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1331387

registered interest
date	09/06/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Training: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that models for apprenticeships, traineeships and other skills programmes (a) take into account changes in workplaces as a result of the covid-19 outbreak, and (b) are fit for future purpose in the context of that matter.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	13036
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/06/2021 answer text <p>It is important that our programmes provide the skills individuals and employers need now, and in the future, and that these are adaptable and responsive to emerging skills needs, and ways of working.</p><p>Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak we have responded quickly and flexibly, providing support and guidance for employers and apprentices, and we are committed to supporting a smooth transition as restrictions lift and apprentices return to work and training. Guidance for apprentices, employers, and training providers on this can be found here: <a href="https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/covid-19/recent-announcements/apprentices-returning-to-work-and-training/" target="_blank">https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/covid-19/recent-announcements/apprentices-returning-to-work-and-training/</a>.</p><p>We support employers who may wish to retain some of the agile and flexible training practices developed in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, where these deliver a good experience for apprentices and give them every opportunity to achieve their apprenticeship. For example, Ofsted identified ways in which further education and skills providers had adapted their provision to include further online and remote learning opportunities. More information can be found here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/933434/FES_COVID-19_briefing_October_2020.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/933434/FES_COVID-19_briefing_October_2020.pdf</a>.</p><p>Apprenticeships play an invaluable role in supporting people of all ages to start and progress in their careers and we are working closely with employers and providers to support them to train apprentices in the ways that best meet their needs. We are encouraging greater use of innovative apprenticeship training models, such as the ‘front-loading’ of off-the-job training, with tailored support now on offer to the construction and health and social care sectors. We are also developing accelerated apprenticeships so that apprentices with substantial prior learning, such as T Level graduates, can complete an apprenticeship more quickly.</p><p>In July, we are launching a £7 million fund to support more apprentices through the flexi job apprenticeship scheme. This will support employers and apprentices in sectors with more flexible employment models, like the creative industries, to make greater use of apprenticeships. We are also developing portable apprenticeships to further enable apprentices and employers to make use of apprenticeships in those sectors where short-term, project-based employment is the norm.</p><p>Since September 2020 we have been working with employers to develop new occupational traineeships which will provide young people with a tailored springboard into their industries. In May we introduced the first ever occupational traineeship in rail engineering with further occupational traineeships opportunities in the adult care, construction, digital, logistics and automotive sectors to follow in the summer. These traineeships will be aligned to apprenticeship standards and will significantly increase the opportunities for young people to progress into apprenticeships or other employment.</p><p>T Level students should have the opportunity to experience a real workplace setting during their industry placement, to help them develop their skills and receive the nurturing, mentoring and support needed to succeed. We have put in place additional funding and support for education providers and employers, including a new T Level employer incentive scheme, where employers will be eligible to claim a £1,000 payment for hosting a T Level industry placement, recognising the impact that COVID-19 is having on businesses.</p><p>We have also put in place specific measures to ensure that the first cohort of T Level students can complete their industry placement successfully, again in recognition of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. These include a temporary flexibility for the education and childcare industry placement hours requirement and alternative arrangements for summer assessments that will allow students to focus on their industry placement and the occupational specialism in the second year of their course. We are monitoring the situation closely and offering providers one to one support as needed.</p> answering member constituency Chichester answering member printed Gillian Keegan question first answered 14/06/2021 11:22:17 answering member 4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1331388

registered interest
date	09/06/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Apprentices: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support his Department plans to provide to people on an apprenticeship whose placements have been delayed as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	13037
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2021 answer text <p>During the COVID-19 outbeak, we have seen employers continuing to offer new apprenticeship opportunities and recruit apprentices to help meet their skills needs.</p><p>We recognise that COVID-19 restrictions have caused disruption to training and assessment. We have worked closely with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education to introduce flexibility to employers, training providers and end-point assessment organisations to ensure that apprentices, including furloughed apprentices, can safely continue with, and complete, their programmes.</p><p>Apprenticeships training can be delivered flexibly. During the COVID-19 outbreak, we have encouraged providers to deliver training remotely where possible and many providers have developed additional training materials and/or alternative mechanisms for delivery in response to COVID-19. As national restrictions have been relaxed by the government, barriers to training and assessment have now largely been removed.</p><p>We would encourage employers and providers to continue to work together to judge the appropriate balance of on-site and remote training and assessment to ensure that the apprentice receives a high-quality experience.</p><p>To help employers recruit the right people now, and not delay taking on apprentices, we are offering employers a higher incentive payment of £3,000 when they take on an apprentice as a new recruit until September 2021. Employers have submitted over 52,000 claims for the incentive payments for new apprentices with planned start dates between August 2020 and March 2021.</p> answering member constituency Chichester answering member printed Gillian Keegan question first answered 17/06/2021 15:43:50 answering member 4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1305248

registered interest
date	23/03/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Vocational Guidance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to paragraph 102 of the Skills for Jobs: Lifelong Learning for Opportunity and Growth White Paper, published in January 2021, when he plans to introduce the three-point-plan to enforce the Baker Clause.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	174097
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2021 answer text <p>The Baker Clause was introduced in January 2018 to ensure that pupils in years 8-13 have opportunities to meet providers of technical education and apprenticeships.</p><p>The department will consult this spring on proposals to strengthen the legislation and confirm timescales for implementation at that point. Subject to the outcome of this consultation, we plan to establish a new minimum legal requirement about who is to be given access to which pupils and when and will lay regulations and publish updated statutory guidance, so that schools can prepare ahead of the legal changes coming into force. This is part of a three-point-plan and will be introduced alongside taking tougher formal action against non-compliance and making government-funded careers support for schools conditional on Baker Clause compliance.</p><p>We are determined to take action so that all young people can learn about the exciting, high-quality opportunities that technical education and apprenticeships can offer.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chichester answering member printed Gillian Keegan question first answered 01/04/2021 15:10:59 answering member 4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1302183

registered interest
date	12/03/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Adult Education: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the use of Adult Education Budget funds by grant-funded adult education providers to deliver training and education.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	167852
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2021 answer text <p>We recognise the challenges that providers are facing as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and we fully appreciate the steps being taken to continue supporting learners to access high quality education and training. This includes quickly moving to remote learning and providing a wide range of brilliant high-quality, engaging classes.</p><p>We are continuing to invest in education and skills training for adults through the Adult Education Budget (AEB), providing £1.34 billion in the 2020/21 academic year.</p><p>Currently, approximately 50% of the AEB is devolved to seven Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) and the Mayor of London, acting where appropriate through the Greater London Authority (GLA). These authorities are now responsible for the provision of AEB-funded adult education for their residents and allocation of the AEB to providers. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is responsible for the remaining AEB in non-devolved areas.</p><p>In recognition that the 2019/20 academic year was challenging, we introduced a one off exceptional end of year reconciliation process for ESFA AEB grant funded providers which lowered the threshold for reconciliation in line with providers’ average delivery of 68%.</p><p>In view of the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, we are currently reviewing the end of year reconciliation position for the 2020/21 academic year. Any changes to the published arrangements will be communicated in due course.</p><p>For the 2020/21 academic year, we are also giving providers the opportunity to earn an additional 3% on top of their ESFA AEB allocation for over-delivery to support growth in adult skills participation.</p><p>In areas where the AEB has been devolved, MCAs and the GLA are responsible for assessing their providers’ delivery levels and considering any flexibilities in their areas.</p> answering member constituency Chichester answering member printed Gillian Keegan question first answered 19/03/2021 13:30:38 answering member 4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1302184

registered interest
date	12/03/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Adult Education: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support his Department is making available to independent adult education training providers not in receipt of funding from the Adult Education Budget and who are meeting increased learner demand.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	167853
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/03/2021 answer text <p>The department currently has an open opportunity on the government’s Contract Finder for the procurement of the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) funded Adult Education Budget (AEB) contract for service. The opportunity was published on 5 February 2021 and the deadline for the receipt of the completed tenders is 10:00 on 22 March 2021. For more details are published here: <a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/fb94e7c6-b8be-4e89-b938-0058e3fca3dd?origin=SearchResults&amp;p=1" target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/fb94e7c6-b8be-4e89-b938-0058e3fca3dd?origin=SearchResults&amp;p=1</a>.</p><p>The adult education budget procurement will award ESFA funded AEB contracts for services for the delivery of adult education and training to learners in England that are resident outside of the devolved areas. This is an open procedure, and any supplier may submit a tender.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chichester answering member printed Gillian Keegan question first answered 17/03/2021 14:46:16 answering member 4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1288176

registered interest
date	22/02/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	16 to 19 Tuition Fund
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on ensuring that the 16 to 19 tuition funding is not limited to students with low prior attainment in GCSE English and Maths.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	156338
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/03/2021 answer text <p>I regularly meet with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, including the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on education.</p><p>The 16-19 Tuition Fund is focused on supporting those young people who are at significant disadvantage and whose learning has been impacted most severely by the outbreak.</p><p>Low prior attainment in GCSE English and/or maths at the expected standard at age 16 is the agreed measure used for disadvantage in 16-19 education and an established part of the 16-19 funding formula. Agreement to any extension of tuition funding for 16-19 students will continue to be based on this measure.</p><p> </p><p>Funding is available to spend on those students without a grade 5 or above in English and/or maths GCSE, however providers are required to prioritise support for students who have not achieved a grade 4 in English and/or maths.  If providers have funding available within their allocations, they should consider whether any young people with a grade 4 also needed catch up support.</p><p> </p><p>As further evidence emerges, we will consider if refinements to eligibility for tuition funding are needed to maximise its value and impact in providing catch-up support for 16-19 students.</p> answering member constituency Chichester answering member printed Gillian Keegan question first answered 02/03/2021 12:07:54 answering member 4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1288177

