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1418211

registered interest
date	31/01/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Absenteeism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of the number of absences of (a) staff and (b) pupils in English schools in (i) October 2021, (ii) November 2021, (iii) December 2021 and (iv) January 2022.
tabling member constituency	Warwick and Leamington
tabling member printed	Matt Western
uin	114881
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2022 answer text <p>The daily Education Setting survey asks schools and colleges to report data such as on-site attendance and COVID-19 absence.</p><p>The most recent published data for staff and pupil absences at national level is 20 January 2022 and can be found here: <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak</a>.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 07/02/2022 15:51:57 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
tabling member	4617 label Biography information for Matt Western

1418212

registered interest
date	31/01/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Absenteeism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions officials in his Department have had with representatives of Ofsted on the viability of inspections during a period of acute staff and pupil absence.
tabling member constituency	Warwick and Leamington
tabling member printed	Matt Western
uin	114882
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2022 answer text <p>The department engages regularly with Ofsted on a range of matters, including inspection arrangements in the changing context of the COVID-19 outbreak.</p><p>Ofsted inspection continues to play an important role in providing independent assurance as providers respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. It is right though that these arrangements are kept under review, and adjustments made where appropriate.</p><p>At the start of this term Ofsted temporarily halted use of part time inspectors who are also front-line leaders. Since 31 January Ofsted has been inviting those who are able to inspect again to do so. Ofsted’s deferral policy has provided reassurance to schools, colleges and early years providers that have been significantly impacted by staff absence in recent weeks. That policy remains in place and Ofsted will continue to remind providers about it for the remainder of this half term.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 07/02/2022 16:21:34 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
tabling member	4617 label Biography information for Matt Western

1418213

registered interest
date	31/01/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher 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 potential effect of high numbers of student complaints on the financial viability of the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education.
tabling member constituency	Warwick and Leamington
tabling member printed	Matt Western
uin	114883
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2022 answer text <p>The Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) is an independent organisation that is funded by subscriptions from higher education providers, who are members of the scheme.</p><p>The level of subscriptions is set by the OIA board each year and are largely based on student numbers, but also include an element related to the previous case receipts of providers. In 2021, the OIA received 2,763 complaints, which was a 6% increase on 2020 figures.</p><p>A statement of the OIA’s financial activities can be found in its annual report published on its website: <a href="https://www.oiahe.org.uk/media/2633/operating-report-2021.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.oiahe.org.uk/media/2633/operating-report-2021.pdf</a>.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 08/02/2022 11:18:51 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4617 label Biography information for Matt Western

1418216

registered interest
date	31/01/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Universities Superannuation Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department sought legal advice when it agreed to guarantee the pensions of four members of the Universities Superannuation Scheme who were transferred to the Office for Students in 2017.
tabling member constituency	Warwick and Leamington
tabling member printed	Matt Western
uin	114885
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2022 answer text <p>The agreement in 2017 for the department to act as guarantor for the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) followed formal advice from the Government Actuary’s Department, including risk considerations. The government takes legal advice in reaching its decisions where appropriate.</p><p>The department’s liability in acting as guarantor for the USS was originally valued at £5 million, as recorded in the remote contingent liabilities section of the department’s 2017/18 annual report and accounts. The liability valuation has remained at £5 million for all subsequent years, as shown in the department’s annual reports and accounts: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dfe-annual-reports" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dfe-annual-reports</a>.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan grouped question UIN 114886 question first answered 08/02/2022 11:07:53 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	4617 label Biography information for Matt Western

1418217

registered interest
date	31/01/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Universities Superannuation Scheme
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 reduce the liability of his Department for the Universities Superannuation Scheme after guaranteeing the pensions of four members of the Universities Superannuation Scheme who were transferred to the Office for Students in 2017.
tabling member constituency	Warwick and Leamington
tabling member printed	Matt Western
uin	114886
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2022 answer text <p>The agreement in 2017 for the department to act as guarantor for the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) followed formal advice from the Government Actuary’s Department, including risk considerations. The government takes legal advice in reaching its decisions where appropriate.</p><p>The department’s liability in acting as guarantor for the USS was originally valued at £5 million, as recorded in the remote contingent liabilities section of the department’s 2017/18 annual report and accounts. The liability valuation has remained at £5 million for all subsequent years, as shown in the department’s annual reports and accounts: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dfe-annual-reports" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dfe-annual-reports</a>.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan grouped question UIN 114885 question first answered 08/02/2022 11:07:53 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	4617 label Biography information for Matt Western

