Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will consult with universities on guidance for plan B for covid-19 winter management before its introduction.

The government has taken the responsible step of undertaking contingency planning in case our plans for pharmaceutical interventions and limiting the transmission of COVID-19 are not sufficient in averting unsustainable pressure on the NHS. This is set out here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-autumn-and-winter-plan-2021/covid-19-response-autumn-and-winter-plan-2021. As outlined in Plan A, the government will continue to remain vigilant and monitor the data closely, and will take action to support and protect the NHS when necessary.

The department recognises how well the higher education sector has risen to the challenges of COVID-19 over the last 18 months. We regularly engage with the sector on a range of COVID-19 issues, including contingency planning in the event that we move to Plan B.