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1277266

registered interest
date	18/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What steps his Department is taking to ensure the adequacy of education received by school pupils during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
tabling member printed	Steven Bonnar
uin	910873
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2021 answer text <p>All primary and secondary schools in England are now expected to provide remote education for the majority of their pupils and students, with the exception of vulnerable children and young people and the children of critical workers, who can attend school or college in person. Where vulnerable children and young people and children of critical workers do not attend school or college, we expect schools and colleges to provide them with remote education.</p><p>We have updated the remote education guidance for schools to clarify and strengthen expectations while on-site attendance is restricted, drawing on our evolving understanding of best practice in remote education. This guidance is available here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/952443/210114_School_national_restrictions_guidance_FINAL_14012021.pdf#page=46&amp;zoom=100,72,76" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/952443/210114_School_national_restrictions_guidance_FINAL_14012021.pdf#page=46&amp;zoom=100,72,76</a>.</p><p>To ensure all pupils continue to access high-quality education, we are securing 1.3 million laptops, investing over £400 million to support access to remote education. A comprehensive package of support continues to be available to schools and colleges which can be accessed via the Get Help with Remote Education page on gov.uk, available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-help-with-remote-education" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-help-with-remote-education</a>. As part of that support, we have published a ‘Review Your Remote Education Provision’ tool to help schools to understand their remote education strategies and signpost them towards packages of support to help them meet basic requirements and go further in their strategies, available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-your-remote-education-provision?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&amp;utm_source=53522a25-c275-4777-996d-ade6d8f11bd5&amp;utm_content=immediately" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-your-remote-education-provision?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&amp;utm_source=53522a25-c275-4777-996d-ade6d8f11bd5&amp;utm_content=immediately</a>.</p><p>We have asked schools to publish information about their remote education provision on their websites by 25 January and published an optional template to support schools in setting out that information, available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/providing-remote-education-information-to-parents-template" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/providing-remote-education-information-to-parents-template</a>.</p><p>During the spring term Ofsted will conduct monitoring inspections of schools most in need. These will have a strong focus on remote education and an emphasis on being supportive. In addition, Ofsted will inspect schools of any grade if it has any significant concerns about a school’s provision, including in relation to remote education. Where parents approach Ofsted with concerns, having first sought to resolve them with the school, Ofsted will consider and take action where appropriate. This could mean discussing the complaint with the school, or if necessary, inspecting the school.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 19/01/2021 18:32:37 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4748 label Biography information for Steven Bonnar

1277267

registered interest
date	18/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Students: Rented Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What steps he is taking to support students who have paid rent for accommodation at university but are unable to use it as a result of covid-19 restrictions.
tabling member constituency	Lancaster and Fleetwood
tabling member printed	Cat Smith
uin	910862
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/01/2021 answer text <p>Universities and private accommodation providers are autonomous and responsible for setting their own rent agreements. The government plays no direct role in the provision of student accommodation. However, the government encourages all providers of student accommodation to review their accommodation policies to ensure that they have students best interests at heart. We also urge them to communicate their policy clearly and be fair.</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 providers are able to draw on existing funds, worth around £256 million for academic year 2020/21, towards hardship support. The government is making available up to a further £20 million on a one-off basis to support those that need it most, particularly disadvantaged students.</p><p>Maintenance loans are available as a contribution towards a student’s living costs while attending university. The system targets the most living cost support at those from the lowest income families, who need it most.</p><p>Maximum living costs support increased by 10.3% in cash terms for eligible new students on the lowest incomes in 2016/17 compared to the maximum support available for new starters in 2015/16 under the previous system. Further inflationary increases in living costs support have been made in each academic year since, with an increase of 2.9% announced for the 2020/21 academic year and 3.1% for the 2021/22 academic year, taking the support available for the lowest income students to record levels in cash terms.</p><p>Students who have applied for a loan for living costs for 2020/21 and have been awarded a lower amount than the maximum and believe their household income for the current tax year (2020-21) will drop by at least 15% compared to the household income they provided when they were initially assessed, can apply for their entitlement to be reassessed.</p><p>If students have concerns about their accommodation fees, they should first raise their concerns with their accommodation provider. If their concerns remain unresolved, and their higher education provider is involved in the provision of the accommodation, students at providers in England or Wales can ask the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education to consider their complaint.</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 their 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> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 18/01/2021 18:22:29 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	4436 label Biography information for Cat Smith

