Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 25 September 2024 (HL781), what steps they have taken to help those affected by historical forced adoptions; whether they plan to give an apology to affected individuals; and what assessment they have made of the approach of devolved administrations to this issue.

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

This abhorrent practice should never have taken place, and our deepest sympathies are with all those affected.

The department continues to follow up on the 2022 Joint Committee on Human Rights report, including improving access to adoption records, enhancing intermediary services and preserving historical records. Regulations have been amended to make it easier for adults to access adoption support, and local authorities have been encouraged to retain records for at least 100 years.

The department is also working with Adoption England, which recently published new guidance to support consistent and legally compliant practice across adoption services. Adoption England continues to fund the pilot initiative Family Connect, a national advice line designed to provide support to adopted adults, birth parents, relatives and professionals. Officials remain in contact with the Scottish and Welsh governments to understand and learn from their approaches.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Malvern (HL8283), what assessment they have made of whether clause 46 of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which refers to school teachers' qualifications and induction, applies to 16–19 academies.

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

Qualified teacher status (QTS) has never been a requirement for further education (FE) settings. QTS is the professional qualification for teachers in primary and secondary schools, therefore the requirement established through clause 46 of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will apply to primary and secondary state funded schools in England, with some limited exemptions set out in regulations.

High quality teacher training qualifications are available that are specifically targeted to those wishing to teach in FE settings.

The government has liaised extensively with stakeholders from a range of settings to ensure that the exemptions to the requirement for QTS set out in regulations will continue to provide them with the flexibility to employ individuals with the specialist skills and experience to support the needs of their pupils.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 16 July (HL8638), on what date it was decided that their commitment to recruit 6,500 new expert teachers would not include primary schools.

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

The department is targeting the 6,500 teachers pledge towards mainstream secondary schools and colleges, and special schools.

Regular public statements have been made on this key pledge. Examples include my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education’s letter to the education workforce on 8 July 2024, which confirmed both schools and colleges as being within scope of the pledge, and further information on the specific settings in scope were outlined in her speech on schools standards in February 2025 and in a Written Parliamentary Statement in May 2025.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 16 July (HL8638), on what date it was decided that their commitment to recruit 6,500 new expert teachers would include colleges.

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

The department is targeting the 6,500 teachers pledge towards mainstream secondary schools and colleges, and special schools.

Regular public statements have been made on this key pledge. Examples include my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education’s letter to the education workforce on 8 July 2024, which confirmed both schools and colleges as being within scope of the pledge, and further information on the specific settings in scope were outlined in her speech on schools standards in February 2025 and in a Written Parliamentary Statement in May 2025.

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Found: Dinner No £95 Bridget Phillipson 2025-07-08 Ben Taylor, Editor, The Sunday Times Lunch No £70 Baroness Smith of Malvern

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Found: Rigby, Political Editor, Sky News; Pippa Crerar, Political Editor, The Guardian Lunch No £45 Baroness Smith of Malvern

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Found: 5. 15 May 2025 Briefing for Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice meeting with Baroness Smith of Malvern