The department has been working closely with Ofqual to prepare for first teaching of the reformed functional skills qualifications in English and maths from September 2019.<\/p>
As part of this, Ofqual have introduced a robust technical evaluation process through which all new functional skills qualifications need to go before being made available. This is to ensure, before delivery, that the reformed qualifications are of high quality and support consistent assessment and awarding.<\/p>
To support providers, Ofqual have published information online outlining how far different awarding organisations have progressed in the technical evaluation. They have also communicated about the reforms with providers more generally both online and directly.<\/p>
This department has also commissioned the Education Training Foundation to support providers to be ready for the new qualifications with a range of communication events, training opportunities and resources. The first qualifications have now been approved. We will continue to work closely with Ofqual on preparing for these new qualifications taking account of the impact and implications for providers.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1523", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Anne Milton"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Guildford"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Anne Milton"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-20T17:51:26.627Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Basic Skills: Qualifications"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions he has had with Ofqual on preparations for the new functional skills qualifications for September 2019; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/308", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Coventry South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Jim Cunningham"} ], "uin" : "232976"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1089461", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1089461/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Funding for children\u2019s services is made available through the Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS), which gives local authorities flexibility to target spending according to local needs and to fulfil their statutory responsibilities, including services for children and families. Since 2010, the responsibilities of local authorities and the makeup of their funding streams have changed significantly. Therefore, wider spending power measures are not directly comparable over this period.<\/p>
Over the 5 year period to 2019-20, councils have access, through the LGFS, to over £200 billion to deliver local services, including children\u2019s services. Core spending power has increased from £45.1 billion in 2018-19 to £46.4 billion in 2019-20.<\/p>
In addition to this the Autumn Budget announced a further £410 million in 2019-20 for local authorities to invest in adult and children\u2019s social care services. It also announced £84 million of extra funding, over the next 5 years, to support local authorities to invest in initiatives that improve social work practice and decision making.<\/p>
Local Authority level data since 2013 is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-interactive-tool-lait<\/a>.<\/p> National level children in need and service use since 2010 is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-children-in-need<\/a> and: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-looked-after-children<\/a>.<\/p> The most common factors recorded in children\u2019s social care assessments are domestic abuse and mental health. These have been consistently the top two factors for the years during which we have collected this data and have risen in line with trends in demand.<\/p> The Department for Education is working closely with Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government on the review of relative needs and resources to develop a robust, up-to-date approach to funding distribution for children's services at local government finance settlements.<\/p> The government will continue to work closely with the sector to consider long-term children\u2019s services funding as part of the upcoming Spending Review.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4113", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stratford-on-Avon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nadhim Zahawi"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "233016"}
, {"_value" : "233017"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-20T17:44:05.103Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Services: Finance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the financial sustainability of the children\u2019s services department in the local authority of St Helens.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4458", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Conor McGinn"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "St Helens North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Conor McGinn"}
], "uin" : "233015"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1089462", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1089462/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Funding for children\u2019s services is made available through the Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS), which gives local authorities flexibility to target spending according to local needs and to fulfil their statutory responsibilities, including services for children and families. Since 2010, the responsibilities of local authorities and the makeup of their funding streams have changed significantly. Therefore, wider spending power measures are not directly comparable over this period.<\/p> Over the 5 year period to 2019-20, councils have access, through the LGFS, to over £200 billion to deliver local services, including children\u2019s services. Core spending power has increased from £45.1 billion in 2018-19 to £46.4 billion in 2019-20.<\/p> In addition to this the Autumn Budget announced a further £410 million in 2019-20 for local authorities to invest in adult and children\u2019s social care services. It also announced £84 million of extra funding, over the next 5 years, to support local authorities to invest in initiatives that improve social work practice and decision making.<\/p> Local Authority level data since 2013 is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-interactive-tool-lait<\/a>.<\/p> National level children in need and service use since 2010 is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-children-in-need<\/a> and: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-looked-after-children<\/a>.<\/p> The most common factors recorded in children\u2019s social care assessments are domestic abuse and mental health. These have been consistently the top two factors for the years during which we have collected this data and have risen in line with trends in demand.<\/p> The Department for Education is working closely with Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government on the review of relative needs and resources to develop a robust, up-to-date approach to funding distribution for children's services at local government finance settlements.<\/p> The government will continue to work closely with the sector to consider long-term children\u2019s services funding as part of the upcoming Spending Review.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4113", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stratford-on-Avon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nadhim Zahawi"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "233015"}
, {"_value" : "233017"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-20T17:44:05.023Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Services: St Helens"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of the reduction in funding available for children\u2019s services in St Helens borough on the number of (a) referrals to children\u2019s services, (b) re-referrals within 12 months, (c) children in need, (d) child protection enquiries, (e) child protection plans, (f) looked after children.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4458", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Conor McGinn"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "St Helens North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Conor McGinn"}
