Stephen Morgan Portrait

Stephen Morgan

Labour - Portsmouth South

First elected: 8th June 2017

Shadow Minister (Transport)

(since September 2023)

Shadow Minister (Education) (Schools)
4th Dec 2021 - 6th Sep 2023
Shadow Minister (Defence)
16th Jan 2020 - 4th Dec 2021
Armed Forces Bill Select Committee
22nd Feb 2021 - 22nd Feb 2021
Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill
22nd Feb 2021 - 22nd Feb 2021
Shadow Minister for Local Government (Communities)
17th Jul 2019 - 10th Apr 2020
Public Accounts Committee
20th Nov 2017 - 6th Nov 2019


Department Event
Thursday 14th December 2023
09:30
Department for Transport
Oral questions - Main Chamber
14 Dec 2023, 9:30 a.m.
Transport (including Topical Questions)
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Note: This event involves a Department with which this person is linked, and does not guarantee their actual attendance.
Division Votes
Wednesday 29th November 2023
Data Protection and Digital Information Bill
voted Aye - in line with the party majority
One of 140 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 194 Noes - 275
Speeches
Tuesday 28th November 2023
Oral Answers to Questions
Portsmouth people have waited far too long for the Government to decide against AQUIND. Will the co-owner’s donation of more …
Written Answers
Monday 4th December 2023
Asylum: Finance
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of …
Early Day Motions
None available
Bills
None available
MP Financial Interests
Monday 30th October 2023
5. Gifts and benefits from sources outside the UK
Name of donor: HM Government of Gibraltar
Address of donor: Gibraltar House, 150 Strand, London WC2R 1JA
Amount of donation …
EDM signed
Monday 28th March 2022
P&O Ferries and DP World
That this House condemns in the strongest possible terms the decision of P&O Ferries to fire 800 staff without notice …

Division Voting information

During the current Parliamentary Session, Stephen Morgan has voted in 719 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Stephen Morgan Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 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
Johnny Mercer (Conservative)
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
(19 debate interactions)
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(14 debate interactions)
Kevan Jones (Labour)
(12 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(85 debate contributions)
Department for Education
(49 debate contributions)
Ministry of Defence
(20 debate contributions)
Department for International Trade
(14 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Stephen Morgan's debates

Portsmouth South 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).

Petitions with highest Portsmouth South signature proportion
Petitions with most Portsmouth South signatures
Petition Debates Contributed

Teaching Assistants are an extremely important part of the running of schools in England, but are not currently recognised as this by our government when reflecting on the wage.

The Education Committee has recently recommended introducing a statutory home educated register, and greater assessment of home educated children. These recommendations are in contrast to the views of many parents who home educate.

Remove the clauses relating to 'Children not in school' from Part 3 of the Schools Bill, and do not pursue compulsory registration of all home-schooled children. We see no evidence that this would be beneficial, and we believe the proposals place a discriminatory burden on supportive parents.

We want suicide spoken about in schools in a safe and age-appropriate way. Speaking about suicide saves lives
The Dept for Education are conducting a review of the RSHE curriculum; this petition calls on the DfE to include suicide prevention within the statutory guidelines of the new curriculum.

The Government should bring forward legislation to allow assisted dying for adults who are terminally ill and have mental capacity. It should be permitted subject to strict upfront safeguards, assessed by two doctors independently, and self-administered by the dying person.

Require schools to make Friday a day off school, meaning there will be 3 days that children will get to stay off every week.


Latest EDMs signed by Stephen Morgan

23rd March 2022
Stephen Morgan signed this EDM on Monday 28th March 2022

P&O Ferries and DP World

Tabled by: Karl Turner (Labour - Kingston upon Hull East)
That this House condemns in the strongest possible terms the decision of P&O Ferries to fire 800 staff without notice or consultation with their trade unions, the RMT and Nautilus; demands the immediate reinstatement of the sacked workers; condemns their replacement with agency workers earning as little as £1.80 per …
125 signatures
(Most recent: 27 Apr 2022)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 92
Scottish National Party: 12
Liberal Democrat: 7
Independent: 5
Plaid Cymru: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 3
Alba Party: 2
Green Party: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
23rd September 2021
Stephen Morgan signed this EDM on Wednesday 3rd November 2021

Campaign to secure the future of the Covid Memorial Wall

Tabled by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester, Gorton)
That this House welcomes the creation of the Covid Memorial Wall on Albert Embankment by Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice; notes that this memorial now includes over 150,000 hand-painted hearts to symbolise all those who lost their lives during the coronavirus pandemic; praises the work of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for …
139 signatures
(Most recent: 21 Feb 2022)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 96
Scottish National Party: 15
Liberal Democrat: 10
Conservative: 5
Democratic Unionist Party: 5
Independent: 4
Plaid Cymru: 3
Green Party: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
View All Stephen Morgan's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Stephen Morgan, 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.


Stephen Morgan has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Stephen Morgan

Stephen Morgan has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Stephen Morgan has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


1934 Written Questions in the current parliament

(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
11 Other Department Questions
25th May 2023
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Government's policies on tackling hate crime and discrimination against transgender people.

The Government takes all forms of hate crime seriously. We expect the police to make sure the cowards who commit these abhorrent crimes feel the full force of the law.

The Government is committed to reducing all crime which is why we have successfully recruited over 20,000 extra police officers.

We are clear that transgender people deserve our respect, support and understanding.

There are processes in place, with the right checks and balances, to allow for those who wish to legally change their gender to do so.

Sarah Dines
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
15th Dec 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to amend Section 7 of the Equality Act 2010 in order to (a) replace the references to the term transsexual with a different term and (b) remove the requirement that a person covered by that Section shall be proposing to undergo, be undergoing or have undergone a process (or part of a process) for the purpose of reassigning that person's sex by changing physiological or other attributes of sex.

The Government is clear that we want people who are transgender to be able to live their lives as they wish. On a) we recognise that the term ‘transsexual’ used in the Equality Act 2010 is seen by many to be outdated. We understand those concerns and do not use the term in our policy or communications work. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) explain their approach by stating: “We recognise that some people consider this term outdated, so in this guidance we use the term ‘trans’ to refer to a person who has the protected characteristic of gender reassignment”[1].

In terms of the scope of that protected characteristic, as the EHRC sets out[2], the Equality Act definition is broad, does not require medical treatment and will include those who may “prefer to be described as a transperson, or transmale or transfemale or transgender”.

[1] For example in their April 2022 guidance for providers of single sex spaces: www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance/separate-and-single-sex-service-providers-guide-equality-act-sex-and-gender#language

[2] www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance/gender-reassignment-discrimination

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
31st Oct 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with her counterparts and legislators in (a) Malta, (b) France, (c) Canada, (d) New Zealand, (e) Greece and the relevant regional or state governments of the (i) US, (ii) Spain and (iii) Australia on their legislation on banning conversion practices and their protection of transgender people.

The Government has engaged with a wide range of international counterparts including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Malta, to understand the approaches they have taken to ban conversion therapy. We will continue to engage with counterparts around the world that are committed to protecting everyone from conversion practices to share insight and develop our approach.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
31st Oct 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on banning sexual orientation and transgender conversion practices.

The Government has been liaising with territorial offices and the devolved administrations including the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive on this important issue.

Officials will continue to work with their counterparts across the devolved administrations to discuss the UK Government’s approach to protecting everyone in England and Wales from conversion therapy practices.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
31st Oct 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the recommendations made by the Ending Conversion Practices Expert Advisory Group in Scotland on 4 October 2022.

The Government has been liaising with territorial offices and the devolved administrations including the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive on this important issue.

Officials will continue to work with their counterparts across the devolved administrations to discuss the UK Government’s approach to protecting everyone in England and Wales from conversion therapy practices.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
31st Oct 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, which accredited medical, counselling or psychological organisations support the Government’s plan to exclude transgender people from a ban on conversion practices.

The Equality Hub Ministers and officials have met with healthcare professionals in developing the policy approach to protecting all individuals from conversion practices. Many such organisations responded to the public consultation that closed in February 2022.

We will continue to meet with healthcare professionals to inform our approach and will respond to the consultation in due course.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
31st Oct 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether her Department has consulted (a) NHS England, (b) NHS Wales, (c) the Royal College of GPs, (d) the Royal College of Psychiatrists, (e) the British Psychological Society and (f) the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy as part of its work to explore the issue of transgender conversion practices further.

The Equality Hub Ministers and officials have met with healthcare professionals in developing the policy approach to protecting all individuals from conversion practices. Many such organisations responded to the public consultation that closed in February 2022.

We will continue to meet with healthcare professionals to inform our approach and will respond to the consultation in due course.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
25th Oct 2021
To ask the President of COP26, what recent steps he has taken to mobilise long-term climate finance of a further US$100 billion a year by 2020, as agreed at the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference.

Throughout the UK’s COP26 and G7 Presidencies, we have made significant progress. The $100bn Delivery Plan, which the COP President has asked Germany and Canada to lead, shows that the goal to mobilise $100 billion per year for developing countries will be met by 2023 at the latest, continuing on a rising trajectory through to 2025. In the five years to 2025, $500bn will be mobilised. This is significant progress, driven by ambitious new climate finance commitments that have been made in recent months.

We have also prioritised the issue of fiscal space and debt sustainability, for example in engagements with the IMF, World Bank and climate vulnerable countries. We welcome the progress that has been made. The IMF has implemented an historic $650bn allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to boost global liquidity and provide fiscal space. G7 Leaders have also agreed to consider options for voluntary SDR channelling of $100bn to further support developing and vulnerable countries. The G20 and Paris Club agreed to a further final extension of the Debt-Service Suspension Initiative in April and have continued implementation of the Common Framework for Debt Treatments.

25th Oct 2021
To ask the President of COP26, what recent assessment he has made of the levels of climate finance debt borne by the poorest countries.

Throughout the UK’s COP26 and G7 Presidencies, we have made significant progress. The $100bn Delivery Plan, which the COP President has asked Germany and Canada to lead, shows that the goal to mobilise $100 billion per year for developing countries will be met by 2023 at the latest, continuing on a rising trajectory through to 2025. In the five years to 2025, $500bn will be mobilised. This is significant progress, driven by ambitious new climate finance commitments that have been made in recent months.

We have also prioritised the issue of fiscal space and debt sustainability, for example in engagements with the IMF, World Bank and climate vulnerable countries. We welcome the progress that has been made. The IMF has implemented an historic $650bn allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to boost global liquidity and provide fiscal space. G7 Leaders have also agreed to consider options for voluntary SDR channelling of $100bn to further support developing and vulnerable countries. The G20 and Paris Club agreed to a further final extension of the Debt-Service Suspension Initiative in April and have continued implementation of the Common Framework for Debt Treatments.

1st Jul 2021
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the comments of the Prime Minister reported in an article entitled Boris Johnson pledges ban on gay conversion therapy, published by BBC News on 20 July 2020, what plans her Department has to publish the study on conversion therapy undertaken in 2020.

We have undertaken research to understand practices, experiences and impacts associated with conversion therapy and will publish this in due course. We will consider the findings alongside the responses to the consultation on our conversion therapy proposals that we will launch in September.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
2nd Feb 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Ministers were using grace and favour properties as of 31 January 2023; and who the occupants of those properties are.

As has been the case under successive administrations, the Prime Minister allocates official residences to ministers, either on the grounds of security or to allow them to better perform their official duties. The following official residences are currently allocated to Ministers:

  • Flats above 10 and 11 Downing Street, which are allocated to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer respectively;

  • Hillsborough Castle and Stormont which are available for Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office while on duty in Northern Ireland;

  • 1 Carlton Gardens, which is allocated to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities; and

  • The Chequers and Dorneywood estates are owned and managed by trustees and are available to Ministers for both official and private use and are allocated to the Prime Minister and Chancellor respectively.

Admiralty House is part of the Government estate, which includes rooms that could be used as residential accommodation as required.

15th Nov 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the average length of time taken between recommendations for compensation being made by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and payments being made to those affected..

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is a Crown servant that reports directly to Parliament. The Ombudsman is not accountable to the Government for its performance and sets its own standards for complaints handling and investigations. The Ombudsman is accountable to Parliament through the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, which holds an annual scrutiny session to evaluate its performance.

15th Nov 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the average time it takes for an investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman takes to conclude.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is a Crown servant that reports directly to Parliament. The Ombudsman is not accountable to the Government for its performance and sets its own standards for complaints handling and investigations. The Ombudsman is accountable to Parliament through the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, which holds an annual scrutiny session to evaluate its performance.

15th Nov 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of when the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s investigation into maladministration over changes to the State Pension age will conclude.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is a Crown servant that reports directly to Parliament. The Ombudsman is not accountable to the Government for its performance and sets its own standards for complaints handling and investigations. The Ombudsman is accountable to Parliament through the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, which holds an annual scrutiny session to evaluate its performance.

18th Aug 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department plans to launch an open competition for a replacement lease service when the lease through Corporate Travel Management of the A321 aircraft in Global Britain livery, registered G-XATW, expires in two years or at the end of its potential extension period of five years.

As has been the case under successive Administrations, non-scheduled air travel is necessary at times for undertaking Government and Royal Household official visits. This may be to the timing and flexibility needed, for security reasons, or due to the location being visited. It can also provide better value for money in the cases of larger delegations (which can include journalists).

The Government has procured a single A321 aircraft for use by Ministers and senior members of the Royal Family. The aircraft was procured through an existing Crown Commercial Framework (RM6016 PSTVS Lot 4) in order to achieve a timely, beneficial and cost-effective solution for the government. Early market engagement concluded that a wet lease was able to offer the best balance between value for money, availability and operational flexibility.

The Cabinet Office ran a competition through the Framework and the winning supplier then offered three best options to meet the requirement. Based on this, cost estimates for the procurement of the aircraft were considered against a range of options and it was assessed that an initial term of 2 years, with the opportunity for annual extensions to the full life of the contract, offered the best balance between value for money and flexibility.

The decision to procure an aircraft was based on a range of factors including guaranteed availability; a biosecure aircraft; UK branding; and an aircraft with a transatlantic range. Before the contract is extended beyond the initial 2 years, an assessment will be made on the most cost-effective option that will range from extending the contract to launching an open competition for a new contract.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
1st Jul 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government has conducted an equalities impact assessment of Voter ID proposals for LGBTQ+ people and those who do not have access to formal identification that reflects their gender identity.

An Equality Impact Assessment, which includes information on voter identification, was published alongside the Elections Bill:

https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3020/publications

We continue to work with local authorities, the Electoral Commission, charities and civil society organisations to make sure that reforms, including the provision of the free, locally issued Voter Card, are delivered in a way that is inclusive for all voters.

Everyone who is eligible to vote will continue to have the opportunity to do so.

22nd Apr 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on SMEs and their ability to export internationally outside of the EU.

On 13 April, the Office for National Statistics released the latest statistics on EU-UK trade which show a welcome growth in the value of trade with the EU, with goods exports close to the average 2020 level.

The vast majority of traders and hauliers have adapted well, and our focus now is on making sure that any business that is still facing challenges gets the support they need. We are continuing to monitor and assess the situation, including any potential change in trade patterns.

We have made an additional £20m available to support SMEs with new requirements when trading with the EU. More info can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-20-million-sme-brexit-support-fund

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
30th Mar 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the closure of the Help for Heroes recovery centres in (a) Yorkshire, (b) Devon and (c) Essex on the adequacy of support available to veterans; and what steps his Department is taking to maintain services for veterans during a period of falling charity income.

The MoD is continuing to work closely with Help for Heroes to transfer management responsibilities for the Personnel Recovery Centres whilst Help for Heroes’ introduce a new community based support model. Remote services will continue to be offered to veterans and the Government is continuing to monitor the situation, to ensure veterans can continue to access the support they need, whether via the NHS or the charitable sector.

This Government has provided unprecedented support to the service charity sector throughout the pandemic. As well as being able to access broader charity sector support, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the sector has benefitted from a £6million COVID Impact Fund. In addition to the £10million per annum that the Government provides to the sector through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, in this year’s budget, the Trust has been allocated a further £10million to deliver charitable projects supporting veterans mental health needs.

