Written questions by Rankin.

What steps she has taken to identify the nationalities and ethnicities most associated with (a) childcare grant fraud and (b) student loan fraud.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment she has made of trends in the level of childcare grant fraud linked to student loans.

Awaiting answer.

How many providers registered have no children signed up but have live childcare grant claims.

Awaiting answer.

How many childcare providers registered have no children signed up.

Awaiting answer.

What steps she has taken to identify the proportion of the student loan book used for fraudulent activity by students, franchised and non-franchised HE providers and intermediaries.

Awaiting answer.

What steps she has taken to connect information on (a) childcare grant and (b) student loan claims with regulatory information about childcare providers.

Awaiting answer.

How much her Department paid to Gemma Collins for her appearance in its recent communications campaign.

Awaiting answer.

What the cost to her Department was of the recent campaign starring Gemma Collins.

Awaiting answer.

Whether she plans to pause recovery action being undertaken by the Student Loans Company against students whose universities misclassified weekend courses as in-attendance courses whilst any (a) review and (b) regulatory action takes place.

The government recognises the uncertainty being faced by students affected by the misclassification of weekend courses and that the support offered has not, in all cases, yet been delivered with the consistency or urgency these circumstances require by their institutions.We have therefore instructed the Student Loan Company to recover overpaid loan funding through the student loan repayment system as normal, and to pause recoveries of overpaid grants until at least September while we consider next steps.We have been clear that the responsibility for the classification of courses for student finance purposes rests with higher education providers. The department provides clear guidance on eligibility requirements, including the distinction between in‑attendance and weekend‑only courses. We are continuing to insist that all new maintenance funding for students enrolled on ineligible weekend-only courses must stop.The Office for Students is also looking closely at this issue, and we expect it to take robust action where necessary to address any regulatory breaches.In parallel, we are strengthening oversight and assurance to ensure course classifications are applied consistently, transparently, and in a way that cannot be misused or inadvertently misapplied in ways that misleads students and risk public funds.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of Student Loan Company recovery action following the misclassification of weekend courses as in-attendance courses for the purposes of student finance on students.

The government recognises the uncertainty being faced by students affected by the misclassification of weekend courses and that the support offered has not, in all cases, yet been delivered with the consistency or urgency these circumstances require by their institutions.We have therefore instructed the Student Loan Company to recover overpaid loan funding through the student loan repayment system as normal, and to pause recoveries of overpaid grants until at least September while we consider next steps.We have been clear that the responsibility for the classification of courses for student finance purposes rests with higher education providers. The department provides clear guidance on eligibility requirements, including the distinction between in‑attendance and weekend‑only courses. We are continuing to insist that all new maintenance funding for students enrolled on ineligible weekend-only courses must stop.The Office for Students is also looking closely at this issue, and we expect it to take robust action where necessary to address any regulatory breaches.In parallel, we are strengthening oversight and assurance to ensure course classifications are applied consistently, transparently, and in a way that cannot be misused or inadvertently misapplied in ways that misleads students and risk public funds.

What steps she is taking to support universities in correctly classify courses (a) in-attendance and (b) weekend only.

The government recognises the uncertainty being faced by students affected by the misclassification of weekend courses and that the support offered has not, in all cases, yet been delivered with the consistency or urgency these circumstances require by their institutions.We have therefore instructed the Student Loan Company to recover overpaid loan funding through the student loan repayment system as normal, and to pause recoveries of overpaid grants until at least September while we consider next steps.We have been clear that the responsibility for the classification of courses for student finance purposes rests with higher education providers. The department provides clear guidance on eligibility requirements, including the distinction between in‑attendance and weekend‑only courses. We are continuing to insist that all new maintenance funding for students enrolled on ineligible weekend-only courses must stop.The Office for Students is also looking closely at this issue, and we expect it to take robust action where necessary to address any regulatory breaches.In parallel, we are strengthening oversight and assurance to ensure course classifications are applied consistently, transparently, and in a way that cannot be misused or inadvertently misapplied in ways that misleads students and risk public funds.

How many children have been the victim of a stabbing incident in educational settings in each of the last two academic years for which data is available by type of setting.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing transitional protection for students who enrolled on university courses since found to have been wrongly classified for student finance purposes.

The government recognises the uncertainty being faced by students affected by the misclassification of weekend courses and that the support offered has not, in all cases, yet been delivered with the consistency or urgency these circumstances require by their institutions.We have therefore instructed the Student Loan Company to recover overpaid loan funding through the student loan repayment system as normal, and to pause recoveries of overpaid grants until at least September while we consider next steps.We have been clear that the responsibility for the classification of courses for student finance purposes rests with higher education providers. The department provides clear guidance on eligibility requirements, including the distinction between in‑attendance and weekend‑only courses. We are continuing to insist that all new maintenance funding for students enrolled on ineligible weekend-only courses must stop.The Office for Students is also looking closely at this issue, and we expect it to take robust action where necessary to address any regulatory breaches.In parallel, we are strengthening oversight and assurance to ensure course classifications are applied consistently, transparently, and in a way that cannot be misused or inadvertently misapplied in ways that misleads students and risk public funds.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing transitional protection for students who enrolled on university courses since found to have been wrongly classified for student finance purposes.

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

When she plans to respond to Question 120248 from the Hon. Member for Windsor.

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

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of Student Loan Company recovery action following the misclassification of weekend courses as in-attendance courses for the purposes of student finance on students.

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

What steps she is taking to support universities in correctly classify courses (a) in-attendance and (b) weekend only.

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

Whether she plans to pause recovery action being undertaken by the Student Loans Company against students whose universities misclassified weekend courses as in-attendance courses whilst any (a) review and (b) regulatory action takes place.

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

How many apprentices the Department recruited in 2015 compared to (a) 2022, (b) 2023 and (c) 2024.

The number of apprentices that enrolled onto apprenticeship programmes within the department in each calendar year is as follows:2022: 324 apprentices2023: 257 apprentices2024: 206 apprentices2025: 271 apprenticesNote: this is a combination of new apprentices joining the department and existing staff embarking on apprenticeship programmes as part of their career development.The department does not hold data for 2015. For comparison purposes we can confirm that in 2016 the department had 32 apprentices enrol onto apprenticeship programmes. In 2017, the department had 54 apprentices enrol onto apprenticeship programmes.

How many children have been the victim of a stabbing incident in educational settings in each of the last two academic years for which data is available by type of setting.

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