Education

The main recent policy developments regarding school meals in England, including the revised school food standards and provision of free school meals.

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic there have been concerns about the financial impact on universities. Much of this has focussed on the potential loss of international students, but there could also be losses in income from lower home student numbers, a drop in research work and less revenue from accommodation, catering and conferencing. What are the size of these impacts and what has the Government done to support the sector?

A Westminster Hall debate on the ‘Support for pupils' education during school closures’ has been scheduled for Wednesday 13 January 2021 from 9.30-11.00am. The debate has been initiated by Matt Western MP. This debate pack sets out current policy on support for pupils, statistical information, recent parliamentary proceedings and related news.

This House of Commons Library Briefing provides information in response to some key questions relating to childcare during the coronavirus outbreak

On Monday 11 January 2020 there will be a Westminster Hall debate on an e-petition relating to the rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations. Tonia Antoniazzi MP will open the debate.

What is the guidance for students moving back on to campuses at the start of in 2020-21 and on returning home for the Christmas break? What concerns were raised about the return to campus? How have universities changed the way they organise teaching and how does this affect potential fee refunds? How many students and staff have tested positive for Covid-19? Has the peak among students passed? What impact will the national lockdown from 5 January 2021 have on students and providers?

Headline student numbers have increased to new records following a short dip after to the 2012 reforms. There are however ongoing concerns about numbers outside this group where trends have not been so positive, including part-time undergraduates, some postgraduates students, overseas students from some countries, especially Nigeria and Malaysia, mature students and some disadvantaged groups. There is also considerable concern about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and student numbers, particularly those from overseas and uncertainty about the impact of Brexit on EU student numbers.

This House of Commons briefing provides information on the Erasmus+ programme and discusses the future position of the UK with regard to the scheme post Brexit. On 24 December 2020 the Prime Minister announced that the UK would no longer participate in Erasmus+ and would develop its own replacement programme - the Turing Scheme.

This House of Commons Library briefing provides an overview of the UK Government’s policies to support care leavers in key areas.

House of Commons Library briefing on children and young people’s mental health policy

This House of Commons Library briefing paper provides an overview of the flexibility for parents of summer-born children in England to request for their children to be admitted to school outside of their normal age group, and potential future changes.

This House of Commons library briefing paper sets out data on the prevalence of mental health conditions in higher education students in England and outlines the action higher education providers, the government and the Office for Students are taking to help students with mental health issues. It also flags up how students can get support and looks at the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.