Claire Coutinho

Parents and carers are often included in the departments individual research studies on specific interventions, generally asking about the impact on their child. Research studies commissioned by the department are published here: https://www.gov.uk/search/research-and-statistics?content_store_document_type=research&keywords=&organisations%5B%5D=department-for-education.

The department’s main means of interacting with parents and carers of school pupils is from our dedicated panel which was set up to engage with parents and carers and in a robust and representative way. Parents and carers who have agreed to regularly participate in surveys across the academic year are asked to fill out an online survey on a range of topics. Last academic year this was approximately every four weeks, and this academic year will be approximately every six weeks. These surveys have helped to inform our response on a range of issues and is also helping to shape our education recovery.

The findings from the 2020/21 academic year's surveys (Parent and Pupil Panel) were published in October 2021 and are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/parent-and-pupil-panel-omnibus-surveys. The first survey for the 2021/22 academic year took place in December 2021 with parents and carers of school pupils joining the newly renamed Parent, Pupil and Learner Panel.

The department also regularly interviews parents of early years children on government childcare offers, amongst other topics related to childcare, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/childcare-and-early-years-survey-of-parents-2019. The next publication is due in July 2022. Whilst interviewing had to be postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the department set up an online survey of parents to gather evidence on childcare use and other topics during COVID-19. This was last published in September 2021 and is conducted on an ad-hoc basis. The most recent publication can be found here: https://www.ipsos.com/ipsos-mori/en-uk/childcare-use-perceived-impact-child-development-information-working-home-and-awareness-and-use.

The Department continues to work closely with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) as they adjust its timetable to meet the demand for travel and to mitigate the impact of staff absences on rail services.

Direct Southern weekday services between Uckfield and London Bridge, and East Grinstead and London Victoria will recommence from 21 February.

Currently, GTR are running services between Uckfield and East Croydon, with connections available from East Croydon for onward travel to London Bridge and from Monday 10 January, connections were provided to London Victoria. East Grinstead services are currently being redirected to London Bridge.

GTR’s new timetable will be delivered towards the end of February, providing more services in your constituency. These plans are currently being finalised and an update will be sent to stakeholders such as yourself by 11 February.

Department officials continue to work closely with GTR to ensure a reliable and punctual service is delivered as passengers return to the network. GTR has informed the Department that the provision of services will remain under active review, adjusting to changes in passenger demand as we move out of the pandemic.