Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what action was taken by her Department in response to the National Audit Office's investigation into a potential conflict of interest between the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families and a company called Morning Lane Associates.

The Department has taken action to improve its processes in the handling of potential conflicts of interests. There is a clear process for all civil servants to follow. Specifically, there is an agreed protocol in place that specifies the Chief Social Worker will not be involved in any decision-making process, which could result in any public funding being awarded to Morning Lane Associates or any other organisations in which she may have a conflict of interest. This sets out proportionate measures to ensure there are no actual or perceived conflicts of interest around funding decisions, while still allowing the Chief Social Worker to fulfil her role.