The Government's response to Coronavirus

Petitions Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 13 Mar 2020 Closed: 31 Dec 2020 Parliament page
As a result of the large numbers of petitions people have started on this issue, the Petitions Committee is questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus to answer petitioner’s most common questions and concerns.
26 Recommendations
4 Conclusions
2 Reports
3 Oral sessions
29 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 40 events
29 Apr
2021
Correspondence
29 Apr
2021
Correspondence
1 Apr
2021
Correspondence
13 Oct
2020
Correspondence
24 Sep
2020
Correspondence
24 Sep
2020
Correspondence
16 Sep
2020
Report published
9 Sep
2020
Report published
20 Aug
2020
Correspondence
4 Aug
2020
Correspondence
29 Jul
2020
Report published
13 Jul
2020
Report published
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
11 Jun 2020
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Michelle Donelan MP · Department for Education Paul Scully MP · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
21 May 2020
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Alain Gregoire · Maternal Mental Health Alliance Bobby Norris, petition creator Dr Trudi Seneviratne OBE · Royal College of Psychiatrists Josie Anderson · Bliss Neil Leitch · Early Years Alliance Sue Armstrong Brown · Adoption UK
7 May 2020
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Bethany Power, Petition signatory · Private citizen Dr Cheryll Adams CBE FRSPH D(Nurs) MSc · Institute of Health Visiting Dr Jo Grady · University and College Union Emily Tredget · Happity James Zammit-Garcia, Petition Creator Jessie Zammit, Petition Creator Professor Elizabeth Meins · University of York Professor Julia Buckingham CBE · Universities UK Sophie Quinn, Petition creator Zamzam Ibrahim · National Union of Students
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The impact of Covi…
The Covid-19 outbreak has hugely disrupted the education of university students.
The Covid-19 outbreak has hugely disrupted the education of university students. A significant number of students have told us they are not receiving the standard of education that they had expected, feel they are entitled to, or which offers true … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the significant disruption and challenges faced by students, noting universities' adaptation to online teaching and the OfS's role in ensuring quality. It highlights that universities were enabled to increase hardship funds using existing funding to support disadvantaged students.
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4 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - The impact of Covi…
While it appears that to date relatively few students have raised formal complaints with their...
While it appears that to date relatively few students have raised formal complaints with their universities or taken individual action to seek a refund of their tuition fees, many students are not happy with how university courses are being delivered. … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees students should be aware of their rights and is working with stakeholders (UUK, NUS, OfS, CMA, OIA) to explore how existing communication channels can improve students' understanding of their consumer rights, noting universities are already required to make students aware of the OIA scheme.
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5 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The impact of Covi…
If a university has failed to provide the education a student has paid for, the...
If a university has failed to provide the education a student has paid for, the student is entitled to a refund from that university. However, given the likely impact of Covid-19 on universities—which could cost them around £2.5 billion in … Read more
Government Response
The government states that student entitlement to a refund depends on individual contractual agreements. It details various financial support measures provided to universities, including loans and a restructuring regime, to help them manage the financial impacts of COVID-19 and ensure sector sustainability.
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8 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - The impact of Covi…
University students whose courses have been affected by Covid-19, particularly those in their final year,...
University students whose courses have been affected by Covid-19, particularly those in their final year, are understandably concerned about the impact the disruption to their courses could have on their futures. We welcome the Government’s acknowledgment of these concerns, and … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges challenges for graduates and highlights general employment support like the Kickstart Scheme. It states a working group has been established to consider existing or additional guidance for postgraduate study opportunities, but does not commit to providing additional funding for students to extend their education or specific ongoing employment advice.
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Government Response AI assessment · 30 of 26 classified
Accepted 4
Accepted in Part 5
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 3
Not Addressed 4
Rejected 10
Total 26 recs + 4 conclusions
Correspondence 29 letters
29 Apr 2021 From committee Letter to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families relating to Parent and child group singing
Parliament page
29 Apr 2021 To committee Letter from Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families relating to parent and child group singing
Parliament page
1 Apr 2021 From committee Letter to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families regarding guidance for early years and childcare providers
Parliament page
13 Oct 2020 To committee Letter from the Minister for Small Business, Consumers & Labour Markets responding to the Committee's First Report: The impact of COVID-19 on maternity and parental leave.
Parliament page
24 Sep 2020 From committee Letter to the Prime Minister regarding the impact of Covid-19 on maternity and parental leave
Parliament page
24 Sep 2020 From committee Letter to the Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets regarding the impact of Covid-19 on maternity and parental leave
Parliament page
20 Aug 2020 From committee Letter to the Secretary of State for Education regarding student grading
Parliament page
4 Aug 2020 From committee Letter to Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets regarding maternity leave
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27 May 2020 From committee Letter to Huw Merriman MP - Transport Committee - Aviation petition
Parliament page
18 May 2020 To committee Response from Oliver Dowden MP - BSL
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18 May 2020 From committee Letter to Oliver Dowden MP - BSL
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24 Apr 2020 From committee Letter to Oliver Dowden MP - BSL
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23 Apr 2020 From committee Letter to Select Committee Chairs - scrutiny of the Government’s response to the Coronavirus crisis
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15 Apr 2020 To committee Response from Matt Hancock MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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14 Apr 2020 To committee Response from Oliver Dowden MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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9 Apr 2020 To committee Response from George Eustice MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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9 Apr 2020 To committee Response from Justin Tomlinson MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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9 Apr 2020 To committee Response from Grant Shapps MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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9 Apr 2020 To committee Response from Robert Jenrick MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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9 Apr 2020 To committee Response from Rishi Sunak MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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9 Apr 2020 To committee Response from Nick Gibb MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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30 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Grant Shapps MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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30 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Matt Hancock MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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30 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Thérèse Coffey MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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30 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Oliver Dowden MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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30 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Gavin Williamson MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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30 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to George Eustice MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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30 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Alok Sharma MP and Rishi Sunak MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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30 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Robert Jenrick MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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