Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate the Government has made of the number of children who didn’t reach the water safety section of national curriculum swimming lessons.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The PE national curriculum makes specific reference to swimming and water safety, stating that all primary pupils must learn to swim competently and confidently over a distance of at least 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively, and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations. It is for schools to ensure that pupils are taught the nation curriculum. Data suggests that 73% of children can swim 25 metres before they leave primary school.
Our reforms to the PE curriculum will ensure there is a clear emphasis on swimming and water safety, and our new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will bring the expertise of national governing bodies including Swim England directly into schools.
In addition, we have made changes to statutory requirements for relationships, sex and health education in both primary and secondary to ensure all pupils are taught about the water safety code, supporting them to be safe in different types of water. This requirement comes into force from September.
Oak National Academy offers swimming and water safety units as part of its PE curriculum, developed in partnership with Swim England for all age groups. We also work closely with sector organisations like Swim England and the Royal Life Saving Society UK, supporting all schools to provide swimming and water safety lessons through teacher training and resources.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that children who didn’t reach the water safety section of national curriculum swimming lessons receive the required teaching on water safety.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The PE national curriculum makes specific reference to swimming and water safety, stating that all primary pupils must learn to swim competently and confidently over a distance of at least 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively, and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations. It is for schools to ensure that pupils are taught the nation curriculum. Data suggests that 73% of children can swim 25 metres before they leave primary school.
Our reforms to the PE curriculum will ensure there is a clear emphasis on swimming and water safety, and our new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will bring the expertise of national governing bodies including Swim England directly into schools.
In addition, we have made changes to statutory requirements for relationships, sex and health education in both primary and secondary to ensure all pupils are taught about the water safety code, supporting them to be safe in different types of water. This requirement comes into force from September.
Oak National Academy offers swimming and water safety units as part of its PE curriculum, developed in partnership with Swim England for all age groups. We also work closely with sector organisations like Swim England and the Royal Life Saving Society UK, supporting all schools to provide swimming and water safety lessons through teacher training and resources.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve support available to children in kinship care.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 now requires local authorities to publish a Kinship Local Offer, setting out available support and consulting relevant stakeholders before publication
In February 2026, the department launched seven Kinship Zones which will test the impact of providing kinship carers a weekly financial allowance. The pilot will run for three and a half years, with £126 million confirmed for the first two years
Family Network Support Packages will provide financial help to family members who support children remaining with their birth parents. These initiatives form part of a coherent support pathway from early family help to long-term kinship care.
Peer support for carers is expanding through the charity Kinship, which has supported over 180 groups across England.
Further reforms will extend Virtual School Head support to all children in kinship care from September 2027, while continued investment in the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund will help children access therapeutic support.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help support care leavers with the cost of housing.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Care leavers often face major challenges in securing and maintaining safe, affordable housing. To address this, funding for stable accommodation will continue in 2026/27. This includes support for the Staying Put programme, allowing young people to remain with foster families until age 21. Local authorities will also receive £21.1 million for the Staying Close programme, which provides practical and emotional help, including support to find and sustain accommodation, alongside an additional £3.2 million for those most at risk of homelessness or rough sleeping. Care leavers are further supported by a recommended minimum £3,000 Leaving Care Allowance to help furnish their first home.
Under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, Staying Close will become a national entitlement for eligible care leavers up to age 25. Local authorities will also be required to publish their local offer outlining how they will meet housing needs, work with housing services, and prevent homelessness among care leavers.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she has considered the potential merits of adding non level 4 (a) training, (b) adult education and (c) skills based courses to the eligibility for lifelong learning entitlement loans.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The government offers support for a range of level 2 and 3 courses through existing funding streams such as the Adult Skills Fund, Advanced Learner Loans and Free Courses for Jobs. The Adult Skills Fund fully funds or co-funds education and skills training for eligible adults aged 19 or older from pre-entry to level 3, to help them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning. Individuals can also take out an Advanced Learner Loan for level 3 courses.
