Kim Johnson Portrait

Kim Johnson

Labour - Liverpool Riverside

14,793 (45.7%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 12th December 2019


Women and Equalities Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 30th May 2024
Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art
20th May 2020 - 30th May 2024
Home Affairs Committee
27th Nov 2023 - 30th May 2024
Education Committee
11th May 2020 - 30th Apr 2024
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill
28th Feb 2024 - 6th Mar 2024
Skills and Post-16 Education [HL] Bill
24th Nov 2021 - 7th Dec 2021
Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill
3rd Nov 2021 - 18th Nov 2021
Education (Careers Guidance in Schools) Bill
22nd Sep 2021 - 27th Oct 2021


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Kim Johnson has voted in 187 divisions, and 10 times against the majority of their Party.

9 Jun 2025 - Planning and Infrastructure Bill - View Vote Context
Kim Johnson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Labour Aye votes vs 298 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 180 Noes - 307
13 Jun 2025 - Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - View Vote Context
Kim Johnson voted No - against a party majority - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 181 Labour No votes vs 124 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 233 Noes - 254
18 Jun 2025 - Crime and Policing Bill - View Vote Context
Kim Johnson voted No - against a party majority - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 304 Labour No votes vs 3 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 178 Noes - 313
1 Jul 2025 - Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - View Vote Context
Kim Johnson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 49 Labour No votes vs 333 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 335 Noes - 260
1 Jul 2025 - Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - View Vote Context
Kim Johnson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 42 Labour Aye votes vs 325 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 149 Noes - 328
2 Jul 2025 - Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism - View Vote Context
Kim Johnson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 276 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 385 Noes - 26
9 Jul 2025 - Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - View Vote Context
Kim Johnson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 47 Labour No votes vs 333 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 336 Noes - 242
9 Jul 2025 - Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - View Vote Context
Kim Johnson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 47 Labour Aye votes vs 331 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 149 Noes - 334
9 Jul 2025 - Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - View Vote Context
Kim Johnson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 35 Labour Aye votes vs 333 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 130 Noes - 443
9 Jul 2025 - Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - View Vote Context
Kim Johnson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 37 Labour No votes vs 330 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 335 Noes - 135
View All Kim Johnson 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
Lucy Powell (Labour (Co-op))
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
(8 debate interactions)
Hamish Falconer (Labour)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
(8 debate interactions)
Yvette Cooper (Labour)
Home Secretary
(7 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Home Office
(13 debate contributions)
Department for Education
(11 debate contributions)
Ministry of Justice
(11 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Crime and Policing Bill 2024-26
(1,427 words contributed)
Victims and Courts Bill 2024-26
(567 words contributed)
Universal Credit Bill 2024-26
(401 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Kim Johnson's debates

Liverpool Riverside 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).

Kim Johnson has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Kim Johnson

9th June 2025
Kim Johnson signed this EDM on Wednesday 9th July 2025

Impact of upgrading the energy efficiency of private rented homes

Tabled by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Clapham and Brixton Hill)
That this House recognises that nearly four million private renters regularly struggle to pay their energy bills, with private renters more likely to experience fuel poverty than any other tenure type and poorly insulated homes costing tenants on average £570 per year, while energy use in UK homes causing an …
14 signatures
(Most recent: 11 Jul 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 7
Independent: 3
Green Party: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
8th July 2025
Kim Johnson signed this EDM as a sponsor on Wednesday 9th July 2025

Ayman Odeh

Tabled by: John McDonnell (Independent - Hayes and Harlington)
That this House expresses its extreme concern at the moves to impeach Ayman Ali, a Palestinian member of the Knesset respected for his consistent advocacy of the need for Arabs and Jews to work together and who is currently facing impeachment and expulsion from the Knesset on the grounds that …
14 signatures
(Most recent: 11 Jul 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 8
Independent: 3
Scottish National Party: 3
View All Kim Johnson's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Kim Johnson, 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.


Kim Johnson has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Kim Johnson

Wednesday 12th March 2025

1 Bill introduced by Kim Johnson


A Bill to amend the Accessories and Abettors Act 1861 to provide that only a person who directly commits, or who makes a significant contribution to the commission of, an offence may be held criminally liable.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 2nd February 2024
(Read Debate)

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
24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when her Department plans to launch the public consultation on the future of postal services.

Post Office recently announced that it will be moving to a fully-franchised network. Transitioning to a franchise model will help in tackling the losses that directly managed branches incur on a sustainable basis, as this is expected to result in over £100 million of savings for the company over the next five years.  This aligns with Post Office’s commitment to deliver a New Deal for Postmasters, as the savings created by these changes will put Post Office in a better position to increase remuneration for postmasters across the UK.  This decision regarding the network, and decisions around the circumstances of each directly managed branch are operational matters for Post Office.

The Government’s Green Paper, due to be published later this year, will ask the public what they want to see from a modern Post Office network. The Green Paper is about a long-term vision for the Post Office, not about operational decisions related to individual branches.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department plans to take steps to pause any ongoing or proposed sell-offs relating to postal services pending the outcome of the forthcoming government consultation on the future of postal services.

Post Office recently announced that it will be moving to a fully-franchised network. Transitioning to a franchise model will help in tackling the losses that directly managed branches incur on a sustainable basis, as this is expected to result in over £100 million of savings for the company over the next five years.  This aligns with Post Office’s commitment to deliver a New Deal for Postmasters, as the savings created by these changes will put Post Office in a better position to increase remuneration for postmasters across the UK.  This decision regarding the network, and decisions around the circumstances of each directly managed branch are operational matters for Post Office.

The Government’s Green Paper, due to be published later this year, will ask the public what they want to see from a modern Post Office network. The Green Paper is about a long-term vision for the Post Office, not about operational decisions related to individual branches.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what legal powers her Department holds to intervene in matters relating to the sale or transfer of assets within the postal service sector.

Post Office recently announced that it will be moving to a fully-franchised network. Transitioning to a franchise model will help in tackling the losses that directly managed branches incur on a sustainable basis, as this is expected to result in over £100 million of savings for the company over the next five years.  This aligns with Post Office’s commitment to deliver a New Deal for Postmasters, as the savings created by these changes will put Post Office in a better position to increase remuneration for postmasters across the UK.  This decision regarding the network, and decisions around the circumstances of each directly managed branch are operational matters for Post Office.

The Government’s Green Paper, due to be published later this year, will ask the public what they want to see from a modern Post Office network. The Green Paper is about a long-term vision for the Post Office, not about operational decisions related to individual branches.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of recent sell-offs relating to postal services.

Post Office recently announced that it will be moving to a fully-franchised network. Transitioning to a franchise model will help in tackling the losses that directly managed branches incur on a sustainable basis, as this is expected to result in over £100 million of savings for the company over the next five years.  This aligns with Post Office’s commitment to deliver a New Deal for Postmasters, as the savings created by these changes will put Post Office in a better position to increase remuneration for postmasters across the UK.  This decision regarding the network, and decisions around the circumstances of each directly managed branch are operational matters for Post Office.

The Government’s Green Paper, due to be published later this year, will ask the public what they want to see from a modern Post Office network. The Green Paper is about a long-term vision for the Post Office, not about operational decisions related to individual branches.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
10th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Marie Curie report Dying in Poverty, published on 12 November 2024, what steps his Department is taking to help (a) tackle fuel poverty and (b) reduce the number of people who die in fuel poverty in Liverpool each year.

The Government is committed to a preventative approach to public health. Keeping people warm and well at home and improving the quality of new and existing homes will play an essential part in enabling people to live longer, healthier lives, reducing pressures on the NHS.

There are multiple targeted schemes delivering energy efficiency measures to low-income and fuel poor households. The Warm Home Discount schemes provide a £150 rebate off bills to eligible low-income households across Great Britain.

The Government has kickstarted delivery of the Warm Homes Plan, including an initial £1.8 billion to support fuel poverty schemes over the next 3 years.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
8th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to engage with the cruise industry; and whether she plans to invite representatives of that industry to join industry groups that her Department convenes.

DCMS recognises the significant role the cruise industry plays in the broader tourism and hospitality sectors. The Department regularly engages with a range of stakeholders across the tourism sector, including the cruise industry, to understand their perspectives and challenges. As part of our ongoing commitment to represent the diverse interests within tourism, DCMS is reviewing opportunities for industry representation in relevant groups and will consider the cruise industry’s inclusion in these forums where appropriate. Further details on stakeholder engagement will be made available in due course.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
8th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how her Department plans to engage with (a) the cruise industry and (b) other tourism sectors in the development of tourism planning.

DCMS is committed to working collaboratively with all sectors of the tourism industry to support sustainable growth and resilience across the sector. The Department engages regularly with representatives from the cruise industry, as well as other key tourism stakeholders, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and challenges each sector faces. These consultations will continue to inform our approach to tourism planning.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
8th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to consider the cruise industry’s role in (a) inbound, (b) outbound and (c) domestic tourism when determining the membership of a re-established Tourism Industry Council.

DCMS is reviewing how best it works with industry and local and devolved authorities to drive forward an ambitious plan for UK tourism and the visitor economy. We are committed to ensuring that we work with the whole of the tourism sector, including those who work in inbound, outbound and domestic tourism. We hope to make announcements soon.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
26th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the Child Poverty Taskforce has held discussions with the Department for Education on the potential inclusion of family hubs in the forthcoming Child Poverty Strategy.

