Daily roundup: Select committee recalls Gove; DfE industrial action, and sexual exploitation in Torbay

Education Secretary Michael Gove has been summoned for further questioning by the education select committee, the BBC reports. Gove appeared before MPs in January, to speak about planned reforms to the Department for Education. Committee members now want to quiz Gove on allegations of bullying at the DfE. In a letter accepting the committee’s request, Gove said he was willing to appear in front of the committee to discuss any issue, adding: “I am, in fact, free tomorrow to answer any questions. Then, perhaps, the DfE team can get on with improving children’s lives and you can consider where your own energies might be directed.” A date for the meeting is yet to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, Department for Education civil servants will begin industrial action today. The move follows a ballot held by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), in which more than 400 workers said they would be prepared to strike over cost-saving measures at the department. The industrial action short of a strike will include working to rule and non-compliance with a new performance management system, which workers believe will be used to identify low-performers. PCS leaders said further action, including walkouts, is being considered.