Asked by: Danny Kruger (Reform UK - East Wiltshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure (a) the adequacy of results issued by Pearson for this year’s Key Stage 2 SATs results, (b) that Pearson delivers future results on time and (c) that teachers have adequate access to appeals, in the context of the link between SATs results and Ofsted grading.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
SATs marking in 2026 has been completed and results have been delivered. Marking was subject to the department’s required quality assurance processes, including marker training, qualification exercises and ongoing quality checks. The standards maintenance process, which ensures results remain comparable with previous years, was completed on 2 July and can only be completed with sufficiently accurate and representative data.
Pearson have fully apologised for their failure to deliver the key stage 2 results on time and for the impact this has had on schools, pupils and parents. The department will use all the provisions in the contract to ensure that Pearson is held to account and we will explore all possible options for future delivery. The government has confirmed that there will be a full independent review into how such serious failings have occurred, with further details and terms of reference to be set out shortly.
Following feedback received from schools, Ministers have extended the deadline for applications for reviews of test results until 7 September 2026, allowing schools to submit requests during term time.
Asked by: Danny Kruger (Reform UK - East Wiltshire)
Question
To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what were the dates of any determinations made by the Church Commissioners in accordance with its duty under section 2(1) of the National Institutions Measure 1998 during the last ten years; what were the amounts of income determined on each occasion, what were the periods applicable to each determination, what were the amounts of income distributed to the Archbishops' Council during each period in accordance with this duty and what steps were taken to ensure that these income distributions were and are being applied in accordance with the statutory restriction at section 2(3) of that Measure.
Answered by Marsha De Cordova
The determinations of the Church Commissioners distributions are made in General Meetings. The dates of the relevant meetings are set out in the table below.
| Year | Date |
| 2026 | 4 June |
| 2025 | 19 June and 27 November |
| 2024 | 13 June |
| 2023 | 8 June |
| 2022 | 23 June |
| 2021 | 25 November (later than usual due to Covid restrictions) |
| 2020 | None (Covid restrictions prevented a meeting) |
| 2019 | 26 June |
| 2018 2017 | 27 June 28 June |
The allocation of funds available for distribution is made in a ‘money available resolution’ which is included in the Church Commissioners’ statutory annual report and accounts for each year. Copies of the annual report and supporting documents, which include the details of the total grant made to the Archbishops’ Council, are available in the UK Parliament Library and on the Church of England and Charity Commission websites
An analysis of the legal powers under which grants to the Archbishops’ Council were made up to the end of 2023 were provided in previous answers issued to the Hon Member for East Wiltshire, specifically written questions UIN 52344 and UIN 19811. Figures for 2024 and 2025 can be found in the annual certificates provided to the Church Commissioners by the Council which are available on the home page of the Archbishops’ Council’s website: 2024-certificate-signed.pdf and AC(26)46_A6 2025 certificate signed.pdf
Recent money available resolutions have analysed the planned expenditure into four categories: historical, transformational time-limited, core in-perpetuity distributions and strategic on-going additional distributions. The supporting papers prepared to aid the charity trustees in their decision making provides additional detail of how the funds are planned to be distributed across a range of expenditure categories all of which are in line with one or more of the powers under which the Church Commissioners are able to distribute funds.
Each year at one of its trustee meetings, the Church Commissioners consider the annual certificate provided by the Archbishops’ Council stating how the funds provided to the Council by the Commissioners have been distributed. This now covers funds provided under section 1 of the Miscellaneous Provisions Measure 2018 as well as under section 2(3) of the National Institutions Measure 1998. In addition to this, the Commissioners receive and discuss reports on specific areas such as safeguarding and the grants made to support parish mission and ministry.
Asked by: Danny Kruger (Reform UK - East Wiltshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which external providers have been awarded contracts to support or conduct work for the recently announced Review into the Organisation, Performance and Transformation of the Permanent Civil Service; and if he will list the (a) name of each supplier, (b) financial value, (c) precise scope of work, and (d) procurement route utilised for each contract.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds
The Review into the Organisation, Performance and Transformation of the Permanent Civil Service is being led by the Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service.
This Government is committed to strengthening the delivery, accountability, innovation, and productivity of the Civil Service, and to safeguard its impartiality and core values, to enhance trust and confidence in the institutions of government.
The Review will draw on a wide range of expert advisers from academia, private, public, civil society, and international spheres. The Review will consider a range of evidence, including but not limited to document analysis and interviews with relevant individuals within and outside government, and will consider best practice globally.
Asked by: Danny Kruger (Reform UK - East Wiltshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of recent reports of attacks on Hindus during Saraswati Puja in India and Bangladesh.
Answered by Seema Malhotra
The UK condemns all acts of violence targeting religious or ethnic minorities and we have made clear the importance of protecting freedom of religious belief to key stakeholders in Bangladesh.
When I met PM Rahman in February, I discussed the importance of inclusion and protecting minorities, including Hindus, in line with the commitments he made in his victory address to safeguard the rights of all Bangladeshis. In February 2025, the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, visited Bangladesh and held meetings with the Interim Government to discuss issues of justice, accountability, and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
Our commitment to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) is reflected in our £27 million Bangladesh Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics programme (2023-2028), which aims to protect civic space, foster inclusive dialogue, and address tensions that can lead to violence.
Asked by: Danny Kruger (Reform UK - East Wiltshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to the Government of China regarding recent legislative and policy developments affecting Tibetans, Uyghurs and other communities with distinct religious identities.
Answered by Seema Malhotra
The Government continues to engage with China on the issues of human rights and freedom of belief. We also continue to champion these issues at the UN and in the G7, as well as through our bilateral engagements.
Asked by: Danny Kruger (Reform UK - East Wiltshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking to help protect religious minorities in Eritrea.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 20 January in response to Question 105072.
Asked by: Danny Kruger (Reform UK - East Wiltshire)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has made an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill on NHS staff working in other parts of the UK who may be treating Scottish resident patients; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of using section 35 of the Scotland Act 1997 in relation to this Bill.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government is neutral on the matter of assisted dying. During the Bill’s passage through the Scottish Parliament, the question of whether it is within competence is a matter for the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament.
While assisted dying is devolved, it interacts with some areas which are reserved. The Scottish Government considered that certain areas of the Bill are beyond the powers of the Scottish Parliament and requested the UK Government take action to address these. After discussions with the Scottish Government we have agreed to make a limited and temporary, technical, change to the Scotland Act 1998 through a Section 30 Scotland Act Order. This change will allow the Scottish Parliament to provide for the approval and regulation of substances and devices to be used in an assisted dying regime in Scotland, should it wish to do so. This order has been laid and is available for Parliamentarians to scrutinise.
Asked by: Danny Kruger (Reform UK - East Wiltshire)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department has issued guidance to the Scottish Parliament on its legislative competence in the context of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government is neutral on the matter of assisted dying. During the Bill’s passage through the Scottish Parliament, the question of whether it is within competence is a matter for the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament.
While assisted dying is devolved, it interacts with some areas which are reserved. The Scottish Government considered that certain areas of the Bill are beyond the powers of the Scottish Parliament and requested the UK Government take action to address these. After discussions with the Scottish Government we have agreed to make a limited and temporary, technical, change to the Scotland Act 1998 through a Section 30 Scotland Act Order. This change will allow the Scottish Parliament to provide for the approval and regulation of substances and devices to be used in an assisted dying regime in Scotland, should it wish to do so. This order has been laid and is available for Parliamentarians to scrutinise.
Asked by: Danny Kruger (Reform UK - East Wiltshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Chinese authorities concerning the formal arrest of 18 leaders from Zion church in Guangxi Province; and what steps she is taking with international partners to help ensure their release.
Answered by Seema Malhotra
I refer the Hon Member to the response given to Question 91956 on 26 November.
Asked by: Danny Kruger (Reform UK - East Wiltshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will consider using the seven new offices of pan integrated care board commissioning to commission specialist paediatric palliative care, as defined in NHS England's children's palliative care service specification.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales
The Government is developing a Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework for England. I refer the Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement HCWS1087, which I gave to the House on 24 November 2025.
We are also providing £80 million for children’s and young people’s hospices over the next three financial years, giving them stability to plan ahead and focus on what matters most, caring for their patients.