Tackling child poverty is at the heart of this government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and improve the life chances for every child. For too many children, living in poverty robs them of the opportunity to learn and to prosper.

The Ministerial Child Poverty Taskforce co-chaired by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, has now met nine times to discuss the critical issues that drive child poverty. One such meeting in January focused on the crucial role of local services, including Family Hubs, in reducing the impact of poverty.

Family Hubs offer vital services from birth to age 19, or to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities, supporting health, education, and wellbeing, particularly for families in poverty. In 2025/26, £126 million will be invested through Family Hubs and Start for Life to give every child the best start in life.

The Taskforce will continue to explore all available levers to drive forward short and long-term action across government to reduce child poverty, including Family Hubs.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
26th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of developing a national outcomes framework for family hubs.

On 11 June, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, set out plans for spending and public sector reforms through the Spending Review 2025. This announcement confirmed departmental budgets for 2026/27 onwards and committed the government will continue to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme, working with parents to help give children the best start in life.

This builds upon my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, published in December 2024, which outlined the ambition to give children the best start in life by strengthening and joining up family services to improve support through pregnancy and early childhood.

We are working within the department and alongside the Department for Health and Social Care to share further information about what the Spending Review settlement means for the continuation and expansion of the programme.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
26th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that all local authorities provide family hubs in their communities.

On 11 June, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, set out plans for spending and public sector reforms through the Spending Review 2025. This announcement confirmed departmental budgets for 2026/27 onwards and committed the government will continue to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme, working with parents to help give children the best start in life.

This builds upon my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, published in December 2024, which outlined the ambition to give children the best start in life by strengthening and joining up family services to improve support through pregnancy and early childhood.

We are working within the department and alongside the Department for Health and Social Care to share further information about what the Spending Review settlement means for the continuation and expansion of the programme. We recognise the importance of providing local authorities with certainty of future funding across the whole programme and we will share further information when we are able to.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
26th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that integrated family hubs are available in all communities.

On 11 June, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, set out plans for spending and public sector reforms through the Spending Review 2025. This announcement confirmed departmental budgets for 2026/27 onwards and committed the government will continue to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme, working with parents to help give children the best start in life.

This builds upon my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, published in December 2024, which outlined the ambition to give children the best start in life by strengthening and joining up family services to improve support through pregnancy and early childhood.

We are working within the department and alongside the Department for Health and Social Care to share further information about what the Spending Review settlement means for the continuation and expansion of the programme. We recognise the importance of providing local authorities with certainty of future funding across the whole programme and we will share further information when we are able to.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
23rd Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of community activities to support families with children in the early years.

The government is committed to giving every child the best start in life by strengthening early intervention, supporting families to engage in play and communication, and enhancing the home learning environment. Our Plan for Change includes a national target for 75% of children to achieve a Good Level of Development by 2028 and increase school readiness.

There is strong evidence that the first 1,001 days, from conception to age two, are critical for a child’s cognitive, emotional and physical development. Through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, we are supporting families with joined-up services across health, education and early years. This includes support for infant feeding, perinatal mental health, parenting, early language development and the home learning environment.

As announced in last month’s Spending Review, the government will continue to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme, ensuring more families across the country can access high quality, integrated support to give their children the best start in life.

In 2025/26, we are investing £10.7 million in home learning environment services through Family Hubs to help parents create language-rich, nurturing settings. Our Little Moments Together campaign provides free, accessible resources that encourage parents to chat, play and read with their children.

For school-age children, we continue to promote parental engagement in reading and learning at home, recognising the importance of sustained support throughout a child’s educational journey.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
23rd Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to improve home learning environments to support literacy in (a) the early years and (b) school age children.

The government is committed to giving every child the best start in life by strengthening early intervention, supporting families to engage in play and communication, and enhancing the home learning environment. Our Plan for Change includes a national target for 75% of children to achieve a Good Level of Development by 2028 and increase school readiness.

There is strong evidence that the first 1,001 days, from conception to age two, are critical for a child’s cognitive, emotional and physical development. Through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, we are supporting families with joined-up services across health, education and early years. This includes support for infant feeding, perinatal mental health, parenting, early language development and the home learning environment.

As announced in last month’s Spending Review, the government will continue to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme, ensuring more families across the country can access high quality, integrated support to give their children the best start in life.

In 2025/26, we are investing £10.7 million in home learning environment services through Family Hubs to help parents create language-rich, nurturing settings. Our Little Moments Together campaign provides free, accessible resources that encourage parents to chat, play and read with their children.

For school-age children, we continue to promote parental engagement in reading and learning at home, recognising the importance of sustained support throughout a child’s educational journey.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
23rd Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what policies her Department has on early intervention in early years education (a) during a child’s first 1001 days and (b) for children aged up to five.

The government is committed to giving every child the best start in life by strengthening early intervention, supporting families to engage in play and communication, and enhancing the home learning environment. Our Plan for Change includes a national target for 75% of children to achieve a Good Level of Development by 2028 and increase school readiness.

There is strong evidence that the first 1,001 days, from conception to age two, are critical for a child’s cognitive, emotional and physical development. Through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, we are supporting families with joined-up services across health, education and early years. This includes support for infant feeding, perinatal mental health, parenting, early language development and the home learning environment.

As announced in last month’s Spending Review, the government will continue to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme, ensuring more families across the country can access high quality, integrated support to give their children the best start in life.

In 2025/26, we are investing £10.7 million in home learning environment services through Family Hubs to help parents create language-rich, nurturing settings. Our Little Moments Together campaign provides free, accessible resources that encourage parents to chat, play and read with their children.

For school-age children, we continue to promote parental engagement in reading and learning at home, recognising the importance of sustained support throughout a child’s educational journey.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
23rd Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of promoting a culture of reading for pleasure in the home learning environment on the development of children in (a) the early years and (b) school-age children.

The government is committed to giving every child the best start in life by strengthening early intervention, supporting families to engage in play and communication, and enhancing the home learning environment. Our Plan for Change includes a national target for 75% of children to achieve a Good Level of Development by 2028 and increase school readiness.

There is strong evidence that the first 1,001 days, from conception to age two, are critical for a child’s cognitive, emotional and physical development. Through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, we are supporting families with joined-up services across health, education and early years. This includes support for infant feeding, perinatal mental health, parenting, early language development and the home learning environment.

As announced in last month’s Spending Review, the government will continue to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme, ensuring more families across the country can access high quality, integrated support to give their children the best start in life.

In 2025/26, we are investing £10.7 million in home learning environment services through Family Hubs to help parents create language-rich, nurturing settings. Our Little Moments Together campaign provides free, accessible resources that encourage parents to chat, play and read with their children.

For school-age children, we continue to promote parental engagement in reading and learning at home, recognising the importance of sustained support throughout a child’s educational journey.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
23rd Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of learning through play in early years on children's development.

The government is committed to giving every child the best start in life by strengthening early intervention, supporting families to engage in play and communication, and enhancing the home learning environment. Our Plan for Change includes a national target for 75% of children to achieve a Good Level of Development by 2028 and increase school readiness.

There is strong evidence that the first 1,001 days, from conception to age two, are critical for a child’s cognitive, emotional and physical development. Through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, we are supporting families with joined-up services across health, education and early years. This includes support for infant feeding, perinatal mental health, parenting, early language development and the home learning environment.

As announced in last month’s Spending Review, the government will continue to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme, ensuring more families across the country can access high quality, integrated support to give their children the best start in life.

In 2025/26, we are investing £10.7 million in home learning environment services through Family Hubs to help parents create language-rich, nurturing settings. Our Little Moments Together campaign provides free, accessible resources that encourage parents to chat, play and read with their children.

For school-age children, we continue to promote parental engagement in reading and learning at home, recognising the importance of sustained support throughout a child’s educational journey.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
23rd Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of early interventions in the early years sector.

The government is committed to giving every child the best start in life by strengthening early intervention, supporting families to engage in play and communication, and enhancing the home learning environment. Our Plan for Change includes a national target for 75% of children to achieve a Good Level of Development by 2028 and increase school readiness.

There is strong evidence that the first 1,001 days, from conception to age two, are critical for a child’s cognitive, emotional and physical development. Through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, we are supporting families with joined-up services across health, education and early years. This includes support for infant feeding, perinatal mental health, parenting, early language development and the home learning environment.

As announced in last month’s Spending Review, the government will continue to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme, ensuring more families across the country can access high quality, integrated support to give their children the best start in life.

In 2025/26, we are investing £10.7 million in home learning environment services through Family Hubs to help parents create language-rich, nurturing settings. Our Little Moments Together campaign provides free, accessible resources that encourage parents to chat, play and read with their children.

For school-age children, we continue to promote parental engagement in reading and learning at home, recognising the importance of sustained support throughout a child’s educational journey.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
26th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a public inquiry into the policy of so-called educationally subnormal schools in the 1960s and 1970s and (a) the number and proportion of Black children placed in such schools and (b) the impact on them.

The department does not currently plan to establish a public inquiry into the policy framework surrounding placement of children in schools for the so-called “educationally subnormal” in the 1960s and 1970s, but is keen to ensure that the mistakes made in that time are never repeated, and that no children or young people today suffer from the structural barriers and entrenched racism that held too many of our young people back in previous generations.

