{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2020-09-07&houseId=1&min-ddpCreated=2020-02-04T20%3A36%3A51.287Z", "definition" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2020-09-07&houseId=1&min-ddpCreated=2020-02-04T20%3A36%3A51.287Z", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2020-09-07&houseId=1&min-ddpCreated=2020-02-04T20%3A36%3A51.287Z&_metadata=all", "first" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&max-AnswerDate=2020-09-07&houseId=1&min-ddpCreated=2020-02-04T20%3A36%3A51.287Z", "hasPart" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2020-09-07&houseId=1&min-ddpCreated=2020-02-04T20%3A36%3A51.287Z", "isPartOf" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2020-09-07&houseId=1&min-ddpCreated=2020-02-04T20%3A36%3A51.287Z", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1226340", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1226340/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Further to my answer on 01 October 2020<\/a>, competitive tenders are used across government, including by the Cabinet Office. It is also the case that there are certain circumstances where regulations permit that contracts can be awarded without a competition, including where there is extreme urgency.<\/p>

As has been the case under successive administrations, this Government works with a number of suppliers to provide polling and focus group work. Public First was engaged by the Cabinet Office to test public opinion and reaction to government messaging, including focus groups for COVID-19 research. Details of this contract have been published on GOV.UK in the usual way.<\/p>

No ministerial sign off was sought for the award of a contract to Public First. Details of Ministerial meetings are published quarterly on GOV.UK.<\/p>

A claim for Judicial Review was issued by the High Court on 10 July 2020 in relation to the award of this contract. It would not, therefore, be appropriate to make further comment whilst this is subject to ongoing legal proceedings.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4647", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julia Lopez"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hornchurch and Upminster"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Julia Lopez"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-10-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "76730"} , {"_value" : "76731"} , {"_value" : "76732"} , {"_value" : "76733"} , {"_value" : "77726"} , {"_value" : "77727"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-10-06T09:19:17.98Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public First"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Ministerial sign off was required for the award of the focus group contract to Public First.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4365", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Neil Gray"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Airdrie and Shotts"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Neil Gray"} ], "uin" : "76729"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1226341", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1226341/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Further to my answer on 01 October 2020<\/a>, competitive tenders are used across government, including by the Cabinet Office. It is also the case that there are certain circumstances where regulations permit that contracts can be awarded without a competition, including where there is extreme urgency.<\/p>

As has been the case under successive administrations, this Government works with a number of suppliers to provide polling and focus group work. Public First was engaged by the Cabinet Office to test public opinion and reaction to government messaging, including focus groups for COVID-19 research. Details of this contract have been published on GOV.UK in the usual way.<\/p>

No ministerial sign off was sought for the award of a contract to Public First. Details of Ministerial meetings are published quarterly on GOV.UK.<\/p>

A claim for Judicial Review was issued by the High Court on 10 July 2020 in relation to the award of this contract. It would not, therefore, be appropriate to make further comment whilst this is subject to ongoing legal proceedings.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4647", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julia Lopez"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hornchurch and Upminster"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Julia Lopez"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-10-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "76729"} , {"_value" : "76731"} , {"_value" : "76732"} , {"_value" : "76733"} , {"_value" : "77726"} , {"_value" : "77727"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-10-06T09:19:18.057Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public First"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what date the contract for focus group work was awarded to Public First.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4365", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Neil Gray"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Airdrie and Shotts"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Neil Gray"} ], "uin" : "76730"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1226342", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1226342/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Further to my answer on 01 October 2020<\/a>, competitive tenders are used across government, including by the Cabinet Office. It is also the case that there are certain circumstances where regulations permit that contracts can be awarded without a competition, including where there is extreme urgency.<\/p>

As has been the case under successive administrations, this Government works with a number of suppliers to provide polling and focus group work. Public First was engaged by the Cabinet Office to test public opinion and reaction to government messaging, including focus groups for COVID-19 research. Details of this contract have been published on GOV.UK in the usual way.<\/p>

No ministerial sign off was sought for the award of a contract to Public First. Details of Ministerial meetings are published quarterly on GOV.UK.<\/p>

A claim for Judicial Review was issued by the High Court on 10 July 2020 in relation to the award of this contract. It would not, therefore, be appropriate to make further comment whilst this is subject to ongoing legal proceedings.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4647", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julia Lopez"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hornchurch and Upminster"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Julia Lopez"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-10-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "76729"} , {"_value" : "76730"} , {"_value" : "76732"} , {"_value" : "76733"} , {"_value" : "77726"} , {"_value" : "77727"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-10-06T09:19:18.093Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public First"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he met with representatives from Public First in the six months prior to the award of the focus group contract to that company.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4365", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Neil Gray"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Airdrie and Shotts"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Neil Gray"} ], "uin" : "76731"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1226343", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1226343/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Further to my answer on 01 October 2020<\/a>, competitive tenders are used across government, including by the Cabinet Office. It is also the case that there are certain circumstances where regulations permit that contracts can be awarded without a competition, including where there is extreme urgency.<\/p>

As has been the case under successive administrations, this Government works with a number of suppliers to provide polling and focus group work. Public First was engaged by the Cabinet Office to test public opinion and reaction to government messaging, including focus groups for COVID-19 research. Details of this contract have been published on GOV.UK in the usual way.<\/p>

No ministerial sign off was sought for the award of a contract to Public First. Details of Ministerial meetings are published quarterly on GOV.UK.<\/p>

A claim for Judicial Review was issued by the High Court on 10 July 2020 in relation to the award of this contract. It would not, therefore, be appropriate to make further comment whilst this is subject to ongoing legal proceedings.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4647", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julia Lopez"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hornchurch and Upminster"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Julia Lopez"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-10-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "76729"} , {"_value" : "76730"} , {"_value" : "76731"} , {"_value" : "76733"} , {"_value" : "77726"} , {"_value" : "77727"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-10-06T09:19:18.153Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public First"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, which (a) Minister or (b) official initiated discussions with Public First on the focus group contract.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4365", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Neil Gray"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Airdrie and Shotts"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Neil Gray"} ], "uin" : "76732"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1231708", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1231708/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Getting children and young people back into education, with settings devoting time to supporting wellbeing, will play a fundamental part in supporting children and young people\u2019s mental health. The return to school will allow social interaction with peers, carers and teachers, which benefits wellbeing. The department has now published detailed plans\u202ffor all children and young people to return to full-time education from September. The guidance for schools is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools<\/a>.<\/p>

<\/p>

We have been working hard to ensure that all pupils and learners will return to a full high-quality education programme in September. Our £1 billion Covid catch-up package, with £650 million shared across schools over the 2020-21 academic year, will support education settings to put the right catch-up and pastoral support in place. More information is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/billion-pound-covid-catch-up-plan-to-tackle-impact-of-lost-teaching-time<\/a>.<\/p>

<\/p>

As pupils return to school, staff need to be equipped to understand that some children and young people may be experiencing feelings in such as anxiety, stress or low mood as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, and that these are normal responses to an abnormal situation. Our Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools Advice includes information about what to look for in terms of underlying mental health issues, linked to the graduated response and the support that might be suitable. More information is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-and-behaviour-in-schools--2<\/a>.<\/p>

<\/p>

From September, the Government is investing £8 million to launch the new Wellbeing for Education Return training programme, which will provide schools and colleges all over England with the knowledge and practical skills they need to support teachers, students and parents, to help improve how they respond to the emotional impact of the coronavirus pandemic. This is additional to\u202flonger term work to improve support, including\u202fthe\u202fnew\u202fmental health support teams that we are rolling out\u202facross the country,\u202flinked to schools and colleges. More information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/8m-programme-to-boost-pupil-and-teacher-wellbeing<\/a>.<\/p>

<\/p>

The department in collaboration with Public Health England and NHS England, delivered two webinars in July to provide further mental health support. The first webinar was for schools and colleges\u202fto support\u202fteachers in\u202fpromoting\u202fand supporting\u202fthe\u202fmental wellbeing\u202fof children and young people\u202fduring the COVID-19 outbreak.\u202fThe second event was for\u202fstakeholders\u202facross the local system\u202fto\u202fsupport\u202fstrengthening of local partnerships\u202fto\u202ffurther\u202fsupport\u202fchildren and young people\u2019s mental health as they return to school. We had around 10,000 sign up to the first webinar and around 1,300 to the second, and they are now available online for wider use.<\/p>

<\/p>

We continue to working in partnership across education, health, the voluntary sector and local authorities to ensure that children and young people, parents and carers, and the professionals supporting them:<\/p>