Ian Sollom Portrait

Ian Sollom

Liberal Democrat - St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire

4,621 (8.7%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 4th July 2024

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Universities and Skills)

(since September 2024)

Ian Sollom is not a member of any APPGs
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
15th Jan 2025 - 11th Feb 2025


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Ian Sollom has voted in 113 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Ian Sollom Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Catherine McKinnell (Labour)
Minister of State (Education)
(8 debate interactions)
Bridget Phillipson (Labour)
Minister for Women and Equalities
(3 debate interactions)
Stephen Morgan (Labour)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
(3 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Education
(32 debate contributions)
Department for Work and Pensions
(5 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(3 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Ian Sollom's debates

St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Ian Sollom has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Ian Sollom

30th January 2025
Ian Sollom signed this EDM on Monday 17th March 2025

Women's health hubs

Tabled by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
That this House notes with deep concern the Government’s decision to reduce women’s health targets in NHS guidance, including the removal of the commitment to roll out women’s health hubs across all integrated care boards; recognises that these hubs provide vital services, including faster diagnosis for conditions such as endometriosis …
34 signatures
(Most recent: 17 Mar 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 30
Independent: 2
Green Party: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
25th February 2025
Ian Sollom signed this EDM on Thursday 13th March 2025

Homelessness

Tabled by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
That this House recognises there is a rough sleeping emergency; highlights with concern the Rough Sleeping Inquiry's findings, published on 14 February 2025, of gaps between public institutions and housing support which put vulnerable people at greater risk of rough sleeping following discharge from health care settings or prison; notes …
28 signatures
(Most recent: 18 Mar 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 24
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Independent: 1
Green Party: 1
View All Ian Sollom's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Ian Sollom, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Ian Sollom has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Ian Sollom

Wednesday 26th February 2025

Ian Sollom has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Ian Sollom has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
4th Dec 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Establishing the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme in Regulations, published on 23 August 2024, what his planned timetable is to publish the second set of regulations to provide for the payment of compensation to affected persons; and whether a target date has been set for when compensation payments will begin.

Subject to Parliamentary approval, the Government is aiming for the second set of Regulations to be in place by 31 March 2025 to support our intention that people who are affected can start receiving payment next year.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
3rd Dec 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when applications for the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme will open to those infected after the cut-off date of 1991.

The Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2024, approved by Parliament in October, do not set out hard cut-off dates for determining whether a person is eligible for compensation based on when their infection was acquired. However, the evidence requirements will be higher where a person was infected after the introduction of screening of blood, blood products and tissue. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority opened the compensation scheme to a small number of people in October to allow the Authority to test the service, with further invitations, as part of this testing approach, to be sent between now and January. The claim service for compensation is being designed and delivered now, starting small and scaling up as quickly as possible, to make payments. Dates for the roll out of the service to larger numbers of people will be determined and communicated by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
3rd Dec 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason he has maintained the cut-off dates for the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme.

The Infected Blood Compensation Scheme does not have hard cut-off dates for determining whether a person is eligible for compensation based on when their infection was acquired. However, the evidence requirements will be higher where a person was infected after the introduction of screening of blood, blood products and tissue. The dates for the introduction of screening are November 1985 for HIV infection, September 1991 for Hepatitis C infection and December 1972 for Hepatitis B infection. Those whose infection fell outside of these date ranges would still be eligible as long as they can satisfy the Infected Blood Compensation Authority that the infected blood treatment caused the person to become infected with that infection. It is intended that the Authority’s approach to applications will be to be as proactive and sympathetic as possible, and consistent with appropriate and proportionate safeguarding of the integrity of the scheme.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
18th Nov 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will ensure that affected (a) siblings, (b) children and (c) parents of deceased infected people receive the same Infected Blood compensation payments as affected partners of deceased people.

The compensation amounts available to people who are infected and affected differ depending on their circumstances. As recommended by the Inquiry, the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme has been designed as a tariff-based framework. The proposed tariffs have been developed on the advice of the Infected Blood Inquiry Response Expert Group, which included clinical and legal advisors assisted by social care specialists. The tariff for infected people will be based on the severity of their infection or infections. The proposed tariffs for affected people will similarly be based on the severity banding in relation to their loved one who was infected. The tariff-based approach means that the Scheme will award compensation that reflects personal circumstances while making payments quickly.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
18th Nov 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will ensure that Infected Blood compensation payments to the estates of deceased infected people are the same as those for living infected people.

The compensation amounts available to people who are infected and affected differ depending on their circumstances. As recommended by the Inquiry, the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme has been designed as a tariff-based framework. The proposed tariffs have been developed on the advice of the Infected Blood Inquiry Response Expert Group, which included clinical and legal advisors assisted by social care specialists. The tariff for infected people will be based on the severity of their infection or infections. The proposed tariffs for affected people will similarly be based on the severity banding in relation to their loved one who was infected. The tariff-based approach means that the Scheme will award compensation that reflects personal circumstances while making payments quickly.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
18th Nov 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Infected Blood compensation payments to affected (a) siblings, (b) children and (c) parents of deceased infected people will be given the same priority as those to living infected people.

Following feedback from the infected blood community, the previous administration committed to prioritising making payments to people living with infections as a result of contaminated blood or blood products first. This Government has upheld this commitment and we expect the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to begin making payments to people who are infected under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme by the end of this year. Payments to the affected are expected to begin in 2025, following a second set of regulations.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
18th Nov 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps to ensure that information on the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Summary gov.uk webpage remains (a) readily available, (b) accessible to the public and (c) up to date.