The government wants to ensure that whoever you are, wherever you come from, Britain is a country that will respect your contribution and give you a fair chance to get on in life.

We want every child and young person to achieve and thrive in education, work, and life, regardless of their background. All children and young people must be treated fairly. There is no place for hate or prejudice in our education system.

Additionally, under the Equality Act 2010, schools must not discriminate against a pupil in a number of respects because of a characteristic protected by the Act.

The Public Sector Equality Duty also requires public bodies, including maintained schools and academies to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination and other conduct prohibited by the Act; advance equality of opportunity for people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it; and foster good relations across all characteristics.

The department is also focused on driving high and rising standards in every school, helping every child to achieve and thrive. We aim to deliver improvements though excellent teaching and leadership, a high-quality curriculum and a system which removes the barriers to learning that holds too many children back.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
21st Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing free period products to learners in (a) further and (b) higher education settings in England.

Nobody should have to miss out on education because of their period, which is why the department provides free period products to girls and women in all state-maintained schools and 16 to 19 education organisations in England. Higher education (HE) institutions are independent bodies and so would be expected to make their own arrangements to ensure that pupils have access to the products that they need. Only girls and women aged 16 to 19 attending further education courses funded by the department within HE institutions would be eligible for the scheme.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
27th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the findings of the Association of Colleges' report entitled The educational provision for 14 to 16-year-olds in further education colleges in England, published in November 2024, whether she plans to increase funding of college places for 14 to 16 year olds.

The department has noted with interest the Association of Colleges report about educational provision for 14 to 16-year-olds in further education (FE) colleges in England. Funding for 14 to 16-year-olds in FE colleges is based on the same approach as for 16 to 19-year olds. In 2024/25 there will be a significant increase of £750 per full time 14 to 16-year-old student that has not yet achieved GCSE English and mathematics. This is as a result of extending to programmes at all levels the English and mathematics funding only previously available for those on Level 3 programmes without grade 4 in the subjects. 14 to 16-year-olds in colleges will also benefit from the £300 million funding boost for FE in 2025/26 that my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced at budget to ensure young people are developing the skills they need to succeed and a further £300 million to support colleges to maintain, improve and ensure suitability of their estate.

The department will work through priorities for future investment as part of the next spending review.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
19th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on automatically enrolling all eligible pupils for free school meals.

The department recognises the vital role played by free school meals (FSM) and encourages all eligible families to take their entitlement up. There are currently around 2.1 million pupils eligible for and claiming FSM.

To make it as easy as possible to receive FSM, the department provides the Eligibility Checking System, which allows local authorities to quickly verify eligibility for FSM.

The department is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity so that all children have the freedom to achieve and thrive in education. Further to this, the department is working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions to develop a child poverty strategy to reduce child poverty by tackling its root causes and giving every child the best start in life. The strategy will be published in the spring.

As with all government programmes, the department will keep its approach to FSM under continued review.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 7596 on Special Educational Needs, how many and what proportion of children who had been excluded from school were then registered at special schools by (a) sex/gender, (b) ethnicity, (c) free school meal status and (d) region in each of the last 10 years.

The department does not centrally hold statistics showing how many children who had been excluded from school were then registered at special schools. However, there are legal duties on schools and local authorities to provide suitable full-time education from the sixth day of a suspension or permanent exclusion.

The duties on schools and local authorities in relation to suspension and permanent exclusion are set out in statutory guidance, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-exclusion.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
4th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 25 October 2024 to Question 9795 on Pupil Referral Units, if her Department will undertake a manual audit of all children registered at Pupil Referral Units since 1 November 2023 to see how many have previously been excluded from school.

All decisions to exclude a pupil must be lawful, reasonable and fair. Permanent exclusion should only be used as a last resort.

There are legal duties on schools and local authorities to provide suitable full-time education from the sixth day of a suspension or permanent exclusion. Where children are permanently excluded, they are frequently placed in alternative provision schools (also known as pupil referral units) so that they can receive the dedicated support they require to return to a new mainstream school or a sustained post-16 educational destination.

The department does not hold statistics centrally on the number of children registered at pupil referral units who have previously been excluded from school. The department is not currently planning to develop this data.

Our aim is to reduce numbers of preventable exclusions, including by using the expertise of alternative provision schools to support pupils whilst they are in mainstream school, before behaviour issues or other barriers to learning escalate.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
4th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 25 October 2024 to Question 9795 on Pupil Referral Units, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of recording the number of children registered at Pupil Referral Units who have previously been excluded from school.

All decisions to exclude a pupil must be lawful, reasonable and fair. Permanent exclusion should only be used as a last resort.

