Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that when policy evaluations are commissioned the methods and outcomes are pre-registered, and that the results will be published in a timely manner.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

All Government evaluations should be pre-registered on the Evaluation Task Force Evaluation Registry, including methods and expected publication timelines. Registering evaluations has been mandatory for Government Departments since April 2024.

Further information on the Evaluation Registry is available online on the 'Guidance on using the Evaluation Registry' webpage. The Evaluation Registry is due to be launched to the public in the coming months.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what are their plans for the new natural history GCSE.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Education)

All young people should have access to a broad and balanced curriculum with a range of qualification routes and choices. The government is considering the next steps for a natural history GCSE.

High and rising school standards are at the heart of this government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best life chances. The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE, an expert in education policy, including curriculum and social inequality. The review, which covers ages 5 to 18, will ensure that the curriculum appropriately balances ambition, excellence, relevance, flexibility and inclusivity for all children and young people. The review group will publish an interim report early in 2025 setting out their initial findings and confirming the key areas for further work. The final report with recommendations will be published in autumn 2025.

Found: This proposal is supported by Baroness Freeman of Steventon and Baroness Willis of Summertown.