The Government is committed to ensuring there is regular communication with the public on infected blood. We will ensure that the gov.uk pages are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure the information remains up to date and correct. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) also sends out a regular newsletter to those interested in the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme and also has a helpline available for the community to contact.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
12th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has (a) evaluated the effectiveness and (b) undertaken a lessons learned review of the Green Jobs Delivery Group.

We have been building on the progress that the Green Jobs Delivery Group previously made by setting up the Office for Clean Energy Jobs (OCEJ). The OCEJ has been created to ensure that clean energy jobs are abundant, high quality, paid fairly, and have favourable terms and good working conditions.

The Department has undertaken lessons learned exercises of the work undertaken by, and to support the Green Jobs Delivery Group. This included an informal assessment of its effectiveness. The outputs have informed the establishment of the OCEJ and its work.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
12th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Office for Clean Energy Jobs makes use of the research and evidence collected by the Green Jobs Delivery Group.

The Office for Clean Energy Jobs is committed to ensuring that research and evidence gathered by the former Green Jobs Delivery Group directly inform its initiatives. In December 2024 we published the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, accompanied by an Annex titled Assessment of the Clean Energy Skills Challenge. This Annex provides a comprehensive analysis of the skills landscape within the clean energy sector, highlighting workforce challenges and opportunities. We continue to engage with industry, unions, and educational bodies to ensure our policies align with latest labour market intelligence and effectively address workforce challenges in the clean energy sector.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
6th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to speed up the pace of repairs to damaged broadband cables in rural areas.

The Department works with Ofcom and communication providers to ensure broadband services are resilient and reliable. All communication providers have statutory obligations to maintain their networks and services. Ofcom has the power to investigate, rectify, and penalise providers for breaches. Consumers can report faults or delays on Ofcom’s website. Additionally, customers of the 10 providers who have signed up to Ofcom’s automatic compensation scheme can be compensated as a result of a delayed repair following loss of service.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
6th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help support people in areas where (a) there is damage to broadband cables and (b) other repairs are required to access to broadband services.

The Department works with Ofcom and communication providers to ensure broadband services are resilient and reliable. All communication providers have statutory obligations to maintain their networks and services. Ofcom has the power to investigate, rectify, and penalise providers for breaches. Consumers can report faults or delays on Ofcom’s website. Additionally, customers of the 10 providers who have signed up to Ofcom’s automatic compensation scheme can be compensated as a result of a delayed repair following loss of service.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
4th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to p.57 of the report by The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award entitled Youth Voices, published 23 July 2024, if she will make it her policy to ensure that the views of young people are represented (a) at all levels of policy and decision-making and (b) in decisions on issues that affect young people.

This Government recognises the value of effective youth participation in decision making at all levels. We understand this leads to impactful policy locally, regionally and nationally.

Youth consultation opportunities are being held across various government departments, including the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Education, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to shape policies on youth employment, communities, and environmental improvement.

We are currently co-producing the National Youth Strategy in partnership with young people and the youth sector. DCMS has already conducted Ministerial roundtables with young people and over the coming months will conduct a number of different engagement activities with young people, including focus groups. We launched a national survey on 5 March 2025 to ask young people about their issues and priorities.

We have also produced an engagement toolkit so MPs can run their own workshops and discussions with young people, or share this toolkit with organisations in their constituencies who work with young people.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
4th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2025 to Question 26625 on Multi-sport Grassroots Facilities Programme, if she will publish the 521 projects that remain incomplete.

The Government published a list of funded Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities projects on 8th October 2024 on Gov.uk. The lists can be found here and include funded projects that are either due to start, in progress or complete.

We are committed to publishing a regularly updated list of funded and completed projects, with the next to be published in Spring 2025.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
27th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme projects have (a) been completed and (b) remain incomplete since the start of this Parliament.

Since 9 July 2024, a total of 637 Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities projects have been completed across the UK. Projects funded include new and upgraded artificial grass pitches, clubhouses, changing rooms, floodlights, and pitch maintenance equipment.

As of 30 January 2025, 521 projects identified for funding remain incomplete.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
12th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to Skills England’s report entitled Skills England: driving growth and widening opportunities, published on 24 September 2024, what steps she has taken to support cross-departmental working by Skills England (a) in general and (b) to provide training on green skills to employees in sectors that plan to decarbonise.

In September 2024, Skills England published their first report, titled, ‘Skills England: Driving Growth and Widening Opportunities. This report sets out Skills England’s role, the key skills challenges that limit economic growth and opportunity, and an initial assessment of skills needs in the economy.

Part of Skills England’s role is to ensure that skills sit at the heart of joined-up decision making across government. This includes working closely with:

i) The Industrial Strategy Council, so that we have the skilled workforce needed to deliver a clear, long-term plan for the future economy.

ii) The Department for Work on Pensions, on the government’s plan to Get Britain Working.

iii) The Migration Advisory Committee, so that growing the domestic skills pipeline reduces our reliance on overseas workers.

iv) Mayoral Strategic Authorities, to ensure that regional skills needs are met and there is alignment with national priorities.

v) The devolved administrations, to ensure join-up across the UK.

vi) The full range of central government departments including the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), which has set up the Office for Clean Energy Jobs to meet our clean energy superpower mission.

Skills England will ensure that skills development aligns with the UK’s carbon emission and environmental targets, working in partnership with businesses, educational institutions, and regional and local organisations. Following the publication of its first report, Skills England consulted over 700 employers and other key stakeholders, including from the green economy, on their skills needs and priorities for training funded through the new growth and skills offer.

To meet carbon emission and environmental targets, skills training programmes must respond to the demands of a low-carbon economy, with qualifications and training pathways designed to directly address the ways in which jobs will change. Skills England will work with businesses and other government departments to help develop understanding of the importance of this shift including for employers and training providers.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
11th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government taking to open up technical and vocational pathways for people to access training and employment in the chemical sciences sector.

The government is developing a comprehensive strategy for post‐16 education and skills, to break down barriers to opportunity, support the development of a skilled workforce in all sectors, including the chemical sciences sector, and drive economic growth through our Industrial Strategy.

The department has established Skills England to ensure we have the highly-trained workforce needed to deliver the national, regional and local skills needs of the next decade. It will ensure that the skills system is clear and navigable for individuals, for both young people and older adults, strengthening careers pathways into jobs across the economy.

The department’s reformed growth and skills offer, which will have apprenticeships at its core, will deliver greater flexibility for learners and employers, including through shorter duration apprenticeships in targeted sectors. This will help more people learn new high quality skills at work and is fuelling innovation in businesses across the UK.

The department will continue to support learners who wish to have a career in the chemical sector through its technical education offer, with a range of high quality qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities at all levels.

Examples of this include:

  • Over 80 high quality employer-designed apprenticeship standards in the health and science sector to support the development of skilled workforces, including through the level 3 Laboratory Technician standard.
  • T Levels in science, where students can specialise in laboratory sciences, food sciences or metrology sciences, leading to entry level occupations in the science sector.
  • Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), which are occupation-focused level 4 and 5 qualifications, approved and quality-marked as providing the skills demanded in the workplace by employers. To date, 263 HTQs have been approved for delivery across a range of occupational routes, with three Technician Scientist HTQs becoming available from September 2025.

For the 2024/25 academic year, more than half of the £1.4 billion Strategic Priorities Grant recurrent funding to higher education providers is allocated to support the provision of high-cost subjects, which includes chemistry. From this funding, the Office for Students is allocating £1,737 per full-time equivalent student to providers for chemistry students.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
11th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve chemistry education; and whether she has plans for the subject to focus on (a) green skills, (b) digital skills and (c) transferrable skills alongside technical knowledge.

High and rising school standards are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life. The government also recognises that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, such as chemistry, are vital for the UK’s future economic needs and to drive up productivity. Chemistry skills, in particular, are necessary for a range of careers within the green economy, including in growing sectors like carbon capture and hydrogen.

The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The review will seek to deliver a curriculum that readies young people for life and work, building the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to thrive. The review group will publish an interim report in early spring setting out its interim findings and confirming the key areas for further work, and will publish its final report with recommendations this autumn. We will take decisions on what changes to make to the curriculum in light of these recommendations.

Oak National Academy, an independent arm’s length body which provides free, high-quality, optional and adaptable curriculum resources for schools, has recently published new curriculum sequences and associated lesson resources in science from key stages 1-4, including chemistry. Within Oak’s science curriculum, it provides a broad range of resources to support teachers to teach about green skills, climate change and sustainability. This year, Oak is also introducing a new curriculum thread entitled How can we live sustainably to protect Earth for a better future?’. This will form part of its secondary science curriculum and will support the growing emphasis of green skills in chemistry. As well as this, Oak’s chemistry lessons include a variety of data analysis tools to strengthen pupils’ digital competency. Oak’s chemistry lessons include real-life applications of chemistry, such as industrial chemistry, environmental chemistry and material science to strengthen technical knowledge.

To improve education in STEM subjects, it is essential to ensure high-quality teaching by helping schools recruit and retain good teachers. The government has therefore announced an initial teacher training financial incentives package for the 2025/26 academic year worth £233 million, a £37 million increase on the last recruitment cycle. This includes a range of measures, including bursaries worth £29,000 tax-free and scholarships worth £31,000 tax-free, to encourage talented trainees in key STEM subjects such as chemistry.

For the 2024/25 and 2025/26 academic years, the government is also offering a targeted retention incentive worth up to £6,000 after tax for chemistry teachers in the first five years of their careers who choose to work in disadvantaged schools. This will support recruitment and retention of specialist teachers in the subject in the schools and areas that need them most.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
10th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many times she has met with the Interim Chair of Skills England since their appointment.

Since their appointment in July, the Interim Chair of Skills England, Richard Pennycook, has met my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education six times and my noble Friend, the Minister for Skills five times. In addition, the Interim Chair has had weekly meetings with the Interim Chief Executive.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education of 30 January 2025 in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill Public Bill Committee (Eighth sitting), Official Report PBC (Bill 151) Eighth Sitting, column 308, how she defines a new education provision.

New section 436C(1) of the Education Act 1996 lists the information legally required to be provided by parents of children who are eligible for inclusion on a local authority’s ‘Children Not in School’ register. This information is their child’s name, date of birth and address, the name and address of each parent, the amount of time the child spends receiving education from each parent and information on any other person providing education to the child.

The Bill provides, in section 436C(2), a list of information that will be optional for parents to provide to their local authority for inclusion on the register. This includes information relating to their child’s protected characteristics, any special educational needs and details of any child protection issues such as ongoing enquiries and whether the child is looked-after or a child in need. Local authorities may also include the information listed in this section if they already hold it through other means.

The parental duty to provide information will apply when their child first becomes eligible for registration, such as when they first move into home education. The duty will also apply when there is a change to any of the information they are required to provide. This could include a change of address or a change in the providers of the child’s education.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether parents will be legally obliged to provide all information listed in inserted section 436C in Clause 25 of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill to local authorities.

New section 436C(1) of the Education Act 1996 lists the information legally required to be provided by parents of children who are eligible for inclusion on a local authority’s ‘Children Not in School’ register. This information is their child’s name, date of birth and address, the name and address of each parent, the amount of time the child spends receiving education from each parent and information on any other person providing education to the child.

The Bill provides, in section 436C(2), a list of information that will be optional for parents to provide to their local authority for inclusion on the register. This includes information relating to their child’s protected characteristics, any special educational needs and details of any child protection issues such as ongoing enquiries and whether the child is looked-after or a child in need. Local authorities may also include the information listed in this section if they already hold it through other means.

The parental duty to provide information will apply when their child first becomes eligible for registration, such as when they first move into home education. The duty will also apply when there is a change to any of the information they are required to provide. This could include a change of address or a change in the providers of the child’s education.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education during the Eighth sitting of the Public Bill Committee on the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill on Thursday 30 January 2025, Official Report PBC (Bill 151) Eighth Sitting column 308, if she will specify the information under Clause 25 to which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary referred when he said that all other information would be optional.

New section 436C(1) of the Education Act 1996 lists the information legally required to be provided by parents of children who are eligible for inclusion on a local authority’s ‘Children Not in School’ register. This information is their child’s name, date of birth and address, the name and address of each parent, the amount of time the child spends receiving education from each parent and information on any other person providing education to the child.

The Bill provides, in section 436C(2), a list of information that will be optional for parents to provide to their local authority for inclusion on the register. This includes information relating to their child’s protected characteristics, any special educational needs and details of any child protection issues such as ongoing enquiries and whether the child is looked-after or a child in need. Local authorities may also include the information listed in this section if they already hold it through other means.

The parental duty to provide information will apply when their child first becomes eligible for registration, such as when they first move into home education. The duty will also apply when there is a change to any of the information they are required to provide. This could include a change of address or a change in the providers of the child’s education.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that Skills England is accountable to Parliament.

It is intended for Skills England to become an Executive Agency of the Department for Education. As with all other Executive Agencies, Skills England will be required to have robust governance arrangements and clear lines of accountability, including to parliament. This will be set out in a publicly available Framework Document.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
3rd Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with universities on the importance maintaining the provision of maths.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, recognises the critical importance of mathematics provision at universities. English universities are independent, autonomous institutions and are therefore free to choose which courses they run. The quality of these courses is assessed by the Office for Students, the regulator of higher education providers in England. The government acknowledges that robust mathematics education is essential for developing the skills needed in various sectors and for maintaining the UK's competitive edge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

The government is committed to ensuring the provision of high-quality mathematics education across universities of all tariff levels. Measures include financial incentives to attract talented individuals into teaching key shortage subjects, such as mathematics.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
3rd Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to maintain provision of maths at universities of all tariff levels.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, recognises the critical importance of mathematics provision at universities. English universities are independent, autonomous institutions and are therefore free to choose which courses they run. The quality of these courses is assessed by the Office for Students, the regulator of higher education providers in England. The government acknowledges that robust mathematics education is essential for developing the skills needed in various sectors and for maintaining the UK's competitive edge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

The government is committed to ensuring the provision of high-quality mathematics education across universities of all tariff levels. Measures include financial incentives to attract talented individuals into teaching key shortage subjects, such as mathematics.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
3rd Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the importance of maths provision at universities of all tariff levels.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, recognises the critical importance of mathematics provision at universities. English universities are independent, autonomous institutions and are therefore free to choose which courses they run. The quality of these courses is assessed by the Office for Students, the regulator of higher education providers in England. The government acknowledges that robust mathematics education is essential for developing the skills needed in various sectors and for maintaining the UK's competitive edge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

The government is committed to ensuring the provision of high-quality mathematics education across universities of all tariff levels. Measures include financial incentives to attract talented individuals into teaching key shortage subjects, such as mathematics.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
29th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department will continue funding the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund after March 2025.

The department will shortly be finalising business planning decisions on how we will allocate the budget for the next financial year. All decisions regarding the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund are being made as part of these discussions, and an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

All future funding decisions will be considered as part of the next spending review.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
28th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support the financial viability of universities.

The department acknowledges the challenging financial environment faced by the higher education (HE) sector. The Office for Students' (OfS) latest report on the HE sector's financial health, which was published in November, stated that the sector's financial context has become more challenging since its previous report in May. Their analysis suggests that up to 72% of providers could face deficit and up to 40% may have low liquidity if they do not take significant mitigating actions.

The report also found that international recruitment is significantly below the sector’s previous expectations. This government has taken a different stand on international students, and we have spoken clearly about it. In my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education’s first speech in July 2024, and the subsequent video messages addressed to international students, she set out that we welcome international students who make a positive impact on the UK’s HE sector and our economy and society as a whole. That is why international students are offered the opportunity to remain in the UK, and contribute to the society and economy, on a graduate visa for two or three years after their studies come to an end.

