrieved suppliers.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 27/02/2019 11:59:24 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4286 label Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn

1064572

	registered interest
	date	20/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Disabled Students' Allowances: Specific Learning Difficulties
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the undertaking in the letter from Viscount Younger of Leckie to Lord Addington on 3 December that those diagnosed with dyslexia or specific learning difficulties before the age of 16 will no longer have to undertake a second diagnosis to qualify for the Disabled Students’ Allowance, whether those who have been qualified to carry out this assessment will continue to be so after February 2019.
	tabling member printed	Lord Addington
	uin	HL13891
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2019 answer text <p>The department is yet to conclude discussions currently being held with relevant experts, including the British Dyslexia Association, about the qualifications that should be held by those undertaking specific learning difficulty diagnostic assessments that can be used to determine eligibility for Disabled Students’ Allowances. The experts with whom the department is discussing this issue have knowledge and understanding of diagnostic assessment undertaken for school pupils. The department expects to conclude these discussions by the middle of March 2019.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie grouped question UIN HL13892 HL13893 question first answered 28/02/2019 17:48:55 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3453 label Biography information for Lord Addington

1064573

	registered interest
	date	20/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Disabled Students' Allowances: Specific Learning Difficulties
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether all potential students with a diagnosis of dyslexia or specific learning difficulties whose assessment was carried out by somebody without the Assessment Practising Certificate before the end of February 2019 will have to undertake and pay for a second assessment to make them eligible for the Disabled Students’ Allowance in the future.
	tabling member printed	Lord Addington
	uin	HL13892
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2019 answer text <p>The department is yet to conclude discussions currently being held with relevant experts, including the British Dyslexia Association, about the qualifications that should be held by those undertaking specific learning difficulty diagnostic assessments that can be used to determine eligibility for Disabled Students’ Allowances. The experts with whom the department is discussing this issue have knowledge and understanding of diagnostic assessment undertaken for school pupils. The department expects to conclude these discussions by the middle of March 2019.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie grouped question UIN HL13891 HL13893 question first answered 28/02/2019 17:48:55 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3453 label Biography information for Lord Addington

1064574

	registered interest
	date	20/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Disabled Students' Allowances: Specific Learning Difficulties
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether those involved in teaching and diagnosing pupils with dyslexia and specific learning difficulties in the school system have been consulted about the changes to people who can conduct assessments for eligibility for the Disabled Students’ Allowance.
	tabling member printed	Lord Addington
	uin	HL13893
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2019 answer text <p>The department is yet to conclude discussions currently being held with relevant experts, including the British Dyslexia Association, about the qualifications that should be held by those undertaking specific learning difficulty diagnostic assessments that can be used to determine eligibility for Disabled Students’ Allowances. The experts with whom the department is discussing this issue have knowledge and understanding of diagnostic assessment undertaken for school pupils. The department expects to conclude these discussions by the middle of March 2019.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie grouped question UIN HL13891 HL13892 question first answered 28/02/2019 17:48:55 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3453 label Biography information for Lord Addington

1064782

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Admissions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 20 February (HL13570), whether the recommendations they made to the Office for Students to reduce the numbers of unconditional offers included reversing prior offers of places to students who already satisfied previously advertised admissions criteria.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL13946
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2019 answer text <p>The Department for Education has not made any recommendations to the Office for Students (OfS) to reverse prior offers of places to students who already satisfied previously advertised admissions criteria.</p><p>We have made clear to the OfS that they should use the full range of powers at their disposal to take action where an institution cannot justify their rising numbers of unconditional offers. However, we recognise that where a student already has relevant entry level qualifications, and for some creative arts subjects, unconditional offers may be justified. Admissions are a matter of institutional autonomy but we expect universities to make their admissions criteria fair, accessible and transparent.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 28/02/2019 17:50:27 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1077036

	registered interest
	date	25/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Higher Education: Correspondence
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 20 February (HL13570), what regulations are in place to ensure that Higher Education institutions maintain high standards of accuracy and transparency in correspondence with external stakeholders, especially correspondence relating to offers for study on a deferred basis.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL13960
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2019 answer text <p>While higher education institutions have autonomy over admissions, the vast majority of undergraduate applications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are handled by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) on behalf of those institutions. As the shared admissions service, UCAS offers support to universities and colleges in this area through their services. It is also in institutions’ interests to keep accurate and transparent records of applications and admission. The Office for Students, as the independent regulator of higher education, also has a legal responsibility to ensure that registered institutions are acting in the best interests of students, including support in access to higher education.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 06/03/2019 13:52:14 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1078958

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Admissions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 3 December 2018 (HL11550), what further discussions have taken place between the Department for Education and the Russell Group of universities regarding adding music to their list of facilitating subjects; and what progress has been made in that regard.
	tabling member printed	Lord Black of Brentwood
	uin	HL14081
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/03/2019 answer text <p>This government recognises the importance of arts subjects, including music. Universities are autonomous from government and consequently control the criteria used to determine admissions. We are aware that the Russell Group, which comprises 24 of the UK’s leading universities, publish guidance designed to assist applicants in identifying the A level subjects most likely to facilitate entry to one of their member universities. From engagement with the Russell Group, we understand they are currently reviewing their guidance.</p><p>The ability for students to make informed choices is at the heart of our recent reforms to higher education. We are increasing the information available to students to ensure they can make informed choices about what and where to study.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 11/03/2019 15:05:34 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4171 label Biography information for Lord Black of Brentwood

1081642

	registered interest
	date	04/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Admissions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 28 February (HL13946), whether there are regulations that cover the reversal of prior conditional offers of places to students who were subsequently deemed to have satisfied previously advertised admissions criteria for their intended course; if so, what they are; and whether recommendations were made to the Office for Students to the effect that students whose offer of a place on their intended course had been reversed should instead be unconditionally offered a place on a different course at the same institution, for which the student concerned had not originally applied.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL14175
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2019 answer text <p>There are no such regulations, and no recommendations have been made to the Office for Students (OfS) to that effect.</p><p>In relation to undergraduate admissions, once an offer has been made and accepted by a prospective student, a contract is formed between the higher education provider and the student. This is certainly the view of the Competition and Markets Authority, as set out on page 31 of its guidance to higher education providers on consumer law dated 12 March 2015, and it is already a condition of registration imposed by the OfS that registered providers must give due regard to relevant guidance on how to comply with consumer law. Given this, we do not see the need for any additional regulation to protect students against the potential withdrawal of an offer they have already accepted.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 18/03/2019 11:30:19 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1083407

	registered interest
	date	06/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Agriculture: Education
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to increasing the funding available for agricultural courses where they contain significant STEM elements.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Byford
	uin	HL14290
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2019 answer text <p>The government already provides funding via the Office for Students to support subjects where the costs of teaching exceed the income that providers receive through tuition fees. This includes agricultural courses with elements of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Current rates of high-cost funding are included in the ‘Office for Students: Guide to funding 2018-19’, attached.</p><p>Future funding for higher education will be announced in the forthcoming Spending Review following the Review of Post-18 Education and Funding, which is currently underway.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 20/03/2019 17:55:02 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie attachment 1 file name HL14290_OfS_Guide_to_Funding_2018_to_2019.pdf title HL14290_OfS_Guide_to_Funding_2018_2019
	tabling member	3343 label Biography information for Baroness Byford

1083408

	registered interest
	date	06/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Distance Learning: Rural Areas
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to increase the availability of distance learning in rural areas where transport availability is difficult.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Byford
	uin	HL14291
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2019 answer text <p>Distance learning offers excellent possibilities to open up choice and opportunity to people from a diverse range of backgrounds, including those from rural areas, and the government believes it should be widely available at a range of educational levels. Student support for tuition at higher education (HE) level is available for students who want to study on a part-time basis or by distance learning.</p><p> </p><p>The National Retraining Scheme (NRS) is an ambitious, far-reaching programme to drive adult retraining. It will help individuals to respond to the changing labour market, redirect their careers and secure better, more secure jobs of the future.</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. The pilots are aimed at adults who are working, or who are returning to work, with either low or intermediate skills. A range of delivery methods are being tested; most of the projects will make use of on-line technologies to a degree, as well as ‘blended learning’ that combines online and face-to-face learning.</p><p>My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has previously announced that Educational Technology (Edtech) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) would be a key feature of the NRS. Technological innovation and development, including in AI, will play an important part in improving the learning experience, design and effectiveness of online training.</p><p> </p><p>The government has committed up to £30 million of funding. Working closely with the technology industry we will look to innovate, test and develop ways in which technological solutions can directly answer the specific needs of NRS users alongside all learners. Details of the funding will be announced in spring 2019.</p><p> </p><p>It is only right that HE providers offer a range of options which suit all students, and that students have a real choice about where and how to study. The Review of Post-18 Education and Funding will consider how we can encourage and support more learning that is flexible, like part-time and distance learning, and enable more people to study close to where they live. The review will report later this year.</p><p> </p><p>The regulatory system is also a means of opening up HE to a more diverse range of provision and therefore to a wider range of students. The Higher Education and Research Act, which came into law in 2017, placed a duty on the Office for Students to consider other modes of study when promoting choice and opportunity in the provision of HE.</p><p> </p><p>Through recent HE reforms, we are working to support and encourage high quality new and innovative provision that has a strong offer for students, helping providers to navigate the regulatory system and we will continue to work with new providers to tackle any barriers that might arise.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 20/03/2019 17:57:19 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3343 label Biography information for Baroness Byford

1087587

	registered interest
	date	12/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Erasmus+ Programme
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 11 March (HL Deb, cols 831–3), what progress has been made on discussions about a domestic alternative to Erasmus+; and what plans they have to consult with higher education organisations about any such scheme.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe
	uin	HL14501
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2019 answer text <p>The government values international exchange and collaboration in education and training as part of its vision for a global Britain. We are open to participation in the successor Erasmus+ scheme (2021/27) though this will ultimately be subject to wider UK-EU negotiations on the future partnership. We are considering a wide range of options with regards to the future of international exchange and collaboration in education and training, including potential domestic alternatives. As part of this process, the Department for Education (DfE) is listening to stakeholder views. We have also noted and are considering the recommendations from the recent House of Lords EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee on the future of Erasmus+.</p><p>Further to this, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Universities, Science and Innovation meet with representatives of universities regularly to discuss the DfE agenda, and that has included the question of international exchanges following the UK’s exit from the EU.</p><p>As we progress our thinking and work on our plans for the possibility of participation in the successor Erasmus+ programme or a domestic alternative, we will continue to engage with and seek the views of sector stakeholders, among others.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 22/03/2019 14:52:33 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	2471 label Biography information for Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe

1087595

	registered interest
	date	12/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Post-18 Education and Funding Review
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions have taken place, or are planned, with HM Treasury regarding the balancing of funding between colleges and universities as a result of the Review of Post-18 Education and Funding.
	tabling member printed	Lord Watson of Invergowrie
	uin	HL14508
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2019 answer text <p>The review is taking a systemic view of provision and funding across the post-18 education and funding landscape. The lead departments, including Her Majesty’s Treasury, are continuing to work together to make progress with the review so we can deliver a post-18 education system that is accessible to all, delivers the skills that the country needs and is value for money for both the taxpayer and students.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 22/03/2019 14:59:28 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1241 label Biography information for Lord Watson of Invergowrie

1091620

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: USA
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made any assessment of the impact of cash-for-student-places granted by the University of Southern California and other major US colleagues on the mutual recognition of qualifications and standards with equivalent UK institutions.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL14665
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/03/2019 answer text <p>The UK has a robust system for the recognition of international qualifications. The UK National Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC) provides expert advice on behalf of the government on the comparability of international qualifications with those of the UK. Our universities and colleges are supported by the UK NARIC service in making decisions on the eligibility of applicants for places in their courses.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 29/03/2019 12:06:19 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

1091634

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Overseas Students
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the number of overseas students attending academic institutions in the UK continues to grow in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
	tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
	uin	HL14678
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/03/2019 answer text <p>The government fully recognises the important contribution that international students make, both economically and culturally, to the UK’s higher education sector.</p><p>On 16 March, the government published its international education strategy, attached, setting out its ambition to increase the value of education exports to £35 billion per year and to increase the total number of international students hosted by UK universities to 600,000 by 2030.</p><p>To provide certainty to prospective EU students, we have confirmed that EU nationals starting courses in the academic year 2019/20 or before will continue to be eligible for undergraduate, postgraduate and Advanced Learner Loan financial support from Student Finance England for the duration of their course, provided that they meet the residency requirements.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 29/03/2019 12:06:54 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie attachment 1 file name HL14678_International_Education_Strategy.pdf title HL14678_International_Education_Strategy
	tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1092456

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Teachers: Migrant Workers
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps schools, colleges and local education authorities are taking to ensure that teaching staff from EU countries are aware of what their citizenship status will be post-Brexit.
	tabling member printed	Lord Storey
	uin	HL14711
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/03/2019 answer text <p>The department continues to plan for EU Exit and to ensure that we are best prepared for all potential scenarios. As part of our planning, we are taking steps to ensure that our schools, further education and higher education institutions, and local authorities are similarly prepared.</p><p> </p><p>The department published guidance to provide information and advice to our stakeholders on how to best prepare. The notices include information on the EU Settlement Scheme and on the arrangements that apply to EU, European Economic Area and Swiss citizens arriving after EU Exit. The notices form part of the government's public information campaign which can be viewed at this link: <a href="https://euexit.campaign.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://euexit.campaign.gov.uk/</a>. This campaign ensures that UK citizens and organisations, EU citizens living in the UK, and UK nation​als living in the EU are well informed about how EU Exit will affect them and about the practical steps they will need to take to be ready for it.</p><p> </p><p>The department has shared guidance with a large number of our stakeholders across the education sector. This includes the document ‘EU exit: no deal preparations for schools in England’, attached[1].</p><p> </p><p>It also includes ‘EU exit: no deal preparations for higher education institutions’ guidance, attached,[2] and ‘EU exit: no deal preparations for further education and apprenticeship providers’ guidance’, also attached[3].</p><p> </p><p>The document ‘EU Exit: No deal preparations for local authority children's services[4]​’, which will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>[1] <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-exit-no-deal-preparations-for-schools-in-england" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-exit-no-deal-preparations-for-schools-in-england</a>.</p><p>[2] <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-exit-no-deal-preparations-for-higher-education-institutions" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-exit-no-deal-preparations-for-higher-education-institutions</a>.</p><p>[3] <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-exit-no-deal-preparations-for-further-education-and-apprenticeship-providers" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-exit-no-deal-preparations-for-further-education-and-apprenticeship-providers</a>.</p><p>[4] <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-exit-no-deal-preparations-for-local-authority-childrens-services-in-england" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-exit-no-deal-preparations-for-local-authority-childrens-services-in-england</a>.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie attachment 1 file name HL14711_EU_exit_no_deal_preparations_for_further_education_and_apprenticeship_providers.pdf title HL14711_EU_exit_preparations_for_further_education 2 file name HL14711_EU_exit_no_deal_preparations_for_higher_education_institutions.pdf title HL14711_EU_exit_preparations_for_higher_education 3 file name HL14711_EU_exit_no_deal_preparations_for_schools.pdf title HL14711_EU_exit_preparations_for_schools question first answered 29/03/2019 14:07:20 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4238 label Biography information for Lord Storey