Johnny Mercer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
23rd Mar 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of the number of veterans that have developed lung cancer as a result of their exposure to asbestos.

As I stated in my answer given to the hon. Member on 11 January 2021, the MOD’s Health Safety and Environmental Protection directorate, alongside the Defence People function will work with the Office for Veterans’ Affairs to explore potential health issues related to exposure to asbestos during service, and to continue to coordinate MOD's asbestos management approach. Claims for compensation in respect of injuries or illnesses arising as a result of service can be made by veterans through the Ministry of Defence.

Johnny Mercer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
3rd Mar 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much funding the Government allocated to veteran’s mental health in 2020-21; and how much it plans to allocate in 2021-22.

The Government is committed to providing the necessary support for our Veterans. The vast majority of veterans currently access mental health services available to the general population. For veteran specific mental health services, in 2020-2021 NHS England provided £16.5m, which will be increased to £17.8m for 2021-2022, alongside the launch of the new High Intensity Service across England and Op Courage pathway for accessing all veterans’ mental health services within NHS England.

Service charities are supported by the Government through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, which benefits from £10m annually, and in both years an additional £10m has been allocated to support veterans’ mental health needs. During 2020, the COVID-19 Impact Fund has provided nearly £6m in grants to over 100 Armed Forces charities across the United Kingdom. Of the charities awarded funding, 68% of grants sampled supported members of the Armed Forces and veterans’ community for mental health and crisis support, and 77% for easing isolation and loneliness.

Johnny Mercer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
3rd Mar 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if his Department will take steps to clarify that weddings with six guests can take place from 8 March 2021 in public-facing communications.

Guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships was published on 22 March and can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships#wedding-and-civil-partnership-ceremony-venues

We recognise that any restrictions on wedding venues may be disappointing for those planning such events, but we have to take necessary steps to limit transmission of COVID-19. This includes the closure of some settings and restrictions on social contact, including wedding and civil partnership ceremonies. By their very nature, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are events that bring families and friends together, making them particularly vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19. We appreciate the sacrifices people have had to make across the COVID-19 pandemic and we do not wish to keep any restrictions in place longer than we need to.

In the COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021, the Government has set out the gradual and cautious approach to reopening in England, guided by science and the data, including the staged return of weddings and civil partnerships, as well as sporting events.

In order to inform the pace and sequencing of the roadmap, the Government commissioned advice and modelling from SAGE and its sub-groups. Scientific evidence supporting the government response to coronavirus is regularly published here - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/scientific-evidence-supporting-the-government-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
29th Jan 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the scientific basis was for the decision to allow children's playgrounds to remain open while closing outdoor sports courts during the 2021 covid-19 lockdown.

Throughout the pandemic, we have consistently adapted our response as we have learnt more about the virus and how best to tackle it. Decisions on when to lift restrictions, and in which order, seek to strike a balance between the epidemiological evidence and advice, the impact lockdown is having on people’s health (including mental health and disproportionate impacts on certain groups), wellbeing, and the economy. Scientific evidence supporting the government response to coronavirus is regularly published here - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/scientific-evidence-supporting-the-government-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19.

On 22 February the Government published its 'COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021'

roadmap to recovery. The roadmap outlines four steps for cautiously easing restrictions across England. The first measures of Step 1 took place on the 8th March. Schools breaking up for the Easter holidays will provide an opportunity for further, limited relaxation particularly in outdoor settings where there is less risk. Therefore from 29 March, outdoor sports and leisure facilities will reopen and organised sport (for adults and children) will resume.

The design of the roadmap has been informed by the latest scientific evidence and seeks a balance between our key social and economic priorities, whilst preserving the health and safety of our country.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
17th Dec 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions his Department had with (a) Hutchinson Port Holdings, (b) the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell prior to the award of funding from the Port Infrastructure Fund on 15 December 2020.

In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions within Government are not normally disclosed. Cabinet Office officials are in regular contact with ports across the UK as part of their regular engagement. This includes all ports which applied to the fund. This contact is ongoing. There were no discussions between Cabinet Office officials or ministers and the Rt Hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell regarding the Port Infrastructure Fund.

The Port Infrastructure Fund (PIF) team worked with an independent eligibility and assessment team, with specialist experience and technical expertise in rail, air and maritime port infrastructure design and build to assess the funding applications. The Fund Allocation Authority (FAA), which is made up of representatives from across the relevant government departments such as HMRC, Defra and Border Force, subsequently made decisions about allocations based on the recommendations of the PIF Team.

The Fund received 53 applications from a range of sea ports, rail facilities and airports. Of the 53 ports that applied to the fund, 41 were successful in their application and a total of £200M has been provisionally allocated. 12 ports were not considered eligible or were unsuccessful at assessment phase.

It is a commercial decision for ports as to whether to provide these facilities. In normal circumstances, ports would be expected to fund such facilities themselves. However - in recognition of the unique circumstances of EU Exit, and the tight timescales for putting infrastructure in place - Government has made £470m of funding available to support border readiness.

Ports will need to fund the remaining 34% themselves. As the maximum amount of funding available was £200 million, a 66% award was applied across all applications ensuring all successful bids received a fair and proportionate level of taxpayer funded support.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
17th Dec 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he had with Hutchison Port Holdings prior to the award of funds to that company through the Port Infrastructure Fund on 15 December 2020.

In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions within Government are not normally disclosed. Cabinet Office officials are in regular contact with ports across the UK as part of their regular engagement. This includes all ports which applied to the fund. This contact is ongoing. There were no discussions between Cabinet Office officials or ministers and the Rt Hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell regarding the Port Infrastructure Fund.

The Port Infrastructure Fund (PIF) team worked with an independent eligibility and assessment team, with specialist experience and technical expertise in rail, air and maritime port infrastructure design and build to assess the funding applications. The Fund Allocation Authority (FAA), which is made up of representatives from across the relevant government departments such as HMRC, Defra and Border Force, subsequently made decisions about allocations based on the recommendations of the PIF Team.

The Fund received 53 applications from a range of sea ports, rail facilities and airports. Of the 53 ports that applied to the fund, 41 were successful in their application and a total of £200M has been provisionally allocated. 12 ports were not considered eligible or were unsuccessful at assessment phase.

It is a commercial decision for ports as to whether to provide these facilities. In normal circumstances, ports would be expected to fund such facilities themselves. However - in recognition of the unique circumstances of EU Exit, and the tight timescales for putting infrastructure in place - Government has made £470m of funding available to support border readiness.

Ports will need to fund the remaining 34% themselves. As the maximum amount of funding available was £200 million, a 66% award was applied across all applications ensuring all successful bids received a fair and proportionate level of taxpayer funded support.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
17th Dec 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he had with the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell prior to the award of funds through the Port Infrastructure Fund on 15 December 2020.

In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions within Government are not normally disclosed. Cabinet Office officials are in regular contact with ports across the UK as part of their regular engagement. This includes all ports which applied to the fund. This contact is ongoing. There were no discussions between Cabinet Office officials or ministers and the Rt Hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell regarding the Port Infrastructure Fund.

The Port Infrastructure Fund (PIF) team worked with an independent eligibility and assessment team, with specialist experience and technical expertise in rail, air and maritime port infrastructure design and build to assess the funding applications. The Fund Allocation Authority (FAA), which is made up of representatives from across the relevant government departments such as HMRC, Defra and Border Force, subsequently made decisions about allocations based on the recommendations of the PIF Team.

The Fund received 53 applications from a range of sea ports, rail facilities and airports. Of the 53 ports that applied to the fund, 41 were successful in their application and a total of £200M has been provisionally allocated. 12 ports were not considered eligible or were unsuccessful at assessment phase.

It is a commercial decision for ports as to whether to provide these facilities. In normal circumstances, ports would be expected to fund such facilities themselves. However - in recognition of the unique circumstances of EU Exit, and the tight timescales for putting infrastructure in place - Government has made £470m of funding available to support border readiness.

