Department for Education

The Department for Education is responsible for children’s services and education, including early years, schools, higher and further education policy, apprenticeships and wider skills in England.



Secretary of State

 Portrait

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Democratic Unionist Party
Paul Girvan (DUP - South Antrim)
Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Education)

Scottish National Party
Carol Monaghan (SNP - Glasgow North West)
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Education)

Liberal Democrat
Lord Storey (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Education)

Plaid Cymru
Ben Lake (PC - Ceredigion)
Shadow PC Spokesperson (Education)

Labour
Bridget Phillipson (Lab - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Shadow Secretary of State for Education

Liberal Democrat
Munira Wilson (LD - Twickenham)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Education)

Labour
Baroness Wilcox of Newport (Lab - Life peer)
Shadow Spokesperson (Education)
Baroness Twycross (Lab - Life peer)
Shadow Spokesperson (Education)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Labour
Matt Western (Lab - Warwick and Leamington)
Shadow Minister (Education)
Helen Hayes (Lab - Dulwich and West Norwood)
Shadow Minister (Education)
Catherine McKinnell (Lab - Newcastle upon Tyne North)
Shadow Minister (Education) (Schools)
Seema Malhotra (Lab - Feltham and Heston)
Shadow Minister (Education)
Ministers of State
Robert Halfon (Con - Harlow)
Minister of State (Education)
Damian Hinds (Con - East Hampshire)
Minister of State (Education)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Baroness Barran (Con - Life peer)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
David Johnston (Con - Wantage)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Scheduled Event
Tuesday 26th March 2024
09:30
Education Committee - Oral evidence - Select & Joint Committees
26 Mar 2024, 9:30 a.m.
Children’s social care
View calendar
Scheduled Event
Monday 29th April 2024
14:30
Department for Education
Oral questions - Main Chamber
29 Apr 2024, 2:30 p.m.
Education (including Topical Questions)
Save to Calendar
View calendar
Debates
Monday 18th March 2024
Select Committee Docs
Friday 15th March 2024
12:30
Members' Attendance Record 2023-24
Attendance Statistics
Select Committee Inquiry
Friday 24th November 2023
Impact of industrial action on university students

The Education Committee will examine how students at universities in England have been impacted by various forms of industrial action …

Written Answers
Monday 18th March 2024
Higher Education: Antisemitism
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to tackle anti-Semitism in higher education …
Secondary Legislation
Friday 15th March 2024
Childcare (Free of Charge for Working Parents) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2024
These Regulations amend the Childcare (Free of Charge for Working Parents) (England) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1134) (the “Principal Regulations”).
Bills
Wednesday 1st February 2023
Lifelong Learning (Higher Education Fee Limits) Act 2023
A Bill to make provision about the determination of the fee limit for higher education courses provided by registered English …
Dept. Publications
Friday 15th March 2024
15:00

Department for Education Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Mar. 11
Oral Questions
Oct. 17
Urgent Questions
Mar. 06
Westminster Hall
View All Department for Education Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Department for Education does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2019 Parliament

Introduced: 1st February 2023

A Bill to make provision about the determination of the fee limit for higher education courses provided by registered English higher education providers subject to a fee limit condition; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 18th September 2023 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 12th May 2021

A Bill to make provision in relation to freedom of speech and academic freedom in higher education institutions and in students’ unions; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 11th May 2023 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 18th May 2021

A Bill to make provision about local skills improvement plans; to make provision relating to further education; to make provision about functions of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and relating to technical education qualifications; to make provision about student finance and fees; to make provision about assessments by the Office for Students; to make provision about the funding of certain post-16 education or training providers; and for connected purposes

This Bill received Royal Assent on 28th April 2022 and was enacted into law.

Department for Education - Secondary Legislation

These Regulations amend the Childcare (Free of Charge for Working Parents) (England) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1134) (the “Principal Regulations”).
These Regulations, which apply in England only, amend the Care Standards Act 2000 (Registration) (England) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/2130) (“the Registration Regulations”) and the Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) (Children’s Homes etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/551) (“the Fees and Frequency of Inspections Regulations”).
View All Department for Education Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Trending Petitions
Petition Open
5,422 Signatures
(2,610 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
5,960 Signatures
(1,506 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
15,814 Signatures
(459 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
2,061 Signatures
(394 in the last 7 days)
Petitions with most signatures
Petition Debates Contributed

Government should support vulnerable children & #endchildfoodpoverty by implementing 3 recommendations from the National Food Strategy to expand access to Free School Meals, provide meals & activities during holidays to stop holiday hunger & increase the value of and expand the Healthy Start scheme

Call on the government to consider holding debates in Parliament between MPs and university students to raise/discuss issues that affect them. It will allow students to voice their opinions and concerns about tuition fees of £9250 a year which are too high, particularly as grants have been removed

Close down schools and colleges due to the increase in COVID-19 cases. We are seeing cases of students and teachers catching the virus since schools have reopened.

View All Department for Education Petitions

Departmental Select Committee

Education Committee

Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.

At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.

Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.


11 Members of the Education Committee
Robin Walker Portrait
Robin Walker (Conservative - Worcester)
Education Committee Chair since 16th November 2022
Ian Mearns Portrait
Ian Mearns (Labour - Gateshead)
Education Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Apsana Begum Portrait
Apsana Begum (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Education Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Kim Johnson Portrait
Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool, Riverside)
Education Committee Member since 11th May 2020
Anna Firth Portrait
Anna Firth (Conservative - Southend West)
Education Committee Member since 15th March 2022
Caroline Ansell Portrait
Caroline Ansell (Conservative - Eastbourne)
Education Committee Member since 15th March 2022
Andrew Lewer Portrait
Andrew Lewer (Conservative - Northampton South)
Education Committee Member since 25th October 2022
Flick Drummond Portrait
Flick Drummond (Conservative - Meon Valley)
Education Committee Member since 8th November 2022
Nick Fletcher Portrait
Nick Fletcher (Conservative - Don Valley)
Education Committee Member since 29th November 2022
Mohammad Yasin Portrait
Mohammad Yasin (Labour - Bedford)
Education Committee Member since 13th March 2023
Vicky Ford Portrait
Vicky Ford (Conservative - Chelmsford)
Education Committee Member since 22nd January 2024
Education Committee: Upcoming Events
Education Committee - Oral evidence
Children’s social care
26 Mar 2024, 9:30 a.m.
At 10:00am: Oral evidence
John Pearce - President at Association of Directors of Children’s Services
Roger Gough - Children’s Services Spokesperson at County Councils Network
Stuart Ashley - Director of Children’s Services at Hampshire County Council
At 11:00am: Oral evidence
Dan Turnbull - Senior Director for Markets at Competitions and Markets Authority
Mr Andrew Isaac - Chair at Children’s Services Development Group
Dr Mark Kerr
Ms Lucy Croxton - Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns Manager at Together Trust

View calendar
Education Committee: Previous Inquiries
The impact of COVID-19 on education and children’s services Support for Home Education Behaviour and discipline in schools Careers Guidance for Young People The role of School Governing Bodies School sports following London 2012 School Partnerships and Cooperation School Direct Recruitment 2013-14 Great teachers-follow up The role and performance of Ofsted Services for young people Participation in education and training for 16-19 year olds English Baccalaureate Residential children's homes Underachievement in Education by White Working Class Children School Places Ofsted Annual Report in Education 2012-13 Child Well-Being in England 16 Plus Care Options Academies and free schools Children First follow-up PSHE and SRE in schools Fairer Schools Funding 2015-16 one-off Exams for 15-19 year olds in England - follow up Foundation Years: Sure Start children’s centres – Government response Department for Education Annual Report 2012-13 Extremism in Birmingham Schools Careers guidance for young people: follow-up Apprenticeships and traineeships for 16 to 19 year olds Pre-appointment hearing: Children's Commissioner Ofsted Schools and Further Education and Skills Annual Report 2013-14 Evidence check: National College for Teaching and Leadership inquiry Sure Start children’s centres: Follow up Evidence check: Starting school inquiry The work of the Committee in the 2010-15 Parliament Priority Schools Building Programme inquiry The work of Ofsted inquiry The role of Regional Schools Commissioners inquiry Responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Education The work of Ofqual Purpose and quality of education in England inquiry Supply of teachers inquiry Holocaust education inquiry Mental health and wellbeing of looked after children inquiry The Children's Commissioner for England Education in the north inquiry Fourth Industrial Revolution Life chances inquiry Special educational needs and disabilities inquiry School and college funding inquiry The future of the Social Mobility Commission inquiry Nursing apprenticeships inquiry Appointment of the Chair of the Social Mobility Commission Knife crime inquiry Opportunity areas inquiry Children’s social care workforce inquiry Adult skills and lifelong learning inquiry Appointment of the Chair of the Office for Students inquiry Alternative provision inquiry Fostering inquiry Integrity of public examinations inquiry The quality of apprenticeships and skills training inquiry Accountability hearings Value for money in higher education inquiry Post-16 education area reviews inquiry School funding reform inquiry Adult skills and lifelong learning Appointment of the Ofsted Chief Inspector inquiry Fostering inquiry Primary assessment inquiry The impact of exiting the European Union on higher education inquiry Selective education inquiry Narey review of children's residential care inquiry Social Work Reform inquiry Financial management at the Department for Education Appointment of the Ofqual Chief Regulator Multi-academy trusts inquiry Left behind white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds Home Education Support for childcare and the early years Persistent absence and support for disadvantaged pupils Teacher recruitment, training and retention Ofsted’s work with schools Screen Time: Impacts on education and wellbeing Financial Education Impact of industrial action on university students Children’s social care Accountability hearings Adult skills and lifelong learning Children’s social care workforce Education in the north Fourth Industrial Revolution Integrity of public examinations Knife crime Life chances Opportunity areas School and college funding Special educational needs and disabilities

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

13th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many seafarer apprentices have been trained by private shipping companies operating in the UK since 17 March 2022.

There were 50 apprenticeship starts in England on the Seafarer (Deck Rating) apprenticeship standard in the 2021/22 academic year, 40 starts in 2022/23 and 20 starts reported so far, August to October, for 2023/24. The department cannot identify whether the apprenticeship employer is a private shipping company.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
11th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate of the number of international students studying in the UK from India in the last 12 months.

Data on the number of international students by country of domicile can be found on Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) website here: https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students/where-from. HESA data is not available for the last 12 months.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
11th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2024 to Question 16899 on Overseas Students: Ukraine, whether Ukrainian students will be able to continue studying with home fee status if their leave to remain in the UK is transferred to international student status at the closure of the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.

Changes have been made to the Education (Fees and Awards) (England) Regulations 2007 from the 2024/25 academic year so that, where a person’s Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme leave expires during their course and they are granted further leave to remain under one of the standard immigration routes, they will continue to be eligible to access home fee status in order to complete their studies.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
11th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to tackle anti-Semitism in higher education institutions in the South East.

Antisemitism, intimidation, and threats of violence must never be tolerated on university campuses. The Community Security Trust 2023 annual report highlights the unprecedented increase in antisemitic incidents in higher education (HE). This unacceptable rise is deeply concerning. All antisemitism is abhorrent, and universities should have robust systems to deal with incidents of support for unlawful antisemitic abuse and harassment. The department will not tolerate unlawful harassment or the glorification of terrorism.

Ever since the October 7 attacks, the department has actively intervened to ensure that universities, including those located in the South East, act swiftly and appropriately to deal with incidents of antisemitism. I have reached out to many Vice Chancellors personally when a concern has been raised about antisemitism on their campus.

Furthermore, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, and I wrote to all universities on 11 October 2023, urging them to respond swiftly to hate-related incidents and to actively reassure Jewish students that they can study without fear of harassment or intimidation. I wrote again to Vice Chancellors on 16 November 2023, emphasising that they must use disciplinary measures wherever appropriate, highlighting the importance of police engagement, and reiterating that student visas could be suspended where a foreign national is found to have committed or incited acts of racial hatred. This was one of the key actions set out in the five point plan for tackling antisemitism in HE, which was published on 5 November 2023. The plan also involves:

  • Calling for visas to be withdrawn from international students who incite racial hatred. Visas are a privilege, not a right, and the government won’t hesitate to remove them from people who abuse them.
  • Logging specific cases and sharing them with the Office for Students for their consideration.
  • Continuing to make it clear in all discussions that acts that may be criminal should be referred to the police.
  • Establishing a Tackling Antisemitism Quality Seal, which will be an award available to universities who can demonstrate the highest standards in tackling antisemitism.

On 22 November, the government announced in the Autumn Statement an additional £7 million over three years to tackle antisemitism in education. The Quality Seal will be the cornerstone of this package for universities, providing a framework of measures that will make clear what good practice is in tackling antisemitism in HE, and making sure that our universities are a safe and welcoming space for Jewish students and staff, as for all students and staff.

The department will not hesitate to take further action across education to stamp out antisemitism and harassment of Jewish pupils, students and staff.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of having subtitles switched on as a default for children's television programmes and films on children's literacy levels.

The department has recently made an assessment of the evidence behind the Turn on the Subtitles campaign and the current evidence is inconclusive as to whether turning on the subtitles improves children’s reading. It is the choice of parents and carers whether their child watches television with the subtitles on.

The government is committed to continuing to raise literacy standards, ensuring all children can read fluently. There is a supportive package of measures in place which aims to benefit the most disadvantaged pupils and is a key step in our mission to level up education standards in England. This includes the £67 million English Hubs programme which is now in its sixth year of delivery. It also incorporates the updated Reading Framework, an updated list of validated phonics programmes, funding for the purchase of phonics programmes and the National Professional Qualification in Leading Literacy.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
6th Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential distress caused to spousal pension recipients by Teachers’ Pensions requiring recipients whose spouses retired before January 2007 to confirm annually that they are not living with a new partner; and what assessment they have made of how many such recipients are now living with new partners.

The beneficiaries of spouses who were members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) who retired before January 2007 are required to complete an annual declaration confirming that they continue to be entitled to receive a survivor’s pension from the Scheme. This process was introduced in 2016 following the identification of a number of cases where entitlement under Scheme rules had ended due to the beneficiary remarrying, entering a civil partnership or living with another person as if married or in a civil partnership. These cases resulted in some significant overpayments needing to be repaid.

The possible impact of the letter on the recipient was considered when the process was established and is subject to discussion with the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Advisory Board, however the department considers that this preventative measure is proportionate and preferable to the alternative. The scheme administrator does not collect information on how many recipients are living with new partners as it is not necessary for the administration of the scheme.

The review referred to in The Guardian on 10 February 2024 was in relation to a separate data exercise where some details of a recipient of TPS benefits match those of a recorded death. This is a standard check carried out by pension scheme administrators to reduce instances of fraud and error leading to overpayments which ultimately cost the taxpayer if they cannot be recovered.

Teachers’ Pensions matches the data of beneficiaries and members who have a pension in payment annually with deaths recorded on the death register. Where there is a sufficiently strong match, the recipient is asked to complete a declaration of ongoing entitlement. The scheme administrator does not record incorrect data about the member from this match and the pension is only suspended if a declaration is not received within 28 days. This is to minimise any potential overpayment.

The review was an internal consideration of the processes and it was concluded that they remain appropriate, but that more detailed guidance on the Teachers’ Pensions website would be helpful for those who may be affected. Updated information is currently being prepared.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
6th Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to publish the outcome of their review into the Teachers’ Pensions fraud system for checking whether spouses of recipients who retired before January 2007 are living with a new partner, as outlined in The Guardian on 10 February.

The beneficiaries of spouses who were members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) who retired before January 2007 are required to complete an annual declaration confirming that they continue to be entitled to receive a survivor’s pension from the Scheme. This process was introduced in 2016 following the identification of a number of cases where entitlement under Scheme rules had ended due to the beneficiary remarrying, entering a civil partnership or living with another person as if married or in a civil partnership. These cases resulted in some significant overpayments needing to be repaid.

The possible impact of the letter on the recipient was considered when the process was established and is subject to discussion with the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Advisory Board, however the department considers that this preventative measure is proportionate and preferable to the alternative. The scheme administrator does not collect information on how many recipients are living with new partners as it is not necessary for the administration of the scheme.

The review referred to in The Guardian on 10 February 2024 was in relation to a separate data exercise where some details of a recipient of TPS benefits match those of a recorded death. This is a standard check carried out by pension scheme administrators to reduce instances of fraud and error leading to overpayments which ultimately cost the taxpayer if they cannot be recovered.

Teachers’ Pensions matches the data of beneficiaries and members who have a pension in payment annually with deaths recorded on the death register. Where there is a sufficiently strong match, the recipient is asked to complete a declaration of ongoing entitlement. The scheme administrator does not record incorrect data about the member from this match and the pension is only suspended if a declaration is not received within 28 days. This is to minimise any potential overpayment.

The review was an internal consideration of the processes and it was concluded that they remain appropriate, but that more detailed guidance on the Teachers’ Pensions website would be helpful for those who may be affected. Updated information is currently being prepared.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
6th Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether Teachers’ Pensions is incorrectly claiming that some pensioners are dead and stopping their pension payments without cross-checking the death register; and of whether it is complying with its data protection requirements.

The beneficiaries of spouses who were members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) who retired before January 2007 are required to complete an annual declaration confirming that they continue to be entitled to receive a survivor’s pension from the Scheme. This process was introduced in 2016 following the identification of a number of cases where entitlement under Scheme rules had ended due to the beneficiary remarrying, entering a civil partnership or living with another person as if married or in a civil partnership. These cases resulted in some significant overpayments needing to be repaid.

The possible impact of the letter on the recipient was considered when the process was established and is subject to discussion with the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Advisory Board, however the department considers that this preventative measure is proportionate and preferable to the alternative. The scheme administrator does not collect information on how many recipients are living with new partners as it is not necessary for the administration of the scheme.

The review referred to in The Guardian on 10 February 2024 was in relation to a separate data exercise where some details of a recipient of TPS benefits match those of a recorded death. This is a standard check carried out by pension scheme administrators to reduce instances of fraud and error leading to overpayments which ultimately cost the taxpayer if they cannot be recovered.

Teachers’ Pensions matches the data of beneficiaries and members who have a pension in payment annually with deaths recorded on the death register. Where there is a sufficiently strong match, the recipient is asked to complete a declaration of ongoing entitlement. The scheme administrator does not record incorrect data about the member from this match and the pension is only suspended if a declaration is not received within 28 days. This is to minimise any potential overpayment.

The review was an internal consideration of the processes and it was concluded that they remain appropriate, but that more detailed guidance on the Teachers’ Pensions website would be helpful for those who may be affected. Updated information is currently being prepared.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
8th Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support Jewish university students following recent increases in incidents of antisemitism on campuses.

Antisemitism, intimidation, and threats of violence must never be tolerated on university campuses. The Community Security Trust 2023 annual report highlights the unprecedented increase in antisemitic incidents in higher education (HE) and this unacceptable rise is deeply concerning. All antisemitism is abhorrent and universities should have robust systems to deal with incidents of support for unlawful antisemitic abuse and harassment. We will not tolerate unlawful harassment or the glorification of terrorism.

Since the 7 October attacks, we have actively intervened to ensure that universities act swiftly and appropriately to deal with incidents of antisemitism.

The Secretary of State for Education and the Minister for Skills wrote to all universities on 11 October 2023, urging them to respond swiftly to hate-related incidents, and actively reassure Jewish students that they can study without fear of harassment or intimidation. The Minister wrote again to Vice Chancellors on 16 November 2023, emphasising that they must use disciplinary measures wherever appropriate, highlighting the importance of police engagement, and reiterating that student visas could be suspended where a foreign national is found to have committed or incited acts of racial hatred. This was one of the key actions set out in the five point plan for tackling antisemitism in HE, which was published on 5 November 2023. The plan also involves:

  • Calling for visas to be withdrawn from international students who incite racial hatred. Visas are a privilege, not a right, and we will not hesitate to remove them from people who abuse them.
  • Logging specific cases and sharing them with the Office for Students for their consideration.
  • Continuing to make it clear in all discussions that acts that may be criminal should be referred to the police.
  • Establishing a Tackling Antisemitism Quality Seal which will be an award available to universities who can demonstrate the highest standards in tackling antisemitism.

On 22 November 2023, the department announced in the Autumn Statement an additional £7 million over three years to tackle antisemitism in education. The Quality Seal will be the cornerstone of this package for universities, providing a framework of measures that will make clear what good practice is in tackling antisemitism in HE, and making sure that our universities are a safe and welcoming space for Jewish students and staff.

The department will not hesitate to take further action across education to stamp out antisemitism and harassment of Jewish pupils, students and staff.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what current funding they provide for the UK Council for International Student Affairs to provide support for international students, and what assessment they have made of the sufficiency of this funding following the recent changes to immigration rules.

The department has provided a 3 year grant to support the work of the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) for international students in England.

The government remains committed to the ambitions set out in the International Education Strategy, including the aim to host 600,000 international students in the UK per year by 2030. The department is proud to have met this ambition two years running. The department’s offer to international students remains very competitive and the department is committed to ensuring the UK remains a destination of choice for international students from across the globe.

​Universities offer a range of dedicated support to their international students before they arrive in the UK, on arrival and during their studies. Organisations such as UKCISA and the British Council continue to provide information to international students entering the UK.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
1st Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they have provided, if any, to local authorities about using data proactively to identify and register all eligible children for free school meal entitlement.

Maximising the take-up of free school meals is important in ensuring that as many eligible children as possible benefit from a healthy and nutritious meal. The department aims to make it as simple as possible for schools and local authorities to determine eligibility.

To support this, an ‘Eligibility Checking System’ has been provided to make the checking process as quick and straightforward as possible for schools and local authorities.

The department has looked at this issue and considers there to be merit in local authorities exploring initiatives to maximise take up and to better understand the barriers that prevent such take up, whilst ensuring adherence to legal and data protection constraints. The department has not provided formal guidance to support these activities but continues to engage with key stakeholder on this issue.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
1st Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential merits of local authorities using data proactively to identify and register children eligible for free school meals.

Maximising the take-up of free school meals is important in ensuring that as many eligible children as possible benefit from a healthy and nutritious meal. The department aims to make it as simple as possible for schools and local authorities to determine eligibility.

To support this, an ‘Eligibility Checking System’ has been provided to make the checking process as quick and straightforward as possible for schools and local authorities.

The department has looked at this issue and considers there to be merit in local authorities exploring initiatives to maximise take up and to better understand the barriers that prevent such take up, whilst ensuring adherence to legal and data protection constraints. The department has not provided formal guidance to support these activities but continues to engage with key stakeholder on this issue.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
6th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress her Department has made on implementing the aims of the International Education Strategy to (a) increase the value of education exports to £35 billion per year by 2030 and (b) increase the total number of international students choosing to study in the UK higher education system each year to 600,000 by 2030.

The department remains committed to progressing the implementation of the International Education Strategy and has published regular updates, most recently in May 2023, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-education-strategy-2023-update. The strategy sets out progress to date, including total UK revenue from education related exports and transnational education activity, estimated to be £25.6 billion in 2020, and meeting the international student ambition two years running (2020/21 and 2021/22). Since 2010, the estimated UK revenue from education related exports and transnational education activity has risen by 61.2% in current prices.

The UK’s International Education Champion, Professor Sir Steve Smith, continues to promote the UK’s education system in key markets, addressing barriers and creating opportunities for education exporters across the sector.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
6th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps he has taken to support Ukrainian students in the UK.

The department has extended access to higher education (HE) student finance, home fee status and further education 19+ funding to those who are granted leave under one of the three Ukraine Schemes introduced by the Home Office: the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, the Ukraine Family Scheme and the Ukraine Extension Scheme. Following the recent Home Office announcement on the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, the department will be amending the student finance regulations for the 2024/25 academic year so that those granted leave under the new scheme can access support on the same basis as persons with leave under one of the existing Ukraine schemes.

Access to student support is crucial in enabling Ukrainians to attend education to improve their skills and enhance their ability to contribute to the UK, or to the rebuilding of their home country.

The department has also worked closely with the Ukrainian government and UK HE Sector to help facilitate Ukrainian HE entrance exams for students from Ukraine.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
6th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department issues guidance to schools on ensuring that children who refuse to attend school are (a) set work and (b) provided resources to enable them to continue to learn.

Ensuring that children are in school is a top priority for the government. The government’s vision for improving school attendance is for pupils, parents, schools, local authorities, and other partners to work together to prevent patterns of absence from developing. Where patterns of absence exist already, intervention should be early to understand the barriers to attendance so the right support can be provided to overcome them as quickly as possible.

The ’Working together to improve school attendance’ guidance is becoming statutory in August 2024. This makes clear that schools are expected to take a ‘support first’ approach and work with pupils and their parents to understand and address the reasons for absence, including any in-school barriers to attendance. More information is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1099677/Working_together_to_improve_school_attendance.pdf.

There should only be limited circumstances where a pupil is unable to attend school but is able and well enough to continue their education remotely. Remote education should not be considered an equal alternative to school attendance, and providing remote education during a pupil's absence does not reduce the importance of bringing that absence to an end as soon as possible. The department has published non statutory guidance to schools on providing high quality remote education in cases where it is not possible, or contrary to government guidance, for some or all pupils to attend school, available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/providing-remote-education-guidance-for-schools.

If a school believes they can no longer support the child’s needs, the local authority should arrange alternative provision. This provision should offer suitable education and targeted support to help the child overcome their barriers to learning, and to reengage back into mainstream schooling. Guidance on education for children with health needs who cannot attend school is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-for-children-with-health-needs-who-cannot-attend-school.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
7th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 24 January 2024 to Question 9921 on Teachers: Training, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the cost of living on teachers in training.

The government recognises that cost of living pressures impact trainee teachers but has taken steps to increase the financial support available. All trainee teachers on tuition fee-funded initial teacher training (ITT) routes can apply for a tuition fee loan and a partially means-tested loan for living costs. Additional means-tested student finance is also available depending on individual circumstances, such as the Childcare Grant for students with child dependants.

The government has continued to increase maximum loans, grants for living and other costs each year. Maximum support has been increased by 2.8% for the current 2023/24 academic year, with a further 2.5% increase announced for 2024/25. The highest levels of support are targeted at students from the lowest-income families.

The department has also frozen maximum tuition fees for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years to deliver better value for students and to keep the cost of higher education under control. By the 2024/25 academic year, maximum fees will have been frozen for 7 years.

The department has already made £276 million of student premium and mental health funding available for the 2023/24 academic year to support successful outcomes for students, including disadvantaged students.

The department is now making a further £10 million of one-off support available to support student mental health and hardship funding. This funding will complement the help universities are providing through their own bursary, scholarship and hardship support schemes.

The department announced an ITT financial incentives package worth up to £196 million for the 2024/25 ITT recruitment cycle, a £15 million increase on the last cycle. This includes bursaries worth up to £28,000 tax-free and scholarships worth up £30,000 tax-free, to encourage talented trainees to key subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing.

Last year, the department accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendations for the 2023/24 pay award for teachers and leaders. This included an increase to the unqualified teacher pay range for salaried trainee teachers and a minimum £30,000 starting salary for school teachers in all regions of the country, with a pay award of up to 7.1% for new teachers outside London.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
6th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2024 to Question 13227 on Veterans: Teachers, how many veterans started teacher training programmes and did not become teachers in the last year.

The department will review its approach to data capture on veterans as part of the annual planning cycle.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
6th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many undergraduate veteran teachers received bursaries in 2023.

The £40,000 tax-free undergraduate veteran teaching bursary is available to veterans who have left full-time employment from the British Army, Royal Air Force, or Royal Navy and enrol on an eligible undergraduate initial teacher training (ITT) course. The bursary is paid over the final two years of the course, with £20,000 payable in each year.

In the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic years, five individual trainees received the undergraduate veteran teaching bursary. Figures may be subject to change due to ongoing data collection and assurance.

Veterans who have a degree can undertake postgraduate ITT courses, where they can access the bursaries and scholarships of up to £30,000 available on these routes into teaching.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
11th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to page 9 of the document entitled SEND and alternative provision improvement plan, published on 2 March 2023, when her Department plans to publish guidance to support effective transitions between (a) all stages of education and (b) into employment and adult services.

The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision (AP) Improvement Plan, published on 2 March 2023, outlines the government’s mission to establish a single, national SEND and AP system. Alongside this, the department published a roadmap which summarises the actions set out in the Improvement Plan to improve the SEND and AP system in England. The SEND and AP improvement plan can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-and-alternative-provision-improvement-plan. The roadmap can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-and-alternative-provision-improvement-plan/send-and-alternative-provision-roadmap.

As part of this roadmap, the department committed to publishing this guidance by the end of 2025.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
11th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an estimate of the number of therapists offering reunification therapy services to help with cases of family breakdown.

The information requested is not held centrally.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
11th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support she provides to employers to help their workforce gain a Level (a) 2 and (b) 3 IT qualification.

