Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will issue national guidance on payments to (a) exam invigilators and (b) other school ancillary staff employed on zero hour contracts who have not been offered any work hours during the covid-19 outbreak.

It is for schools and local authorities to make appropriate decisions to protect the interests of their staff and workers during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Government’s Procurement Policy Notice 02/20 sets out information and guidance for contracting authorities, including schools, to consider before making individual decisions regarding payment of their suppliers. The guidance sets out that, under certain circumstances, public bodies can make payments of 80% of previously agreed rates to suppliers and contingent workers.

The Department is not involved in arrangements between suppliers and schools. We encourage schools to follow the guidance, but the guidance is advisory and does not mandate or prescribe what schools should do in individual circumstances.

This guidance can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-0220-supplier-relief-due-to-covid-19