Ports will need to fund the remaining 34% themselves. As the maximum amount of funding available was £200 million, a 66% award was applied across all applications ensuring all successful bids received a fair and proportionate level of taxpayer funded support.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
17th Dec 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he had with The Bristol Port Company Limited prior to the award of funds through the Port Infrastructure Fund on 15 December 2020.

In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions within Government are not normally disclosed. Cabinet Office officials are in regular contact with ports across the UK as part of their regular engagement. This includes all ports which applied to the fund. This contact is ongoing. There were no discussions between Cabinet Office officials or ministers and the Rt Hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell regarding the Port Infrastructure Fund.

The Port Infrastructure Fund (PIF) team worked with an independent eligibility and assessment team, with specialist experience and technical expertise in rail, air and maritime port infrastructure design and build to assess the funding applications. The Fund Allocation Authority (FAA), which is made up of representatives from across the relevant government departments such as HMRC, Defra and Border Force, subsequently made decisions about allocations based on the recommendations of the PIF Team.

The Fund received 53 applications from a range of sea ports, rail facilities and airports. Of the 53 ports that applied to the fund, 41 were successful in their application and a total of £200M has been provisionally allocated. 12 ports were not considered eligible or were unsuccessful at assessment phase.

It is a commercial decision for ports as to whether to provide these facilities. In normal circumstances, ports would be expected to fund such facilities themselves. However - in recognition of the unique circumstances of EU Exit, and the tight timescales for putting infrastructure in place - Government has made £470m of funding available to support border readiness.

Ports will need to fund the remaining 34% themselves. As the maximum amount of funding available was £200 million, a 66% award was applied across all applications ensuring all successful bids received a fair and proportionate level of taxpayer funded support.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
17th Dec 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to meet the funding shortfall faced by Portsmouth International Port following the Port Infrastructure Fund award on 16 December 2020; and if he will make a statement.

In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions within Government are not normally disclosed. Cabinet Office officials are in regular contact with ports across the UK as part of their regular engagement. This includes all ports which applied to the fund. This contact is ongoing. There were no discussions between Cabinet Office officials or ministers and the Rt Hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell regarding the Port Infrastructure Fund.

The Port Infrastructure Fund (PIF) team worked with an independent eligibility and assessment team, with specialist experience and technical expertise in rail, air and maritime port infrastructure design and build to assess the funding applications. The Fund Allocation Authority (FAA), which is made up of representatives from across the relevant government departments such as HMRC, Defra and Border Force, subsequently made decisions about allocations based on the recommendations of the PIF Team.

The Fund received 53 applications from a range of sea ports, rail facilities and airports. Of the 53 ports that applied to the fund, 41 were successful in their application and a total of £200M has been provisionally allocated. 12 ports were not considered eligible or were unsuccessful at assessment phase.

It is a commercial decision for ports as to whether to provide these facilities. In normal circumstances, ports would be expected to fund such facilities themselves. However - in recognition of the unique circumstances of EU Exit, and the tight timescales for putting infrastructure in place - Government has made £470m of funding available to support border readiness.

Ports will need to fund the remaining 34% themselves. As the maximum amount of funding available was £200 million, a 66% award was applied across all applications ensuring all successful bids received a fair and proportionate level of taxpayer funded support.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
10th Dec 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans his Department has to mark remembrance of those who have lost their lives due to the covid-19 outbreak.

As we have set out previously, the Government's immediate focus is on protecting the lives and livelihoods of the nation, but there is nonetheless the need to mourn those who have died, and to mark and remember this period as one of immense struggle. We will set out the Government’s proposed approach to this important matter in due course.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
16th Nov 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what date the National Space Council last met; when the council plans next to meet; and whether he plans to publish the agendas and minutes of those meetings.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQ107708 on 03 November.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
20th Oct 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking in response to representations from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum on the provision of central Government funding for completion of Operation Transmission; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQs 106475 and 106474 on 28 October 2020.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
17th Jul 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with the Chief Coroner on the recording of veteran suicide.

Ministers have regular conversations with interdepartmental colleagues on a range of topics, including the Government’s ongoing commitment to make it as easy as possible to access the clinical and welfare support available to veterans and their families. The Chief Coroner has given coroners clearer guidance so that deaths, including suicide, are recorded more consistently.

The Government continues to invest in mental health support and training whilst individuals are serving in the Armed Forces, as well as significant research to understand and tackle the risks and causes of suicide amongst those who have served. This includes a study commissioned by the MOD to investigate causes of death, including suicide, amongst all those who served in the UK Armed Forces between 2001 and 2014, covering combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2019, we extended this study to include all those who served after 2014, now and into the future. This will be complemented by a new Manchester University study, funded jointly by the MOD and NHS (England), looking at risk factors in the year leading up to a veteran taking their own life. Combined, these studies will provide increasingly robust data, in order to better understand ‘at risk’ groups and support better targeted interventions.

Johnny Mercer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
9th Jul 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who will act as National Security Adviser in the interim period between the departure of the previous National Security Adviser and the start date of the new post holder in the Autumn.

I refer the hon. Member to the Urgent Question responded to by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 30 June 2020.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
24th Mar 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what criteria the Government uses to determine what work is essential during the covid-19 outbreak.

The position as outlined on gov.uk is that everyone who can work from home should do so.

When that is not possible, people should go into work provided they are not symptomatic, isolating or shielding. Relevant guidance including from Public Health England should be followed.

The Government has placed restrictions on the operations of certain businesses as part of the strategy of enhanced social distancing. Separate guidance has been published on this and is also available on gov.uk.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
11th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department plans to take to support people made redundant due to the closure of Wilkos stores in Portsmouth.

We recognise that this must be a worrying time for Wilkos’ employees and their families.

The Insolvency Service’s Redundancy Payments Service, on behalf of the Secretary of State will make statutory redundancy and related payments to all eligible employees who have been made redundant. The Redundancy Payments Service has been working with the administrators to ensure that employee claims can be paid as soon as possible.

Further information for employees and creditors can be found at www.gov.uk/government/news/wilko-in-administration-information-for-employees-and-creditors.

DWP’s Rapid Response Service can help affected employees at both national and local level.

The National Employer and Partnership Team (NEPT) are also speaking to all employers on the national portfolio to identify possible alternative employment opportunities for the Wilko workforce.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
11th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions she has had with Wilko on their announcement of bankruptcy and the potential closure of stores.

It is not appropriate for Government to involve itself in the running of an independent business. Nor is it appropriate to be involved in the independent exercise of the administration of a business.

Officials at the Insolvency Service’s Redundancy Payments Service have been working with the Administrators of Wilko to ensure that statutory redundancy payments can be made to the former employees as soon as possible. Retail officials have had regular engagement with the administrators, PwC, the GMB Union, as well as DWP, the Cities and Local Growth Unit and the Insolvency Service.

I remain concerned for the many employees who now face an uncertain future. We will continue to provide support to those employees directly impacted by the outcome.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
6th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department plans to take to help ensure there is adequate (a) public scrutiny and (b) accountability of (i) trade negotiations and (ii) any future trade agreement between the UK and India.

The Government has put in place enhanced scrutiny arrangements for free trade agreements. This included publishing our negotiating strategy, including objectives, in January 2022.

Since negotiations commenced, we have published twelve negotiation updates. In addition the Chief Negotiator has briefed the relevant select committees on a number of occasions. Once the deal is concluded it will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act, prior to ratification. The Government will also commission and publish advice from the independent Trade and Agriculture Commission. Finally, any legislation needed to implement the agreement will be scrutinised and passed by Parliament in the usual ways.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
6th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has had discussions with her Indian counterpart on the prospect of India ratifying conventions (a) 87 and (b) 98 of the International Labour Organisation conventions; and whether this would be a prerequisite for any free trade agreement between the UK and India.

While we do not comment on live negotiations, our approach to FTA negotiations is to secure provisions that ensure labour standards are not compromised in order to increase trade or investment. An FTA with India will not come at the expense of our worker protections.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
21st Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an estimate of the proportion of households that spent more than 10% of their income on energy costs in (a) 2021 and (b) 2022.

The latest official Fuel Poverty Statistics for England were published in February 2023 which can be found on gov.uk here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-statistics#2022-

Statistics

In addition to reporting against the official fuel poverty metric for England, these statistics also included an affordability measure of the number of households who are required to spend more than 10 per cent of their income on domestic energy. These can be found in Annex D: Affordability measures for England, of the annual report.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
21st Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the Climate Change Committee’s 2023 Progress Report to Parliament, which was published on 28 June 2023.

The Government published its response to the Climate Change Committee’s 2023 Progress Report on 26 October 2023, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/committee-on-climate-change-2023-progress-report-government-response

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she plans to make a decision on the AQUIND interconnector project in 2023.

The proposed AQUIND Interconnector Project is a live planning application, currently being redetermined by my Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State. There is no statutory deadline for the redetermination of this application.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to help increase uptake of local authority net zero schemes by small businesses in Portsmouth South constituency.

The Government recognises that many small businesses across the UK are keen to tackle climate change but find it difficult to know how to start. The first step these businesses can take is to visit the UK Business Climate Hub. The Government has recently relaunched the content on the site, providing more up-to-date, practical and tailored advice on how to reduce emissions as well as signposting to additional resources.

More widely, Government support for local authorities in delivering net zero is outlined in the Net Zero Strategy and Net Zero Growth plan.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department plans to take to support small businesses no longer in receipt of funding from the European Regional Development Fund on their transition to Net Zero.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in the economy. Supporting them to seek specialist advice for both reducing energy use and accessing finance for improving energy efficiency is essential to achieving net zero. That is why the Government is working to deliver a full digital advice service on GOV.UK, which will address these barriers by providing tailored advice on how SMEs can reduce their energy usage and carbon emissions. Some local authorities have also set out in their investment plans for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund how they will support small businesses on net zero as part of wider regeneration and economic activity.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
19th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had recent discussions with Ofgem on the adequacy of its scope of its Market Compliance Review into prepayment meters.

The Market Compliance Review is still ongoing and is a matter for Ofgem. However, recent changes published by Ofgem in relation to involuntary PPM installations are due to be implemented into licence conditions on 8th November and state that Suppliers will not be able to restart involuntary PPM installations until they have:

  • Demonstrated to Ofgem that they are ready to comply with the new rules
  • Conducted an independent audit to identify wrongfully installed involuntary PPMs & offer compensation
  • Been given a clean bill of health from Ofgem’s initial PPM Market Compliance Review
Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
19th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department has taken to ensure Warm Home Discount payments for winter 2022-23 were paid to customers by their energy provider by 31 March 2023.

The Government identifies the majority of eligible households through data matching with energy suppliers. As a result, most eligible households are identified in late autumn, and provided with a rebate before and during winter. Further households are identified through the Warm Home Discount helpline, which is open over the winter. Although the Government encourages suppliers to make the payments as soon as possible, suppliers have until 31 March to provide the rebate.

In Scotland, households can apply to their supplier for a rebate under the Broader Group element of the scheme. The application processes and timings vary between suppliers.

Ofgem monitors suppliers’ compliance against their obligations.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
13th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he plans to make a decision on the AQUIND interconnector project.

The proposed AQUIND Interconnector Project is being redetermined by the Secretary of State. There is no statutory deadline for the redetermination of this application.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
11th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Warm Home Discount payments are being passed on to customers by energy providers.

The Government sets the annual spending envelope and, under the Warm Home Discount scheme in England and Wales, identifies eligible households through data matching with participating energy suppliers.

The Government sends ‘instructions to pay’ to energy suppliers to provide payments to these customers. Energy suppliers are legally required to provide the rebates to those customers, or provide a reason why they cannot, once they have received an instruction to pay. Ofgem monitors suppliers’ compliance against their obligation.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
11th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the implications for its policies of the position where Warm Home Discount payments have been issued to energy suppliers but not applied to eligible customer accounts; and if he will make a statement.

The Government sets the annual spending envelope and, under the Warm Home Discount scheme in England and Wales, identifies eligible households through data matching with participating energy suppliers. However, the rebates are not funded by the Government; energy suppliers are responsible for providing the payments.

The Government sends ‘instructions to pay’ to energy suppliers to provide payments to these customers. Energy suppliers are legally required to provide the rebates to those customers, or provide a reason why they cannot, once they have received an instruction to pay. Ofgem monitors suppliers’ compliance against their obligation.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
23rd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to reduce the average time taken to issue a smart export guarantee certificate under the microgeneration certification scheme to households that have newly installed solar panels.

Households with solar panels are required to have a certificate under the independent Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) to receive payment under the Smart Export Guarantee. These certificates should be issued by installers within 10 days of the system being commissioned. Households should contact the MCS Helpdesk if they do not receive their certificate within this period.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
23rd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the average time was to issue a smart export guarantee certificate under the microgeneration certification scheme to households that have newly-installed solar panels in the latest period for which data is available.

For consumer protection purposes, households are required to demonstrate that their solar panels and installer are suitably certified to receive payment under the Smart Export Guarantee. Certificates issued under the independent Microgeneration Certification Scheme should be issued by installers within 10 days of the system being commissioned.

The Department does not hold data on the average time taken to issue an MCS certificate.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
5th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he plans to publish new Minimim Energy Efficency Standards for the private rental sector.

The Government consultation on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes closed on 8th January 2021. The Government is refining the policy design to ensure the costs and circumstances relating to energy efficiency improvements are fair and proportionate for landlords and tenants. The Government will publish a summary of responses by the end of this year.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
22nd Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he has made an assessment of the potential national security risks of the Aquind Interconnector Project.

National Security is a key priority for this Government. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero ensures protection of infrastructure and critical services through a broad range of mitigations, including legislative and regulatory powers. Foreign involvement in critical national infrastructure undergoes the highest levels of scrutiny.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
22nd Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of potential environmental risks associated with the Aquind Interconnector Project.

In taking the decision on any application for development consent for a nationally significant energy infrastructure project, the Secretary of State will consider all relevant matters, including environmental impacts.

Given the Secretary of State’s quasi-judicial role in determining this planning application, it would not be appropriate to comment on any specific matters regarding the application.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
22nd Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, by which date he is required to decide on the Aquind Interconnector Project.

The proposed AQUIND Interconnector Project is being redetermined by the Secretary of State. There is no statutory deadline for the redetermination of this application.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
22nd Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of 25 January 2023 from the hon. Member for Portsmouth South on the Aquind Interconnector Project.

The Department has been unable to confirm receipt of the hon. Member’s correspondence of 25 January on the Aquind Interconnector Project.

Please resubmit the correspondence to the Department and a response will be expedited for the Hon. Member.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
15th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what support his Department is providing to help the private, voluntary and independent early years sector to reduce energy use through (a) insulation, (b) solar panels and (c) heat exchangers.

The Government keeps energy efficiency support for all non-domestic organisations, including private nurseries, under review. Existing initiatives which may be applicable include an exemption on business rates for green technology and grants under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

The Government is reviewing the additional levers that could be introduced to help improve energy efficiency of organisations, including financial support. As part of this, the Government has launched a new Energy Efficiency Taskforce to help achieve its target to reduce energy consumption from buildings and industry by 15% by 2030.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
9th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will take steps to ensure that household energy costs do not increase in April 2023.

The Energy Price Guarantee will continue to support households with their energy bills from April 2023. During the winter, the Government has covered around half of a typical household’s energy bills, cutting the average bill by around £1,300. The Government keeps all levels of support under review.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
8th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to increase funding for renewable energy sources in Portsmouth South constituency.

The Government is firmly committed to investing and developing the renewable industry in the UK. The Contracts for Difference scheme, the Government’s main mechanism for supporting low carbon generation, is awarded through a competitive process, ensuring that the most cost-effective projects are supported regardless of their location.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
8th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to provide a third phase of the Home Upgrade Grant.

The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) provides energy efficiency upgrades and low-carbon heating measures to low-income households living in the worst performing, off gas grid homes in England. Phase 1 of HUG is being delivered as part of the Sustainable Warmth Competition. Up to £700 million has been made available for local authorities for phase 2 of HUG to be delivered from April 2023 to March 2025. This investment forms part of a wider package in which the Government taking our total investment to date to over £6.6bn over the lifetime of this parliament. There are currently no plans for a third phase of the Home Upgrade Grant. The Government will continue to work with HM Treasury to secure further funding at future spending reviews.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
1st Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had recent discussions with Ofgem on the adequacy of its scope of its Market Compliance Review into prepayment meters.

Ofgem, as the independent regulator, are responsible for the enforcement of licence conditions on suppliers in the energy market.

On 21 February Ofgem outlined the scope of its in-depth Market Compliance Review into the issue of how prepayment meters are handled across the market, to include targeted engagement accounting for experiences of real consumers. This review could lead to compliance action and redress where appropriate. As part of this Ofgem are also seeking views on further measures that could reduce the need for prepayment meters to be installed or improve the prepayment meter experience for customers.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
1st Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help ensure energy suppliers review customers already on prepayment meters so that this remains a safe payment method for people in vulnerable circumstances.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote to domestic energy suppliers asking them to report back to him on what steps they plan to take to identify consumers who may have had a prepayment meter installed inappropriately, and confirm that where such customers are identified, appropriate action will be taken. Following this, energy suppliers have agreed to pause the forced installation of prepayment meters until 31 March. Ofgem has called for suppliers to use this period to proactively check if any prepayment meters have been installed incorrectly and, where rules have been broken, to act now to offer customers appropriate redress.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
1st Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure processes around remote smart meter switches receive the same scrutiny as warrant installations.

Energy suppliers must follow strict rules when changing a customer from a credit to prepayment meter, whether a through a meter installation, or remotely if they have a smart meter.

The regulator, Ofgem, is reviewing energy supplier compliance with these requirements and has made it clear they will take strong action where suppliers have failed to follow them.[1]

Ofgem has recently launched a call for evidence to consider rules and protections for domestic pre-payment energy consumers.[2]Both traditional prepayment meters and smart meters in pre-payment mode are in scope of this work.

[1] https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/energy-regulator-outlines-next-steps-forced-prepayment-meter-ppm-installations

[2] https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/prepayment-rules-and-protections-call-evidence#:~:text=We%20are%20now%20calling%20for,or%20switching%20customers%20to%20PPM.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
1st Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps is he taking to ensure suppliers fully commit to pausing forced installations of prepayment meters via a warrant until Ofgem’s review of consumer protections is complete.

Ofgem, as the independent regulator, are responsible for the enforcement of licence conditions on suppliers in the energy market.

Following intervention from the Government, all suppliers have agreed to cease the forced installation of prepayment meters and the remote switching of smart meters to prepayment mode until 31 March 2023.

During this period Ofgem is undertaking an intensive consultation process to look at what further protections may be needed around PPMs and seek views on other measures that could reduce the need for PPMs to be installed or switched to remotely.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
17th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, which Minister is responsible for the Aquind Interconnector.

The AQUIND Interconnector Project is a development proposed by Aquind Limited, a private limited company.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero is responsible for the redetermination of the application for development consent for the Aquind Interconnector.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
3rd Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) nurseries and (b) childcare providers with the rising cost of energy bills.

The Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) provides a discount on the wholesale element of gas and electricity bills to ensure that all eligible businesses, including nurseries and childcare providers, who receive their energy from licensed suppliers, are protected from high energy costs over the winter period. Following an HMT-led review into the EBRS, the new Energy Bill Discount Scheme will run from April until March 2024 and continue to provide a discount to all eligible non-domestic customers, including nurseries and childcare providers.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
19th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he is taking steps to help shut down social media activity in the UK that incites further violence in Sudan.

The UK strongly condemns the attacks on civilians across Sudan and my Hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, has previously shared details of the UK’s efforts, to stop the violence, ensure that civilians are protected, and bring about safe and unfettered humanitarian access.

The government works closely with the major social media platforms and encourages them to consistently apply their policies, including policies on content that incites violence. Under the new transparency, accountability and freedom of expression duties in the Online Safety Bill, the largest platforms (category 1 services) will be required to have transparent and consistently enforced terms of service.

26th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy to (a) prevent and (b) regulate energy companies from forcibly installing prepayment meters in homes.

Prepayment meters (PPMs) allow customers to pay for energy on a pay-as-you-go basis and serve an important function by helping the avoidance of debt and court action. A ban on PPM switching as a last resort could lead to an increase in bailiff action. There are no plans to remove this option.

Ofgem has stringent rules on the force-fitting of PPMs and have recently published a letter where they outline steps they will be taking on tackling inappropriate supplier PPM practises including making sure suppliers are complying with those rules.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
26th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that people on pre-payment meters who have not yet redeemed their Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers will be able to do so.

The Government works with suppliers to communicate the Energy Bills Support Scheme and the importance of customers checking post, emails and text for prepayment meter vouchers and taking action to redeem them.

Suppliers have an obligation to make a minimum of three attempts by at least two different methods (post, email, text, special action message) to contact customers who have not redeemed their voucher. Vouchers are valid for 90 days. Replacement vouchers can be issued but all vouchers must be redeemed by 30 June 2023.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
12th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether it is his policy to maintain the Universal Service Obligation for Royal Mail.

The Government currently has no plans to change the minimum requirements of the universal postal service which are set out in the Postal Services Act 2011.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
12th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent estimate he has made of the number of households in fuel poverty.

The latest official Fuel Poverty Statistics for England were published in February 2022 concerning 2020 data and projected estimates for 2021 and 2022, and can be found on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-statistics#2020-statistics.

Updated statistics of the number of households in fuel poverty for 2021 and projection estimates for 2022 and 2023 will be produced in the 2023 annual fuel poverty statistics.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
12th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of onshore wind farms developed in England since 2015.

Since 2015 around 10 onshore wind projects totalling 30 MW have been consented for development in England. The Government is consulting on making changes to the National Policy Planning Framework in England so that local authorities can better respond to the views of their local communities when they wish to host onshore wind infrastructure.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
14th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of commissioning an independent inquiry into the way cavity wall insulation complaints have been handled by the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency.

The Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency / Insulation Assurance Authority is a TrustMark scheme provider and is required to operate within TrustMark’s Framework Operating Requirements, which covers financial protection.

Any concerns regarding CIGA shared with the department have been investigated and followed up with CIGA where appropriate. However, the Government does not intervene in any relationship between insurance or guarantee providers and customers with cavity wall insulation.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to engage with regulators to ensure the necessary support for market development for investment in green industry.

The Government is committed to creating the required market conditions to mobilise investment into green industries. Many of the UK’s regulators will play a role in facilitating delivery of the infrastructure, technologies and activities that will deliver the net zero transition. In the the Net Zero Strategy, the Government set out several examples of how it is working with different regulators for example on the publication of the Strategic Policy Statement for Ofgem. The Government is working closely with regulators including FCA, the Bank of England, and IFRS to roll out climate-related disclosures, to provide confidence to businesses and investors on the risks and opportunities within UK green industries.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of national policy and regulatory frameworks at helping (a) local, (b) regional, (c) national and (d) devolved governments to (i) achieve Net Zero and (ii) adapt to climate change..

The Government’s net zero target covers the whole UK, and all four parts of the UK have an integral role to play in delivering the Government’s carbon budgets.

The UK Government is working closely with local government and partners in the devolved administrations to achieve our carbon emission reduction ambitions and net zero targets.

The Domestic and Economic Affairs (Energy, Climate and Net Zero) Cabinet Committee leads on bringing together departments to consider matters relating to energy, and to ensure the effective delivery of the United Kingdom’s domestic and international climate strategy leading up to the net zero 2050 target.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of UK100's report entitled Local Net Zero Delivery Progress Report: Local Powers, published on 12 July 2022.

The Net Zero Strategy sets out its commitments to enable local areas to deliver net zero and recognises that local authorities can, and do, play an essential role in driving local climate action. UK100’s Local Net Zero Delivery Progress Report forms part of a growing body of evidence and views on Local Net Zero.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure the UK becomes a centre of excellence for developing, procuring and delivering Net Zero project investment.

