Asked by: Lord Bishop of Sheffield (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consultations they are holding with the higher education and further education sectors regarding the implications of the policy reforms introduced in the White Paper Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The immigration White Paper sets out a series of measures that will achieve a reduction in net migration, while maintaining the UK’s globally competitive offer to international students and making a significant contribution to growth by boosting our skills base.
This includes the commitment to explore the introduction of a levy on higher education (HE) provider income from international students, with proceeds to be reinvested in the domestic HE and skills system. We will set out more details around the levy in the Autumn Budget.
We are committed to engaging with the sector on the design of the international student levy and want to understand specific concerns providers have as early as possible.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Sheffield (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to promote and support vocational development and training between United Kingdom further education institutions and their equivalents overseas.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
This government is committed to supporting educational partnerships between the UK and our overseas partners, including in further education.
The UK’s International Education Champion, Sir Steve Smith, spearheads overseas activities, opening up partnership opportunities and developing strong relationships. Sir Steve's international missions promote all sectors and areas of education. We are currently reviewing the UK’s International Education Strategy to ensure that it continues to reflect the priorities of the entire education sector and provides an attractive offer, including on vocational training and skills, to our global partners. We are working closely with the sector and aiming to publish the refreshed strategy this year.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Sheffield (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of generative artificial intelligence on the further education sector.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) will support with the delivery of the government’s Plan for Change.
The government has published the AI Opportunities Action Plan, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-opportunities-action-plan/ai-opportunities-action-plan. This considered barriers to AI take-up across the economy and made 50 recommendations. The further education sector will enable the delivery of short new courses in areas such as AI, digital, and engineering. These will be funded through the Growth and Skills Levy to support Industrial Strategy sectors from April 2026.
In August 2025, the department published a policy paper setting out the opportunities and challenges for the use of generative AI in the education sector. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/generative-artificial-intelligence-in-education/generative-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-education?pStoreID=Http.
We are working with the education sector, educational technology industry experts, and academics to build the evidence base and support the education sector to use AI safely, responsibly, and effectively. This includes publishing free support, available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/using-ai-in-education-settings-support-materials.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Sheffield (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the impact of the droughts declared by the Environment Agency, with particular reference to South Yorkshire.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is closely monitoring water levels and working with water companies and the Environment Agency (EA) to mitigate the impacts of drought across England, including in South Yorkshire.
Following the driest six-month period since 1929, the EA declared drought in Yorkshire on 12 June 2025. The EA is actively working with stakeholders in the region, monitoring the situation, mitigating environmental impacts, and balancing the needs of people and nature.
To support water supply resilience in South Yorkshire, the EA has granted Yorkshire Water seven Drought Permits for its reservoirs, conserving reservoir stocks and to secure public water supplies.
Water company drought plans set out how companies will maintain a secure water supply while minimising environmental impacts during dry weather and drought conditions. The Government expects all companies to take the necessary steps outlined in these plans to protect water supplies for their customers.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Sheffield (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to consult charities, faith groups, and frontline support services to deliver a more sustainable approach for procuring short-term accommodation for asylum seekers in line with the recommendations on the procurement of short term accommodation set out in the Office for Value for Money's policy paper UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government has already begun consultation with charities and frontline support services on future asylum accommodation plans. Officials met with voluntary and community sector stakeholders on the 5th August and plan to meet again in September. Minister Norris will be hosting engagement with faith groups later this year on future asylum accommodation plans.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Sheffield (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce material into the National Curriculum regarding the role of the United Kingdom in the creation of Council of Europe.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The national curriculum for citizenship (key stages 3 and 4) provides a framework that would enable schools to discuss this matter. For example, pupils should be taught about local, regional and international governance and the United Kingdom’s relations with the rest of Europe, the Commonwealth, the United Nations and the wider world.
There is also considerable flexibility within the current history curriculum which would allow for teaching about this matter, for example in the statutory theme ‘challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world 1901 to the present day’.
The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The review seeks to deliver a curriculum that ensures children and young people leave compulsory education ready for life and ready for work, building the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to thrive.
The Review Group has now published its interim report, which sets out its initial findings and confirms the key areas for further work. The report highlights the successes of the current system, making clear that the most trusted and valued aspects of our system will remain, whilst setting a positive vision for the future. The report is attached and can also be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/curriculum-and-assessment-review-interim-report.
The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in the autumn with the government’s response.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Sheffield (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of jobs in South Yorkshire that are linked to the net-zero transition.
Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
Reaching Net Zero requires a wide-reaching transformation of the UK economy but will be an incredible opportunity—supporting hundreds of thousands of good quality jobs across the UK, including in South Yorkshire. The UK has made significant progress in attracting investment into green sectors. According to analysis by the CBI, the net zero sector is growing three times faster than the overall UK economy and the GVA of the net zero economy grew by 10% in 2024. Government also supports local areas to attract investment – including funding the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Sheffield (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the recent announcement of the diversion of funds from the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget to the defence budget, whether they plan to decrease the proportion of ODA spent on in-donor refugee support.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government is committed to ensuring that asylum costs fall and the Home Secretary has reduced in-donor refugee costs by taking action to reduce the asylum backlog and seeking to end the use of costly asylum hotels. We therefore anticipate further reductions to in-donor refugee costs in the next Spending Review period.
The Home Office’s Spending Review settlement will be subject to agreement with HM Treasury in the usual way.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Sheffield (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to alleviate fuel poverty this winter, including (1) support for local government, and (2) community-led initiatives.
Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
There are multiple targeted schemes in place to deliver energy efficiency measures to low income and fuel poor households. Current schemes include the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, the Home Upgrade Grant, the Energy Company Obligation and the Great British Insulation Scheme. Between them they help social housing providers, local authorities, charities, homeowners and private and social tenants with domestic energy efficiency measures.
The Warm Home Discount schemes also provide a £150 rebate off bills to eligible low-income households across Great Britain. Through Industry Initiatives suppliers can provide further assistance through third parties such as fuel poverty charities and organisations.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Sheffield (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of potentially expanding the new Youth Guarantee to include 16 to 17-year-olds and 21 to 24-year-olds.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Youth Guarantee will initially provide support to 18–21-year-olds to ensure young people not accessing higher or further education have a clear pathway to access quality support.
Across the UK, 18 to 21-year-olds have lower employment rates compared to 22 to 24-year-olds, even when taking into consideration their increased participation in full-time education.
DWP provides extensive support at a national and local level for 16–17-year-olds and 22–24-year-olds. This includes flexible provision driven by local need, nationwide employment programmes and support delivered by work coaches based in our Jobcentres and in local communities working alongside partners. These young people will also be able to access tailored support through the DWP Youth Offer, which includes the Youth Employment Programme, Youth Employability Coaches and access to Youth Hubs across Great Britain.
We will continue to monitor the need to expand the Youth Guarantee during the delivery phase and through future evaluation.