], "uin" : "233016"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1089463", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1089463/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Funding for children\u2019s services is made available through the Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS), which gives local authorities flexibility to target spending according to local needs and to fulfil their statutory responsibilities, including services for children and families. Since 2010, the responsibilities of local authorities and the makeup of their funding streams have changed significantly. Therefore, wider spending power measures are not directly comparable over this period.<\/p> Over the 5 year period to 2019-20, councils have access, through the LGFS, to over £200 billion to deliver local services, including children\u2019s services. Core spending power has increased from £45.1 billion in 2018-19 to £46.4 billion in 2019-20.<\/p> In addition to this the Autumn Budget announced a further £410 million in 2019-20 for local authorities to invest in adult and children\u2019s social care services. It also announced £84 million of extra funding, over the next 5 years, to support local authorities to invest in initiatives that improve social work practice and decision making.<\/p> Local Authority level data since 2013 is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-interactive-tool-lait<\/a>.<\/p> National level children in need and service use since 2010 is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-children-in-need<\/a> and: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-looked-after-children<\/a>.<\/p> The most common factors recorded in children\u2019s social care assessments are domestic abuse and mental health. These have been consistently the top two factors for the years during which we have collected this data and have risen in line with trends in demand.<\/p> The Department for Education is working closely with Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government on the review of relative needs and resources to develop a robust, up-to-date approach to funding distribution for children's services at local government finance settlements.<\/p> The government will continue to work closely with the sector to consider long-term children\u2019s services funding as part of the upcoming Spending Review.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4113", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stratford-on-Avon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nadhim Zahawi"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "233015"}
, {"_value" : "233016"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-20T17:44:05.147Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Social Services"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has been made of the effect of the funding allocated to children\u2019s services between 2010-11 and 2017-18 on the number of (a) referrals to children\u2019s services; (b) re-referrals within 12 months, (c) children in need, (d) child protection enquiries, (e) child protection plans and (f) looked after children.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4458", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Conor McGinn"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "St Helens North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Conor McGinn"}
], "uin" : "233017"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1089489", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1089489/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " My noble Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, met with representatives of the campaign group WorthLess? to discuss wider school funding on 22 November 2018. <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/111", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nick Gibb"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bognor Regis and Littlehampton"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nick Gibb"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-20T17:42:03.033Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Schools: Finance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 14 March 2019 to Question 230746 on Schools: Finance, on what dates (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department met representatives of the campaign group WorthLess.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4356", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Angela Rayner"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ashton-under-Lyne"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Angela Rayner"}
], "uin" : "233013"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1089494", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1089494/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " There were 1,627,300 apprenticeship starts in England between May 2015 and October 2018.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1523", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Anne Milton"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Guildford"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Anne Milton"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-20T17:35:37.403Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Apprentices"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of the number of apprenticeships that will have been started between 2015 and 2020.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4356", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Angela Rayner"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ashton-under-Lyne"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Angela Rayner"}
], "uin" : "233014"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1088240", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1088240/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " We have a world-class higher education system and the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 sets the foundation for further improvements to the system. We have established the Office for Students to operate a new register of providers and ensure minimum standards. We have also enacted the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) to hold universities to account for the teaching and outcomes they deliver for students, and are encouraging further diversity within the system with new providers and shorter degrees delivered at a lower cost to students.<\/p> These important achievements are being built on with the post-18 review of education and funding looking further at how we can ensure our post-18 education system is joined up and supported by a funding system that works for students and taxpayers.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4021", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Skidmore"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kingswood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Skidmore"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-20T19:01:18.013Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universities: Standards"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that university students receive value for money from student fees.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/373", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir David Davis"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Haltemprice and Howden"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr David Davis"}
], "uin" : "232112"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1088286", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1088286/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I have previously met with Jules White, representative of the campaign group WorthLess?, to discuss school funding, on 15 September 2017 and 5 February 2018.<\/p>