registered interest
date	22/02/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Vocational Education: Qualifications
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent progress has been made on the Government's consultation on the future of newly-reformed Applied General Qualifications.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	156339
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/03/2021 answer text <p>The Department has consulted in 2 stages on proposals for the review of post-16 qualifications at level 3, which includes Applied General qualifications. The second stage of consultation ran from 23 October 2020 to 31 January 2021 and asked for views on the range of qualifications that will sit alongside A levels and T Levels in future.</p><p>No decisions have been made yet. The responses to the consultation are informing our thinking and we intend to publish a full response in due course.</p> answering member constituency Chichester answering member printed Gillian Keegan question first answered 02/03/2021 10:28:04 answering member 4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1288178

registered interest
date	22/02/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Sixth Form Education: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding allocated to sixth form students.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	156340
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/03/2021 answer text <p>The government is investing an additional £291 million in 16 to 19 education in 2021 to 2022. This is in addition to the £400 million awarded in the 2019 Spending Review, which was the biggest injection of new money into 16-19 education in a single year since 2010. This has allowed us to raise the base rate of funding for all providers of 16-19 education, including school sixth forms and sixth form colleges, for the first time since the current funding system was introduced in 2013 – from £4,000 in each academic year up to 2019/20, to £4,188 this year and next year – as well as to make further funding increases targeted on high value and high cost programmes.</p><p> </p><p><strong><br> <br> </strong></p> answering member constituency Chichester answering member printed Gillian Keegan question first answered 02/03/2021 10:36:05 answering member 4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1286909

registered interest
date	19/02/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Remote Education: ICT
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans his Department has to ensure that 16-19 year-olds receive adequate IT device support to continue their education remotely during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	154631
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2021 answer text <p>The Get Help with Technology (GHWT) service has been extended to provide support with devices and connectivity for disadvantaged 16-19 year olds. This forms part of a £400 million investment to help children and young people continue their education at home and access online social care services.</p><p>Schools with sixth form provision and further education providers are eligible to receive devices where they have students that are aged 16-19 who are in receipt of free meals, and where they have students aged 19 and over with an Education, Health and Care Plan who are also in receipt of free meals. All eligible providers were invited to order devices in January 2021. Over a million devices have now been dispatched to schools, trusts, local authorities and further education institutions since the start of the scheme.</p><p>Through the GHWT service, providers eligible to receive devices are also able to access support for connectivity for financially disadvantaged students where they do not have access to the internet at home.</p><p>The mobile data network offer has to date been focused on providing connectivity support to pupils in years 3-11 who have experienced disruption to their face-to-face education. The amount of free data provided will vary by operator and uplifts will be in place until the end of July 2021. However, we are working with mobile network operators to make this offer available for disadvantaged 16-19 year olds until the end of July 2021.</p><p>Currently,16-19 providers eligible for help via the GHWT service can access 4G wireless routers to provide connectivity support for financially disadvantaged learners without access to broadband at home.</p> answering member constituency Chichester answering member printed Gillian Keegan grouped question UIN 154970 question first answered 25/02/2021 12:23:48 answering member 4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1286924

registered interest
date	19/02/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Apprentices: Assessments
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect on apprentices who have been unable to sit their functional skills tests in Maths and English due to covid-19 restrictions since Ofqual ended teacher assessments on 31 July 2020.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	154657
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/03/2021 answer text <p>We are committed to supporting apprentices to safely continue with, and complete, their programmes during the COVID-19 outbreak.</p><p>We know that some providers and apprentices have not been able to make appropriate arrangements so that the apprentice can safely take their Functional Skills assessment. We have worked with providers and employers to understand the impact of delays to assessments, and why some apprentices may not be able to progress to their end-point assessment because of this.</p><p>Provisional figures show that in the first quarter of the 2020/21 academic year, 30,100 apprentices achieved their apprenticeships (frameworks and standards). Latest data shows that 15,900 apprentices who are yet to achieve their Functional Skills Qualification (FSQ) are past the planned end date of their apprenticeship. A delay in achieving their FSQ is one reason why an apprentice may be past their planned end date, but there are many other potential reasons, including apprentices being put on furlough or taking a break in their learning due to disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. For those apprentices who were expected to have completed their apprenticeship but have not done so yet, we do not have data on the reason for the delay.</p><p>Together with Ofqual, we have consulted on alternative assessment arrangements for all vocational and technical qualifications, including FSQs for apprentices. Active apprentices that are deemed ready to take their FSQ test should continue to be supported to access a regular FSQ assessment. This may be at their place of work, where it is safe and appropriate to do so, or through flexibilities offered by the awarding organisation, such as remote assessment and invigilation. Where this is not possible, we have confirmed that apprentices may be able to access a teacher assessed grade or take their end-point assessment before achieving their functional skills later, or both.</p> answering member constituency Chichester answering member printed Gillian Keegan grouped question UIN 154971 question first answered 01/03/2021 12:04:25 answering member 4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon