Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of levels of provision for blind and partially sighted students in further education (a) with and (b) without education, health and care plans (i) during the transition from school to further education and (ii) at other times; and what steps she is taking to improve accountability for ensuring (A) timely and (B) effective reasonable adjustments are (1) identified, (2) funded and (3) implemented.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Support for people with visual impairments in and transitioning into, further education is guided by legal duties under the Equality Act 2010 and the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) Code of Practice, with tailored provisions depending on the needs of the individual. This applies to those with or without education, health and care plans (EHCPs).

All education and training providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, including those with visual impairments, so they are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled students. Reasonable adjustments can include adapting teaching methods, using assistive technology, modifying assessments, and offering personalised support services.

Ensuring that support is provided in a timely and effective manner is the responsibility of the local authority.

The new Ofsted handbook requires further education providers to embed inclusion across all aspects of provision. Providers must identify their learners’ needs and demonstrate measurable impact on progress and wellbeing.

The department tracks the progress and attainment of learners with SEND and participation and retention rates for learners with EHCPs or special educational needs support and are determined that our reforms to the system should improve experiences and outcomes for learners and their families.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that blind and partially sighted students in further education (a) with and (b) without education, health and care plans are able to access (i) specialist vision impairment support and (ii) associated (A) trained professionals and (B) appropriate assistive technology; and what guidance her Department has to ensure that students without education, health and care plans are able to access that support.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Support for people with visual impairments in and transitioning into, further education is guided by legal duties under the Equality Act 2010 and the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) Code of Practice, with tailored provisions depending on the needs of the individual. This applies to those with or without education, health and care plans (EHCPs).

All education and training providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, including those with visual impairments, so they are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled students. Reasonable adjustments can include adapting teaching methods, using assistive technology, modifying assessments, and offering personalised support services.

Ensuring that support is provided in a timely and effective manner is the responsibility of the local authority.

The new Ofsted handbook requires further education providers to embed inclusion across all aspects of provision. Providers must identify their learners’ needs and demonstrate measurable impact on progress and wellbeing.

The department tracks the progress and attainment of learners with SEND and participation and retention rates for learners with EHCPs or special educational needs support and are determined that our reforms to the system should improve experiences and outcomes for learners and their families.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to include measures within future energy and climate plans to offset or remediate the environmental and public-health impacts of illegally high vehicle emissions.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government’s Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan (CBGDP), published in October, made clear that transport decarbonisation policies and proposals will also drive further air quality improvements, principally through surface transport electrification. In accordance with Part 1, section 14 of the Climate Change Act 2008, the Government will next publish updated cross-economy decarbonisation policies and proposals in connection with the setting of the seventh carbon budget (CB7, 2038–2042). The section 14 report for CB7 will build on the CBGDP to set out a package of transport policies and proposals that continues to deliver both decarbonisation and air quality benefits.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has held with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Secretary of State for Transport regarding cross-government action to address illegal levels of nitrogen oxide emissions from vehicles fitted with defeat devices.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) engages regularly with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Secretary of State for Transport (DfT) on climate change mitigation. Transport policy, including transport emissions, is led by DfT. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is investigating cases of possible non-compliant diesel emissions in cars and vans. The investigations aim to ensure any non-compliance found is fixed as soon as reasonably possible, working together with manufacturers to achieve real-world impacts on air quality.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential lessons learned from other countries on tackling historic diesel emissions; and how this informs the UK’s approach to integrating transport-sector emissions into its climate policy framework.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Transport policy, including on diesel vehicle emissions, is led by the Department for Transport (DfT). The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) engages regularly with DfT on climate change mitigation, including consideration of diesel vehicle emissions.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the contribution of illegally high vehicle emissions arising from the use of defeat devices to overall UK nitrogen oxide and greenhouse gas emissions levels.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Defeat devices are illegal, misleading for drivers and can have negative health impacts on the public.

The Department for Transport has not conducted a specific assessment of the contribution of illegally high vehicle emissions arising from the use of defeat devices to overall UK Nitrogen Oxide and greenhouse gas emissions levels.

The Department for Transport, through the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, is leading investigations into suspected non-compliant diesel vehicles under assimilated Regulation (EU) 2018/858. Where non-compliance is identified, manufacturers are required to take corrective action.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential health and social impacts of illegal vehicle emissions on communities living in areas that already breach air-quality standards; and how those findings inform the Government’s net-zero and energy-efficiency policies.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Defeat devices are illegal, misleading for drivers and can have negative health impacts on the public. The Department for Transport has not conducted a specific assessment of the potential health and social impacts of illegal vehicle emissions on communities living in areas that already breach air-quality standards.

Local authorities are best placed to determine the most effective route to reducing nitrogen dioxide in their cities, and we continue to support them in meeting legally binding obligations to improve air quality. This includes implementing seven Clean Air Zones and other measures such as improved traffic management, cycle lanes and funding for vehicle upgrades. Evidence shows that Clean Air Zones are effective in reducing air pollution.

The government is committed to reducing emissions from diesel cars by reinstating the 2030 phase-out date for new cars relying solely on internal combustion engines, and by committing to phase out all new non-zero emission cars and vans by 2035.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of non-compliant diesel vehicles on the UK’s ability to meet its legally binding carbon budgets and net-zero targets.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Emissions projections for diesel vehicles used in carbon budgets modelling account for the difference between reported vehicle CO2 emissions, tested currently using the World Light Duty Test Procedure, and emissions from vehicles operating in ‘real-world’ driving conditions.

The Department for Transport, through the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, is leading investigations into suspected non-compliant diesel vehicles under assimilated Regulation (EU) 2018/858. Where non-compliance is identified, manufacturers are required to take corrective action.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking steps with the Department for Transport to improve emissions monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to prevent future breaches of vehicle emissions law.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Since 2016, the Department has greatly increased oversight of emissions tests and established the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA’s) Market Surveillance Unit (MSU) to test vehicle emissions and investigate suspicious practice in the real world as well as in laboratory situations. MSU conducts an annual emissions-testing programme and, where non-compliance is identified, the DVSA works closely with manufacturers to ensure vehicles meet legal requirements.

Legislation introduced in 2018 made it an offence for manufacturers to place vehicles on the market containing prohibited defeat devices. The Department is currently assessing Euro 5 and Euro 6 diesel vehicles to identify any non-compliance and ensure corrective action is taken promptly. Enforcement action will be taken in line with DVSA’s published enforcement policy. The Department is also considering how to strengthen ways in which it can take action in situations where modifications to vehicle emissions systems result in breaches of vehicle emissions law.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that emissions from non-compliant diesel vehicles are fully accounted for in the modelling and monitoring underpinning the UK’s Net Zero Strategy.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Emissions projections for diesel vehicles used in the recently published Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan account for the difference between reported vehicle CO2 emissions, tested using the World Light Duty Test Procedure, and emissions from vehicles operating in ‘real-world’ driving conditions.

The Department for Transport regularly reports its latest modelling and emissions projections to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero as required by Section 13 of the Climate Change Act 2008.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of Band 7 CBT therapist posts created in each of the last five years.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The table attached shows the growth in the relevant subsection of the NHS Talking Therapies workforce over the five years to 2024. The high intensity workforce, which includes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) therapists, increased by 2,582 between 2019 and 2024 to 6,913 full time equivalent therapists. The number of qualified, Band 7 or over, CBT therapists grew over the same period by 1,049 to 3,853 full time equivalents.

This data is published through the mental health national workforce census at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/mental-health-national-workforce-census/

The NHS Talking Therapies workforce includes staff employed by National Health Service providers and also staff in NHS-commissioned independent, local authority, and voluntary sector providers.

The data is not available for Lambeth and Southwark as local data by service is not held centrally.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) NHS Talking Therapy trainees and (b) Band 7 CBT therapist posts have been created in (i) Lambeth and (ii) Southwark in each of the last five years.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The table attached shows the growth in the relevant subsection of the NHS Talking Therapies workforce over the five years to 2024. The high intensity workforce, which includes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) therapists, increased by 2,582 between 2019 and 2024 to 6,913 full time equivalent therapists. The number of qualified, Band 7 or over, CBT therapists grew over the same period by 1,049 to 3,853 full time equivalents.

This data is published through the mental health national workforce census at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/mental-health-national-workforce-census/

The NHS Talking Therapies workforce includes staff employed by National Health Service providers and also staff in NHS-commissioned independent, local authority, and voluntary sector providers.

The data is not available for Lambeth and Southwark as local data by service is not held centrally.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has she made of the performance of her Department's Behaviour and Attendance Ambassadors Programme, with reference to absence and exclusions of pupils with SEND or mental ill health.

