Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the provision of online tuition adequately educates those children and young people, particularly those who live in poverty or who are otherwise vulnerable, who are not in school due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since Friday 20 March, schools have been closed except for children of critical workers and vulnerable children. Attending school can be a protective factor, which is why vulnerable children are eligible for continued provision.

We recognise that many schools have already shared resources for children who are at home, and are grateful for this.

We are working with the BBC and other partners to provide access and support directly to parents, including online resources they can access for their children at home, and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has announced a package of high-quality resources:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extra-support-for-schools-and-parents-to-help-cope-with-coronavirus.

We will consider accessibility throughout the development of any advice, and ask that schools do the same.