Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of trends in the number of international academics and students coming to the UK; and what assessment she has made of the impact of those trends on university funding in the (a) 2023-24 and (b) 2024-25 academic year.
Answered by Robert Halfon
The UK is home to some of the world’s top universities, who benefit from strong international ties, so much so that 55 current and recent world leaders have received their education from the UK and four out of the top 10 universities globally are in the UK.
The government recognises the significant economic and cultural contribution that international students make to the UK’s higher education (HE) sector and their positive impact on our society as a whole.
The government has been successful in delivering the International Education Strategy ambition of hosting at least 600,000 students per year by 2030 for the last two years. The department aims to continue to attract students from around the world to benefit from British HE.
The changes to student visas announced on 23 May 2023 strike the right balance between acting decisively on migration while protecting the UK’s position as a world-leader in higher education. The changes are available at: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-05-23/HCWS800. The offer to international students remains very competitive and the department is committed to ensuring the UK remains a destination of choice for international students from across the globe. That is why, on 23 May 2023, the department reaffirmed its commitment to the International Education Strategy, which is vital for ensuring that the UK remains competitive in the global HE market.
The UK is expected to remain an attractive destination for students and academics from overseas in the future.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she made of the impact of changes to student visas on international students coming to the UK.
Answered by Robert Halfon
The UK is home to some of the world’s top universities, who benefit from strong international ties, so much so that 55 current and recent world leaders have received their education from the UK and four out of the top 10 universities globally are in the UK.
The government recognises the significant economic and cultural contribution that international students make to the UK’s higher education (HE) sector and their positive impact on our society as a whole.
The government has been successful in delivering the International Education Strategy ambition of hosting at least 600,000 students per year by 2030 for the last two years. The department aims to continue to attract students from around the world to benefit from British HE.
The changes to student visas announced on 23 May 2023 strike the right balance between acting decisively on migration while protecting the UK’s position as a world-leader in higher education. The changes are available at: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-05-23/HCWS800. The offer to international students remains very competitive and the department is committed to ensuring the UK remains a destination of choice for international students from across the globe. That is why, on 23 May 2023, the department reaffirmed its commitment to the International Education Strategy, which is vital for ensuring that the UK remains competitive in the global HE market.
The UK is expected to remain an attractive destination for students and academics from overseas in the future.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the implications for her Department's policies of the cost of transport for students in London.
Answered by Robert Halfon
Students will benefit from nearly £600 million invested into the £2 Bus Fare Cap scheme, which was introduced by the Department for Transport and has now been extended until 31 December 2024. This scheme provides affordable transport links across England, outside of London. Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London and it is for them to make decisions on fares.
The government recognises the wider cost of living pressures that have impacted students. The department has made £276 million of Student Premium and Mental Health funding available in the 2023/24 academic year to support students who need additional help, including disadvantaged students. This funding will complement the help universities are providing through their own bursary, scholarship and hardship support schemes.
The government has continued to increase living costs support each year with a 2.8% increase for the 2023/24 academic year. The department is considering options for loans and grants for living and other costs for the 2024/25 academic year and will be making an announcement in due course.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she plans to take to reduce the cost of transport for students commuting to and from university.
Answered by Robert Halfon
Students will benefit from nearly £600 million invested into the £2 Bus Fare Cap scheme, which was introduced by the Department for Transport and has now been extended until 31 December 2024. This scheme provides affordable transport links across England, outside of London. Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London and it is for them to make decisions on fares.
The government recognises the wider cost of living pressures that have impacted students. The department has made £276 million of Student Premium and Mental Health funding available in the 2023/24 academic year to support students who need additional help, including disadvantaged students. This funding will complement the help universities are providing through their own bursary, scholarship and hardship support schemes.
The government has continued to increase living costs support each year with a 2.8% increase for the 2023/24 academic year. The department is considering options for loans and grants for living and other costs for the 2024/25 academic year and will be making an announcement in due course.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the provision of student accommodation.
Answered by Robert Halfon
Student accommodation is a busy part of the housing market. As universities and landlords are private, autonomous bodies, the government has no role in the provision of student accommodation, nor a remit to intervene in how it is allocated.
The department expects universities and private landlords to review their accommodation policies to ensure they are fair, clear, and have the interests of students at heart. This includes making accommodation available at a range of affordable price points where possible.
The department has also created three landlord Codes of Practice, so that if a student believes their accommodation provider is treating them unfairly, they can raise a complaint under the accommodation Codes of Practice.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to support students with heating bills.
Answered by Robert Halfon
The government has provided considerable sums in energy bill support for the majority of households over the past year or so; this would have included eligible students.
Substantial falls in energy prices earlier this year meant that the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets energy price cap is now lower than the Energy Price Guarantee level, meaning non pre-payment meter customers pay the rates set by the price cap.
The department continues to monitor the impact of energy prices on students and the Energy Price Guarantee will remain in place as a safety net until the end of March 2024 to enable a quick response should energy prices increase significantly before then.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the cost of energy bills for (a) temporary classrooms due to the presence of RAAC and (b) standard classrooms.
Answered by Nick Gibb
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made a comparative assessment of attainment in (a) private and (b) state schools in (i) 2016, (ii) 2017 and (iii) 2018.
Answered by Nick Gibb
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to provide additional support to that state schools during the implementation of the Advance British Standard.
Answered by Nick Gibb
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help to raise maths attainment levels for school children below the age of 16.
Answered by Nick Gibb
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.