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) will offer support for higher level courses. Subjects in scope for LLE modular funding are aligned to the priorities set out in the Industrial Strategy and informed by the work of Skills England.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she has considered the potential merits of including level 2 and 3 qualifications on the list of available courses for lifelong learning entitlement loans.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The government offers support for a range of level 2 and 3 courses through existing funding streams such as the Adult Skills Fund, Advanced Learner Loans and Free Courses for Jobs. The Adult Skills Fund fully funds or co-funds education and skills training for eligible adults aged 19 or older from pre-entry to level 3, to help them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning. Individuals can also take out an Advanced Learner Loan for level 3 courses.
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) will offer support for higher level courses. Subjects in scope for LLE modular funding are aligned to the priorities set out in the Industrial Strategy and informed by the work of Skills England.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her department has considered the potential merits of including additional water safety lessons during key stage 3.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The PE national curriculum makes specific reference to swimming and water safety, stating that all primary pupils must learn to swim competently and confidently over a distance of at least 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.
Our reforms to the PE curriculum will ensure there is a clear emphasis on swimming and water safety, and our new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will bring the expertise of national governing bodies including Swim England directly into schools.
In addition, we have made changes to statutory requirements for relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) in both primary and secondary to ensure all pupils are taught about the water safety code, supporting them to be safe in different types of water.
Oak National Academy offers swimming and water safety units as part of its PE curriculum, developed in partnership with Swim England for all age groups. We also work closely with sector organisations like Swim England and the Royal Life Saving Society UK, supporting all schools to provide swimming and water safety lessons through teacher training and resources.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has considered the potential merits of increasing the number of swimming lessons included as part of the national curriculum.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The PE national curriculum makes specific reference to swimming and water safety, stating that all primary pupils must learn to swim competently and confidently over a distance of at least 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.
Our reforms to the PE curriculum will ensure there is a clear emphasis on swimming and water safety, and our new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will bring the expertise of national governing bodies including Swim England directly into schools.
In addition, we have made changes to statutory requirements for relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) in both primary and secondary to ensure all pupils are taught about the water safety code, supporting them to be safe in different types of water.
Oak National Academy offers swimming and water safety units as part of its PE curriculum, developed in partnership with Swim England for all age groups. We also work closely with sector organisations like Swim England and the Royal Life Saving Society UK, supporting all schools to provide swimming and water safety lessons through teacher training and resources.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils are adequately educated on water safety.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The PE national curriculum makes specific reference to swimming and water safety, stating that all primary pupils must learn to swim competently and confidently over a distance of at least 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.
Our reforms to the PE curriculum will ensure there is a clear emphasis on swimming and water safety, and our new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will bring the expertise of national governing bodies including Swim England directly into schools.
In addition, we have made changes to statutory requirements for relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) in both primary and secondary to ensure all pupils are taught about the water safety code, supporting them to be safe in different types of water.
Oak National Academy offers swimming and water safety units as part of its PE curriculum, developed in partnership with Swim England for all age groups. We also work closely with sector organisations like Swim England and the Royal Life Saving Society UK, supporting all schools to provide swimming and water safety lessons through teacher training and resources.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to increase awareness among parents of safe sleeping practices for babies.
Answered by Olivia Bailey
Advice on safe sleeping is provided to parents through health visitors, midwives and early years professionals at key points during pregnancy and a child’s early months, in line with nationally recognised guidance. Best Start Family Hubs act as a front door to this support, bringing together health, early years and family services so parents can easily access trusted, in-person advice on infant care, including safe sleeping.
Alongside this, the Best Start in Life website, which launched on 1 September 2025, brings together information and support from across government in one place, making it easier for parents to find clear, reliable guidance on topics such as safe sleeping when they need it.
The department is continuing to invest in Best Start Family Hubs, strengthening their role as a universal access point for families and ensuring parents can benefit from both high-quality local support and joined-up digital services. These hubs are part of a wider Best Start in Life strategy, backed by over £900 million over the next three years, to expand family services, bring support together in one place, and make it easier for parents to get the help they need. Hundreds of Best Start Family Hubs are now open across England, with more on the way as we work towards having hubs in every local authority by 2028.
We are also updating the wording in the Early Years Foundation stage statutory framework to make the safe sleep requirements clearer. This new wording will come into force in September 2026, subject to parliamentary procedure. I have sent a letter to early years providers via Ofsted outlining these changes. Additionally, we have published a safer sleep article on the ‘Help for early years providers’ platform to help early years settings understand how to ensure babies and children are kept safe whilst sleeping.