Jack Rankin
Conservative - Windsor
6,457 (14.3%) majority - 2024 General ElectionFirst elected: 4th July 2024
Select Committees
Scottish Affairs Committee (since October 2024)Licensing Hours Extensions Bill (since June 2025)
6 APPG Officer Positions (as of 23 Feb 2026)
Birth Trauma, Events, Male Suicide and Mental Health, Semiconductors, SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) House Builders, Thames Valley5 APPG Memberships
Listed Properties, Water Pollution, Israel, British Hindus, IndiaDivision Voting information
Jack Rankin voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Conservative Aye votes vs 2 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 2 Noes - 14
Jack Rankin voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Conservative Aye votes vs 2 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 2 Noes - 14
Jack Rankin voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 3 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 16 Noes - 1
Jack Rankin voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 3 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 16 Noes - 1
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.
Department Debates
(71 debate contributions)
(36 debate contributions)
(23 debate contributions)
(14 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(10,098 words contributed)
(7,860 words contributed)
(1,784 words contributed)
(1,548 words contributed)
Windsor 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).
of 40,816 signatures (1.23%)
of 9,755 signatures (1.05%)
of 65,302 signatures (0.34%)
of 153,125 signatures (0.21%)
of 110,708 signatures (0.17%)
of 40,816 signatures (1.23%)
of 242,998 signatures (0.17%)
of 153,125 signatures (0.21%)
of 199,034 signatures (0.14%)
of 202,375 signatures (0.12%)
Petition Closed
Don't apply VAT to independent school fees, or remove business rates relief.
Gov Responded - 20 Dec 2024 Debated on - 3 Mar 2025 View Jack Rankin's petition debate contributionsclosed 10 months, 1 week ago
Prevent independent schools from having to pay VAT on fees and incurring business rates as a result of new legislation.
Petition Closed
Introduce 16 as the minimum age for children to have social media
Gov Responded - 17 Dec 2024 Debated on - 24 Feb 2025 View Jack Rankin's petition debate contributionsclosed 11 months ago
We believe social media companies should be banned from letting children under 16 create social media accounts.
Latest EDMs signed by Jack Rankin
Rape gang overseas trafficking
Tabled by: Rupert Lowe (Restore Britain - Great Yarmouth)That this House expresses grave concern at evidence presented during recent independent hearings into organised child sexual exploitation indicating that a number of women and girls may have been trafficked overseas to Pakistan and elsewhere by those responsible for their abuse; notes that the Rape Gang Inquiry has received multiple …
(Most recent: 4 Mar 2026)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 6
Democratic Unionist Party: 4
Independent: 2
Restore Britain: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
Reform UK: 1
Traditional Unionist Voice: 1
Tackling Islamist extremism
Tabled by: Rupert Lowe (Restore Britain - Great Yarmouth)That this House recognises the ongoing threat posed by Islamist extremists who seek to carry out terror attacks in the United Kingdom; notes that the UK’s border and immigration system faces sustained pressure from both legal and illegal migration routes, with significant challenges in monitoring and assessing high-risk individuals; believes …
(Most recent: 8 Jan 2026)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 3
Independent: 2
Restore Britain: 1
Traditional Unionist Voice: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
Reform UK: 1
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Jack Rankin, 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.
Jack Rankin has not been granted any Urgent Questions
1 Adjournment Debate led by Jack Rankin
Jack Rankin has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
2 Bills co-sponsored by Jack Rankin
Freedom of Expression (Religion or Belief System) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Nick Timothy (Con)
Planning (Flooding) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Blake Stephenson (Con)
Latest 50 Written Questions
(View all written questions)1 Other Department Questions
To support the running of the Youth Select Committee (YSC), £10k is provided to an external delivery partner. Staff from the House of Commons support the YSC in addition to their existing responsibilities so it is not possible to disaggregate staff time in this way. Facilities used for the YSC were on the parliamentary estate so no additional costs were incurred.
Paid advertising on X was suspended in April 2023 following a SAFE Framework assessment. X is currently used only for organic (non-paid) content to communicate policies and public services. No expenditure has been made by the Cabinet Office with X since July 2024.
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Government Car Service (GCS) does not provide services to any former Cabinet Ministers.
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
On 1st July 2023 due to a Machinery of Government Change, the Department of International Trade (DIT) became the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), alongside parts of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). We therefore only hold information from DBT from 1st July 2023.
