Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what measures have been put in place to support children and the parents of children with autism and neurodiverse conditions required to move schools following the planned introduction of VAT on private school fees in January 2025; and what stakeholder groups have been involved in developing the measures.

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

In line with research from the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies, the government does not anticipate the ending of the VAT exemption, that private schools enjoy, to prompt notable movement into the state sector and any movement is expected to take place over several years. This research is attached and can also be found here: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/tax-private-school-fees-and-state-school-spending.

There is significant spare capacity in existing state schools. The department collects pupil forecasts and school capacity data from local authorities annually through the school capacity survey and this data shows that in May 2023, 11.7% of primary capacity and 11.5% of secondary capacity was unfilled nationally, meaning school places are available in many parts of the country. The department will monitor demand and capacity using its normal processes and continue to work with local authorities to meet any pressures.

The department supports local authorities to ensure that every local area has sufficient places for children that need them and works to provide appropriate support where pupils with special educational needs require a place at a state-funded school.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, or in alternative provision, receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools.

Where children have an education, health and care plan which requires a local authority funded place at an independent school, they will not be affected by the VAT changes, as the responsible local authority will be able to reclaim VAT.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what processes they have put in place to evaluate the impact on (1) the mental health, and (2) educational attainment, of children with autism and neurodiverse conditions required to move schools following the planned introduction of VAT on private school fees in January 2025; what stakeholder groups have been involved in developing the processes; and at what intervals the evaluations will be conducted.

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

In line with research from the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies, the government does not anticipate the ending of the VAT exemption, that private schools enjoy, to prompt notable movement into the state sector and any movement is expected to take place over several years. This research is attached and can also be found here: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/tax-private-school-fees-and-state-school-spending.

There is significant spare capacity in existing state schools. The department collects pupil forecasts and school capacity data from local authorities annually through the school capacity survey and this data shows that in May 2023, 11.7% of primary capacity and 11.5% of secondary capacity was unfilled nationally, meaning school places are available in many parts of the country. The department will monitor demand and capacity using its normal processes and continue to work with local authorities to meet any pressures.

The department supports local authorities to ensure that every local area has sufficient places for children that need them and works to provide appropriate support where pupils with special educational needs require a place at a state-funded school.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, or in alternative provision, receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools.

Where children have an education, health and care plan which requires a local authority funded place at an independent school, they will not be affected by the VAT changes, as the responsible local authority will be able to reclaim VAT.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance is being developed for (1) local education authorities and (2) schools to support children and the parents of children with autism and neurodiverse conditions required to move schools following the planned introduction of VAT on private school fees in January 2025; and what stakeholder groups have been involved in developing the guidance.

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

In line with research from the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies, the government does not anticipate the ending of the VAT exemption, that private schools enjoy, to prompt notable movement into the state sector and any movement is expected to take place over several years. This research is attached and can also be found here: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/tax-private-school-fees-and-state-school-spending.

There is significant spare capacity in existing state schools. The department collects pupil forecasts and school capacity data from local authorities annually through the school capacity survey and this data shows that in May 2023, 11.7% of primary capacity and 11.5% of secondary capacity was unfilled nationally, meaning school places are available in many parts of the country. The department will monitor demand and capacity using its normal processes and continue to work with local authorities to meet any pressures.

The department supports local authorities to ensure that every local area has sufficient places for children that need them and works to provide appropriate support where pupils with special educational needs require a place at a state-funded school.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, or in alternative provision, receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools.

Where children have an education, health and care plan which requires a local authority funded place at an independent school, they will not be affected by the VAT changes, as the responsible local authority will be able to reclaim VAT.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what funding they are making available to ensure (1) local education authorities, and (2) schools, are capable of accommodating children with autism and neurodiverse conditions required to move schools following the planned introduction of VAT on private school fees in January 2025.

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

In line with research from the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies, the government does not anticipate the ending of the VAT exemption, that private schools enjoy, to prompt notable movement into the state sector and any movement is expected to take place over several years. This research is attached and can also be found here: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/tax-private-school-fees-and-state-school-spending.

There is significant spare capacity in existing state schools. The department collects pupil forecasts and school capacity data from local authorities annually through the school capacity survey and this data shows that in May 2023, 11.7% of primary capacity and 11.5% of secondary capacity was unfilled nationally, meaning school places are available in many parts of the country. The department will monitor demand and capacity using its normal processes and continue to work with local authorities to meet any pressures.

The department supports local authorities to ensure that every local area has sufficient places for children that need them and works to provide appropriate support where pupils with special educational needs require a place at a state-funded school.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, or in alternative provision, receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools.

Where children have an education, health and care plan which requires a local authority funded place at an independent school, they will not be affected by the VAT changes, as the responsible local authority will be able to reclaim VAT.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the capacity of local education authorities to accommodate and meet the needs of children and the parents of children with autism and neurodiverse conditions required to move schools following the planned introduction of VAT on private school fees in January 2025.

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

In line with research from the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies, the government does not anticipate the ending of the VAT exemption, that private schools enjoy, to prompt notable movement into the state sector and any movement is expected to take place over several years. This research is attached and can also be found here: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/tax-private-school-fees-and-state-school-spending.

There is significant spare capacity in existing state schools. The department collects pupil forecasts and school capacity data from local authorities annually through the school capacity survey and this data shows that in May 2023, 11.7% of primary capacity and 11.5% of secondary capacity was unfilled nationally, meaning school places are available in many parts of the country. The department will monitor demand and capacity using its normal processes and continue to work with local authorities to meet any pressures.

The department supports local authorities to ensure that every local area has sufficient places for children that need them and works to provide appropriate support where pupils with special educational needs require a place at a state-funded school.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, or in alternative provision, receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools.

Where children have an education, health and care plan which requires a local authority funded place at an independent school, they will not be affected by the VAT changes, as the responsible local authority will be able to reclaim VAT.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the appropriateness of NHS Blood and Transplant continuing to be a paid member of Stonewall.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department supports Arm’s Length Bodies to define the appropriate policies to support equality, diversity, and inclusion, to align with the Government’s Health Mission and priorities, and make health and social care accessible to all.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is committed to championing and promoting equal opportunity for those donating blood, including by: lifting the blood donation ban for men who have sex with men in 2021; encouraging more LGBT+ people to help save and improve lives by giving blood and joining the NHS Organ Donor Register; and making NHSBT a more inclusive place to work.

NHSBT continues to keep all its memberships under review, to ensure they best meet the needs of the organisation and benefit the public and patients they serve.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Basildon on 1 October (HL1036), whether it is their intention to publish the full dataset gathered from the Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Review.

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

We are currently considering the Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Review commissioned by the previous Government.