Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he will assess the potential merits of allowing local authorities to roll over unspent Connect to Work funding into the following year.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Expenditure on Connect to Work is annualised in line with standard practice for managing public funds. To retain funding controls, my Department cannot automatically carry forward underspends into future years. As part of the Connect to Work Delivery Plan approval process, local areas must profile their programme activity for the entire funding period, broken down by financial year and by month within those years. This ensures that funding is aligned with planned delivery and performance milestones. My Department will have regular performance conversations with lead authorities for Connect to Work and will seek to support any area that may not be delivering against their profile and will seek to support any area that may not be delivering against their profile. This will include the opportunity to reprofile in year as part of the annual review process

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of increasing the eligibility of the Museum Renewal Fund to include independent museums.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Museum Renewal Fund is an urgent intervention this financial year to provide time-limited support for museums with a local authority link. The Fund, delivered by Arts Council England, provided targeted support for museums and focused on supporting the financial resilience of museums caring predominantly for publicly-owned Collections, responding to a clear ask by the entire museums sector. It is now closed to applicants and the 75 recipients were announced in October 2025.

DCMS provides a range of support for ACE-Accredited museums of all types, through Capital funds including the Museum Estate and Development Fund and the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund, and tax incentives like the Museums and Galleries Exhibitions Tax Relief, and Museum VAT Refund Scheme.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will consider the potential merits of introducing a statutory definition of civic museums to include independent museums.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has no statutory definition for ‘civic museums’ as this is a label originating within the museums sector, which museums may choose to self-identify under. DCMS is advised by Arts Council England on the categorisation of museums: its policies for the sector and eligibility for support schemes are carefully designed to take into account the breadth of operating and governance models across the sector, as well as respond to new and emerging needs, including those faced by independent museums. There are no current plans to introduce a statutory definition of the term.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when her Department will publish its response to its recent consultation on Copyright and AI.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The consultation on Copyright and AI sought views on several topics relating to the interaction between copyright and artificial intelligence (AI) and received over 11,500 responses. The Government has carefully analysed the responses and will continue to engage extensively on this issue, including through technical working groups.

The Government has committed to publish a progress update by 18 December 2025 and a full report by 18 March 2026.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, by what measures the impact and effectiveness of Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) teams will be assessed.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Regional improvement for standards excellence (RISE) teams have already paired over 350 schools with RISE advisers and supporting organisations, including some of our strongest trusts with a record of turning around struggling schools, to share expertise and boost standards.

The impact of RISE intervention will rely on both a quantitative evaluation of the impact on pupils, aligned to the government’s Opportunity Mission for all children to achieve and thrive, and an evaluation on the process and delivery of RISE.

An impact evaluation of the programme measuring change over time in key success measures, such as attainment and attendance, for schools receiving targeted RISE intervention set against a suitable group of comparator schools will be carried out in due course.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, from when and how frequently she plans to publish estimations of the impact and effectiveness of RISE teams.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Regional improvement for standards excellence (RISE) teams have already paired over 350 schools with RISE advisers and supporting organisations, including some of our strongest trusts with a record of turning around struggling schools, to share expertise and boost standards.

The department expects to start publishing that data with appropriate comparisons over time during 2026.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the level of incidence of hospital-acquired deconditioning among elderly patients in (a) acute hospitals and (b) community hospitals.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No assessment has been made of the level of incidence of hospital acquired deconditioning among elderly patients in acute hospitals or community hospitals, as the National Health Service does not routinely measure this.

However, we remain committed to reducing deconditioning in in-patient settings through a strong focus on supporting health and care needs in the community wherever possible, reducing delays to discharge, and strengthening rehabilitation and reablement services.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has undertaken research on the main causal factors of trends in the number of young children presenting with special needs.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

International evidence indicates that the number of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is also increasing in comparable countries. Although definitions and systems vary considerably, the key drivers include improved understanding and diagnosis of need, as well as social and medical factors.

The department is strengthening the evidence base of what works to improve inclusive practice in mainstream settings, for example through our recently published evidence reviews, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/identifying-and-supporting-the-needs-of-children-with-send-in-mainstream-settings.

The department also funds a ‘What Works in SEND’ programme, which is delivered by the Research and Improvement for SEND Excellence Partnership. This programme produces research and local area case studies that harness best practice from practitioners and partner organisations on local area SEND service delivery.

The Schools White Paper, due to be published in the new year, will set out how the department plans to move forward with reforms to improve the SEND system in future years.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish a national strategy for palliative and end of life care.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is developing a Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework for England. I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement HCWS1087, which I gave to the House on 24 November 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Table 4.1 entitled Budget 2025 policy decisions in the Budget Red Book, line item 43, Investing in Communities: Provide funding to refurbish and improve up to 200 playgrounds in England, which Department will disburse these funds.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

At Autumn Budget 2025, the government announced £18 million for up to 200 children’s playgrounds in England. This funding will breathe new life into play areas, creating safe, exciting spaces for thousands of children.

