I meet the Ofqual Chief Regulator regularly as do our officials. Given the current unprecedented circumstances, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has also issued a direction to Ofqual to help shape its work in developing calculated grades for students in place of exam results, ensuring outcomes are as fair as possible.<\/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" : "2020-06-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-06-22T16:57:48.447Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-06-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Qualifications: Coronavirus"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "What discussions he has had with Ofqual on the arrangements for awarding GCSE, AS and A level grades for the 2019-20 academic year.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4389", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ruth Cadbury"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brentford and Isleworth"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ruth Cadbury"} ], "uin" : "903530"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1215885", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1215885/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Ofqual, the independent qualifications regulator, has put in place arrangements that will enable students to receive a grade wherever possible.<\/p>
The calculated grades awarded this summer will be formal grades, with the same status as grades awarded in any other year. They will therefore be accepted by all institutions.<\/p>
University representatives have already confirmed that they expect universities to do all they can to support students and ensure they can progress to higher education.<\/p>
Students who cannot get a grade or would like the opportunity to improve their grades will be able to sit exams in the autumn.<\/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" : "2020-06-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-06-22T16:58:36.963Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-06-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Assessments: Coronavirus"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "What steps his Department is taking to ensure that students due to sit exams in academic year 2019-20 will be able to progress into employment or the next stage of education.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4438", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Craig Williams"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Montgomeryshire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Craig Williams"} ], "uin" : "903533"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1215886", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1215886/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We know this is a challenging time for many businesses.<\/p>
I am in continual contact with early years sector organisations through regular meetings and working groups and are feeding those messages right into the heart of government.<\/p>
This year we plan to pay £3.6 billion into early years entitlements.<\/p>
We will continue to ensure that early years providers get the best possible support from the numerous government schemes.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4674", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Vicky Ford"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Chelmsford"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Vicky Ford"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-06-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-06-22T16:53:34.86Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-06-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pre-school Education: Coronavirus"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "What assessment he has made of the adequacy of financial support for early years providers during the covid-19 outbreak.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1506", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Gwynne"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Denton and Reddish"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andrew Gwynne"} ], "uin" : "903538"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1215970", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1215970/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Every family has had challenges during this period but those families with disabled children face the greatest.<\/p>
We have surveyed families, schools and local authorities to monitor the situation.<\/p>
90% of special schools were open last week, and we have invested £10 million in the Family Fund and provided specialist online resources.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4674", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Vicky Ford"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Chelmsford"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Vicky Ford"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-06-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-06-22T15:54:28.95Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-06-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Special Educational Needs: Coronavirus"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "What assessment he has made of the adequacy of educational support for disabled children during the covid-19 outbreak.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4212", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Debbie Abrahams"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Oldham East and Saddleworth"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Debbie Abrahams"} ], "uin" : "903540"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1215980", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1215980/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The safety and health of staff working in the detention estate and people who are detained are of the utmost importance.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Home Office, its suppliers and NHS England healthcare providers in immigration removal centres are following all Public Health England guidance on COVID-19 for the management of COVID-19. Universal testing is not currently recommended under these guidelines, this includes staff, people who are detained and those being released into the community. Any testing conducted will be dependent on individual circumstances.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Home Office is taking proactive steps to monitor, manage and mitigate the threat of COVID-19 to staff and people who are detained and to reduce the likelihood of the infection spreading. Guidance on managing these risks was implemented on 5 May 2020 and subsequently published on gov.uk on 5 June https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-immigration-removal-centres<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p> As of 23 June 2020, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in immigration removal centres.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4503", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Philp"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon South"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Philp"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-07-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "62578"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-07-03T13:11:24.603Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-06-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Immigration Removal Centres: Coronavirus"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) staff working and (b) people detained in immigration removal centres are tested for covid-19.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4658", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alex Sobel"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leeds North West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alex Sobel"}
], "uin" : "62577"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1215981", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1215981/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The safety and health of staff working in the detention estate and people who are detained are of the utmost importance.<\/p> <\/p> The Home Office, its suppliers and NHS England healthcare providers in immigration removal centres are following all Public Health England guidance on COVID-19 for the management of COVID-19. Universal testing is not currently recommended under these guidelines, this includes staff, people who are detained and those being released into the community. Any testing conducted will be dependent on individual circumstances.<\/p> <\/p> The Home Office is taking proactive steps to monitor, manage and mitigate the threat of COVID-19 to staff and people who are detained and to reduce the likelihood of the infection spreading. Guidance on managing these risks was implemented on 5 May 2020 and subsequently published on gov.uk on 5 June https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-immigration-removal-centres<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p> As of 23 June 2020, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in immigration removal centres.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4503", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Philp"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon South"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Philp"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-07-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "62577"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-07-03T13:11:24.65Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-06-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Immigration Removal Centres: Risk Assessment"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the risks of covid-19 for (a) staff working in and (b) immigrants detained in immigration removal centres.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4658", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alex Sobel"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leeds North West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alex Sobel"}
], "uin" : "62578"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1215982", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1215982/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department will do whatever it can to make sure no child \u2013 whatever their background or location \u2013 falls behind as a result of COVID-19.<\/p> That is why we have provided a comprehensive package of support for remote education, including guidance for parents and carers: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/supporting-your-childrens-education-during-coronavirus-covid-19<\/a>, which covers how they can help their children to learn at home. This support, and the resources set out below, will also be useful to parents and carers of home-schooled children.<\/p> We have published an updated list of high quality online educational resources: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-online-education-resources<\/a> which have been assessed with the support of some of the country\u2019s leading educational subject experts to help pupils to learn at home. The list includes resources in six priority areas including maths, English, science, PE, mental wellbeing and SEND, from Early Years to Key Stage 5, and which are currently available for free.<\/p> The Department has also worked with the BBC on its comprehensive new education package, available on TV, via the red button and iPlayer, and online at BBC Bitesize. Bitesize Daily TV shows were watched by over 2 million households on iPlayer in the first two weeks of transmission.<\/p>