Charlie Dewhirst MP: written questions

Written questions

• Universities: AdmissionsDepartment for EducationTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15242More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether there is any guidance from (a) her Department and (b) the Office for Students on the use of POLAR3 and POLAR4 for university admissions by higher education providers.

  Answer: The department does not issue guidance to higher education (HE) providers on the use of Participation of Local Areas (POLAR)3 or POLAR4 in admissions decisions. Universities are autonomous institutions and are responsible for their own admissions policies...

  Answered 10 Jul 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Erasmus+ Programme: Per Capita CostsDepartment for EducationTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14610More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what comparative assessment has been made of (a) the cost of the Turing scheme per UK student placement and (b) the proposed cost for the Erasmus scheme per UK student placement.

  Answer: Over the four academic years from 2021/22 to 2024/25, the Turing Scheme allocated £291.4 million to support 116,902 overseas placements.The UK will contribute around £570 million to the Erasmus+ programme in 2027, down from the approximately £810 million ...

  Answered 8 Jul 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Schools: Facilities AgreementsDepartment for EducationTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14609More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to Deposited Paper, DEP2026-0371, committed on 19 May 2026, on Civil Service facility time framework and guidance, whether there will be new or revised guidance to schools on trade union facility

  Answer: The department will be seeking views from unions and employer representatives on whether it is beneficial to provide updated guidance for schools on trade union facility time, or whether it is adequately covered by other sources of guidance.

  Answered 28 Jul 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Opportunity Mission BoardDepartment for EducationTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5777More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 3 February 2026 to Question 108241 on Mission Boards, if she will list the (a) internal and (b) external members that attended the most recent meeting of the Break Down Barriers

  Answer: It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its committees, including their attendance and how often they have met, is not normally shared publicly.

  Answered 9 Jun 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Universities: AdmissionsDepartment for EducationTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5776More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 28 April 2026 to Question 128593 on Universities: Admissions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of using of POLAR3 and POLAR4 data under contextual admissions

  Answer: The department supports the aspiration of every person who has the aptitude and interest in pursuing higher education (HE), regardless of their background and personal circumstances. HE providers have an important role to play in widening opportunity, and...

  Answered 16 Jun 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Universities: AdmissionsDepartment for EducationTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128593More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2025 to Question 84664 on Universities: Admissions, what assessment has been made by (i) her Department and (ii) Office for Students on whether university admissions are mat

  Answer: Higher education (HE) should be a gateway open to all who have the ability and desire to pursue it. Our Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper sets out our vision for a reformed system that helps everyone with the desire and aptitude to access high qual...

  Answered 28 Apr 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Opportunity Mission BoardDepartment for EducationTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128592More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2026 to Question 108241 on Mission Boards, which (a) internal and (b) external members attended the most recent meeting of the Break Down Barriers to Opportunity Mission Boa

  Answer: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

  Answered 29 Apr 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Department for Education: Public AppointmentsDepartment for EducationTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98096More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the (a) name, (b) job title, (c) annual remuneration, (d) time commitment and (e) expected end date is for each direct ministerial appointment in her Department.

  Answer: The department does not currently have any direct ministerial appointments.Details of any exceptional public appointments and all other regulated public appointments at the department can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/departme...

  Answered 24 Dec 2025

  Original Parliament record