The government will provide more detail on the approach to allocating and delivery of this funding shortly.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Table 4.1 entitled Budget 2025 policy decisions in the Budget Red Book, line item 43, Investing in Communities: Provide funding to refurbish and improve up to 200 playgrounds in England, whether (a) local authorities, (b) town and parish councils, (c) schools and school trusts, (d) community groups and (e) charities will be able to bid for funding in this programme.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

At Autumn Budget 2025, the government announced £18 million for up to 200 children’s playgrounds in England. This funding will breathe new life into play areas, creating safe, exciting spaces for thousands of children.

The government will provide more detail on the approach to allocating and delivery of this funding shortly.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Table 4.1 entitled Budget 2025 policy decisions’ in the Budget Red Book, line item 43, Investing in Communities: Provide funding to refurbish and improve up to 200 playgrounds in England, how projects will apply and qualify for funding in this programme.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

At Autumn Budget 2025, the government announced £18 million for up to 200 children’s playgrounds in England. This funding will breathe new life into play areas, creating safe, exciting spaces for thousands of children.

The government will provide more detail on the approach to allocating and delivery of this funding shortly.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to Table 4.1 entitled Budget 2025 policy decisions’ in the Budget Red Book, line item 42, National Year of Reading: Fund state-funded secondary schools in England to increase book supplies, whether these funds will be supplemented by funding from Dormant Assets.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

As part of the National Year of Reading, state-funded secondary schools in England will receive funding to purchase books to support and encourage reading enjoyment amongst their pupils.

Funding will be distributed by the Department for Education, during the National Year of Reading 2026. This separate from the Dormant Assets Fund which will be used to fund libraries in primary schools and is administered by the Department for Culture Media and Sport.

Details about the allocation of funds will be communicated in the coming months.

This £5 million funding for books will accompany new continuous professional development training for secondary schools. The ‘Unlocking Reading’ programme starts in January 2026 and will equip schools with assessment tools and evidence-based strategies to support pupils with reading.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to Table 4.1 entitled Budget 2025 policy decisions in the Budget Red Book, line item 42, National Year of Reading: Fund state-funded secondary schools in England to increase book supplies, how these funds will be allocated to schools.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

As part of the National Year of Reading, state-funded secondary schools in England will receive funding to purchase books to support and encourage reading enjoyment amongst their pupils.

Funding will be distributed by the Department for Education, during the National Year of Reading 2026. This separate from the Dormant Assets Fund which will be used to fund libraries in primary schools and is administered by the Department for Culture Media and Sport.

Details about the allocation of funds will be communicated in the coming months.

This £5 million funding for books will accompany new continuous professional development training for secondary schools. The ‘Unlocking Reading’ programme starts in January 2026 and will equip schools with assessment tools and evidence-based strategies to support pupils with reading.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to Table 4.1 entitled Budget 2025 policy decisions in the Budget Red Book, line item 42, National Year of Reading: Fund state-funded secondary schools in England to increase book supplies, which Department will disburse these funds.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

As part of the National Year of Reading, state-funded secondary schools in England will receive funding to purchase books to support and encourage reading enjoyment amongst their pupils.

Funding will be distributed by the Department for Education, during the National Year of Reading 2026. This separate from the Dormant Assets Fund which will be used to fund libraries in primary schools and is administered by the Department for Culture Media and Sport.

Details about the allocation of funds will be communicated in the coming months.

This £5 million funding for books will accompany new continuous professional development training for secondary schools. The ‘Unlocking Reading’ programme starts in January 2026 and will equip schools with assessment tools and evidence-based strategies to support pupils with reading.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, at what geographical level deprivation criteria will be applied in Phase 3 of the School-based Nurseries programme.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

High quality early years is central to the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity, give every child the best possible start in life and is essential to our Plan for Change. School-based nurseries are one part of our diverse and vibrant early years landscape, and this government is boosting availability and access to early years places through the school-based nursery programme. Maintained nursery schools are eligible to apply for funding in Phase 2.

Phase 3 of the programme will launch in early 2026, when the department will publish guidance covering eligibility criteria and our approach to funding.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether maintained nursery schools will be eligible for capital funding in Phase 3 of the School-based Nurseries programme.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

High quality early years is central to the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity, give every child the best possible start in life and is essential to our Plan for Change. School-based nurseries are one part of our diverse and vibrant early years landscape, and this government is boosting availability and access to early years places through the school-based nursery programme. Maintained nursery schools are eligible to apply for funding in Phase 2.

Phase 3 of the programme will launch in early 2026, when the department will publish guidance covering eligibility criteria and our approach to funding.

Found: ) 33 Local Conservative MPs unite to oppose water recycling at new Havant Thicket reservoir | Damian Hinds

Found: Chair) Mr Bayo Alaba (Labour; Southend East and Rochford) Vicky Foxcroft (Labour; Lewisham North) Damian Hinds

Found: Q273 Damian Hinds: That was in time for the January meeting.

Found: Q273 Damian Hinds: That was in time for the January meeting.