Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make it his policy to (a) consult with (i) representatives of universities and (ii) local Directors of Public Health before the 2020 Christmas holidays on what basic principles should be applied for the covid-safe return of students to universities in January 2020 and (b) ensure that plans for that return of students includes the time required for those bodies to put the relevant measures in place to reflect those principles; and if he will make a statement.

Following the end of term break, the department’s priority for January will be the welfare of students as well as staff and the communities around higher education (HE) providers. We are looking to utilise mass testing to make the return to HE as safe as possible, and will provide further guidance in due course as we recognise the importance of clarity for students, staff and parents.

The department regularly engages with representatives from the HE sector – at both official and ministerial level – including on matters relating to the COVID-19 response. We also liaise with health experts such as local Directors of Public Health and will continue to do so on future planning.