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

The regional improvement for standards and excellence Attendance and Behaviour Hubs programme launched in September 2025. The department is appointing up to 90 lead schools with excellent attendance and behaviour practice who will work closely with other schools to help them improve.

The department has also appointed two new ambassadors to work with the sector to shape the programme, ensure that their views are captured and that the programme has maximum impact.

As part of the development of the Attendance and Behaviour Hubs programme, an Equalities Impact Assessment was conducted. The department does not routinely publish Equalities Impact Assessments and has no plans to do so in this case.

As part of the Invitation to Tender for the role of Attendance and Behaviour ambassador and for the school recruitment process, all bidders and applicants were required to declare any and all conflicts of interest prior to responding. The department is satisfied that this process was followed correctly.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has she made of potential conflicts of interest for individuals and companies awarded contracts to deliver the Behaviour and Attendance Ambassador's Programme.

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

The regional improvement for standards and excellence Attendance and Behaviour Hubs programme launched in September 2025. The department is appointing up to 90 lead schools with excellent attendance and behaviour practice who will work closely with other schools to help them improve.

The department has also appointed two new ambassadors to work with the sector to shape the programme, ensure that their views are captured and that the programme has maximum impact.

As part of the development of the Attendance and Behaviour Hubs programme, an Equalities Impact Assessment was conducted. The department does not routinely publish Equalities Impact Assessments and has no plans to do so in this case.

As part of the Invitation to Tender for the role of Attendance and Behaviour ambassador and for the school recruitment process, all bidders and applicants were required to declare any and all conflicts of interest prior to responding. The department is satisfied that this process was followed correctly.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish the Equality Impacts Assessment made of the Behaviour and Attendance Ambassador's Programme.

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

The regional improvement for standards and excellence Attendance and Behaviour Hubs programme launched in September 2025. The department is appointing up to 90 lead schools with excellent attendance and behaviour practice who will work closely with other schools to help them improve.

The department has also appointed two new ambassadors to work with the sector to shape the programme, ensure that their views are captured and that the programme has maximum impact.

As part of the development of the Attendance and Behaviour Hubs programme, an Equalities Impact Assessment was conducted. The department does not routinely publish Equalities Impact Assessments and has no plans to do so in this case.

As part of the Invitation to Tender for the role of Attendance and Behaviour ambassador and for the school recruitment process, all bidders and applicants were required to declare any and all conflicts of interest prior to responding. The department is satisfied that this process was followed correctly.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of applications for NHS Talking Therapies trainee positions.

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

The Government is committed to publishing a 10 Year Workforce Plan to set out action to create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan. The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it.

Found: Jen Craft Josh Fenton-Glynn Andrew George Alex McIntyre Joe Robertson Gregory Stafford Helen Hayes

Found: From the Chair Helen Hayes

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Helen Hayes (Chair); Darren Paffey; Manuela Perteghella; Mark Sewards

Found: Department for Education Josh MacAlister OBE MP Minister for Children and Families Helen Hayes

Found: Floor 100 Parliament Street London SW1A 2BQ E: enquiries@dcms.gov.uk www.gov.uk/dcms Helen Hayes

Found: From the Chair Helen Hayes

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Helen Hayes (Chair); Darren Paffey; Manuela Perteghella; Mark Sewards

Found: Ms Helen Hayes, Chair Education Select Committee House of Commons London SW1A 0AA By email

Found: Alberto Costa; Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi; Florence Eshalomi; Bill Esterson; Patricia Ferguson; Helen Hayes

Found: security and pensions • Andy Slaughter: Spending of the Ministry of Justice on criminal justice • Helen Hayes

Found: Current membership Helen Hayes (Labour; Dulwich and West Norwood) (Chair) Jess Asato (Labour; Lowestoft

Found: Department for Education The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP Secretary of State for Education Helen Hayes

Found: Sanctuary Buildings 20 Great Smith Street London SW1P 3BT ministers@education.gov.uk Helen Hayes

Found: Yours sincerely, Helen Hayes MP Chair, Education Committee

Found: Smith Street London SW1P 3BT tel: 0370 000 2288 www.education.gov.uk/contactus/dfe Helen Hayes

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Helen Hayes (Chair); Jess Asato; Sureena Brackenridge; Dr Caroline

Found: Current membership Helen Hayes (Labour; Dulwich and West Norwood) (Chair) Jess Asato (Labour; Lowestoft