Jess Asato

The Commission has considered the changes to the education outreach model proposed by the Chamber and Participation Team. These changes have also been considered by the Administration Committee and the Lords Services Committee.

The proposed continued support for the educational outreach programme will focus on the key benefit of a supporting the establishment of a UK wide digital education model which ensures there are no geographic barriers to participation for schools. Every school, regardless of their location in the UK, will be able to join a session to participate, putting all schools on an equal footing. This support includes the proposed creation of a digital education room at Westminster, a staff team to lead the education programme and the resources to create a new programme that meets the curriculum.

Research has been conducted by the Participation Team on ambitious digital education programmes already underway across the UK with institutions including the Royal Ballet and Opera, The North East Museums Service, and the Holocaust Education Trust all of whom are reaching tens of thousands of students across the UK through the digital education programmes they already have in place.

Under the current outreach model, in 2025/26 only 9% of Members were involved in a school outreach visit and 32% of constituencies received no outreach visits at all. The proposed new service aims to significantly improve on these figures, with much greater opportunities for Members to join in with digital sessions with their local schools. The total, combined reach of the proposed new service is expected to be the same as or greater than the current service by the third year of its operation.

Proposed changes to the staffing of the Education Outreach team would save a total of £550k per annum. The House of Commons share of this saving would be £385k per annum as the House of Commons contributes 70% of the Education Outreach team budget. An estimated £40k per annum would be required for software licensing for new digital services. An initial investment in the creation of a dedicated digital education room would be subject to more detailed financial modelling and any necessary approvals.

Other outreach and education services provided by the Participation team for audiences across the UK – including the Education Centre, UK Parliament Week, Teacher Training, Learn with the Lords, and the Travel Subsidy – are not affected by this proposal. All of these education services have UK wide regional and national reach that reflect the percentage of schools in each area. This support to the education service remains in place to create a holistic education programme for schools to select from.

The Commission has considered the Chamber and Participation Team’s proposed changes to the educational outreach model. These changes have also been considered by the Administration Committee and Lords Services Committee. A formal consultation with affected staff is underway and will close on 29 June 2026. Final decisions will be taken following the conclusion of the consultation.

The proposed changes involve the development of a smaller, Westminster-based team, which would operate a UK-wide digital outreach service. Under the current model, in 2025/26 only 9% of Members were involved in a school outreach visit and 32% of constituencies received no outreach visits at all. The new service aims to significantly improve on these figures, with much greater opportunities for Members to join in with digital sessions with their local schools. The total, combined reach of the new service is expected to be the same as or greater than the current service by the third year of its operation.

Proposed changes to the staffing of the Education Outreach team would save a total of £550k per annum. The House of Commons share of this saving would be £385k per annum as the House of Commons contributes 70% of the Education Outreach team budget. An estimated £40k per annum would be required for software licensing for new digital services. An initial investment in the creation of a dedicated digital education room would be subject to more detailed financial modelling and any necessary approvals.

Other outreach and education services provided by the Participation team for audiences across the UK – including the Education Centre, UK Parliament Week, Teacher Training, Learn with the Lords, and the Travel Subsidy – are not affected by this proposal.

The Civil Service is committed to raising awareness of domestic abuse and providing guidance and support to managers and employees in tackling its occurrence and effects. It is for departments to decide their domestic abuse policy and the provision of paid special leave to victims of domestic abuse.

Model policy guidance issued to departments by the Cabinet Office sets out a framework of advice and support for managers and their team members experiencing domestic abuse.

The model guidance advises managers to consider using special leave to support domestic abuse victims. Other forms of special leave may also be relevant such as emergency leave for dependants and leave for court attendances.

The Civil Service is committed to raising awareness of domestic abuse and providing guidance and support to managers and employees in tackling its occurrence and effects. It is for departments to decide their domestic abuse policy and the provision of paid special leave to victims of domestic abuse.

Model policy guidance issued to departments by the Cabinet Office sets out a framework of advice and support for managers and their team members experiencing domestic abuse.

The model guidance advises managers to consider using special leave to support domestic abuse victims. Other forms of special leave may also be relevant such as emergency leave for dependants and leave for court attendances.

There is a wide variety of public appointments which are made by Ministers. Typically they consist of non-executive positions of a public body, or a member of an advisory committee. A person appointed to such a position is an office holder. Office holders tend not to be employees.

By operation of law, statutory maternity and paternity leave is only available to employees, who are employed under an employment contract and meet the necessary eligibility criteria.

A particular Office holder may be eligible for a form of discretionary leave, but this would be a matter for the relevant appointing authority to determine.

The Department for Business and Trade is committed to supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse and has guidance in place that outlines the support available to employees affected by domestic abuse.

Line managers complete 'Manager Essentials' training, which promotes wellbeing and guidance on handling complex issues.

Employees at risk of, or experiencing, domestic abuse can access:

• general awareness-raising training via the departmental intranet
• accredited domestic abuse companions offering confidential guidance and support
• an external resource hub providing professional advice and assistance.

Once available, we will promote the take-up of the training product for managers currently being developed by the Cabinet Office.

The UK fashion industry is famed for its historic creativity and this government recognises the important role the sector plays both in our domestic economy and on the global stage.

It is important to take an evidence-based approach to considering policy options. As well as the garment trade adjudicator or fashion watchdog idea, there have been other proposals including licensing and increased guidance on managing supply chains. We will continue to review measures to drive up standards across the sector and monitor global regulatory proposals in the sector.

The Government currently supports anaerobic digestion (AD) through the Renewables Obligation (RO), Non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, Feed-in-Tariffs, and the Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS). The Government has no plans to extend the RO when it comes to an end from 2027 onwards. Since the RO was launched in 2002, the energy landscape has evolved, and the scheme no longer provides the correct market incentives or value for money for electricity generation.

For biomethane from AD, the Government expects to consult this financial year on a policy framework to follow the GGSS, which closes to applications in 2028.

DESNZ is committed to looking after the welfare of our staff.

(a) We have Domestic Abuse guidance in place to support staff

(b) We have Domestic Abuse guidance in place to support managers. We also promote Cross-Government Domestic Abuse awareness training.

Biomethane production is supported by the Green Gas Support Scheme, which is open to applications until March 2028. Following the February 2024 call for evidence, the Government intends to consult on a future policy framework consultation this financial year.

The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) applies a zero emissions factor to biomethane combustion where supplied directly to ETS installations. Where injected into the gas grid, there is not currently a mechanism to ensure biomethane is accounted for separately.

The Department is considering feedback on the impacts of this to inform next steps and will provide an update in due course.

The Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime streamlines planning for major projects, making processes faster and fairer for developers and communities. Large-scale infrastructure is vital for secure, reliable, and affordable energy while meeting decarbonisation targets. Biomethane supports these goals as a low-carbon, domestically produced energy source. The Department is working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and other stakeholders to identify the best ways to enable deployment of larger anaerobic digestion and biomethane plants, including assessing whether NSIP designation is the most effective approach to remove barriers and accelerate delivery toward achieving the UK’s net zero targets.

Biomethane can play an important role in reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels, boosting our energy security and helping us accelerate to net zero.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is working with The National Energy System Operator (NESO) on biomethane’s role in clean power and net zero.

DESNZ expects to publish a consultation on a holistic future policy framework for biomethane in financial year 2025-26, to follow the current Green Gas Support Scheme, which closes to new applications in March 2028.

The Secretary of State has been clear that the government expects platforms to implement Ofcom's guidance by the end of the year and has engaged directly with platforms to communicate this message. Ofcom plans to publish a report on platform's compliance with the guidance and the Secretary of State has encouraged Ofcom to do this as soon as possible.

Ministers have regular meetings with Cabinet colleagues on a range of subjects, including online safety for women and girls.

The Secretary of State has been clear that the government expects platforms to implement Ofcom's guidance by the end of the year and has engaged directly with platforms to communicate this message. Ofcom plans to publish a report on platform's compliance with the guidance and the Secretary of State has encouraged Ofcom to do this as soon as possible.

Ministers have regular meetings with Cabinet colleagues on a range of subjects, including online safety for women and girls.

The Online Safety Act provides world-leading protections against non-consensual intimate image abuse. The Government strengthened these by introducing a duty requiring platforms to remove NCII within 48 hours of a valid user report.

Ofcom published updated illegal content codes to prevent the re-upload of NCII, going beyond simple takedown. Its Codes of Practice and guidance outline steps providers can take to keep users safe.

The Secretary of State has been clear with platforms that they should implement Ofcom’s guidance to keep women and girls safe online by the end of the year and that this Government will monitor progress closely.

The Online Safety Act provides world-leading protections against non-consensual intimate image abuse. The Government strengthened these by introducing a duty requiring platforms to remove NCII within 48 hours of a valid user report.

Ofcom published updated illegal content codes to prevent the re-upload of NCII, going beyond simple takedown. Its Codes of Practice and guidance outline steps providers can take to keep users safe.

The Secretary of State has been clear with platforms that they should implement Ofcom’s guidance to keep women and girls safe online by the end of the year and that this Government will monitor progress closely.

