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1178957

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Further Education: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what impact assessments the Government has conducted on cessation of funding for post-16 qualifications.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	18869
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/03/2020 answer text <p>The government is taking forward a review of post-16 qualifications at level 3 and below. The first stage consultation on this review was published in March 2019, alongside a general impact assessment and an equalities impact assessment. Details of this review can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-post-16-qualifications-at-level-3-and-below-in-england" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-post-16-qualifications-at-level-3-and-below-in-england</a>.</p><p> </p><p>For the majority of our proposals, these were initial assessments as the first stage consultation set out high level principles for reform rather than firm proposals for change on which full detailed impact assessments could be based. The second stage consultation, which will follow later in 2020, will contain specific proposals for change. The government will publish a corresponding detailed impact assessment, including equalities impacts, alongside this consultation.</p><p> </p><p>For one area where we are making early progress on the review, we set out a full impact assessment alongside the March consultation. This is where we are removing funding approval for qualifications where we have a reformed version approved for performance tables running in parallel. Funding for these “pre-existing” qualifications will be removed in August 2020. The impact assessment can be found at: <a href="https://consult.education.gov.uk/post-16-qualifications-review-team/post-16-level-3-and-below-qualifications-review/supporting_documents/Post%2016%20level%203%20and%20below%20qualifications%20review%20%20Impact%20Assessments.pdf" target="_blank">https://consult.education.gov.uk/post-16-qualifications-review-team/post-16-level-3-and-below-qualifications-review/supporting_documents/Post%2016%20level%203%20and%20below%20qualifications%20review%20%20Impact%20Assessments.pdf</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Funding will be removed from these qualifications in August 2020. The impact assessments published in March last year addressed this.</p><p> </p><p>The first stage consultation also set out our intention to remove funding approval for qualifications with low and no publicly funded enrolments. On 13 February 2020 the Department for Education announced the process to identify which of these qualifications will have funding approval removed from August 2021. This included publication of an initial list of qualifications with low and no publicly funded enrolments in scope of the process. This process requires awarding organisations to notify the Department if they believe funding approval should be retained, subject to specific criteria including whether the removal of public funding approval for the qualification will have a significant adverse impact upon a particular group of students, a provider, or occupational or geographic area. The department intends to publish the final list in July 2020 of qualifications that will have approval for public funding withdrawn from August 2021. An impact assessment will be published at this point.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chichester answering member printed Gillian Keegan question first answered 02/03/2020 17:02:05 answering member 4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1189966

	registered interest
	date	24/04/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Playing Fields
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will support the roll out of a national programme of timed access to school playing fields for families who are unable to access green spaces safely and easily.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	39681
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/05/2020 answer text <p>As both my right hon. Friends, the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID-19.</p><p>Schools are closed until further notice except for children of critical workers and vulnerable children. The management of school sites remains the responsibility of school leaders and governing bodies during this period and their first priority is ensuring arrangements are in place so that pupils and staff still attending school can do so safely.</p><p>Whilst there are currently no plans to roll out a national programme of timed access to school playing fields, we are aware that schools do sometimes choose to make their facilities available for use and may have chosen to allow community access to outdoor spaces during this period.</p><p>It is important that children continue to remain fit and active wherever possible at this time, as long as this is done in line with the latest official advice on social distancing which can be accessed from:<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others</a><em>. </em>Our latest guidance on supporting children to get exercise during COVID-19 can be found on the following page: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-online-education-resources/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-online-education-resources-for-home-education#physical-education-pe-and-physical-activity" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-online-education-resources/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-online-education-resources-for-home-education#physical-education-pe-and-physical-activity</a>.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 04/05/2020 15:52:53 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1216407

