Lord Cruddas

On 8 May, we concluded a landmark economic deal with the US. This deal protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK - and the US has committed to further negotiations, including on the 10% tariffs.

We continue to support and engage UK businesses affected by tariffs. Businesses can access export support (via business.gov.uk) such as the Export Academy, International Markets Network, Growth Hubs and Help to Grow: Management scheme.

The government remains relentlessly focused on making sure British businesses, including SMEs, can feel the benefits of the deal as soon as possible.

On 16 June the US confirmed that certain UK aerospace products will no longer be subject to US tariffs. We have also secured agreement from the US that they will expedite the agreed quota for car exports to the US, reducing US tariffs from 27.5% to 10%. This will support businesses of all sizes in these sectors.

We are continuing talks on a wider UK-US Economic Deal which will look at increasing digital trade, enhancing access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains, including for SMEs.

Financial education is currently taught through the national curriculum for mathematics (at key stages 1 to 4) and citizenship (at key stages 3 and 4) which together cover personal budgeting, saving for the future, managing credit and debt, and calculating interest. The national curriculum is compulsory for maintained schools. However, all schools are measured by Ofsted on having a broad and balanced curriculum which is comparable to the national curriculum.

High and rising school standards are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life. That is why the government announced a Curriculum and Assessment Review on 19 July 2024, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE.

Following the independent review, the government will legislate to require all state schools teach the reformed national curriculum. This will give parents certainty over the core of their children’s education.

The review group will publish an interim report early in 2025, setting out their interim findings and confirming the key areas for further work. The final report, with recommendations, will be published in autumn 2025.

Financial education is currently taught through the National Curriculum for mathematics (at key stages 1 to 4) and citizenship (at key stages 3 and 4) which together cover personal budgeting, saving for the future, managing credit and debt, and calculating interest. The National Curriculum is compulsory for maintained schools. However, all schools are measured by Ofsted on having a broad and balanced curriculum which is comparable to the National Curriculum.

High and rising school standards are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life. That is why the government announced a Curriculum and Assessment Review on 19 July 2024, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE.

The government’s ambition is for a broad, rich and cutting-edge curriculum that equips children and young people with the essential knowledge and skills required to thrive as citizens, in work and throughout life.

The review will look closely at the key challenges to attainment for young people, and the barriers which hold children back from the opportunities and life chances they deserve – in particular those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, or with special educational needs and disabilities.

The review will be undertaken in close consultation with education professionals and other experts, parents, children and young people, and stakeholders. A call for evidence will be launched in the coming weeks, to direct the focus of engagement with the sector and stakeholders over the autumn term.

Following the independent review, the government will legislate to require all state schools teach the reformed National Curriculum. This will give parents certainty over the core of their children’s education.