Catherine McKinnell Portrait

Catherine McKinnell

Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne North

First elected: 6th May 2010

Shadow Minister (Education) (Schools)

(since September 2023)

Petitions Committee
29th Jan 2020 - 6th Sep 2023
Liaison Committee (Commons)
20th May 2020 - 6th Sep 2023
Pension Schemes (Conversion of Guaranteed Minimum Pensions) Bill
26th Jan 2022 - 2nd Feb 2022
Treasury Sub-Committee
14th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Petitions Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Treasury Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Petitions Committee
14th Mar 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Education, Skills and the Economy Sub-Committee
9th Mar 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Education Committee
1st Feb 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Shadow Attorney General
14th Sep 2015 - 11th Jan 2016
Shadow Minister (Treasury)
18th Mar 2013 - 14th Sep 2015
Shadow Minister (Education)
7th Oct 2011 - 18th Mar 2013
Shadow Solicitor General
8th Oct 2010 - 7th Oct 2011
Political and Constitutional Reform Committee
12th Jul 2010 - 8th Nov 2010


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Catherine McKinnell has voted in 645 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Catherine McKinnell Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Jacob Rees-Mogg (Conservative)
(18 debate interactions)
Helen Whately (Conservative)
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
(10 debate interactions)
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(8 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Education
(46 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(33 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(25 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Catherine McKinnell's debates

Newcastle upon Tyne North 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).

Petition Debates Contributed

Review statutory maternity pay in line with inflation and cost of living

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is currently:
90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first 6 weeks
£156.66 or 90% of average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for next 33 weeks. This averages £7.5k p/a

As a teacher in 2018 I started a bed poverty charity, since then schools have referred 1400 children without beds. Bed poverty is affecting educational outcomes for children across the UK

A national sleep strategy must resource local authorities to identify, address and ultimately end bed poverty

The Government should not reduce the existing adult-child childcare ratios as has been suggested. There are surely better ways to reduce the cost of living – potentially endangering children in trusted care is not how it should be done.

Call an immediate general election so that the people can decide who should lead us through the unprecedented crises threatening the UK.

Require schools to make Friday a day off school, meaning there will be 3 days that children will get to stay off every week.

For the most recent hunting season, Forestry England gave hunting licences for 34 fox & hare “trail hunts”. Despite hunting wild mammals with dogs being illegal, two of the licensed/previously licensed trail hunts have been associated with convictions under the Hunting and Animal Welfare Acts.

In March 2021 Mini the cat was chased and killed by hunting hounds in a quiet residential area.
The Government should back Mini’s Law (Public and Animal Safety Bill 2021) to ensure safety to the public and animals from hunting activity, such as trail hunts and exercise of hunting hounds.

Join other nations in providing a route to safety for refugees. Waive all visa requirements for Ukrainian passport holders arriving in the UK.

Make it a legal requirement when opening a new social media account, to provide a verified form of ID. Where the account belongs to a person under the age of 18 verify the account with the ID of a parent/guardian, to prevent anonymised harmful activity, providing traceability if an offence occurs.

Air pollution kills 64,000 people in the UK every year, yet the Government provides annual fossil fuel subsidies of £10.5 billion, according to the European Commission. To meet UK climate targets, the Government must end this practice and introduce charges on producers of greenhouse gas emissions.

We have the second most expensive childcare system in the world. A full time place costs, on average, £14,000 per year, making it completely unaffordable for many families. Parents are forced to leave their jobs or work fewer hours, which has a negative impact on the economy and on child poverty.

We ask Parliament to repeal the High Speed Rail Bills, 2016 and 2019, as MPs voted on misleading environmental, financial and timetable information provided by the Dept of Transport and HS2 Ltd. It fails to address the conditions of the Paris Accord and costs have risen from £56bn to over £100bn.

As a country we see many water-related fatalities every year. We see many more call outs to water related incidents. Throughout lockdown year our coastguards were tasked to almost double the call outs than in the previous year. Our children NEED to learn about Cold water shock & rip currents.

Recognise the state of Palestine to help stop the conflict from Israel. Not recognising the Palestinian state allows Israel to continue their persecution of the Palestinians.

The Government should introduce sanctions against Israel, including blocking all trade, and in particular arms.

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

Black Women in the U.K. are 5 times more likely to die during pregnancy and after childbirth compared to White Women (MBRRACE, 2019). We need more research done into why this is happening and recommendations to improve health care for Black Women as urgent action is needed to address this disparity.

Being the first to close and still no clue as to when we can open, this seasonal industry is losing its summer profits that allows them to get through the first quarter of next year.

Even if we are allowed to open in December, 1 months profit won't be enough to keep us open in 2021. We need help

The UK hospitality industry. Responsible for around 3m jobs, generating £130bn in activity, resulting in £38bn in taxation. Yet, unlike the Arts or Sports, we do not have a dedicated Minister.

We are asking that a Minister for Hospitality be created for the current, and successive governments.

Isolation essential to the Government’s strategy for fighting coronavirus, and UK citizens must remain healthy and exercise whilst keeping adequate distance between people. The Government should allow golf courses to open so families or individuals can play golf in order to exercise safely.

In the event of a spike we would like you not to close gyms as a measure to stop any spread of Covid. Also for gyms to not be put in the same group as pubs in terms of risk or importance. Gyms are following strict guidelines and most members are following rules in a sober manner.

Weddings take months and even years of intricate planning. Myself and many others believe the maximum number of guests authorised at wedding ceremonies should be increased. The number of guests permitted at weddings should be calculated according to venue capacity.

