Asked by: Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, further to the answer to WPQ 14794 received on 8th July, what estimate he has made of the cash amount of his Department's funding contribution to the Department for Education for the Primary PE and Sport Premium, and the new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, in (i) 2023/4, (ii) 2024/5, (iii) 2025/6 and (iv) 2026/7.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
The Government is investing over £1 billion for Physical Education (PE) and school sports over three years, including £580 million for a new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network. This represents a collaborative approach across the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Education, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in providing all children, but particularly those who are least active, with the opportunity to reap the health benefits of being physically active, whilst ensuring value for money. Detailed design and funding allocations will be confirmed through the procurement process for a National Delivery Partner in due course.
Asked by: Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the present period of extreme heat on the capacity of schools to remain safe and operational.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department recognises that heatwaves can disrupt pupils’ learning, attendance and wellbeing. We are committed to supporting schools and responsible bodies to maintain a safe learning environment during periods of extreme heat. While high temperatures can cause discomfort, reduced concentration and, in some cases, lower attendance, these impacts can usually be managed through practical and proportionate steps.
Schools are encouraged to adapt their arrangements in hot weather, for example by adjusting timetables, limiting strenuous activities, and ensuring classrooms are well ventilated and kept as cool as possible. Where attendance in person is not safe or reasonable, schools can provide high-quality remote education to maintain continuity of learning
The department has published the guidance ‘Hot weather and heatwaves: guidance for schools and other education settings’, which is based on UK Health Security Agency advice to support education settings. In most cases, schools remain the safest place for children during hot weather, as staff can monitor pupils, encourage hydration and take steps to keep them comfortable. Evidence also shows many homes are prone to overheating, affecting around 1.6 million children.
Maintaining attendance where possible therefore supports both educational outcomes and pupil wellbeing during heatwaves, and the vast majority of education settings remained open across the country, including in hotter areas.
Asked by: Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that schools remain safe and operational during periods of extreme heat.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department takes periods of hot weather and heatwaves seriously and has published a climate risk assessment. We continue to support responsible bodies and schools to provide education in a safe environment.
To support them, the department has published guidance to support education settings during hot weather, available at: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/hot-weather-and-heatwaves-guidance-for-schools-and-other-education-settings/. This advice draws on guidance from the UK Health Security Agency. In most cases, schools are the safest place for children during hot weather, as staff can actively monitor pupils, ensure regular hydration, and make adjustments to keep them cool. Children may also not be any cooler at home than in school. Recent analysis by the National Housing Federation and the Chartered Institute of Housing shows that 1.6 million children are currently living in overheated homes.
The department is also improving infrastructure through the Education Estates Strategy, including a £710 million renewal and retrofit programme to 2029/30. We are also investing almost £3 billion annually by 2034/25 in capital maintenance and almost £20 billion thought the School Rebuilding Programme to rebuild over 750 schools with buildings that are future proofed against the risks of climate change.
Asked by: Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what interaction at a local level Mental Health Support Teams are expected to have with Local Authorities and Academy Trusts on improving school attendance.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
Mental Health Support Teams (MHST’s) are expected to work collaboratively with local authorities and local education settings as part of a whole-system approach to improving school attendance. The MHST role is to support early identification and intervention for common mental health needs that may be contributing to absence, and to support education staff in implementing plans to reduce absence.
The Department for Education’s Working Together to Improve School Attendance statutory guidance is clear that schools and local authorities should work collaboratively with other partners, including MSHTs, to facilitate support for pupils and remove mental health-related barriers to attendance.
Asked by: Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what performance indicators his department uses for the Mental Health Support Teams in schools programme.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
The Government’s ambition for Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) is to reach full national coverage in England by 2029. The Government publishes annual progress data on MHST coverage of pupils and schools at the following link:
The publication provides data on the expansion of MHSTs working in schools and colleges throughout England and the experiences of the schools and colleges that work with MHSTs.
Asked by: Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department has taken with the Information Commissioner’s Office on the development of an Age Appropriate Design code for Artificial Intelligence applications.