Digital and computing skills are critical to achieving the government’s science and technology superpower ambitions, which the department set out in the UK Science & Technology Framework in March this year.

The department has developed an ambitious skills agenda, backed by an additional £3.8 billion in further education and skills over the lifetime of this parliament. Through the Adult Education Budget (AEB), the department introduced a new legal entitlement in August 2020 to fully fund adults (19+) with low digital skills to undertake an Essential Digital Skills Qualification, up to Level 1. The department has further enhanced the offer by introducing Digital Functional Skills qualifications in August 2023. These qualifications were developed through employer supported National Standards and provide learners with the essential digital skills they need to participate actively in life, work and society.

The department has also taken steps to embed essential digital skills training as part of study programmes for 16 to19 year olds. Where students are identified as having low levels of digital skills, education providers will integrate essential digital skills development, where it is needed, into their learning programme.

The department has also funded community learning and other non-regulated learning, such as building confidence in essential digital skills, through the AEB. Many local authorities and other further education providers are already delivering these courses that help equip adults with the essential digital skills they need for work, life and further learning.

From next year, the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) will continue to support both qualifications and tailored learning, which includes community learning type provision, so adults can retrain and upskill in the most effective way.

Ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have the world class computing and digital knowledge and skills they need for the future is a key priority of this government. The department introduced computing as a statutory national curriculum subject in 2014, from key stages 1 to 4 inclusive. The new computing curriculum supports pupils to become digitally literate and acquire the knowledge and skills they need to become competent, confident, and creative users of technology. Through computing, pupils are taught how to analyse problems in computational terms and write computer programs, how to use technology safely and responsibly, and how to create digital artefacts.

The department has invested significantly in the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) to improve the teaching of computing and drive up participation in computer science at GCSE and A level. To date, over 13,000 teachers have engaged with subject knowledge courses offered by the NCCE, helping to create more confident teachers of computing.

The department has introduced three Digital T Levels: Digital Business Services, Digital Production, Design and Development, and Digital Support Services. These are the gold-standard Level 3 technical qualifications, designed with employers to meet industry standards and with a significant industry placement built in. These will help to give important experience of work within the digital sector. Digital skills are increasingly important across all occupations, which is why every T Level has the digital skills necessary for employment embedded into its curriculum.

Additionally, employers have developed more than 30 high-quality digital apprenticeships to support them develop the skilled workforces they need. Apprenticeships include Level 3 Information Communications Technician, Level 3 IT Solutions Technician and Level 3 Digital Support Technician. In the 2022/23 academic year, the number of starts in the Information and Communication Technology sector subject area grew to 25,100 starts, up 10% from 22,820 from 2021/22. The department is increasing investment in the apprenticeships system in England to £2.7 billion by the 2024/25 financial year to support employers of all sizes and in all sectors offer high-quality apprenticeship opportunities.

Employers can also make use of the department’s Skills Bootcamp offer, which provides free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
11th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) adults and (b) young people have sufficient IT skills for work.

Digital and computing skills are critical to achieving the government’s science and technology superpower ambitions, which the department set out in the UK Science & Technology Framework in March this year.

The department has developed an ambitious skills agenda, backed by an additional £3.8 billion in further education and skills over the lifetime of this parliament. Through the Adult Education Budget (AEB), the department introduced a new legal entitlement in August 2020 to fully fund adults (19+) with low digital skills to undertake an Essential Digital Skills Qualification, up to Level 1. The department has further enhanced the offer by introducing Digital Functional Skills qualifications in August 2023. These qualifications were developed through employer supported National Standards and provide learners with the essential digital skills they need to participate actively in life, work and society.

The department has also taken steps to embed essential digital skills training as part of study programmes for 16 to19 year olds. Where students are identified as having low levels of digital skills, education providers will integrate essential digital skills development, where it is needed, into their learning programme.

The department has also funded community learning and other non-regulated learning, such as building confidence in essential digital skills, through the AEB. Many local authorities and other further education providers are already delivering these courses that help equip adults with the essential digital skills they need for work, life and further learning.

From next year, the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) will continue to support both qualifications and tailored learning, which includes community learning type provision, so adults can retrain and upskill in the most effective way.

Ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have the world class computing and digital knowledge and skills they need for the future is a key priority of this government. The department introduced computing as a statutory national curriculum subject in 2014, from key stages 1 to 4 inclusive. The new computing curriculum supports pupils to become digitally literate and acquire the knowledge and skills they need to become competent, confident, and creative users of technology. Through computing, pupils are taught how to analyse problems in computational terms and write computer programs, how to use technology safely and responsibly, and how to create digital artefacts.

The department has invested significantly in the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) to improve the teaching of computing and drive up participation in computer science at GCSE and A level. To date, over 13,000 teachers have engaged with subject knowledge courses offered by the NCCE, helping to create more confident teachers of computing.

The department has introduced three Digital T Levels: Digital Business Services, Digital Production, Design and Development, and Digital Support Services. These are the gold-standard Level 3 technical qualifications, designed with employers to meet industry standards and with a significant industry placement built in. These will help to give important experience of work within the digital sector. Digital skills are increasingly important across all occupations, which is why every T Level has the digital skills necessary for employment embedded into its curriculum.

Additionally, employers have developed more than 30 high-quality digital apprenticeships to support them develop the skilled workforces they need. Apprenticeships include Level 3 Information Communications Technician, Level 3 IT Solutions Technician and Level 3 Digital Support Technician. In the 2022/23 academic year, the number of starts in the Information and Communication Technology sector subject area grew to 25,100 starts, up 10% from 22,820 from 2021/22. The department is increasing investment in the apprenticeships system in England to £2.7 billion by the 2024/25 financial year to support employers of all sizes and in all sectors offer high-quality apprenticeship opportunities.

Employers can also make use of the department’s Skills Bootcamp offer, which provides free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
11th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, to which domestic destinations Ministers in her Department have attended overnight visits in each of the last three financial years.

I refer the right hon. Member for Wolverhampton South East to the answer of 12 March 2024 to Question 17517.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
28th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2024 to Question 13186 on Carers, whether the training and information that will be accessible via the supplier Kinship’s website performs the function of a portal.

I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Milton Keynes North, to the answer of 12 February 2024 to Question 13186.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
28th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support local authorities to reduce the time taken to process special educational needs and disabilities applications for education, health and care plans.

The department wants to ensure that education, health and care (EHC) plan applications are processed promptly and, where required, plans are issued as quickly as possible so that children and young people can access the support they need. In March 2023 the government set out its plans to reform and improve the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system through its SEND and Alternative Provision (AP) Improvement Plan. The SEND and AP Improvement Plan commits to establishing a single national system that delivers for every child and young person with SEND so that they enjoy their childhood, achieve good outcomes, and are well prepared for adulthood and employment.

As part of these reforms, the department is currently testing measures to deliver a nationally consistent EHC plan system to improve the quality and speed with which support is put in place. The department is also considering the skills and training which local authority caseworker teams require and is offering some short-term legal training to local authority caseworker teams.

Where local authorities are failing to deliver consistent outcomes for children and young people with SEND, we work with them using a range of improvement programmes and SEND specialist advisors to address weaknesses.

The department is monitoring Sandwell’s EHC plan performance and is offering specialist support through a specialist SEND Advisor. Following the Ofsted and CQC visit in July 2023, three areas for improvement were identified. The local area has published its Sandwell Local Area Partnership Inclusion (SEND and AP) Plan 2023/2026 and progress on improvement will be continuously monitored by the department and NHS England.

Following the Ofsted and CQC re-visit to Dudley in February 2022, an Accelerated Progress Plan (APP) was put in place to address six areas of weakness. EHC plan timeliness was not identified as an area of weakness, although through the APP, the department, along with a specialist SEND Advisor and NHS England, works closely with the local area to ensure they are supported in addressing issues and driving improvements to services, including continuous improvement in EHC plan timeliness.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department has taken to tackle shortages in family social workers.

Social workers play a valuable role in supporting the most vulnerable in society and the department is committed to ensuring there is an excellent child and family social worker for everyone who needs one. The department recognises the ongoing challenge facing local authorities across the country in recruiting and retaining child and family social workers, with reasons for social workers leaving the profession varied and complex.

On 2 February 2023, the department published the care reform strategy, ‘Stable Homes, Built on Love’, which set out proposals to help stabilise the workforce. This includes supporting the recruitment of up to 461 social worker apprentices, a new Early Career Framework that will set out the development plans for a social worker’s first five years, proposals to reduce the overreliance on agency social workers, and setting up a National Workload Action Group to tackle unnecessary workload drivers which keep social workers away from direct time with children and families.

Every year, through the department’s fast track and development programmes, the department trains an average of 800 new social workers and provides professional development for around 4,000 others.

The number of full time equivalent child and family social workers in post at 30 September 2023 was 33,100. This is the highest figure we've seen since gathering this data. The statistics show that the department’s £50 million average yearly investment over this Spending Review on recruitment and training child and family social workers, alongside the hard work of local authorities is generating positive results.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
11th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many investigations into academy trusts have been completed by the Education & Skills Funding Agency since 1 November 2022.

The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) may conduct or commission investigations into allegations of fraud, theft or irregularity in any academy trust. Since 1 November 2022, ESFA has completed seven investigations into academy trusts.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
7th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many special free schools had an Ofsted inspection in the last three years.

42 special free schools had an Ofsted inspection between 31 January 2021 and 31 January 2024. 5 special free schools had an Outstanding rating following an Ofsted inspection between 31 January 2021 and 31 January 2024. The proportion of Good special free schools is higher than the figure for all special schools. 62% of special free schools that were inspected in the last 3 years were Good in comparison to 53% of all special schools that were inspected in the last 3 years. 3 special free schools had an Inadequate rating following an Ofsted inspection between 31 January 2021 and 31 January 2024. 3 special free schools are in special measures as of 31 January 2024. Ofsted inspection data from 31 January 2024 is the most recent available.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
7th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many special free schools had an outstanding Ofsted rating in the last three years.

42 special free schools had an Ofsted inspection between 31 January 2021 and 31 January 2024. 5 special free schools had an Outstanding rating following an Ofsted inspection between 31 January 2021 and 31 January 2024. The proportion of Good special free schools is higher than the figure for all special schools. 62% of special free schools that were inspected in the last 3 years were Good in comparison to 53% of all special schools that were inspected in the last 3 years. 3 special free schools had an Inadequate rating following an Ofsted inspection between 31 January 2021 and 31 January 2024. 3 special free schools are in special measures as of 31 January 2024. Ofsted inspection data from 31 January 2024 is the most recent available.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
7th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many special free schools had an inadequate Ofsted rating in the last three years.

42 special free schools had an Ofsted inspection between 31 January 2021 and 31 January 2024. 5 special free schools had an Outstanding rating following an Ofsted inspection between 31 January 2021 and 31 January 2024. The proportion of Good special free schools is higher than the figure for all special schools. 62% of special free schools that were inspected in the last 3 years were Good in comparison to 53% of all special schools that were inspected in the last 3 years. 3 special free schools had an Inadequate rating following an Ofsted inspection between 31 January 2021 and 31 January 2024. 3 special free schools are in special measures as of 31 January 2024. Ofsted inspection data from 31 January 2024 is the most recent available.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
7th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many special free schools are in special measures.

42 special free schools had an Ofsted inspection between 31 January 2021 and 31 January 2024. 5 special free schools had an Outstanding rating following an Ofsted inspection between 31 January 2021 and 31 January 2024. The proportion of Good special free schools is higher than the figure for all special schools. 62% of special free schools that were inspected in the last 3 years were Good in comparison to 53% of all special schools that were inspected in the last 3 years. 3 special free schools had an Inadequate rating following an Ofsted inspection between 31 January 2021 and 31 January 2024. 3 special free schools are in special measures as of 31 January 2024. Ofsted inspection data from 31 January 2024 is the most recent available.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
11th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to help ensure every (a) young person and (b) adult receives free training to gain a Level (a) 2 and (b) 3 qualification.

After leaving school, young people in England aged 16 to 18 are required to stay in full-time education, for example at a college, by starting an apprenticeship, or spending 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training. Therefore, most young people legally residing in England are eligible for 16 to 19 study programme funding. Additionally, students aged 19 to 24 that have an Education, Health and Care plan are also eligible for funding.

The department is continuing to invest in education and skills training for adults through the Adult Education Budget (AEB). This equated to £1.34 billion in the 2023/24 funding year. In 2023/24, the government devolved approximately 60% of the AEB to 9 Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) and the Greater London Authority (GLA).

These authorities are now responsible for the provision of AEB-funded adult education for their residents and allocation of the AEB to providers. Devolved MCAs and the GLA decide how to make best use of the AEB to meet the needs of their areas and decide which providers to contract with to deliver AEB-funded learning.

The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is responsible for the remaining AEB in non-devolved areas. The ESFA AEB fully funds or co-funds skills provision for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry to Level 3, to support adults to gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning. This includes:

  • Fully funded courses in English and mathematics, up to and including Level 2, for adult learners (aged 19+) who have not previously attained a GCSE grade C/4 or higher.
  • Fully funded first full Level 2 and/or Level 3 for learners aged 19 to 23.

In addition, the Free Courses for Jobs offer, which was launched in April 2021, gives eligible adults the chance to access high value Level 3 qualification for free, which can support them to gain higher wages or a better job. Adults are eligible on the offer if they do not already have a Level 3 qualification or already have a Level 3 qualification but are on low wage or unemployed. Over 400 qualifications are available on the offer, chosen specifically as they offer good wage outcomes and address skills needs in the economy.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
29th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to ratify imminently Optional Protocol 3 to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child relating to a communications procedure; and if not, why.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Optional Protocol 3 has not, to date, been signed and ratified by the UK government. States are not required to sign up to the Optional Protocols when they ratify the UNCRC.

The government believes effective domestic laws already exist where individuals can seek enforceable remedies if their rights have been breached. It is possible for an individual to challenge any government decision in the domestic courts if their rights have been breached, and this includes breaches of children’s rights under the UNCRC.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
6th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to (a) promote and (b) protect the UK's education exports.

I refer the hon. Member for Linlithgow and East Falkirk to the answer of 13 March to Question 17127.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
6th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department is taking steps to support local partnerships between schools and youth organisations to support educational enrichment work in schools.

Enrichment programmes encompass a wide range of activities, including sports, art, drama, outdoor experiences, debating, volunteering, business, tech or cooking. These activities can have a significant positive impact on young people, including on their academic progress and wellbeing and the department is committed to ensuring young people have access to high quality extra curricular opportunities.

Schools are best placed to understand and meet the specific needs of their pupils, and have flexibility to decide what range of extra curricular activities to offer. However, the department does support a range of initiatives to expand access to high quality extra curricular activities through schools, such as working with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to offer the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to all state secondary schools in England.

The Shared Outcomes Fund was originally set up in 2019 to incentivise departments to work collaboratively across challenging policy areas to deliver better value for citizens. In the Third Round of HM Treasury’s Shared Outcomes Fund the Department for Education and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport was were awarded a total of £3.4 million for the delivery of the Enrichment Partnerships Pilot (EPP), more information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/shared-outcomes-fund-round-three. The EPP aims to improve the enrichment offer of up to 200 secondary schools in Education Investment Areas, testing whether greater coordination locally can enhance school enrichment offers, develop local partnerships and promote greater collaboration between schools on extra curricular activities.

The government has also invested £289 million to support the expansion of wraparound childcare for primary school children in England. Schools’ enrichment and extra curricular offers may interact with, complement and support the delivery of wraparound childcare provision. The department is supporting and encouraging schools to continue to offer enrichment and extra curricular activities and to consider how these activities can be delivered in a way that supports working parents. This may include working with local private providers who can support schools to deliver activities in a regular and reliable way.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
4th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the maximum value of a student maintenance loan (a) was in 2018 and (b) is as of 4 March 2024; and if she will make an estimate of the real-term change in that value since 2018.

The maximum maintenance loan for an undergraduate student living away from parents outside London in the 2023/24 academic year is £9,978. The equivalent maximum maintenance loan was £8,430 in the 2017/18 academic year. This is a 13.9% reduction in the real-terms value of the maximum loan. This figure has been derived by using the Retail Price Index (RPIX) measure of inflation, applied at Quarter 1 in each academic year throughout this time period, as published by the Office for Budget Responsibility in November 2023, which can be found here: https://obr.uk/efo/economic-and-fiscal-outlook-november-2023/.

The government has continued to increase maximum loans and grants for living and other costs each year. Maximum support has been increased by 2.8% for the 2023/24 academic year with a further 2.5% increase announced for 2024/25.

The government recognises the additional cost of living pressures that have arisen this year and that are impacting students. The department has already made £276 million of student premium and mental health funding available for the 2023/24 academic year to support successful outcomes for students including disadvantaged students.

The department is now making a further £10 million of one off support available to support student mental health and hardship funding. This funding will complement the help universities are providing through their own bursary, scholarship and hardship support schemes.

Over the period between 2022/23 to 2024/25, the government will have provided support worth £104 billion to help families throughout the UK with the cost of living including to meet increased household energy costs. This is an average of £3,700 per household. This will have eased some of the pressure on family budgets and so will in turn enable many families to provide additional support to their children in higher education to help them meet increased living costs.

The department has also frozen maximum tuition fees for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years to deliver better value for students and to keep the cost of higher education under control. By 2024/25, maximum fees will have been frozen for seven years.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
5th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to allow for mitigating circumstances for pupils whose education has been disrupted due to the presence of RAAC.

Ofqual is the independent regulator of examinations and qualifications in England, and its statutory objectives are set out in Section 128 of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009. These include securing that ’regulated qualifications give a reliable indication of knowledge, skills and understanding’, and that ’regulated qualifications indicate a consistent level of attainment (including over time) between comparable regulated qualifications’.

It is important to ensure that all students taking comparable exams and assessments are assessed to the same standard in order to maintain qualification standards and public confidence in qualifications. If different standards are applied for different groups of students, then the qualification will cease to provide a reliable indication of the knowledge, skills and understanding that it is intended to measure.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
19th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had discussions with (a) AQA, (b) OCR, (c) Edexcel and (d) Pearson on adaptations for students studying for (i) GCSEs, (ii) A-levels and (iii) VTQs who have had their learning disrupted by the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

It is not possible to address the differential impact of disruption to teaching and learning by making changes to exams and assessments for some students or groups of students. Exams and assessments must demonstrate what a student knows, understands and can do in respect of particular qualification specifications, rather than what a student might have known, understood or been able to do should circumstances have been different.

Departmental officials are, however, working closely with affected schools to ensure the best possible education for students and are taking every step possible to remove any obstacles to learning through mitigations. This includes temporary accommodation where needed and in some instances the use of specialist facilities in off-site accommodation. Any school or college that is struggling to deliver particular assessments due to RAAC will receive support according to their specific circumstances.

The department has also asked awarding organisations to be as flexible as possible within the confines of their processes and regulations, for example by agreeing longer extensions to coursework and non-exam assessment deadlines with affected schools and colleges.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
19th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the implications for her policies of Durham University's research entitled A report on the impact of RAAC closure on the exam cohorts of St Leonard’s Catholic School, County Durham, published on 31 December 2023.

​Thanks to the hard work of school and college leaders, all schools and colleges with confirmed RAAC are providing full time face-to-face education for all pupils. The department is supporting schools and colleges, including St Leonard’s Catholic School, to keep any disruption to education to an absolute minimum. Every case is unique and the impact on schools is highly varied. For example, in some cases there is no impact on teaching space, or it is limited to small areas. In some cases, RAAC may be limited to a single classroom.

Exams and assessments must demonstrate what a student knows, understands and can do, rather than what a student might have known, understood or been able to do should circumstances have been different. In order to maintain qualification standards and public confidence in qualifications, all students taking GCSEs and A levels are assessed to the same standard. If different standards are applied for different groups of students, then the qualification will cease to provide a reliable indication of the knowledge, skills and understanding that it is intended to measure.

Alongside Ofqual, the department has worked with examination awarding organisations to facilitate discussions with affected schools. The department has asked awarding organisations to, where possible, agree longer extensions for coursework and non-examined assessment so that pupils have as much time as possible to complete these tasks.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
27th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the average costs to parents of providing school uniform for pupils attending (1) primary, and (2) secondary, state schools.

The department’s last report on the cost of school uniform, 'Cost of School Uniform 2015', was published in June 2015. This report found the average cost of school uniform was £212.88. At primary level the average cost was £192.14 for boys and £201.04 for girls, and at secondary level the average cost was £231.01 for boys and was £239.93 for girls. The report is attached.

In 2021, the department published statutory guidance on the cost of school uniform to ensure uniform is affordable for all families. This states that “school governing boards should give high priority to considerations of cost for parents, and they should be able to demonstrate how best value for money has been achieved when developing or making any change to their uniform policy”. It also sets out that branded items should be kept to a minimum. The guidance came into force in 2022 and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms/cost-of-school-uniforms.

In December 2023, the department ran a repeat of the 2015 survey, asking parents about the cost of school uniform in 2023. The department is currently analysing the resulting data and expects to publish our findings later this spring.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
19th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate of the number of (a) pupils and (b) schools that have been unable to take part in national tests due to disruption caused by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in the last 12 months.

Thanks to the hard work of school and college leaders, all schools and colleges with confirmed RAAC are providing full time face-to-face education for all pupils. The department is supporting schools and colleges to keep any disruption to education to an absolute minimum.

Every case is unique and the impact on schools and colleges can be highly varied. Departmental officials work with schools and colleges to put in place a bespoke plan based on their circumstances. In some cases, there is no impact on teaching space, or it is limited to small areas. For others, mitigation plans can include using other spaces on the school site or locally until building works are carried out or temporary buildings are installed. Where some short term disruption is inevitable, all available measures will be taken to minimise disruption to teaching. From the department’s experience to date, where remote teaching was used for a period, the typical time out of school was a matter of days.

As of 20 February 2024, 2 primary schools in England were exempted from participation in one or more statutory primary assessments in the last 12 months due to areas with confirmed RAAC being taken out of use. Across the 2 schools, this impacted 355 pupils across the relevant year groups.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
20th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of RAAC-related disruption on exam preparations for students in years 11 and 13.

Thanks to the hard work of school and college leaders, all schools and colleges with confirmed RAAC are providing full time face-to-face education for all pupils. The department is supporting schools and colleges to keep any disruption to education to an absolute minimum.

The government is funding the removal of RAAC present in school and colleges either through grants, or through the School Rebuilding Programme. A list of education settings with confirmed RAAC and the funding route to permanently remove RAAC was published on 8 February 2024, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-raac-management-information. Every school or college with confirmed RAAC has been assigned dedicated support from caseworkers and project delivery teams are also on hand to support with implementing mitigation plans.

Every case is unique and the impact on schools and colleges can be highly varied, including for students in years 11 and 13. Departmental officials work with schools and colleges to put in place a bespoke plan based on their circumstances. In some cases, there is no impact on teaching space, or it is limited to small areas. For others, mitigation plans can include using other spaces on the school site or locally until building works are carried out or temporary buildings are installed.

Alongside Ofqual, the department has worked with examination awarding organisations to facilitate discussions with affected schools. Awarding organisations have agreed to be as flexible as possible within the constraints of their regulations and processes, for example by agreeing longer extensions for coursework and non-examination assessments where needed so that pupils have as much time as possible to complete these tasks.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
20th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many pupils in years 11 and 13 are studying at (a) schools and (b) colleges affected by reinforced autoclave aerated concrete.

Thanks to the hard work of school and college leaders, all schools and colleges with confirmed RAAC are providing full time face-to-face education for all pupils. The department is supporting schools and colleges to keep any disruption to education to an absolute minimum.

The government is funding the removal of RAAC present in school and colleges either through grants, or through the School Rebuilding Programme. A list of education settings with confirmed RAAC and the funding route to permanently remove RAAC was published on 8 February 2024, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-raac-management-information. Every school or college with confirmed RAAC has been assigned dedicated support from caseworkers and project delivery teams are also on hand to support with implementing mitigation plans.

Every case is unique and the impact on schools and colleges can be highly varied, including for students in years 11 and 13. Departmental officials work with schools and colleges to put in place a bespoke plan based on their circumstances. In some cases, there is no impact on teaching space, or it is limited to small areas. For others, mitigation plans can include using other spaces on the school site or locally until building works are carried out or temporary buildings are installed.

Alongside Ofqual, the department has worked with examination awarding organisations to facilitate discussions with affected schools. Awarding organisations have agreed to be as flexible as possible within the constraints of their regulations and processes, for example by agreeing longer extensions for coursework and non-examination assessments where needed so that pupils have as much time as possible to complete these tasks.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
20th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that students studying for (a) GCSEs, (b) A-levels and (c) VTQs are not held back by disruption to their learning caused by the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

Thanks to the hard work of school and college leaders, all schools and colleges with confirmed RAAC are providing full time face-to-face education for all pupils. The department is supporting schools and colleges to keep any disruption to education to an absolute minimum.

The government is funding the removal of RAAC present in school and colleges either through grants, or through the School Rebuilding Programme. A list of education settings with confirmed RAAC and the funding route to permanently remove RAAC was published on 8 February 2024, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-raac-management-information. Every school or college with confirmed RAAC has been assigned dedicated support from caseworkers and project delivery teams are also on hand to support with implementing mitigation plans.

Every case is unique and the impact on schools and colleges can be highly varied, including for students in years 11 and 13. Departmental officials work with schools and colleges to put in place a bespoke plan based on their circumstances. In some cases, there is no impact on teaching space, or it is limited to small areas. For others, mitigation plans can include using other spaces on the school site or locally until building works are carried out or temporary buildings are installed.

Alongside Ofqual, the department has worked with examination awarding organisations to facilitate discussions with affected schools. Awarding organisations have agreed to be as flexible as possible within the constraints of their regulations and processes, for example by agreeing longer extensions for coursework and non-examination assessments where needed so that pupils have as much time as possible to complete these tasks.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
6th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to paragraph 2.25(3) of the Spring Budget 2024, HC 560, published on 6 March 2024, how local authorities can apply for funding for additional special school places.

The Spring Budget confirmed plans for 15 additional special free schools. An announcement on the location of these schools will be made by May 2024.

The department has received a large number of high quality applications from local authorities through the most recent special free schools application round. Funding available at the time allowed us to approve 33 new special free schools, in March 2023.

The Spring Budget announcement means that the department can now go further, by considering high quality applications that the department was not able to approve at the time. This means that the department does not currently plan to invite new local authority applications.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
1st Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 29 February 2024 to Question 15463 on Academies: Sports, if she will publish a list of academy trusts where consent was granted by her Department of freehold sale of publicly funded land which were not subject to conditions specifying that capital receipt should be reinvested in improving sports provision.

The department’s general policy is that the freehold sale of playing field land requires improvement to playing field in the educational estate by reinvesting capital receipt in sporting provision. Capital receipt from the sale of non-playing field land can be used for other benefits to the education estate, such as capital projects, save for any exceptional circumstances.

The department currently publishes a list of all playing field land disposals considered by the School Playing Field Advisory Panel since 2010, including freehold disposals, which is available on GOV.UK. This list is currently being updated for the period May to December 2023. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-land-decisions-about-disposals/decisions-on-the-disposal-of-school-land.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
6th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate of the number and proportion of apprenticeships undertaken in artificial intelligence related positions in the last 12 months.

There were 350 starts on the level 7 Artificial Intelligence Data Specialist standard in the 2022/23 academic year. Data for 2023/24 has not yet been finalised as we are part way through the academic year. Other apprenticeships may also contain elements relating to artificial intelligence.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
5th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the amount of money lost to fraud and error by her Department in each of the last three financial years.

The government is proud of its record in proactively seeking to find and prevent more fraud in the system. The government established the dedicated Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA). In its first year it delivered £311 million in audited counter fraud benefits.

The PSFA produces a ‘Fraud Landscape Report’ This provides data on fraud and error detection, loss and recoveries in central government, outside of the tax and welfare system. The 2020/21 Report was published in March 2023 and is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cross-government-fraud-landscape-annual-report-2022. .

Information regarding the department’s detected fraud and error can be found in the department’s Annual Reports and Accounts which are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-education-consolidated-annual-report-and-accounts-2022-to-2023.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
5th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department has taken to (a) promote and (b) support education exports.

The department has taken a number of steps to promote and support education exports, including the launch of the UK’s International Education Strategy in 2019. The strategy outlined the department’s ambition to increase the value of education exports to £35 billion per year by 2030. The department is on track and continues working towards meeting this ambition with £25.6 billion revenue in 2020.

The department will continue to support education exports by hosting the Education Sector Advisory Group, bringing together industry and government to achieve its export ambitions. The UK’s International Education Champion, Professor Sir Steve Smith, has promoted UK education export growth in key markets, addressing barriers and creating opportunities for education exporters across the UK’s education sector.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)