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1537354

registered interest
date	31/10/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Pupils: Travel
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if his Department will provide additional support to students from low-income families to help pay for journeys to and from their (a) school and (b) other place of education in the 2022-23 academic year, in the context of the rise in inflation.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
tabling member printed	Aaron Bell
uin	74978
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2022 answer text <p>The Department’s home-to-school transport policy aims to ensure that no child is unable to access education because of a lack of transport. Local authorities must provide free home-to-school transport for children of compulsory school age who attend their nearest school and cannot walk there due to distance, route safety, or as a result of special educational needs, disability or mobility problems. There are additional rights to free transport for low-income families aimed at helping them exercise school choice. These are known as extended rights. Guidance for local authorities on home-to-school transport is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-to-school-travel-and-transport-guidance" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-to-school-travel-and-transport-guidance</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Local authorities must also publish a transport policy statement each year that sets out the travel arrangements they consider it necessary to make to support young people of sixth form age to attend post-16 education or training. It is for local authorities to decide on the exact level of post-16 transport support in their area, based on local circumstances and priorities. Some young people may be eligible for support from the 16-19 Bursary Fund. Further information can be accessed here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Most central government funding for home to school transport is provided through the Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) administered by the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities. The LGFS made £54.1 billion available to local authorities in the financial year 2022/23, an increase of up to £3.7 billion on 2021/22. This is the largest cash-terms increase in grant funding provided through the settlement in the past 10 years. The Department also provides grant funding to local authorities as a contribution towards the cost of extended rights transport. This amount is £43.3 million in the 2022/23 financial year.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 08/11/2022 14:28:26 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4837 label Biography information for Aaron Bell

1537469

registered interest
date	31/10/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Commonwealth: Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to include the Commonwealth as part of the curriculum.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	74559
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2022 answer text <p>The Commonwealth is covered within the citizenship curriculum, which all schools are encouraged to teach as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. Citizenship forms a core part of the statutory National Curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4 and includes content on the UK’s relations with the rest of Europe, the Commonwealth and the wider world. Primary schools can choose to teach citizenship at Key Stages 1 and 2, following the non-statutory framework for citizenship, which includes opportunities for pupils to discuss topics of school, local, national, European, Commonwealth and global concern.</p><p>There is also scope within history programmes of study for pupils to be taught about the Commonwealth. In Key Stage 3, pupils are taught about British history from 1745 to 1901, and this can include teaching about the end of the British Empire and Britain’s place in the world since 1945.</p><p>As with other aspects of the curriculum, schools have flexibility over how they deliver these subjects, so they can develop an integrated approach that is sensitive to the needs and background of their pupils.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 08/11/2022 14:36:08 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1537706

registered interest
date	31/10/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Teachers: Ukraine
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department will take to support people in the UK with teaching qualifications earned in Ukraine to teach in UK schools.
tabling member constituency	Isle of Wight
tabling member printed	Bob Seely
uin	74899
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2022 answer text <p>Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.</p><p>Ukrainians can teach without Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for an unlimited period in an academy or a free school, or for up to four years in a maintained school. They can then consider gaining QTS through the Assessment Only route whilst working in this way.</p><p>Ukrainians are also able to apply for Initial Teacher Training in England. If they have been granted leave under the Ukraine Family Scheme visa, the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, or the Ukraine Extension Scheme, and have been a resident in the UK, they will be treated the same as a UK resident for higher education funding, including for Initial Teacher Training. More guidance for Ukrainian nationals on becoming a teacher in England is available on the Get into Teaching website, which can be found here: <a href="https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/non-uk-teachers/ukraine.%20" target="_blank">https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/non-uk-teachers/ukraine.</a></p><p>In early 2023 the Department will open a new route for teachers who trained in a broader range of countries, including Ukraine, to apply to the Teaching Regulation Agency for QTS in England, providing they meet certain criteria. This will provide Ukrainians who meet the relevant criteria to gain QTS by recognition of their existing teaching qualification, making it more straightforward to teach in all types of school in England. More information on this can be found at: <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/awarding-qualified-teacher-status-to-overseas-teachers/a-fairer-approach-to-awarding-qts-to-overseas-teachers" target="_blank">http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/awarding-qualified-teacher-status-to-overseas-teachers/a-fairer-approach-to-awarding-qts-to-overseas-teachers</a>.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 08/11/2022 11:25:09 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4681 label Biography information for Bob Seely

