Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has carried out a review of the procurement process that led to Randstad being awarded the contract to run the National Tutoring Programme; and what plans he has to improve his Department’s oversight of Randstad’s delivery of that contract.

The National Tutoring Programme is on track to reach hundreds of thousands more pupils this year, as part of a significant expansion to give schools more flexibility to deliver tutoring that works for them and families, and ensure no child is left behind.

We have set high standards for the programme and feedback from schools shows the positive impact it is having in helping pupils to catch up.

Randstad Education was awarded the contract to run the Tutoring Partner and Academic Mentors element of the National Tutoring Programme for the 2021/22 academic year, following an open competition in line with government procurement regulations.

We are working closely with Randstad to build on the successes of year 1. The delivery and performance of the National Tutoring Programme is monitored closely through a comprehensive governance process.