Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of its proposed Management Information System procurement framework on (a) competition and choice in the schools information management market, (b) prices paid by schools, (c) product quality and (d) innovation in education technology.

In November 2025, the department completed a market assessment to inform the options available to support the sector when procuring managing information systems. In December 2025, approval was given for work to proceed to establish a department-owned framework for Management Information Systems for all schools to access. This framework is being setup through an open competition in line with Procurement Act 2023. There is no cap on the number of suppliers who can be appointed to the framework, but all suppliers will be required to demonstrate they meet the procurement criteria. This framework will refresh annually, providing new market entrants and any unsuccessful suppliers the opportunity to bid and be appointed to the framework. It is intended that this will allow for strong, competitive tension to enable schools to receive good-quality products and a price that truly represents value for money.