Roz Savage Portrait

Roz Savage

Liberal Democrat - South Cotswolds

4,973 (9.5%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 4th July 2024



Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Roz Savage has voted in 175 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Roz Savage 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
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(5 debate interactions)
Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat)
Liberal Democrat Chief Whip
(3 debate interactions)
Caroline Nokes (Conservative)
(3 debate interactions)
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View all Roz Savage's debates

South Cotswolds 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).

Petition Debates Contributed

Advertisements encourage the use of products and sponsorship promotes a positive reputation & creates a social licence of trust & acceptability. In 2003 a ban on all tobacco advertising was introduced and has arguably worked. I believe continued fossil fuel usage will kill more people than smoking.

We want all forms of geo-engineering to be illegal in the UK. We do not want any use of technologies to intervene in the Earth's natural systems.

We believe the government should change legislation to make it easier for trans people of all ages to change their legal gender without an official diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

I believe joining the EU would boost the economy, increase global influence, improve collaboration and provide stability & freedom. I believe that Brexit hasn't brought any tangible benefit and there is no future prospect of any, that the UK has changed its mind and that this should be recognised.

We think that changing inheritance tax relief for agricultural land will devastate farms nationwide, forcing families to sell land and assets just to stay on their property. We urge the government to keep the current exemptions for working farms.

I would like there to be another General Election.

I believe the current Labour Government have gone back on the promises they laid out in the lead up to the last election.


Latest EDMs signed by Roz Savage

15th September 2025
Roz Savage signed this EDM as a sponsor on Tuesday 16th September 2025

Edinburgh Kiltwalk 2025

Tabled by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
That this House congratulates everyone taking part in the 2025 Edinburgh Kiltwalk on 14 September; celebrates the spirit of community and generosity that the event embodies; notes that thousands of people from across the city and beyond will come together to raise vital funds for charities that make a such …
5 signatures
(Most recent: 16 Sep 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 5
15th September 2025
Roz Savage signed this EDM as a sponsor on Tuesday 16th September 2025

Award of honorary posthumous England cap to Frank Soo

Tabled by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
That this House celebrates the award of an honorary posthumous England Cap for Frank Soo by the Football Association, to his family and the Frank Soo Foundation; recognises that Frank Soo was the first player of Asian descent to play for England, making his debut against Wales in 1942, and …
10 signatures
(Most recent: 16 Sep 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 7
Labour: 2
Independent: 1
View All Roz Savage's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Roz Savage, 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.


Roz Savage has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Roz Savage has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

1 Bill introduced by Roz Savage


A Bill to require the United Kingdom to achieve climate and nature targets; to give the Secretary of State a duty to implement a strategy to achieve those targets; to establish a Climate and Nature Assembly to advise the Secretary of State in creating that strategy; to give duties to the Committee on Climate Change and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee regarding the strategy and targets; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 24th January 2025
(Read Debate)
Next Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 29th May 2026

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
3 Other Department Questions
16th Jun 2025
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ban conversion practices.

This Government’s position is that conversion practices are abuse. Such practices have no place in society and must be stopped.

We are committed to bringing forward a trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices. This is a complex issue, and it is imperative that we get this right. That is why, in collaboration with Cabinet colleagues, my officials and I are working hard to draft legislation that protects LGBT individuals from these harmful practices.

16th Jun 2025
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she plans to conduct an impact assessment for the Equality and Human Rights Commission's draft Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions, and Associations.

On 20 May, the EHRC opened its consultation on the changes made to the draft updated statutory Code of Practice following the Supreme Court ruling. This consultation is open until 30 June. We will consider the EHRC's final draft Code of Practice once it has been submitted and engage with them to ensure it provides the clarity service providers need, in line with the Supreme Court ruling.

12th Dec 2024
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on SEND provision.

We are working across government and the sector to ensure children and young people with SEND receive the right support to succeed, in mainstream schools where possible.

High needs funding will increase by almost £1bn in 2025-26, compared to 2024-25. We have announced £740 million of capital funding to create more specialist places in both mainstream and special schools.

Bridget Phillipson
Minister for Women and Equalities
13th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle potential barriers to trade for UK consultancy businesses operating in the EU; what assessment he has made of the potential impact of differing requirements for work permits in individual EU countries on those businesses; and what steps he plans to take with Cabinet colleague to help improve the (a) competitiveness of those businesses in and (b) access of those businesses to the EU market.

To grow the economy and boost living standards, we need to build export and investment opportunities for UK businesses, including consultancy firms, and reduce barriers to trade with the EU.

The Government recognises the importance of mobility for UK businesses, and regularly engages other EU Member States to address any bilateral mobility issues and to ensure the visa information they provide is clear. To help businesses navigate the visa and work permit rules of EU Member States, the Government has also published guidance on GOV.UK on entry requirements, as well as for Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

Douglas Alexander
Secretary of State for Scotland
11th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) leaving the EU single market and (b) ending free movement with the EU on economic growth; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of rejoining the EU single market.

We are resetting the relationship with our European friends to strengthen ties and tackle barriers to trade. But we’ve been clear that there will be no return to the single market.

Hearing from businesses about how they have been impacted by Brexit and how the relationship with the EU can be improved is key. In addition to formal channels such as the UK TCA Domestic Advisory Group and Civil Society Forum, my ministerial colleagues, officials and I have been engaging directly with businesses including through round table events with industry leaders.

Douglas Alexander
Secretary of State for Scotland
11th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of the UK's departure from the EU single market on the (a) administrative and (b) other costs faced by UK small businesses trading with EU customers; and what steps he plans to take with Cabinet colleagues to support the competitiveness of those businesses.

The Department for Business and Trade continuously monitors the impact of leaving the EU on costs to businesses through our business surveys, ONS reports, and other intelligence sources, as well as through regular direct engagement with exporters - Minister Alexander and I recently hosted a roundtable with SMEs specifically about exporting to the EU. Indeed, a report published by the LSE just this week highlights the disproportionate detrimental impact that Brexit has had on small businesses, with goods exports to the EU dropping by an estimated 30% for the smallest firms.

This Government is addressing those challenges by resetting our relationship with the EU, as discussed between the Prime Minister and European Commission President Ursula Ven Der Leyen in October. We are exploring ways to prevent unnecessary border checks and strengthening our export support service - we launched the 'Unlock Europe' programme earlier this month as part of the Export Academy, which offers practical guidance that will help UK businesses enhance their exporting potential to the EU.

7th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what comparative assessment he has made of the potential merits of (a) small nuclear power plants and (b) large-scale solar farms.

As set out in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, a power system run on low carbon generation with renewables providing the vast majority of generation, supported by nuclear, can form the basis of a clean, affordable and secure energy system. This assessment was supported by independent advice from the National Energy System Operator (NESO), whose clean power scenarios highlighted the importance of different technologies working in combination. The Department continues to model a range of different energy mixes and scenarios to support policy decisions.

Alongside the Scottish and Welsh Governments, we have also jointly commissioned NESO to develop a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP). The SSEP will assess infrastructure potential on a zonal basis as well as the quantities and types of energy infrastructure required to meet our future energy demand with the clean, affordable and secure supply that we need. The first SSEP will be published in 2026.

Michael Shanks
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the financial history of Macquarie Asset Management; and what weight is given to past financial performance in the assessment process for major energy infrastructure applications.

The Government does not comment on individual applications. Any applicant seeking development consent for an energy-related nationally significant infrastructure project must submit a Funding Statement as part of the application process. The Funding Statement is reviewed by the Planning Inspectorate and the Secretary of State for adequacy of funding to cover the applicant’s liabilities for the project. Past financial performance does not hold any weight when the Secretary of State considers the overall planning balance.

Michael Shanks
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
25th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps the Government is taking to ensure households who have installed solar panels are benefitting from the wholesale rise in energy.

Households with solar panels benefit through significantly reduced electricity bills. They can also export the excess energy they generate to the grid, and receive payment for doing so, via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). The SEG is a market-led mechanism that captures the value of small-scale exported electricity and was introduced to help meet net zero commitments at the lowest cost to consumers and businesses.

Michael Shanks
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
6th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the total acreage of land is in the UK that is currently covered by solar farms; and what the acreage is for which planning permission for solar farms has been granted.

According to a report on energy trends published by DESNZ, as of September 2024 ground-mount solar PV panels covered an estimated 21,200 hectares (52,000 acres), which is only around 0.1 per cent of the total land area of the UK. While such information is not currently available for projects that have been granted planning permission, we are working on expanding the coverage of the data to all projects in the pipeline.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6762f035e6ff7c8a1fde9b48/Land_utilised_by_solar_PV__September_2024.pdf

Michael Shanks
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
25th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will take steps to provide financial support for pension-age carers, in the context of increases in the price cap for energy bills.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently, including pension-age carers. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past.

We recognise that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we are delivering the Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households this winter. Last week, we published a consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount scheme for next winter, where we propose to remove the high cost to heat threshold, making all those on means tested benefits eligible for the scheme. This would make those of pension age, who claim the Saving Credit element of Pension Credit, eligible for a rebate next winter.

In addition, I have also worked with energy suppliers to agree a £500 million Winter Commitment to help customers struggling with bills this winter. I would urge any consumers struggling with their energy bills to contact their energy supplier, local authority, or Citizens Advice to see what support they can receive.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
13th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to encourage the adoption of low-cost, room-based air conditioner heat pumps; and if he will have discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on (a) reducing VAT and (b) introducing carbon reduction heat pump grants for those pumps.

There is a 0% rate of VAT on the installation of heat pumps, including air-to-air systems, due to last until 2027. The Government wants to target grant support at technologies that offer the greatest potential to decarbonise our buildings, and in most cases air-to-air heat pumps only provide space heating, with many installations still reliant on another less efficient appliance to provide hot water. The Government will, however, keep its position on alternative electric heating technologies under review, utilising the latest evidence before making any decisions.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
3rd Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on steps to ease the process by which farms connect to the national grid.

The Government is working with Ofgem, NESO and the network companies to fundamentally reform the connections process and reduce unacceptable grid connection delays. These reforms, if approved by Ofgem, will remove stalled projects and accelerate connections for viable customers with viable projects, including those on farms.

Michael Shanks
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential local ecological impact of the proposed Lime Down Solar Farm in South Cotswolds constituency.

The Lime Down Solar Farm is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project which is expected to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for examination in the third quarter of 2025. As part of the examination process the Examining Authority appointed by the Planning Inspectorate will consider the potential local ecological impact of the proposal as one of its potential impacts. At the end of the examination process, the Examining Authority will submit its Report to the Secretary of State, who will make his decision based on a careful consideration of all the material planning considerations.

Michael Shanks
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
3rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential risk of investment by Macquarie in (a) Lime Down Solar Park and (b) other Nationally Significant Infrastructure Developments.

Ofgem and DESNZ have robust market monitoring schemes to assess electricity generation licence applications. Ofgem’s principal objective is to protect the interests of existing and future consumers through maintaining security of supply and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ofgem considers the experience, capability, and financial stability of each applicant.

The National Security and Investment (NSI) Act gives the government powers to scrutinise and intervene in acquisitions that may pose threats to national security. The Government does not routinely comment on specific deals or the applicability of the Act.

Michael Shanks
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
11th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to help develop deep geothermal energy resources.

We know that to achieve net zero, we must look at how we can accelerate the potential of all low carbon technologies including geothermal. The Government understands that geothermal can play a role in our decarbonisation ambitions. The Green Heat Network Fund is able to support applications for heat network investments utilising deep geothermal heat, and geothermal technologies that generate electricity are eligible for the Contracts for Difference scheme. We have also commissioned research into unlocking geothermal heat in the UK and will use this to understand how the government can support the sector to achieve its potential.

11th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help improve the insulation of housing.

The Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills and transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future.

As the first step towards the Warm Homes Plan, the Government has committed an initial £3.4 billion over the next 3 years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency. In 2025-2026 alone, we will be upgrading up to 300,000 homes, using around £1 billion of Warm Homes Plan money, social housing provider co-funding, and further support through the Energy Company Obligation and the Great British Insulation Scheme.

We will set out further details on the Warm Homes Plan in due course.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the (a) construction and (b) operational phases of solar parks on (i) traffic and (ii) communities whose main transport routes are single track highways .

There are established routes in the planning system, such as the National Policy Statements, which consider the transportation impacts of solar projects throughout their construction and operation.

The main traffic impacts are likely to be during construction, however, solar farms are generally comprised of small structures, transported in smaller vehicles before being constructed on-site. Once operational, traffic movements are usually very light, mainly for site maintenance.

Developers are also required to consider the suitability of access routes as part of their application. They may need to modify existing or construct new roads where current infrastructure is unsuitable.

Michael Shanks
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
17th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of protections for non-designated but significant archaeological sites under current (a) heritage and (b) land management regulations; and if she will consider introducing new (i) powers and (ii) funding streams to support (A) geophysical surveys and (B) site preservation where landowner cooperation is not forthcoming.

No such assessment has been undertaken recently.

The significance of non-designated heritage assets varies considerably. Measures to help conserve significant non-designated heritage assets through the planning and development control processes are included in national planning policy, while incentives for the positive management of some of those located in rural areas can be found in environmental land management schemes. Owners of such assets can also consider entering into related conservation covenants.

The protections conferred specifically by heritage legislation primarily relate to designated heritage assets, including Scheduled Monuments and Listed Buildings. Some non-designated heritage assets may benefit from a degree of legislative protection by being incidentally located on, in or under land that has been protected by non-heritage-related designations (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest).

The Government has no plans at the present time to introduce further measures.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
7th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make funding available to support the creation of a Covid-19 memorial in South Cotswolds constituency.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will never be forgotten, and the recent COVID-19 Day of Reflection was an opportunity for communities to come together to remember the lives of those who died, and the sacrifices made by so many. The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration consulted on how to commemorate the COVID-19 pandemic and mark this distinctive period in our history at a national and community level. This Commission made a number of recommendations, including the creation of new COVID-19 memorials in local communities.

This government wants to carefully consider all the Commission's recommendations, working closely with Bereaved Family groups, other departments and the Devolved Governments to do justice to the hard work of the Commission, and will publish a response in due course.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
4th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an estimate of the number of charities that will pay increased employer National Insurance contributions in financial year (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26 in South Cotswolds constituency.

At the recent Budget, the government took a number of difficult decisions on tax, welfare, and spending to fix the foundations of the public finances, fund public services, and restore economic stability.

The government recognises the need to protect the smallest businesses and charities, which is why we have more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500. This means that more than half of businesses (including charities) with NICs liabilities will either gain or see no change next year, such as those in the South Cotswold constituency.

We are also expanding eligibility of the Employment Allowance by removing the £100,000 eligibility threshold, to simplify and reform employer NICs so that all eligible employers now benefit. Businesses and charities will still be able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under 21s and under 25 apprentices, where eligible.

Within the tax system, we provide support to charities through a range of reliefs and exemptions, including reliefs for charitable giving. More than £6 billion in charitable reliefs was provided to charities, Community Amateur Sports Clubs and their donors in 2023 to 2024. The biggest individual reliefs provided are Gift Aid at £1.6 billion and business rates relief at nearly £2.4 billion.

DCMS does not hold the specific regional financial impacts of this policy. A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) has been published by HMRC, setting out the impact of the policy on the exchequer; the economic impacts of the policy; and the impacts on individuals, businesses, civil society organisations and equality impacts. The TIIN for the employer NICs changes was published on 13 November 2024.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support hotel owners in South Cotswolds constituency.

The Government is supporting hotel owners in the South Cotswolds and across the UK through measures such as business rates relief, and funding opportunities like the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. These initiatives aim to alleviate operational costs, promote regional tourism, and drive economic growth. The Government also works closely with VisitBritain and Cotswold Plus (the Local Visitor Economy Partnership for the wider Cotswolds region) to boost marketing efforts, attract visitors, and support the hospitality sector's recovery and growth.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will work with the Secretary of State for Education to embed food, farming and sustainability education in the national curriculum.

I refer the hon. Member for South Cotswolds to the response of 8 September 2025 to Question 72659.

Georgia Gould
Minister of State (Education)
29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of improving food, farming, and sustainability education on public health.

As part of the last reform of the national curriculum, an equalities impact assessment was carried out to evaluate whether the proposed changes would impact positively or negatively on groups with protected characteristics. This equalities impact assessment is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/211061/Equalities_impact_assessment_-_FINAL_v3.pdf.

Additionally, Public Health England provided a framework that guides teachers in applying best practice for food education in secondary schools. It is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80d9c440f0b62305b8d7ff/Foodteaching_Secondaryguidelines_FINAL.pdf.

The curriculum and assessment system in England is currently under review by an independent panel of experts. The Curriculum and Assessment Review is now carrying out further investigation into specific policy and subject issues, working closely with the sector and building on the body of evidence gathered so far. No decisions about individual subjects have yet been made. Any subject-specific findings and recommendations that come out of the Review will be included in the final report which will be published in autumn.

Georgia Gould
Minister of State (Education)
29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has conducted impact assessments of food, farming, and sustainability education policy in the context of her Department's duties under the Equality Act 2010.

As part of the last reform of the national curriculum, an equalities impact assessment was carried out to evaluate whether the proposed changes would impact positively or negatively on groups with protected characteristics. This equalities impact assessment is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/211061/Equalities_impact_assessment_-_FINAL_v3.pdf.

Additionally, Public Health England provided a framework that guides teachers in applying best practice for food education in secondary schools. It is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80d9c440f0b62305b8d7ff/Foodteaching_Secondaryguidelines_FINAL.pdf.

The curriculum and assessment system in England is currently under review by an independent panel of experts. The Curriculum and Assessment Review is now carrying out further investigation into specific policy and subject issues, working closely with the sector and building on the body of evidence gathered so far. No decisions about individual subjects have yet been made. Any subject-specific findings and recommendations that come out of the Review will be included in the final report which will be published in autumn.

Georgia Gould
Minister of State (Education)
10th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to (a) improve the early identification of young carers in further education settings and (b) increase (i) awareness and (ii) understanding of young carers by (A) college staff and (B) tutors.

Young carers were added to the school census as a specific group for the first time in 2022/23. The department expects the recording of census data to improve over time as the collection becomes better established but are looking at the ways the data is entered to see if we can make technical changes that will support more accurate reporting without overly burdening schools.

In its inspections of local authority children’s services, Ofsted evaluates whether professionals identify children and young people in need of help and protection. Ofsted recently consulted on a new education inspection framework, with their full response due in September. The proposals include a specific evaluation of inclusion, ensuring that schools get it right for all disadvantaged and vulnerable children, including young carers.

Statutory guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’ sets out that all school and college staff should be alert to the potential need for early help for children who are young carers and requires designated safeguarding leads to undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills to carry out their role. This includes having a good understanding of, and alertness to, the needs of young carers.

10th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to (a) improve the early identification of young carers by schools and (b) ensure that all education staff receive training to (i) recognise and (ii) support young carers at the earliest opportunity.

Young carers were added to the school census as a specific group for the first time in 2022/23. The department expects the recording of census data to improve over time as the collection becomes better established but are looking at the ways the data is entered to see if we can make technical changes that will support more accurate reporting without overly burdening schools.

In its inspections of local authority children’s services, Ofsted evaluates whether professionals identify children and young people in need of help and protection. Ofsted recently consulted on a new education inspection framework, with their full response due in September. The proposals include a specific evaluation of inclusion, ensuring that schools get it right for all disadvantaged and vulnerable children, including young carers.

Statutory guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’ sets out that all school and college staff should be alert to the potential need for early help for children who are young carers and requires designated safeguarding leads to undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills to carry out their role. This includes having a good understanding of, and alertness to, the needs of young carers.

9th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the updated school food standards will include measures to increase the intake of UK-grown (a) fruit, (b) vegetables and (c) pulses in school meals.

The department is engaging with stakeholders on revising the School Food Standards, to ensure they support our work to create the healthiest generation of children in history. The current Standards state one or more portions of vegetables as an accompaniment and one or more portions of fruit must be provided every day and at least three different fruits and three different vegetables each week. Schools are responsible for their school meals service and how and where they choose to buy their produce. Schools can voluntarily follow the government buying standards.

Additionally, the National Procurement Policy Statement, published in February 2025, underscores the government's commitment to increasing the procurement of food that meets higher environmental standards and upholding ethical sourcing practises across public sector contracts, which we believe our high quality British producers are well-placed to meet.

Alongside this, the department’s Food Strategy will deliver clear long-term outcomes that create a healthier, fairer, and more resilient food system, boosting food security, improving health, ensuring economic growth, and delivering environmental sustainability.

As with all aspects of the School Food Standards review, the department will consider our approaches to procurement of UK-grown produce.

Stephen Morgan
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
22nd May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that children with (a) complex SEND and (b) escalating behavioural needs have timely access to suitable residential education placements when local day settings are unable to meet their needs; and what support is available to families (i) experiencing delays in placement decisions and (ii) for whom safeguarding or health risks have been identified.

The Children and Families Act 2014 requires local authorities to ensure there are sufficient school places for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The department has published allocations for £740 million in High Needs Provision Capital Allocations for the 2025/26 financial year. The funding can be used to adapt schools to be more accessible for children with SEND, to create specialist facilities within mainstream schools that can deliver more intensive support adapted to suit the pupils’ needs, and to create special school places for pupils with the most complex needs.

The department continues to monitor and work closely with local authorities that have issues with education, health and care plan timeliness, including placement decisions. Where there are concerns about a local authority’s capacity to make the required improvements, we help the local authority to identify the barriers and put in place an effective recovery plan.

Free support and advice for families and local authorities is provided by Special Educational Needs and Disability Information and Advice Services.

Where there are concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing, support from social care services may be required. Under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989, it is the general duty of every local authority to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area who are in need, including disabled children, and to promote the upbringing of such children by their families by providing a range and level of services appropriate to those children’s needs. Where appropriate, social care services may be provided in conjunction with an educational placement such as a residential special school.

15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of recent early years statutory guidance changes on the financial sustainability of (a) private and (b) voluntary childcare providers.

It is our ambition that all families have access to high quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, giving every child the best start in life and delivering on our Plan for Change.

As the early years entitlements are expanded, it is vitally important they remain accessible and affordable for families. The department updated the early years statutory guidance to ensure there is clarity for parents, providers and local authorities about additional charges associated with entitlement hours.

The statutory guidance also emphasises transparency at the heart of how the entitlement should be passed onto parents, including that any costs should be clearer on invoices and websites. However, for these new transparency expectations, the guidance allows a lead-in time until January 2026 to give providers time to adapt.

Government funding for the entitlements does not cover consumables like meals, nappies or sun cream or additional activities, such as trips, so providers are able to ask parents to pay for these. However, in line with a recent high court judgment, these charges must not be mandatory or a condition of accessing a funded place. The high court judgement is accessible here: https://caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/admin/2025/224. This guidance must reflect the law governing the delivery of the early education and childcare entitlements, which has not changed.

Stephen Morgan
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
7th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to increase access to accredited online schools for pupils with (a) special educational needs and (b) mental health conditions who are unable to attend mainstream education.

I refer the hon. Member for South Cotswolds to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43288.

1st Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to increase access to accredited online schools for pupils with (a) special educational needs and (b) mental health conditions who are unable to attend mainstream education.

The department introduced the Online Education Accreditation Scheme (OEAS) in April 2023 to ensure high standards of education and protect pupils receiving a full-time education online. Providers must meet online education standards to become accredited. The scheme is non-statutory. The department encourages all eligible providers to engage with the scheme and for commissioners to use accredited providers only.

Online education should not be viewed as an equal alternative to attendance in school. The department expects schools to consider online education only as a last resort where the alternative would be no education and only after it has been established that the pupil is, or will be, absent from school. In such cases, remote education can have the benefit of allowing absent pupils to keep on track with their education and stay connected to their teachers and peers.

Local authority commissioners, often in conjunction with a child’s school, can use online provision as a form of alternative provision for children with a medical condition or school refusal, where necessary adjustments have not been appropriate. Local authorities can also, as a last resort, provide online education for children who are new to an area and are awaiting a school place.

Where it would not be appropriate for special educational provision to be delivered in a school, college or early years setting, a local authority may put in place education otherwise than at a school or college under section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014. If a local authority chooses to specify education otherwise than at a school or college in an education, health and care plan, it will be statutorily responsible for securing the provision and funding it.

26th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of cuts to funding for level 7 healthcare apprenticeships on the availability of Advanced Clinical Practitioners in the NHS.

I refer the hon. Member for South Cotswolds to the answer of 28 March 2025 to Question 39189.

26th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of cuts to funding for level 7 healthcare apprenticeships on the deliverability of the NHS long-term workforce plan.

I refer the hon. Member for South Cotswolds to the answer of 28 March 2025 to Question 39189.

26th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of cuts to funding for level 7 apprenticeships on the availability of Chartered Town Planners in local government.

I refer the hon. Member for South Cotswolds to the answer of 20 January 2025 to Question 23140.

4th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her Department holds on the proportion of (a) healthy and (b) unhealthy food provided to (i) schools and (ii) school caterers.

The department does not hold data on the proportion of healthy and unhealthy food provided to schools and school caterers.

The standards for school food are set out in the Requirements for School Food Regulations 2014, known as school food standards. Schools are responsible for their school meals service and governing boards have a responsibility to ensure compliance with the standards. The standards can be found here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1603/contents/made.

Stephen Morgan
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
13th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will provide (a) additional resources and (b) oversight mechanisms to ensure local authorities provide educational, health and care plan assessments in a timely manner.

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

The department is providing almost £1 billion more for high needs budgets in the 2025/26 financial year, bringing total high needs funding to £11.9 billion. This funding is a 9% cash increase in funding compared to 2024/25 and will help local authorities and schools with the increasing costs of supporting children and young people with complex SEND.

The department is working closely with experts on reforms, recently appointing a strategic advisor for SEND, who will play a key role in convening and engaging with the sector, including leaders, practitioners, children and families as we consider the next steps for the future of SEND reform.

We want to ensure that, where required, education, health and care (EHC) needs assessments are progressed promptly and, if they are needed, plans are issued as quickly as possible so that children and young people can access the support they require.

Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to assess whether children and young people have special educational needs that require an EHC plan. EHC plans must be issued within 20 weeks of the needs assessment commencing so that children and young people can access the required support. In 2023, there were 138,200 initial requests for an EHC plan and 90,500 assessments took place. 50.3% of new EHC plans in 2023 were issued within 20 weeks.

The department knows that local authorities have seen an increase in the number of assessment requests and that more must be done to ensure that local areas deliver effective and timely services.

13th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to provide additional (a) funding and (b) oversight of local authorities for the provision of education health and care plans.

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

The department is providing almost £1 billion more for high needs budgets in the 2025/26 financial year, bringing total high needs funding to £11.9 billion. This funding is a 9% cash increase in funding compared to 2024/25 and will help local authorities and schools with the increasing costs of supporting children and young people with complex SEND.

The department is working closely with experts on reforms, recently appointing a strategic advisor for SEND, who will play a key role in convening and engaging with the sector, including leaders, practitioners, children and families as we consider the next steps for the future of SEND reform.

We want to ensure that, where required, education, health and care (EHC) needs assessments are progressed promptly and, if they are needed, plans are issued as quickly as possible so that children and young people can access the support they require.

Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to assess whether children and young people have special educational needs that require an EHC plan. EHC plans must be issued within 20 weeks of the needs assessment commencing so that children and young people can access the required support. In 2023, there were 138,200 initial requests for an EHC plan and 90,500 assessments took place. 50.3% of new EHC plans in 2023 were issued within 20 weeks.

The department knows that local authorities have seen an increase in the number of assessment requests and that more must be done to ensure that local areas deliver effective and timely services.

23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children receive free school meals in South Cotswolds constituency.

As of January 2024, 12.5% (1,761) of pupils attending state-funded schools in the South Cotswolds constituency were eligible for and claiming free school meals. This compares with a rate of 24.6% of pupils in state-funded schools in England. These figures are calculated from the school level supporting file published as part of the 2023/24 statistical release ‘School, pupils and their characteristics’, which can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics.

Schools have been matched to their post July 2024 constituency using the department’s Get Information about Schools service, which can be found here: https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/.

Stephen Morgan
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure accurate representation of (a) cases involving children already known to social services and (b) other aspects of home education in (i) public statements and (ii) media coverage.

Public statements issued by the department are reviewed for accuracy by policy officials, communications specialists, special advisers and, where needed, lawyers.

The department also draws on information from external sources such as local authorities’ children’s services departments where relevant.

The department’s media team maintains a comprehensive record of all media queries and public statements made in response to journalists which can be drawn on for future enquiries. Similar processes are followed by the department’s correspondence team and ministerial private offices.

Publicly available statistics are published by the department on the GOV.UK website.

The department cannot comment on the content of external sources which are not the department’s responsibility and can only comment on information provided by the department itself.

29th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that children with (a) hearing impairments and (b) other disabilities receive adequate support at their local schools when specialist facilities are not available; and what support her Department provides for transport in cases where parents have to send their child to a school further away that provides such support.

The government’s ambition is that all children and young people receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. We are committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs, restoring parents’ trust that their child will get the support they need.

