Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1132027

	registered interest
	date	13/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Health: Students
	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 improve student wellbeing.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	264318
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2019 answer text <p>Mental health is a priority for this government, which is why we continue to work closely with Universities UK on embedding the Step Change programme within the sector. Step Change calls on higher education leaders to adopt mental health as a strategic priority and adopt a whole-institution approach to mental health, embedding it across all policies, cultures, curricula and practice.</p><p>In addition, the government actively backs the introduction of a sector-led University Mental Health Charter, launched in June 2018. This will drive up standards in promoting student and staff mental health and wellbeing and it will invite universities to meet high standards of practice, including in areas such as leadership, early intervention and data collection.</p><p>On 5 June 2019, the Office for Students announced the award of almost £6 million of funding for 10 large-scale projects through a challenge competition, encouraging higher education providers to find new ways of combating student mental health issues. The projects involve over 60 different universities, colleges and other organisations including NHS services, the police and charities, together contributing matched-funding taking the investment up to £14.5 million. <br> <br> Higher education providers have legal responsibilities under the Equality Act (2010) to support students, including those with mental health conditions. Whilst it is for providers to determine what welfare and counselling services they need to provide to their students to offer that support, the government is proactive in promoting good practice in this area.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 18/06/2019 15:03:55 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1135581

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children's Centres
	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 10 June 2019 to Question 260548 on Sure Start Programme, what recent assessment he has made of the implementation of local authorities' duty under the Childcare Act (2006) to ensure sufficient children's centres to meet the need of local families.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	270713
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2019 answer text <p>The government has not made any such assessment. It is the responsibility of local authorities to comply with their statutory duties, having regard to statutory guidance published by the Department for Education. The relevant statutory guidance can be found at <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/678913/childrens_centre_stat_guidance_april-2013.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/678913/childrens_centre_stat_guidance_april-2013.pdf</a>.</p><p>The government’s focus is on outcomes for children. In July 2018 the government set an ambitious goal to halve, by 2028, the percentage of children leaving reception year without the communication, language and literacy skills they need to thrive. This is a clear direction for all those who have a part to play, including children’s centres. The department is working with local authorities, including through our £8.5 million early years local government programme, to achieve this ambition.</p><p>To help local areas monitor and improve these outcomes, the department published on 6 June 2019 the Early Years Outcomes Dashboard, which can be found here: <a href="https://department-for-education.shinyapps.io/smapey-dashboard/" target="_blank">https://department-for-education.shinyapps.io/smapey-dashboard/</a>. This dashboard makes the most important early years social mobility metrics easily available and will allow local authorities to benchmark their outcomes against their statistical neighbours. This is in addition to the extensive range of data made available to local authorities by Public Health England through its Child and Maternal Health profiles, which can be found here: <a href="https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/child-health-profiles" target="_blank">https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/child-health-profiles</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 03/07/2019 15:01:48 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1135835

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Students: Housing
	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 cost of university accommodation for students.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	271368
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>Higher education providers are autonomous bodies, independent from the government; the government plays no direct role in the provision of student residential accommodation.</p><p> </p><p>This government increased living costs support by 10.3% for eligible students on the lowest incomes in 2016/17. Further inflationary increases in living costs support have been made in each academic year since. We have announced a further 2.8% increase in loans for living costs for the 2019/20 academic year – to a record amount. Students from the lowest-income households starting their courses in the academic year 2018/19 had access to the largest ever amounts of cash-in-hand support for their living costs.</p><p> </p><p>The independent panel supporting the Post-18 Review of Education and Funding published their report on 30 May where they recommended the Office for Students examines the costs of student accommodation and works with students and providers to improve the quality and consistency of data about costs, rents, profits and quality. The government has not yet taken decisions on these recommendations but will consider the panel’s proposals and conclude the review at the Spending Review.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 08/07/2019 12:02:33 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1136591