There are legal duties on schools and local authorities to provide suitable full-time education from the sixth day of a suspension or permanent exclusion. Where children are permanently excluded, they are frequently placed in alternative provision schools (also known as pupil referral units) so that they can receive the dedicated support they require to return to a new mainstream school or a sustained post-16 educational destination.

The department does not hold statistics centrally on the number of children registered at pupil referral units who have previously been excluded from school. The department is not currently planning to develop this data.

Our aim is to reduce numbers of preventable exclusions, including by using the expertise of alternative provision schools to support pupils whilst they are in mainstream school, before behaviour issues or other barriers to learning escalate.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
4th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answers of 14 October to Questions 7569 on Special Educational Needs and 7570 on Pupil Referral Units, how many and what proportion of children who attended Special Educational Needs schools were then registered at Pupil Referral Units in each of the last ten years, broken down by (a) sex/gender, (b) ethnicity, (c) free school meal status and (d) region.

The department does not hold statistics centrally showing how many children who attended special schools were then registered at pupil referral units in each of the last ten years.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
22nd Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing kitchen facilities available to primary schools, in the context of the roll-out of new breakfast clubs.

The government is committed to making quick progress to deliver on its commitment to offer breakfast clubs in every primary school with primary aged pupils whilst ensuring effective implementation.

Departmental officials are working closely with schools and sector experts on various matters, including facilities and space, to develop a programme that effectively meets the needs of children, schools and parents.

From April 2025, free breakfast clubs will be available in up to 750 early adopter schools, as part of a test and learn phase in advance of national roll out.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
17th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answers of 14 October 2024 to Question 7569 on Special Educational Needs and Question 7570 on Pupil Referral Units, how many and what proportion of children who had been excluded from school were then registered at Pupil Referral Units by (a) sex, (b) ethnicity, (c) free school meals status and (d) region in each of the last 10 years.

The department does not currently hold statistics showing how many children who had been excluded from school were then registered at Pupil Referral Units. However, there are legal duties on schools and local authorities to provide suitable full-time education from the sixth day of a suspension or permanent exclusion.

The duties on schools and local authorities to provide alternative provision, and the standards that this should meet, are also set out in statutory guidance. This guidance can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/alternative-provision.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
8th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to Institute for Public Policy Research's report entitled Who is losing learning, the case for reducing exclusions across mainstream schools, published on 5 September 2024, what steps her Department is taking to reduce recent trends in the number of Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveler pupils placed in alternative provision.

The government has committed to taking a community-wide approach to improving inclusion of all children in mainstream schools, whatever their background. The department will see alternative providers working with mainstream schools to provide high quality early interventions and targeted support for children and young people that is targeted at their specific needs, which will ultimately reduce the numbers of referrals into alternative provision.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
8th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Education Policy Institute's Annual Report 2024, published on 16 July 2024, what steps she plans to take to tackle disadvantage gaps identified in that report for (a) Gypsy and Roma pupils in (i) primary and (ii) secondary school and (b) other pupils; and whether she plans to implement that report's (A) policy recommendations for closing disadvantage gaps and (B) other policy recommendations.

Every child, regardless of background, deserves the opportunity to progress and succeed in school and beyond. This government is committed to breaking the link between young people’s backgrounds and their future success.

The department recognises the issues faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) children and young people and has an active GRT stakeholder group, which includes representatives from GRT communities and the education sector. The group is a valuable source of information and challenge for the department and works to inform thinking, policy and delivery, addressing barriers faced by GRT pupils.

In line with the recommendations of the Education Policy Institute’s annual report, the government has committed to developing an ambitious Child Poverty strategy, implementing several initiatives aimed at boosting children’s mental health and wellbeing, as well as investing in improving inclusivity and expertise to support children with special educational needs and disabilities in mainstream schools.

To support all young people to achieve and thrive, the department has started work to recruit an additional 6,500 expert teachers and launched an independent, expert-led curriculum and assessment review that will look closely at the key challenges to attainment. The department has also committed to provide breakfast clubs in all state funded primary schools, ensuring every primary school child is well prepared for school.

In the 2024/25 financial year, over £7.8 billion of the schools’ national funding formula funding has been allocated based on deprivation and other additional needs. In addition, in the last academic year, of the £7 billion allocated to support 16 to 18 year olds in education, nearly £600 million was targeted to support the needs of disadvantaged students.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
7th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children attend special educational needs schools by (a) sex, (b) ethnicity, (c) free school meals status and (d) region.

Information on children attending special schools is reported within the school census, with the most recent publication available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics. To access the data, use a table builder to find the required information. An example of the outputs from the table builder is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/06951e44-abeb-4c2b-4111-08dce44cbd16.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
7th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children are registered at pupil referral units by (a) sex, (b) ethnicity, (c) free school meals status and (d) region.