Whilst we recognise the urgency and need to drive improvements, we are conscious that there are no quick fixes and want to take a considered approach to deliver sustainable education reform. Our initial work includes commissioning independent evidence reviews to identify what works to support children and young people with different needs, including hearing impairments. We are also working with Ofsted to consider how outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities are better reflected in the Education Inspection Framework.

The department’s home-to-school travel policy aims to make sure no child is prevented from accessing education by a lack of transport. Local authorities must arrange free home-to-school travel for children of compulsory school age who attend their nearest school and would not be able to walk there because of the distance, their special educational needs, disability or mobility problem, or because the route is unsafe. Where a child’s nearest school is unable to offer them a place, the nearest school that can admit them becomes their nearest school for school travel purposes.

3rd Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, by what means the Weeds Act 1959 is being enforced.

Natural England (NE) is dealing with historic weeds complaints but is not currently taking new complaints. This is a temporary measure whilst NE reviews with Defra the approach to addressing injurious weeds, to improve access to appropriate advice and guidance and ensure enforcement resources are targeted most effectively.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in the context of Natural England no longer accepting complaints about the spread of injurious weeds, by what means the Weeds Act 1959 is now being enforced.

Natural England (NE) is dealing with historic weeds complaints but is not currently taking new complaints. This is a temporary measure whilst NE reviews with Defra the approach to addressing injurious weeds, to improve access to appropriate advice and guidance and ensure enforcement resources are targeted most effectively.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason Natural England is no longer accepting complaints about the spread of injurious weeds.

Natural England (NE) is dealing with historic weeds complaints but is not currently taking new complaints. This is a temporary measure whilst NE reviews with Defra the approach to addressing injurious weeds, to improve access to appropriate advice and guidance and ensure enforcement resources are targeted most effectively.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of drought on farmers in the South West; and what steps he is taking to help mitigate that impact.

Drought has led to an early harvest with a reduction in crop quality and yields. Livestock farmers are facing a growing risk with forage, winter feed supplies and consequently buying additional food or selling animals to reduce pressure on supplies.

Measures to support farmers include:

  • Allowing short term options to improve access to water outside of abstraction licence conditions
  • Supporting the establishment of Water Abstractor Groups to enable sharing of water rights and for the development of jointly owned infrastructure. Funding has been made available to the West Country Water and Environment to help create Water Abstractor Groups
  • Local Resource Option screening studies are supporting farmers to collaborate on schemes such as multi-farm reservoirs, water trading, with one project in the South West.

An updated prospect report will be published this autumn to inform farmers of the water resources situation in order to improve resilience and planning for next year.

23rd Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Special Protection Zone regulations on the ability of small towns to establish new burial grounds; and what assessment he has made of the merits of providing (a) guidance and (b) funding support for communities facing (i) environmental and (ii) planning barriers to cemetery provision.

Source Protection Zones are sensitive areas because the underlying groundwater contributes towards public drinking water supplies.

To protect those supplies from pollution, unless exempt, new cemeteries must operate under an environmental permit and the Environment Agency has published guidance on this, including information needed to support a planning application. The Environment Agency has recently consulted on a proposal to develop simpler, cheaper, permitting options for cemeteries, which could lead to cost-saving for eligible operators.

The Government has asked the Law Commission to review the legal framework governing burial and cremation, including concerns raised about the long-term availability of burial space. They anticipate publishing the report on their findings in late 2025. The Government will consider the Law Commission’s recommendations once these have been published and will respond in due course.”

For context, the Government does not have operational day-to-day responsibility for burial grounds, which are managed locally, and there is no statutory duty on local authorities to provide burial facilities. Although Government (DCA/MoJ) does provide Guidance for Burial Ground Managers (which includes issues to consider when planning burial space) and Guidance for Operators of Natural Burial Grounds neither address this specific issue.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timeline is for mandating food waste reporting.

The Government has announced its plans to publish a Circular Economy Strategy for England and a series of roadmaps detailing the interventions the government and others will make on a sector-by-sector basis, one of which is agri-food.

As part of this work, evidence for action from right across the economy will be considered and evaluated in terms of what interventions may be needed, including introducing a mandatory food waste reporting requirement for large food businesses.

No assessment of the potential impact of mandatory food waste reporting in Austria has been made.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)