Driving investment into net zero is a priority for the Government and backing its ambition with specific policies. The Government has committed £30 billion of public green investment and is putting in place regulatory frameworks to spur private investment into green projects, such as through the Energy Bill. Its policies are expected to drive an unprecedented £100 billion of private investment and support 480,000 jobs by 2030. The Government has already made significant progress - Bloomberg estimates that in 2021, £24 billion of new green investment was committed in the UK across sectors like clean energy, heating and transport.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to scale up local authority-led green investment opportunities to make them more attractive to institutional investors.

The Green Finance Strategy, supported by the Greening Financing Roadmap, sets out how the Government is working with local authorities and institutional investors to attract finance into green investment opportunities.

As part of the Government’s overall approach, the BEIS Local Net Zero Hubs support local authorities to develop net zero projects that can attract commercial investment.

In 2022 there was a call for evidence to update the Green Finance Strategy, and this asked for evidence on how local authorities can best support the mobilisation of public and private investment. An updated Green Finance Strategy will be published in due course.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure that lessons learned from the UK Investment Bank local lending pilots will be integrated into policy on financing Net Zero.

The UK Investment Bank pilots will be taken into account in the ongoing policy work on financing net zero.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when the first Ministerial meeting of the Local Net Zero Forum will take place.

A meeting between Ministers and local government leaders is expected to take place early in the new year.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will respond to the recommendations of the UK100 report End the Wait. Insulate, published in November 2022 on redeploying government investment in retrofit measures to prioritise a place-based approach to allocating funding.

The Autumn Statement announced a new national ambition to reduce the UK’s final energy consumption from buildings and industry by 15% by 2030 against 2021 levels.

In order to support the delivery of this target, a new Energy Efficiency Taskforce will be established. More details on the scope and membership of the Taskforce will be announced in due course.

In the Autumn Statement, the Government also announced £6 billion of new Government funding that will be made available from 2025 to 2028 for energy efficiency.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his department has made on the causes of delays for (a) applications for charging orders to be removed and (b) other applications at HM Land Registry; and when he expects these to be addressed.

Despite extremely high levels of transactions in the property market in recent times, HM Land Registry has continued to deliver the most essential services required to support the property market.

HM Land Registry received approximately 1.8 million more service requests in 2021 than in 2019. As a result of this demand, routine applications are taking longer to process. Any application that is urgent can be expedited free of charge and will be completed within 10 days.

Improving speed of service is the top priority for HM Land Registry and it is addressing this urgently through a combination of recruitment, training, and automation.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department is taking steps to increase the number of green jobs in Portsmouth South constituency.

BEIS is working with DfE and local partners to ensure green skills are considered through Local Skills Improvement Plans. The Government is also working with the Green Jobs Delivery Group to explore how central Government, local Government and businesses can further support local areas to deliver a successful net zero labour market transition.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many small and medium-sized enterprises have received financial support from the Government in Portsmouth South constituency since 1st January 2022.

Businesses in Portsmouth South will have benefitted from the Government’s reversal of the National Insurance rise, which will save SMEs approximately £4,200 on average, cut to fuel duty for 12 months and the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, to protect small businesses from high energy costs over the winter. In addition, the Recovery Loan Scheme is available to SMEs across the UK.

The Government is also providing financial support for business through the Start Up loan scheme - 185 SMEs in Portsmouth South have received loans to the value of £1,595,221 as of October 2022.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has had discussions with businesses in Portsmouth South constituency on the potential impact of the cost of living crisis on those businesses.

The Government recognises the impact rising prices are having on businesses, including those in Portsmouth South, and is engaging with businesses across the UK to understand these challenges and explore ways to mitigate them.

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Businesses in Portsmouth South will have benefitted from the Government’s reversal of the National Insurance rise, saving SMEs £4,200 on average, cut to fuel duty for 12 months and the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, which is shielding businesses across the country from soaring energy prices, saving some around half of their wholesale energy costs.

In addition, at the Autumn Statement, my Rt Hon Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £13.6 billion of support for businesses over the next five years, reducing the burden of business rates for SMEs.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to increase the rate of energy efficiency measure installations in homes in Portsmouth South constituency.

The Government is committed to improving the energy performance of homes across the country, including in Portsmouth South.

The Government is already investing £6.6 billion over this parliament on decarbonising heat and energy efficiency measures.

An additional £6 billion of new Government funding, announced in the Autumn Statement, will be made available from 2025 to 2028. This provides long-term funding certainty, supporting the growth of supply chains, ensuring we can scale up our delivery over time.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the number of homes that have had heat pumps installed in Portsmouth South constituency as of 31 October 2022.

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme Installations Database shows that as of 31 October 2022, seventeen heat pump installations were registered in the Portsmouth South constituency.

The database does not include all heat pump installations, for example, those installed without Government funding support, such as in new buildings, which are not typically recorded in the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Installations Database.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the number of houses that have had solar power panels installed in Portsmouth South constituency as of 31 October 2022.

At the end of October 2022, there were 614 domestic installations of solar panels recorded in Portsmouth South constituency.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the number of houses that have had external wall insulation installed in Portsmouth South constituency as of 31 October 2022.

BEIS estimates that under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Green Homes Grant (GHG) Government schemes, around 3,300 cavity wall insulation measures, 1,100 loft insulation measures, 5 under floor insulation measures and fewer than 5 external wall insulation measures have been installed in Portsmouth South constituency.

Data for ECO covers January 2013 to September 2022. Data for the GHG schemes cover October 2020 to September 2022.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the number of houses that have had underfloor insulation installed in Portsmouth South constituency as of 31 October 2022.

BEIS estimates that under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Green Homes Grant (GHG) Government schemes, around 3,300 cavity wall insulation measures, 1,100 loft insulation measures, 5 under floor insulation measures and fewer than 5 external wall insulation measures have been installed in Portsmouth South constituency.

Data for ECO covers January 2013 to September 2022. Data for the GHG schemes cover October 2020 to September 2022.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the number of houses with lofts that have had had loft insulation installed in Portsmouth South constituency as of 31 October 2022.

BEIS estimates that under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Green Homes Grant (GHG) Government schemes, around 3,300 cavity wall insulation measures, 1,100 loft insulation measures, 5 under floor insulation measures and fewer than 5 external wall insulation measures have been installed in Portsmouth South constituency.

Data for ECO covers January 2013 to September 2022. Data for the GHG schemes cover October 2020 to September 2022.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the number of homes with cavity walls that have been insulated in Portsmouth South constituency as of 31 October 2022.

BEIS estimates that under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Green Homes Grant (GHG) Government schemes, around 3,300 cavity wall insulation measures, 1,100 loft insulation measures, 5 under floor insulation measures and fewer than 5 external wall insulation measures have been installed in Portsmouth South constituency.

Data for ECO covers January 2013 to September 2022. Data for the GHG schemes cover October 2020 to September 2022.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
3rd Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to reduce energy consumption of heating of public buildings.

As set out in the Net Zero Strategy, the Government aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from public sector buildings by 75% by 2037. To support this, £2.5 billion is being invested through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme over the financial years 2020/21 to 2024/25 to provide grants for public sector bodies in England, to fund heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures.

The Government Property Function has recently published its Government Property Strategy, which commits to delivering a range of measures designed to create a smaller, better, and greener public estate.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing support to independent toymakers and sellers.

We have cut business rates by 50% for eligible retail businesses in 2022-23, increased the Employment Allowance to £5,000 cutting the cost of employment for 495,000 small businesses, and increased the Annual Investment Allowance to £1 million.

We have also cut fuel duty by 5p for 12 months, and our Help to Grow programmes will enable eligible SMEs to mitigate the effects of rising costs by providing financial discounts on approved digital technologies up to a value of £5000 and improving SME leadership and management skills though subsidised courses.

31st Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has been contacted by Aquind Limited or its representatives on his decision not to approve the project; and if he will make a statement.

An application for judicial review has been made on behalf of Aquind Limited in respect of the Secretary of State’s decision of 20 January 2022 to refuse development consent for the AQUIND Interconnector. The Government will not make any further statement on this matter as it is an ongoing legal process.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
3rd Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the impact of the spread of the Omicron variant in December 2021 on trends in the level of sales for the hospitality sector; and what plans he has to support local hospitality businesses in Portsmouth.