Nevertheless, all providers must continue to adapt to uncertainties and financial risks. As autonomous bodies independent of government, it is for providers to decide on effective business models and to how to manage their finances. However, the department is determined to secure the future of our world leading HE sector. That is why we have taken decisive action to support the sector in moving towards a more stable financial footing.

Sir David Behan has been appointed interim Chair of the OfS to oversee the important work of refocusing their role to concentrate on key priorities, including the HE sector’s financial stability. In December, the OfS announced temporary changes to its operations to allow greater focus on financial sustainability. The OfS will work more closely with providers under significant financial pressure in order to protect students’ interests.

Moreover, the government has made the difficult decision to increase tuition fee limits in line with forecast inflation. The maximum fee for a standard full-time undergraduate course in the 2025/26 academic year will increase by 3.1%, from £9,250 to £9,535. The department will set out a long term plan for sector reform this summer.

The department will continue to work closely with the OfS in order to understand the ongoing impacts and changing landscape of financial sustainability in the sector.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
28th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to protect the financial viability of English universities, in the context of falling numbers of international students applying for Higher Education in England.

The department acknowledges the challenging financial environment faced by the higher education (HE) sector. The Office for Students' (OfS) latest report on the HE sector's financial health, which was published in November, stated that the sector's financial context has become more challenging since its previous report in May. Their analysis suggests that up to 72% of providers could face deficit and up to 40% may have low liquidity if they do not take significant mitigating actions.

The report also found that international recruitment is significantly below the sector’s previous expectations. This government has taken a different stand on international students, and we have spoken clearly about it. In my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education’s first speech in July 2024, and the subsequent video messages addressed to international students, she set out that we welcome international students who make a positive impact on the UK’s HE sector and our economy and society as a whole. That is why international students are offered the opportunity to remain in the UK, and contribute to the society and economy, on a graduate visa for two or three years after their studies come to an end.

Nevertheless, all providers must continue to adapt to uncertainties and financial risks. As autonomous bodies independent of government, it is for providers to decide on effective business models and to how to manage their finances. However, the department is determined to secure the future of our world leading HE sector. That is why we have taken decisive action to support the sector in moving towards a more stable financial footing.

Sir David Behan has been appointed interim Chair of the OfS to oversee the important work of refocusing their role to concentrate on key priorities, including the HE sector’s financial stability. In December, the OfS announced temporary changes to its operations to allow greater focus on financial sustainability. The OfS will work more closely with providers under significant financial pressure in order to protect students’ interests.

Moreover, the government has made the difficult decision to increase tuition fee limits in line with forecast inflation. The maximum fee for a standard full-time undergraduate course in the 2025/26 academic year will increase by 3.1%, from £9,250 to £9,535. The department will set out a long term plan for sector reform this summer.

The department will continue to work closely with the OfS in order to understand the ongoing impacts and changing landscape of financial sustainability in the sector.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
28th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of recent trends in the number of international students studying in England on the financial viability of universities.

The department acknowledges the challenging financial environment faced by the higher education (HE) sector. The Office for Students' (OfS) latest report on the HE sector's financial health, which was published in November, stated that the sector's financial context has become more challenging since its previous report in May. Their analysis suggests that up to 72% of providers could face deficit and up to 40% may have low liquidity if they do not take significant mitigating actions.

The report also found that international recruitment is significantly below the sector’s previous expectations. This government has taken a different stand on international students, and we have spoken clearly about it. In my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education’s first speech in July 2024, and the subsequent video messages addressed to international students, she set out that we welcome international students who make a positive impact on the UK’s HE sector and our economy and society as a whole. That is why international students are offered the opportunity to remain in the UK, and contribute to the society and economy, on a graduate visa for two or three years after their studies come to an end.

Nevertheless, all providers must continue to adapt to uncertainties and financial risks. As autonomous bodies independent of government, it is for providers to decide on effective business models and to how to manage their finances. However, the department is determined to secure the future of our world leading HE sector. That is why we have taken decisive action to support the sector in moving towards a more stable financial footing.

Sir David Behan has been appointed interim Chair of the OfS to oversee the important work of refocusing their role to concentrate on key priorities, including the HE sector’s financial stability. In December, the OfS announced temporary changes to its operations to allow greater focus on financial sustainability. The OfS will work more closely with providers under significant financial pressure in order to protect students’ interests.

Moreover, the government has made the difficult decision to increase tuition fee limits in line with forecast inflation. The maximum fee for a standard full-time undergraduate course in the 2025/26 academic year will increase by 3.1%, from £9,250 to £9,535. The department will set out a long term plan for sector reform this summer.

The department will continue to work closely with the OfS in order to understand the ongoing impacts and changing landscape of financial sustainability in the sector.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
8th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of school rebuilding projects have (a) been completed, (b) been completed within their intended time frame and (c) have passed their original deadline.

As of 31 December 2024, buildings have been handed over at 23 schools. Of these, demolition and ground works are complete at nine schools, with a further six forecast to reach practical completion this financial year.

The programme started in 2020, with the first projects announced in 2021. In line with initial expectations for the programme, just under half of School Rebuilding Programme projects have commenced various stages of delivery activity, despite some market challenges caused by significant global events. The remaining projects have been given indicative start dates for delivery over the next few years based on a prioritisation of need, with building projects taking up to five years from commencement to complete.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
8th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding has been allocated in total for the school rebuilding programme.