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Overseas Students: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to (a) support international students studying in the UK during the covid-19 pandemic and (b) make an assessment of the potential merits of (i) requesting providers to waive third-term tuition fees for those students and (ii) extending Tier 4 visas for those students.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	62652
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2020 answer text <p>The department has been working closely with the higher education (HE) sector to ensure it provides essential support for international students who have decided to remain in the UK or have been unable to travel home due to COVID-19. Universities have an obligation to ensure that students have continued accommodation and access to essential services in the UK for the duration of their stay.</p><p>We are pleased to see that the sector is making every effort to enable students to continue their studies – including moving learning online either in the UK or in a student's home country – so that their teaching and assessment can proceed, and that universities are offering a range of support to students, including support for catering and cleaning.</p><p>The government also recognises that many students are facing, or will face, additional mental health challenges caused by the global outbreak. Many HE providers are bolstering their existing mental health services and adapting delivery to means other than face-to-face. Providers have responded quickly to transform mental health and wellbeing services, showing resourcefulness, and there are many examples of good practice.</p><p>The government has worked closely with the Office for Students (OfS) to help clarify that providers in England can draw upon existing student premium funding to provide hardship funds and support disadvantaged students impacted by COVID-19 and international students qualify for this. Providers are able to use the funding – worth around £23 million per month for April, May, June and July – towards student hardship funds, including mental health support.</p><p>In addition, the OfS recently announced the Student Space platform, which seeks to bridge gaps in mental health support for students arising from this unprecedented situation. Funded with up to £3 million by the OfS and led by Student Minds, it is designed to work alongside existing mental health services.</p><p>Universities are autonomous and responsible for setting their own fees. In deciding to keep charging full fees, universities will of course want to ensure that they can continue to deliver courses which are fit for purpose and help students progress their qualifications. Whether or not an individual student is entitled to a refund of fees will depend on the specific contractual arrangements between the provider and student.</p><p>The government is applying discretion under the current circumstances to ensure international students are not negatively impacted if they find themselves in a position where they cannot comply with certain visa rules. On 16 June, the Home Office updated their visa guidance to provide greater certainty for international HE students in the UK impacted by COVID-19; this guidance includes the latest information for those who might have questions around visa expiry, switching visa category within the UK and distance learning. It also provides reassurances regarding distance learning, confirming that students will be permitted to study partially online for the 2020/21 academic year, provided they transition to face-to-face learning as soon as circumstances allow, and that that those studying by distance/blended learning will be eligible to apply for the graduate route provided they are in the UK by 6 April 2021 (and meet other requirements of the route).</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 29/06/2020 15:38:11 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1176145

	registered interest
	date	04/02/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Solar Power
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if his Department will make an assessment of the (a) environmental, (b) economic and (c) educational merits of installing solar panels on schools.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	12310
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/02/2020 answer text <p>Reduction in energy use in new and existing school buildings to meet the net zero carbon emissions by 2050 target is a priority for the UK Government. Generating sustainable energy, where sites and buildings allow, is supported by Salix loans available to schools.</p><p>Research into the environmental, economic and educational merit of photovoltaic solar panels is well founded and the Department welcomes schools developing educational outcomes that support work to mitigate climate change.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 12/02/2020 16:27:36 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi

1179189

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Teachers: Training
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he plans to provide financial support to students that are undertaking teacher training courses and were not eligible for a bursary in September 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	18551
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2020 answer text <p>All students undertaking a non-salaried initial teacher training (ITT) course can apply for financial support from Student Finance England. The standard student finance offer is available to both undergraduate and postgraduate non-salaried trainee teachers, regardless of whether or not they are also eligible for an ITT bursary.</p><p>The student finance offer for these trainee teachers includes a means-tested maintenance loan to support their living costs. Additional grant funding is also available to those who have children, adult dependents or a disability. Finally, all non-salaried trainee teachers can apply for a tuition fee loan, so they do not need to pay fees upfront.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 28/02/2020 15:46:26 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi

1183638

	registered interest
	date	09/03/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Repairs and Maintenance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the capital funding requirements for school building improvements at (a) John Bramston Primary School, (b) Little Heath School, (c) Mossford Green Primary School and (d) Ilford County High School in the London Borough of Redbridge.
	tabling member constituency	Ilford North
	tabling member printed	Wes Streeting
	uin	26901
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2020 answer text <p>We have allocated over £7.4 billion in condition funding since 2015 to maintain and improve school buildings. In addition, the Priority School Building Programme is rebuilding or refurbishing school buildings in the worst condition across the country, covering over 500 schools.</p><p>Schools and those responsible for school buildings receive condition funding through different routes depending on their size and type. For the financial year 2019-20, Redbridge local authority received a school condition allocation of £5,149,009 to invest in maintaining its schools, including John Bramston Primary School, Little Heath School, Mossford Green Primary School and Illford County High school. In addition, schools receive their own devolved formula capital allocation to invest in small projects to meet their own priorities.</p><p>Since 2015, school condition allocations have been informed by consistent condition data on our school estate. A recently completed Condition Data Collection (CDC) will provide an updated high-level assessment of the condition of state funded schools in England and help inform future funding policy and programmes. The CDC programme visited nearly all state-funded schools in England and a report has been shared with each school.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 12/03/2020 16:45:24 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	4504 label Biography information for Wes Streeting