1277268

registered interest
date	18/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Students: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What steps he is taking to support university students during the covid-19 lockdown announced in January 2021.
tabling member constituency	Bosworth
tabling member printed	Dr Luke Evans
uin	910861
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/01/2021 answer text <p>We understand that this is a very difficult and uncertain time for students, and we are working with universities, higher education (HE) institutions, mission groups, unions and professional Sector Bodies to make sure that all reasonable efforts are being made to enable all students to continue their studies and provide the support required for them to do so. Our expectation is that universities should maintain the quality and quantity of tuition and the Office for Students (OfS) will continue to actively monitor universities to ensure that quality of provision is maintained and accessible for all.</p><p>Students undertaking courses that would normally require attendance on-site will qualify for loans for living costs in the 2020/21 academic year, even if universities are providing course lectures and/or tutorials online only due to COVID-19, provided students continue to engage with their HE provider.</p><p>Students who suspend their studies for a variety of reasons, including shielding, can apply to Student Finance England for their living costs support to be continued while they are absent from their course. Students who suspend their studies due to illness automatically receive living costs support for the first 60 days of their illness.</p><p>Students who have applied for a loan for living costs for 2020/21 and have been awarded a lower amount than the maximum and believe their household income for the current tax year (2020-21) will drop by at least 15% compared to the household income they provided when they were initially assessed, can apply for their entitlement to be reassessed.</p><p>In these exceptional circumstances, we recognise that some students may face financial hardship or experience mental health issues. We have asked universities to prioritise mental health support and ensure that students required to self-isolate receive the support they need. I have also set up a sub-group of the HE taskforce to ensure there is appropriate focus on this important matter. To support with this further, we have worked closely with the OfS to help clarify that providers can draw upon existing funding to increase hardship funds and support disadvantaged students impacted by COVID-19. Providers are able to use OfS Student Premium funding worth around £256 million for this academic year towards student hardship funds. We are also currently making available up to £20 million of additional hardship funding to support those that need it most, particularly disadvantaged students. In addition, the £3 million OfS funded mental health and well-being platform, Student Space, has been extended for the whole of the 2020/21 academic year to provide extra support during these unprecedented times. The platform is designed to work alongside existing services.</p><p>I continue to emphasise to Vice Chancellors at every opportunity that student welfare should remain a priority. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust sector guidance and support where necessary.</p> answering member constituency Chippenham answering member printed Michelle Donelan question first answered 18/01/2021 18:28:50 answering member 4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan
tabling member	4781 label Biography information for Dr Luke Evans

