The department is committed to ensuring that children can continue to learn at home in these very difficult circumstances. It is up to each school to determine how best to deliver education to its pupils and we recognise that many schools have already shared resources for children who are at home.

The department has not required schools to teach online lessons and this is only one way in which they may opt to provide remote education to pupils. The department has, however, issued guidance for schools on delivering remote education, including case studies and an initial list of free resources identified by educational experts and teachers. Many other suppliers have also helpfully made their online and hard-copy resources available for free.

Schools can also make use of Oak National Academy, which was launched online on 20 April. This new initiative is led by 40 teachers who have assembled video lessons and resources for any teacher in the country to make use of if they wish to do so. 180 video lessons will be provided each week, across a broad range of subjects, for every year group from Reception through to Year 10. Additionally, the BBC has developed resources for families as part of a comprehensive new education package, which is now available on TV and online at BBC Bitesize.

The government has also committed over £100 million to boost remote education, by providing devices and internet access for those who need it most, ensuring every school that wants it has access to free, expert technical support to get set up on Google for Education or Microsoft’s Office 365 Education, and offering peer support from schools and colleges leading the way with the use of education technology.

I met with Universities UK on 22 May 2017 and spoke at their conference on 7 September 2017. UUK is represented at the high level stakeholder working group on EU exit, universities, research and innovation, which I chair and which last met on 19 October 2017. I also met with UUK at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.

I met with the University and College Union on 19 October 2016.

I met with the Sutton Trust on 17 November 2016.

I have not held a recent meeting with Unison.

The Sutton Trust is a brilliant organisation. The aims of Open Access are admirable. But our focus must be on transforming all state schools. Through the expansion of the Academies programme and the introduction of free schools, we are increasing the number of good school places—many of them in disadvantaged areas.