Asked by: Jess Asato (Labour - Lowestoft)
Question
To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, what steps the Commission is taking to ensure that the outcomes from the Savings and Improvements Programme adequately support the continued delivery of Parliament's educational outreach programmes.
Answered by Nick Smith
The Commission has considered the changes to the education outreach model proposed by the Chamber and Participation Team. These changes have also been considered by the Administration Committee and the Lords Services Committee.
The proposed continued support for the educational outreach programme will focus on the key benefit of a supporting the establishment of a UK wide digital education model which ensures there are no geographic barriers to participation for schools. Every school, regardless of their location in the UK, will be able to join a session to participate, putting all schools on an equal footing. This support includes the proposed creation of a digital education room at Westminster, a staff team to lead the education programme and the resources to create a new programme that meets the curriculum.
Research has been conducted by the Participation Team on ambitious digital education programmes already underway across the UK with institutions including the Royal Ballet and Opera, The North East Museums Service, and the Holocaust Education Trust all of whom are reaching tens of thousands of students across the UK through the digital education programmes they already have in place.
Under the current outreach model, in 2025/26 only 9% of Members were involved in a school outreach visit and 32% of constituencies received no outreach visits at all. The proposed new service aims to significantly improve on these figures, with much greater opportunities for Members to join in with digital sessions with their local schools. The total, combined reach of the proposed new service is expected to be the same as or greater than the current service by the third year of its operation.
Proposed changes to the staffing of the Education Outreach team would save a total of £550k per annum. The House of Commons share of this saving would be £385k per annum as the House of Commons contributes 70% of the Education Outreach team budget. An estimated £40k per annum would be required for software licensing for new digital services. An initial investment in the creation of a dedicated digital education room would be subject to more detailed financial modelling and any necessary approvals.
Other outreach and education services provided by the Participation team for audiences across the UK – including the Education Centre, UK Parliament Week, Teacher Training, Learn with the Lords, and the Travel Subsidy – are not affected by this proposal. All of these education services have UK wide regional and national reach that reflect the percentage of schools in each area. This support to the education service remains in place to create a holistic education programme for schools to select from.
Asked by: Jess Asato (Labour - Lowestoft)
Question
To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment the Commission has made of the adequacy of planned levels of future funding for the Chamber and Participation Team’s Outreach Team.
Answered by Nick Smith
The Commission has considered the Chamber and Participation Team’s proposed changes to the educational outreach model. These changes have also been considered by the Administration Committee and Lords Services Committee. A formal consultation with affected staff is underway and will close on 29 June 2026. Final decisions will be taken following the conclusion of the consultation.
The proposed changes involve the development of a smaller, Westminster-based team, which would operate a UK-wide digital outreach service. Under the current model, in 2025/26 only 9% of Members were involved in a school outreach visit and 32% of constituencies received no outreach visits at all. The new service aims to significantly improve on these figures, with much greater opportunities for Members to join in with digital sessions with their local schools. The total, combined reach of the new service is expected to be the same as or greater than the current service by the third year of its operation.
Proposed changes to the staffing of the Education Outreach team would save a total of £550k per annum. The House of Commons share of this saving would be £385k per annum as the House of Commons contributes 70% of the Education Outreach team budget. An estimated £40k per annum would be required for software licensing for new digital services. An initial investment in the creation of a dedicated digital education room would be subject to more detailed financial modelling and any necessary approvals.
Other outreach and education services provided by the Participation team for audiences across the UK – including the Education Centre, UK Parliament Week, Teacher Training, Learn with the Lords, and the Travel Subsidy – are not affected by this proposal.
Asked by: Jess Asato (Labour - Lowestoft)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether Best Start in Life Family Hubs will include families with children aged 2 and under at risk of developing speech and language challenges.
Answered by Olivia Bailey
Best Start Family Hubs focus on pregnancy and the early years,including the 1,001 critical days from conception to age 2,while also welcoming all families with older children up to age 19 (or 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities). This includes children aged 2 and under at risk of developing speech, language and communication needs. They bring together health, parenting and early years services, backed by £900 million to deliver a strong universal and targeted offer.
Evidence shows that what happens at home is central to a child’s development and long-term life chances. Hubs offer accessible services such as stay and play sessions and play‑based early language activities, giving parents practical advice and guidance, building confidence and relationships, and supporting a rich home learning environment through warmth, play and everyday communication.
Each hub will have a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner (BSIP) to provide early support for children aged 0 to 5 with emerging needs, without need for a formal diagnosis. BSIPs work across hubs and outreach locations, collaborating with speech and language therapists and others to provide joined‑up support.