Information included for 2022 only captures former DIT apprenticeship starts. Information for 2023 includes starts from January to June for former DIT. Data provided is sourced from internal-to-DBT management information trackers.
Response relates to apprentices recruited/onboarded onto Apprenticeship Programmes. Years here are taken to mean calendar years, not financial years.
Year | Apprenticeship Starts on Programme |
2022 (DIT Only) | 88 |
2023 | 76 |
2024 | 102 |
2025 | 119 |
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Officials are in the process of reviewing the responses to the consultation, and the government will publish a formal response in due course.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
My officials have considered the Adam Smith Institute’s report, alongside other relevant evidence, as part of the policy development process. Our consultation, Make Work Pay: trade union right of access, proposed an exemption for employers with fewer than 21 employees, with the aim of ensuring access is directed toward workplaces where recognition is most likely to be viable, while taking account of the practical implications for smaller employers.
We are currently reviewing responses to the consultation and will set out the Government’s final approach in our formal response, which will be published in due course.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Paid advertising on X was suspended in April 2023 following a SAFE Framework assessment. X is currently used only for organic (non-paid) content to communicate policies and public services.
The Department for Business and Trade has spent £84.00 with X since July 2024 on X Premium, the platform’s premium subscription service.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The government is carefully reviewing responses to the consultation and will publish its formal response in due course. This will include a breakdown of respondents.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The government will introduce the new trade union right of access in a regulated and responsible manner, ensuring it is workable for employers who receive requests for access. Our published impact assessment titled "Strengthening workers’ rights to trade union access, recognition and representation" provides a further assessment of why these reforms will not disproportionately affect micro or small businesses. In the consultation document, Make Work Pay: Right of Trade Unions to Access Workplaces, the government sought views on exempting employers with fewer than 21 employees. This would mean that micro-businesses and most small employers would not be within scope of the policy. We are carefully reviewing all responses to the consultation and will publish a formal response in due course.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
(a) 9 apprentices were recruited in 2025
(d) 13 apprentices were recruited in 2024
Due to the machinery of Government changes which created the Department in February 2023 DESNZ is unable to provide an answer to questions (b) & (c).
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The department has spent £84 on X and £0 on xAI. The X spending is for a Premium subscription in order to use X Pro, a social media monitoring tool.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We recognise the key role that smart technologies play in decarbonsing homes. A digitised energy system will help consumers manage their usage and reduce their bills. We will set out further details in the Warm Homes Plan later this year.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills and transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future. We will upgrade up to 5 million homes across the country by accelerating the installation of efficient new technologies like heat pumps, solar, batteries and insulation. By enabling consumers to utilise electricity when it is cheaper, deploying smart electric heating can help reduce consumer bills.
Further details on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
No expenditure has been made by DSIT with X since July 2024.
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is committed to ensuring that the appointment of the Chair of Ofcom is fully compliant with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and the department is following the Code on Public Appointments including the principles of fairness, openness and merit.
The advisory assessment panel for the appointment of the new Ofcom Chair is constituted in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. In consultation with the Commissioner for Public Appointments, the panel includes a Senior Independent Panel Member who does not hold a ministerial or departmental role, and whose remit is to provide assurance that the process is fair, open and merit-based.
The Secretary of State for DSIT engages regularly with the SoS for DCMS about a range of matters.
The recruitment process will be conducted in full compliance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments, ensuring it is fair, open and based on merit. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology treats all information about candidates for the Chair of Ofcom as strictly confidential.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is committed to ensuring that the appointment of the Chair of Ofcom is fully compliant with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and the department is following the Code on Public Appointments including the principles of fairness, openness and merit.
The advisory assessment panel for the appointment of the new Ofcom Chair is constituted in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. In consultation with the Commissioner for Public Appointments, the panel includes a Senior Independent Panel Member who does not hold a ministerial or departmental role, and whose remit is to provide assurance that the process is fair, open and merit-based.
The Secretary of State for DSIT engages regularly with the SoS for DCMS about a range of matters.
The recruitment process will be conducted in full compliance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments, ensuring it is fair, open and based on merit. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology treats all information about candidates for the Chair of Ofcom as strictly confidential.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is committed to ensuring that the appointment of the Chair of Ofcom is fully compliant with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and the department is following the Code on Public Appointments including the principles of fairness, openness and merit.
The advisory assessment panel for the appointment of the new Ofcom Chair is constituted in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. In consultation with the Commissioner for Public Appointments, the panel includes a Senior Independent Panel Member who does not hold a ministerial or departmental role, and whose remit is to provide assurance that the process is fair, open and merit-based.
The Secretary of State for DSIT engages regularly with the SoS for DCMS about a range of matters.
The recruitment process will be conducted in full compliance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments, ensuring it is fair, open and based on merit. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology treats all information about candidates for the Chair of Ofcom as strictly confidential.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is committed to ensuring that the appointment of the Chair of Ofcom is fully compliant with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and the department is following the Code on Public Appointments including the principles of fairness, openness and merit.
The advisory assessment panel for the appointment of the new Ofcom Chair is constituted in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. In consultation with the Commissioner for Public Appointments, the panel includes a Senior Independent Panel Member who does not hold a ministerial or departmental role, and whose remit is to provide assurance that the process is fair, open and merit-based.
The Secretary of State for DSIT engages regularly with the SoS for DCMS about a range of matters.
The recruitment process will be conducted in full compliance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments, ensuring it is fair, open and based on merit. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology treats all information about candidates for the Chair of Ofcom as strictly confidential.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) recruited the following number of apprentices in the specified years:
Year | Number of Apprentices recruited |
(a) 2025* | 31 |
(b) 2022 | 25 |
(c) 2023 | 30 |
(d) 2024 | 15 |
*Note that figures for 2025 are as of 17/03/2026 and are not yet final.
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Paid advertising on X was suspended in April 2023 following a SAFE Framework assessment. X is currently used only for organic (non-paid) content to communicate policies and public services.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has spent a total of £481 since July 2024 on an X Premium Plus subscription.
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The promotion of extremist views or terrorism in charities is unacceptable. The Charity Commission is alive to the risks of hostile state threats to the charity sector, and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited. The Charity Commission has consistently been clear that it will respond robustly where there proves to have been wrongdoing and I am confident that it has the ability to do so effectively.
The Government takes the safeguarding of all children seriously and is committed to protecting them from harm across all settings, including out-of-school settings such as Scouts clubs. The Charity Commission has published guidance that explains in which circumstances a report about serious wrongdoing should be made, which details should be provided, and what it will do after receiving a report.
DCMS is planning to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers to tackle extremist abuse of charities. We will consult on measures to automatically ban individuals convicted of hate crimes from serving as charity trustees or senior managers, and make it easier for the Charity Commission to take action against people promoting terrorism, violence or hatred
Ministers and officials regularly meet with the Charity Commission to discuss a range of issues relating to the regulation of charities.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The promotion of extremist views or terrorism in charities is unacceptable. The Charity Commission is alive to the risks of hostile state threats to the charity sector, and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited. The Charity Commission has consistently been clear that it will respond robustly where there proves to have been wrongdoing and I am confident that it has the ability to do so effectively.
The Government takes the safeguarding of all children seriously and is committed to protecting them from harm across all settings, including out-of-school settings such as Scouts clubs. The Charity Commission has published guidance that explains in which circumstances a report about serious wrongdoing should be made, which details should be provided, and what it will do after receiving a report.
DCMS is planning to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers to tackle extremist abuse of charities. We will consult on measures to automatically ban individuals convicted of hate crimes from serving as charity trustees or senior managers, and make it easier for the Charity Commission to take action against people promoting terrorism, violence or hatred
Ministers and officials regularly meet with the Charity Commission to discuss a range of issues relating to the regulation of charities.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The promotion of extremist views or terrorism in charities is unacceptable. The Charity Commission is alive to the risks of hostile state threats to the charity sector, and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited. The Charity Commission has consistently been clear that it will respond robustly where there proves to have been wrongdoing and I am confident that it has the ability to do so effectively.
The Government takes the safeguarding of all children seriously and is committed to protecting them from harm across all settings, including out-of-school settings such as Scouts clubs. The Charity Commission has published guidance that explains in which circumstances a report about serious wrongdoing should be made, which details should be provided, and what it will do after receiving a report.
