Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support and training will be provided to teachers to deliver financial education, as part of the Government response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The government has made a commitment to strengthen pupils’ foundational understanding of financial education in mathematics and citizenship, with digital resources to support teaching.

The department will engage with sector experts and young people in working out how best to reflect this in the updated curriculum. There will be a public consultation on the updated curriculum programmes of study in 2026, to seek views on the content before they are finalised.

​To support schools with teaching now and longer-term, Oak National Academy, an independent Arm’s Length Body, provides adaptable, optional and free curriculum support for schools, which can be found here: https://www.thenational.academy/ . The department will be examining what further support and training may be needed to help deliver the new financial education curriculum.

No decision has yet been made on whether to participate in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Programme for International Student Assessment financial literacy assessment and will confirm a decision in due course.

​

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the (a) adequacy and (b) clarity of the information provided to prospective students about the terms of Plan 2 student loans at the point of application.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Plan 2 loans were designed and implemented by previous governments. Prospective students had access to a wide range of information across a range of platforms before they submit their loan application.

Student loan terms and conditions make clear that the conditions of the loan may change in line with the regulations that govern the loans. Students sign these terms and conditions before any money is paid to them.

The student finance system is designed to function differently to a commercial loan. Repayments are calculated solely on earnings, not on amount borrowed or the rate of interest applied. Crucially, Plan 2 student loans are cancelled after 30 years, regardless of outstanding balances.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how she plans to support the Music and Dance Scheme Schools that face financial challenges.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

I refer the hon. Member for Richmond Park to the answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111332.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help ensure that children from non-privileged backgrounds continue to have access to music and dance training, including through supporting the Music and Dance Scheme Schools.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

I refer the hon. Member for Richmond Park to the answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111332.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans her Department has to provide long-term funding certainty for schools supported by the Music and Dance Scheme.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

I refer the hon. Member for Richmond Park to the answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111332.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what analysis her Department has undertaken of the role of (a) maternity pay and (b) family-friendly employment conditions in levels of retention of experienced teachers.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The government is committed to tackling recruitment and retention challenges and supporting teachers to stay in the profession and thrive.

We recognise women aged 30-39 are the largest group of leavers from the teacher workforce. To address this, we are taking action to promote and expand flexible working opportunities in schools, without impacting pupils’ education hours. This includes offering practical support on combining flexible working and career progression. We also provide support for those returning having taken an extended break following parental leave.

The Burgundy Book outlines how maternity provision applies in schools. This is a national agreement negotiated with employers by the six teachers’ organisations.

Further information can be found on the Local Government Association website and views can be fed in via the organisations involved in that negotiation.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the teacher workforce strategy includes consideration of aligning maternity (a) pay and (b) leave arrangements for classroom teachers more closely with the equivalent arrangements available to civil servants, in the context of efforts to improve teacher retention.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The government is committed to tackling recruitment and retention challenges and supporting teachers to stay in the profession and thrive.

We recognise women aged 30-39 are the largest group of leavers from the teacher workforce. To address this, we are taking action to promote and expand flexible working opportunities in schools, without impacting pupils’ education hours. This includes offering practical support on combining flexible working and career progression. We also provide support for those returning having taken an extended break following parental leave.

The Burgundy Book outlines how maternity provision applies in schools. This is a national agreement negotiated with employers by the six teachers’ organisations.

Further information can be found on the Local Government Association website and views can be fed in via the organisations involved in that negotiation.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has assessed the potential impact of differences in maternity (a) pay and (b) leave arrangements between classroom teachers and Department for Education civil servants on teacher retention, with particular reference to teachers aged 30 to 39.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The government is committed to tackling recruitment and retention challenges and supporting teachers to stay in the profession and thrive.

We recognise women aged 30-39 are the largest group of leavers from the teacher workforce. To address this, we are taking action to promote and expand flexible working opportunities in schools, without impacting pupils’ education hours. This includes offering practical support on combining flexible working and career progression. We also provide support for those returning having taken an extended break following parental leave.

The Burgundy Book outlines how maternity provision applies in schools. This is a national agreement negotiated with employers by the six teachers’ organisations.

Further information can be found on the Local Government Association website and views can be fed in via the organisations involved in that negotiation.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to publish a draft updated school food standards for public consultation; and if so, on what date.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The department is revising the School Food Standards and is engaging with stakeholders to ensure they support our work to create the healthiest generation of children in history.

​We want to gather a broad spectrum of perspectives and to achieve this, we intend to consult on these revisions. As we prepare to consult, we are continuing to gather insights from our wider engagement, including a pilot

Further details on timelines for the revisions and the consultation will be available in due course.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that updated school food standards are implemented before the planned expansion of free breakfast clubs in April and free school meals in September.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The department is revising the School Food Standards and is engaging with stakeholders to ensure they support our work to create the healthiest generation of children in history.

​We want to gather a broad spectrum of perspectives and to achieve this, we intend to consult on these revisions. As we prepare to consult, we are continuing to gather insights from our wider engagement, including a pilot

Further details on timelines for the revisions and the consultation will be available in due course.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made on updating school food standards; and when they expect the revised standards to be published.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The department is revising the School Food Standards and is engaging with stakeholders to ensure they support our work to create the healthiest generation of children in history.

​We want to gather a broad spectrum of perspectives and to achieve this, we intend to consult on these revisions. As we prepare to consult, we are continuing to gather insights from our wider engagement, including a pilot

Further details on timelines for the revisions and the consultation will be available in due course.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what targets they have set for raising literacy levels for year 7 students entering secondary education during the National Year of Reading.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The ‘Go All In’ campaign aims to increase reading engagement across all ages and encourage young people to see reading as enjoyable and rewarding, prioritising certain groups, such as boys aged 10 to 16, with a focus on key stage 2 to key stage 3 transition.

To strengthen literacy at the start of secondary school, the department is introducing a mandatory statutory reading assessment for all year 8 pupils, designed to identify gaps in reading fluency and comprehension early, ensuring schools can provide the right support. This academic year we have also launched a secondary pilot of the English Hubs programme, investing £2.3 million to support reading, alongside a national continuing professional development programme, Unlocking Reading, delivered by the Fischer Family Foundation to improve support for struggling readers. These measures collectively aim to strengthen reading engagement and improve literacy outcomes throughout key stage 3.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the financial stability of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, including debt levels; and what assessment they have made of whether the (1) budget, (2) contents, or (3) availability, of free school meals has been reduced at schools in that trust.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The department continues to work with the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust. Where financial non-compliance or governance concerns are identified, the department will intervene in a way that is proportionate to the risk and preserves education and free school meal provision.

The Education Act 1996 as amended places a duty upon academies to provide free school meals to pupils of all ages that meet the criteria.

The government is delivering on its manifesto commitment by legislating to introduce Ofsted inspection of academy trusts and related intervention powers for my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education. Trust inspection will help drive better outcomes for children and provide greater confidence for parents.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment has she made of the adequacy of financial support available to university students.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The government needs to ensure that the student funding system is financially sustainable, and funding arrangements are reviewed each year.

We are increasing loans for living costs each year in line with forecast inflation with students from the lowest income families receiving the largest year-on-year cash increases in support. Maximum loans for living costs will increase by 2.71% for the 2026/27 academic year.

We are also reintroducing maintenance grants of up to £1,000 per year for full-time students from low-income households studying courses aligned with the government’s missions and Industrial Strategy from the 2028/29 academic year.

The department will also provide extra support for care leavers, some of the most vulnerable in our society, who will automatically become eligible to receive the maximum rates of loans for living costs from the 2026/27 academic year.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to respond to the email of 18 December 2025 from the hon. Member for Dorking and Horley on Surrey County Council's management of their statutory SEND responsibilities.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department attaches great importance to the handling of correspondence from parliamentarians and is working to provide a response to the email from the hon. Member for Dorking and Horley.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the comment of the universities Minister, Baroness Smith of Malvern, that UK education has become "a prime target for foreign states", whether they will publish the details of the threats posed by foreign states to UK universities, and how individual universities have responded to those threats.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

It is the long-standing policy of successive UK governments not to comment either on individual cases or operational intelligence.

The world-class reputation of our universities makes them a prime target for foreign states and hostile actors, who seek to erode that reputation by promoting, shaping or censoring what universities can offer.

We are working together across government and with universities themselves to defend the UK’s thriving academic environment. By working together and sharing information, we will foster the confidence needed to stand strong in the face of foreign pressure.

To tackle this enduring threat, MI5 and cyber security services delivered a rare briefing to over 70 Vice Chancellors. The government is also investing £3 million to bolster existing support and access to expert advice on national security risk management, including a new Academic Interference Reporting Route and new guidance.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they received a warning from MI5 of a threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party to British universities; and what action they have taken in response to that warning.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

It is the long-standing policy of successive UK governments not to comment either on individual cases or operational intelligence.

The world-class reputation of our universities makes them a prime target for foreign states and hostile actors, who seek to erode that reputation by promoting, shaping or censoring what universities can offer.

We are working together across government and with universities themselves to defend the UK’s thriving academic environment. By working together and sharing information, we will foster the confidence needed to stand strong in the face of foreign pressure.

To tackle this enduring threat, MI5 and cyber security services delivered a rare briefing to over 70 Vice Chancellors. The government is also investing £3 million to bolster existing support and access to expert advice on national security risk management, including a new Academic Interference Reporting Route and new guidance.

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Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, a) in what way her Department plans to measure the impact of the Enrichment Expansion Programme, b) what indicators of success her Department will use, and c) what support the 400 selected schools will be given, beyond funding, to ensure effective implementation.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

As part of the government’s ambition to halve the participation gap, DCMS, in partnership with DfE,will invest £22.5 million through the Enrichment Expansion Programme (EEP). This funding will support up to 400 schools provide youth-voice led, tailored, and high-quality enrichment offers.

Whilst the design of the EEP is ongoing, the department is taking learnings from the Enrichment Pilot Programme around how to ensure long term change in the way schools develop their enrichment offer. DCMS is also working closely with DfE to ensure other programmes complement the EEP and avoid duplication.

The EEP will work in tandem with other government initiatives, and participating schools will be supported to link up with local authorities and other local providers and initiatives. As the programme is currently being designed, further details on evaluation plans, impact measurements and indicators of success will be shared in due course and we will commission an evaluation contractor to monitor and assess the EEP.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department plans to take with local authorities to (a) join up local enrichment and youth offers and (b) support the implementation of the Enrichment Expansion Programme.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

As part of the government’s ambition to halve the participation gap, DCMS, in partnership with DfE,will invest £22.5 million through the Enrichment Expansion Programme (EEP). This funding will support up to 400 schools provide youth-voice led, tailored, and high-quality enrichment offers.

Whilst the design of the EEP is ongoing, the department is taking learnings from the Enrichment Pilot Programme around how to ensure long term change in the way schools develop their enrichment offer. DCMS is also working closely with DfE to ensure other programmes complement the EEP and avoid duplication.

The EEP will work in tandem with other government initiatives, and participating schools will be supported to link up with local authorities and other local providers and initiatives. As the programme is currently being designed, further details on evaluation plans, impact measurements and indicators of success will be shared in due course and we will commission an evaluation contractor to monitor and assess the EEP.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Enrichment Expansion Programme; and how will selected schools be supported to continue their enrichment offer once the programme concludes.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

As part of the government’s ambition to halve the participation gap, DCMS, in partnership with DfE,will invest £22.5 million through the Enrichment Expansion Programme (EEP). This funding will support up to 400 schools provide youth-voice led, tailored, and high-quality enrichment offers.

Whilst the design of the EEP is ongoing, the department is taking learnings from the Enrichment Pilot Programme around how to ensure long term change in the way schools develop their enrichment offer. DCMS is also working closely with DfE to ensure other programmes complement the EEP and avoid duplication.

The EEP will work in tandem with other government initiatives, and participating schools will be supported to link up with local authorities and other local providers and initiatives. As the programme is currently being designed, further details on evaluation plans, impact measurements and indicators of success will be shared in due course and we will commission an evaluation contractor to monitor and assess the EEP.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for what policy reason the Contracts for Difference (Sustainable Industry Rewards and Contract Budget Notice Amendments) Regulations 2026 do not apply to Northern Ireland; and what relevant legislation applies to Northern Ireland instead.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In June 2022, following consideration of integrating Northern Ireland (NI) into the Great Britain Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, former BEIS and Department for Economy (DfE) Ministers agreed that NI DfE would develop their own scheme with some advisory support from UK government. In September 2025, DfE published the Final Scheme Design for the Renewable Electricity Price Guarantee (REPG) scheme. Ports and factories in Northern Ireland remain eligible for the Clean Industry Bonus part of the CfD.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what role Young Futures Hubs will play in the delivery of the National Year of Reading.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The National Year of Reading is a Department for Education initiative, in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust.

Young Futures Hubs will bring together services to improve access to opportunities and support for young people at community level, promoting positive outcomes and enabling them to thrive. Local Authorities participating in the programme will co-design the services in each hub alongside young people in the community to ensure it meets local needs.

Young Futures Hubs are just one part of delivering support within a much wider youth landscape, and will work closely with core services and wider initiatives spanning youth, education, employment, social care, mental health, youth justice and policing.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department provides guidance to parents on the use of smartphones and internet-enabled devices by children of pre-school age.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care are jointly working to produce and publish new practical, evidence informed guidance for parents on screentime for early years (0-5) by April 2026.

An expert group of child health and development specialists has been convened to shape the guidance, which will also be informed by the perspectives of parents and carers. Details on the work of the group, including its membership can be found here.

The group recently launched a call for evidence asking for evidence that will inform the development of new parental guidance on screen time and usage for early years (0 to 5-year-old) children. More information on the call for evidence can be found here.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the prevalence of 3-5 year old children owning personal mobile devices and the implications for online safety.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Ofcom reported in 2025 that 17% of 3-5-year-olds have a smartphone. The Online Safety Act protects all children in UK Under the Act, services must protect children from illegal and age-inappropriate online content and conduct children’s risk assessments that consider age-specific risks

We recognise parents’ concerns about young children using devices. The Department for Education is developing screen time guidance for children under 5 which will be available in April. This will help parents understand how long their children should look at screens and alternative activities that are available.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of financial pressures on dentistry students’ ability to complete training.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No such assessment has been made. The Department for Education provides the primary student support package for domestic dental students in higher education through Student Finance England (SFE).

From year five of an undergraduate and year two of a graduate-entry course, these students can access the NHS Bursary. For this academic year the Government increased the NHS Bursary tuition fee contributions, maintenance grants, and all allowances by 3.1%, in line with increases to SFE support.

This is the second academic year the Government has increased support for medical and dental students through the NHS Bursary. Prior to this the maintenance grants had not been uplifted since 2015. We understand that these uplifts do not go far enough to make up for the historical lack of uplift. However, this is a step in the right direction, and we continue to keep funding for dental students under review.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what action she is taking to ensure that learning from the Enrichment Partnerships Pilot informs the upcoming Enrichment Expansion Programme.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

DCMS, in partnership with DfE, will invest £22.5 million over 3 years to enable up to 400 schools across England to deliver a youth-voice led, tailored enrichment offer. This funding will help schools meet the Enrichment Framework benchmarks and ensure disadvantaged pupils have access to good enrichment activities, supporting their wellbeing, personal development, and life skills.

Learnings from the evaluation of the Enrichment Partnerships Pilot, as well as the feedback received from representatives across the enrichment sector, are informing the design and development of the Enrichment Expansion Programme.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to The New Decent Homes Standard: policy statement, updated 28 January 2025, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on the potential impact of the 2035 implementation date for the New Decent Homes Standard on the wellbeing of children in accommodation not at a decent standard.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regularly engages with other government departments, including the Department for Education, in respect of policy development.

The wellbeing of children was a key consideration in the development of the new Decent Homes Standard (DHS). Its Impact Assessment, which can be found on gov.uk here, sets out the tenant impacts of implementing the updated DHS.

Prior to the implementation of the new DHS, landlords must continue to comply with the existing DHS and address non-decency wherever it exists.

The 2035 implementation deadline will give landlords the time they need to meet new duties, including those under Awaab’s Law, and will enable them to balance the cost implications of improving the quality of existing rented homes with the need to increase social and affordable housing supply given the importance of the latter to moving people, including many vulnerable children, out of unsuitable temporary accommodation. The implementation period is also consistent with the time social landlords were given to roll out the first iteration of the DHS.

The government encourages landlords to consider the benefits and feasibility of bringing properties up to the new DHS at the earliest opportunity. They should not delay all action until the end of the implementation period.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help improve coordination between health, education, and social care services for families affected by sodium valproate.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Everyone who has been harmed from sodium valproate has our deepest sympathies.

The Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, First Do No Harm, identified significant shortcomings in National Health Service care pathways for people harmed by sodium valproate. NHS England has acknowledged variation in the availability and adequacy of care pathways, the impact of delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis on long-term outcomes, and the need for improved care coordination for those requiring lifelong support, including co-ordination with non-health care services.

In response, NHS England has commissioned a Fetal Exposure to Medicines Services Pilot, being delivered by the NHS in Newcastle and Manchester. The pilot provides multidisciplinary diagnostic assessment and is informing the development of improved care pathways, better coordination of care, and reduced reliance on emergency care. Findings from the pilot will inform future decisions on the commissioning of services, subject to funding.

In addition, we work closely with the Department for Education and across the Government to ensure co-ordination between health, education, and social care services for children and their families. The Health and Opportunity Missions of the Government highlight the importance of joined up working and integrated delivery.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the evidential basis for the decision to freeze the student loan repayment threshold for graduates; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of this on graduates' disposable incomes.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The fiscal situation this government inherited means we’ve had to make tough but fair choices, including on student loan repayment threshold freezes.

Student loan borrowers repay a portion of their income (typically 9%) above the repayment threshold. A Plan 2 graduate earning £30,000 will repay only around £4 a month in FY2026–27. The student finance system is heavily subsidised by government, and lower-earning graduates will always be protected, with any outstanding loan and interest cancelled at the end of the repayment term. It is right that those who are able to repay do so.

The Department for Education has published analysis of the impact of the repayment threshold freeze on total repayments here.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have undertaken routine checks under the Great British Energy Act 2025 of all shipments of components from China required for solar panel installation in the UK since the date on which Great British Energy began installing solar panels on 250 schools across England.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department for Education are procuring the solar panels for schools under the Solar Partnerships Scheme and have done so under the requirements set out by the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and UK procurement controls, as well as making use of Crown Commercial Service frameworks where appropriate.

As a publicly owned company, Great British Energy is expected to lead by example when adhering to the UK’s legislation and guidance on modern slavery, including the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure that parents have the skills they need to support children's safe use of AI.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Protecting children from harm online is a top priority for this government.

This year, the government will be supporting a NSPCC summit at Wilton Park on the impact of AI on childhood. This will bring together experts, technology companies, civil society and young people to explore how AI can benefit children without exposing them to harm

Media literacy is also a key part of our approach, helping children and adults develop critical thinking skills to navigate the growing presence of AI-generated content. DSIT has developed with DfE an online safety parent hub providing guidance on media literacy and online safety.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether evidence or representations from stakeholders in Northern Ireland have been considered by the Motor Insurance Taskforce; and what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Northern Ireland insurance market, including differences in (a) pricing, (b) claims costs and (c) legal frameworks.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The work of the motor insurance taskforce focused on issues and concerns associated with the cost of insurance premiums and claims that are shared across the UK.

The taskforce heard representations that some of the unique features of the motor insurance market in Northern Ireland have led to increasing costs there. Some of those, such as road safety and costs associated with taking claims through the judicial system, are devolved matters for the Northern Ireland Executive to consider. The government will continue to work constructively with the Executive on relevant areas of policy.

The taskforce met for the first time on 16 October 2024 and subsequently met on 28 April 2025 and 21 July 2025, which was the final meeting of the taskforce. Taskforce members were the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, Department for Education, Department for Business and Trade, Financial Conduct Authority and the Competition and Markets Authority as well as the Department for Transport and HM Treasury, who were the co-chairs.

We do not plan to publish the minutes or summaries of meetings as they cover the formulation and development of ‘live’ government policy and to do so would hinder future policy development as it could inhibit a free exchange of views.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times the Motor Insurance Taskforce met since its establishment; on what dates those meetings took place; which organisations and departments were represented; and whether she plans to publish minutes or summaries from those meetings.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The work of the motor insurance taskforce focused on issues and concerns associated with the cost of insurance premiums and claims that are shared across the UK.

The taskforce heard representations that some of the unique features of the motor insurance market in Northern Ireland have led to increasing costs there. Some of those, such as road safety and costs associated with taking claims through the judicial system, are devolved matters for the Northern Ireland Executive to consider. The government will continue to work constructively with the Executive on relevant areas of policy.

The taskforce met for the first time on 16 October 2024 and subsequently met on 28 April 2025 and 21 July 2025, which was the final meeting of the taskforce. Taskforce members were the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, Department for Education, Department for Business and Trade, Financial Conduct Authority and the Competition and Markets Authority as well as the Department for Transport and HM Treasury, who were the co-chairs.

We do not plan to publish the minutes or summaries of meetings as they cover the formulation and development of ‘live’ government policy and to do so would hinder future policy development as it could inhibit a free exchange of views.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information his Department holds on the proportion of graduates that enter graduate employment schemes within one year of completing their studies.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We do not capture data on the number of graduates entering graduate schemes or graduate-level employment. The latest published DfE data shows that the unemployment rate for graduates is lower than non-graduates. A link to this data can be found here.(opens in a new tab)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps is he taking to help ensure JobCentre Plus provides effective support to graduates seeking graduate-level employment.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We do not capture data on the number of graduates entering graduate schemes or graduate-level employment. The latest published DfE data shows that the unemployment rate for graduates is lower than non-graduates. A link to this data can be found here.(opens in a new tab)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of graduates supported by Jobcentre Plus enter roles classified as graduate-level employment.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We do not capture data on the number of graduates entering graduate schemes or graduate-level employment. The latest published DfE data shows that the unemployment rate for graduates is lower than non-graduates. A link to this data can be found here.(opens in a new tab)

Found: HO FCDO DWP DfT HMRC MOJ CO HMT DCMS DESNZ DEFRA DSIT MHCLG DBT Scotland N I reland DHSC Wales MOD DfE

Found: How the Department for Education works with frontline services

Found: ('Yes') 6 -1 Down DFE E01_yes. Have you been discriminated against at work in the last 12 months?

Found: [note 3] The Department for Education (DFE) and its agencies (the Standards and Testing Agency, and the

Found: of Recommendations What we have done MHCLG has been working with the Cabinet Office, the Department for Education

Found: taking part in the IWP offer • in wave 2, the focus was on the experiences and views of the Department for Education

Found: Organisation £3,300 N/A N/A DEFRA N/A N/A Yes Department for Culture, Media & Sport N/A N/A Yes Department for Education

Found: Pensions, Department for Health and Social Care, Health 6 and Safety Executive, and the Department for Education

Found: and Pensions, Department for Health and Social Care, Health and Safety Executive, and the Department for Education

Found: department-by-deparment pilots (including with the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Education

Found: including: Cabinet Office Department of Health & Social Care Department for Work & Pensions Department for Education

Found: David Johnston - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Education - advice under the

Found: of Recommendations What we have done MHCLG has been working with the Cabinet Office, the Department for Education

Found: the UK nuclear industry (see 9.14 International relations) • Collaborate with the Department for Education

Found: Organisation £3,300 N/A N/A DEFRA N/A N/A Yes Department for Culture, Media & Sport N/A N/A Yes Department for Education

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Found: FROM BARONESS ANDERSON OF STOKE-ON-TRENT GOVERNMENT WHIP DfE, HO, MOJ, NIO, SO AND WO 020-7219 6802

Found: FROM BARONESS ANDERSON OF STOKE-ON-TRENT GOVERNMENT WHIP DfE, HO, MOJ, NIO, SO AND WO 020-7219 6802

Found: identify risk indicators, learning from good practice out with Scotland, reviewing the UK Department for Education

Found: detailed technical information is available in the accompanying Technical Report, published on the DfE

Found: (formerly the Department for Education and Skills), and any associated revisions.

Found: 2024b; Department for Education 2023).

Found: model which brings the model in Wales in line with the model used by the UK Government’s Department for Education