School buildings are integral to high and rising standards and need to be fit for the future.

We have committed to rebuilding or refurbishing 518 schools and sixth form colleges through the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP).

The Autumn Budget 2024 included £1.4 billion for the 2025/26 financial year to drive the ongoing delivery of the current programme. Future capital funding for schools beyond 2025/26 will be confirmed following the next multi-year phase of the Spending Review.

Annual capital budgets to date for the SRP are published within the Supplementary and Main Estimates on parliament.uk. These budgets are combined with the legacy Priority School Building Programme.

The department also publishes information on all contracts awarded over £10,000, including rebuilding projects, normally within 30 days of the contract being signed. These are published on GOV.UK at: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
8th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the cost to the public purse has been of the school rebuilding programme broken down by spending on (a) completed projects and (b) ongoing projects.

School buildings are integral to high and rising standards and need to be fit for the future.

We have committed to rebuilding or refurbishing 518 schools and sixth form colleges through the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP).

The Autumn Budget 2024 included £1.4 billion for the 2025/26 financial year to drive the ongoing delivery of the current programme. Future capital funding for schools beyond 2025/26 will be confirmed following the next multi-year phase of the Spending Review.

Annual capital budgets to date for the SRP are published within the Supplementary and Main Estimates on parliament.uk. These budgets are combined with the legacy Priority School Building Programme.

The department also publishes information on all contracts awarded over £10,000, including rebuilding projects, normally within 30 days of the contract being signed. These are published on GOV.UK at: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
7th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which contractors have been chosen to carry out works under the school rebuilding programme; and on what criteria these contractors were chosen.

The department procures contractors from its frameworks to deliver the vast majority of projects, including the School Rebuilding Programme. Information on the contractors on its frameworks, including the criteria for selecting contractors for individual projects, can be found on GOV.UK, and is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-buildings-construction-framework-2021/appendix-d-framework-contractors.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
7th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many temporary classrooms are currently in use in schools across England, broken down by number in use in (a) primary schools (b) secondary schools and (c) special schools.

It is the responsibility of those who run schools, academy trusts, local authorities and voluntary aided school bodies, to manage the maintenance of their schools and alert the department if there is a concern with a building. Local authorities and academy trusts do not need to report the use of temporary classrooms to the department, therefore, the department does not hold this data. The department does provide support on a case-by-case basis, working with the sector, if it is alerted to a serious safety issue. The department always puts the safety and wellbeing of children and staff in schools and colleges at the heart of its policy decisions.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
5th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of encouraging the Joint Council for Qualifications to include the Level 3 Core Maths qualification within the A level and Level 3 results documents to ensure their profile is aligned with similar sized qualifications.

High and rising school standards, including in mathematics, are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best life chances. Our Core Maths suite of qualifications is designed to prepare students for the mathematical demands of university study, employment and life by strengthening and building on students’ existing skills with a focus on using and applying mathematics. In the 2024/2025 academic year, a Core Maths premium of £900 per year per student was introduced into the 16-19 funding formula to support students’ participation in programmes with core mathematics qualifications. Guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/16-to-19-funding-core-maths-premium/16-to-19-funding-core-maths-premium#eligible.

The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE, an expert in education policy. The review will seek to deliver an excellent foundation in reading, writing and maths and will look at ensuring all young people aged 16-19 have access to rigorous, high value qualifications and training.

Results data is published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) annually. Departmental officials have discussed with JCQ what data they might report for summer 2025 and beyond. While JCQ regularly review what and how they publish their data, they are an independent organisation, and this is a matter for them to consider.

The department funds the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme (AMSP), to promote the value of, and discuss positive encouragement for, level 3 mathematics and Core Maths in particular. The AMSP monitors engagement with the programme and provides support to increase the uptake of Core Maths.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
5th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will undertake a review of further education funding, in the context of the pay dispute with teachers at non-academised sixth forms.

This government recognises the vital role that further education (FE) teachers and providers play in equipping learners with the opportunities and skills that they need to succeed in their education, and will consider workforce sufficiency and what this might mean for FE funding in future years.

The Autumn Budget 2024 set out the government’s commitment to skills by providing an additional £300 million revenue funding for FE to ensure young people are developing the skills this country needs. The department will set out in due course how this funding will be distributed.

Government plays no role in recommending or setting pay or terms and conditions of employment within the FE sector. Institutions remain solely responsible for the pay, contractual conditions and terms of service for their workforce, and for managing their own industrial relations.

The department encourages sixth form colleges both to ensure good industrial relations and, if necessary, to take appropriate mitigations to ensure that young people’s learning can continue during industrial action.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
5th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support the education of pupils at non-academised sixth forms in the context of planned industrial action.

This government recognises the vital role that further education (FE) teachers and providers play in equipping learners with the opportunities and skills that they need to succeed in their education, and will consider workforce sufficiency and what this might mean for FE funding in future years.

The Autumn Budget 2024 set out the government’s commitment to skills by providing an additional £300 million revenue funding for FE to ensure young people are developing the skills this country needs. The department will set out in due course how this funding will be distributed.

Government plays no role in recommending or setting pay or terms and conditions of employment within the FE sector. Institutions remain solely responsible for the pay, contractual conditions and terms of service for their workforce, and for managing their own industrial relations.

The department encourages sixth form colleges both to ensure good industrial relations and, if necessary, to take appropriate mitigations to ensure that young people’s learning can continue during industrial action.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
5th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help resolve pay disputes with non-academised sixth forms who were not included in the 5.5% pay award announced for teachers.

The government does not set or recommend pay in further education (FE) providers, which have the freedom to make their own arrangements in line with their local circumstances.

This government recognises the vital role that FE teachers and providers play in equipping learners with the opportunities and skills that they need to succeed in their education and throughout life.

That is why the October Budget set out the government’s commitment to skills, by providing an additional £300 million revenue funding for FE to ensure young people are developing the skills this country needs. The department will set out in due course how this funding will be distributed.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
5th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to (a) increase awareness and (b) raise the status with (i) universities and (ii) employers of the Level 3 Core Maths qualification.

High and rising school standards, including in mathematics, are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best life chances. Our Core Maths suite of qualifications is designed to prepare students for the mathematical demands of university study, employment and life by strengthening and building on students’ existing skills with a focus on using and applying mathematics. In the 2024/2025 academic year, a Core Maths premium of £900 per year per student was introduced into the 16-19 funding formula to support students’ participation in programmes with core mathematics qualifications. Guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/16-to-19-funding-core-maths-premium/16-to-19-funding-core-maths-premium#eligible.

The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE, an expert in education policy. The review will seek to deliver an excellent foundation in reading, writing and maths and will look at ensuring all young people aged 16-19 have access to rigorous, high value qualifications and training.

Results data is published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) annually. Departmental officials have discussed with JCQ what data they might report for summer 2025 and beyond. While JCQ regularly review what and how they publish their data, they are an independent organisation, and this is a matter for them to consider.

The department funds the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme (AMSP), to promote the value of, and discuss positive encouragement for, level 3 mathematics and Core Maths in particular. The AMSP monitors engagement with the programme and provides support to increase the uptake of Core Maths.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
3rd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of maths provision in universities as part of the plan to recruit 6,500 new teachers.

English universities are independent, autonomous institutions and are therefore free to choose which courses they run. Quality is assessed by the Office for Students, the regulator of higher education (HE) providers in England.

The factor that makes the biggest difference to a young person’s education in schools and colleges is high quality teaching, but there are shortages of qualified teachers across the country. This is why the department is committed to recruiting an additional 6,500 expert teachers across schools, both mainstream and specialist, and colleges, over the course of this parliament.

Our measures will include getting more teachers into key subjects, such as mathematics, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges or shortages of qualified teachers, and tackling retention issues.

The department has recently announced the Initial Teacher Training financial incentives package for the 2025/26 recruitment cycle, which is worth up to £233 million, and represents a £37 million increase on the last cycle. This includes a range of measures, including bursaries worth £29,000 tax-free and scholarships worth £31,000 tax-free, to encourage talented trainees to key subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing.

The department is also supporting the retention of teachers within the profession, alongside additional recruitment. As of 14 October, eligible early career teachers in priority science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and technical subjects can claim targeted retention incentive payments worth up to £6,000 after tax, with payments made available to college teachers in key STEM and technical subjects for the first time.

The government recognises that our universities make a vital contribution to our economy, society and to industry and innovation. We recognise the need to put our world-leading HE sector on a secure footing to ensure that all students have confidence that they will receive the world-class HE experience they deserve.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
3rd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for (a) her policies and (b) the labour market of changes in the level of the provision of maths in universities.

English universities are independent, autonomous institutions and are therefore free to choose which courses they run. Quality is assessed by the Office for Students, the regulator of higher education (HE) providers in England.

The factor that makes the biggest difference to a young person’s education in schools and colleges is high quality teaching, but there are shortages of qualified teachers across the country. This is why the department is committed to recruiting an additional 6,500 expert teachers across schools, both mainstream and specialist, and colleges, over the course of this parliament.

Our measures will include getting more teachers into key subjects, such as mathematics, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges or shortages of qualified teachers, and tackling retention issues.

The department has recently announced the Initial Teacher Training financial incentives package for the 2025/26 recruitment cycle, which is worth up to £233 million, and represents a £37 million increase on the last cycle. This includes a range of measures, including bursaries worth £29,000 tax-free and scholarships worth £31,000 tax-free, to encourage talented trainees to key subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing.

The department is also supporting the retention of teachers within the profession, alongside additional recruitment. As of 14 October, eligible early career teachers in priority science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and technical subjects can claim targeted retention incentive payments worth up to £6,000 after tax, with payments made available to college teachers in key STEM and technical subjects for the first time.

The government recognises that our universities make a vital contribution to our economy, society and to industry and innovation. We recognise the need to put our world-leading HE sector on a secure footing to ensure that all students have confidence that they will receive the world-class HE experience they deserve.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
26th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many pupils had applications to state-funded mainstream schools rejected due to the school being unable to meet their identified SEND requirements in the 2023-24 school year.

School applications and admissions are handled by the local authority and individual schools’ admission authorities. Therefore, the department does not hold information on the reasons for applications to state-funded schools being refused.

All mainstream, state-funded schools must comply with the statutory ‘school admissions code’ and with equalities legislation. The code is clear that admission authorities must not discriminate against disabled children or those with special educational needs (SEN), and that their admission arrangements will not disadvantage unfairly, either directly or indirectly, a child with a disability or SEN. The school admissions code can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1001050/School_admissions_code_2021.pdf.

