Asked by: Baroness Randerson (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have analysed the income from the apprenticeship levy on an industry by industry basis; whether they have made a comparative analysis of (1) that income, and (2) the number of apprentices in each industry; and if so, whether they will publish the results of any such analyses.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
Before the introduction of the apprenticeship levy, we forecast the expected levy income on an industry by industry basis. This forecast is attached.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) collects the levy on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government. HMRC has not yet analysed the income received from the Apprenticeship Levy on an industry by industry basis.
We published apprenticeship starts data on an industry by industry basis on 25 October 2018. This publication is attached.
Asked by: Baroness Randerson (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of children in rural England who no longer have access to free school transport as a result of cutbacks to free transport services by local councils; and what is their policy on the provision of school transport in rural areas.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The government does not centrally collect data on the number of children who receive free transport.
Local authorities consistently spend approximately £1 billion per year on home to school transport.
Local authorities must provide free transport from home to school for eligible children. This includes transport for those who attend their nearest suitable school where it is beyond the statutory walking distances of two miles for children under eight years old and three miles for those aged eight to 16. They must also provide transport where there is no safe walking route. Approximately 60% of this funding is spent on transport for children with special educational needs.
Asked by: Baroness Randerson (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to maintain the statutory responsibility for local authorities to provide free school transport; and whether they intend to vary the terms of that responsibility.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
Statutory responsibility for providing free home to school transport for eligible children rests with local authorities. There are currently no plans to change those duties.
Asked by: Baroness Randerson (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to clarify the fee status of EU students studying at UK universities from September 2019.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
Future arrangements for EU students starting courses after 2018/19, and who are not settled in the UK or on a pathway to settled status by the specified date, will need to be considered as part of wider discussions about the UK’s relationship with the EU.
Applications for courses starting in 2019/20 do not open until September 2018, and we are working to ensure students applying have information well in advance of this date.