1185436

	registered interest
	date	16/03/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Overseas Students: 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 is taking to support international students with (a) accommodation, (b) visas, (c) financial hardship and (c) access to healthcare during the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Ilford North
	tabling member printed	Wes Streeting
	uin	30107
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2020 answer text <p>Urgent work is underway in the Department for Education and the Office for Students to ensure that we have the appropriate policy response in place to respond to the impact of Covid-19 on the higher education sector and its students, including international students.</p><p>Our priority is preventing the spread of Covid-19 while doing everything possible to mitigate the impact on learning and attainment and to protect the sustainability and capacity of the provider base and colleges for the future.</p><p>We recognise that this is an unprecedented situation and that it will require an unprecedented response. I have been working closely with representatives of the sector in developing this, including joining representatives from a sector coordination group on 16 March, convened by Universities UK, where we discussed a number of the issues raised by the hon. Member for Ilford North.</p><p>With respect to visas specifically, the Home Office published Covid-19 visa guidance for overseas nationals in February, and international students are invited to contact the Home Office’s Coronavirus Immigration Helpline if they have any specific concerns regarding their own visa status. Details are easily accessible on the Home Office’s website, available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-immigration-guidance-if-youre-unable-to-return-to-china-from-the-uk" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-immigration-guidance-if-youre-unable-to-return-to-china-from-the-uk</a>.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 19/03/2020 17:01:40 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
	tabling member	4504 label Biography information for Wes Streeting

1185761

	registered interest
	date	17/03/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Students: Assessments
	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 students in (a) schools, (b) colleges and (c) universities are able to sit exams this summer.
	tabling member constituency	Ilford North
	tabling member printed	Wes Streeting
	uin	30824
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2020 answer text <p>As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced to the House on 18 March, the Government has taken the difficult decision to cancel all examinations due to take place in schools and colleges in England this summer, as part of the fight to prevent the spread of coronavirus.</p><p>The Department’s priority is to ensure that students can move on as planned to the next stage of their lives, including starting university, college or sixth form courses or apprenticeships, in the autumn. For GCSE, AS and A-level students, we will ensure they are awarded a grade which reflects their work. Our intention is that a calculated grade will be awarded this summer based on the best available evidence, including any non-examination assessment that students have already completed. The qualifications regulator Ofqual is working urgently with examination boards to set out proposals for how this process will work and more information will be provided as soon as possible.</p><p>The Department recognises that some students may nevertheless feel disappointed that they have not been able to sit their examinations. If they do not believe the correct process has been followed in their case, they will be able to appeal on that basis. In addition, if they do not feel their calculated grade reflects their performance, they will have the opportunity to sit an examination, as soon as is reasonably possible after the beginning of the new academic year. Students will also have the option to sit their examinations in summer 2021.</p><p>There is a very wide range of different vocational and technical qualifications, as well as other academic qualifications, for which students were expecting to sit examinations this summer. These are offered by a large number of awarding organisations and have differing assessment approaches. In many cases, students will already have completed modules or non-examination assessment which could provide evidence to award a grade. The Department is encouraging these organisations to show the maximum possible flexibility and pragmatism to ensure students are not disadvantaged. Ofqual is working urgently with the sector to explore options and will provide more details shortly.</p><p>Universities are autonomous institutions with full control over their own assessment processes. The Department and the regulator in England, the Office for Students, are working with registered universities and other higher education institutions to help support them with their decisions, and to find the best way forward for the benefit of all students affected. Universities will contact affected students directly.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 02/04/2020 16:10:21 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb previous answer version 14178 answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	4504 label Biography information for Wes Streeting

1186512

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Free School Meals: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the closure of schools as a result of covid-19, whether the vouchers provided to children that are eligible for free school meals will cover the costs of breakfast.
	tabling member constituency	Ilford North
	tabling member printed	Wes Streeting
	uin	32189
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2020 answer text <p>Schools will be able to provide meals or vouchers for supermarkets or local shops which can be sent directly to families who are either self-isolating at home or whose schools are closed on government advice. The government has confirmed that the total value of vouchers offered to each eligible child per week will exceed the rate it pays to schools for free school meals.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 24/03/2020 17:56:06 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
	tabling member	4504 label Biography information for Wes Streeting

1186514

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Free School Meals: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will define vulnerable children in the context of eligibility to access to schools during the covid-19 closure period.
	tabling member constituency	Ilford North
	tabling member printed	Wes Streeting
	uin	32190
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2020 answer text <p>Vulnerable children include those who have a social worker and those children and young people up to the age of 25 with education, health and care (EHC) plans.</p><p>Those who have a social worker include children who have a child protection plan and those who are looked after by the local authority. A child may also be deemed to be vulnerable if they have been assessed as being in need or otherwise meet the definition in section 17 of the Children Act 1989.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 24/03/2020 18:09:45 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
	tabling member	4504 label Biography information for Wes Streeting