A parent refused a place at a school they have applied for must be offered the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel.

More information on school applications and appeals can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/secondary-and-primary-school-applications-and-offers, and here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/admission-appeals-in-england#releaseHeadlines-tables.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
26th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many pupils were (a) suspended and (b) permanently excluded from secondary schools in England in 2023-24; and what proportion of those pupils were identified as having SEND.

The department publishes figures from the school census on suspensions and permanent exclusions from state-funded schools in England. The most recent full academic year release, for the 2022/23 academic year, is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/suspensions-and-permanent-exclusions-in-england/2022-23.

The latest release covers the 2023/24 autumn term and is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/suspensions-and-permanent-exclusions-in-england/2023-24-autumn-term.

Published figures include numbers and rates of suspensions and permanent exclusions by school phase and characteristics, including special educational needs provision. A table has been created from the 2022/23 academic year publication here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f661eaa5-0158-4c2d-710a-08dd0ae16946.

Data is not yet available for the whole 2023/24 academic year. Data is collected two terms in arrears to allow time for Independent Review Panels to review exclusion decisions before data is collected.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
26th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many pupils were (a) suspended and (b) permanently excluded from primary schools in England in 2023-24; and what proportion of such pupils were identified as having SEND.

The department publishes figures from the school census on suspensions and permanent exclusions from state-funded schools in England. The most recent full academic year release, for the 2022/23 academic year, is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/suspensions-and-permanent-exclusions-in-england/2022-23.

The latest release covers the 2023/24 autumn term and is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/suspensions-and-permanent-exclusions-in-england/2023-24-autumn-term.

Published figures include numbers and rates of suspensions and permanent exclusions by school phase and characteristics, including special educational needs provision. A table has been created from the 2022/23 academic year publication here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f661eaa5-0158-4c2d-710a-08dd0ae16946.

Data is not yet available for the whole 2023/24 academic year. Data is collected two terms in arrears to allow time for Independent Review Panels to review exclusion decisions before data is collected.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
26th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teaching hours have been missed by persistently absent pupils with SEND in the 2023-24 school year.

Information on pupil absence, including persistent absence and breakdowns by pupil characteristics, is published in the ‘Pupil absence in schools in England’ statistical release. This can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/pupil-absence-in-schools-in-england/2022-23.

The most recent data available is for the autumn and spring terms of the 2023/24 academic year. Data for the full 2023/24 academic year will be published in March 2025.

Data is collected in sessions as opposed to hours missed. One session is equal to half a day. The number of overall absence sessions for persistent absentees, broken down by special educational need status, can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/dabc07e5-3cb8-48ca-7115-08dd0ae16946.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
12th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure academy trusts are subject to local accountability by parents and communities in instances where school policies and complaints procedures fail to resolve concerns.

Academies are required to have a complaints procedure in place that adheres to Part 7 of the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014. Where parents or carers have concerns, they should first approach the academy, and it is their responsibility to handle and resolve complaints. If a complainant has concerns that an academy did not handle a complaint in line with the regulations, they can then escalate to the department, whose role it is to consider whether the academy followed the correct process.

For members of the wider community who do not have a child at the academy, the regulations do not apply. However, the department still expects academies to handle complaints swiftly and respectfully.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education holds academies to a high level of accountability through their funding agreement. Where wider concerns are raised, for example, as a result of poor governance or lack of compliance with the framework, the department will intervene proportionately to ensure compliance.

As part of the King’s Speech, we have committed to legislate to require all schools, including academies, to cooperate with the local authority on school admissions and place planning, and to give local authorities greater powers to deliver their function and ensure that admissions decisions account for the needs of the community.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
17th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of delaying the outcome of her short review of post-16 qualification reforms until December 2024 on (a) schools’ ability to provide effective information and (b) plan for the 2025/26 academic year.

In July, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced a short review of qualifications reform. The rapid review is focused on Level 3 qualifications currently scheduled to have funding removed on 31 July 2025.

The department understands the need to provide certainty to the sector, students and parents about what qualifications will be available in the 2025/26 academic year.

The department is working as quickly as possible to provide clarity to the sector, which is why we moved immediately to pause the defunding due to happen from August this year and will conclude and communicate outcomes of the review by the end of the calendar year. This will enable schools and colleges to reflect the outcomes of the review in their delivery planning and marketing materials in the new year.

It is also worth noting that large portions of qualifications are unaffected by the review and provide certainty to the sector. These include A levels and T Levels, new alternative academic qualifications, new technical occupational qualifications, and the qualifications in the subjects, routes and qualification types not covered by the defunding lists, including further applied general qualifications.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
12th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to encourage the (a) reuse and (b) repair of items to help create a circular economy.

This Government is committed to transitioning to a circular economy. We have convened a Circular Economy Taskforce, comprising experts from industry, academia, and civil society, to help develop a Circular Economy Strategy for England. The Strategy will map our transition to a circular economy, supported by a series of roadmaps that detail the interventions that the government and others will make on a sector-by-sector basis.

Defra recognises that reuse and repair are fundamental tenets of any circular economy, and a successful transition aims to eliminate waste and promote sustainability through reuse and resource efficiency. We will consider the evidence for appropriate action right across the economy as we develop the Strategy.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)