Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of current early language interventions in supporting children with developmental language disorder.

Following our investment of £3.4 million this academic year to extend the Early Language Support for Every Child ‘test and learn’ programme, an interim independent evaluation was published in January. The final evaluation is due this autumn, providing insights into the effectiveness of delivery at a local level. This programme trials new ways of working to better identify and support children with speech, language and communication needs in early years settings and primary schools.

We are investing around £1.8 billion over the next three years for local area partnerships, including local authorities and integrated care boards, to develop a new Experts at Hand offer. This will strengthen mainstream education through access to health and specialist education support, allowing all children and young people to achieve and thrive.