1537085

registered interest
date	28/10/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Office for Students: Recruitment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with the Office for Students on recruiting additional staff for that office to meet current workloads.
tabling member constituency	Warwick and Leamington
tabling member printed	Matt Western
uin	73792
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2022 answer text <p>The number of staff employed at the Office for Students (OfS) is a matter for the OfS and is not determined by the Secretary of State. Likewise, the recruitment of any additional staff at the OfS is a matter for the OfS. If the OfS determines that it needs additional staff to fulfil its workload, it can seek to recruit the staff that it requires. This includes any additional resource required to accommodate any new duties required by the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill.</p><p>The department works closely with the OfS to ensure that its responsibilities are fulfilled effectively, and that the world-class standards of our higher education institutions are maintained.</p> answering member constituency Harlow answering member printed Robert Halfon grouped question UIN 73883 73884 question first answered 08/11/2022 17:28:02 answering member 3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon
tabling member	4617 label Biography information for Matt Western

1537101

registered interest
date	28/10/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	National Skills Fund: Leicestershire
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 potential impact of the Skills Fund on progress towards upskilling the adult workforce; and what steps his Department is taking to use the Skills Fund to help support more adults to achieve higher level qualifications in (a) Leicestershire and (b) Bosworth constituency.
tabling member constituency	Bosworth
tabling member printed	Dr Luke Evans
uin	73906
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2022 answer text <p>Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills, with an offer of a job interview with an employer on completion. Skills Bootcamps have the potential to transform the skills landscape for adults and employers.</p><p>In December 2021, the department published outcome data on the Skills Bootcamps trailblazers, training delivered across six areas of the country between September 2020 and 31 March 2021 (Wave 1). Over 2000 learners completed Skills Bootcamps training, with 54% of adults completing training going on to secure a new job or apprenticeship or for those that are self-employed, access to new opportunities. In addition to these recorded outcomes, published research for Wave 1 of Skills Bootcamps suggests that three quarters of learners felt the training met or was meeting their needs, and 79% were satisfied with their course overall.</p><p>The department is on track to deliver 16,000 Skills Bootcamps training places in the 2021/22 financial year as planned and will continue to significantly expand Skills Bootcamps over the next 3 years, following the announcement at the 2021 Autumn Budget Spending Review of up to £550 million of funding across the 2022 to 2025 financial years. The evaluation of 2021/22 delivery, which will provide detail on learner starts, completions and outcomes will be available next year, with the evaluation of 2022/23 delivery available at a later date.</p><p>Skills Bootcamps are currently available across the country, offering training in digital, technical, including engineering and manufacturing, construction, logistics (HGV driving), and green skills, including heat pump engineer and electric vehicle charging point installation.</p><p>In Leicester, D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership are delivering some digital Skills Bootcamps through De Montfort University, working with Leicester employers who have vacancies in Leicester City Council, Test Q and NHS Leicester. More information about this can be accessed at: <a href="https://d2n2lep.org/people-skills/skills-bootcamps/" target="_blank">https://d2n2lep.org/people-skills/skills-bootcamps/</a>.</p><p>The Free Courses for Jobs offer, which was launched in England in April 2021, gives eligible adults the chance to access high-value level 3 qualification for free. Eligible learners in Leicestershire and Bosworth, aged 19 and over, can take advantage of the offer. Adults without a full level 3 qualification are eligible. From April 2022 the offer has also been available to unemployed adults or those earning under the National Living Wage annually, regardless of their prior qualification level. Over 400 qualifications are included, in areas such as engineering, social care and accounting, alongside many others that have been identified for their strong wage outcomes and ability to meet key skills needs.</p><p>A recent evaluation of Free Courses for Jobs shows that it has increased uptake of these key qualifications, meaning more adults are making the most of this opportunity to boost their skills free of charge. 9 in 10 people surveyed say they believe their Free Courses for Jobs-funded qualification will help them progress in their careers. The data points to over 20,000 people having enrolled on the courses between the offer’s launch in April 2021 and May 2022.</p><p>Adults can also be supported to access qualifications not included in the Free Courses for Jobs offer, for example through Advanced Learner Loans. Advanced Learner Loans are income-contingent loans that provide extensive coverage of regulated qualifications at level 3 to level 6, helping to meet the up-front tuition fees.</p> answering member constituency Harlow answering member printed Robert Halfon question first answered 08/11/2022 17:31:29 answering member 3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon
tabling member	4781 label Biography information for Dr Luke Evans

1537189

registered interest
date	28/10/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Office for Students: Staff
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the number of staff at the Office for Students is proportionate to the needs of the regulator to regulate the higher education sector.
tabling member constituency	Warwick and Leamington
tabling member printed	Matt Western
uin	73883
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2022 answer text <p>The number of staff employed at the Office for Students (OfS) is a matter for the OfS and is not determined by the Secretary of State. Likewise, the recruitment of any additional staff at the OfS is a matter for the OfS. If the OfS determines that it needs additional staff to fulfil its workload, it can seek to recruit the staff that it requires. This includes any additional resource required to accommodate any new duties required by the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill.</p><p>The department works closely with the OfS to ensure that its responsibilities are fulfilled effectively, and that the world-class standards of our higher education institutions are maintained.</p> answering member constituency Harlow answering member printed Robert Halfon grouped question UIN 73792 73884 question first answered 08/11/2022 17:28:02 answering member 3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon
tabling member	4617 label Biography information for Matt Western