Extend funding to nightclubs, dance music events and festivals as part of the £1.57bn support package announced by the government for Britain's arts and culture sector to survive the hit from the pandemic. #LetUSDance

In light of the recent outbreak and lock down, those on maternity leave should be given 3 extra months paid leave, at least. This time is for bonding and social engaging with other parents and babies through baby groups which are vital for development and now everything has been cancelled.

I would like the government to review and increase the pay for healthcare workers to recognise the work that they do.

To revoke the Immigration Health Surcharge increases for overseas NHS staff. The latest budget shows an increase of £220 a year for an overseas worker to live and work in the UK, at a time when the NHS, and UK economy, relies heavily on them.

We would like the government to support and regard social care: financially, publicly and systematically on an equal par as NHS. We would like parliament to debate how to support social care during COVID-19 and beyond so that it automatically has the same access to operational and financial support.

Give NHS workers who are EU and other Nationals automatic UK citizenship if they stay and risk their own lives looking after the British people during the COVID crisis.

After owning nurseries for 29 years I have never experienced such damaging times for the sector with rising costs not being met by the funding rates available. Business Rates are a large drain on the sector and can mean the difference between nurseries being able to stay open and having to close.

For the UK government to provide economic assistance to businesses and staff employed in the events industry, who are suffering unforeseen financial challenges that could have a profound effect on hundreds of thousands of people employed in the sector.

If nurseries are shut down in view of Covid-19, the Government should set up an emergency fund to ensure their survival and ensure that parents are not charged the full fee by the nurseries to keep children's places.

The prospect of widespread cancellations of concerts, theatre productions and exhibitions due to COVID-19 threatens to cause huge financial hardship for Britain's creative community. We ask Parliament to provide a package of emergency financial and practical support during this unpredictable time.

As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak there are travel bans imposed by many countries, there is a disastrous potential impact on our Aviation Industry. Without the Government’s help there could be an unprecedented crisis, with thousands of jobs under threat.

The cash grants proposed by Government are only for businesses in receipt of the Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Relief, or for particular sectors. Many small businesses fall outside these reliefs desperately need cash grants and support now.

To extend the business rate relief to all dental practices and medical and aesthetics clinics and any small business that’s in healthcare

Zoos, aquariums, and similar organisations across the country carry out all sorts of conservation work, animal rescue, and public education. At the start of the season most rely on visitors (who now won't come) to cover annual costs, yet those costs do not stop while they are closed. They need help.

As we pass the COVID-19 Peak, the Government should: State where the Theatres and Arts fit in the Coronavrius recovery Roadmap, Create a tailor made financial support mechanism for the Arts sector & Clarify how Social Distancing will affect arts spaces like Theatres and Concert Venues.

After 9 months of maternity leave, most working mums do not receive any maternity pay and need to go back to work. I think all working parents should be entitled to 15 hours free childcare from the time a child is 9 months. It makes more sense to provide this funding from 9 months instead of 2 years


Latest EDMs signed by Catherine McKinnell

23rd October 2023
Catherine McKinnell signed this EDM on Monday 23rd October 2023

Tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton

Tabled by: Ian Lavery (Labour - Wansbeck)
That this House notes with sorrow the passing of Ashington born World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton; further notes Bobby’s successful career with Manchester United for whom he played between 1956 and 1973 winning the English First Division three times, the FA Cup and the European Cup; notes Sir Bobby’s …
27 signatures
(Most recent: 26 Oct 2023)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 22
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Independent: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
Alba Party: 1
11th January 2023
Catherine McKinnell signed this EDM on Monday 16th January 2023

Holocaust Memorial Day 2023

Tabled by: Bob Blackman (Conservative - Harrow East)
That this House notes that, on 27 January 2023, the UK will observe Holocaust Memorial Day, marking the 78th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, where more than 1.1 million people died, including nearly one million Jewish men, women and children; commemorates the six million victims of the Holocaust and …
46 signatures
(Most recent: 7 Feb 2023)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 14
Labour: 13
Conservative: 6
Liberal Democrat: 4
Plaid Cymru: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 3
Independent: 2
Alliance: 1
View All Catherine McKinnell's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Catherine McKinnell, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Catherine McKinnell has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Catherine McKinnell has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

1 Bill introduced by Catherine McKinnell


The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to require certain public procurement contracts let by public authorities to include a commitment by the contractor to provide apprenticeships and skills training; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 14th September 2010

Latest 50 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
2 Other Department Questions
29th Jun 2021
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Race Disparity Unit has taken to support the Department of Health and Social Care in reducing maternal mortality rates among black women.

The government is committed to understanding and addressing the ethnic disparities in maternal mortality rates. Maternal deaths are fortunately rare and overall women’s experiences of maternity care are positive, but it remains important we encourage every expectant mother to engage with NHS maternity services so they get the support they are entitled to.

I have been supporting the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in this area since last summer. This includes co-hosting a roundtable discussion on maternal mortality rates for ethnic minority women in September 2020, which identified the need for more intelligent use of data to target action.

Following this, officials in the Race Disparity Unit have been working with DHSC colleagues to understand how data can be disaggregated and flow more easily among NHS agencies, and research bodies. They have also been supporting DHSC officials on initiatives such as the new £7.6m Health and Wellbeing Fund that will support 19 projects to reduce health inequalities among new mothers and babies.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
13th Jan 2021
What recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on encouraging more schools to take part in the period product scheme.

