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Written Question
Students: Debts
Friday 21st July 2023

Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will make an estimate of the median level of student debt held by people in Leicester East constituency.

Answered by Robert Halfon

The median debt of full-time undergraduate borrowers funded by Student Finance England whose postcode is within the Leicester East constituency and who entered repayment within the last five years is £41,493.29. The median debt includes tuition fee and maintenance loans.

The borrowers’ postcode refers to the current contact or home address supplied by the borrower to the Student Loans Company.

As student loan repayments are income contingent, the amount of loan debt repaid varies with earnings. At a national level amongst borrowers starting study in the 2022/23 academic year, individuals in the lowest forecast earnings decile (who earn less than 90% of other loan borrowers over their lifetime) are estimated to repay 7% of loan outlay borrowed. Those in the top 30% of lifetime earners are expected to repay their loans in full in under 30 years. More information is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/student-loan-forecasts-for-england/2022-23.


Written Question
Apprentices: Degrees
Thursday 20th July 2023

Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to take steps to support (a) De Montfort University and (b) the University of Leicester to increase the availability of degree apprenticeships.

Answered by Robert Halfon

Degree apprenticeships provide people with high-quality training and are important in supporting productivity, social mobility and widening participation in higher education (HE) and employment.

The department has seen year-on-year growth of degree-level apprenticeships (Levels 6 and 7), with over 188,000 starts since their introduction in the 2014/15 academic year, and wants to further accelerate the growth of degree apprenticeships.

The department invested £8 million in the 2022/23 financial year through the Strategic Priorities Grant to enable HE institutions to grow degree level apprenticeship provision and form new employer partnerships. Both De Montfort University and the University of Leicester were successful in receiving funding.

The University of Leicester also recently launched the Space Systems Engineer degree level apprenticeship, which will offer new, exciting opportunities for people wanting to start or progress in the space industry.

To support providers to further expand their existing apprenticeship offers, the department is now providing an additional £40 million over the next two years through the Strategic Priorities Grant, and encourages both universities to apply for this funding when the competitive bidding process is launched later this year.


Written Question
Students: Ukraine
Wednesday 15th March 2023

Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) Ukrainian, (b) British, (c) Commonwealth and (d) international students who were studying in Ukraine are now being supported by UK universities.

Answered by Robert Halfon

In June 2022, the government announced funding to support the UK Ukraine Twinning Programme. The programme provides financial and professional support to Ukrainian universities by establishing partnerships with those in the UK. The full list of partnerships is available at: https://www.twinningukraine.com/signed-partnerships.

While the department does not hold data on how many Ukrainian, British, Commonwealth and international students who were studying in Ukraine are now being supported by UK universities, the government remains committed to supporting students affected by the war in Ukraine, ensuring they have options available to them.

This includes making it clear to higher education (HE) providers that they should be as flexible as possible when considering applications for students who were studying in Ukraine. In addition, to support those who are granted leave under the Homes for Ukraine scheme and have enrolled at UK universities, the department has extended access to HE student support, home fee status, tuition fee caps, advanced learner loans, and 19+ funding allocations. This ensures Ukrainian students who have been affected by the war in Ukraine can access support on the same basis as those within other protection-based categories, such as refugees.


Written Question
Educational Institutions: Ukraine
Wednesday 15th March 2023

Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many universities have twinned with Ukrainian universities and institutions; and which universities have twinned with which Ukrainian institutions.

Answered by Robert Halfon

In June 2022, the government announced funding to support the UK Ukraine Twinning Programme. The programme provides financial and professional support to Ukrainian universities by establishing partnerships with those in the UK. The full list of partnerships is available at: https://www.twinningukraine.com/signed-partnerships.

While the department does not hold data on how many Ukrainian, British, Commonwealth and international students who were studying in Ukraine are now being supported by UK universities, the government remains committed to supporting students affected by the war in Ukraine, ensuring they have options available to them.

This includes making it clear to higher education (HE) providers that they should be as flexible as possible when considering applications for students who were studying in Ukraine. In addition, to support those who are granted leave under the Homes for Ukraine scheme and have enrolled at UK universities, the department has extended access to HE student support, home fee status, tuition fee caps, advanced learner loans, and 19+ funding allocations. This ensures Ukrainian students who have been affected by the war in Ukraine can access support on the same basis as those within other protection-based categories, such as refugees.


Written Question
British Students Abroad: Ukraine
Friday 4th November 2022

Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his is taking to (a) ensure (i) British and (ii) Commonwealth students who were studying in Ukraine can continue and finish their studies and (b) support students in that position.

Answered by Robert Halfon

The department continues to work closely with the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science, the UK higher education (HE) sector and across government to ensure that international, British and Commonwealth students that are affected by the war in Ukraine are supported and have a range of options available to them during this difficult time.

Universities in Ukraine are striving to maintain the education of their students under extremely challenging conditions. This includes through the provision of online distance learning for students enrolled at Ukrainian universities who now live in another country, including in the UK. The department encourages students to speak with their education provider in Ukraine to understand what support is available for them to continue their studies at their Ukrainian provider. This includes those studying through the UK twinning programme, of which the government announced funding to support in June 2022. Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-package-offers-a-lifeline-to-ukrainian-researchers-and-entrepreneurs. The programme provides support to Ukrainian universities by establishing partnerships with those in the UK.

Students wishing to study at a UK university should speak with prospective providers to see what options are available to them. HE providers are autonomous institutions and are responsible for setting their own admissions criteria, but the department has made it clear to providers that they should be as flexible as possible when considering applications for students with difficult circumstances, such as those from Ukraine, or those who were studying in Ukraine.

In addition, in April this year, the government announced £4 million for financial year 2022/23 to support Ukrainian students studying at English HE providers. This funding is intended to help Ukrainian nationals and Ukrainian-domiciled students who have been financially affected by the events in Ukraine.

To help students and providers to understand the comparability of international qualifications at all levels of education, they can get expert advice from the UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills (ENIC). ENIC maintains an extensive database of international qualifications and education systems, including those used in Ukraine, and is fully prepared to assess and advise on the comparability of Ukrainian qualifications with those of the UK. Organisations and individuals can apply for a Statement of Comparability through the standard UK ENIC portal, which can be found at: https://www.enic.org.uk/Qualifications/SOC/Default.aspx.

ENIC also has the capacity to assist those without full documentation to have their qualifications evaluated.


Written Question
British Students Abroad: Ukraine
Friday 4th November 2022

Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions his Department has had with British and Commonwealth students who were studying in Ukraine on their experiences and the support they need, following the war that country.

Answered by Robert Halfon

The department continues to work closely with the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science, the UK higher education (HE) sector and across government to ensure that international, British and Commonwealth students that are affected by the war in Ukraine are supported and have a range of options available to them during this difficult time.

Universities in Ukraine are striving to maintain the education of their students under extremely challenging conditions. This includes through the provision of online distance learning for students enrolled at Ukrainian universities who now live in another country, including in the UK. The department encourages students to speak with their education provider in Ukraine to understand what support is available for them to continue their studies at their Ukrainian provider. This includes those studying through the UK twinning programme, of which the government announced funding to support in June 2022. Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-package-offers-a-lifeline-to-ukrainian-researchers-and-entrepreneurs. The programme provides support to Ukrainian universities by establishing partnerships with those in the UK.

Students wishing to study at a UK university should speak with prospective providers to see what options are available to them. HE providers are autonomous institutions and are responsible for setting their own admissions criteria, but the department has made it clear to providers that they should be as flexible as possible when considering applications for students with difficult circumstances, such as those from Ukraine, or those who were studying in Ukraine.

In addition, in April this year, the government announced £4 million for financial year 2022/23 to support Ukrainian students studying at English HE providers. This funding is intended to help Ukrainian nationals and Ukrainian-domiciled students who have been financially affected by the events in Ukraine.

To help students and providers to understand the comparability of international qualifications at all levels of education, they can get expert advice from the UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills (ENIC). ENIC maintains an extensive database of international qualifications and education systems, including those used in Ukraine, and is fully prepared to assess and advise on the comparability of Ukrainian qualifications with those of the UK. Organisations and individuals can apply for a Statement of Comparability through the standard UK ENIC portal, which can be found at: https://www.enic.org.uk/Qualifications/SOC/Default.aspx.

ENIC also has the capacity to assist those without full documentation to have their qualifications evaluated.


Written Question
British Students Abroad: Ukraine
Friday 4th November 2022

Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions the Government has had with the Government of Ukraine to enable international, British and commonwealth students to transfer their studies to institutions in the UK.

Answered by Robert Halfon

The department continues to work closely with the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science, the UK higher education (HE) sector and across government to ensure that international, British and Commonwealth students that are affected by the war in Ukraine are supported and have a range of options available to them during this difficult time.

Universities in Ukraine are striving to maintain the education of their students under extremely challenging conditions. This includes through the provision of online distance learning for students enrolled at Ukrainian universities who now live in another country, including in the UK. The department encourages students to speak with their education provider in Ukraine to understand what support is available for them to continue their studies at their Ukrainian provider. This includes those studying through the UK twinning programme, of which the government announced funding to support in June 2022. Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-package-offers-a-lifeline-to-ukrainian-researchers-and-entrepreneurs. The programme provides support to Ukrainian universities by establishing partnerships with those in the UK.

Students wishing to study at a UK university should speak with prospective providers to see what options are available to them. HE providers are autonomous institutions and are responsible for setting their own admissions criteria, but the department has made it clear to providers that they should be as flexible as possible when considering applications for students with difficult circumstances, such as those from Ukraine, or those who were studying in Ukraine.

In addition, in April this year, the government announced £4 million for financial year 2022/23 to support Ukrainian students studying at English HE providers. This funding is intended to help Ukrainian nationals and Ukrainian-domiciled students who have been financially affected by the events in Ukraine.

To help students and providers to understand the comparability of international qualifications at all levels of education, they can get expert advice from the UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills (ENIC). ENIC maintains an extensive database of international qualifications and education systems, including those used in Ukraine, and is fully prepared to assess and advise on the comparability of Ukrainian qualifications with those of the UK. Organisations and individuals can apply for a Statement of Comparability through the standard UK ENIC portal, which can be found at: https://www.enic.org.uk/Qualifications/SOC/Default.aspx.

ENIC also has the capacity to assist those without full documentation to have their qualifications evaluated.


Written Question
British Students Abroad: Ukraine
Friday 4th November 2022

Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government has taken to make it easier for international, British and commonwealth students to transfer to UK institutions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Answered by Robert Halfon

The department continues to work closely with the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science, the UK higher education (HE) sector and across government to ensure that international, British and Commonwealth students that are affected by the war in Ukraine are supported and have a range of options available to them during this difficult time.

Universities in Ukraine are striving to maintain the education of their students under extremely challenging conditions. This includes through the provision of online distance learning for students enrolled at Ukrainian universities who now live in another country, including in the UK. The department encourages students to speak with their education provider in Ukraine to understand what support is available for them to continue their studies at their Ukrainian provider. This includes those studying through the UK twinning programme, of which the government announced funding to support in June 2022. Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-package-offers-a-lifeline-to-ukrainian-researchers-and-entrepreneurs. The programme provides support to Ukrainian universities by establishing partnerships with those in the UK.

Students wishing to study at a UK university should speak with prospective providers to see what options are available to them. HE providers are autonomous institutions and are responsible for setting their own admissions criteria, but the department has made it clear to providers that they should be as flexible as possible when considering applications for students with difficult circumstances, such as those from Ukraine, or those who were studying in Ukraine.

In addition, in April this year, the government announced £4 million for financial year 2022/23 to support Ukrainian students studying at English HE providers. This funding is intended to help Ukrainian nationals and Ukrainian-domiciled students who have been financially affected by the events in Ukraine.

To help students and providers to understand the comparability of international qualifications at all levels of education, they can get expert advice from the UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills (ENIC). ENIC maintains an extensive database of international qualifications and education systems, including those used in Ukraine, and is fully prepared to assess and advise on the comparability of Ukrainian qualifications with those of the UK. Organisations and individuals can apply for a Statement of Comparability through the standard UK ENIC portal, which can be found at: https://www.enic.org.uk/Qualifications/SOC/Default.aspx.

ENIC also has the capacity to assist those without full documentation to have their qualifications evaluated.


Written Question
British Students Abroad: Ukraine
Friday 4th November 2022

Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions the Government has had with the Government of Ukraine to assist in the release of academic transcripts, previous degree certificates and high school diplomas of British and commonwealth students who were studying in Ukraine, prior to Russia’s invasion.

Answered by Robert Halfon

The department continues to work closely with the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science, the UK higher education (HE) sector and across government to ensure that international, British and Commonwealth students that are affected by the war in Ukraine are supported and have a range of options available to them during this difficult time.

Universities in Ukraine are striving to maintain the education of their students under extremely challenging conditions. This includes through the provision of online distance learning for students enrolled at Ukrainian universities who now live in another country, including in the UK. The department encourages students to speak with their education provider in Ukraine to understand what support is available for them to continue their studies at their Ukrainian provider. This includes those studying through the UK twinning programme, of which the government announced funding to support in June 2022. Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-package-offers-a-lifeline-to-ukrainian-researchers-and-entrepreneurs. The programme provides support to Ukrainian universities by establishing partnerships with those in the UK.

Students wishing to study at a UK university should speak with prospective providers to see what options are available to them. HE providers are autonomous institutions and are responsible for setting their own admissions criteria, but the department has made it clear to providers that they should be as flexible as possible when considering applications for students with difficult circumstances, such as those from Ukraine, or those who were studying in Ukraine.

In addition, in April this year, the government announced £4 million for financial year 2022/23 to support Ukrainian students studying at English HE providers. This funding is intended to help Ukrainian nationals and Ukrainian-domiciled students who have been financially affected by the events in Ukraine.

To help students and providers to understand the comparability of international qualifications at all levels of education, they can get expert advice from the UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills (ENIC). ENIC maintains an extensive database of international qualifications and education systems, including those used in Ukraine, and is fully prepared to assess and advise on the comparability of Ukrainian qualifications with those of the UK. Organisations and individuals can apply for a Statement of Comparability through the standard UK ENIC portal, which can be found at: https://www.enic.org.uk/Qualifications/SOC/Default.aspx.

ENIC also has the capacity to assist those without full documentation to have their qualifications evaluated.


Written Question
Immigration: Afghanistan
Wednesday 15th September 2021

Asked by: Claudia Webbe (Independent - Leicester East)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether Afghan children who have recently arrived in the UK will be given educational support whilst waiting for their visas and full UK status to be processed.

Answered by Vicky Ford

All children resident in the UK are entitled to access education irrespective of their immigration status.

We’re working hard across government on a coordinated effort to resettle Afghan families, providing at least £12 million in extra education funding so Afghan children and young people get the best possible start in this country.