DCMS is planning to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers to tackle extremist abuse of charities. We will consult on measures to automatically ban individuals convicted of hate crimes from serving as charity trustees or senior managers, and make it easier for the Charity Commission to take action against people promoting terrorism, violence or hatred
Ministers and officials regularly meet with the Charity Commission to discuss a range of issues relating to the regulation of charities.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Gambling Commission is required by its statutory functions to strike a balance between supporting the growth of regulated businesses and providing protection for consumers and society. The Commission’s statement of principles for licensing and regulation includes ensuring that unnecessary regulatory burdens are not placed on businesses, prioritising the least intrusive regulatory tools to achieve compliance and ensuring that any regulatory action is proportionate. It also states that the Commission will have regard to promoting economic growth, insofar as it thinks it is consistent with pursuit of the licensing objectives.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The government’s priority is to ensure funding is being directed where it is needed most to deliver on our objective to reduce gambling-related harms. The Gambling Act 2005 is clear that DCMS and HM Treasury have powers to approve levy spending. To guarantee sufficient accountability and transparency within the new system, we will ensure robust governance arrangements are in place for the levy, including a Levy Board for central government oversight. Governance arrangements will be designed to manage conflicts of interest, while recognising that a wide spectrum of views and insights will be needed to shape our objectives and monitor the outcomes of the levy system.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
DCMS is currently overseeing a number of projects reviewing the UK Youth Parliament and its funding. Further details on their conclusions will be published in due course.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government highly values the charity sector, and its positive contribution across society.
Due to the difficult economic inheritance from the previous government, we have had to take a number of difficult decisions on tax, welfare and spending to fix the public finances, fund public services, and restore economic stability.
The Government has considered the implication of this policy change on the charity sector, and the impacts have been published in the usual way by HMRC as part of the Autumn Budget process.
A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN), which gives a clear explanation of the policy objective and an assessment of the impacts, was published alongside the National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill on 13 November 2024. This Note includes the impacts of the policy on the Exchequer; the economic impacts of the policy; and the impacts on individuals, businesses, civil society organisations and equality impacts.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Consultation on The Enterprise Act 2002 (Mergers Involving Newspaper Enterprises and Foreign Powers) Regulations 2024 closed on 9 July 2024. Ministers recognise the high importance of this issue and are considering the responses carefully. Ministers take into account a wide range of issues and evidence when making a decision, and will publish the response in due course.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Consultation on The Enterprise Act 2002 (Mergers Involving Newspaper Enterprises and Foreign Powers) Regulations 2024 closed on 9 July 2024. Ministers recognise the high importance of this issue and are considering the responses carefully. Ministers take into account a wide range of issues and evidence when making a decision, and will publish the response in due course.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Secretary of State has a quasi-judicial role when considering foreign state ownership, influence and control in newspapers and news magazines, and as such we cannot comment further.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
We are currently considering responses to the consultation, and hope to publish a response in the near future.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
There have been no Foreign State Intervention Notices issued in the last six months.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
We are currently considering responses to the consultation, and hope to publish a response in the near future.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
DCMS works to support the growth of the visitor economy as part of the Government's Growth Mission. Special Development Orders are a long-established part of the planning system. Each case is considered on its individual merits.
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The number of apprentices that enrolled onto apprenticeship programmes within the department in each calendar year is as follows:
- 2022: 324 apprentices
- 2023: 257 apprentices
- 2024: 206 apprentices
- 2025: 271 apprentices
Note: this is a combination of new apprentices joining the department and existing staff embarking on apprenticeship programmes as part of their career development.
The department does not hold data for 2015. For comparison purposes we can confirm that in 2016 the department had 32 apprentices enrol onto apprenticeship programmes. In 2017, the department had 54 apprentices enrol onto apprenticeship programmes.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The situation in the Middle East is deeply troubling, and the escalating violence highlights the importance of universities’ Prevent duty responsibilities to safeguard students from radicalisation.
To comply with the Prevent duty, universities must have effective policies in place and regularly assess risks; this may include updating their risk assessments to remain alert to any increased vulnerability among students, considering recent events.
The Office for Students (OfS) monitors how higher education providers are complying with the Prevent duty and ensures that appropriate measures are in place to protect students from radicalisation. Current OfS monitoring shows that providers are broadly meeting their responsibilities.
The department continues to work closely with the OfS to review compliance and support providers in maintaining high standards.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The situation in the Middle East is deeply troubling, and the escalating violence highlights the importance of universities’ Prevent duty responsibilities to safeguard students from radicalisation.
To comply with the Prevent duty, universities must have effective policies in place and regularly assess risks; this may include updating their risk assessments to remain alert to any increased vulnerability among students, considering recent events.
The Office for Students (OfS) monitors how higher education providers are complying with the Prevent duty and ensures that appropriate measures are in place to protect students from radicalisation. Current OfS monitoring shows that providers are broadly meeting their responsibilities.
The department continues to work closely with the OfS to review compliance and support providers in maintaining high standards.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
As stated by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence on 1 March, Ayatollah Khamenei ran an oppressive and brutal regime, murdering thousands of his own citizens and exporting terror, including to Britain. It is horrifying to see his death mourned publicly in this country.
We condemn all extremist intimidation, harassment and incitement to hatred in our universities. Where public mourning involves this sort of unacceptable behaviour, it should not be tolerated. The department’s Prevent Coordinators engage with universities on concerns relating to students’ union activity and student conduct, to ensure that the correct policies and procedures have been followed. Students’ Unions, where they are registered charities, are regulated by the Charity Commission for compliance with charity law, which assesses and manages them through its regulatory framework.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
As stated by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence on 1 March, Ayatollah Khamenei ran an oppressive and brutal regime, murdering thousands of his own citizens and exporting terror, including to Britain. It is horrifying to see his death mourned publicly in this country.
We condemn all extremist intimidation, harassment and incitement to hatred in our universities. Where public mourning involves this sort of unacceptable behaviour, it should not be tolerated. The department’s Prevent Coordinators engage with universities on concerns relating to students’ union activity and student conduct, to ensure that the correct policies and procedures have been followed. Students’ Unions, where they are registered charities, are regulated by the Charity Commission for compliance with charity law, which assesses and manages them through its regulatory framework.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department is seeking a suitable legislative vehicle to amend and repeal elements of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 at the earliest opportunity, including in relation to the complaints scheme.
The department cannot comment on what might or might not be considered for future legislation, but we will act to protect freedom of speech and academic freedom, and we are considering options.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
During the period 1 July 2024 to 19 January 2026, the department and its executive agencies spent £27,118.12 on sector comms and awareness with X and its predecessor platform/brand Twitter.
xAI acquired X on 28 March 2025. £4,834.80 was spent before the acquisition by xAI. £22,283.32 was spent after the acquisition by xAI.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
On 28 April, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education signed commencement regulations, bringing the following provisions into force on 1 August 2025:
- Duties on higher education (HE) providers and their constituent institutions to take reasonably practicable steps to secure freedom of speech within the law, put in place a code of practice on freedom of speech and academic freedom and promote freedom of speech.
- A ban on non-disclosure agreements for staff and students at HE providers in cases of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct.
- Duties on the Office for Students (OfS) to promote freedom of speech and the power to identify good practice and advise HE providers on it.
The department is seeking a suitable legislative vehicle to amend and repeal other elements of the Act in due course, including in relation to the complaints scheme.
In the meantime, as well as the new provider duties in place, the OfS Director for Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom continues to work with the sector to offer advice and share best practice, so providers can protect free speech and academic freedom more effectively.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The government is delivering on its pledge to provide a free breakfast club in every state-funded school with primary-aged children. This will ensure every child, regardless of their circumstances, has a supportive start to the school day.
The department has confirmed over £30 million of funding for free breakfast clubs for the current 2025/26 financial year and around £80 million for the 2026/27 financial year. Schools will be funded for the running of a breakfast club, including food, staffing and day-to-day delivery. Learning from the early adopters, we will provide further information, including specifics on eligibility, funding, and expectations for schools, later in the autumn term.
The department does not collect data on how much money schools spend per child on breakfast food.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The department is not able to identify which non-UK domiciled students who hold British nationality are paying international fees.
The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) is responsible for collecting and publishing data on the UK higher education sector. These data are shared with the department and includes a wide range of information on students coming from overseas to study in UK higher education providers (HEPs), including their legal nationality. Information on the type of fees a student pays, however, is not collected across all UK HEPs.
The department is not able to identify students who are paying international fees who are (a) British nationals and (b) non-domiciled in the UK.
The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) is responsible for collecting and publishing data on the UK higher education sector. These data are shared with the department and include a wide range of information on students coming from overseas to study in UK higher education providers (HEPs). Information on the type of fees a student pays, however, is not collected across all UK HEPs.
The legal nationality of the student is collected across all HEPs that submit data to HESA. The department estimates that of the 288,465 full-time, undergraduate, international students (those with permanent address outside the UK) enrolled in UK HEPs in the 2022/23 academic year, 12,805 declared that they held British nationality. Of the remaining full-time, undergraduate, international students, 271,505 declared that they held an overseas nationality and 4,155 have an unknown nationality.