1418219

registered interest
date	31/01/2022
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, what conditions need to be met before further rounds of accreditation for providers of teacher training are opened.
tabling member constituency	Warwick and Leamington
tabling member printed	Matt Western
uin	114887
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2022 answer text <p>The department announced in December 2021 that it is running two accreditation rounds. Round one began on 1 December 2021 and ends on 7 February 2022. The second round begins on 19 April 2022 and ends on 27 June 2022. Our priority is to ensure that there are sufficient, high-quality initial teacher training places to meet demand across the country. With this in mind, officials will consider if a further accreditation round(s) is necessary following the outcomes of the two application rounds. Further details will be published if required.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 07/02/2022 16:58:16 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
tabling member	4617 label Biography information for Matt Western

1418220

registered interest
date	31/01/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Department for Education: Disclosure of Information
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will publish any internal guidance available on the use of non-disclosure agreements at his Department.
tabling member constituency	Warwick and Leamington
tabling member printed	Matt Western
uin	114888
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2022 answer text <p>The department follows the Civil Service policy which states that non-disclosure clauses should only be used when necessary and should not be included in settlement agreements as a matter of course. Non-disclosure agreements should not seek to stifle or discourage staff from raising concerns about wrongdoing or poor practice in the department or to prevent the proper disclosure of matters of public interest, and do not affect the protection provided to employees under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. The department does not use non-disclosure agreements with its employees.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 08/02/2022 17:50:37 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	4617 label Biography information for Matt Western

1418222

registered interest
date	31/01/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Higher Education: Zero-hours Contracts
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 on the potential impact of zero-hours contracts on academic freedom of teaching staff.
tabling member constituency	Warwick and Leamington
tabling member printed	Matt Western
uin	114890
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2022 answer text <p>Higher education providers are independent and responsible for their own decisions about the terms and conditions of employment they offer. It is essential that they consider the impact of short term and casual contracts on staff, students and the overall sustainability of teaching and research in this country.</p><p>Recently published figures on the number of academic staff on zero hours contracts is 3,650 staff among a total academic workforce of 224,530, which equates to 1.6%.</p><p>The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill, currently at report stage in the House of Commons, provides a route to redress where an individual may not have clear contractual protections in place in respect of freedom of speech and academic freedom. Rather than having to rely on contractual protections in an employment tribunal, an academic member of staff will now have access to the Office for Students complaints scheme, as well as the right to bring a claim in the courts via the new statutory tort.</p><p>The bill is clear that the job security of staff should not be undermined by the expression of lawful speech, including where they may question and test received wisdom, and put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 08/02/2022 11:15:15 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	4617 label Biography information for Matt Western

1418377

registered interest
date	31/01/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Turing Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reason Capita have been appointed to deliver the remainder of the Turing Scheme programme for the academic year 2021-22 starting in April 2022 rather than delivering that programme from the start of the academic year 2022-23.
tabling member constituency	Warwick and Leamington
tabling member printed	Matt Western
uin	114892
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2022 answer text <p>The first year of the Turing Scheme is currently being delivered by the British Council and Ecorys under contractual arrangements that expire on 31 March 2022. A competitive procurement exercise was necessary to appoint a delivery partner for the remainder of the first year and for the second year of the programme. Capita has been appointed as the supplier to administer the completion of the first year of the Turing Scheme from April 2022 and the second year of the scheme until December 2023.</p><p>Bids for the Turing Scheme contract were evaluated on the answers to questions relating to quality and social value, compliance with a range of financial and corporate information tests, and cost. Bids were reviewed by a panel with knowledge relevant to the services required. Scores were moderated and weighted in line with the published evaluation model. The outcome of the panel review was taken to the Turing Scheme Procurement Board, and they approved the recommended outcome. Capita received the highest overall score and provided the best plan to continue opportunities for students to study and work abroad.</p><p>The costs for delivery of the contract have been agreed between Capita and the department. The use of continuous improvement is for the purpose of looking at how services can be improved without undermining Capita’s performance of the contract. It is common practice to consider how service improvements can improve service delivery efficiencies and where there are cost benefits of doing so, value for money will always be evaluated.</p><p>The department is currently working closely with the British Council, Ecorys and Capita to transfer all existing Turing Scheme projects granted funding and minimise any potential impact to the delivery of the first year of the programme. Until 1 April 2022, the British Council and Ecorys will continue to administer the scheme and will provide ongoing support for activities.</p><p>Beneficiaries will be contacted directly about next steps regarding ongoing support of their activities and should continue to communicate through the sector-specific helpdesk service if guidance or assistance is required.</p><p>We are confident that Capita have the capacity and skills to deliver the Turing Scheme. They have more than 35 years’ experience of supporting more than 180 local authorities and 21,000 schools, as well as being one of the largest IT providers to the UK education system. They will combine their capabilities in digital grants management, education, and complex programme management to deliver opportunities for students to study and work abroad.</p><p>In addition to preparations to transfer delivery of the first year of the Turing Scheme, the department is in continuous contact with Capita to plan for and receive updates on preparations for a successful launch of bids for the second year. I also personally met with Capita on Thursday 27 January, and they have assured me they are well prepared to administer the programme.</p><p>For the evaluation of the first year of the Turing Scheme, the department appointed IFF Research as its evaluation partner on 18 November 2021. Information regarding the appointment is available on the contracts finder service on GOV.UK at: <a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e4fc6e5f-13d3-4d01-a815-27a18ebe6a88" target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e4fc6e5f-13d3-4d01-a815-27a18ebe6a88</a>.</p><p>In response to the buyer’s research board, the evaluation process and the data which will be required to support it has been approved by the research board and by the data protection team. The individual members of the research board are subject to data protection legislation and as such individual names cannot be released.</p> answering member constituency Brentwood and Ongar answering member printed Alex Burghart grouped question UIN 114893 114894 114895 114896 114897 question first answered 07/02/2022 15:42:46 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
tabling member	4617 label Biography information for Matt Western

