Claire Coutinho MP: written questions

Written questions

• Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023Department for EducationTabled 8 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13264More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what legal costs have been incurred by her Department for the appeal by the Freedom of Speech Union against her decision to pause the implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 as of 1

  Answer: The requested information is not known while this claim is in process and it is not appropriate to comment on live legal proceedings.

  Answered 18 Nov 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023Department for EducationTabled 17 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9793More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will meet the senior Jewish academics who wrote to her on 11 August 2024 on the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023.

  Answer: My noble Friend, the Minister for Skills Baroness Smith confirmed to the House of Lords on 10 October 2024 that she will meet with the Jewish academics who wrote to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education on 11 August. That meeting has ...

  Answered 28 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Universities: ChinaDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9792More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help counter the influence of the Chinese state in British universities.

  Answer: The UK welcomes international partnerships and students, including from China, who make a very positive impact on the UK’s higher education (HE) sector, our economy and society as a whole. However, the government will always protect its national security ...

  Answered 28 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Schools: East SurreyDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6576More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many unfilled state-funded (a) primary and (b) secondary school places there are in East Surrey.

  Answer: Information on unfilled state-funded school places as at May 2023 is published at local authority level in the annual School Capacity statistics publication found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-capacity. T...

  Answered 10 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Private Education: VATDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6575More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the potential impact of the implementation of VAT on independent school fees on (a) number of pupils requiring SEND services in the state education sector and (b) associated costs;

  Answer: Projections by the Institute for Fiscal Studies indicate that the number of pupils who may switch schools as a result of these changes is likely to represent a very small proportion of overall pupil numbers in the state sector, with any displacement expec...

  Answered 14 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023Department for EducationTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6574More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she had discussions with relevant stakeholders on the potential impact of pausing the implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 on income from China for UK universities as part

  Answer: Departmental officials and my noble Friend, the Minister for Skills have engaged with a wide range of stakeholders on the future of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023. This includes representatives of higher education providers and academic...

  Answered 10 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023Department for EducationTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6573More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the evidential basis is for the statement by her Department's spokesman quoted in the Telegraph of 24 August 2024 that the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 could expose students to harm and ap

  Answer: The department has not collected data on individual cases of employment tribunals related to freedom of speech. Cases such as these are rare and are rightfully seen as a last resort. The department has heard concerns from many in the sector, including min...

  Answered 10 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Universities: Freedom of ExpressionDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6572More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what is the average length of time taken for an employment tribunal for those seeking redress over a freedom of speech dispute.

  Answer: The department has not collected data on individual cases of employment tribunals related to freedom of speech. Cases such as these are rare and are rightfully seen as a last resort. The department has heard concerns from many in the sector, including min...

  Answered 10 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023Department for EducationTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6571More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had discussions with the signatories of the open letter by Academics for Academic Freedoms, published on 2 August 2024, on the implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023

  Answer: Departmental officials and my noble Friend, the Minister for Skills have engaged with a wide range of stakeholders on the future of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023. This includes representatives of higher education providers and academic...

  Answered 10 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record