Terms of reference and membership of the 'Higher Education Taskforce' announced 18 August 2020

The request was partially successful.

Dear Department for Education,

Please share the terms of reference and membership of the Higher Education Taskforce announced by Michelle Donelan on Tuesday 18 August.

Please also share the full contents of any emails sent from 1 July onwards between the Minister of State for Universities and her advisors/staff team, which discuss the National Union of Students (or any other direct student representation) as a potential member of the Taskforce.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew Keenan

MINISTERS, Department for Education

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Thank you for contacting the Department for Education. If you are
contacting us about coronavirus (COVID-19) you can find advice and
guidance on [1]GOV.UK. This includes [2]guidance for educational settings
in England. You can also contact our coronavirus helpline on 0800 046
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4pm.

For emails and other written enquiries you will usually receive a reply
within 15 working days. You can find out how the department processes your
personal information by reading our [3]Privacy Notice.

 

 

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ACCOUNT, Unmonitored, Department for Education

Dear  Andrew Keenan 

Thank you for your recent enquiry which was received on 19/08/2020.

A reply will be sent to you as soon as possible. For information; the
departmental standard for correspondence received is that responses should
be sent within 20 working days as you are requesting information under the
Freedom of Information Act 2000. Your correspondence has been allocated
reference number 2020-0047589.

Department for Education

Ministerial and Public Communications Division

Tel: 0370 000 2288

Web: [1]https://www.education.gov.uk
Twitter: [2]https://www.twitter.com/educationgovuk
Facebook: [3]https://www.facebook.com/educationgovuk

References

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2. https://www.twitter.com/educationgovuk
3. https://www.facebook.com/educationgovuk

ACCOUNT, Unmonitored, Department for Education

2 Attachments

Dear Mr Keenan ,

Please see enclosed our reply

Yours sincerely

Higher Education Briefing and Communications team

 

Dear Department for Education,

Thank you for your reply.

I would like to ask for a clarification and a follow-up question.

Your reply states that

"Regarding the information you requested on “the full contents of any emails sent from 1
July onwards between the Minister of State for Universities and her advisors/staff team,
which discuss the National Union of Students (or any other direct student representation)
as a potential member of the Taskforce”, I have established that no such emails are held
by the Department."

Can you confirm that there was no discussion whatsoever between the Minister and her staff and/or advisers about the National Union of Students? If there are any emails, documents or other records that relate to, or mention, the National Union of Students, sent or received by the Minister and/or her staff team & advisers, I request a copy of those records. The period in question is 1 July to 17 September.

I also request details of all meetings of the Taskforce to date (17 September), including:

- Date and time of meeting
- Duration of meeting
- Attendance and apologies for each meeting
- Minutes, papers and other documents circulated to participants

and the plans for any future meetings.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew Keenan

MINISTERS, Department for Education

1 Attachment

Thank you for contacting the Department for Education. If you are
contacting us about coronavirus (COVID-19) you can find advice and
guidance on [1]GOV.UK. This includes [2]guidance for educational settings
in England. You can also contact our coronavirus helpline on 0800 046
8687. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm and weekends 10am to
4pm.

For emails and other written enquiries you will usually receive a reply
within 15 working days. You can find out how the department processes your
personal information by reading our [3]Privacy Notice.

 

 

[4]cid:image001.jpg@01D42E43.58989C30

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
2. https://www.gov.uk/government/collection...
https://www.gov.uk/government/collection...
3. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisati...
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisati...

Dear Department for Education,

Good afternoon,

Can I please have an update on the progress of this request, which is now outside of the 15-day limit.

Thank you,

Andrew Keenan

MINISTERS, Department for Education

1 Attachment

Thank you for contacting the Department for Education. If you are
contacting us about coronavirus (COVID-19) you can find advice and
guidance on [1]GOV.UK. This includes [2]guidance for educational settings
in England. You can also contact our coronavirus helpline on 0800 046
8687. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm and weekends 10am to
4pm.

For emails and other written enquiries you will usually receive a reply
within 15 working days. You can find out how the department processes your
personal information by reading our [3]Privacy Notice.

 

 

[4]cid:image001.jpg@01D42E43.58989C30

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
2. https://www.gov.uk/government/collection...
https://www.gov.uk/government/collection...
3. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisati...
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisati...

ACCOUNT, Unmonitored, Department for Education

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Keenan,
 
Please see enclosed our reply.  
 
Yours sincerely
Higher Education Briefing and Communications Team

Dear Department for Education,

Thank you for the update. Am I understanding your letter correctly, that a decision will be made by 29 October whether to release the minutes, papers etc of the Higher Education Taskforce, or not?

If that's not correct, please let me know.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew Keenan

MINISTERS, Department for Education

1 Attachment

Thank you for contacting the Department for Education. If you are
contacting us about coronavirus (COVID-19) you can find advice and
guidance on [1]GOV.UK. This includes [2]guidance for educational settings
in England. You can also contact our coronavirus helpline on 0800 046
8687. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm and weekends 10am to
4pm.

For emails and other written enquiries you will usually receive a reply
within 15 working days. You can find out how the department processes your
personal information by reading our [3]Privacy Notice.

 

 

[4]cid:image001.jpg@01D42E43.58989C30

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
2. https://www.gov.uk/government/collection...
https://www.gov.uk/government/collection...
3. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisati...
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisati...

ACCOUNT, Unmonitored, Department for Education

Dear Mr Keenan,
 
Yes, this is correct. A decision and reply will be made to you by 29 Oct.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Higher Education Briefing and Communications Team

ACCOUNT, Unmonitored, Department for Education

2 Attachments

Dear Andrew Keenan,

Please find attached an update to your request.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact us. Please
remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

HE Briefing Team.
Web: [1]https://www.education.gov.uk
Twitter: [2]https://www.twitter.com/educationgovuk
Facebook: [3]https://www.facebook.com/educationgovuk
 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.education.gov.uk/
2. https://www.twitter.com/educationgovuk
3. https://www.facebook.com/educationgovuk

Dear Department for Education,

Re: 2020-0053539

I've received an email about a ten-day delay. This is the second such email I've received. Can you please clarify why a second set of ten days is needed, when the first ten days was an extension to the original 15-day period in the first place?

The email also says that some of the information I requested will be released. Can that please be released while the decision on any other parts is still pending.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew Keenan

MINISTERS, Department for Education

1 Attachment

Thank you for contacting the Department for Education. If you are
contacting us about coronavirus (COVID-19) you can find advice and
guidance on [1]GOV.UK. This includes [2]guidance for educational settings
in England. You can also contact our coronavirus helpline on 0800 046
8687. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm and weekends 10am to
4pm.

For emails and other written enquiries you will usually receive a reply
within 15 working days. You can find out how the department processes your
personal information by reading our [3]Privacy Notice.

 

 

[4]cid:image001.jpg@01D42E43.58989C30

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
2. https://www.gov.uk/government/collection...
https://www.gov.uk/government/collection...
3. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisati...
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisati...

Dear Department for Education,

Hello! Is there a reply for this coming today?

Yours faithfully,

Andrew Keenan

MINISTERS, Department for Education

1 Attachment

Thank you for contacting the Department for Education. If you are
contacting us about coronavirus (COVID-19) you can find advice and
guidance on [1]GOV.UK. This includes [2]guidance for educational settings
in England. You can also contact our coronavirus helpline on 0800 046
8687. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm and weekends 10am to
4pm.

For emails and other written enquiries you will usually receive a reply
within 15 working days. You can find out how the department processes your
personal information by reading our [3]Privacy Notice.

 

 

[4]cid:image001.jpg@01D42E43.58989C30

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
2. https://www.gov.uk/government/collection...
https://www.gov.uk/government/collection...
3. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisati...
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisati...

ACCOUNT, Unmonitored, Department for Education

2 Attachments

Dear Andrew Keenan,
 
Please see attached our reply and enclosure to your requestor.
 
Kind regards
Higher Education Briefing and Communications team
 
 

Dear ACCOUNT, Unmonitored,

Hi there,

Thank you for this. I would like now to make the same request, for the period 17 September to present.

Best wishes,

Andrew

ACCOUNT, Unmonitored, Department for Education

Thank you for contacting the Department for Education. We can confirm that
we have received the Freedom of Information request you submitted.

We will respond to you within 20 working days.

 

ACCOUNT, Unmonitored, Department for Education

 

Dear  Andrew Keenan 

 

Thank you for your recent enquiry which was received on 17/11/2020.

 

A reply will be sent to you as soon as possible. For information; the
departmental standard for correspondence received is that responses should
be sent within 20 working days as you are requesting information under the
Freedom of Information Act 2000. Your correspondence has been allocated
reference number 2020-0064809.

Department for Education

Ministerial and Public Communications Division

Tel: 0370 000 2288

Web: 

[1]https://www.education.gov.uk
Twitter: [2]https://www.twitter.com/educationgovuk
Facebook: [3]https://www.facebook.com/educationgovuk

 

 

 

 

References

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3. https://www.facebook.com/educationgovuk

CLARKE, Yvonne, Department for Education

2 Attachments

Dear Mr Keenan

 

Please find attached response to update you on your recent FOI request.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Yvonne Clarke

HE Briefing

Strategy development and Implementation

Higher Education, STEM and Tertiary Providers

[mobile number]-018283

Email: [1][email address]

 

 

References

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1. mailto:[email address]

ACCOUNT, Unmonitored, Department for Education

2 Attachments

Dear Andrew Keenan
 
Thank you for your request for information. Please find attached an
update to your request.
If you have any queries about this letter, please contact us. Please
remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.
HE Briefing Team.
Web: [1]https://www.education.gov.uk
Twitter: [2]https://www.twitter.com/educationgovuk
Facebook: [3]https://www.facebook.com/educationgovuk
 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.education.gov.uk/
2. https://www.twitter.com/educationgovuk
3. https://www.facebook.com/educationgovuk

Hello HE Briefing Team

Any update on this long-overdue decision?

Thank you

Andrew Keenan

ACCOUNT, Unmonitored, Department for Education

Thank you for contacting the Department for Education. We can confirm that
we have received the Freedom of Information request you submitted.

We will respond to you within 20 working days.

 

ACCOUNT, Unmonitored, Department for Education

Dear  Andrew Keenan 

Thank you for your recent enquiry which was received on 12 Febraruy.

A reply will be sent to you as soon as possible. For information; the
departmental standard for correspondence received is that responses should
be sent within 20 working days as you are requesting information under the
Freedom of Information Act 2000. Your correspondence has been allocated
reference number 2021-0012281. 

Department for Education

Ministerial and Public Communications Division

Tel: 0370 000 2288

Web: [1]https://www.education.gov.uk
Twitter: [2]https://www.twitter.com/educationgovuk
Facebook: [3]https://www.facebook.com/educationgovuk

 

 

 

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.education.gov.uk/
2. https://www.twitter.com/educationgovuk
3. https://www.facebook.com/educationgovuk

ACCOUNT, Unmonitored, Department for Education

2 Attachments

Andrew Keenan
 
Please see enclosed our reply to your request for information under the
Freedom of information act.
 
Yours sincerely
 
Higher Education Briefing Team