Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the future viability of franchised higher education.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

The government is deeply concerned about the abuse of public money in the franchised higher education system. Franchising grew significantly under the previous government against a backdrop of growing financial instability within higher education.

In 2023 and 2024, the Government Internal Audit Agency, the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee all raised concerns about abuse, unethical behaviour and fraud. Recent media reports have highlighted these issues further, focusing on taxpayer money being misspent on loans for students who do not engage with or complete their studies, and those who intentionally exploit the system.

This government, along with the Office for Students (OfS) and the Student Loans Company, has already taken measures to clamp down on abuse of the student finance system. My right hon. Friend, The Secretary of State for Education set out these, and further steps, on 25 March in a ministerial statement, which can be found here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-03-25/hcws547.

This statement makes clear that when done well, franchising can be an important driver of inclusion and can break down barriers to students who may otherwise not be able to study higher education. Our package of plans aims to protect the best franchised provision but eliminate poor quality provision and put an end to abuse and fraud.

The department is currently consulting on proposals to bring the larger franchised providers under the OfS’ direct regulatory oversight. This consultation and the impact assessment which was published alongside it are attached can also be found here: https://consult.education.gov.uk/higher-education-quality-and-regulation/franchising-in-higher-education/.

It would not be appropriate for us to pre-empt the outcomes of that consultation by making judgements about what the future of franchising will be. However, the government is clear that if we do not see changes that address the issues of concern, further action will be taken.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of ongoing human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in North and South Kivu, on freedom of religion or belief; and what representations they have made to international partners regarding the protection of religious minorities in areas affected by violence from M23 and other armed groups.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including promoting respect between different religious and non-religious groups, are a priority for the UK. We work with the United Nations and other multilateral bodies to promote and protect them. Our Ambassador in Kinshasa and Ministers regularly raise protection of human rights with the government of DRC. We are alarmed and saddened by the attacks by IS-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces on Christian communities and the resulting loss of life. There is no evidence so far that churches have been specifically targeted by M23 rebels. The UK continues to remind all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law and make clear that all those who have committed human rights violations and abuses must be held accountable.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 28 March (HL5890 and HL5892), what assessment they have made of the impact of physical presence of the British Council in the countries in which it operates on the outcomes it delivers.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works with the British Council to ensure strategic alignment between HMG / FCDO objectives and British Council activity, and is considering these issues in the round as part of the Spending Review process, which will allocate departmental budgets between the financial years 2026-27 and 2028-29. Decisions relating to the size and footprint of the British Council's overseas network are operational matters for British Council.

In an increasingly digital age, the British Council's impact should be judged by the outcomes it delivers through its programmes and operations, rather than its physical presence alone.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 7 November 2024 (HL1998), when they intend to publish feedback to the licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures consultation, which ran from 2 September to 28 October 2023.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to taking action to address longstanding concerns about the safety of the cosmetics sector and is exploring options for further regulation in this area. We will set out the details of our approach in our response to the consultation on the licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England, which we will publish as soon as possible.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) improve energy efficiency in rural homes, and (2) improve access to advanced energy solutions.

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

Our ambitious Warm Homes Plan will support investment in households, including rural homes, to install energy efficiency measures and low carbon heating to save families money on their bills.

The Government has committed £3.4 billion over the next 3 years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency. This includes the new Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG), which will provide support for low-income households living in privately owned EPC band D-G homes both on and off the gas grid in England.

We are taking steps to make heat pumps more efficient and easier to install which includes increasing funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to £295 million next financial year, removing outdated planning rules and consulting on product efficiency standards.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the finding published on 27 March in Annual Fuel Poverty Statistics in England, 2025 (2024 data) that rural households have a higher rate of fuel poverty, what steps they are taking to tackle fuel poverty in rural areas.

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

The Government is currently consulting on a new fuel poverty strategy for England and has kickstarted delivery of the Warm Homes Plan, including an initial £1.8billion to support fuel poverty schemes over the next three years. Mutiple energy efficiency schemes support fuel poor households including in rural areas. The Warm Home Discount supported around 3 million eligible low-income households last winter and we recently consulted on expanding the scheme to more low income households next winter.

Our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication in Environmental Research Letters on 31 March of Reconsidering the macroeconomic damage of severe warming, what assessment they have made of the finding that global warming will have a significant negative impact on the size of the global economy.

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

The latest Synthesis Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that it is unequivocal that human activities, principally through emissions of greenhouse gases, have warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land, and that widespread and rapid changes to the climate have occurred. The IPCC also found that projected net economic damages generally increase non-linearly with global warming levels and that economic impacts could be higher than previous estimates.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to tackle the risks posed by online communities to teenage boys, and what assessment they have made of the role these play in encouraging sexual and physical abuse, violence and extremism.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We are aware that harmful content exists online including the risk it poses to boys and children. The Online Safety Act requires in-scope services to tackle illegal abuse and protect users from illegal content. This includes content which incites hatred, abuse, harassment and sexual exploitation content.

In addition, in-scope services likely to be accessed by children need to put in place measures to protect children from harmful content, including providing age-appropriate access for content which encourages violence.

Ofcom, as the independent regulator, has enforcement powers where platforms fail to fulfil their duties.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the threat posed by online communities known as Com networks.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We are aware that harmful content exists online including the risk it poses to boys and children. The Online Safety Act requires in-scope services to tackle illegal abuse and protect users from illegal content. This includes content which incites hatred, abuse, harassment and sexual exploitation content.

In addition, in-scope services likely to be accessed by children need to put in place measures to protect children from harmful content, including providing age-appropriate access for content which encourages violence.

Ofcom, as the independent regulator, has enforcement powers where platforms fail to fulfil their duties.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many referrals were made to NHS gambling clinics in England in the first two quarters of the 2024–25 financial year.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In the 12 months between 1 October 2023 and 30 September 2024, 24 of the referrals to National Health Service gambling services in England were of young people aged between 13 and 18 years old, according to the most recent 12 months of data available nationally.

In terms of referrals made to NHS gambling clinics in England, in quarter one of 2024/25, 876 referrals were made, and in quarter two of 2024/25, 1,038 referrals were made. This totals 1,914 referrals in the first half of 2024/25. This data is published on NHS England’s website, and is available in an online only format.

In relation to the cost of the treatment of patients with gambling disorders to the NHS, NHS England is not able to provide this information for 2024/25, as individual integrated care boards hold this data.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much the treatment of patients with gambling disorders cost the NHS in 2024–25.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In the 12 months between 1 October 2023 and 30 September 2024, 24 of the referrals to National Health Service gambling services in England were of young people aged between 13 and 18 years old, according to the most recent 12 months of data available nationally.

In terms of referrals made to NHS gambling clinics in England, in quarter one of 2024/25, 876 referrals were made, and in quarter two of 2024/25, 1,038 referrals were made. This totals 1,914 referrals in the first half of 2024/25. This data is published on NHS England’s website, and is available in an online only format.

In relation to the cost of the treatment of patients with gambling disorders to the NHS, NHS England is not able to provide this information for 2024/25, as individual integrated care boards hold this data.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many young people in England aged between 13 and 18 have been treated by the NHS for problem gambling in the past year.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In the 12 months between 1 October 2023 and 30 September 2024, 24 of the referrals to National Health Service gambling services in England were of young people aged between 13 and 18 years old, according to the most recent 12 months of data available nationally.

In terms of referrals made to NHS gambling clinics in England, in quarter one of 2024/25, 876 referrals were made, and in quarter two of 2024/25, 1,038 referrals were made. This totals 1,914 referrals in the first half of 2024/25. This data is published on NHS England’s website, and is available in an online only format.

In relation to the cost of the treatment of patients with gambling disorders to the NHS, NHS England is not able to provide this information for 2024/25, as individual integrated care boards hold this data.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made, if any, of the number of problem gamblers who are serving in the Armed Forces.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence takes problem-gambling seriously.

While data on gambling rates in the military is not routinely reported, where problem-gambling is identified, Defence healthcare providers ensure that the individual is referred to the appropriate level and type of intervention to meet their gambling issue.

This service sets out the levels of care to be provided by Primary Care and Mental Health clinicians from low-risk gambling up to gambling with negative consequences and a possible loss of control can be aligned to welfare support to those who are adversely affected by problem-gambling and supports referral to specialist support organisations such as the NHS Primary Care Gambling Services.

Defence also draws on support from GambleAware for campaigns to tackle the stigma associated with Gambling, collaborates with the Centre of Military Gambling Research at the University of Swansea, works with cross-Government colleagues including with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities on policy development, and regularly consults with the Armed Forces Gambling Support Network. Gambling websites are also blocked on Defence IT to reduce accessibility, and financial awareness training is available for all personnel.

Veterans are eligible for gambling addiction treatment through the National Health Service. The Office for Veterans' Affairs in the Ministry of Defence regularly works with the third sector and academia to ensure veteran-specific needs are understood.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of gambling-related harm among (1) veterans and (2) people currently serving in the Armed Forces; and what assessment they have made, if any, of gambling participation rate in those groups.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence takes problem-gambling seriously.

While data on gambling rates in the military is not routinely reported, where problem-gambling is identified, Defence healthcare providers ensure that the individual is referred to the appropriate level and type of intervention to meet their gambling issue.

This service sets out the levels of care to be provided by Primary Care and Mental Health clinicians from low-risk gambling up to gambling with negative consequences and a possible loss of control can be aligned to welfare support to those who are adversely affected by problem-gambling and supports referral to specialist support organisations such as the NHS Primary Care Gambling Services.

Defence also draws on support from GambleAware for campaigns to tackle the stigma associated with Gambling, collaborates with the Centre of Military Gambling Research at the University of Swansea, works with cross-Government colleagues including with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities on policy development, and regularly consults with the Armed Forces Gambling Support Network. Gambling websites are also blocked on Defence IT to reduce accessibility, and financial awareness training is available for all personnel.

Veterans are eligible for gambling addiction treatment through the National Health Service. The Office for Veterans' Affairs in the Ministry of Defence regularly works with the third sector and academia to ensure veteran-specific needs are understood.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what support is available to problem gamblers who are serving in the Armed Forces.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence takes problem-gambling seriously.

While data on gambling rates in the military is not routinely reported, where problem-gambling is identified, Defence healthcare providers ensure that the individual is referred to the appropriate level and type of intervention to meet their gambling issue.

This service sets out the levels of care to be provided by Primary Care and Mental Health clinicians from low-risk gambling up to gambling with negative consequences and a possible loss of control can be aligned to welfare support to those who are adversely affected by problem-gambling and supports referral to specialist support organisations such as the NHS Primary Care Gambling Services.

Defence also draws on support from GambleAware for campaigns to tackle the stigma associated with Gambling, collaborates with the Centre of Military Gambling Research at the University of Swansea, works with cross-Government colleagues including with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities on policy development, and regularly consults with the Armed Forces Gambling Support Network. Gambling websites are also blocked on Defence IT to reduce accessibility, and financial awareness training is available for all personnel.

Veterans are eligible for gambling addiction treatment through the National Health Service. The Office for Veterans' Affairs in the Ministry of Defence regularly works with the third sector and academia to ensure veteran-specific needs are understood.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the finding by Coram Family and Childcare’s annual survey 2024 that 16 per cent of rural families report sufficient access to childcare, compared to 30 per cent last year.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

It is our ambition that all families have access to high-quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, giving every child the best start in life and delivering on our Plan for Change. That also means ensuring the sector is financially sustainable and confident as it continues to deliver entitlements and high-quality early years provision going forward.

In the 2025/26 financial year alone, the department plans to provide over £8 billion for early years entitlements, which is a more than 30% increase compared to the 2024/25 financial year, as the department rolls out the expansion of the entitlements, so eligible working parents of children aged from nine months can access 30 hours of funded childcare.

We also announced the largest ever uplift to the early years pupil premium, increasing the rate by over 45% compared to the 2024/25 financial year, equivalent to up to £570 per eligible child per year. On top of this, we are providing further supplementary funding of £75 million for the early years expansion grant, and £25 million through the forthcoming National Insurance Contributions grant for public sector employers in the early years. The Coram Family and Childcare survey highlights the real difference the expanded childcare entitlements are making, with more to come from September, as funding increases from 15 to 30 hours a week of funded childcare.

To support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the Disability Access Fund in 2024/25 has increased by £29, to £910 per year per eligible child and will increase again in 2025/26 to £938 per eligible child per year. Additionally, the department has introduced additional resources for early years educators to support children with SEND, including a free online training module, and SEND assessment guidance and resources.

Local authorities are required by legislation to provide sufficient childcare places for children in their local area who require childcare. This includes children with SEND and children in rural areas. Local authorities are also required to report annually to elected council members on how they are meeting their duty to secure sufficient childcare, and to make this report available and accessible to parents. The department has regular contact with each local authority in England about their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing. Where local authorities report sufficiency challenges, we discuss what action they are taking to address those issues and, where needed, support the local authority with any specific requirements through our childcare sufficiency support contract. If a parent is unable to secure a place, they should reach out to their local authority for assistance.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the publication of Coram Family and Childcare’s annual survey 2024, what steps they plan to take to ensure accessibility and affordability of rural childcare.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

It is our ambition that all families have access to high-quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, giving every child the best start in life and delivering on our Plan for Change. That also means ensuring the sector is financially sustainable and confident as it continues to deliver entitlements and high-quality early years provision going forward.

In the 2025/26 financial year alone, the department plans to provide over £8 billion for early years entitlements, which is a more than 30% increase compared to the 2024/25 financial year, as the department rolls out the expansion of the entitlements, so eligible working parents of children aged from nine months can access 30 hours of funded childcare.

We also announced the largest ever uplift to the early years pupil premium, increasing the rate by over 45% compared to the 2024/25 financial year, equivalent to up to £570 per eligible child per year. On top of this, we are providing further supplementary funding of £75 million for the early years expansion grant, and £25 million through the forthcoming National Insurance Contributions grant for public sector employers in the early years. The Coram Family and Childcare survey highlights the real difference the expanded childcare entitlements are making, with more to come from September, as funding increases from 15 to 30 hours a week of funded childcare.

To support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the Disability Access Fund in 2024/25 has increased by £29, to £910 per year per eligible child and will increase again in 2025/26 to £938 per eligible child per year. Additionally, the department has introduced additional resources for early years educators to support children with SEND, including a free online training module, and SEND assessment guidance and resources.

Local authorities are required by legislation to provide sufficient childcare places for children in their local area who require childcare. This includes children with SEND and children in rural areas. Local authorities are also required to report annually to elected council members on how they are meeting their duty to secure sufficient childcare, and to make this report available and accessible to parents. The department has regular contact with each local authority in England about their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing. Where local authorities report sufficiency challenges, we discuss what action they are taking to address those issues and, where needed, support the local authority with any specific requirements through our childcare sufficiency support contract. If a parent is unable to secure a place, they should reach out to their local authority for assistance.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to strengthen support for childcare providers in rural areas, particularly those who provide childcare for disabled children.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

It is our ambition that all families have access to high-quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, giving every child the best start in life and delivering on our Plan for Change. That also means ensuring the sector is financially sustainable and confident as it continues to deliver entitlements and high-quality early years provision going forward.

In the 2025/26 financial year alone, the department plans to provide over £8 billion for early years entitlements, which is a more than 30% increase compared to the 2024/25 financial year, as the department rolls out the expansion of the entitlements, so eligible working parents of children aged from nine months can access 30 hours of funded childcare.

We also announced the largest ever uplift to the early years pupil premium, increasing the rate by over 45% compared to the 2024/25 financial year, equivalent to up to £570 per eligible child per year. On top of this, we are providing further supplementary funding of £75 million for the early years expansion grant, and £25 million through the forthcoming National Insurance Contributions grant for public sector employers in the early years. The Coram Family and Childcare survey highlights the real difference the expanded childcare entitlements are making, with more to come from September, as funding increases from 15 to 30 hours a week of funded childcare.

To support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the Disability Access Fund in 2024/25 has increased by £29, to £910 per year per eligible child and will increase again in 2025/26 to £938 per eligible child per year. Additionally, the department has introduced additional resources for early years educators to support children with SEND, including a free online training module, and SEND assessment guidance and resources.

Local authorities are required by legislation to provide sufficient childcare places for children in their local area who require childcare. This includes children with SEND and children in rural areas. Local authorities are also required to report annually to elected council members on how they are meeting their duty to secure sufficient childcare, and to make this report available and accessible to parents. The department has regular contact with each local authority in England about their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing. Where local authorities report sufficiency challenges, we discuss what action they are taking to address those issues and, where needed, support the local authority with any specific requirements through our childcare sufficiency support contract. If a parent is unable to secure a place, they should reach out to their local authority for assistance.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many (1) fixed odds betting terminals, and (2) electronic gaming machines, are on property owned by the Ministry of Defence.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Army and Royal Air Force have confirmed that all such machines have been removed from their property. The Royal Navy has confirmed that this work is in the final stages.