Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much additional funding her Department has allocated for special educational needs provision by Suffolk County Council following the Autumn Budget 2024.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

Following the Autumn Budget 2024, the department is providing an increase of almost £1 billion for high needs budgets in England in the 2025/26 financial year, bringing total high needs funding for children and young people with complex SEND to £11.9 billion. Of that total, Suffolk County Council is being allocated over £124 million through the high needs funding block of the dedicated schools grant (DSG), an increase of £10.3 million on this year’s DSG high needs block, calculated using the high needs national funding formula (NFF). This NFF allocation is a 9% increase per head of their 2 to 18-year-old population, on their equivalent 2024/25 NFF allocation.

As also announced at the Autumn Budget 2024, the department is receiving compensation in recognition of the increase in National Insurance contributions paid by schools and other state-funded SEND provision. That funding is additional to the £1 billion increase in high needs funding. Due to timing constraints, it will be provided as a separate grant, alongside the 2025/26 DSG for local authorities. The department will provide further information on the allocations as soon as possible.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to continue the Academies Programme.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

Academies are a crucial and valued part of our school system.

This government is proud of the change the academies movement has delivered for children. The government's mission is to break down the barriers for all children. We’re building on the academies programme to ensure that all children and every family has a core entitlement to a high standard curriculum taught by qualified, expert teachers, with space for innovation and flexibility beyond this.

The department wants high quality trusts to continue to grow where schools wish to join them and there is a strong case for them to do so.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to respond to the consultation entitled Pavement parking: options for change, published on 31 August 2020.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We are currently considering the consultation outcome and the options for change. As soon as we have reached conclusions, we will publish a formal response to the consultation, summarising the views received and announcing the Government’s next steps for pavement parking policy.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support he provides for the (a) health and (b) wellbeing needs of thalidomide survivors.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Thalidomide Health Grant is awarded to meet the health and wellbeing needs, present and future, of thalidomide survivors living in England.

In 2023, the Department put in place a new four-year grant agreement with the Thalidomide Trust, to administer the grant of approximately £40 million. The grant was made in recognition of the complex and highly specialised needs of people affected by thalidomide in England, particularly as they approach old age. The funding helps beneficiaries of the Thalidomide Trust to maintain control over their own health, enabling them to personalise the way their health and care needs are met, maintain independence, and minimise any further deterioration in their health.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to ensure that thalidomide survivors have effective representation in negotiations with Diageo on long-term (a) assistance and (b) compensation.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

There is a Deed of Covenant agreed between Diageo plc and the Thalidomide Trust, which is subject to periodic review by both parties, with beneficiary representatives involved in the process. The Department has no role in these periodic reviews.

Found: Sarah Bool; Charlie Dewhirst; Helena Dollimore; Sarah Dyke; Jayne Kirkham; Josh Newbury; Jenny Riddell- Carpenter

As it strives to deliver its energy, environmental and growth commitments, balancing the pressures on the marine environment will be a challenge for the Government.