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Educational Exchanges
	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 schools and their pupils to take part in student exchange programmes with schools in other countries.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	272743
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>In January, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education announced a new £2.5 million programme to provide more opportunities for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to take part in an international school exchange.</p><p>State schools in England can apply for grants to take pupils aged 11 and above to visit partner schools around the world, giving them the chance to experience different cultures, improve language skills and build independence, character and resilience.</p><p>​Some of the first exchanges have already taken place, to destinations including Toulon in France, and Heinsberg in Germany. More information about the programme is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/25-million-to-boost-international-exchanges-for-schools" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/25-million-to-boost-international-exchanges-for-schools</a>.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 08/07/2019 16:02:26 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1137165

	registered interest
	date	05/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many hours of schooling were lost due to schools reducing the length of the school day as a result of insufficient funding in the 2017-18 academic year.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	273737
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>Information on when schools finish their school day is not held centrally.</p><p>It is unacceptable for schools to shorten their working week when it is not a direct action to support and enhance their pupils’ education. According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, funding for the average primary school class is £132,000, and funding for that same class of children in secondary school would be £171,000. These amounts are to cover a full five-day week in term time.</p><p>All schools have the autonomy to decide the structure and duration of their school day, which includes the flexibility to decide when their school day should start and finish. The Department trusts that headteachers will do this in a sensible manner.</p><p>All maintained schools are required to educate pupils for at least 380 sessions each school year. They cannot reduce the length of the school week if this would take the total number of sessions below that.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 10/07/2019 14:04:54 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1138827

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Sexual Harassment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to ensure that the sexual harassment policies of universities are fit for purpose.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	277109
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2019 answer text <p>There is no place in our society, including within higher education (HE), for any form of sexual harassment or violence. HE providers have clear responsibilities, including under the Equality Act (2010), and should have robust policies and procedures in place to comply with the law to investigate and swiftly address reports of sexual misconduct.</p><p>All students should be able to thrive in HE, free from barriers to both their academic and personal development. The government expects providers to address barriers preventing students from having a positive experience, and to ensure they have appropriate support in place.</p><p>The government is working closely with Universities UK (UUK) and the Office for Students to support work to address sexual harassment in HE, including implementing the recommendations of the UUK Taskforce on sexual violence and harassment, published in 2016.</p><p>Since these recommendations were published, further guidance has been published on sexual misconduct in HE. This includes the Pinsent Masons guidelines on how to handle student misconduct which may constitute a criminal offence, and separate briefings from the Office for the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education on handling disciplinary procedures relating to sexual misconduct.</p><p>HE providers are autonomous institutions who have a duty of care to students, which includes all aspects of safeguarding and wellbeing. This is taken very seriously by providers. Providers will make decisions based on the needs of their student body, for example including support services for students facing issues relating to sexual violence and harassment. The UUK Taskforce clearly set out the need for providers to have clear care pathways and make it clear where students should be referred to within the university to access appropriate support.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore grouped question UIN 277110 277111 question first answered 18/07/2019 13:13:34 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1138847

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Sexual Harassment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of sexual harassment at universities on the prospects of the victims of that harassment.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	277110
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2019 answer text <p>There is no place in our society, including within higher education (HE), for any form of sexual harassment or violence. HE providers have clear responsibilities, including under the Equality Act (2010), and should have robust policies and procedures in place to comply with the law to investigate and swiftly address reports of sexual misconduct.</p><p>All students should be able to thrive in HE, free from barriers to both their academic and personal development. The government expects providers to address barriers preventing students from having a positive experience, and to ensure they have appropriate support in place.</p><p>The government is working closely with Universities UK (UUK) and the Office for Students to support work to address sexual harassment in HE, including implementing the recommendations of the UUK Taskforce on sexual violence and harassment, published in 2016.</p><p>Since these recommendations were published, further guidance has been published on sexual misconduct in HE. This includes the Pinsent Masons guidelines on how to handle student misconduct which may constitute a criminal offence, and separate briefings from the Office for the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education on handling disciplinary procedures relating to sexual misconduct.</p><p>HE providers are autonomous institutions who have a duty of care to students, which includes all aspects of safeguarding and wellbeing. This is taken very seriously by providers. Providers will make decisions based on the needs of their student body, for example including support services for students facing issues relating to sexual violence and harassment. The UUK Taskforce clearly set out the need for providers to have clear care pathways and make it clear where students should be referred to within the university to access appropriate support.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore grouped question UIN 277109 277111 question first answered 18/07/2019 13:13:34 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1138848