1104650

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Erasmus+ Programme
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current position of the Erasmus+ scheme (1) in this year, and (2) in future years; and in what ways Brexit has affected that scheme.
	tabling member printed	Lord Greaves
	uin	HL14775
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>The government values international exchange and collaboration in education and training as part of its vision for a global Britain. Irrespective of the outcome of Article 50 negotiations with the EU, the government wants UK and European countries to continue to give young people and students the chance to benefit from each other’s world leading universities post-exit.</p><p>Under the terms of the proposed Withdrawal Agreement, UK organisations and participants will continue to be able to take part in the Erasmus+ Programme this year and in the future up to the end of the current Multiannual Financial Framework.</p><p>While securing a negotiated deal remains the government’s top priority, we are committed to ensuring that organisations, students and participating staff are prepared in the event of a no deal EU exit. To provide more clarity, we published a new technical notice at the end of January, which provides detailed guidance to organisations and students on the UK’s anticipated participation in the current Erasmus+ programme (2014-20) in the event of no deal. The technical notice, attached, can be found at: <a href="https://bit.ly/2GaP28y" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/2GaP28y</a>.</p><p>As is set out in this notice, the government’s underwrite guarantee will cover the payment of awards to UK organisations for all successful (those that are approved directly by the European Commission or by the National Agency and ratified by the European Commission) Erasmus+ bids. This includes projects and participants that are only informed of their success, or who sign a grant agreement, after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, and commits to underwrite funding for the entire lifetime of the projects.</p><p>The UK is open to participating in the next Erasmus+ programme (2021-27). We have been considering the draft regulation for the successor scheme carefully and have been actively participating in discussions on this. Ultimately, participation in the successor programme is a matter for negotiations to come about our future relationship with the EU.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 05/04/2019 10:52:30 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie attachment 1 file name HL14775_Erasmus_+_Technical_Notice.doc title HL14775_Erasmus+_Technical_Notice
	tabling member	2569 label Biography information for Lord Greaves

1104666

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Degrees
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of first class degrees awarded by the (1) University of Surrey, and (2) University of Bradford; whether they have had any discussions with those universities about the number of such degrees awarded; and if so, what were the outcomes of any such discussions.
	tabling member printed	Lord Myners
	uin	HL14791
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>The Higher Education and Research Act 2017 established a new independent regulator in England, the Office for Students (OfS). The act gives the OfS powers to assess the quality and standards applied to higher education by English providers.</p><p>The government has made it clear in guidance to the OfS that grade inflation must be tackled. In their strategy, attached, the OfS includes ensuring “qualifications hold their value over time” as a key objective. In December 2018, the OfS published analysis of changes in degree classifications between 2010-11 and 2016-17, which is attached. This includes data on the University of Surrey and the University of Bradford.</p><p>On 24 March, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education called for universities to end the steep rise of “unjustifiable” first class degrees which is a threat to the world class reputation of the university sector, and risks undermining the efforts of hard working students. The government expects the OfS, when it has its full range of powers, to challenge those institutions that record an unjustifiable rise in the proportion of top degrees being awarded.</p><p>The OfS’ statutory powers are on course to be strengthened through new regulations due to be laid in Parliament later this year, which will allow the OfS to levy fines of up to £500,000 or 2% of a university’s income (whichever is higher). The UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment is developing sector-recognised standards to ensure that all degree awards are consistent and fair - due to be completed this academic year. Together, these measures will strengthen the regulator’s ability to challenge universities with unwarranted grade inflation and hold them to account.</p><p>Any university found to be damaging students’ interests could be subject to sanctions such as placing additional conditions on their registration, fines, or in the worst case scenario removing a university’s powers to award degrees.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie attachment 1 file name HL14791_OfS_Strategy_2018_2021.pdf title HL14791_OfS_Strategy_2018_2021 2 file name HL14791_Analysis_of_Degree_Classifications.pdf title HL14791_Analysis_of_Degree_Classifications question first answered 05/04/2019 10:54:12 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3869 label Biography information for Lord Myners

1105656

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 7 March (HL Deb, col 717), whether they will set out the bodies representing different groups of universities with which they have dealings; and whether they will indicate in each case the membership of the group.
	tabling member printed	Lord Grocott
	uin	HL14848
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2019 answer text <p>The Department for Education (DfE) deals with numerous stakeholders in the higher education (HE) sector. The bodies representing HE providers are set out below.</p><p> </p><p>Universities UK is a membership body that includes the vice chancellors of most UK universities. Its membership can be found at: <a href="https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/about/Pages/member-institutions.aspx" target="_blank">https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/about/Pages/member-institutions.aspx</a>;</p><p> </p><p>GuildHE represents a number of smaller and specialist HE providers. Its membership can be found at: <a href="https://guildhe.ac.uk/our-members/" target="_blank">https://guildhe.ac.uk/our-members/</a>; and</p><p> </p><p>Independent HE (formerly Study UK<strong>) </strong>is a UK membership organisation and national representative body for independent providers of HE (alternative providers) and professional training and pathway providers. Its membership can be found at: <a href="http://independenthe.com/members" target="_blank">http://independenthe.com/members</a>.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The DfE also deal with the following self-organised mission groups:</p><p> </p><p>The Russell Group is an association of 24 long-established universities. Its membership can be found at: <a href="https://russellgroup.ac.uk/about/our-universities/" target="_blank">https://russellgroup.ac.uk/about/our-universities/</a>;</p><p> </p><p>Million+ describes itself as a university think-tank, whose members are mainly more recently established universities. Its membership can be found at: <a href="http://www.millionplus.ac.uk/who-we-are/members" target="_blank">http://www.millionplus.ac.uk/who-we-are/members</a>; and</p><p> </p><p>University Alliance represents a number of post92 universities. Its membership can be found at: <a href="https://www.unialliance.ac.uk/alliance-universities/" target="_blank">https://www.unialliance.ac.uk/alliance-universities/</a>.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 03/04/2019 15:26:44 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	276 label Biography information for Lord Grocott

1105689

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Agriculture: Degrees
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many agriculture degrees in England offer modules on agroecology.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
	uin	HL14869
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes data on UK higher education (HE).</p><p>Analysis of HESA’s ‘Student Record 2017/18’ shows that there were 2 HE institutions in England with one or more participants in agroecology[1] modules in the academic year 2017/18. These agroecology modules were all at postgraduate level at either Harper Adams University or Coventry University.</p><p>Module data for HE provided by further education colleges and alternative providers is not held centrally.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>[1] Relevant module titles identified in the HESA Student Record were ‘Fundamentals of Agroecology’, ‘Agroecological Techniques and Practices’ and ‘Agroecological Production Systems’.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 05/04/2019 10:40:18 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

1105691

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Science: Higher Education
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) entomology, (2) soil science, and (3) microbial science professors, there are at English universities.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
	uin	HL14870
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes statistics on staff at UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Latest statistics refer to the academic year 2017/18.</p><p> </p><p>Each staff member can be recorded as teaching and/or researching up to 3 academic disciplines[1]. Counts of the number of academic staff and professors involved in the most closely related academic disciplines to those requested have been provided in the table:</p><p> </p><p><strong>Full-person-equivalent<strong>[2]</strong> academic staff by current academic discipline at English HEIs for </strong></p><p><strong>Academic Year 2017/18</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Academic discipline</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Professors</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>All academic staff</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>C340 Entomology</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>65</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>F770 Soil Science</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>25</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>C500 Microbiology</p></td><td><p>55</p></td><td><p>445</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>C510 Applied Microbiology</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>55</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Source: Department for Education analysis of the HESA Staff Record</p><p> </p><p>Notes:</p><p>Figures are rounded to the nearest 5 in line with HESA’s rounding strategy.</p><p> </p><p>Staff can be recorded across more than one academic discipline, so rows in the table ought not to be summed together.</p><p> </p><p>‘Professor’ indicates a member of staff holding a contract which aligns with the Universities and Colleges Employers Association contract level 5A 'Professor'. This may undercount professors because many will fall into more senior levels, e.g. Heads of department.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>[1] Academic disciplines are categorised using the Joint Academic Coding System: <a href="https://www.hesa.ac.uk/collection/c17025/a/curaccdis" target="_blank">https://www.hesa.ac.uk/collection/c17025/a/curaccdis</a>.</p><p> </p><p>[2] The definition for full-person-equivalent is available from the HESA website:</p><p><a href="https://www.hesa.ac.uk/collection/c17025/fte_vs_fpe" target="_blank">https://www.hesa.ac.uk/collection/c17025/fte_vs_fpe</a>.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 05/04/2019 11:59:04 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

1105826

	registered interest
	date	28/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Students: Loans
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether university income from student tuition fee loans is classed as public or private funds; what legal advice, if any, they have received to this effect; and whether they will publish any such advice.
	tabling member printed	Lord Mendelsohn
	uin	HL14912
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>The government pays universities directly in respect of the tuition fee loans which are approved for eligible students each year. Students are then legally obliged to repay any tuition fee loans in accordance with the contract they sign when taking out the loan. The Office for National Statistics classifies the money provided by the government to cover tuition fees as a debt for the purposes of the public finances. The government does not ordinarily disclose its legal advice as that is protected by legal professional privilege.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 05/04/2019 12:00:21 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4286 label Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn

1109871

	registered interest
	date	04/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 3 April (HL14848), whether they will provide in the text of their response to this question a list of the members of (1) the Russell Group, (2) Million+, and (3) University Alliance.
	tabling member printed	Lord Grocott
	uin	HL15063
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/04/2019 answer text <p>Information regarding a list of members of the Russell Group, Million+ and University Alliance is not held centrally. However, information from the members’ websites is reflected in the following table:</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>1) Russell Group Membership</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2) Million+</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>3) University Alliance</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Birmingham University</p></td><td><p>Abertay University</p></td><td><p>UWE Bristol</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>University of Bristol</p></td><td><p>Anglia Ruskin</p></td><td><p>University of Greenwich</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>University of Cambridge</p></td><td><p>Bath Spa University</p></td><td><p>University of Central Lancashire</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cardiff University</p></td><td><p>University of Bedfordshire</p></td><td><p>University of Brighton</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Durham University</p></td><td><p>University of Bolton</p></td><td><p>The Open University</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>University of Edinburgh</p></td><td><p>Canterbury Christ Church University</p></td><td><p>Teesside University</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>University of Exeter</p></td><td><p>University of Cumbria</p></td><td><p>University of South Wales</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>University of Glasgow</p></td><td><p>University of East London</p></td><td><p>University of Salford</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Imperial College London</p></td><td><p>Edinburgh Napier University</p></td><td><p>University of Portsmouth</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>King's College London</p></td><td><p>Glasgow Caledonian University</p></td><td><p>Oxford Brookes University</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>University of Leeds</p></td><td><p>University of the Highlands and Islands</p></td><td><p>Nottingham Trent University</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>University of Liverpool</p></td><td><p>Leeds Trinity University</p></td><td><p>Kingston University</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>London School of Economics</p></td><td><p>London Metropolitan University</p></td><td><p>University of Hertfordshire</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>University of Manchester</p></td><td><p>London South Bank</p></td><td><p>Coventry University</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Newcastle University</p></td><td><p>Middlesex University</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>University of Nottingham</p></td><td><p>Southampton Solent University</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>University of Oxford</p></td><td><p>University of Sunderland</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Queen Mary University of London</p></td><td><p>University of West London</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Queen's University Belfast</p></td><td><p>University of the West of Scotland</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>University of Sheffield</p></td><td><p>University of Staffordshire</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>University of Southampton</p></td><td><p>University of Wolverhampton</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>University College London</p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>University of Warwick</p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>University of York</p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Notes</p><ol><li>Information was taken from the members’ websites on 5 April.</li></ol><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 11/04/2019 13:12:14 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	276 label Biography information for Lord Grocott

1109888

	registered interest
	date	04/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Procurement
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, following Office for National Statistics changes to the recording of student loans in the national accounts, what guidance has been provided to universities regarding their classification, or otherwise, as contracting authorities for the purposes of the Public Service Contracts Regulations 2015.
	tabling member printed	Lord Mendelsohn
	uin	HL15080
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/04/2019 answer text <p>The Office for National Statistics (ONS) announcement is a statistical change. Therefore, there are no changes to the operation of the student loans system or Department for Education departmental accounting.</p><p>In April 2018, the ONS announced that they would review the treatment of student loans – in particular re-examine the classification of student loans as financial assets for government. They argued the stock of student loans has grown rapidly in recent years and a significant proportion of the total value of the loan book is now expected to be cancelled at maturity.</p><p>The ONS announced in December 2018 that the recording of student loans in the national accounts and public sector finances would mean that student loan payments will be split into a portion that is genuine government lending (and will be repaid) and a portion that is government spending (which is not expected to be repaid).</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 11/04/2019 13:36:38 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4286 label Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn

1110143

	registered interest
	date	08/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Science: Higher Education
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 5 April (HL14870), what plans they have to ensure more people are encouraged to study entomology and soil science to help address the decline in insect populations and the degradation of soils.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
	uin	HL15111
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>As announced in the Industrial Strategy, the government is committed to growing the skills we need for a dynamic and modern economy. This includes developing a technical education system that rivals the best in the world and stands alongside our world-class academic offer. We recognise the importance of investing in the types of skills to secure the scientific grounding and technological aptitude we need to be successful as our economy changes. The government is encouraging more students into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and training at all stages, starting from an early age.</p><p> </p><p>The early years foundation stage sets standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old. This includes helping young children understand the world, living things and the environment, as well as encouraging observations of animals and plants. Teachers are also encouraged to teach children about the natural, built and practical environments, for example, by providing small world equipment and taking care of flowerbeds.</p><p> </p><p>We have committed substantial spending on STEM skills, specifically on mathematics, digital and technical education, to increase the take-up and better teaching of STEM subjects in schools. There are also GCSEs that provide students with background knowledge relevant to agriculture-related studies, such as how humans use, modify and change ecosystems and environments in order to obtain food, energy and water. In GCSE biology, pupils will cover topics such as photosynthesis, gene technology and living organisms, which can include insects. Additionally, we introduced an environmental science A level in 2017, which includes topics such as the conservation of biodiversity.</p><p>As agriculture moves towards a more technical, automated and digital mode, and demand for these skills increases, the sector has the potential to offer exciting and interesting careers. The government has committed to improving STEM careers advice in schools in the careers strategy, attached, which ensures that STEM encounters, such as with employers and apprenticeships, are built into school career programmes by updating school and college statutory guidance.</p><p> </p><p>The government also funds a number of programmes that aim to inspire more young people to study science subjects, such as the STEM Ambassadors programme, and the CREST awards, which engages students in STEM related projects.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 24/04/2019 14:23:59 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie attachment 1 file name HL15111_Careers_strategy.pdf title HL15111_Careers_Strategy
	tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

1110666

	registered interest
	date	09/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Disabled Students' Allowances
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken since the inception of Disabled Students Allowance to ensure that those setting the criteria for the Disabled Students Allowance are fully informed about normal practice in identifying and supporting those with special educational needs within the school population.
	tabling member printed	Lord Addington
	uin	HL15130
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2019 answer text <p>The arrangements introduced in 2014 through the Children and Families Act for supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in schools and further education do not apply to students on a higher education course. This is because the higher education environment is very different to that in schools and in further education, with an emphasis on independent learning. The role of local authorities does not extend to securing higher education for young people with SEND. Moving into higher education is deemed a successful outcome for those with special educational needs.</p><p>Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) are available only to eligible students studying a designated higher education course. There are no plans to align the eligibility criteria with those used for providing support in the schools sector. However, where a young person has an education, health and care plan the local authority is required to share that information with the DSAs study needs assessor, if that is requested by the young person.</p><p>This ensures that strategies that have already been used successfully in earlier stages of education may be considered within the context of higher education.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie grouped question UIN HL15131 question first answered 25/04/2019 14:53:31 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3453 label Biography information for Lord Addington

1110667

	registered interest
	date	09/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Disabled Students' Allowances
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to ensure that (1) currently, and (2) in the future, those setting the criteria for eligibility for Disabled Students Allowance consult the school sector about making such criteria compatible and in accordance with recommended practice for special education needs and disability within the maintained school system.
	tabling member printed	Lord Addington
	uin	HL15131
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2019 answer text <p>The arrangements introduced in 2014 through the Children and Families Act for supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in schools and further education do not apply to students on a higher education course. This is because the higher education environment is very different to that in schools and in further education, with an emphasis on independent learning. The role of local authorities does not extend to securing higher education for young people with SEND. Moving into higher education is deemed a successful outcome for those with special educational needs.</p><p>Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) are available only to eligible students studying a designated higher education course. There are no plans to align the eligibility criteria with those used for providing support in the schools sector. However, where a young person has an education, health and care plan the local authority is required to share that information with the DSAs study needs assessor, if that is requested by the young person.</p><p>This ensures that strategies that have already been used successfully in earlier stages of education may be considered within the context of higher education.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie grouped question UIN HL15130 question first answered 25/04/2019 14:53:31 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3453 label Biography information for Lord Addington

1110678

	registered interest
	date	09/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Students: Loans
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the rates of interest charged on student loans to ensure they properly reflect the Bank of England interest rate.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Brady
	uin	HL15142
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2019 answer text <p>The system for setting interest rates on student loans is set out in The Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) Regulations 2009, as amended. The Department for Education sets the interest rate as instructed by the regulations.</p><p> </p><p>For post-2012 student loans, the department regularly monitors the interest rates set on student loans against the interest rates prevailing on the market. The most appropriate comparators for undergraduate student loans are the effective interest rates available on unsecured personal loans, as published by the Bank of England (data series CFMBJ77 and CFMBJ94). Both rates continue to be above the maximum interest rate charged on student loans.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 25/04/2019 14:52:48 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4339 label Biography information for Baroness Brady

1110691

	registered interest
	date	09/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: USA
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 29 March (HL14665), whether they have had, or intend to have, discussions with the government of the United States about the possible effects of incidents of cash-for-student places at United States colleges on the mutual standing of higher education institutions between the UK and the United States.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL15155
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2019 answer text <p>In order to support the standing of our higher education institutions, the UK government regularly engages with other countries to aid the mutual recognition of qualifications. To support this objective, the UK National Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC) provides expert advice on behalf of the UK government on the comparability of international qualifications with those of the UK. They have close links with their counterparts in countries around the world, including in the US. Our universities and colleges are supported by the UK NARIC service in making decisions on the eligibility of applicants for places in their courses.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 25/04/2019 14:32:31 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

1122885

	registered interest
	date	24/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Gambling: Females
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that female gambling addicts now outnumber male gambling addicts in Sweden; and what plans they have to re-evaluate and expand the policy evidence base in the UK in respect of the gender makeup of gambling addicts.
	tabling member printed	Lord Chadlington
	uin	HL15276
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2019 answer text <p>The main source of data for problem and at-risk gambling behaviour in Great Britain is the Health Surveys for England and Scotland, and the Problem Gambling Survey Wales. 2016 data showed that men were more likely than women to be classified as a problem gambler (1.2% and 0.2% respectively). The surveys also indicated that certain other groups are at greater risk of experiencing problems from gambling, including those with poor mental health or who are unemployed. However, further work is needed to understand the nature of these associations.</p><p> </p><p>Government recognises the importance of building understanding of how gambling related harm is experienced and by whom. Public Health England (PHE) is carrying out an evidence review looking at the health harms associated with gambling and the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board (now called the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling, ABSG) published a paper setting out a potential framework for measuring harm. Protecting vulnerable people from gambling-related harm is a priority for the Government and where there is evidence that a particular product or environment is causing harm, we will take action.</p><p> </p><p>In March 2019, government awarded just over £1 million to GamCare for a project to raise awareness of how gambling is linked with a range of issues affecting women and girls and help to better identify women in need of support. One of the core work strands of the programme is to build data in this area.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 09/05/2019 11:29:32 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3318 label Biography information for Lord Chadlington

1123295

	registered interest
	date	25/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Sports: Females
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are giving to women’s and girl’s (1) football, and (2) cricket.
	tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
	uin	HL15351
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2019 answer text <p>We are determined to get more girls and women playing sport, something we set out in our sport strategy, Sporting Future. There are excellent initiatives that already exist to encourage women to take up sport and physical activity. For example Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign has been developed to get women and girls moving, regardless of shape, size and ability.</p><p> </p><p>Sport England are investing in a series of programmes and initiatives to increase participation amongst women and girls in football and cricket. This includes £10m between 2017/21 in the Football Association to help support their aspiration to double the number of women and girls’ affiliated teams to 12,000 by 2020. Sport England are also investing £9m in the England and Wales Cricket Board over between 2017 and 2021, much of which will be used to promote greater participation of women and girls in cricket. This includes a suite of flexible cricket formats to strengthen the pathway from beginner through to performance level, linked to the This Girl Can campaign.</p><p> </p><p>The broadcasting of sporting events such as this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup will continue to showcase women’s sport and inspire the next generation.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 09/05/2019 11:30:59 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

1123296

	registered interest
	date	25/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Public Libraries
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are giving to sustaining libraries in England.
	tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
	uin	HL15352
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2019 answer text <p>Local authorities in England have a statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. It is for individual local authorities to decide how best to provide a public library service that meets local needs within their available resources. DCMS works across central and local government to encourage investment in libraries to ensure they can continue to support the delivery of local and national priorities and needs.</p><p> </p><p>The DCMS funded Libraries Taskforce was established, by DCMS and the Local Government Association, to devise and implement the “Libraries Deliver” strategy which helps support and reinvigorate the public library service in England. It works with sector partners to advocate for libraries and to share and promote good practice to help libraries better serve their communities.</p><p> </p><p>Arts Council England, the development agency for libraries, funded by DCMS, is providing total financial support of £1.6 million per annum to seven libraries’ organisations through its National Portfolio 2018 to 2022. DCMS has also provided direct funding support to library services in England, including a £2.6 million programme to support the installation or upgrade of wifi in public libraries in England, as well as £3.9m for the Libraries: Opportunities for Everyone fund, to support innovative library service activity to benefit disadvantaged people and places in England.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 09/05/2019 11:41:10 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark