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1133892

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2019
	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	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which universities (a) Sir Philip Augar and (b) members of the Augar panel visited during the Post-18 review of education and funding.
	tabling member constituency	Ilford North
	tabling member printed	Wes Streeting
	uin	267762
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2019 answer text <p>The independent panel undertook an extensive programme of engagement with a wide spectrum of stakeholders and experts across the post-18 landscape. This included visits and discussions with officials at universities.</p><p> </p><p>Sir Philip Augar directly engaged with the following universities: Coventry University, University of Exeter, University of Gloucestershire, Nottingham Trent University, University of Reading, University of Warwick and University of Winchester.</p><p> </p><p>The other panel members directly engaged with University of the Arts London, University of Aston, University of Bedfordshire, Birkbeck University, Bloomsbury Institute, University of Central Lancashire, University of Cumbria, University of Derby, University of Exeter, University of Lincoln, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Open University, Queen Mary University, Southampton Solent University, University of Staffordshire, University of Suffolk and University of Wolverhampton.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 26/06/2019 15:38:37 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	4504 label Biography information for Wes Streeting

1136704

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Higher Education: Antisemitism
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and which higher education institutions have adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
	tabling member constituency	Ilford North
	tabling member printed	Wes Streeting
	uin	272895
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>On 16 May 2019, I wrote to all higher education institutions to urge them to consider adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. I set out my view that this is a useful tool, which will help front-line services better understand and recognise instances of antisemitism.</p><p> </p><p>The government believes that adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism sends a clear message that antisemitic behaviour will not be tolerated, and that any instances of antisemitism will be taken very seriously.</p><p> </p><p>Higher education providers are autonomous organisations who are independent from the government and individually responsible for deciding whether to adopt the IHRA definition and this information is therefore not held centrally.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 10/07/2019 12:59:10 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore previous answer version 127750 answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	4504 label Biography information for Wes Streeting

1134553

	registered interest
	date	25/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Antisemitism
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what monitoring is taking place on university campuses to ensure compliance with the International Holocaust Remembrance Association definition of anti-semitism.
	tabling member constituency	Bristol West
	tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
	uin	269079
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2019 answer text <p>There is no place in our society, including within higher education, for hatred or any form of discrimination or racism, such as antisemitism. This is why I have called on higher education providers to accept the International Holocaust Remembrance Association (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.</p><p> </p><p>Higher education providers are autonomous organisations, responsible for the management of their own internal affairs. They should discharge their responsibilities fully and have robust policies and procedures in place to comply with the law, and to investigate and swiftly address all hate crime, including any antisemitic incidents that are reported.</p><p> </p><p>On 16 May 2019, I wrote to all higher education providers to urge them to consider adopting the IHRA definition and set out my view that this is a useful tool which will help front-line services better understand and recognise instances of antisemitism. The government believes that adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism sends a clear message that antisemitic behaviour will not be tolerated, and that any instances of antisemitism will be taken very seriously.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 03/07/2019 08:16:01 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

1137209

	registered interest
	date	05/07/2019
	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	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that the specification of laptops supplied to students with vision impairment through the disabled students’ allowance is updated allow updating of necessary software over the duration of degree programme.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
	tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
	uin	273733
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>The department is currently reviewing the specification of equipment provided to visually impaired students, to ensure that it remains fit for purpose throughout the duration of students’ courses.</p><p> </p><p>Students that experience issues with their equipment are advised to contact their assessment centre or Student Finance England so that these issues can be considered and rectified.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 10/07/2019 14:25:54 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1137429

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	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	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he plans to merge the allowances for non-medical, equipment and general support for disabled students’ allowance to permit more flexibility in how that allowance may be spent by undergraduate students.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
	tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
	uin	274435
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The department has no plans to merge the 4 separate Disabled Students’ Allowances currently available to undergraduate students.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 15/07/2019 15:16:07 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1133301

	registered interest
	date	19/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Higher Education: Mental Health
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the report by the Higher Education Policy Institute entitled Pressure Vessels: The epidemic of poor mental health among higher education staff, what assessment he has made of the reasons behind the increase in poor mental health among academics and the increasing numbers of university staff being referred to counselling and occupational health services.
	tabling member constituency	Preston
	tabling member printed	Sir Mark Hendrick
	uin	266797
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>Mental health is a priority for this government which is why last week (17 June 2019) my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister announced measures which overhaul the government’s approach to preventing mental illness. These measures include £1 million to the Office of Students for a competition to find innovative new ways to support mental health at universities and colleges.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Education is also working closely with Universities UK on embedding the Step Change programme, which calls on higher education leaders to adopt mental health as a strategic priority and take a whole-institution approach to embed a culture of good mental health practice.</p><p> </p><p>The university Mental Health Charter announced in June 2018 will drive up standards in promoting mental health and wellbeing, positive working environments and excellent support for both students and staff.</p><p> </p><p>The Independent Review of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers led by Professor Julia Buckingham has recognised issues of wellbeing and the challenges that arise from the use of short and fixed term contracts. Recommendations are currently under review and a revised concordat is expected by the end of June.</p><p> </p><p>However, universities are autonomous institutions and it is the responsibility of Vice Chancellors to give due consideration to the way their policies and practises impact on staff. This includes responsible use of performance management, workload models and other metrics to assure both student and staff success.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 25/06/2019 12:01:42 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

1134008

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	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	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to implement the Augar recommendations to deliver a fairer higher education system.
	tabling member constituency	Haltemprice and Howden
	tabling member printed	Mr David Davis
	uin	268374
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The government will consider the panel’s recommendations carefully and will conclude the review at the Spending Review. The government has not yet taken decisions with regards to the recommendations put forward.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 01/07/2019 15:24:55 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	373 label Biography information for Sir David Davis

1137175

	registered interest
	date	05/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Higher Education: Casual Workers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the University and College Union report entitled, Counting the costs of casualisation in higher education, published June 2019, what assessment he has made of the (a) effect of job insecurity on mental and physical health and (b) level of financial stability of Cambridge teaching staff; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Feltham and Heston
	tabling member printed	Seema Malhotra
	uin	273794
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>Mental health is a priority for the government, which is why my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister recently announced measures (17 June 2019) which overhaul the government’s approach to preventing mental illness. These measures included providing £1 million to the Office of Students for a competition to find innovative new ways to support mental health at universities and colleges.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Education is working closely with Universities UK on embedding the Step Change programme. This calls on higher education (HE) leaders to adopt mental health as a strategic priority and take a whole-institution approach to embed a culture of good mental health practice.</p><p> </p><p>The University Mental Health Charter, which was announced in June 2018, is also expected to drive up standards in promoting mental health and wellbeing, positive working environments and excellent support for both students and staff.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>As independent and autonomous institutions, HE providers are responsible for decisions regarding the contracts they offer to academic staff. Like all employers, HE providers, including Cambridge University have a duty of care to their staff. The department expects them to take this very seriously. We also expect universities to give due consideration to their obligations under the Equality Act (2010) and the way their employment practices affect different sections of their communities and staff at different stages of their careers.</p><p> </p><p>I gave a speech on 7 May 2019 that focused on early career researcher contracts. I am keen that early career academics do not get lost from policy debates, particularly around key issues such as mental health and wellbeing. The Independent Review of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, led by Professor Julia Buckingham, has recognised issues of wellbeing and the challenges that arise from the use of short and fixed-term contracts. Recommendations are currently under review and a revised concordat is expected in September 2019.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 10/07/2019 13:55:00 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	4253 label Biography information for Seema Malhotra

1135834

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Graduates: Average Earnings
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of ensuring universities publish potential earnings returns for all degree courses.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	271402
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>Students’ ability to make informed choices is at the heart of the higher education reform agenda. The government is taking steps to improve the quality of information provided to students and how it is presented. We want to equip prospective students with the information to make the right choice for them about where and what to study.</p><p> </p><p>The value of higher education is about more than just economic returns. It provides wider benefits such as employability, social impact and important cultural value, which enriches our society. However, data shows that there are disparities between the outcomes seen from the same subject at different institutions, highlighting universities that need to improve and maximise the potential of their courses.</p><p> </p><p>The Unistats website is an official site that allows prospective students to search for and compare data and information on university and college courses across the UK, and it is available at: <a href="https://unistats.ac.uk/" target="_blank">https://unistats.ac.uk/</a>. It is owned and operated by The Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland, The Office for Students, The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and The Scottish Funding Council and contains subject and course level data for each higher education provider. The information currently available includes average earnings 6 months after graduation, which has been taken from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, and average earnings 3 years after graduation which has been calculated from the Department for Education’s Longitudinal Education outcomes dataset. We expect that the Office for Students will launch a new information resource tool to replace Unistats in autumn 2019.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 08/07/2019 11:56:52 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1135844

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools and Universities: Admissions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the June 2019 Sutton Trust and Social Mobility Commission report Elitist Britain 2019: the educational backgrounds of Britain's leading people, what steps he is taking to tackle social segregation in schools; and whether he plans to introduce contextual recruitment and admissions practices for entry to the UK's top universities.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	271404
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2019 answer text <p>The gap between state-funded schools and independent schools has never been smaller. 85% of state-funded schools are now rated good or outstanding, compared to 68% in 2010. This has been driven by a range of reforms focusing on levelling the playing field and strengthening education from the bottom up.</p><p>Phonics is helping early literacy. More pupils leave primary school meeting the expected standards in maths and English. Our reformed GCSEs make sure 16-year-olds have the knowledge parents expect. The department is also encouraging good independent schools to provide means-tested bursaries, which broadens their intake to include pupils that would not otherwise be able to attend. Furthermore, the department is seeking to increase the number of partnerships between state-funded schools and good independent schools.</p><p>Universities are independent, autonomous bodies. As such, they are responsible for their own admissions decisions. We are aware that many of them already adopt contextual admissions practices, to encourage increased numbers of applications from disadvantaged students with the potential to succeed at university and we support such initiatives.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 04/07/2019 15:33:25 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly