Asked by: Gordon Marsden (Labour - Blackpool South)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had with (i) NUS, (ii) UCU and (iii) UUK and (iv) other representative HE groupings on the implications for the sector of his letter to the Office for Students asking for subject-level Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) results in 2021.
Answered by Chris Skidmore
The department regularly discusses the ongoing development of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) with the Office for Students (OfS). We expect the OfS to consider the implementation of the TEF in light of the report of the independent review of TEF by Dame Shirley Pearce, as well as the government’s response. We intend to lay Dame Shirley’s report before Parliament and publish it alongside the government’s response as soon as possible.
The department’s analysts provided Dame Shirley and her advisory group background information and analytical support. This will be published as part of the supporting evidence base, which will be presented as appendices to her report.
My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and his officials have not discussed the paragraphs on the TEF in the strategic guidance letter to the OfS with representative groups from the HE sectors. Discussions of this type would not normally be held with these groups in advance of issuing guidance.
The department provides grants to the OfS for the development and delivery of the TEF. Further discussions will be held with the OfS on estimating costs in future years when planning for the implementation of the TEF. This will take into account that the recommendations in the report of the independent review are clear.
Asked by: Gordon Marsden (Labour - Blackpool South)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of subject-level Teaching Excellence Framework results in 2021; and whether funds have been provided to the Office for Students to cover those costs.
Answered by Chris Skidmore
The department regularly discusses the ongoing development of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) with the Office for Students (OfS). We expect the OfS to consider the implementation of the TEF in light of the report of the independent review of TEF by Dame Shirley Pearce, as well as the government’s response. We intend to lay Dame Shirley’s report before Parliament and publish it alongside the government’s response as soon as possible.
The department’s analysts provided Dame Shirley and her advisory group background information and analytical support. This will be published as part of the supporting evidence base, which will be presented as appendices to her report.
My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and his officials have not discussed the paragraphs on the TEF in the strategic guidance letter to the OfS with representative groups from the HE sectors. Discussions of this type would not normally be held with these groups in advance of issuing guidance.
The department provides grants to the OfS for the development and delivery of the TEF. Further discussions will be held with the OfS on estimating costs in future years when planning for the implementation of the TEF. This will take into account that the recommendations in the report of the independent review are clear.
Asked by: Gordon Marsden (Labour - Blackpool South)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total payroll is of companies in England that have a payroll (a) over and (b) under £3 million.
Answered by Jesse Norman
It is not possible to produce meaningful estimates of the paybills of employers in specific geographical areas. HMRC has information on where Pay As You Earn (PAYE) schemes are registered, though not on the workplaces of the employer. Many large employers will have various workplaces across the UK and will operate multiple PAYE schemes, or outsource their payroll to a payroll provider based in a different location.
Asked by: Gordon Marsden (Labour - Blackpool South)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether all returned unspent apprenticeship levy monies are being allocated to the apprenticeship budget for use by non-levy paying employers.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - President of the Board of Trade
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Gordon Marsden (Labour - Blackpool South)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what independent input the Oil and Gas Authority has sought to inform their investigations concerning the pumping of liquids by Cuadrilla into their fracking site at Preston New Road in Lancashire.
Answered by Kwasi Kwarteng
In February 2019, the OGA announced it would work with recognised and independent geologists and scientists to carry out a scientific analysis of the data gathered during Cuadrilla’s operations at Preston New Road between October and December 2018. This work includes inputs from the British Geological Survey (BGS), Dr Ben Edwards, Nanometrics Inc and Outer Limits Geophysics; further information can be found on the OGA website. Additionally, during operations the OGA seeks expertise from external experts, including the BGS and from Bristol University.
Asked by: Gordon Marsden (Labour - Blackpool South)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of people affected by terminal illness who are unable to claim their personal pensions early.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The government does not hold this data.
Subject to scheme rules, individuals may be able to make early withdrawals from their personal pension in the event that they are expected to live less than a year. These withdrawals can be made free of tax provided certain conditions are met.
Asked by: Gordon Marsden (Labour - Blackpool South)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to enable people affected with terminal illness to be able to transfer pension rights to a wife, husband or civil partner as part of their inheritance.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Gordon Marsden (Labour - Blackpool South)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions she has had with (a) representatives of the hospitality company industry and (b) the Competition and Markets Authority on OYO's business model and practices.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
Any concerns should be raised directly with the Department, DCMS (who support the tourism industry) or the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
Asked by: Gordon Marsden (Labour - Blackpool South)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to OYO's UK website for lettings and bookings for guest houses and bed and breakfast outlets, if she will make an assessment of the appropriateness of the business model and practices of that company.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
Any concerns should be raised directly with the Department, DCMS (who support the tourism industry) or the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
Asked by: Gordon Marsden (Labour - Blackpool South)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he plans to support the implementation of locally based development programmes in seaside towns.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
My Department currently has no plans for development programmes in seaside towns, however we are developing the details for up to five Tourism Zones, as announced in the recently published Tourism Sector Deal.