1418378

registered interest
date	31/01/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Turing Scheme
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 disruption to student mobilities as a result of Capita taking over the delivery of the Turing Scheme mid-way through the academic year 2021-22 starting in April 2022.
tabling member constituency	Warwick and Leamington
tabling member printed	Matt Western
uin	114893
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2022 answer text <p>The first year of the Turing Scheme is currently being delivered by the British Council and Ecorys under contractual arrangements that expire on 31 March 2022. A competitive procurement exercise was necessary to appoint a delivery partner for the remainder of the first year and for the second year of the programme. Capita has been appointed as the supplier to administer the completion of the first year of the Turing Scheme from April 2022 and the second year of the scheme until December 2023.</p><p>Bids for the Turing Scheme contract were evaluated on the answers to questions relating to quality and social value, compliance with a range of financial and corporate information tests, and cost. Bids were reviewed by a panel with knowledge relevant to the services required. Scores were moderated and weighted in line with the published evaluation model. The outcome of the panel review was taken to the Turing Scheme Procurement Board, and they approved the recommended outcome. Capita received the highest overall score and provided the best plan to continue opportunities for students to study and work abroad.</p><p>The costs for delivery of the contract have been agreed between Capita and the department. The use of continuous improvement is for the purpose of looking at how services can be improved without undermining Capita’s performance of the contract. It is common practice to consider how service improvements can improve service delivery efficiencies and where there are cost benefits of doing so, value for money will always be evaluated.</p><p>The department is currently working closely with the British Council, Ecorys and Capita to transfer all existing Turing Scheme projects granted funding and minimise any potential impact to the delivery of the first year of the programme. Until 1 April 2022, the British Council and Ecorys will continue to administer the scheme and will provide ongoing support for activities.</p><p>Beneficiaries will be contacted directly about next steps regarding ongoing support of their activities and should continue to communicate through the sector-specific helpdesk service if guidance or assistance is required.</p><p>We are confident that Capita have the capacity and skills to deliver the Turing Scheme. They have more than 35 years’ experience of supporting more than 180 local authorities and 21,000 schools, as well as being one of the largest IT providers to the UK education system. They will combine their capabilities in digital grants management, education, and complex programme management to deliver opportunities for students to study and work abroad.</p><p>In addition to preparations to transfer delivery of the first year of the Turing Scheme, the department is in continuous contact with Capita to plan for and receive updates on preparations for a successful launch of bids for the second year. I also personally met with Capita on Thursday 27 January, and they have assured me they are well prepared to administer the programme.</p><p>For the evaluation of the first year of the Turing Scheme, the department appointed IFF Research as its evaluation partner on 18 November 2021. Information regarding the appointment is available on the contracts finder service on GOV.UK at: <a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e4fc6e5f-13d3-4d01-a815-27a18ebe6a88" target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e4fc6e5f-13d3-4d01-a815-27a18ebe6a88</a>.</p><p>In response to the buyer’s research board, the evaluation process and the data which will be required to support it has been approved by the research board and by the data protection team. The individual members of the research board are subject to data protection legislation and as such individual names cannot be released.</p> answering member constituency Brentwood and Ongar answering member printed Alex Burghart grouped question UIN 114892 114894 114895 114896 114897 question first answered 07/02/2022 15:42:46 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
tabling member	4617 label Biography information for Matt Western