1277269

registered interest
date	18/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Pre-school Education: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What support his Department is providing to help safeguard (a) staff and (b) children in early years settings during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	North Thanet
tabling member printed	Sir Roger Gale
uin	910858
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/01/2021 answer text <p>The department has worked collaboratively with Public Health England to develop a system of controls, which when implemented in line with a revised risk assessment, create an inherently safer environment where the risk of transmission of infection is substantially reduced for children and staff.</p><p>Settings must comply with health and safety law, which requires them to assess risks and put in place proportionate control measures. Settings should thoroughly review their health and safety risk assessment and draw up plans on re-opening, in the event that they have to close. Settings should have active arrangements in place to monitor that the controls are effective, working as planned, and updated appropriately, for example when any issues are identified, or when there are changes in public health advice.</p><p>When conducting risk assessments, settings should ensure consideration is given to staff and children with protected characteristics from groups where a disparity has been shown by the review of disparities in risks and outcomes (for example, age and sex, where someone lives, deprivation, ethnicity and/or people’s occupation).</p><p>The department has published the ‘Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak’ guidance, which provides details on the system of controls and how they work in practice. The guidance is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures</a>.</p><p>We are continuing to work closely with other government departments and local authorities to secure the most effective approach to asymptomatic testing for the whole of the early years sector. This includes ongoing discussions about providing testing via the education testing programme as well as strongly encouraging local authorities to prioritise appropriate testing for early years staff via Community Testing programmes, which now covers all local authorities. The fastest way testing can currently be delivered is through the community rapid asymptomatic testing being run by local authorities.</p><p>We are rolling out our asymptomatic testing programme to primary schools, schools-based nurseries and maintained nursery schools. The asymptomatic testing programme will offer all primary school, schools-based nursery and maintained nursery school staff home Lateral Flow Device test kits for twice weekly testing. This will help to break the chains of transmission of COVID-19 in education settings by identifying asymptomatic positive cases. Those who test positive will then self-isolate, helping to reduce transmission of the virus.</p><p>Furthermore, with regard to vaccinations, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises that the first priorities for the COVID-19 vaccination programme should be the prevention of mortality and the maintenance of the health and social care systems. As the risk of mortality from COVID-19 increases with age, prioritisation is primarily based on age.</p><p>Under the priority groups for the first phase of vaccine rollout, those over 50 years of age, and all those 16 years of age and over in a risk group, would be eligible for vaccination within the first phase of the programme. This prioritisation captures almost all preventable deaths from COVID-19.</p><p>Regarding the next phase of vaccine rollout, the JCVI have asked that the Department of Health and Social Care consider occupational vaccination in collaboration with other Government departments. The department is inputting into this cross governmental exercise.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 18/01/2021 18:14:21 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	87 label Biography information for Sir Roger Gale

1277270

registered interest
date	18/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 lockdown on (a) the attainment gap and (b) children’s mental health and wellbeing.
tabling member constituency	Luton South
tabling member printed	Rachel Hopkins
uin	910851
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2021 answer text <p>Understanding the impact of COVID-19 disruption is a key priority for the Government.</p><p>The Department has commissioned an independent research agency to analyse catch-up needs and monitor progress over this academic year. This research is based on a large sample of pupils and will identify whether particular groups of pupils have been more affected by time out of school – including the most disadvantaged, those with historically poor outcomes, and those in particular areas.</p><p>The Government is providing a £1 billion catch-up programme, including a ‘Catch-up Premium’ of £650 million, to help address lost teaching time and support pupils’ social and emotional needs. Additionally, the £350 million National Tutoring Programme is an ambitious scheme that will provide additional, targeted tuition support for disadvantaged pupils who need the most help to catch-up.</p><p>The Department is working with the Department of Health and Social Care to understand the impact on children’s mental health and wellbeing. Public Health England is monitoring the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, including on children and young people, and have published a report about population mental health and wellbeing in England during the COVID-19 outbreak: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-mental-health-and-wellbeing-surveillance-report" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-mental-health-and-wellbeing-surveillance-report</a>.</p><p>The Department will also be convening a task force to look at the effects on children, young people and staff in the education system and we will confirm the next steps in due course.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 20/01/2021 09:55:35 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4873 label Biography information for Rachel Hopkins

1277339

registered interest
date	18/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Teachers: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that teachers are prioritised to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
tabling member printed	Baroness Brady
uin	HL12192
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2021 answer text <p>The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) are the independent experts who advise the government on which vaccine/s the UK should use and provide advice on who should be offered them. The JCVI advises that the first priorities for the COVID-19 vaccination should be the prevention of mortality and the maintenance of the health and social care systems, and as the risk of mortality from COVID-19 increases with age, prioritisation is primarily based on age. This prioritisation captures almost all preventable deaths from COVID-19. In the next phase of the vaccine rollout, the JCVI have asked that the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) consider occupational vaccination in collaboration with other Government departments. The department is working with DHSC and Public Health England to ensure that the education and childcare workforce is considered for prioritisation in the roll out of the vaccine.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 01/02/2021 14:04:42 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	4339 label Biography information for Baroness Brady

