Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effects of the 2014 European Union Procurement Directives on the existing system that provides educational, care and health support for children who require places in special schools.

Local authorities are responsible for ensuring their own compliance with procurement rules and all other relevant legislation.

The Department for Education recently sought legal advice on the relationship and interaction between the duties on local authorities in respect of the placement of children and young people with special educational needs in specialist educational institutions and local authority obligations to tender for services under the public procurement regime and are awaiting a response. In the light of the legal advice the Department receives, we will communicate with local authorities by the spring so they are clear on the position.