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Universities: Sexual Harassment
	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 adequacy of support provided to victims of sexual assault at universities.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	277111
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2019 answer text <p>There is no place in our society, including within higher education (HE), for any form of sexual harassment or violence. HE providers have clear responsibilities, including under the Equality Act (2010), and should have robust policies and procedures in place to comply with the law to investigate and swiftly address reports of sexual misconduct.</p><p>All students should be able to thrive in HE, free from barriers to both their academic and personal development. The government expects providers to address barriers preventing students from having a positive experience, and to ensure they have appropriate support in place.</p><p>The government is working closely with Universities UK (UUK) and the Office for Students to support work to address sexual harassment in HE, including implementing the recommendations of the UUK Taskforce on sexual violence and harassment, published in 2016.</p><p>Since these recommendations were published, further guidance has been published on sexual misconduct in HE. This includes the Pinsent Masons guidelines on how to handle student misconduct which may constitute a criminal offence, and separate briefings from the Office for the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education on handling disciplinary procedures relating to sexual misconduct.</p><p>HE providers are autonomous institutions who have a duty of care to students, which includes all aspects of safeguarding and wellbeing. This is taken very seriously by providers. Providers will make decisions based on the needs of their student body, for example including support services for students facing issues relating to sexual violence and harassment. The UUK Taskforce clearly set out the need for providers to have clear care pathways and make it clear where students should be referred to within the university to access appropriate support.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore grouped question UIN 277109 277110 question first answered 18/07/2019 13:13:34 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1139247

	registered interest
	date	16/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Day Care
	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 assist local authorities to increase the (a) provision and (b) affordability of childcare for disabled children in the school summer holidays.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	277636
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2019 answer text <p>Local authorities are required to secure sufficient childcare in their area, so far as is practicable, for working parents, or parents who are studying or training for employment, for children aged 0-14 (or up to 18 for disabled children).</p><p>Since 2011, all local authorities have a duty to provide a range of short breaks services for disabled children and their families. Responsibility for funding short breaks rests with local authorities. They are best placed and have the freedom to decide how to deliver services, target their resources and priorities, and be flexible to meet the local needs of disabled children and young people.</p><p>Tax-Free Childcare was introduced in 2017 to support families with the costs of childcare, for which 1.6 million families are eligible. For every £8 parents pay into an online account, the government pays £2 – up to a maximum contribution of £2,000 per child each year, for children aged up to 12. Parents of disabled children receive extra support (worth up to £4,000 per child, for each year and until their child is 17) which can be used to pay for childcare provision both during term time and in school holidays.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 22/07/2019 15:39:13 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1140580

	registered interest
	date	19/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Students: Housing
	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 help improve the standard of student housing.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	279376
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2019 answer text <p>Higher education providers are autonomous bodies that are independent from the government and so the government plays no direct role in the provision of student residential accommodation.</p><p> </p><p>We have seen evidence that the standard of student accommodation is improving. For example, in 2018/19, the level of self-catered ensuite provision at institutions stood at approximately 222,000 rooms compared to approximately 203,000 in 2012/13, a 9% increase. Meanwhile, the number of self-catered standard rooms with shared facilities at institutions has declined from around 87,000 to approximately 64,000, a 26% decrease.</p><p> </p><p>The independent panel supporting the Post-18 Review of Education and Funding published their report on 30 May where they recommended the Office for Students examines the costs of student accommodation and works with students and providers to improve the quality and consistency of data about costs, rents, profits and quality. The government will consider the panel’s proposals and conclude the review at the Spending Review.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 24/07/2019 06:45:39 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham