Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill

The UK Government has been working closely with the devolved administrations throughout negotiations with the EU. It is intended that the next meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) will be convened in the coming weeks. Other engagement with the devolved administrations continues, with the Paymaster General speaking to Ministers from the devolved administrations, to update them on the negotiations, last week.

The Government’s position remains that there will be no extension to the transition period.

At this time of national crisis, resources have been redirected to work on Covid-19. There is a robust resourcing process in place that can be used to increase resource capacity on EU exit related work if departments require. This is a temporary arrangement, and at all times consideration has been given to ensuring that sufficient resource remains in place to support negotiations and readiness in line with the end of the transition period on 31 December.

The requested information is not held by the department.

The School Workforce Census is the department’s main source of information on teacher and support staff numbers and the subjects taught by teachers. However, this census does not collect information on the subjects taught by primary school teaching staff or support staff.

The reformed National Curriculum in England makes it compulsory for pupils in maintained schools to be taught a foreign language in Key Stage 2.

Education in Wales is a devolved matter for the Welsh Government.

We are not considering any particular measures to promote language training to Government Ministers but ministers can apply for Foreign and Commonwealth Office language training if they need, in order to conduct government business.

The Government remains committed to ending free movement and introducing a new Points-Based Immigration System.

The Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill will proceed when Parliamentary time allows and taking into account the new virtual operating arrangements in Parliament.

The Government set out proposals for its new Points-Based Immigration system in its policy statement on 19 February.