Information on pupil referral units is reported within the school census. The most recent publication is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics. By following this link you will be able to use a table builder to find the information that you require. One example of the outputs from the table builder can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/90137e0b-149c-42fc-410d-08dce44cbd16.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to introduce an alternative student finance product for Muslim students.

The department is committed to introducing an Alternative Student Finance (ASF) product, compatible with Islamic finance principles, as quickly as it can. To support this, in November we are reconvening the ASF working group, made up of representatives from the Islamic community and finance sector. We have also appointed a secretariat to take forward the Sharia-certification of the ASF product. The department is currently considering how it can best drive forward further progress on ASF and will provide an update on plans in due course.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
11th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Written Statement of 2 September 2024 entitled Education reforms to deliver on the government’s opportunity mission, HCWS54, whether it is her policy to replace single headline grades for alternative provision education providers.

The government’s announcement to remove Ofsted’s single headline grades with immediate effect included state-funded alternative provision schools. The government is committed to removing single headline grades in all the remits that Ofsted inspects and replacing them with report cards.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
30th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many (a) certificates of competency and (b) certificates of equivalent competency were issued to ships’ cooks by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in each year between 2015 and 2024.

Please see below table for the number of certificates of competency issued for ships’ cooks in each year between 2015 to 2024

Ships Cooks Certificates of Competency issued

Year

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Total

Certs Issued

141

141

190

254

397

134

83

65

75

92

1572

Please be advised that there is no requirement for a certificate of equivalent competency for Ships Cook.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the operation of the Skilled Worker route for marine and waterways transport operatives.

The Skilled Worker visa for Marine and waterways transport operatives has not been discussed between DfT and Home Office Ministers. Officials continue to liaise with their Home Office counterparts and update Ministers where appropriate.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help mitigate the potential impact of open shipping registers on (a) employment and (b) welfare standards for seafarers working in the shipping industry.

Improving the pay and working conditions of seafarers is a priority for this government. We are committed to working with the sector and our international partners to improve standards.

All vessels visiting the UK must comply with international minimum standards on employment and welfare. We work with like-minded states and our social partners to continue to improve those international standards.

The UK has signed Memoranda of Understanding with Spain, Greece and Cyprus agreeing to coordinate on matters relating to the conditions of seafarers.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Shipping Deputy Ministry of the Republic of Cyprus in promoting higher standards of seafarer (a) employment and (b) welfare in the short sea ferry industry.

The Memorandum of Understanding covers maritime safety, security and environment and is a basis for dialogue of mutual interest to both states, and to exchange information and best practice. It also promotes cooperation on dialogue in the international fora on areas of common interest.

For seafarers, we have seen this most recently in April in our co-operation with Canada, EU member states including Cyprus, and others on important amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention that the UK helped to drive through.

As the flag state for several vessels on the short sea ferry sector, Cyprus complies with all international and EU requirements in terms of employment and welfare of seafarers. Domestic regulations put in place by the coastal state may go over and beyond international requirements. These are compliant with international law and recognise the authority of the flag state.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, who represented her Department at the second annual review of the Cyprus-UK bilateral Memorandum of Understanding in December 2024.

The annual review of the Cyprus-UK bilateral Memorandum of Understanding is led by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Director General for Europe. The Department was not represented during the second annual review which took place in December 2024. However, the Department worked with the FCDO to review the UK-Cyprus Joint Statement and provided written contributions on transport related issues covered in the strategic dialogue as part of the second annual review.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 48569 on Shipping: Training, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the (a) number and (b) type of maritime apprentices that will be offered by maritime (i) colleges and (ii) training providers in England in each year from 2025-26 to 2029-30.

There have been no discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on the (a) number and (b) type of maritime apprentices that will be offered by maritime (i) colleges and (ii) training providers in England in each year from 2025-26 to 2029-30. The UK remains committed to growing the number of trainee seafarers, as demonstrated though the work of the Cadet Training and Modernisation Programme and the Ratings Review. Trained seafarers benefit both UK economic growth and support a maritime sector fit for future. DfT officials are engaging with the Department for Education on the establishment of Skills England and Ministers are kept updated as this work is progressed.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s expenditure on support for the maritime training scheme in 2024-25.

The estimated expenditure by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) scheme for the financial year 2024–25 is £16.835 million.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
8th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's statistics entitled Seafarers in the UK Shipping Industry: 2024, published on 26 February 2025, if she will work with maritime trade unions to set targets for the number of maritime apprentices in (a) Deck, (b) Engine, (c) Electro-technical (d) Catering and (e) On Board Service roles.