1537190

registered interest
date	28/10/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Office for Students: Staff
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to findings in the Impact Assessment on the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill, what estimate she has made of the potential need for additional numbers of staff required at the Office for Students to perform their duties in that Bill.
tabling member constituency	Warwick and Leamington
tabling member printed	Matt Western
uin	73884
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2022 answer text <p>The number of staff employed at the Office for Students (OfS) is a matter for the OfS and is not determined by the Secretary of State. Likewise, the recruitment of any additional staff at the OfS is a matter for the OfS. If the OfS determines that it needs additional staff to fulfil its workload, it can seek to recruit the staff that it requires. This includes any additional resource required to accommodate any new duties required by the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill.</p><p>The department works closely with the OfS to ensure that its responsibilities are fulfilled effectively, and that the world-class standards of our higher education institutions are maintained.</p> answering member constituency Harlow answering member printed Robert Halfon grouped question UIN 73792 73883 question first answered 08/11/2022 17:28:02 answering member 3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon
tabling member	4617 label Biography information for Matt Western

1536937

registered interest
date	27/10/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Young Offenders: Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 27 October 2022 to Question 67210 on Young Offenders: Housing, how the funding made available in the 2021 Spending Review was allocated by region.
tabling member constituency	Lewisham East
tabling member printed	Janet Daby
uin	73137
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2022 answer text <p>The Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021 announced £259 million of funding to maintain capacity and expand provision in secure and open residential children’s homes.</p><p>Following this, the department launched two waves of bidding rounds for local authorities to submit applications for this funding for both open and secure children’s homes. The department has allocated £112 million of this funding to local authorities throughout England and we are working with them to deliver projects by March 2025. Of this, £17 million has been allocated to open children home projects and £95 million to secure children’s home projects. This includes plans to build two new secure children’s homes in London and the West Midlands, and the rebuild and expansion of an existing home in Lincolnshire. These areas are currently lacking in provision for children and were priorities for this funding round.</p><p>The remaining funding will be allocated to open and secure children’s homes projects this financial year. The department is unable to set out regional awards until all clearances are in place. When all funding has been agreed, and successful local authorities have been notified, the department will share final award details, including regional funding allocations.</p> answering member constituency East Surrey answering member printed Claire Coutinho question first answered 08/11/2022 16:52:26 answering member 4806 label Biography information for Claire Coutinho
tabling member	4698 label Biography information for Janet Daby

1536318

registered interest
date	26/10/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children's Centres and Family Hubs: City of Chester
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many Sure Start centres have closed in the City of Chester constituency since 2010; and how much Family Hub funding has been allocated to that constituency.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	72361
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2022 answer text <p>Based on the information supplied by local authorities, as of 27 October 2022, one Sure Start children’s centre has closed in the City of Chester constituency since 2010. The number of children’s centre closures is based on information supplied by local authorities as of 27 October 2022. These figures may differ from the number of closures reported locally and may change again, as local authorities may update their data at any time.</p><p>In October 2021, as part of the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021, the government announced £301.75 million to transform Start for Life and Family Hub services in 75 upper-tier local authorities across England. The 75 eligible local authorities were announced on 2 April 2022. These were selected based on levels of disadvantage, targeting the areas with the highest levels of deprivation and disproportionately poor health and educational outcomes.</p><p>The City of Chester constituency is not eligible to receive funding through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme.</p><p>The government would like to see Family Hubs across the country, but it is crucial that we now focus on delivering well in these 75 local authorities and building the evidence base.</p> answering member constituency East Surrey answering member printed Claire Coutinho question first answered 08/11/2022 17:19:32 answering member 4806 label Biography information for Claire Coutinho
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1536079

registered interest
date	25/10/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Childcare
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will discuss with cabinet colleagues the introduction of a universal childcare offer to enable all children to access care provision.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	71141
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2022 answer text <p>The department remains committed to improving the cost, choice, and availability of childcare, and the government has spent more than £20 billion over the past five years to support families with the cost of childcare.</p><p>All parents are eligible for the universal 15 hours of free early education, which is available to all three and four-year olds, regardless of family circumstances.</p><p>Working parents of three and four-year-olds may also be eligible for an additional 15 hours of free childcare if they earn the equivalent of 16 hours a week at national minimum or living wage, and under £100,000 per year.</p><p>Parents who meet the income criteria may also be able to receive support from Tax-Free Childcare, which can be worth up to £2,000 per year for children aged 0-11, or up to £4,000 per year for disabled children aged 0-16.</p><p>Further information on the childcare offers available to parents can be accessed here: <a href="https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/</a>.</p> answering member constituency East Surrey answering member printed Claire Coutinho question first answered 08/11/2022 16:57:39 answering member 4806 label Biography information for Claire Coutinho
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell