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1304540
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-03-22more like thismore than 2021-03-22
answering body
Department for Education more like this
answering dept id 60 more like this
answering dept short name Education more like this
answering dept sort name Education remove filter
hansard heading Universities: Coronavirus more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will work with the Office for Students to provide guidance to universities on how to effectively take account of the effect of the covid-19 pandemic on academic performance. more like this
tabling member constituency Leicester East more like this
tabling member printed
Claudia Webbe more like this
uin 173213 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-03-30more like thismore than 2021-03-30
answer text <p>It is vital that a fair approach to exams and assessment is in place and understood by students. As autonomous bodies, higher education (HE) providers will make their own judgements about how best to ensure students’ achievements are reliably and fairly assessed.</p><p>The government’s clear and stated expectation is that quality and academic standards must be maintained. We expect providers to make all reasonable efforts for student achievement to be reliably assessed and for qualifications to be awarded securely.</p><p>The Office for Students (OfS), as the HE regulator in England, has produced guidance to the sector setting out expectations about provider approaches to teaching and assessment during this time. OfS guidance is clear that standards must be maintained, but clearly changes to assessments may be required in some circumstances. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has also published resources for providers on practical ways in which students can be assessed and complete their studies while ensuring quality and standards are upheld.</p><p>The government will continue to work closely with the QAA, professional bodies and the OfS to ensure students continue to leave university with qualifications that have real value, reflect their hard work and allow people to progress.</p>
answering member constituency Chippenham more like this
answering member printed Michelle Donelan more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-03-30T08:34:18.97Zmore like thismore than 2021-03-30T08:34:18.97Z
answering member
4530
label Biography information for Michelle Donelan more like this
tabling member
4848
label Biography information for Claudia Webbe more like this
1304541
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-03-22more like thismore than 2021-03-22
answering body
Department for Education more like this
answering dept id 60 more like this
answering dept short name Education more like this
answering dept sort name Education remove filter
hansard heading Universities: Coronavirus more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will require the Competition and Markets Authority formally assesses the offers made by universities for the 2020-21 student intake. more like this
tabling member constituency Leicester East more like this
tabling member printed
Claudia Webbe more like this
uin 173214 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-04-01more like thismore than 2021-04-01
answer text <p>The government is committed to transforming the lives of young people so they can go as far as their hard work will take them. Our primary goal has been to ensure that the vast majority of students who wanted to go to university in the 2020-21 academic year could do so. We took steps, with support from the higher education (HE) sector, to increase capacity in the 2020-21 cycle. The end of cycle figures from UCAS for the 2020 cycle show that the percentage of accepted applicants deferring their place only went up by 0.7 percentage points compared to 2019. HE providers, as autonomous bodies, are independent from the government and are responsible for their own recruitment decisions.</p><p>The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is an independent non-ministerial department. The CMA makes its own choices about which cases to take forward based on its published prioritisation principles. The CMA offers guidance on consumer law for HE providers. It has been clear that obligations under the law have not changed during the COVID-19 outbreak and that HE providers must ensure that they are meeting these obligations.</p><p>The government has been clear throughout the COVID-19 outbreak that we expect providers to ensure that they are fully complying with their consumer law obligations, including in relation to admissions decisions. The department has regular contact with the CMA, including via the Consumer Benefit Forum, which was formed following the government’s consultation on the Office for Students (OfS) regulatory framework in 2017. Information about the Consumer Benefit Forum is available here: <a href="https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/student-wellbeing-and-protection/student-protection/consumer-benefit-forum/" target="_blank">https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/student-wellbeing-and-protection/student-protection/consumer-benefit-forum/</a>.</p><p>On 30 November 2020, the CMA published a re-statement of their views on consumer law in relation to HE. This is available at: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5fc4bab98fa8f5474e63ab0b/HE_restatement_.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5fc4bab98fa8f5474e63ab0b/HE_restatement_.pdf</a>.</p><p>The CMA had also previously published guidance on consumer contracts, cancellation and refunds affected by COVID-19. This sets out the CMA’s view on how the law operates to help students understand their rights and help providers treat their students fairly. This is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/consumer-protection-review-of-higher-education" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/consumer-protection-review-of-higher-education</a>.</p><p>Although the CMA is able to take enforcement action where there are breaches of consumer law, the OfS also has an important role, as the regulatory body in HE. All registered HE providers are subject to ongoing OfS conditions of registration relating to student protection and consumer law. The OfS is also responsible for ensuring that HE providers comply with their registration requirements.</p><p>The OfS does not get involved in individual student complaints, as that is for the relevant HE provider and possibly the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education. Students can, however, notify the OfS of issues that may be of regulatory interest to it. These are called ‘notifications’. The OfS uses this information as part of its regulatory monitoring activity and to keep HE providers under review to ensure that they comply with the ongoing conditions of registration. The OfS has produced a guide for students to support them in this process, which is available here: <a href="https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/office-for-students-notifications/" target="_blank">https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/office-for-students-notifications/</a>.</p>
answering member constituency Chippenham more like this
answering member printed Michelle Donelan more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-04-01T16:14:47.477Zmore like thismore than 2021-04-01T16:14:47.477Z
answering member
4530
label Biography information for Michelle Donelan more like this
tabling member
4848
label Biography information for Claudia Webbe more like this
1304542
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-03-22more like thismore than 2021-03-22
answering body
Department for Education more like this
answering dept id 60 more like this
answering dept short name Education more like this
answering dept sort name Education remove filter
hansard heading Students: Fees and Charges more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of abolishing tuition fees (a) for the duration of the covid-19 outbreak and (b) in perpetuity. more like this
tabling member constituency Leicester East more like this
tabling member printed
Claudia Webbe more like this
uin 173215 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-03-26more like thismore than 2021-03-26
answer text <p>The government is committed to a sustainable higher education (HE) funding model that supports high quality provision, meets the skills needs of the country, and maintains the world-class reputation of UK HE. We recognise that tuition fees must continue to represent value for money for students and taxpayers, both during the COVID-19 outbreak and after.</p><p>The government has already announced that the maximum tuition fee cap will remain at £9,250 for the 2021/22 academic year in respect of standard full-time courses at approved (fee cap) providers. We also intend to freeze the maximum tuition fee caps for 2022/23 to deliver better value for students and to keep the cost of higher education under control, the fifth year in succession that maximum fees have been frozen. Our income-contingent student loan system helps remove financial barriers to study and means that no eligible student needs to pay tuition fees upfront.</p><p>The COVID-19 outbreak continues to be a difficult and uncertain time for students. The government’s expectations are very clear: HE providers should maintain the quality and quantity of tuition and seek to ensure that all students regardless of their background have the resources to study remotely. The HE regulator in England, the Office for Students (OfS), has made it clear that all HE providers must continue to comply with registration conditions relating to quality and standards. The OfS is taking very seriously the potential impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on teaching and learning. It is actively monitoring providers to ensure that they maintain the quality of their provision, that it is accessible for all, and that they have been clear in their communications with students about how arrangements for teaching and learning may change throughout the year. The OfS is also following up directly with providers where they receive notifications from students, parents or others raising concerns about the quality of teaching on offer and requiring providers to report to them when they are not able to deliver a course or award a qualification. If the OfS has any concerns, it will investigate further.</p><p>If students have concerns, there is also a complaints process in place. They should first raise their concerns with their university. If their concerns remain unresolved, students at providers in England or Wales can ask the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) to consider their complaint. The OIA website is available at: <a href="https://www.oiahe.org.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.oiahe.org.uk/.</a></p><p>After finishing study, we believe that it is right that students should contribute to the cost of their HE, and that this contribution should be linked to their income. Only those who earn above the repayment threshold, which is £27,295 per year from April 2021, are required to make repayments. This system of income-based repayment means that those who have benefited the most from their education repay their fair share and helps to ensure that costs are split fairly between borrowers and the taxpayer.</p>
answering member constituency Chippenham more like this
answering member printed Michelle Donelan more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-03-26T12:58:08.843Zmore like thismore than 2021-03-26T12:58:08.843Z
answering member
4530
label Biography information for Michelle Donelan more like this
tabling member
4848
label Biography information for Claudia Webbe more like this
1304543
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-03-22more like thismore than 2021-03-22
answering body
Department for Education more like this
answering dept id 60 more like this
answering dept short name Education more like this
answering dept sort name Education remove filter
hansard heading Students: Coronavirus more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of forgiving student debt accrued during the covid-19 outbreak. more like this
tabling member constituency Leicester East more like this
tabling member printed
Claudia Webbe more like this
uin 173216 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-03-30more like thismore than 2021-03-30
answer text <p>This has been a very difficult time for students, and the government is working with the higher education (HE) sector to make sure all reasonable efforts are being made to enable students to continue their studies. We thank all HE staff for their tireless work to ensure that young people do not have to put their lives or their academic journeys on hold.</p><p>The government’s clear and stated expectation is that universities should maintain the quality and quantity of tuition and should seek to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have the resources to study remotely.</p><p>Universities are autonomous and responsible for setting their own fees within maximum fee limits set by regulations. The government is committed to a sustainable HE funding model that supports high quality provision, meets the skills needs of the country and maintains the world-class reputation of UK HE. We recognise that tuition fees must continue to represent value for money for students and taxpayers, both during the COVID-19 outbreak and afterwards.</p><p>The government has already announced that the maximum tuition fee cap will remain at £9,250 for the 2021/22 academic year, in respect of standard full-time courses at approved (fee cap) HE providers. We also intend to freeze the maximum tuition fee caps for the 2022/23 academic year to deliver better value for students and to keep the cost of HE under control (the fifth year in succession that maximum fees have been frozen). Our income-contingent student loan system helps remove financial barriers to study and means that no eligible student needs to pay tuition fees upfront.</p><p>The Office for Students, as the regulator for HE providers in England, has made it clear that HE providers must continue to comply with registration conditions relating to quality and academic standards. These standards set out requirements to ensure that courses are high-quality, that all students (both domestic and international) are supported and achieve good outcomes and that standards are protected, regardless of whether a provider is delivering its courses through face-to-face teaching, remote online learning or a combination of both.</p><p>Whether or not an individual student is entitled to a refund will depend on the specific contractual arrangements between the HE provider and student. If students have concerns, there is a process in place. They should first raise their concerns with their university. If their concerns remain unresolved, students at providers in England or Wales can ask the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) for Higher Education to consider their complaint, this is the case for both domestic and international students. The OIA website is available at: <a href="https://www.oiahe.org.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.oiahe.org.uk/</a>.</p><p>The OfS does not get involved in individual student complaints, as this is for the relevant HE provider and possibly the OIA. Students can, however, notify the OfS of issues that may be of regulatory interest to it. These are called ‘notifications’. The OfS uses this information as part of its regulatory monitoring activity and keep higher education providers under review to ensure that they comply with the ongoing conditions of registration. The OfS has produced a guide for students to support them in this process, which is available here: <a href="https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/office-for-students-notifications/" target="_blank">https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/office-for-students-notifications/</a>.</p><p>The government recognises that in these exceptional circumstances some students may face financial hardship. The department has worked with the OfS to clarify that providers are able to use existing funds, worth around £256 million for the academic year 2020/21, towards hardship support. We have also made an additional £70 million of student hardship funding available to HE providers this financial year. HE providers have flexibility in how they distribute the funding to students, in a way that best prioritises those in greatest need – this is available to all students.</p>
answering member constituency Chippenham more like this
answering member printed Michelle Donelan more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-03-30T09:13:28.117Zmore like thismore than 2021-03-30T09:13:28.117Z
answering member
4530
label Biography information for Michelle Donelan more like this
tabling member
4848
label Biography information for Claudia Webbe more like this
1304544
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-03-22more like thismore than 2021-03-22
answering body
Department for Education more like this
answering dept id 60 more like this
answering dept short name Education more like this
answering dept sort name Education remove filter
hansard heading Students: Debts more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of cancelling all student debt. more like this
tabling member constituency Leicester East more like this
tabling member printed
Claudia Webbe more like this
uin 173217 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-03-30more like thismore than 2021-03-30
answer text <p>Cancelling all student loan debt would have a significant fiscal impact on the economy, and on taxpayers, many of whom may not have benefited directly from higher education (HE), but who would be required to fund this additional public spending.</p><p>The latest statistical release, published in December 2020, shows that the value of outstanding loans at the end of March 2020 reached £140 billion: <a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01079/" target="_blank">https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01079/</a>.</p><p>The government’s approach to student finance ensures that costs are split fairly between borrowers and the taxpayer. This approach has helped more young people from disadvantaged backgrounds go to university than ever before. Taxpayers currently subsidise around 50% of the cost of HE, which is a conscious investment in the skills capacity of the economy.</p><p>We believe that it is right that students should contribute to the cost of their HE and that this contribution should be linked to their income. Monthly repayments are linked to income and not to interest rates or the amount borrowed. Repayments are made at 9% of amounts earned over the relevant repayment threshold. The repayment threshold is currently equivalent to £26,575 a year for borrowers with a post-2012 loan, rising to £27,295 from 6 April 2021. Borrowers are protected, as their repayments decrease if their income decreases, and stop where income falls below the relevant repayment threshold. Any outstanding debt is written off after 30 years or in line with the terms of the borrower’s specific loan type, with no detriment to the borrower.</p>
answering member constituency Chippenham more like this
answering member printed Michelle Donelan more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-03-30T08:53:19.987Zmore like thismore than 2021-03-30T08:53:19.987Z
answering member
4530
label Biography information for Michelle Donelan more like this
tabling member
4848
label Biography information for Claudia Webbe more like this
1304545
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-03-22more like thismore than 2021-03-22
answering body
Department for Education more like this
answering dept id 60 more like this
answering dept short name Education more like this
answering dept sort name Education remove filter
hansard heading Students: Loans more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the finding by the UCL Institute of Education in June 2017 which found that risk of student loan debt deters students from poorer backgrounds from applying to university. more like this
tabling member constituency Leicester East more like this
tabling member printed
Claudia Webbe more like this
uin 173218 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-03-30more like thismore than 2021-03-30
answer text <p>The government’s approach to student finance ensures that costs are split fairly between borrowers and the taxpayer and has helped more young people from disadvantaged backgrounds go to university than ever before. Data for 2020 shows, there were 25,820 placed English 18-year-old applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds (POLAR Q1), entry rate of 24.0%. Both are the highest on record.</p><p> </p><p>Higher education (HE) providers wishing to charge higher levels fees (£9250) must have an access and participation plan agreed by Office for Students. Plans set out how they will support, including providing financial support, students from disadvantaged backgrounds and under-represented groups to access and successfully participate in HE.</p><p> </p><p>Student finance is available to all eligible students, irrespective of their background and credit history. The current system protects borrowers if they see a reduction in their income. Monthly repayments are linked to income, not to interest rates or the amount borrowed. Repayments are made based on a borrower’s monthly or weekly income, not the interest rate or amount borrowed, and no repayments are made for earnings below the repayment threshold, which is currently equivalent to £26,575 a year for borrowers with a post-2012 loan, rising to £27,295 from 6 April 2021. Borrowers are protected, as their repayments decrease if their income decreases, and stops where income falls below the relevant repayment threshold. Any outstanding debt is written off after 30 years or in line with the terms of their specific loan type, with no detriment to the borrower. This write-off (currently around 50%) is a government subsidy of the cost of HE and is a conscious investment in our people and the skills base of the economy.</p>
answering member constituency Chippenham more like this
answering member printed Michelle Donelan more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-03-30T09:13:00.423Zmore like thismore than 2021-03-30T09:13:00.423Z
answering member
4530
label Biography information for Michelle Donelan more like this
tabling member
4848
label Biography information for Claudia Webbe more like this
1304546
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-03-22more like thismore than 2021-03-22
answering body
Department for Education more like this
answering dept id 60 more like this
answering dept short name Education more like this
answering dept sort name Education remove filter
hansard heading Students: Fees and Charges more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many complaints his Deaprtment has received on the cancellation of tuition fees (a) during the covid-19 outbreak and (b) over the last 10 years. more like this
tabling member constituency Leicester East more like this
tabling member printed
Claudia Webbe more like this
uin 173219 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-03-30more like thismore than 2021-03-30
answer text <p>This is a difficult and uncertain time for students, but we are working with the sector to make sure all reasonable efforts are being made to enable students to continue their studies.</p><p>The government’s expectation is that quality and academic standards must be maintained, and the Office for Students (OfS) has made it clear that all higher education (HE) providers must continue to comply with registration conditions relating to quality and standards.</p><p>If students have concerns, there is a process in place. They should first raise their concerns with their higher education provider. If their concerns remain unresolved, students at providers in England or Wales can ask the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) to consider their complaint. The OIA is independent of government, and because of this and the autonomy and independence of HE providers, the government does not become involved in individual student complaints.</p><p>The OIA was established in 2005 as an alternative to the courts to consider unresolved student complaints. It is independent of government, providers and students and it is free of charge to students.</p><p>The OIA reports the numbers of complaints it has handled during the previous calendar year in its Operating Report and in its Annual Report which is published in the spring each year. The OIA received 2,604 complaints in 2020, which represents a 10% increase on 2019. The OIA has reported that complaints have continued to rise this year, with more than half of them relating to disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.</p><p>Many of the complaints the OIA receives are not related to tuition fee refunds although that may be a remedy which the OIA recommends. The OIA publishes, in its Annual Report, the total compensation for students it has recommended. The OIA has also published a number of COVID-19 related case summaries and their outcomes which can be found here: <a href="https://www.oiahe.org.uk/resources-and-publications/case-summaries/?keyword=coronavirus&amp;type=&amp;sort=desc" target="_blank">https://www.oiahe.org.uk/resources-and-publications/case-summaries/?keyword=coronavirus&amp;type=&amp;sort=desc</a>.</p>
answering member constituency Chippenham more like this
answering member printed Michelle Donelan more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-03-30T08:59:24.287Zmore like thismore than 2021-03-30T08:59:24.287Z
answering member
4530
label Biography information for Michelle Donelan more like this
tabling member
4848
label Biography information for Claudia Webbe more like this
1304547
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-03-22more like thismore than 2021-03-22
answering body
Department for Education more like this
answering dept id 60 more like this
answering dept short name Education more like this
answering dept sort name Education remove filter
hansard heading Students: Coronavirus more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the November 2020 study by the National Union of Students that found that three in four students were anxious about paying their rent; and what financial support he is providing to students in relation to rents during the covid-19 outbreak. more like this
tabling member constituency Leicester East more like this
tabling member printed
Claudia Webbe more like this
uin 173220 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-03-26more like thismore than 2021-03-26
answer text <p>This has been a very difficult time for students, and we urge universities and private landlords to review their accommodation policies to ensure that they are fair, clear and have the interests of students at heart.</p><p>We recognise that in these exceptional circumstances, some students may face financial hardship. The department has worked with the Office for Students to clarify that higher education (HE) providers are able to use existing funds, worth around £256 million for the 2020/21 academic year, towards hardship support. We have also made an additional £70 million of student hardship funding available to HE providers this financial year (2020/21).</p><p>HE providers have flexibility in how they distribute the funding to students, in a way that best prioritises those in greatest need. Support might include help for students facing additional costs arising from having to maintain accommodation in more than one location. The funding can be distributed to a wide population of students, including postgraduates (whether taught or research) and international students. We will continue to monitor the situation to look at what impact this funding is having.</p><p>There is further information for tenants and landlords in the context of COVID-19, available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-and-renting-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-and-renting-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities</a>.</p><p>The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published guidance on consumer contracts, cancellation and refunds affected by COVID-19: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cma-to-investigate-concerns-about-cancellation-policies-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic/the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-consumer-contracts-cancellation-and-refunds" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cma-to-investigate-concerns-about-cancellation-policies-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic/the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-consumer-contracts-cancellation-and-refunds</a>. This guidance sets out the CMA’s view on how the law operates to help consumers understand their rights and help businesses treat their customers fairly.</p><p>Students may be entitled to refunds from certain accommodation providers. depending on the terms of their contract and their particular circumstances. Organisations such as Citizens Advice offer a free service, providing information and support.</p><p>If a student thinks their accommodation provider is treating them unfairly, they can raise a complaint under the accommodation codes of practice as long as the provider is a code member. The codes can be found at: <a href="https://www.thesac.org.uk" target="_blank">https://www.thesac.org.uk</a>, <a href="https://www.unipol.org.uk/the-code/how-to-complain" target="_blank">https://www.unipol.org.uk/the-code/how-to-complain</a> and <a href="https://www.rla.org.uk/about/nrla-code-of-practice.shtml" target="_blank">https://www.rla.org.uk/about/nrla-code-of-practice.shtml</a>.</p><p>The Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) for Higher Education can consider complaints about student accommodation in England and Wales, but only where an HE provider is involved in the provision of that accommodation. The OIA cannot consider complaints where students may have concerns about accommodation in the private rented sector.</p>
answering member constituency Chippenham more like this
answering member printed Michelle Donelan more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-03-26T17:35:55.673Zmore like thismore than 2021-03-26T17:35:55.673Z
answering member
4530
label Biography information for Michelle Donelan more like this
tabling member
4848
label Biography information for Claudia Webbe more like this
1304573
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-03-22more like thismore than 2021-03-22
answering body
Department for Education more like this
answering dept id 60 more like this
answering dept short name Education more like this
answering dept sort name Education remove filter
hansard heading Department for Education: Iron and Steel more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the level of UK-produced steel procured by his Department and associated departmental public bodies and agencies in (a) 2019-20 and (b) 2020-21. more like this
tabling member constituency Manchester Central more like this
tabling member printed
Lucy Powell more like this
uin 173043 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-04-06more like thismore than 2021-04-06
answer text <p>The Government is working with the steel industry, the unions and devolved administrations to support the UK steel sector to develop a long-term sustainable future. This includes making sure that UK producers of steel have the best possible chance of competing for and winning contracts across all Government procurement.</p><p>The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) collates and publishes annually information on how much steel is purchased for the Government’s major infrastructure projects in the previous financial year, including what proportion is UK-produced.</p><p>BEIS has collated the 2019/20 data and expect to publish later this year. BEIS will start collating the data on UK steel procured in 2020/21 in due course.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton more like this
answering member printed Nick Gibb more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-04-06T14:47:24.62Zmore like thismore than 2021-04-06T14:47:24.62Z
answering member
111
label Biography information for Nick Gibb more like this
tabling member
4263
label Biography information for Lucy Powell more like this
1304669
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-03-22more like thismore than 2021-03-22
answering body
Department for Education more like this
answering dept id 60 more like this
answering dept short name Education more like this
answering dept sort name Education remove filter
hansard heading Schools: Coronavirus more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many false positives from lateral flow tests have been reported by schools; and what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of changing the guidance to allow a correct negative from a subsequent PCR test to be allowed to reduce the number of pupils being sent home. more like this
tabling member constituency Putney more like this
tabling member printed
Fleur Anderson more like this
uin 173181 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-03-30more like thismore than 2021-03-30
answer text <p>The Government has removed confirmatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for lateral flow tests taken at test sites following advice from Public Health England that, when COVID-19 prevalence rates are high, the performance of lateral flow devices (LFDs) and PCRs are broadly comparable when used at test sites, significantly reducing the need for routine confirmatory testing.</p><p>All positive results from rapid tests undertaken at home do need to be confirmed with a standard PCR test. Despite the low risk of false positives, this requirement is in place because tests at home are not conducted in a controlled environment with trained staff. When testing at the home, the individual should report positive, negative and void results to the school/college. If the result is positive, the individual and close contacts should isolate, and the school/college should help with contact tracing. The individual will also need to arrange a PCR test either online or via 119 to confirm the result. If the PCR test is negative, it overrides the LFD home test, and a child can return to school.</p>
answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton more like this
answering member printed Nick Gibb more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-03-30T15:59:11.613Zmore like thismore than 2021-03-30T15:59:11.613Z
answering member
111
label Biography information for Nick Gibb more like this
tabling member
4788
label Biography information for Fleur Anderson more like this