Nobody should miss out on their education because of their period. Our Period Product scheme makes free products available for primary schools, secondary schools and colleges in England. Our supplier is actively contacting organisations who have not yet ordered products. Period products should be available, if learners need them, even during lockdown. I encourage all schools and colleges to make use of this fantastic scheme.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
26th Apr 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to publish guidance for weddings and civil partnerships taking place in Step 3 of the Government’s roadmap for the easing of covid-19 restrictions.

In the COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021, the Government has set out the gradual and cautious approach to reopening different sectors in England, guided by science and the data. It is important that we take a cautious approach in easing restrictions, so that we can see the impact of the steps we are taking before moving to the next step.

For that reason, we will continue to keep guidance and restrictions under review, in line with the changing situation. Guidance on weddings at Step 3 will be updated at least a week in advance, taking into account developments in the pandemic.

At Step 3, no earlier than 17 May 2021, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are permitted for up to 30 people in COVID-19 Secure venues. Receptions can also proceed with up to 30 people in a COVID-19 Secure indoor venue, or outdoors, which includes private gardens.

For further information, please refer to the guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships

For further information, please refer to the guidance for for wedding and civil partnership receptions and celebrations:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/covid-19-guidance-for-wedding-and-civil-partnership-receptions-and-celebrations

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
6th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what was the total (a) value and (b) number of grants and funding awarded via competitive bidding processes by his Department in each of the last four years; and how many competitive bidding applications have been received by her Department in each of the last four years.

This information is not held centrally and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
8th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of increased domestic supply of coal on levels of coal imports.

Domestic production of coal, alongside the amounts of coal imported in the UK, have been steadily declining in the last five years. This is evidenced by the figures published by the Department here: DUKES table 2.4.

In order to tackle climate change and deliver a net zero economy by 2050, we need to further reduce our use of coal. We are among the first countries in the world to commit to closing all unabated coal power plants. We intend to do this by 2024.

8th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of increases in the domestic supply of coal on global carbon emissions.

Domestic production of coal, alongside the amounts of coal imported in the UK, have been steadily declining in the last five years. This is evidenced by the figures published by the Department here: DUKES table 2.4.

In order to tackle climate change and deliver a net zero economy by 2050, we need to further reduce our use of coal. We are among the first countries in the world to commit to closing all unabated coal power plants. We intend to do this by 2024.

25th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to (a) issue fines, or (b) otherwise sanction social media platforms that fail to prevent users previously banned from a platform for abusive behaviour from creating new accounts on the platform; and if she will make a statement.

The Online Safety Bill will require social media platforms to tackle illegal content, including illegal abuse. The largest, high risk platforms will also need to set clear terms of service for such content and ensure they are properly enforced. Ofcom will set out steps that companies can take to fulfil their duties in codes of practice, and these could include measures such as preventing banned users from creating new accounts.

OFCOM will be able to sanction companies where they fail to adequately fulfil their new duties under the Bill. OFCOM will have a range of enforcement powers available to it, including: powers to issue substantial fines, require operators to take steps to remedy breaches and/or come into compliance with their duties, and to apply to the court for business disruption measures (including blocking) where appropriate.

Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
25th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the protections provided by Schedule 7 of the Online Safety Bill against online hate speech specifically targeted at (a) women and (b) disabled people; and if she will make a statement.

The Online Safety Bill contains robust protections for women, girls and disabled people online, who face disproportionate volumes of abuse.

All services in scope will need to put in place proportionate systems and processes to minimise the risk of priority illegal content appearing on their service and to swiftly remove it when it does appear. This will protect all online users, including from content which could constitute hate speech under the Public Order Act 1986. This includes behaviours that are threatening and abusive and result in harassment, alarm or distress. The list of priority offences includes a number of offences which disproportionately afffect women and girls, such as revenge pornography and cyberstalking, which companies must tackle.

Beyond the priority offences, all services will need to ensure that they have quickly taken down other illegal content directed at women and girls and disabled people once it has been reported or they become aware of its presence. Women, girls and disabled users will also be able to report abuse, and should expect to receive an appropriate response from the platform. Ofcom will also have a duty to consider the vulnerability of users whose circumstances appear to put them in need of special protection when performing its duties.

If major platforms don’t fulfil their own standards to keep people safe, they could face an investigation and enforcement action.

Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
9th Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish (a) the social media companies, (b) other online platforms and (c) experts on online harms that his Department consulted with in the process of formulating the guidance entitled Online Safety Guidance if you own or manage an online platform, published on 29 June 2021.

The voluntary, non-statutory guidance entitled ‘Online Safety Guidance if you own or manage an online platform’ published by the Government is targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and at start-up organisations, specifically those that are likely to be in scope of future Online Safety legislation. The guidance was developed in consultation with relevant SMEs and start-ups to understand their needs and to frame the guidance in the most user-friendly and effective way. This included multiple rounds of user research and feedback on how information should be presented.

We are unable to publicly name individual companies that took part in user testing, due to the approach agreed with these organisations when they took part in the research. DCMS also worked with relevant industry bodies who represent hundreds of SME and start-up organisations to draw up the content for the guidance. This includes Tech Nation, the Coalition for a Digital Economy (Coadec), the Federation of Small Businesses, the Independent Game Developers' Association (Tiga) and the Association for UK Interactive Entertainment (UKIE), as well as subject matter experts in government and civil society.

10th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that platforms carrying user-generated video content engage with the British Board of Film Classification on their best practice age labelling guidelines.

The BBFC offers unparalleled expertise in content classification. Ministers and officials will continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including the BBFC, on the video sharing platform regime and the upcoming Online Safety Bill.

The video sharing platform regime, for which Ofcom is the regulator, came into force on 1 November 2020. UK-established video sharing platforms must now take appropriate measures to protect the public, including minors, from illegal and harmful material. Video sharing platforms are not currently mandated to adopt BBFC ratings, nor is it expected that they will be mandated to do so under Ofcom’s regulatory regime for video sharing platforms.

The Government recognises age ratings as an important tool for audience protection, however they are most effective when used in conjunction with other protection tools, such as age assurance and parental controls. Video sharing platforms encompass a broad range of services so it is important that there is flexibility in the regime to be able to adopt tailored approaches. Platforms should consider what measures are most appropriate and proportionate when introducing them on their services.

The BBFC is engaging with both Ofcom and online platforms to share their expertise on emerging technologies and the applicability of content ratings. The Government will also continue to engage with the BBFC, Ofcom and industry to encourage platforms to adopt appropriate content labelling and other age assurance measures in relation to the upcoming Online Safety Bill.

8th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will consult with the British Board of Film Classification on the development of the Online Safety Bill in relation to (a) content standards and (b) the regulation of pornographic content.

Ministers and officials will continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders on the development of the Online Safety Bill, including the BBFC. The BBFC offers unparalleled expertise in content classification, including pornographic content.

The video sharing platform regime, for which Ofcom is the regulator, came into force on 1 November 2020. UK-established video sharing platforms must now take appropriate measures to protect the public, including minors, from illegal and harmful material. Ofcom, and the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) have a strong collaborative relationship when working on audience protection issues. The BBFC is engaging actively with both Ofcom and video sharing platforms to share their expertise on emerging technologies and the applicability of content ratings.

Over the past year the government has also been working with the BBFC and industry to drive the voluntary adoption of the BBFC’s age rating symbols by video on demand platforms. We will continue to engage with industry to encourage platforms to use BBFC age ratings, and will keep the evidence for legislation in this area under review.

4th Feb 2021
What steps his Department is taking to support businesses in the (a) hospitality, (b) entertainment and (c) arts and culture sectors.

We know that businesses in arts, culture, entertainment and hospitality have been hit hard by this pandemic. That's why we secured an unprecedented £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund of which over £1 billion has so far been allocated so far to over 3000 organisations.

This is along a world class package of broader economy measures worth hundreds of billions, including the furloughing scheme and the Self Employed Income Support Scheme

28th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many times (a) he and (b) his officials working on the Online Harms Bill have met with representatives of (i) Facebook, (ii) Twitter, (iii) Google and YouTube, (iv) TikTok and (v) Ofcom in the last three months.

Ministers and officials have had regular meetings and discussions with industry, Ofcom and other stakeholders on a range of issues over the last three months, including online safety. Details of Ministerial meetings are published quarterly on the Gov.uk website.

22nd Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what support his Department provides to broadband customers in urban areas who are unable to access fibre-to-the-cabinet, where Openreach has no plans to make such services available and whose premises are above the connectivity thresholds in the universal service obligation.

The government is committed to delivering nationwide coverage of gigabit-capable broadband as soon as possible by encouraging network build by Openreach and a range of alternative competing networks. Gigabit broadband will provide customers in urban areas with access to faster and more resilient broadband.

To support this objective, we are taking action to remove barriers to the commercial roll out of faster broadband. For example, we have introduced legislation into Parliament to make it easier to connect tenanted properties where there are unresponsive landlords. In addition, we have plans to mandate connectivity in new builds, and are working with the Department for Transport to reform the streetworks regime to make it quicker and easier to deploy new networks.

22nd Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many and what proportion of urban properties are unable to access fibre-to-the-cabinet broadband and above the connectivity thresholds for the universal service obligation.

Ofcom’s Connected Nations Report 2019 found that 2% of all urban properties (approximately 322,000 premises) in the UK could receive a fixed broadband connection that was above the threshold for the Universal Service Obligation but below 30Mbps, the typical minimum speed delivered by Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) technology. These statistics consider only fixed network provision.

The Department does not hold the information about how many or what proportion of properties are specifically connected using Fibre to the Cabinet technology. Many urban properties can also access 30 Mbps speeds or more using cable networks, as well as 4G and 5G mobile services capable of delivering broadband speeds above the Universal Service Obligation thresholds.

22nd Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many and what proportion of urban properties are unable to access fibre-to-the-cabinet broadband and qualify for assistance under the universal service obligation.

The Ofcom Connected Nations Report 2019 found that 1% of all urban properties (approximately 161,000 premises) in the UK were unable to access a fixed broadband connection that met the minimum speed thresholds under the Universal Service Obligation (USO). However, the vast majority of these premises are likely to be able to access a 4G or 5G mobile service that provides USO level download and upload speeds or higher and will not therefore be eligible for an upgraded connection under the Universal Service Obligation.

22nd Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the minimum levels of connectivity required for assistance under the universal service obligation.

The speed and technical requirements of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) were set on the basis of advice from Ofcom that they would meet broadband requirements of a typical household, including both voice and video calls, and the government’s consultation on the USO. The USO acts as a digital safety net for households unable to access a broadband service that meets these requirements at present. The government is committed to keeping the USO specification under review in light of consumer’s evolving needs and connectivity usage trends.

