Asked by: Lord Greaves (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of uncertainties relating to the UK leaving the EU and the possibility of a no-deal Brexit on the Erasmus+ programme; and which organisations which participate in the Erasmus+ programme in (1) the UK, and (2) other countries, have withdrawn from that scheme for 2019–20 for people coming (a) to, and (b) from, the UK.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
We recognise that institutions and individuals are concerned about the impacts of EU exit on staff and student mobility. Following the extension of Article 50, the European Commission has made clear that the UK continues to participate fully in the current programme and has reiterated that ‘the future withdrawal of the United Kingdom cannot be invoked as a justification to cancel a Key Action 1 mobility started (or planned to be started) while the United Kingdom is still a Member State’. This should provide welcome reassurance to participants, providers and our partners in the EU.
Under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, UK entities' right to participate in EU programmes during the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), such as Erasmus+, will be unaffected by the UK's withdrawal from the EU for the lifetime of projects financed by the current MFF.
In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the government will engage with the European Commission with the aim of securing the UK’s participation in Erasmus+ until the end of 2020.
The HMG guarantee will cover the payment of awards to UK applicants for all successful Erasmus+ bids submitted before the end of 2020 and it commits the government to underwriting funding for the entire lifetime of the projects. Successful bids are ones that are approved directly by the Commission or by the UK National Agency and ratified by the Commission. Attached guidance for Erasmus+ beneficiaries on how to register for the guarantee was published in April on GOV.UK at https://bit.ly/2HimZlD. Attached latest news on the possible impact of Brexit on the programme is available on the UK National Agency website at https://bit.ly/2ItnGaE and this includes the UK Government's Frequently Asked Questions relating to the guidance.
Furthermore, the Commission’s Erasmus+ contingency Regulation establishes that students abroad on exit day will not see their mobilities disrupted, even in a no deal scenario. The Regulation applies to mobility activities starting at the latest on the date of withdrawal (31 October 2019) and which take place in the United Kingdom or involve entities or participants from the United Kingdom.
Data on number of Erasmus+ participants by participating organisations is only available for Higher Education mobility. Figures for the last 5 academic years can be found in Table 2 in the ‘Erasmus+ UK Higher Education Statistics 2017’ attached, available on the ‘Project Mobilities and Outputs’ section of the website at the following link: https://www.erasmusplus.org.uk/statistics. Figures for the number of people from the UK participating in 2019-20 will be published by the National Agency in due course.
Data on UK participation in the Erasmus+ programme as well as participation from outside the UK is available on the European Commission’s website. Figures for the last 5 academic years have been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses and are available at the following links:
https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/4e5c3e1c-1f0b-11e9-8d04-01aa75ed71a1 (‘Statistical annex 2017’, pages 20 – 51);
https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/49350560-0d56-11e8-966a-01aa75ed71a1/language-en (‘Statistical annex 2016’, pages 22-47);
https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/sites/erasmusplus2/files/erasmus-plus-annual-report-2015-annex-1_en.pdf (‘Statistical annex 2015’, annex 5A – 10B);
http://ec.europa.eu/assets/eac/education/library/statistics/ar-statistical-annex_en.pdf (‘Statistical annex 2014’, table 3.7);
http://ec.europa.eu/assets/eac/education/library/statistics/erasmus-plus-facts-figures_en.pdf. (‘Statistical annex 2013-2014’, page 34).
Asked by: Lord Greaves (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether schools are allowed to provide different food to those in receipt of free school meals compared to other pupils; whether children of immigrant parents whose passports are stamped “no recourse to public funds” are entitled to free school meals if the family income would otherwise qualify; and whether children of asylum seekers are entitled to free school meals.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
Compliance with the attached School Food Standards is mandatory for all maintained schools. We also expect all academies and free schools to comply with the standards, and since 2014, we have made this an explicit requirement in their funding agreements. All meals provided must meet the School Food Standards.
It is not acceptable for schools to stigmatise pupils by limiting choice for free school meal pupils at lunchtime. The vast majority of schools and caterers already make use of cashless systems and other methods to ensure that children who are eligible for free school meals are not identified separately.
Free school meals are available to disadvantaged families in receipt of certain qualifying benefits. Decisions as to whether immigrants or refugees have recourse to public funds are made by the Home Office. Those granted refugee status can access full mainstream benefits, and asylum seekers receiving support under Part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act (1999) are also entitled to free school meals.
The Home Office is able to exercise discretion to grant recourse to public funds where the family would otherwise be destitute. Where this entitles the family to receive certain benefits they may also be able to claim free school meals.
Asked by: Lord Greaves (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current position of the Erasmus+ scheme (1) in this year, and (2) in future years; and in what ways Brexit has affected that scheme.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
The government values international exchange and collaboration in education and training as part of its vision for a global Britain. Irrespective of the outcome of Article 50 negotiations with the EU, the government wants UK and European countries to continue to give young people and students the chance to benefit from each other’s world leading universities post-exit.
Under the terms of the proposed Withdrawal Agreement, UK organisations and participants will continue to be able to take part in the Erasmus+ Programme this year and in the future up to the end of the current Multiannual Financial Framework.
While securing a negotiated deal remains the government’s top priority, we are committed to ensuring that organisations, students and participating staff are prepared in the event of a no deal EU exit. To provide more clarity, we published a new technical notice at the end of January, which provides detailed guidance to organisations and students on the UK’s anticipated participation in the current Erasmus+ programme (2014-20) in the event of no deal. The technical notice, attached, can be found at: https://bit.ly/2GaP28y.
As is set out in this notice, the government’s underwrite guarantee will cover the payment of awards to UK organisations for all successful (those that are approved directly by the European Commission or by the National Agency and ratified by the European Commission) Erasmus+ bids. This includes projects and participants that are only informed of their success, or who sign a grant agreement, after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, and commits to underwrite funding for the entire lifetime of the projects.
The UK is open to participating in the next Erasmus+ programme (2021-27). We have been considering the draft regulation for the successor scheme carefully and have been actively participating in discussions on this. Ultimately, participation in the successor programme is a matter for negotiations to come about our future relationship with the EU.
Asked by: Lord Greaves (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether free sanitary products will be made available in primary schools.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
No one should be held back from reaching their potential because of their gender or background. That is why my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Spring Statement on 13 March 2019 that the Department for Education will lead a scheme to provide access to free sanitary products in all secondary schools and colleges in England. As we develop the plans, we will consider options for supporting primary school children.
Asked by: Lord Greaves (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, independently of any input from the main providers of social media, to educate young people on (1) the potential dangers of social media, and (2) the appropriate and potentially socially beneficial use of social media.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The new computing curriculum, introduced in September 2014, sets the expectation that children in England are taught how to use technology safely, responsibly and securely.
From key stage 1 onwards, children in maintained schools are taught how to keep personal information private, and where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies such as social media apps. From key stage 2, this includes how to recognise acceptable or unacceptable behaviour. Additionally from key stage 2, children in maintained schools are taught how to be discerning in evaluating digital content.
Central to the aims of the computing curriculum is that pupils become digitally literate and are able to use, express themselves and develop their ideas, through information and communication technology. The curriculum sets the expectation that children understand computer networks, about the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration; and to recognise common uses of information technology beyond school.
Furthermore, as provided in the Children and Social Work Act 2017, the Department for Education is progressing work on making Relationships Education for all primary schools, and Relationships and Sex Education for all secondary schools, mandatory through regulations. We have begun a process of engagement with stakeholders to determine the right, age-appropriate content for these subjects. We will consult on draft regulations and guidance next year. The guidance for both subjects will consider safe online relationships.
Asked by: Lord Greaves (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to expand the provision of courses in organic and agroecological practices in agricultural colleges and other appropriate institutions.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The Government is not responsible for deciding which courses further education institutions deliver. This is the responsibility of the institutions themselves who will take account of Government priorities as well as skills demands identified by local stakeholders and employers.
As part of our reforms to technical education, we are establishing a common framework of 15 technical education routes that encompass all employment-based and college-based training. The implementation of the routes will be phased, and the Agriculture, Environment and Animal Care route will be rolled out in September 2022. Within the routes will sit new T level qualifications. As with all the routes, the content of T levels within the Agriculture, Environment and Animal Care route will be determined by advisory groups of employers, professionals and practitioners.
On 11 October the government published a T level Action Plan, which set out progress on the technical education reforms. Later this year, the Government will hold a public consultation on the new T level qualifications.
Asked by: Lord Greaves (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they made of the report Locked out of learning published by Refugee Action in March; and in what ways they have responded to its recommendations.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The Government welcomes the report published by Refugee Action earlier this year, highlighting for example, the need for a dedicated fund to support refugees to learn English.
The Government will provide up to £10 million over five years to support refugees learning English who have come to the UK as part of the Vulnerable People’s Relocation Scheme. This is in addition to the funding provided to local councils as part of this scheme, which also covers English language training.
Since September this year all local councils resettling Syrian families are required to provide a minimum of eight hours formal tuition a week within a month of arrival, for a period of 12 months or until the individual reaches English for Speakers of Other Languages entry level 3.
In addition, all adults who are granted refugee status or humanitarian protection are eligible for the same skills funding as any other English resident.
Asked by: Lord Greaves (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to safeguard the future of nursery schools in the UK and ensure that they can continue to provide the education and social skills needed for early years development, whilst offering a safe environment for children.
Answered by Lord Nash
Maintained nursery schools make a valuable contribution to improving the lives of some of our most disadvantaged children.
We are providing local authorities with supplementary funding of £55 million per year to enable them to maintain existing levels of nursery school funding at least to the end of this Parliament. Details of the funding can be found at:
We have recently completed a data assurance exercise that will ensure that local authorities receive the correct amount of supplementary funding, and we will consult on the future of maintained nursery schools in due course.