1277340

registered interest
date	18/01/2021
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Coronavirus: Vaccination
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase the number of independent pharmacies that are able to offer COVID-19 vaccination on-site; and what steps they are taking to ensure that such pharmacies (1) receive delivery of, and (2) can administer, COVID-19 vaccinations, promptly.
tabling member printed	Baroness Brady
uin	HL12193
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/02/2021 answer text <p>Since 14 January 2021, over 100 community pharmacies, including some independent pharmacies, have started to offer the COVID-19 vaccination service, with more pharmacies joining over the coming months.</p><p>Community pharmacies in England, who are or will be providing the COVID-19 vaccination service are required to deliver 1,000 vaccines per week and to achieve this they are supported in the form of training, funding for the service and non-monetary support, including delivery of vaccines, consumables, personal protective equipment and other equipment to operate the site.</p><p> </p><p>NHS England and NHS Improvement are working with all the national pharmacy organisations on plans to ensure that community pharmacies, including independent pharmacies, are used to optimal effect in the COVID-19 vaccination programme, starting with the sites that can do this at scale.</p> answering member printed Lord Bethell question first answered 24/02/2021 16:05:22 answering member 4708 label Biography information for Lord Bethell
tabling member	4339 label Biography information for Baroness Brady

1277341

registered interest
date	18/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Newton Rigg College
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish the report of the Newton Rigg Strategic Review undertaken by the Further Education Commissioner Team and which concluded in December 2020.
tabling member printed	Lord Campbell-Savours
uin	HL12195
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2021 answer text <p>The Newton Rigg Strategic Review process has been extended. The Further Education Commissioner team and Education and Skills Funding Agency officials are continuing to work closely with stakeholders, including Askham Bryan College, to try and find a solution for retaining some or all of the education provision on the Newton Rigg campus.</p><p>Askham Bryan College is independent of the government and is responsible for any decision on Newton Rigg and the associated financial implications.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge grouped question UIN HL12196 question first answered 01/02/2021 12:27:39 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	499 label Biography information for Lord Campbell-Savours

1277342

registered interest
date	18/01/2021
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Newton Rigg College: Askham Bryan College
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Further Education Commissioner Team that undertook the (1) Newton Rigg Strategic Review, and (2) Newton Rigg Review, about publishing any financial planning proposals by Askham Bryan College relating to the viability and future of Newton Rigg college in Penrith.
tabling member printed	Lord Campbell-Savours
uin	HL12196
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2021 answer text <p>The Newton Rigg Strategic Review process has been extended. The Further Education Commissioner team and Education and Skills Funding Agency officials are continuing to work closely with stakeholders, including Askham Bryan College, to try and find a solution for retaining some or all of the education provision on the Newton Rigg campus.</p><p>Askham Bryan College is independent of the government and is responsible for any decision on Newton Rigg and the associated financial implications.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge grouped question UIN HL12195 question first answered 01/02/2021 12:27:39 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	499 label Biography information for Lord Campbell-Savours

1277343

registered interest
date	18/01/2021
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Planning Permission: Air Pollution
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they give to air pollution levels when making ministerial decisions on whether to call-in a planning application.
tabling member printed	Lord Campbell-Savours
uin	HL12197
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2021 answer text <p>Decisions on calling in applications are made in line with published call-in policy as set out in a Written Ministerial Statement by Nick Boles on 26 October 2012. The policy makes it clear that the power to call in a case will only be used very selectively. Air pollution levels are a potential consideration when considering whether to call in an application.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh grouped question UIN HL12199 question first answered 29/01/2021 14:50:03 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
tabling member	499 label Biography information for Lord Campbell-Savours