Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what data they collect about educational attainment outcomes of children with dyslexia and other literacy challenges in key stage 1 phonics screening.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The information requested is not held centrally. The department holds information on pupils’ special educational needs and their attainment by 14 types of primary need. Dyslexia is usually included in the wider category of primary need ‘specific learning difficulty’. In 2025, 33% of pupils with ‘specific learning difficulty’ recorded as their primary need met the expected standard in the phonics screening check in year 1. The English Hubs programme is dedicated to improving the teaching of reading, with a focus on supporting children making the slowest progress. Reading Ambition for All is a continuous professional development programme to support schools help struggling readers, delivered by our 34 English Hubs, reaching more than 600 schools this academic year.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the increasing level of franchising of daytime programmes on commercial local radio to London; and what consideration they have given to measures to protect local jobs.

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

Local radio continues to bring communities together by reflecting local experiences and delivering local news and information. However, it does so against a backdrop of changing listener behavior. According to RAJAR’s Q4 data on radio listening, only 20% of commercial radio listening is now on AM or FM, whilst digital listening accounts for 75% of all UK radio listening.

In light of this, the Media Act 2024 removed detailed requirements that only applied to stations holding AM and FM commercial radio licences and set out how their local services should be operated. These were replaced with new obligations that prioritise securing local news and information - a key part of the public value of radio. Ofcom has recently published new guidance which sets out how stations should meet these obligations.

The government fully supports the growth of independent commercial services on DAB digital radio. Ofcom announced on 11 March that the 100th small-scale DAB digital multiplex was launched in East Devon, under their nationwide rollout of this innovative technology. The rollout of local small-scale DAB has increased the opportunities for local and community radio services to provide local audiences with tailored content of a distinct local character, and thereby support local jobs in the radio sector.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what measures are in place to ensure that any sale of a public service broadcasting television channel to an overseas company is in the best interests of the UK.

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

There are a range of measures in place to safeguard the operation of UK broadcasters, including our public service broadcasters.

For example, under the Enterprise Act 2002, the Secretary of State has a quasi-judicial role on any merger or sale relating to media enterprises if it meets the necessary thresholds, and can intervene on public interest grounds as set out in the Act. These include ensuring media plurality, protecting the range of high quality broadcasting available in the UK; and securing broadcasting standards.

This is in addition to the role of Competition and Markets Authority which has the authority to intervene if it determines a deal would substantially lessen competition. This action can include remedies, enforcement measures, requiring changes to the agreement, or, in some instances, blocking the deal entirely.

Under the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996, Ofcom has an ongoing duty to be satisfied that any person holding a broadcasting licence is, and remains, fit and proper to hold those licences. In making a fit and proper assessment, Ofcom can consider all relevant circumstances, including the broadcaster’s own conduct, and the behaviour of people who exercise material influence or control over the broadcaster.