Margaret Greenwood Portrait

Margaret Greenwood

Labour - Former Member for Wirral West

First elected: 7th May 2015

Left House: 30th May 2024 (Dissolution)


Charities Bill [HL]
19th Jan 2022 - 25th Jan 2022
Charities Bill [HL] Second Reading Committee
12th Jan 2022 - 18th Jan 2022
Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill [HL]
1st Dec 2021 - 9th Dec 2021
Shadow Minister (Education)
10th Apr 2020 - 15th Oct 2020
Shadow Minister (Education) (Schools)
10th Apr 2020 - 15th Oct 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
11th Mar 2018 - 6th Apr 2020
Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
9th Oct 2016 - 11th Mar 2018
Environmental Audit Committee
20th Jul 2015 - 19th Dec 2016


Division Voting information

Margaret Greenwood has voted in 1468 divisions, and 5 times against the majority of their Party.

25 Jun 2018 - National Policy Statement: Airports - View Vote Context
Margaret Greenwood voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 94 Labour No votes vs 119 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 415 Noes - 119
8 Feb 2017 - Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada - View Vote Context
Margaret Greenwood voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 68 Labour No votes vs 85 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 409 Noes - 126
18 Jul 2016 - UK's Nuclear Deterrent - View Vote Context
Margaret Greenwood voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 48 Labour No votes vs 140 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 472 Noes - 117
18 Jun 2015 - European Union Referendum Bill - View Vote Context
Margaret Greenwood voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 10 Labour Aye votes vs 195 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 71 Noes - 514
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Margaret Greenwood voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Labour No votes vs 124 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 385 Noes - 100
View All Margaret Greenwood Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Amber Rudd (Independent)
(23 debate interactions)
Alok Sharma (Conservative)
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
(22 debate interactions)
Edward Argar (Conservative)
Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
(21 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Work and Pensions
(223 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(139 debate contributions)
Department for Education
(57 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Health and Care Act 2022
(4,308 words contributed)
Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023
(2,742 words contributed)
Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022
(1,399 words contributed)
Nationality and Borders Act 2022
(1,335 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Margaret Greenwood's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Margaret Greenwood

13th May 2024
Margaret Greenwood signed this EDM on Tuesday 14th May 2024

Scrutiny of the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and arms exports to Israel

Tabled by: Mick Whitley (Labour - Birkenhead)
That this House expresses its deep concerns regarding the Israeli offensive on Rafah, which it believes will seriously worsen what is already one of the world’s worst man-made humanitarian crises; reiterates its calls for an immediate and lasting ceasefire; further expresses its frustration at the Government’s continued refusal to suspend …
29 signatures
(Most recent: 23 May 2024)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 17
Scottish National Party: 4
Independent: 3
Plaid Cymru: 3
Workers Party of Britain: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
Green Party: 1
7th May 2024
Margaret Greenwood signed this EDM as a sponsor on Tuesday 7th May 2024

Government surveillance of bank accounts

Tabled by: Richard Burgon (Labour - Leeds East)
That this House is deeply alarmed by new powers contained within the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill that would allow the Government to engage in the mass surveillance of tens of millions of people's bank accounts; notes that these new powers would force banks to spy on the 23 …
42 signatures
(Most recent: 24 May 2024)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 22
Scottish National Party: 7
Independent: 4
Plaid Cymru: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Liberal Democrat: 1
Green Party: 1
Conservative: 1
Alba Party: 1
View All Margaret Greenwood's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Margaret Greenwood, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


3 Urgent Questions tabled by Margaret Greenwood

Monday 14th January 2019
Tuesday 8th January 2019
Thursday 6th July 2017

1 Adjournment Debate led by Margaret Greenwood

Tuesday 19th July 2016

1 Bill introduced by Margaret Greenwood


A Bill to re-establish the Secretary of State’s legal duty as to the National Health Service in England and to make provision about the other duties of the Secretary of State in that regard; to make provision about the administration and accountability of the National Health Service in England; to repeal section 1 of the National Health Service (Private Finance) Act 1997, sections 38 and 39 of the Immigration Act 2014 and Part 9 of the Health and Social Care Information Act 2012; to make provision about the application of international law in relation to health services in the United Kingdom; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 13th July 2016

Margaret Greenwood has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
16th Dec 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of children aged (a) under five and (b) five to 18 who have lost a parent or a main carer to covid-19 in (i) England, (ii) the UK and (iii) Wirral; and what estimate he has made of the number of children who have lost more than one parent or main carer to covid-19.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have, therefore, asked the Authority to respond.

9th Jul 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of (a) disabled and (b) non-disabled people have lost their job as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

20th Dec 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2016 to Question 51658, when he expects the UK Statistics Authority to place its additional analysis in the Library.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

2nd Nov 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of people employed in each (a) region, (b) local authority and (c) parliamentary constituency are paid less than the Living Wage as defined by the Living Wage Foundation.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

15th Oct 2015
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress he has made on increasing the level of electoral registration.

Since June 2014, over 11 million people have applied to register to vote, three quarters using the new, ultra-convenient online system which takes less time than boiling an egg. At the General Election there were 400,000 more entries on the register than before, and thanks to Individual Electoral Registration (IER), 96 out of every 100 entries have been confirmed as genuine.

We’re now focusing on the remaining 4 out of 100. By December, Electoral Registration Officers will have attempted to contact each of them nine times over 18 months. Any genuine voters will be confirmed on the register, and the remaining inaccurate entries, of people who have moved away, dies or were registered fraudulently, will be removed.

1st Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many households in Wirral West constituency have received support from Energy Company Obligation schemes in each year that they have operated.

The number of households that have received Energy Company Obligation (ECO) measures in Wirral West constituency in each year since 2013 can be found in the table below:

Year

Number of Households receiving ECO measures

2013

618

2014

1,279

2015

356

2016

350

2017

87

2018

62

2019

104

2020

154

2021

284

2022

65

Jan – Jun 2023

12

Source: Household Energy Efficiency Statistics, headline release August 2023 (underlying data)

1st Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Citizens Advice report entitled Demand: Net Zero, published in May 2023, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a national advice service to provide advice on home energy efficiency.

The Government is committed to improving customer advice regarding home energy efficiency. The current digital service was launched on GOV.UK in July 2022 and is titled ‘Find ways to save energy in your home’. The service provides tailored impartial advice and is supported by a national phoneline service which launched in March 2023.

In autumn, enhancements of Government digital services will enable consumers to check whether they’re eligible for retrofit schemes such as the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and Home Upgrade Grant: Phase 2 (HUG2).

1st Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Citizens Advice report entitled Demand: Net Zero, published in May 2023, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the upfront costs of home retrofitting for households.

The Government is investing £6.6 billion over this Parliament on clean heat and improving energy efficiency in buildings. In addition, £6 billion of new Government funding will be made available from 2025 to 2028.

The Government's ‘Help to Heat’ schemes ensure homes will be warmer and cheaper to heat. The schemes will deliver upgrades to over half a million homes in the coming years through the Government's Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, Home Upgrade Grant Scheme and Energy Company Obligation.

The Government is also improving its consumer advice and guidance and mobilising the Green Finance Market.

1st Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Citizens Advice report entitled Demand: Net Zero, published in May 2023, what steps her Department plans to take to incentivise (a) homeowners and (b) other housing tenures to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

The Government is investing £6.6 billion over this Parliament on clean heat and improving energy efficiency in buildings which will benefit homeowners and other housing tenures. In addition, £6 billion of new Government funding will be made available from 2025 to 2028.

Catalysing the market for Green Finance is a priority to help support homeowners with the upfront costs of improvement.

In 2022, the Government launched a home retrofit tool on gov.uk to provide tailored recommendations to households for home improvements.

28th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of additional targeted energy support for (a) people with motor neurone disease, (b) people who are reliant on energy-intensive assistive equipment and (c) other disabled people, in the context of increases in the cost of (i) energy and (ii) living.

As set out in the Autumn Statement, the Government is exploring the best approach to consumer protection from April 2024, as part of wider retail market reforms. Officials are engaging with stakeholders with a view to targeting support for the most vulnerable and alleviating fuel poverty.

In response to higher prices, the Government has put in place the Energy Price Guarantee and provided significant additional support to help those who need it most through winter 2022-23 and into 2023-24.

22nd Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the number of households in Wirral West constituency that (a) are eligible to receive payments under the Warm Home Discount Scheme in 2023 and (b) were eligible to receive those payments in 2022.

The Government does not hold constituency-level data on eligibility for Warm Home Discount rebates in previous years or this scheme year. More precise figures on eligibility for 2022/23 will only be available after the scheme year has ended after March.

25th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to introduce a social tariff for energy.

As set out in the Autumn Statement, the Government is developing a new approach to consumer protection in energy markets, which will apply from April 2024 onwards.

The Government has committed to work with consumer groups and industry to consider the best approach, including options such as social tariffs, as part of wider retail market reforms.

16th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the Save our Salons campaign group on support for businesses in the hairdressing and beauty industry.

I regularly engage with businesses in the personal care sector to listen to their concerns and understand the impact of the pandemic, including members of the Save our Salons campaign. In line with the roadmap, hair and beauty businesses will be able to reopen in England no earlier than 12th April, alongside non-essential retail. They will benefit from the package of support announced by my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Budget, including restart grants of up to £18,000.

28th Aug 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the ability of local authorities to help tackle the climate emergency at a local level.

BEIS launched the Local Energy programme in 2017 to support local authorities in taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote clean growth. Almost £20 million has been invested in the programme to date, funding a range of measures designed to build local capacity and capability. This includes creating five Local Energy Hubs across England, which provide Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and local authorities with access to expertise to help them develop plans to secure investment in low carbon projects. The programme has also funded the production of an energy strategy for every LEP area, the production of good practice guidance and resources, a finance conference and regional workshops, and the £10 million re-launch of the Rural Community Energy Fund.

28th Aug 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what resources his Department is providing to local authorities to help them respond to the climate emergency.

BEIS launched the Local Energy programme in 2017 to support local authorities in taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote clean growth. Almost £20 million has been invested in the programme to date, funding a range of measures designed to build local capacity and capability. This includes creating five Local Energy Hubs across England, which provide Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and local authorities with access to expertise to help themin develop plans to secure investment in low carbon projects. The programme has also funded the production of an energy strategy for every LEP area, the production of good practice guidance and resources, a finance conference and regional workshops, and the £10 million re-launch of the Rural Community Energy Fund.

28th Aug 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with local authority leaders on achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

The UK was the first major economy to legislate for a net zero target, in line with advice from our independent expert advisers, the Committee on Climate Change, that 2050 was the earliest feasible date for achieving this.

BEIS launched the Local Energy programme in 2017 to support local authorities in taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote clean growth. Almost £20 million has been invested in the programme to date, funding a range of measures designed to build local capacity and capability. This includes creating five Local Energy Hubs across England, which provide Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and local authorities with access to expertise to help them develop plans to secure investment in low carbon projects. The programme has also funded the production of an energy strategy for every LEP area, the production of good practice guidance and resources, a finance conference and regional workshops, and the £10 million re-launch of the Rural Community Energy Fund.

15th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much funding from the European Social Fund (a) the UK and (b) each region of the UK received in the latest year for which figures are available.

The European Social Fund (ESF) is designed to reduce social disparities across the EU. In 2019, the total allocation for ESF is as follows:

€ (millions)

Scotland

58.7

Wales

140.88

Northern Ireland

29.9

England

466.1

Total

695.58

In a No Deal Brexit, the government has guaranteed ESF funding, enabling existing projects to continue, and new projects to be funded until programme closure. Under the terms of the current Withdrawal Agreement, the UK will continue to take part in the current round of ESF funding until programme closure.

15th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much funding from the European Social Fund has been allocated to employment support for (a) disabled people, (b) young people between the ages of 16 and 25 and (c) people who are long-term unemployed in the latest year for which figures are available.

ESF is allocated according to thematic objectives set out by the EU, and to specific projects which include a range of areas of intervention such as disability, support for young people, and long term unemployment alongside other areas of intervention. ESF Managing Authorities across the UK are not required under EU regulations to maintain a separate breakdown of the precise categories requested.

20th Jul 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of the creation of a locally-based network of energy efficiency centres to offer advice on (a) energy efficiency to the public and (b) the generation of renewable energy by small businesses, schools, charities and households.

Local action by communities, by local businesses and by local authorities has a significant role to play in raising awareness of renewable energy and energy efficiency. We have and continue to support local organisations and groups not only to provide advice but also to lead action on these issues locally.

This Government is committed to empowering communities and these projects, which put local people in the driving seat, are an important part of a clean, secure and affordable energy system. BEIS provides the Energy Saving Advice Service covering England and Wales. In 2016, over 15,000 callers were referred to local authority energy efficiency schemes or initiatives.

Since 2013, the UK Government has committed over £16m to support community energy, including the Rural Community Energy Fund which continues to offer support and feasibility and development finance for community-scale renewable energy projects in England. The generation of renewable energy by small businesses, schools, charities and households also remains eligible for payments through the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme.

This Government sees local energy, of which community energy is a key part, as an important part of a wider local energy ecosystem; with cities, municipalities and local partners driving this agenda. As such we have already committed funding to identify and overcome local barriers to delivery in the short term while we understand the contribution and importance of this sector to the delivery of both the Industrial Strategy and the Clean Growth Strategy.

20th Jul 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of changes to funding from central government for local authorities on the provision of trading standards services by councils.

Funding and prioritisation for trading standards are decisions for local authorities – accountable to local communities and the people they serve.

Government recognises that consumer protection goes beyond local authority boundaries, and therefore provides £15m per year for coordinated Trading Standards activity in the UK.

26th Jan 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much EU funding was received by the higher education sector in the (a) UK and (b) North West in each financial year since 2010-11.

The table below shows the level of funding Higher Education Institutions in (a) the UK and (b) the North West, received from EU government bodies for research grants and contracts, the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund between 2010/11 and 2014/15.

Region

10/11

11/12

12/13

13/14

14/15

North West (£ thousands)

44,358

45,624

53,153

59,752

67,035

UK (£ thousands)

496,734

589,425

694,731

787,047

821,280

Source: BEIS analysis of the HESA Finance Record and the HE-BCI Survey

12th Dec 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what his Department's policy is on underground coal gasification.

The Department commissioned a report from Atkins into the greenhouse gas implications of underground coal gasification to inform Government policy about its development in the UK; this report was peer reviewed by academics and industry representatives.

The report finds that emissions from underground coal gasification would be too high to be consistent with our commitment to a low-carbon future, and would not accord with our recent ratification of the Paris Agreement. For these reasons, we are not minded to support the development of this technology in the UK.

The Atkins report can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/underground-coal-gasification-evidence-statement-of-global-warming-potential

18th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the role of communication workers in maintaining communications services during the covid-19 outbreak.

The UK Government recognises the importance of the telecommunications industry at this critical time in keeping communities and businesses connected. Communications workers, including but not limited to engineers, network operations and call centre staff, have all played, and continue to play an essential part in maintaining the availability of telecommunications networks during the Covid-19 outbreak.

18th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with BT on that company’s reorganisation and maintaining jobs.

My department regularly engages with BT, and other relevant industry stakeholders, about a range of topics, including their UK workforce, at both official and ministerial level. We have not had any recent discussions with the Communication Workers Union on the reorganisation of BT, nor has the union requested a meeting with DCMS Ministers regarding this matter.


The Government is committed to boosting job creation in the UK. On 8 July, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the Government’s Plan for Jobs which makes up
to £30 billion available, with a clear goal to create, protect, and support jobs.

18th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with the Communication Workers Union on the reorganisation of BT.

My department regularly engages with BT, and other relevant industry stakeholders, about a range of topics, including their UK workforce, at both official and ministerial level. We have not had any recent discussions with the Communication Workers Union on the reorganisation of BT, nor has the union requested a meeting with DCMS Ministers regarding this matter.


The Government is committed to boosting job creation in the UK. On 8 July, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the Government’s Plan for Jobs which makes up
to £30 billion available, with a clear goal to create, protect, and support jobs.

20th Jul 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of security arrangements at popular visitor attractions in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

While it is for each individual organisation to make sure they have the appropriate arrangements in place, Government continually evaluates security across the UK and taking the necessary steps to ensure the public’s safety.

Additionally, DCMS attends the Tourism Industry Emergency Response Group chaired by VisitBritain. The group working closely with representatives across the tourism industry to ensure the appropriate steps are being taken.

John Glen
Shadow Paymaster General
6th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's Department for Education consolidated annual report and accounts 2021 to 2022 published 19 December 2022, what estimate she has made of the number of (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in (i) England and (ii) Wirral West constituency that have buildings rated as very likely to collapse.

The Department prioritises capital support where there is a risk to health and safety.

The building safety risk level was uprated last year reflecting an increasingly ageing estate, with more buildings reaching the end of their design life, reflecting in part the nature of materials and approaches used to build schools in the post-war period.

Department officials are clear that there are no areas within schools open to pupils where there is a known immediate risk of collapse.

Over £13 billion has been allocated since 2015 to maintain and improve school facilities across England, including £1.8 billion in 2022/23. The Department will improve school facilities at 500 schools and sixth form colleges over the next decade. In December 2022, the Department announced 239 more schools were to be rebuilt or refurbished through the School Rebuilding Programme, taking the total to 400 of the 500 projects already planned.

Where a building risks closure on safety grounds, and the issues cannot be managed within the school’s resource, the Department will always provide additional advice and support on a case-by-case basis.

8th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number of Ukrainian students studying full-time at Ukrainian institutions remotely from the UK.

The department has worked alongside colleagues at the Home Office to explore what support can be made available for both Ukrainian students continuing their study remotely from the UK, and those studying at UK institutions.

Universities in Ukraine are striving to maintain the education of their students under extremely challenging conditions. This includes through the provision of online distance learning for students enrolled at Ukrainian universities who now live in another country, including in the UK. The department encourages these students to speak with their education provider in Ukraine to understand what support is available for them to continue their studies at their Ukrainian provider. This includes those studying through the UK twinning programme, of which the government announced funding to support in June 2022. Information about this can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-package-offers-a-lifeline-to-ukrainian-researchers-and-entrepreneurs. The programme provides support to Ukrainian universities by establishing partnerships with those in the UK.

Student finance is available only for eligible students studying a course provided predominantly in the UK by a UK higher education provider, including Ukrainian students who have enrolled at UK universities. In England, those studying via distance learning are, in general, not eligible to receive student loans to cover maintenance costs. This is also the case for Ukrainian students in England, who are studying via distance learning.

The department does not hold data on the number of Ukrainians who are studying online at Ukrainian institutions via distance learning in the UK.

8th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has plans to provide financial support to Ukrainian students studying full-time at Ukrainian institutions remotely from the UK.

The department has worked alongside colleagues at the Home Office to explore what support can be made available for both Ukrainian students continuing their study remotely from the UK, and those studying at UK institutions.

Universities in Ukraine are striving to maintain the education of their students under extremely challenging conditions. This includes through the provision of online distance learning for students enrolled at Ukrainian universities who now live in another country, including in the UK. The department encourages these students to speak with their education provider in Ukraine to understand what support is available for them to continue their studies at their Ukrainian provider. This includes those studying through the UK twinning programme, of which the government announced funding to support in June 2022. Information about this can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-package-offers-a-lifeline-to-ukrainian-researchers-and-entrepreneurs. The programme provides support to Ukrainian universities by establishing partnerships with those in the UK.

Student finance is available only for eligible students studying a course provided predominantly in the UK by a UK higher education provider, including Ukrainian students who have enrolled at UK universities. In England, those studying via distance learning are, in general, not eligible to receive student loans to cover maintenance costs. This is also the case for Ukrainian students in England, who are studying via distance learning.

The department does not hold data on the number of Ukrainians who are studying online at Ukrainian institutions via distance learning in the UK.

8th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on supporting Ukrainian students studying full-time at Ukrainian institutions remotely from the UK.

Universities in Ukraine are striving to maintain the education of their students under extremely challenging conditions. This includes through the provision of online distance learning for students enrolled at Ukrainian universities who now live in another country, including in the UK. The department encourages these students to speak with their education provider in Ukraine to understand what support is available for them to continue their studies at their Ukrainian provider. This includes those studying through the UK twinning programme, of which the government announced funding to support in June 2022. Information about this can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-package-offers-a-lifeline-to-ukrainian-researchers-and-entrepreneurs. The programme provides support to Ukrainian universities by establishing partnerships with those in the UK.

Student finance is available only for eligible students studying a course provided predominantly in the UK by a UK higher education provider, including Ukrainian students who have enrolled at UK universities. In England, those studying via distance learning are, in general, not eligible to receive student loans to cover maintenance costs. This is also the case for Ukrainian students in England, who are studying via distance learning.

The department does not hold data on the number of Ukrainians who are studying online at Ukrainian institutions via distance learning in the UK.

24th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an estimate of the number of (a) nurseries and (b) other early years childcare settings that have closed in Wirral West constituency in the last 12 months.

This is a matter for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to the hon. Member, and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Claire Coutinho
Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
24th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has made an estimate of the sufficiency of childcare provision in Wirral West constituency.

The department continues to monitor the sufficiency of childcare. The key measure of sufficiency is whether the supply of available places is sufficient to meet the requirements of parents and children. Ofsted data currently shows that the number of places offered by providers on the Early Years Register has remained broadly stable at 1.3 million places since August 2015. This data can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/childcare-providers-and-inspections-as-at-31-march-2022/main-findings-childcare-providers-and-inspections-as-at-31-march-2022.

Under Section 6 of the Childcare Act 2006, local authorities are responsible for ensuring that the provision of childcare is sufficient to meet the requirements of parents in their area. The parliamentary constituency of Wirral West is in the local authority of Wirral. At present, all local authorities, including Wirral, report that they are fulfilling their duty to ensure sufficient childcare.

The department is committed to improving the cost, choice, and availability of childcare. We continue to look at ways to make childcare more affordable and to encourage families to use the government-funded support they are entitled to.

The department collects data on the main characteristics of childcare and early years provision in England and fees data can be broken down to local authority level. The latest data shows the average hourly fee band for childcare in Wirral to be £5.00 for two-year-old children and £4.75 for three and four-year-old children.

Claire Coutinho
Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
1st Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much of the £1.5 billion FE Capital Transformation Fund has been allocated since March 2020; where those funds have been allocated and for what purpose; and how the remaining funds will be used.

The Further Education (FE) Capital Transformation Programme is delivering the £1.5 billion manifesto commitment to upgrade FE college estates.

In the first phase of the Programme, we allocated £200 million to all FE colleges and designated institutions in August 2020, to enable colleges to undertake immediate remedial work and upgrade the condition of their estates.

The department announced in April 2021 that we are working with 16 colleges, that are some of the most in need of support to upgrade and revitalise their estates.

In April 2022, the department announced that up to £405 million of funding is being provided to a further 62 colleges who were successful in bidding for funding through the FE Capital Transformation Fund. We will aim to provide an update on plans for delivering the remainder of the £1.5 billion of funding later this year.

Alex Burghart
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
1st Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he plans to make legislative changes that will affect the status of Specialist Designated Institutions (SDIs) as part of the statutory further education sector and as set out in the Further and Higher Education Act 1992; and whether SDIs remain eligible for grant funding as set out in that Act.

The government does not plan to make any legislative changes that will affect the status of designated institutions, including specialist providers, as part of the statutory further education sector.

Designated institutions, as defined by the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, remain eligible for grant funding.

Alex Burghart
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
8th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the percentage of children in Wirral eligible to attend school under the current government guidance; and what assessment has he made of the public health implications of that percentage of children attending school.

During this period of national lockdown, schools should allow only vulnerable children and young people and the children of critical workers to attend. All other pupils and students should not attend and should learn remotely until February half term.

Every school will have a different number of children of critical workers who need to attend. It is important that on site provision is provided for these pupils, and there is no limit to the numbers of these pupils who may attend. Schools should not limit attendance of these groups.

Limiting attendance does not suggest that schools and colleges have become less safe for young people. Instead, limiting attendance is about supporting the reduction of the overall number of social contacts in our communities. Overall social contact across areas and the country is being reduced, rather than individually by each institution.

The new variant appears to affect all ages, but we have not seen any changes in the severity of the disease among any age groups, including children and young people. Most children and young people have no symptoms or very mild illness only. As cases in the community rise, there will be an increase in the number of children with COVID-19, but only very rarely will they require admission to hospital.

Under the national lockdown, the expectation is that everyone should work from home where possible. School leaders are best placed to determine the workforce that is required in school, taking into account the updated guidance for those staff who are clinically extremely vulnerable. The expectation is that those staff not attending school will work from home where possible.

For vulnerable children and young people, the children of critical workers, and their teachers who should still attend school or college, as they did in March to July, the system of protective measures means that any risks are well managed and controlled.

The Department publishes national level data on pupil attendance weekly: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak. Data relating to the current school term will be published on 19 January.

8th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the percentage of children in Wirral eligible to attend school under current Government covid-19 guidance; and what assessment has he made of the risk to teachers and support staff of that number of children attending school.

During this period of national lockdown, schools should allow only vulnerable children and young people and the children of critical workers to attend. All other pupils and students should not attend and should learn remotely until February half term.

Every school will have a different number of children of critical workers who need to attend. It is important that on site provision is provided for these pupils, and there is no limit to the numbers of these pupils who may attend. Schools should not limit attendance of these groups.

Limiting attendance does not suggest that schools and colleges have become less safe for young people. Instead, limiting attendance is about supporting the reduction of the overall number of social contacts in our communities. Overall social contact across areas and the country is being reduced, rather than individually by each institution.

The new variant appears to affect all ages, but we have not seen any changes in the severity of the disease among any age groups, including children and young people. Most children and young people have no symptoms or very mild illness only. As cases in the community rise, there will be an increase in the number of children with COVID-19, but only very rarely will they require admission to hospital.

Under the national lockdown, the expectation is that everyone should work from home where possible. School leaders are best placed to determine the workforce that is required in school, taking into account the updated guidance for those staff who are clinically extremely vulnerable. The expectation is that those staff not attending school will work from home where possible.

For vulnerable children and young people, the children of critical workers, and their teachers who should still attend school or college, as they did in March to July, the system of protective measures means that any risks are well managed and controlled.

The Department publishes national level data on pupil attendance weekly: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak. Data relating to the current school term will be published on 19 January.

8th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the percentage of children under the age of 12 in Wirral eligible to attend school under the current Government guidance; and what assessment has he made of the public health implications of that percentage of children under the age of 12 attending school.

During this period of national lockdown, schools should allow only vulnerable children and young people and the children of critical workers to attend. All other pupils and students should not attend and should learn remotely until February half term.

Every school will have a different number of children of critical workers who need to attend. It is important that on site provision is provided for these pupils, and there is no limit to the numbers of these pupils who may attend. Schools should not limit attendance of these groups.

Limiting attendance does not suggest that schools and colleges have become less safe for young people. Instead, limiting attendance is about supporting the reduction of the overall number of social contacts in our communities. Overall social contact across areas and the country is being reduced, rather than individually by each institution.

The new variant appears to affect all ages, but we have not seen any changes in the severity of the disease among any age groups, including children and young people. Most children and young people have no symptoms or very mild illness only. As cases in the community rise, there will be an increase in the number of children with COVID-19, but only very rarely will they require admission to hospital.

Under the national lockdown, the expectation is that everyone should work from home where possible. School leaders are best placed to determine the workforce that is required in school, taking into account the updated guidance for those staff who are clinically extremely vulnerable. The expectation is that those staff not attending school will work from home where possible.

For vulnerable children and young people, the children of critical workers, and their teachers who should still attend school or college, as they did in March to July, the system of protective measures means that any risks are well managed and controlled.

The Department publishes national level data on pupil attendance weekly: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak. Data relating to the current school term will be published on 19 January.

8th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of his policy of including as vulnerable those children and young people who may have difficulty engaging with remote education at home due to a lack of devices or quiet space to study on the projected infection rates of covid-19 in areas of deprivation (a) in Wirral and (b) in England.

Following my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister’s announcement of a new national lockdown, the Department published updated guidance on 8 January for children of critical workers and vulnerable children who can access schools or educational settings, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision. The Department also published updated guidance on remote education: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/950510/School_national_restrictions_guidance.pdf.

In the remote education guidance, the Department set out that some children who have difficulty engaging in remote education may be considered to be vulnerable children and, therefore, eligible to attend school. It is up to the child’s school or local authority to make this decision. The decision would be based on the needs of the child and their family, and a range of other factors, as set out in the guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision#vulnerable-children-and-young-people.

The updated remote education guidance also sets outs that, where pupils continue to experience barriers to digital remote education, we expect schools to work to overcome these barriers. This could include distributing school-owned laptops or supplementing digital provision with different forms of remote education such as printed resources or textbooks. This should be supplemented with other forms of communication to keep pupils and students on track, or answer questions about work.

The Department has also published a good practice guide, which provides advice to teachers and school leaders to support effective delivery of the curriculum remotely: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/remote-education-good-practice/remote-education-good-practice. This is part of our broader package of support for schools, which are able to be accessed through the Get Help with Remote Education page: https://get-help-with-remote-education.education.gov.uk/good-teaching-practice.html.

8th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will publish earlier than 17 February the information entitled Devices and internet connectivity data: progress update.

The Department has published new data on the delivery of devices as of 12 January 2021. This information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/laptops-tablets-and-4g-wireless-routers-progress-data.

The Government is investing over £400 million to support access to remote education and online social care services, including securing 1.3 million laptops and tablets for disadvantaged children and young people.

This includes over 750,000 laptops and tablets that have been delivered to schools, trusts and local authorities by the end of last week.

The Department has also partnered with the UK’s leading mobile operators to provide free data to help disadvantaged children get online as well as delivering 4G wireless routers for pupils without connection at home.

The Department is grateful to EE, O2, Sky Mobile, Smarty, Tesco Mobile, Three, Virgin Mobile, and Vodafone. We continue to invite a range of mobile network providers to support the offer.

30th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions he has had with Zurich Municipal on (a) fire safety in schools and (b) their findings published 5 September 2020 that schools in England are nearly twice as likely to suffer a blaze as other types of buildings; and what his Department’s policy is on sprinkler systems in new school buildings.

Fires in school buildings are very rare and in the vast majority of cases are confined to the room or object of origin or cause no damage, resulting in minimal or no disruption to education.

Department officials met Zurich Municipal on 14 December 2020. We expect that dialogue to continue early this year, and in due course to be able to gain a better understanding of the impact of fire on schools and pupils, based on the data that underpins the Zurich report, Home Office fire and rescue incident statistics, as well as on the data the Department will continue to collect from its Risk Protection Arrangement.

At present, sprinklers must be fitted in new schools where they are deemed necessary to keep pupils and staff safe. All new school building projects must also comply with building regulations, including on fire safety. The Department is due to launch a full public consultation on Building Bulletin 100 in early 2021, which will consider the implementation of various fire safety measures, including sprinkler systems.

30th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2020 to Question 115702, for what reason his Department has not made an assessment of the effect of school fires on levels of educational attainment; whether his Department plans to start collecting that information; and what assessment he has made of the importance of that information to understanding the wider impact of school fires.

Fires in school buildings are very rare and in the vast majority of cases are confined to the room or object of origin or cause no damage, resulting in minimal or no disruption to education.

Department officials met Zurich Municipal on 14 December 2020. We expect that dialogue to continue early this year, and in due course to be able to gain a better understanding of the impact of fire on schools and pupils, based on the data that underpins the Zurich report, Home Office fire and rescue incident statistics, as well as on the data the Department will continue to collect from its Risk Protection Arrangement.

At present, sprinklers must be fitted in new schools where they are deemed necessary to keep pupils and staff safe. All new school building projects must also comply with building regulations, including on fire safety. The Department is due to launch a full public consultation on Building Bulletin 100 in early 2021, which will consider the implementation of various fire safety measures, including sprinkler systems.

30th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of apprentices employed by companies in which the director has been ineligible for covid-19-related financial support during the outbreak in (a) England, (b) the North West and (c) Wirral.

We do not have data on the number of apprentices employed by companies in which the director has been ineligible for financial support following the COVID-19 outbreak.

The government has introduced a wide range of support to help businesses of all sizes to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and to allow employers to furlough employees who have been unable to continue working, including apprentices, through the Job Retention Scheme.

19th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2020 to Question 76046 and the Answer of 8 October 2020 to Question 98997, what recent discussions he has had with school leaders on providing financial support for expenses incurred during the covid-19 outbreak on (a) additional cleaning, (b) signage, (c) supply staff and (d) other anticipated extra costs that are likely to have been incurred since September 2020.

Ministers and officials continue to engage regularly with school leaders and their representatives on a wide range of issues around COVID-19, including discussions in relation to costs faced by schools at this time.

Getting all children and young people back into school for the new academic year has been a national priority. To support schools with this, they have continued to receive their core funding allocations throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. Following last year’s Spending Round, school budgets are rising by £2.6 billion in the 2020-21 financial year, £4.8 billion in 2021-22 and £7.1 billion in 2022-23, compared to 2019-20. As stated in our guidance, schools should use these existing resources when making arrangements for this term. The full guidance on the reopening of schools is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools.

19th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to ensure that teachers are among those prioritised for a covid-19 vaccine when one becomes available.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) are the independent experts who advise the Government on which vaccine(s) the UK should use and provide advice on who should be offered them.

The JCVI’s current advice is that, once available, the vaccine for COVID-19 should be given to care home residents and staff, followed by people over 80, and health and social workers, then to the rest of the population in order of age and risk.

The JCVI have not, as of yet, made any further recommendations on what professions should be prioritised in vaccine roll out.

19th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Health and Safety Executive guidance, Face coverings and face masks at work during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, whether that guidance applies to staff in all schools.

The Department has published specific guidance on the use of face coverings in education which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-in-education.

Under national restrictions from 5 November, face coverings should be worn by all adults and pupils in secondary schools in indoor communal areas and outside of classrooms, where social distancing is difficult to maintain. Primary school head teachers have the discretion to require adults to wear face coverings in indoor situations where social distancing is difficult to maintain. Children in primary schools do not need to wear a face covering. Some individuals are exempt from wearing face coverings.

Face coverings are distinct from surgical face masks which are a type of personal protective equipment (PPE). Further guidance on the use of PPE in education and childcare can be viewed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe.

19th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of testing, tracing and isolating during the covid-19 outbreak within schools.

Testing capacity is the highest it has ever been. The UK’s daily COVID-19 testing capacity passed the 500,000 mark on 31 October and continues to expand. To support schools further, the Department is also supplying COVID-19 test kits directly to schools for both staff and students who develop symptoms of COVID-19 and face significant barriers to accessing a test through existing routes.

Schools are playing a vital role in supporting the test and trace system. Where someone who has attended tests positive, schools are taking swift action to send home close contacts of the positive case, advising them to self-isolate for 14 days since they were last in close contact with that person when they were infectious. There is a dedicated advice line to help schools, colleges or early years settings to implement the most appropriate public health measures once a case is confirmed. If, following triage, further expert advice is required the adviser will escalate the school’s call to the Public Health England local health protection team.

The Government is committed to introducing mass asymptomatic testing using new technologies to minimise the risk of infection spread within communities and pilots are already underway for using them in schools and colleges. Establishing this testing capability will enable students to continue their studies safely and assure staff to be able to continue to deliver education and support.

19th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect on teacher workload of the need for teachers to educate pupils both in class and remotely in (a primary, (b) secondary and (c) special schools during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Department is working hard to ensure that children and young people can continue to attend school and college safely, as this is the best place for them to be for their education, development and wellbeing. We recognise that for some pupils and students, remote education will need to be an essential component in the delivery of the school curriculum, alongside on-site teaching. We recognise that schools may need to alter the way in which they deploy their staff and use existing staff more flexibly. It is important that planning builds in the need to avoid increases in unnecessary and unmanageable workload burdens. The Department has not published information on the effect on teacher workload in relation to educating pupils both in class and remotely as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Department has published a range of resources to support schools to reduce workload. The workload reduction toolkit, for example, can help schools to identify and address their particular workload challenges: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-workload-reduction-toolkit.

The Department has also provided a remote education support package to help schools and colleges meet the remote education expectations set out in the schools guidance for full opening published in July, and the further education providers autumn term guidance published in August: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools and: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-further-education-provision/what-fe-colleges-and-providers-will-need-to-do-from-the-start-of-the-2020-autumn-term.

The support package includes access to the right technology to deliver remote education, peer to peer training and guidance on how to use this effectively in the short and long term, and practical tools, good practice guidance and school-led webinars to support effective delivery of the curriculum. All of this support can be accessed via the Remote Education Service on GOV.UK. We will continue to work closely with school leaders, teachers, and their representatives to address workload and provide support for schools.