Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether Multi-Academy Trust boards are permitted to redact minutes of board meetings that relate to the use of public funds; what guidance her Department issues on transparency and redaction of trust governance documents; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of current practices.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The Academy Trust Governance Guide outlines that the trust board is responsible for being open and transparent about its decisions and actions. This guide is accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academy-trust-governance-guide.

The Academy Trust Handbook and trust’s articles of association state that trusts must make available on request for inspection the agenda for board, local committees/governing bodies and committee meetings, approved minutes of each meeting, and any report, document or other paper considered at each meeting.

Trusts may exclude from its records material which, by reason of its nature, the trustees are satisfied should remain confidential, such as names of employees or pupils. The trust must comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulations.

To monitor financial oversight, trusts must submit an annual report and accounts in accordance with the Charity Commission’s Statement of Recommended Practice and the departments Accounts Direction to the department.

The requirements set out in the Academy Trust Handbook are reviewed annually.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of local authority top-slicing of High Needs Block funding on the resources available to schools and academy trusts to deliver provision set out in Education, Health and Care Plans (ECHP); and what mechanisms are in place to ensure that EHCP funding allocated to trusts is spent directly on the provision specified in those plans.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

High needs funding has increased by over £1 billion in the 2025/26 financial year and we are continuing that increased level of funding into next year. The vast majority of this funding is allocated by local authorities to schools, colleges and other settings, including for mainstream schools’ support costs in excess of £6,000 per pupil, to secure the special provision set out in education, health and care plans. Local authorities generally allow some flexibility over how this funding is used by schools, and are responsible for ensuring the school delivers the provision set out in those plans.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans his Department has to introduce regulation for Third Party Intermediaries in the retail energy market.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Ofgem’s supplier license conditions and other legal protections have not sufficiently protected non-domestic consumers from exploitative and harmful practices by some Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs). That is why last year, the Government announced its plans to directly regulate TPIs, by appointing Ofgem as regulator when parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of Ofgem's work to enforce supplier license responsibilities to vet TPIs they partner with.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Ofgem’s supplier license conditions and other legal protections have not sufficiently protected non-domestic consumers from exploitative and harmful practices by some Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs). That is why last year, the Government announced its plans to directly regulate TPIs, by appointing Ofgem as regulator when parliamentary time allows.

Found: Antonia Bance (Labour; Tipton and Wednesbury) John Cooper (Conservative; Dumfries and Galloway) Sarah Edwards

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Liam Byrne (Chair); Antonia Bance; John Cooper; Sarah Edwards; Alison

Found: Antonia Bance (Labour; Tipton and Wednesbury) John Cooper (Conservative; Dumfries and Galloway) Sarah Edwards

Found: Chair: Let us draw out the implications with Sarah Edwards.

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Liam Byrne (Chair); Dan Aldridge; Antonia Bance; John Cooper; Sarah Edwards

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Liam Byrne (Chair); Dan Aldridge; Antonia Bance; John Cooper; Sarah Edwards

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Liam Byrne (Chair); Dan Aldridge; Sarah Edwards; Sonia Kumar; Justin

Submit Evidence (by 10 Apr 2026)

In this inquiry, the Business and Trade Committee will scrutinise the Government’s approach to economic engagement with China. In particular, it will assess the potential net benefits to the UK of deeper economic integration with China, and how these benefits compare to the risks that closer ties with China may bring.

Submit Evidence (by 12 Apr 2026)

Demand for critical minerals has grown rapidly in recent years. New technologies, including turbines and data centres, require more minerals than the older systems they replace. At the same time, global trade in these materials has become more fractured and competitive.

Submit Evidence (by 3 Apr 2026)

The Business and Trade Committee is launching an inquiry into Artificial Intelligence (AI) in order to better understand the opportunities and costs for businesses and the workforce, and to make recommendations on Government priorities.

Found: Non-Group Members • Sarah McDermott, NHS Education Scotland • Steve Brown, Roche Products Ltd • Sarah Edwards