Michelle Donelan: Does my hon. Friend agree that it is disingenuous of the Opposition to reference my alleged severance pay, as I made it clear almost immediately after resigning that I would not be taking such money?
Michelle Donelan: I have been deeply concerned to hear the allegations of antisemitism linked to the National Union of Students (NUS) and believe that strong action is needed, especially as NUS has been the subject of similar allegations on at least another two occasions in recent years. This is why I announced on 13 May 2022 that the government would be disengaging with them, until we are satisfied that they...
Michelle Donelan: ...information on the costs and supply of assistive technology. This is particularly important considering the concerns made public by the Competition and Markets Authority last year in relation to allegations of price-fixing of supplies to disabled students. There are a number of quality measures in place for the equipment and associated services procured through SLC’s e-quote portal. All...
Michelle Donelan: ...does not stop employees in higher education from taking their claims to employment tribunals. In doing so, employment tribunals may consider questions of freedom of speech and academic freedom and alleged breaches of the section A1 duty in that context, although the Bill does not give them the jurisdiction to hear freedom of speech cases. The current two-year qualifying period for unfair...
Michelle Donelan: ...had employment disputes where there might be a number of employment-related issues to consider, not just academic freedom. The tribunal will be able to consider the question of academic freedom and alleged breached of the duty in this context, although the Bill does not give them jurisdiction to hear freedom of speech cases. New schedule 6A will enable the OfS to provide in a scheme that...
Michelle Donelan: ...for higher education exempt charities in England. Universities registered with the OfS are subject to ongoing conditions of registration. The OfS may investigate any adverse event, actual or alleged, where a breach of these conditions may have occurred, and take action as necessary, in accordance with its role as the regulator of higher education, and principal regulator of higher...
Michelle Donelan: ...require that schools have regard to the ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ statutory guidance. This requires schools to address sexual harassment appropriately, including duties related to allegations of abuse made against teachers and other staff and reports of sexual violence and sexual harassment between children. Independent schools (including music schools) are inspected by...
Michelle Donelan: It is not part of current policy that residential schools should notify Ofsted or the Independent Schools Inspectorate on allegations of child abuse. Statutory guidance in “Keeping Children Safe in Education” requires all schools to refer allegations of abuse against children to the local authority, who are the relevant agency to investigate.
Michelle Donelan: ...school, and where appropriate, referred to children’s social care and or the police. The Department does not hold records on sexual offences in schools. The guidance sets out how to deal with allegations that a pupil has been abused by a teacher, other member of staff or peer. It provides detailed guidance on how to manage reports of peer on peer sexual violence or sexual harassment,...