Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what private sector bodies are involved in the operation of the higher education covid-19 asymptomatic testing programme.

Answered by Maggie Throup

Over 200 higher education institutions are involved in the UK Health Security Agency’s asymptomatic testing programme, operating within the Standard Operating Procedures. Due to the diversity of organisations on the programme, there is scope within the Standard Operating Procedures for institutions to engage private sector bodies in the delivery of their testing programmes.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans are in place to charge Higher Education providers for access to the reserved stream of covid-19 testing kits intended for education providers.

Answered by Michelle Donelan - Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

There are no plans to charge higher education providers to access government supplied LFD test kits. These LFD test kits continue to be provided free of charge via the government’s higher education asymptomatic testing programme, and providers should continue to order tests for their staff and students via their usual route, in line with public health advice.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data his Department has collated on the number of cases of covid-19 recorded across campuses in England and Wales.

Answered by Michelle Donelan - Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

Numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases for those reporting ‘attending university’ in the contact tracing process are published weekly by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), this information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2021-to-2022-season.

The most recent release (6 January) covers the period from 23 October 2020 to 2 January 2022. UKHSA note that “If a case reports being in education, this does not specify that they attended the setting in person during the time that they were exposed/infectious (for example they may have been remote learning). In addition, cases that did attend in person may have been exposed in other settings, such as their household or while doing other activities. This data cannot be used to directly infer that these cases acquired their infection, or that they exposed others, in the education setting.”

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support is available to protect clinically vulnerable students from covid-19 in higher education.

Answered by Michelle Donelan - Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

The government’s priority remains to keep students and staff as safe as possible and minimise disruption to university life. We continue to work with the higher education sector to deliver this, ensuring students are able to receive a full, enriching and enjoyable experience.

The shielding programme has ended and adults previously considered clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) should follow the same guidance as everyone else on staying safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae. It is important that everyone adheres to this guidance, but people previously considered CEV may wish to consider taking extra precautions. There is guidance for people previously considered CEV, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19. In some circumstances, people may have received personal advice from their specialist or clinician on additional precautions to take and they should continue to follow that advice.

All employers are required to take steps to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace and higher education providers should be able to explain what measures they have put in place to keep staff and students safe on campus. We would expect them to discuss any concerns that people previously considered CEV may have, including any request to change the way in which their teaching and learning is delivered.

Found: further education colleges in England: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fur ther - and - higher

Found: Awarding qualifications in summer 2021 Responsibility for exams Collection Further and higher

Found: No Details Inquiries 8 Additional Support for Learning Review; Brexit and its impact on Further and Higher