Under the Online Safety Act, fines imposed by Ofcom are paid into the Consolidated Fund, in line with standard practice across its regulatory functions. This ensures funds are distributed in accordance with overall government priorities, which may include victim support services.

However, fines are intended to drive compliance, not to act as a funding stream. Their inherently unpredictable nature makes them unsuitable for directly supporting work on violence against women and girls or compensating victims.

Decisions on the use of such funds are for HM Treasury, while the Ministry of Justice retains primary responsibility for victim support and compensation policy in England and Wales.

DCMS is committed to supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse.

Our domestic abuse charter provides comprehensive advice to employees and their managers including how to identify abuse, actions to take, and links to organisations providing advice and support.

There is currently no dedicated line manager training on responding to domestic abuse. A training product for managers is currently under development in the Cabinet Office. Once available, we will promote the take-up of this training product in our department.

The Government is committed to supporting people to have the social connections they need. This is a key part of achieving wider government priorities across health, community cohesion, and supporting young people. Rather than a standalone strategy for tackling loneliness, we are embedding this important issue in wider government strategies, including the new National Youth Strategy which is due to be released in the autumn. The National Youth Strategy will set out a new long-term vision for young people and an action plan for delivering this.

Initial teacher training (ITT) courses must encompass the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF) in full. The ITTECF sets out a minimum entitlement to training for all new teachers and, following a review, now contains significantly more content related to adaptive teaching and supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including pupils with speech and language needs.

ITT providers must also ensure that their courses enable trainee teachers to meet the Teachers’ Standards, to be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status. The Teachers’ Standards set clear expectations that teachers must understand the needs of all pupils, which includes those with speech and language challenges.

The department recognises the importance of continuous improvement and will be undertaking a full review of the Early Career Teacher Entitlement, scheduled for 2027. This will focus on strengthening support for new teachers in meeting the needs of pupils with SEND and ensuring high-quality training provision.

The purpose of teaching on religious education (RE) is to help pupils understand the wide range of religions and beliefs, including non-religious beliefs, that exist in our country and the wider world. A consequence of high-quality teaching can be the development of respect, tolerance and community cohesion, built through a greater understanding of different viewpoints. The department has previously issued guidance on the teaching of RE which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/religious-education-guidance-in-english-schools-non-statutory-guidance-2010.

The government is grateful to Vanessa Ogden for her work leading the sector to come together on developing a draft RE curriculum. The Curriculum and Assessment Review recommended that government should explore including RE in the national curriculum, contingent on sector consensus. We continue to engage with the sector, including the National Association of Teachers of Religious Education and the Religious Education Council.

More widely, our reforms to the curriculum will support pupils’ understanding of mutual tolerance and respect.

The purpose of teaching on religious education (RE) is to help pupils understand the wide range of religions and beliefs, including non-religious beliefs, that exist in our country and the wider world. A consequence of high-quality teaching can be the development of respect, tolerance and community cohesion, built through a greater understanding of different viewpoints. The department has previously issued guidance on the teaching of RE which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/religious-education-guidance-in-english-schools-non-statutory-guidance-2010.

The government is grateful to Vanessa Ogden for her work leading the sector to come together on developing a draft RE curriculum. The Curriculum and Assessment Review recommended that government should explore including RE in the national curriculum, contingent on sector consensus. We continue to engage with the sector, including the National Association of Teachers of Religious Education and the Religious Education Council.

More widely, our reforms to the curriculum will support pupils’ understanding of mutual tolerance and respect.

Initial teacher training (ITT) bursaries are offered to incentivise more applications to ITT courses. As such, we review bursaries annually to take account of several factors, including recruitment to date, forecast economic conditions, and teacher need in each subject. The purpose of the scheme is to target resources to where the evidence shows need is highest.

Between the 2023/24 and 2025/26 academic years, postgraduate ITT recruitment increased by 55% in music, 119% in art and design and 71% in religious education, amongst the largest increases across all subjects. Partly due to this improved recruitment and higher retention of existing teachers, the need for new postgraduate trainee teachers in the 2026/27 academic year has reduced in all three subjects.

The department will continue to assess the need for trainee teachers across all subjects and will review the bursaries on offer accordingly, prior to announcing the bursary offer for the 2027/28 academic year this autumn.

The government does not intend to introduce legislation to make Child’s Rights Impact Assessments a statutory requirement at this time.

The department is working closely with Cabinet Office and other government departments to strengthen the consideration of children and young people’s interests within overall risk planning, including in relation to pandemics and other emergencies.