The UK has a strategic need to ensure a pipeline of trained seafarers, particularly with greener ships, future fuels, new technologies and automation. The Department is working with the sector, including trade unions, to deliver the recommendations from the Ratings Review, published in 2023. This will ensure the UK has the ratings workforce needed to secure the long-term strength of our maritime industry.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
8th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 48569 on Shipping: Training, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the (a) number and (b) type of maritime apprenticeships that maritime (i) colleges and (ii) training providers will offer in each year from 2025 to 2030.

The Ratings Review Oversight Committee, made up of industry representatives and officials, is responsible for delivering the recommendations from the review. This will include engagement with the Department for Education.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
28th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 23 April 2025 to Question 44602 on Seafarer training and skills, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the new training scheme on the (a) qualifications and (b) work of seafarer (i) Ratings and (ii) apprentices.

The Department for Transport is actively undertaking multiple projects in collaboration with industry stakeholders to update and modernise seafarer training. Two key examples of these initiatives are:

  1. Cadet Training and Modernisation Programme: This programme has introduced a new syllabus and assessment regime for cadets and officers, set to commence in September 2025. The updated syllabus includes modern practices, technology, cyber security, and 'human element' skills to enhance seafarer wellbeing and operational safety.
  2. Ratings Review: This review is advancing recommendations to modernise and enhance rating training. The focus is on updating the training content to reflect current industry practices and technologies, ensuring that ratings are equipped with the necessary skills to perform their roles effectively.

While apprenticeships are industry-led, the department actively plays a role in their development to ensure that the qualifications achieved enable seafarers to obtain internationally recognised maritime qualifications.


The collaborative approach of the Department with employers, seafarer representatives, and maritime training institutions aims to reflect current industry practices and technologies, ensuring that ratings are equipped with the necessary skills to perform their roles effectively. This strategy aims to enhance the employability of UK seafarers in a globally competitive market.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
7th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, who the sub-contractors were who were involved in (a) the supply of crew to operate the Pacific Grebe during the sea trials phase and (b) other aspects of the Winds of Change project funded by the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions.

The Winds of Change project was awarded funding through the third round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC). The CMDC is funded by the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) Research and Development programme in the Department for Transport and delivered and managed by Innovate UK, on behalf of the Department.

Applications for CMDC funding undergo an independent assessment process, managed by Innovate UK. Project partners of all successful bids are published online. Innovate UK and the Department for Transport are not responsible for the procurement of subcontractors, but the rules around the use of subcontractors are set out in the competition scope.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
7th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department holds data on (a) vessel operation and (b) maritime skills recorded as part of Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition projects funded by the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions in her Department.

The Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) is funded by the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme in the Department for Transport. The CMDC has supported a range of feasibility studies, pre-deployment trials and short demonstrations.

We are committed to a robust evaluation of the UK SHORE programme. The Department has commissioned Frontier Economics and SYSTRA Ltd to conduct a comprehensive independent evaluation of the UK SHORE programme, which is assessing the processes and impact of all UK SHORE schemes, including environmental impacts and job creation.

In March 2025, the Department for Transport published a report setting out the early outcomes of the evaluation of the UK SHORE programme to date, including completed projects in the CMDC. The majority of the CMDC demonstration projects only concluded at the end of March 2025. Therefore, data about their impact will be captured through the ongoing evaluation, due to conclude later this year.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
7th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with (a) InnovateUK and (b) the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on the appraisal of projects funded in each round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.

The Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) is funded by the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme in the Department for Transport, to support innovation in the maritime sector. The CMDC is delivered and managed by Innovate UK on behalf of the Department.

We are committed to a robust evaluation of the UK SHORE programme. The Department has commissioned Frontier Economics and SYSTRA Ltd to conduct a comprehensive independent evaluation of the UK SHORE programme, which is assessing the processes and impact of all UK SHORE schemes and will inform future policy development.

In March 2025, the Department for Transport published a report setting out the early outcomes of the evaluation of the UK SHORE programme to date, including completed projects in the CMDC, with the final report due in Autumn 2025.

Officials regularly discuss the appraisal of CMDC projects with Innovate UK, who play a key role in collecting project monitoring data to inform the evaluation programme.

We work jointly across Government to develop policies, regulation and mechanisms to support maritime environment and decarbonisation, including with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
7th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on the development of seafarer (a) training, (b) skills and (c) employment policy as a result of projects funded through the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.

The Department for Transport has been in frequent discussion with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), which oversees UK seafarer training, to ensure green skills are embedded in the new training scheme. This scheme, developed with industry input and coordinated by the MCA, will launch in September 2025. It includes training on future fuels and new technologies, complementing the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition's projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Furthermore, the MCA has a formal role in both the design and delivery of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition's programme and was closely involved in the design of the latest funding competition, which includes provision for bids covering training and skills.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)