Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that Turing grants to schools take into consideration the additional costs of (a) travel, (b) appropriate (i) clothing and (ii) equipment and (c) other items for children and young people.

Turing Scheme funding is a contribution towards the costs of international educational placements. The scheme provides a contribution to the travel and living costs of students and accompanying staff. Additionally, the Turing Scheme provides readiness to travel funding to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds to prepare to travel, which covers items such as passports, visa applications, vaccines, travel insurance and medical certificates.

The Turing Scheme also covers the additional costs faced by those students with special educational needs or a disability. In line with government spending rules, it does not cover costs relating to acquisitions of any form of asset, such as clothing or luggage.