Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to recent changes made to children's social care regulations during the covid-19 outbreak, if he will make it his policy to (a) undertake public consultations on any further proposed changes to children’s social care regulations and (b) adhere to the Government's guidance on consultation principles in any future such consultations.

I will make a statement to Parliament before summer recess on the Adoption and Children (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020. In line with the government's guidance on consultation principles, the department continues to engage with a range of stakeholders on these regulations, including seeking information on how the regulations are being used. This process will continue and will inform my statement to Parliament.