The Government has cancelled multi-million pound contract with Randstad, but response to Committee's Catch-Up Report falls short on tackling persistent absence.
In March, cross-party MPs warned of an 'epidemic' of educational inequality exacerbated by the loss of learning caused by covid-19 lockdowns. The Education Select Committee's Report, Is the Catch-up Programme fit for purpose?, called on the Government to prove its multi-million pound pandemic Catch-Up Programme was working, or else cancel its contract with tutoring provider Randstad.
The Education Committee publishes the Government's response to its Report. The Committee strongly welcomes the Government’s actions which include ending its contract with Randstad, simplifying and allowing schools more autonomy over funding routes, and undertaking a review of the impact of Covid-19 on SEND pupils.