Answered by Olivia Bailey
The department is clear that, while we recognise the transformative impact that artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies can have on education, they can only be effective when implemented and used safely.
Departmental officials are engaged with the Information Commissioner’s Office regarding the development of the EdTech and AI codes, including scope and interaction with other initiatives, such as proposals for a safety certification scheme for EdTech and AI.
The department continuously monitors the emerging implications of AI on education, including its use by pupils and teachers.
Asked by: Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she has taken with the Information Commissioner’s Office to develop an Age Appropriate Design Code for EdTech.
Answered by Olivia Bailey
The department is clear that, while we recognise the transformative impact that artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies can have on education, they can only be effective when implemented and used safely.
Departmental officials are engaged with the Information Commissioner’s Office regarding the development of the EdTech and AI codes, including scope and interaction with other initiatives, such as proposals for a safety certification scheme for EdTech and AI.
The department continuously monitors the emerging implications of AI on education, including its use by pupils and teachers.
Asked by: Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate she has made of her Department’s (a) capital and (b) revenue spending across youth facilities and activities programmes in (i) 2023/4, (ii) 2024/5, (iii) 2025/6 and (iv) 2026/7.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The following amounts of capital and revenue were spent on the Department’s youth facilities and activities programme between 2023/24 and 2025/26. Details of 2026/7 spending will be published in due course.
In 2023/4, spending was £119.6m (£42.3m capital and £77.3m revenue).
In 2024/5 spending was £243.3m (£141.3m capital and £101.9m revenue).
In 2025/6, spending was £123.7m (£73.6m capital and £50.1m revenue).
2024/25 was the peak delivery year for the Youth Investment Fund, which has run over a 5 year period, with spend reflecting the natural phasing of capital programmes as projects hit completion.
“Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy” is backed by £500 million of funding in this spending review period. This funding will respond to what young people need where they need it, providing something to do, somewhere to go and someone to talk to. This funding is complemented by a range of funding committed by other departments. We are committed to increasing this Government investment in young people and are exploring opportunities to work with philanthropists, social impact investors, and businesses on key priorities to deliver more and improve outcomes.
Asked by: Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what alternative sources of finance and support are available from HM Government for organisations and events previously served by the Business Events Growth Programme.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
DCMS recognises the significant economic contribution of business events, which facilitate trade and investment, support jobs and generate visitor spending across the UK. Industry data reveals that UK conferences and meetings generated an estimated £22.5 billion for the national economy in 2025, an increase from £19.3 billion in 2024 with the UK events industry expected to grow 3–5% annually.
DCMS sets the strategic priorities for the British Tourist Authority (trading as VisitBritain/VisitEngland). In line with those priorities, VisitEngland delivers its MeetEngland programme, which provides platforms for destinations to connect with buyers and bring international events to the UK. VisitEngland are supported in their efforts by local authorities, mayoral strategic authorities and destination partners including venues and event organisers.
Consideration of how best to support the sector going forward will be included in the upcoming strategies for both Major Events and the Visitor Economy.
Asked by: Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what long-term impact she projects on (a) total economic activity (b) export earnings from the closure of the Business Events Growth Programme.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
DCMS recognises the significant economic contribution of business events, which facilitate trade and investment, support jobs and generate visitor spending across the UK. Industry data reveals that UK conferences and meetings generated an estimated £22.5 billion for the national economy in 2025, an increase from £19.3 billion in 2024 with the UK events industry expected to grow 3–5% annually.
DCMS sets the strategic priorities for the British Tourist Authority (trading as VisitBritain/VisitEngland). In line with those priorities, VisitEngland delivers its MeetEngland programme, which provides platforms for destinations to connect with buyers and bring international events to the UK. VisitEngland are supported in their efforts by local authorities, mayoral strategic authorities and destination partners including venues and event organisers.
Consideration of how best to support the sector going forward will be included in the upcoming strategies for both Major Events and the Visitor Economy.