Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many initiatives her Department runs to encourage students to take up STEM subjects; and how much has been spent on each such initiative in each of the last five years.

There have been significant increases in the number of young people studying A Level science and maths in recent years. Between 2010 and 2014, the number of pupils taking A Levels increased by 13% in maths, 21% in further maths, 16% in physics, 6% in chemistry and 17% in biology.

The Department for Education currently funds three initiatives to support schools to increase participation in STEM subjects: the Stimulating Physics Network, the Triple Science Support Programme, and the Further Mathematics Support Programme.

The Stimulating Physics Network aims to increase the number of students progressing to A Level physics. Since 2011, the network has received the total funding of £11.15 million: 2011-12 £3 million; 2012-13 £3 million; 2013-14 £3 million; 2014-15 £2.15 million.

The Triple Science Support Programme aims to increase the number of pupils studying GCSE triple science. Since 2011, the programme has received the funding of £7.5 million: 2011-12 £1.85 million; 2012-13 £1.85 million; 2013-14 £2.8 million; 2014-15 £1 million.

The Further Mathematics Support Programme aims to increase the number of students studying A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics. Since 2011, the programme has received the total funding of £13.5 million: 2011-12 £1.75 million; 2012-13 £3.25 million; 2013-14 £3.5 million; 2014-15 £5 million.