Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the article by the Social Mobility Commissioner in the Independent, entitled The university system doesn’t work for white working-class kids – here’s how we can fix it, published on 10 December 2023.
Answered by Robert Halfon
The department understands that higher education (HE) can make a significant and positive difference to lifetime earnings. In 2023, English disadvantaged 18-year-olds are 74% more likely to go to university than at the same point in 2010. There are still some under-represented groups who are struggling to access HE, such as white working-class men.
In November 2021, the department mandated the Office for Students (OfS) to refresh the entire access and participation regime and create a system that supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds at all stages of their education. This includes not just access, but continuation, attainment and successful progression to good graduate jobs.
Furthermore, all OfS approved providers who are intending to charge fees above the basic amount are required to fully rewrite their access and participation plans to reflect our reforms. These should be in place for September 2025. This work has already started, with the first wave of approximately 40 providers having submitted their revised plans to the OfS to be in place for September 2024.
Uni Connect, funded by the department at £30 million for the 2023/24 academic year, brings together partnerships of universities, colleges and other local partners to offer activities, advice and information on the benefits and realities of going to university. AimHigher West Midlands is the Uni Connect partnership for Solihull, it offers a range of activities to support young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have considered university, to make decisions about their futures. These include campus experience days and events focussed on specific areas of study. It also provides information for parents, carers and those supporting young people in their decision making.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much her Department has spent on external consultancy fees in the 2022-23 financial year.
Answered by Damian Hinds
The department’s expenditure, including consultancy fees, is published each year in the Annual Report and Accounts and can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/annual-reports-and-accounts-for-central-government-departments.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much their Department spent on equality and diversity training in the 2022-2023 financial year.
Answered by Nick Gibb
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all Equality, Diversity and Inclusion spending in the Civil Service. The audit forms part of the Government’s drive to improve productivity across the public sector by reducing waste and improving performance. The findings and actions of the audit will be announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education spent on equality and diversity training in the 2022-23 financial year.
Answered by Nick Gibb
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all Equality, Diversity and Inclusion spending in the Civil Service. The audit forms part of the Government’s drive to improve productivity across the public sector by reducing waste and improving performance. The findings and actions of the audit will be announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board spent on equality and diversity training in the 2022-23 financial year.
Answered by Nick Gibb
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all Equality, Diversity and Inclusion spending in the Civil Service. The audit forms part of the Government’s drive to improve productivity across the public sector by reducing waste and improving performance. The findings and actions of the audit will be announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much the Teaching Regulation Agency spent on equality and diversity training in the 2022-23 financial year.
Answered by Nick Gibb
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all Equality, Diversity and Inclusion spending in the Civil Service. The audit forms part of the Government’s drive to improve productivity across the public sector by reducing waste and improving performance. The findings and actions of the audit will be announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much the Construction Industry Training Board spent on equality and diversity training in the 2022-23 financial year.
Answered by Nick Gibb
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all Equality, Diversity and Inclusion spending in the Civil Service. The audit forms part of the Government’s drive to improve productivity across the public sector by reducing waste and improving performance. The findings and actions of the audit will be announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much LocatED spent on equality and diversity training in the 2022-23 financial year.
Answered by Nick Gibb
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all Equality, Diversity and Inclusion spending in the Civil Service. The audit forms part of the Government’s drive to improve productivity across the public sector by reducing waste and improving performance. The findings and actions of the audit will be announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much the Education and Skills Funding Agency spent on equality and diversity training in the 2022-23 financial year.
Answered by Nick Gibb
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all Equality, Diversity and Inclusion spending in the Civil Service. The audit forms part of the Government’s drive to improve productivity across the public sector by reducing waste and improving performance. The findings and actions of the audit will be announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much the Standards and Testing Agency spent on equality and diversity training in the 2022-23 financial year.
Answered by Nick Gibb
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all Equality, Diversity and Inclusion spending in the Civil Service. The audit forms part of the Government’s drive to improve productivity across the public sector by reducing waste and improving performance. The findings and actions of the audit will be announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn.