Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the performance of PwC, in its capacity as the liquidator of Carillion, in providing support for local authorities in their statutory obligations to schools to (a) transfer in-house and (b) re-procure with alternative providers, services affected by the liquidation of Carillion.

The Department has been working closely with the Cabinet Office and the Official Receiver who manages the relationship with PwC in their role as Special Managers.

Our priority has been to ensure schools can continue to operate as usual. The Government is supporting the Official Receiver, so that services to schools and other public services can continue to be delivered.

Local authorities (LA) and academy trusts are responsible for their own contracts. The Department has been working with LAs and academy trusts to make sure contingency plans are being implemented. Contingency plans vary according to circumstances, including bringing services in-house, sourcing alternative providers or the Official Receiver managing the transfer of Carillion contracts to new owners.

The Department is continuing to monitor developments and will provide support where it is needed to help minimise any disruption.