Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to tackle the effect of digital exclusion on the levels of educational attainment among children from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller backgrounds during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Department has met with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) stakeholders to discuss the issues faced by children and young people during the COVID-19 outbreak. Their input has been shared with teams working on vulnerable children, exclusions and remote education to help inform policy decisions. The Department recognises that GRT children are a particularly vulnerable group at this time.

Laptops and tablets have been ordered for vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people who do not have access to one and are preparing for exams in Year 10, receiving support from a social worker or are a care leaver. Where care leavers, children with a social worker at secondary school and disadvantaged children in Year 10 do not have internet connections, we will be providing 4G wireless routers.

Schools and families are also able to access support from the BBC, which is broadcasting lessons on television, and may choose to draw on the many educational resources offers made by publishers across the country.