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1286821

registered interest
date	17/02/2021
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Travel: Quarantine
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if the Government will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a helpline to support people who are travelling to the UK and are required to quarantine in a managed hotel, in the event that they have urgent enquiries which are not addressed in the Government guidance.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	154561
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2021 answer text <p>The Government does not currently plan to introduce a help line for the Managed Quarantine Service.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 27/04/2021 16:54:34 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1277618

registered interest
date	18/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Nurseries: 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 is providing nurseries to ensure they have access to adequate personal protective equipment.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	138858
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2021 answer text <p>COVID-19-related PPE use will be very limited for staff in education and childcare settings and, as set out in the department’s guidance, relates only to (i) when caring for a child or individual who develops symptoms while attending their setting (and only then if a distance of two metres cannot be maintained), and (ii) when a child or individual already has routine intimate care needs that involve the use of PPE, for example when undertaking aerosol generating procedures (AGPs).</p><p>Many education and childcare settings will be able to access PPE for their COVID-19 needs via their local authority or local resilience forum. Further information on local arrangements is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe</a>.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford grouped question UIN 138859 question first answered 25/01/2021 17:43:32 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1277620

registered interest
date	18/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Nurseries: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether nurseries are able to reclaim the costs of personal protective equipment during the covid-19 lockdown announced in January 2021.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	138859
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2021 answer text <p>COVID-19-related PPE use will be very limited for staff in education and childcare settings and, as set out in the department’s guidance, relates only to (i) when caring for a child or individual who develops symptoms while attending their setting (and only then if a distance of two metres cannot be maintained), and (ii) when a child or individual already has routine intimate care needs that involve the use of PPE, for example when undertaking aerosol generating procedures (AGPs).</p><p>Many education and childcare settings will be able to access PPE for their COVID-19 needs via their local authority or local resilience forum. Further information on local arrangements is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe</a>.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford grouped question UIN 138858 question first answered 25/01/2021 17:43:32 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1277621

registered interest
date	18/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Coronavirus Workforce Fund for Schools: Pre-school Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reason (a) nurseries and (b) early years providers have been excluded from the Coronavirus Workforce Fund available to schools.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	138860
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2021 answer text <p>The Coronavirus Workforce Fund, available last term, was implemented to support schools and colleges with exceptionally high staff absence rates and significant financial pressures to remain open. Instead, the early years sector has benefitted from the continuation of early years entitlement funding during the COVID-19 outbreak. As private nurseries typically rely on private income for a significant proportion of their income - unlike most state-funded schools - they are also able to furlough their staff via the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme, which has also been available for maintained nursery schools. Eligible nurseries have also benefitted from a business rates holiday and access to business loans, as set out by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 25/01/2021 18:10:51 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1275264

registered interest
date	11/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Coronavirus
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 the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industry on ensuring employers do not put pressure on employees to send their children to school during the January 2021 covid-19 lockdown.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	135797
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2021 answer text <p>My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, regularly meets cabinet colleagues about a range of issues.</p><p>Under the current national restrictions, the Department has made it clear that vulnerable children and children of critical workers can attend school and college in person. However, parents and carers who are critical workers should keep their children at home if they can.</p><p>The Department published updated guidance for parents on 8 January 2021, which is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak?utm_source=back-school-campaign-aug-2020&amp;utm_medium=offline&amp;utm_campaign=backtoschool" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak?utm_source=back-school-campaign-aug-2020&amp;utm_medium=offline&amp;utm_campaign=backtoschool</a>.</p><p>The Department has also published a media blog, which is available at: <a href="https://dfemedia.blog.gov.uk/2021/01/08/am-i-a-critical-worker-or-are-they-vulnerable-or-without-internet-access-or-broadband/" target="_blank">https://dfemedia.blog.gov.uk/2021/01/08/am-i-a-critical-worker-or-are-they-vulnerable-or-without-internet-access-or-broadband/</a>.</p><p>Where vulnerable children and children of critical workers do not attend school, we expect schools to provide them with remote education, as for the majority of their pupils. Pupils who are self-isolating should not attend school. Clinically extremely vulnerable pupils are also advised not to attend school. Where a parent wishes their child to be absent, we expect schools to authorise the absence during this national lockdown period. Absence will not be penalised.</p><p>Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 and EU transition response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision</a>. Children with at least one parent or carer who is a critical worker can go to school if required. This includes parents who may be working from home.</p><p>Early years provision should continue to remain open and should continue to allow all children to attend full time, or their usual timetable hours.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 19/01/2021 17:13:34 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1275266

