Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Patients and pupils to benefit from school and hospital repairs, published on 30 May 2025, how much funding will be allocated to schools in each (a) constituency and (b) local authority.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
This government has increased investment for improving our school buildings to £2.1 billion for the 2025/26 financial year, almost £300 million more than last year. As part of that, close to £470 million has been made available to eligible schools and sixth-form colleges through the Condition Improvement Fund.
The department has published details of successful projects and applicants to the Condition Improvement Fund for the 2025/26 financial year, including by local authority, and constituency. We do not, however, publish amounts of funding awarded at project, school, constituency or local authority level to protect the commercial interests of schools in getting best value from the market. We have published the aggregated amount allocated to projects at regional level.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to extend the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund beyond March 2025.
Answered by Janet Daby
I refer the hon. Member for Wokingham to the answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 26025.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education,what steps she is taking to improve SEND provision in Berkshire.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell
Our promise to families is that we are absolutely committed to improving the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system and regaining their confidence.
The department and NHS England have systems in place to support and challenge local areas across Berkshire, to ensure children and young people with SEND have the best possible outcomes.
Where a council does not meet its duties, the department can take action that prioritises children’s needs and supports local areas to bring about rapid improvement. We continue to offer a range of universal, targeted and intensive support through the department’s managed programmes.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Wokingham on the British Psychological Society campaign for reform of the SEND system, dated 10 October 2024.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell
I can confirm that a response to the correspondence dated 10 October 2024 from the hon. Member for Wokingham was sent on 15 October 2024.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Education in response to the question from the hon. Member for Wokingham of Tuesday 3 December, Official Report, column 96WH, if she will write to provide further information.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell
I am happy to write to the hon. Member for Wokingham and Wokingham Borough Council to provide an update on these schools.
The government is clear it wants to make sure all children with special educational needs and disabilities receive the support they need to achieve and thrive. That is why the government set out a clear ambition to improve inclusivity in mainstream schools, while ensuring that special schools cater for children and young people with the most complex needs.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of school compliance with school food standards to provide milk for pupils entitled to free school meals.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Under the School Food Standards, schools must ensure milk is available to all pupils who want it during school hours. Section 512ZB (3) of the Education Act 1996 sets out the requirement that milk must be provided free of charge to pupils eligible for free school meals.
Compliance with the School Food Standards is mandatory for all maintained schools, academies and free schools. Governors have a responsibility to ensure compliance and should appropriately challenge the headteacher and senior leadership team to ensure the school is meeting its obligations.