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)
16th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made a recent assessment of the safety of school buildings constructed using block and beam concrete.

It is the responsibility of those running schools – academy trusts, local authorities, and voluntary-aided school bodies – to collect and record information about their buildings and to ensure they are safe, well-maintained and comply with relevant regulations. The department supports schools and colleges on how this should be done in the Good Estate Management for Schools guidance, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-estate-management-for-schools.

The department does not hold a central register of construction types used in the education estate. Beam and block is one of the most common construction methods and is used across many building types. As for all construction materials, its lifespan will depend on its maintenance history and use.

Departmental officials have regular discussions with relevant professional bodies and leading material specialists to ensure they are aware of any emerging evidence regarding the safety of construction materials used in the education estate.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
16th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the average expected design life is of schools constructed using block and beam concrete.

It is the responsibility of those running schools – academy trusts, local authorities, and voluntary-aided school bodies – to collect and record information about their buildings and to ensure they are safe, well-maintained and comply with relevant regulations. The department supports schools and colleges on how this should be done in the Good Estate Management for Schools guidance, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-estate-management-for-schools.

The department does not hold a central register of construction types used in the education estate. Beam and block is one of the most common construction methods and is used across many building types. As for all construction materials, its lifespan will depend on its maintenance history and use.

Departmental officials have regular discussions with relevant professional bodies and leading material specialists to ensure they are aware of any emerging evidence regarding the safety of construction materials used in the education estate.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
16th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools were constructed using block and beam concrete in each local authority.

It is the responsibility of those running schools – academy trusts, local authorities, and voluntary-aided school bodies – to collect and record information about their buildings and to ensure they are safe, well-maintained and comply with relevant regulations. The department supports schools and colleges on how this should be done in the Good Estate Management for Schools guidance, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-estate-management-for-schools.

The department does not hold a central register of construction types used in the education estate. Beam and block is one of the most common construction methods and is used across many building types. As for all construction materials, its lifespan will depend on its maintenance history and use.

Departmental officials have regular discussions with relevant professional bodies and leading material specialists to ensure they are aware of any emerging evidence regarding the safety of construction materials used in the education estate.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
16th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 27 April 2023 to question HL7130 on Teachers: Workplace Pensions, if she will publish a table of the dates on which Teacher Pension Scheme contribution rates for employers involved in the provision of private education have changed since 2003 including what the new rate was after each change.
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 27 April 2023 to Question HL7130 on Teachers: Workplace Pensions, if she will publish a list of employers involved in the provision of private education which (a) are or (b) have been since 11 May 2010 participants in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

The information is not readily available or held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many school children are learning online due to the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in their schools in each region.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many school (a) sports and (b) recreational pitches have been used for temporary classrooms due to the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in main school buildings.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

19th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the highest number of lost learning days was in the schools in which the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete was deemed to be critical.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

19th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her Department's planned timetable is for completing the necessary rebuilding work for schools that require steel props or timber ceilings as a result of the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

19th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of responsible bodies that have completed reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) surveys have responded that they do not know whether RAAC is present within school buildings for which they are responsible.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

19th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number of schools that will require temporary classrooms due to the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC); how many schools that require temporary classrooms due to the presence of RAAC have already received them; and what estimate she has made of the number and proportion of schools that require temporary classrooms due to the presence of RAAC will have received them by 20 November 2023.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

19th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish the (a) capital support, (b) revenue support and (c) support for (i) portacabins and (ii) other temporary accommodation provided by her Department for each school affected by RAAC .

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

19th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish a list of the (a) number of portacabins currently (i) on-site and (ii) in-use and (b) dates on which each portacabin will be removed for every school affected by RAAC; and if she will make a statement.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

16th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of allowing pupils who are eligible for free school meals to use an unspent daily allowance on a future day.

The Department allocates funding to schools to support free school meals (FSM) provision, through their core budgets. In 2023/24, the funding rate for each pupil who is eligible for FSM stands at £480. In total, the Department spends over £1 billion each year on free meals, which now support over one third of pupils in England.

FSM are intended as a benefit in kind, rather than a cash benefit, and the Department’s primary interest is that schools meet their legal duties to provide nutritious free lunches to eligible pupils.

Schools have considerable freedom in how they deliver FSM, and it is important that pupils are claiming their free lunch each day. Schools and colleges should ensure pupils are not building up significant cash reserves on their accounts or regularly spending their allowances at other times of day without receiving their healthy lunch.

16th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what were the savings to the public purse of unspent free school meal allowances in the (a) 2020-21, (b) 2021-22 and (c) 2022-23 financial years; and if she will make a statement.

The Department allocates funding to schools to support free school meals (FSM) provision, through their core budgets. In 2023/24, the funding rate for each pupil who is eligible for FSM stands at £480. In total, the Department spends over £1 billion each year on free meals, which now support over one third of pupils in England.

FSM are intended as a benefit in kind, rather than a cash benefit, and the Department’s primary interest is that schools meet their legal duties to provide nutritious free lunches to eligible pupils.

Schools have considerable freedom in how they deliver FSM, and it is important that pupils are claiming their free lunch each day. Schools and colleges should ensure pupils are not building up significant cash reserves on their accounts or regularly spending their allowances at other times of day without receiving their healthy lunch.

14th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate her Department has made of the amount of debt owed by families for school meals for the latest period for which data is available; what recent discussions she has held with (a) local authorities and (b) schools on this issue; and if she will make a statement.

The latest published statistics show that over 2 million pupils are claiming free school meals (FSM). This equates to 23.8% of all pupils, up from 22.5% in 2022. Together with almost 1.3 million infants supported through the Universal Infant Free School Meal (UIFSM) policy, over one third of pupils receive a free meal in school.

The Department does not routinely collect information on the proportion of pupils that may be entitled to a FSM but do not make a claim.

The Department’s primary interest is ensuring that all pupils who are entitled to free meals take this offer up. We also want to make it as simple as possible for schools and Local Authorities to determine eligibility. The Department provides an Eligibility Checking System to make the checking process as quick and straightforward as possible for schools and Local Authorities. The Department has also developed a model registration form to help schools encourage parents to sign up for FSM and provide guidance to Jobcentre Plus advisers so that they can make Universal Credit recipients aware that they may also be entitled to wider benefits, including FSM.

The take-up rate of UIFSM currently stands at 85%. The Department has not formally assessed the proportion of infant pupils who are entitled to, but not registered for FSM. The Department encourages all families who meet the eligibility criteria to apply for FSM.

The Department also has not estimated the amount of lunch debt owed by families for school meals. The Government continues to monitor cost-of-living issues that are affecting families.

14th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate she has made of the number and proportion of pupils in (a) reception, (b) Year 1 and (c) Year 2 who qualify for means-tested free school meals but are not registered for them; and if she will make a statement.

The latest published statistics show that over 2 million pupils are claiming free school meals (FSM). This equates to 23.8% of all pupils, up from 22.5% in 2022. Together with almost 1.3 million infants supported through the Universal Infant Free School Meal (UIFSM) policy, over one third of pupils receive a free meal in school.

The Department does not routinely collect information on the proportion of pupils that may be entitled to a FSM but do not make a claim.

The Department’s primary interest is ensuring that all pupils who are entitled to free meals take this offer up. We also want to make it as simple as possible for schools and Local Authorities to determine eligibility. The Department provides an Eligibility Checking System to make the checking process as quick and straightforward as possible for schools and Local Authorities. The Department has also developed a model registration form to help schools encourage parents to sign up for FSM and provide guidance to Jobcentre Plus advisers so that they can make Universal Credit recipients aware that they may also be entitled to wider benefits, including FSM.

The take-up rate of UIFSM currently stands at 85%. The Department has not formally assessed the proportion of infant pupils who are entitled to, but not registered for FSM. The Department encourages all families who meet the eligibility criteria to apply for FSM.

The Department also has not estimated the amount of lunch debt owed by families for school meals. The Government continues to monitor cost-of-living issues that are affecting families.

14th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2023 to Question 165189 on Free School Meals, for what reason her Department has not made an estimate of the take-up rate for free school meals since December 2013; and if she will make a statement.

The latest published statistics show that over 2 million pupils are claiming free school meals (FSM). This equates to 23.8% of all pupils, up from 22.5% in 2022. Together with almost 1.3 million infants supported through the Universal Infant Free School Meal (UIFSM) policy, over one third of pupils receive a free meal in school.

The Department does not routinely collect information on the proportion of pupils that may be entitled to a FSM but do not make a claim.

The Department’s primary interest is ensuring that all pupils who are entitled to free meals take this offer up. We also want to make it as simple as possible for schools and Local Authorities to determine eligibility. The Department provides an Eligibility Checking System to make the checking process as quick and straightforward as possible for schools and Local Authorities. The Department has also developed a model registration form to help schools encourage parents to sign up for FSM and provide guidance to Jobcentre Plus advisers so that they can make Universal Credit recipients aware that they may also be entitled to wider benefits, including FSM.

The take-up rate of UIFSM currently stands at 85%. The Department has not formally assessed the proportion of infant pupils who are entitled to, but not registered for FSM. The Department encourages all families who meet the eligibility criteria to apply for FSM.

The Department also has not estimated the amount of lunch debt owed by families for school meals. The Government continues to monitor cost-of-living issues that are affecting families.

7th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate, broken down by each UK (a) nation and (b) region, of the number and proportion of all two-year-olds who were eligible for 15 hours per week of free education and childcare in each of the last five years.

Statistics relating to the 15-hour and 30-hour entitlements are published in the annual 'Education provision: children under 5 years of age’ publication: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-provision-children-under-5. The next release containing January 2023 data is scheduled to be published at the end of June 2023.

The 15 and 30-hour entitlements are delivered by local authorities in England and figures for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for the devolved administrations.

There were 135,410 2-year-olds and 1,212,234 3- and 4-year-olds who were registered for the 15-hour entitlement in England in January 2022. These children made up an estimated 72% of eligible 2-year-olds and 92% of all 3- and 4-year-olds respectively. A breakdown of these figures by English region can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/64a833c2-2940-4b9f-933c-08db08498a11.

An estimated 188,318 2-year-olds were eligible for the 15-hour entitlement in England in January 2022, compared to 215,879 in January 2018. Figures for 2018 to 2022, including breakdowns by English region, can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/acbbfd49-2d45-4b58-4871-08db0841e01e.

In 2022, an estimated 30% of all 2-year-olds in England were eligible for the 15-hour entitlement, down from an estimated 32% in 2018. These figures were estimated using Office for National Statistics population estimates and Department for Work and Pensions data on the number of children meeting the benefit and tax credit eligibility criteria. Figures for 2018 to 2022, including breakdowns by English region, are attached.

Claire Coutinho
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
7th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of eligible (a) two-year-olds and (b) three to four-year-olds are registered for 15 hours per week of free early education and childcare, broken down by each UK (i) nation and (ii) region, as of 7 February 2023.

Statistics relating to the 15-hour and 30-hour entitlements are published in the annual 'Education provision: children under 5 years of age’ publication: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-provision-children-under-5. The next release containing January 2023 data is scheduled to be published at the end of June 2023.

The 15 and 30-hour entitlements are delivered by local authorities in England and figures for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for the devolved administrations.

There were 135,410 2-year-olds and 1,212,234 3- and 4-year-olds who were registered for the 15-hour entitlement in England in January 2022. These children made up an estimated 72% of eligible 2-year-olds and 92% of all 3- and 4-year-olds respectively. A breakdown of these figures by English region can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/64a833c2-2940-4b9f-933c-08db08498a11.

An estimated 188,318 2-year-olds were eligible for the 15-hour entitlement in England in January 2022, compared to 215,879 in January 2018. Figures for 2018 to 2022, including breakdowns by English region, can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/acbbfd49-2d45-4b58-4871-08db0841e01e.

In 2022, an estimated 30% of all 2-year-olds in England were eligible for the 15-hour entitlement, down from an estimated 32% in 2018. These figures were estimated using Office for National Statistics population estimates and Department for Work and Pensions data on the number of children meeting the benefit and tax credit eligibility criteria. Figures for 2018 to 2022, including breakdowns by English region, are attached.

Claire Coutinho
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
7th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate, broken down by each UK (a) nation and (b) region, of the number and proportion of all three to four-year-olds who were eligible for 30 hours per week of free education and childcare in each of the last five years.

Statistics relating to the 15-hour and 30-hour entitlements are published in the annual ‘Education provision: children under 5 years of age’ publication: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-provision-children-under-5. The next release containing January 2023 data is scheduled to be published at the end of June 2023.

The 15 and 30-hour entitlements are delivered by local authorities in England and figures for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for the devolved administrations.

There were 348,126 3- and 4-year-olds who were registered for the 30-hour entitlement in England in January 2022. Figures by English region can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/ab1f0941-2272-466d-9347-08db08498a11. This equated to an estimated four in five eligible children in January 2022.

In January 2022, an estimated 440,000 3- and 4-year-olds were eligible for the 30-hour entitlement in England, up from an estimated 390,000 in 2018. An estimated 48% of the overall 3- and 4-year-old population in England were eligible for the 30-hour entitlement in 2022, up from an estimated 42% in 2018. Figures from 2018 to 2022, rounded to the nearest 10,000, are attached.

These figures are based on Office for National Statistics population estimates, Family Resources Survey data and Survey of Personal Incomes data and is published within the ‘Education provision: children under 5 years of age’ statistical release, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-provision-children-under-5.

Due to the statistical uncertainty surrounding this estimate derived from survey data, it cannot be provided at a regional level.

Claire Coutinho
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
7th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of eligible three to four-year-olds are registered for 30 hours per week of free early education and childcare, broken down by each UK (i) nation and (ii) region, as of 7 February 2023.

Statistics relating to the 15-hour and 30-hour entitlements are published in the annual ‘Education provision: children under 5 years of age’ publication: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-provision-children-under-5. The next release containing January 2023 data is scheduled to be published at the end of June 2023.

The 15 and 30-hour entitlements are delivered by local authorities in England and figures for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for the devolved administrations.

There were 348,126 3- and 4-year-olds who were registered for the 30-hour entitlement in England in January 2022. Figures by English region can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/ab1f0941-2272-466d-9347-08db08498a11. This equated to an estimated four in five eligible children in January 2022.

In January 2022, an estimated 440,000 3- and 4-year-olds were eligible for the 30-hour entitlement in England, up from an estimated 390,000 in 2018. An estimated 48% of the overall 3- and 4-year-old population in England were eligible for the 30-hour entitlement in 2022, up from an estimated 42% in 2018. Figures from 2018 to 2022, rounded to the nearest 10,000, are attached.

These figures are based on Office for National Statistics population estimates, Family Resources Survey data and Survey of Personal Incomes data and is published within the ‘Education provision: children under 5 years of age’ statistical release, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-provision-children-under-5.

Due to the statistical uncertainty surrounding this estimate derived from survey data, it cannot be provided at a regional level.

Claire Coutinho
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
6th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what was the total (a) value and (b) number of grants and funding awarded via competitive bidding processes by her Department in each of the last four years; and how many competitive bidding applications have been received by her Department in each of the last four years.

The Department uses a competitive application process for general grants by default, wherever possible and appropriate. This is to encourage innovation, reduce reliance on incumbent organisations, drive value for money, and maximise outcomes. Competition for grant funding can be via a challenge fund, where organisations compete for a portion of the available funding, in line with application guidance, or via a more traditional competition where organisations compete against each other through the submission of a delivery proposal for a single award of funding. The value and volume of competed general grant schemes for the Department is available for the 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21 financial years at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-grants-data-and-statistics. Data relating to the 2021/22 financial year will be published in March 2023.

25th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his Department’s press release of 2 April 2022, Infants, children and families to benefit from boost in support, when the 75 local authorities announced as eligible for Family Hubs funding will be contacted and provided with further details on next steps.

Since the announcement on 2 April 2022, the Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care officials have been engaging with nominated officers from the 75 eligible local authorities. Departmental officials held a series of webinars and focus groups to provide an overview of the programme, and to respond to questions. The discussions were also used to seek information and views from the local authority officers on various elements of the detailed programme design, to ensure that the funding is used effectively.

Local authorities have been provided with a dedicated email address where they can contact departmental officials working on the programme. Local authorities will receive further detailed information once this process concludes.

24th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions officials in his Department have had with their counterparts in the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on raising the eligibility threshold for free school meals in the forthcoming Food Strategy White Paper; and if he will make a statement.

The department continues to work closely with other departments across government in considering eligibility for free school meals (FSM). This has included working closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to consider all the evidence and recommendations of the National Food Strategy. The Government Food Strategy White Paper will be published in due course.

As set out previously, eligibility for FSM has been extended several times and to more groups of children than any other government over the past half a century, including the introduction of universal infant FSM, and further education free meals.

The department is also permanently extending FSM eligibility to children from all groups with no recourse to public funds. This will come into effect for the start of the summer term.

24th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the estimate by the Child Poverty Action Group, North East Child Poverty Commission and Children North East that one in four children living in poverty in the North East do not qualify for means-tested free school meals under the current eligibility criteria; and if he will make a statement.

The department continues to work closely with other departments across government in considering eligibility for free school meals (FSM). This has included working closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to consider all the evidence and recommendations of the National Food Strategy. The Government Food Strategy White Paper will be published in due course.

As set out previously, eligibility for FSM has been extended several times and to more groups of children than any other government over the past half a century, including the introduction of universal infant FSM, and further education free meals.

The department is also permanently extending FSM eligibility to children from all groups with no recourse to public funds. This will come into effect for the start of the summer term.

24th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate the Government has made of the proportion of children living in families with (a) very low food security and (b) low food security, according the definitions of the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs, who are not eligible to receive means-tested free school meals.

The department continues to work closely with other departments across government in considering eligibility for free school meals (FSM). This has included working closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to consider all the evidence and recommendations of the National Food Strategy. The Government Food Strategy White Paper will be published in due course.

As set out previously, eligibility for FSM has been extended several times and to more groups of children than any other government over the past half a century, including the introduction of universal infant FSM, and further education free meals.

The department is also permanently extending FSM eligibility to children from all groups with no recourse to public funds. This will come into effect for the start of the summer term.

23rd Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 15 December 2021 to Question 88857 on Free School Meals: Migrants, when he expects his Department’s evaluation of access to free school meals for families with no recourse to public funds to be completed.

The department will be extending free school meal (FSM) eligibility to children from all groups with no recourse to public funds (NRPF). More information on this can be found in written statement HCWS714, available here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2022-03-24/hcws714.

Information on the number of children who received a free meal, and attracted pupil premium funding under the temporary extension of FSM eligibility to some NRPF households in the 2021/22 financial year can be found in the third document here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-allocations-and-conditions-of-grant-2021-to-2022.

23rd Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of experiencing (a) very low food security and (b) low food security, as defined by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on educational attainment; and if he will make a statement.

Under benefits-related criteria, the department provide a free healthy meal to around 1.7 million children, ensuring they are well nourished, and can concentrate, learn, and achieve in the classroom.

Under this government, eligibility for free school meals has been extended several times, including through the introduction of universal infant free school meals, and further education free school meals.

The department are permanently extending free school meal eligibility to children from all groups with no recourse to public funds. This will come into effect for the start of the summer term.

Whilst take-up of free school meals is strong, we want to make sure as many eligible pupils as possible are claiming their free school meals, and to make it as simple as possible for schools and local authorities to determine eligibility.

To support this, the department provides an eligibility checking system to make the checking process as quick and straightforward as possible for schools and local authorities. The department have also developed a model registration form to help schools encourage parents to sign up for free school meals and provide guidance to Jobcentre Plus advisers so that they can make Universal Credit recipients aware that they may also be entitled to wider benefits, including free school meals. We continue to explore ways that the verification process can be improved.

As announced in the Spring Statement, the government is continuing to provide targeted cost of living support for households most in need. From April 2022, the government is providing an additional £500 million to help households with the cost of household essentials, on top of what we have already provided since October 2021, bringing the total funding for this support to £1 billion.

23rd Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reason his Department does not use data held by the Department for Work and Pensions to automatically register all pupils eligible for means-tested free school meals; and if he will make a statement.

Under benefits-related criteria, the department provide a free healthy meal to around 1.7 million children, ensuring they are well nourished, and can concentrate, learn, and achieve in the classroom.

Under this government, eligibility for free school meals has been extended several times, including through the introduction of universal infant free school meals, and further education free school meals.

The department are permanently extending free school meal eligibility to children from all groups with no recourse to public funds. This will come into effect for the start of the summer term.

Whilst take-up of free school meals is strong, we want to make sure as many eligible pupils as possible are claiming their free school meals, and to make it as simple as possible for schools and local authorities to determine eligibility.

To support this, the department provides an eligibility checking system to make the checking process as quick and straightforward as possible for schools and local authorities. The department have also developed a model registration form to help schools encourage parents to sign up for free school meals and provide guidance to Jobcentre Plus advisers so that they can make Universal Credit recipients aware that they may also be entitled to wider benefits, including free school meals. We continue to explore ways that the verification process can be improved.

As announced in the Spring Statement, the government is continuing to provide targeted cost of living support for households most in need. From April 2022, the government is providing an additional £500 million to help households with the cost of household essentials, on top of what we have already provided since October 2021, bringing the total funding for this support to £1 billion.