registered interest
date	11/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Secondary Education: Coronavirus
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 encourage secondary school pupils to take up lateral flow testing in schools.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	135798
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2021 answer text <p>Antigen lateral flow tests are designed to detect the level of virus in individuals who do not experience or show any symptoms, but who could still be infectious and pass the virus to others.</p><p>As part of the delivery of this new testing capability for pupils in secondary schools and colleges, the Department has strongly encouraged both staff and pupils to take the test as it will help to stop the spread of COVID-19, protect other people, and save lives.</p><p>In addition, the Department, in partnership with the Department for Health and Social Care, have produced a range of training and guidance material including webinars to support pupils in feeling able to complete the lateral flow testing. We have also developed extensive guidance for schools and colleges to allow them to communicate to their pupils about how easy and quick it is to undertake the test in order to encourage them to take up the testing offer.</p><p>The testing will help to ensure that schools and colleges can avoid unnecessary staff shortages, and vulnerable pupils and students, and those whose parents or carers are key workers, can continue in face to face education.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 19/01/2021 17:37:47 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1275267

registered interest
date	11/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Pupils: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether it is his policy that schools remain open to vulnerable and key worker children in the February half-term and Easter holidays.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	135799
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2021 answer text <p>Ensuring sufficiency of childcare provision for critical worker parents and carers and vulnerable children remains a Government priority. The Department is considering plans for half term and will provide more information shortly.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 19/01/2021 17:02:57 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1275268

registered interest
date	11/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Primary Education: Coronavirus
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 primary school staff are able to access lateral flow testing.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	135800
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2021 answer text <p>Rapid, regular testing for people without symptoms of COVID-19 will be made available to primary staff by the end of January with kits being delivered from 18 January. All primary school staff will be offered home test kits for routine testing. These kits contain Lateral Flow Device tests which enable self-swabbing. They are designed for use at home so staff can complete the test before coming in to work.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 19/01/2021 17:36:28 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1275269

registered interest
date	11/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Special Educational Needs: Remote Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will issue separate guidance on remote learning for special education schools.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	135801
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2021 answer text <p>On 8 January 2021, the department published updated guidance regarding the provision of remote education during national lockdown while attendance is restricted: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/950510/School_national_restrictions_guidance.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/950510/School_national_restrictions_guidance.pdf</a>. This includes guidance for pupils with special education needs.</p><p> </p><p>During the period of national lockdown, primary, secondary, alternative provision and special schools will remain open to vulnerable children and young people, including those with an education, health and care plan. For pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), their teachers are best placed to know how the pupil’s needs can be most effectively met to ensure they continue to make progress even if they are not able to be in school due to COVID-19. The requirement for schools to use their best endeavours to secure the special educational provision called for by the pupils’ special educational needs remains in place. Where possible, special schools should follow the age-related guidance for primary schools and secondary schools.</p><p> </p><p>Schools should work collaboratively with families, putting in place reasonable adjustments as necessary, so that pupils with SEND can successfully access remote education alongside their peers. All further education (FE) providers should give particular consideration on how best to support vulnerable and disadvantaged students and students with SEND who may not be able to access remote education without support.</p><p> </p><p>There are a wide range of resources available to support schools and FE providers to meet the expectations we have set. Get Help with Remote Education provides a one-stop-shop for teachers and leaders, signposting the support package available: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-help-with-remote-education" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-help-with-remote-education</a>. This includes information on supporting pupils and students with SEND.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 19/01/2021 14:58:32 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1258260

registered interest
date	03/12/2020
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Media: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to provide financial support to (a) smaller and (b) independent media organisations during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	124657
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2020 answer text <p>Small and independent media organisations provide a vital service - supplying information about local public affairs, holding decision-makers to account, and helping to ensure the healthy plurality of our media.</p><p>It has been a priority for the government to support such organisations during this crisis, including local newspapers and commercial and community radio. In terms of financial support, the government brought forward the zero-rating of VAT on e-newspapers to May 2020 and we have also brokered significant support from the transmission operator, Arqiva, for small local commercial radio stations. We have also made available a small grant scheme for commercial stations that do not use Arqiva’s networks. In addition to these financial support measures, some media organisations have benefitted from government advertising campaigns, which is designed to deliver important messages to UK citizens on coronavirus. Over 100 independent newspaper titles are included in the partnership, and the majority of expenditure, 60%, is allocated to regional, local and BAME titles. Government messaging has also been delivered through a targeted partnership with small commercial and community radio stations serving BAME communities.</p><p>In addition, small and independent media organisations may have been able to receive support from wider government measures, such as the job-retention scheme which the Government has extended until the end of March 2021.</p><p>We continue to work closely with stakeholders from across the media landscape regarding the ways in which the Government can support them through the current crisis and beyond.</p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 10/12/2020 16:04:41 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe