Asked by: Lord Gilbert of Panteg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of generative AI in schools and its impact on (1) children's education and long-term skills, and (2) children’s safety and well-being.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
The department recognises the transformative potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in education and is taking a measured, evidence-led approach to its adoption. In January 2025, the department published updated guidance on the safe and effective use of generative AI in schools, including product safety expectations that prioritise child-centred design and safeguarding.
Secondly, to assess the impact of AI on children’s education and long-term skills, the department is investing over £1 million in a test-and-learn pilot with schools, colleges, and educational technology (EdTech) firms. This EdTech Impact Testbed Pilot is designed to evaluate how AI tools affect staff workload, pupil outcomes, and inclusivity. The department is also funding Ofsted to research how early adopter schools are using AI to support teaching and learning, with findings due in June 2025.
Additionally, the EdTech Evidence Board pilot launched in partnership with the Chartered College of Teaching is developing criteria to assess the effectiveness of EdTech tools. This will support schools in making evidence-based decisions about AI adoption.
Finally, to ensure safety and well-being, the department has published free training materials for educators and continues to work with regulators and the sector to ensure AI tools are safe, effective, and inclusive.
Asked by: Lord Gilbert of Panteg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the speech made by the Secretary of State for Education at the Education World Forum on 19 May regarding funding to test the effectiveness of EdTech products in schools, what consultations they have held with civil society and other relevant organisations representing the interests of children as part of this work.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
The department has announced over £1 million in funding to test the effectiveness of education technology (EdTech) products in schools and colleges. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to harness artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools to improve staff workload, pupil outcomes, and inclusivity. This work is based on findings from the department’s 2023 call for evidence on AI in education, which gathered views from educators, academics and civil society organisations on technology and AI in the classroom.
As part of this work, the department has launched an open expression of interest for schools, colleges and EdTech companies to participate in the EdTech Impact Testbed Pilot. The department is working with the Open Innovation Team to engage the education sector and gather insights on what works. This includes collaboration with educators and EdTech firms to ensure the tools tested are relevant and impactful.
The department is also currently undertaking deliberative engagement with pupils, parents and teachers to explore the use of pupil work to train AI. We are putting children, teachers and parents at the centre of work to explore responsible governance structures.
Asked by: Lord Gilbert of Panteg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to invite UK-based civil society organisations and those representing the interests of children to attend their international summit on generative AI in education to be held in 2026.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
The UK will host a high-level international summit on generative artificial intelligence (AI) in education in 2026. This initiative reinforces the UK’s commitment to international collaboration and to ensuring AI benefits all learners, everywhere.
Planning for the summit is underway, and the department is currently considering the format and attendees. Further information will be made available in due course.
Asked by: Lord Gilbert of Panteg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve English language proficiency amongst those with English as a second language.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
Schools are allocated funding through the English as an additional language factor in the national funding formula which they can draw on to support pupils. This directs funding to schools (worth £590 per eligible primary pupil and £1,585 per eligible secondary pupil) based on the number of pupils on roll who are classed as having a first language other than English and who have started in the state-funded education system in England in the last three years. Schools are responsible for ensuring that all pupils can access the full curriculum and have flexibility in how they spend their overall budgets to put appropriate support provision in place. No recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of this approach for pupils with a first language other than English. However, the government will keep the matter under review.
In addition, the government supports adults aged 19 and over in England who are non-native speakers to access English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) provision, funded through the adult skills fund (ASF). Currently, approximately 60% of the ASF is devolved to nine Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) and delegated to the Mayor of London acting through the Greater London Authority. These authorities are responsible for the provision of adult education and allocation of the ASF in their local areas. The Education and Skills Funding Agency is responsible for the remaining ASF in non-devolved areas where colleges and training providers have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their ASF to meet the needs of their communities.
In non-devolved skills areas, individuals aged 19 and over, including refugees, those granted humanitarian protection and asylum seekers, can be fully funded or co-funded to study ESOL depending on their employment status and salary, and provided they meet the residency criteria set out in the ASF Funding and Performance Management Rules.
Asked by: Lord Gilbert of Panteg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the (1) total amount raised from employers, (2) total value of unspent funds in employers' digital voucher accounts at year end, and (3) total value of funds which expired unspent, in each financial year since the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Shadow Minister (Education)
Details of the total value of apprenticeship levy paid by employers each month is published by HMRC in their Tax & National Insurance Contributions receipts publication, which can be found online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hmrc-tax-and-nics-receipts-for-the-uk.
Employers in England who pay the apprenticeship levy don’t use digital vouchers, but access funds for apprenticeship training by registering for an apprenticeship service account. The funds in employers’ accounts reflect the ‘English percentage’ of an employer’s levy contribution and include a 10% top-up from the government. Figures for the total value of levy balances in employers’ apprenticeship service accounts at the financial year end can be found in the table below:
Total value of levy balances at financial year (FY) end | ||||
FY 2017-18 | FY 2018-19 | FY 2019-20 | FY 2020-21 | FY 2021-22 |
£1,988 | £3,745 | £4,430 | £4,706 | £4,987 |
The funds in apprenticeship service accounts are available for levy-paying employers to use for 24 months before they begin to expire on a rolling, month-by-month basis. Employers began to pay the apprenticeship levy in April 2017 and unused levy funds began to expire in May 2019. Figures for the funds which have expired from employers' levy accounts are shown in the table below:
Expired (Rounded £Million) | ||
FY 2019-20 | FY 2020-21 | FY 2021-22 |
£847 | £1,314 | £1,315 |
The department’s annual apprenticeship budget for England is set by HM Treasury and, although closely linked, is distinct from the total levy income collected. The levy has been set at a level to fund demand for apprenticeships in employers of all sizes.
We do not anticipate that all employers who pay the levy will need or want to use all the funds available to them, but they are able to if they wish. As well as funding new apprenticeships in levy-paying employers, income from the levy funds new apprenticeships in employers that do not pay the levy, existing apprentices that started in previous years, English and maths tuition for apprentices and additional payments to employers, providers and apprentices.
Asked by: Lord Gilbert of Panteg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Berridge on 2 June (HL434), and on 20 July (HL1599), whether they still intend to publish "a new national strategy for English language in England", as set out in the Integrated Communities Action Plan, published on 9 February 2019; what role the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will have in the formulation of this strategy; and what steps they are taking to ensure a cross-government approach to the development of the strategy.
Answered by Baroness Berridge
I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave on 20 July 2021 to Question HL1599.
We remain committed to English language, as demonstrated by the manifesto commitment to boost English language teaching. However, our response to the COVID-19 outbreak is our priority at present. We will provide an update on English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in due course.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government continues to work closely with the Department for Education and other government departments on the provision of ESOL.
Asked by: Lord Gilbert of Panteg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Berridge on 2 June (HL434), whether they still intend to publish a cross-Government English language strategy, as set out in the Integrated Communities Strategy green paper.
Answered by Baroness Berridge
I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave on 2 June 2021 to Question HL434.
This government remains committed to English language as demonstrated by the manifesto commitment to boost English language teaching.
Our response to the COVID-19 outbreak is our priority at present. We will provide an update on English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in due course.
The department also remains committed to strengthening communities through integration. Since publication, we have made significant progress on the commitments in the Integrated Communities Action Plan. This includes providing over 18,000 learner places through our Integrated Communities English Language Programme (£4.5 million) and Coordination Fund (£1.2 million), and setting up of five Integration Areas.
We continue to build upon the Integration Area Programme and are working hard to boost English language provision, including through the ESOL for Integration Fund.
Asked by: Lord Gilbert of Panteg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Integrated Communities Strategy green paper, published on 14 March 2018, when they plan to publish an English language strategy.
Answered by Baroness Berridge
This government remains committed to English language as demonstrated by the manifesto commitment to boost English language teaching.
We know that language skills are crucial to help people integrate into life in England, as well as to break down barriers to work and career progression. This is why we want to support all adults in England to secure the English language skills they need.
The department funds English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision through the Adult Education Budget (AEB). Currently, approximately 50% of the AEB is devolved to 7 Mayoral Combined Authorities and the Mayor of London, acting where appropriate through the Greater London Authority. These authorities are now responsible for the provision of AEB-funded adult education, including ESOL, for their residents and allocation of the AEB to providers. The Education and Skills Funding Agency is responsible for the remaining AEB in non-devolved areas.
In 2019/20, 116,100 adult learners were supported through the AEB, across devolved and non-devolved areas to improve their levels of English through fully and part funded ESOL courses.
Our response to the COVID-19 outbreak is our priority at present. We will provide an update on ESOL in due course.