In recognition of the impact that the spread of the Omicron variant had on hospitality businesses during December, the Government announced further support for businesses in recognition of the impact that the spread of the Omicron variant had on hospitality. The Government is providing one-off grants of up to £6,000 per premises for businesses in the hospitality, accommodation and leisure sectors in England plus more than £100 million discretionary funding will be made available for Local Authorities to support other businesses.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic we have also provided businesses with an unprecedented support package of £400 billion, including grants, loans, business rates relief, VAT cuts and the job retention scheme. This includes a total of over £26 billion in business grants.

In July 2021, the Department launched the first-ever hospitality strategy to support the reopening, recovery and resilience of England’s pubs, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs. We have also launched the Hospitality Sector Council to oversee the delivery of the strategy, including working with the sector to make hospitality a career option of choice and looking at the labour and skills shortages.

I and officials in the Department continue to engage regularly with the hospitality sector to understand their needs and issues, including monitoring trading conditions.

3rd Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to support hospitality sector businesses in light of recent trends of rising costs for business owners.

To support all businesses across the UK economy throughout the Covid-19 pandemic we have provided businesses with an unprecedented support package of £400 billion, including grants, loans, business rates relief, VAT cuts and the job retention scheme. This includes a total of over £26 billion in business grants. The Government announced on 21 December that additional support will be available for businesses in recognition of the impact that the spread of the Omicron variant had on hospitality during one of their busiest months. The Government is providing one-off grants of up to £6,000 per premises for businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors in England plus more than £100 million discretionary funding will be made available for Local Authorities to support other businesses – a lifeline for many small hospitality businesses.

In July 2021, the Department launched the first-ever hospitality strategy to support the reopening, recovery and resilience of England’s pubs, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs. We have also launched the Hospitality Sector Council to oversee the delivery of the strategy.

I and officials in the Department continues to speak regularly with the hospitality sector to understand their needs and issues, includes trading conditions and represent these across Government.

4th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what due diligence his Department has undertaken on the Aquind project company and its owners and directors.

The protection of infrastructure and critical services is a key priority for the Government, and new projects are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Foreign investment in critical national infrastructure undergoes the highest level of scrutiny.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
4th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has undertaken a national security assessment in relation to the proposed Aquind energy interconnector project.

The Government carries out rigorous checks and assessments to ensure the protection of infrastructure and critical services through a broad range of mitigations, including legislative and regulatory powers. Foreign involvement in critical national infrastructure undergoes the highest levels of scrutiny.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
9th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 7 December 2021 to Question 904619 on financial crimes, what related due diligence his Department has undertaken specifically on (a) the proposed Aquind Interconnector Project and (b) its owners following the publication of the Pandora Papers.

The Department ensures protection of infrastructure and critical services through a broad range of mitigations, including legislative and regulatory powers. Foreign involvement in critical national infrastructure undergoes the highest levels of scrutiny.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
8th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 7 December 2021 to Question 904619 on financial crimes, what related due diligence his Department has undertaken specifically on (a) the proposed Aquind Interconnector Project and (b) its owners, following the publication of the Pandora Papers.

The Department ensures protection of infrastructure and critical services through a broad range of mitigations, including legislative and regulatory powers. Foreign involvement in critical national infrastructure undergoes the highest levels of scrutiny.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
7th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what due diligence his Department has carried out on the proposed Aquind Interconnector project and its owners, with particular reference to illicit finance and funds reported in the Pandora Papers; and whether his Department has made an assessment of whether any of those funds were used in political donations to Government ministers.

Foreign involvement in critical national infrastructure undergoes the highest levels of scrutiny.

This Government is committed to making the UK a hostile place for illicit finance and economic crime.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the timeframe is for a decision on the proposed AQUIND interconnector project.

On 21 October 2021, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State extended the statutory deadline for taking the decision on the AQUIND interconnector application for development consent to 21 January 2022. A statement announcing the new deadline was made to the House of Commons and House of Lords on 21 October 2021 in accordance with section 107(7) of the Planning Act 2008.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
19th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what support he is providing to stakeholders to increase the UK’s green shipbuilding capabilities.

The Department is supporting the Government’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, as well as a range of research and innovation programmes to develop technologies that will have spill-over benefits in various markets, including the shipbuilding sector.

The Department is also supporting several green shipping projects, including hydrogen ferry trials in Orkney and a hydrogen refuelling port on Teesside. Innovate UK is also facilitating the delivery of the Department for Transport’s £20 million Clean Maritime Demonstration Programme to bring forward green propulsion solutions for the maritime sector.

In addition, the Department is working closely with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to ensure that UK shipyards are aware of the organisation’s funded programmes and facilities, so that they have the opportunity to access these.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
18th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what criteria were used to determine that the proposed AQUIND interconnector would be made a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.

A direction under Section 35 of the Planning Act 2008 was granted for the UK elements of the proposed AQUIND Interconnector on 30 July 2018. This directed that the project should be treated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project for which development consent is required. The Section 35 Direction sets out the reasoning for the decision. That document is publicly available on gov.uk and can be found using the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/742186/Section35DirectionAquindInterconnector.pdf.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
4th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of national covid-19 lockdown’s on the pub and brewery sector; what plans he has to support the recovery of that sector from those lockdowns; and if he will make a statement.

The Government has brought forward a substantial package of financial support for the hospitality sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the Budget, my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a £65 billion plan to provide support for jobs and businesses (including the hospitality sector), with extensions to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, self-employed support, business grants, loans and VAT cuts – bringing total fiscal support to over £352 billion.

18th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to publish his decision on the Aquind Interconnector project.

Following the close of the examination in respect of the application for development consent for the Aquind Interconnector project on 8 March 2021, the examining authority is currently writing its report for my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State which will contain its conclusions and recommendation on the project. Once he has received the report, which is expected no later than the 8 June 2021, the Secretary of State will have three months to take his decision to grant or refuse development consent.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
19th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the covid-19 outbreak on job losses in the wedding industry in which 80 per cent of workers are women.

I meet regularly with the industry-led Weddings Taskforce, established to represent all parts of the UK Weddings sector, to understand the impact of COVID-19 on wedding businesses and jobs in the sector.

27th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of financial support available to hairdressers during the covid-19 outbreak.

I understand these are extremely challenging circumstances for businesses. That is why we have put in place one of the most generous packages of business support in the world, worth £285 billion. This includes a business rates holiday, various loan schemes and the extended furlough scheme. Closed businesses such as hairdressers can also receive a grant of up to £3,000 per month and a one-off payment of up to a maximum £9,000. Government continues to keep under review all the measures needed to control the virus, as well as the appropriate business support.

17th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure that independent bookshops receive the support they need to help them to reopen in areas under tier 3 covid-19 restrictions.

The Government has published clear COVID-Secure guidance which outlines the measures which need to be put in place for shops to open safely in all tiers. We continue to review this guidance as the situation evolves.

Following the introduction of national restrictions, independent book shops must close. All shops can continue to offer click and collect, and delivery services which will help businesses keep trading.

The Government continues to offer a comprehensive support package for small businesses which independent bookshops can access, including  one-off top up grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses worth up to £9,000 per property to help businesses through to the Spring, an extension to the Coronavirus Job retention Scheme to the end of April 2021, extension to the existing Loan Schemes to the end of March 2021, and cash grants of up to £1,500 per 2-week closure period, for businesses which are closed during local or national restrictions.

17th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing urgent support to independent book shops that have not been able to re-open after the first and second covid-19 lockdowns to ensure their survival.

The Government continues to offer a comprehensive support package for small businesses which independent bookshops can access, including the extension to the Coronavirus Job retention Scheme to the end of April 2021, extension to the existing Loan Schemes to the end of March 2021, and cash grants of up to £1,500 per 2-week closure period, for businesses which are closed during local or national restrictions.

Independent book shops can continue benefitting from 100% business rates relief for the financial year 2020/21.

Following the introduction of new national restrictions, independent book shops can continue to offer click and collect, and delivery services which will help businesses keep trading.

17th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the contribution of local independent book shops to local knowledge and culture within communities; and what steps he is taking to support that contribution during and after the imposition of tier 3 local covid alert level restrictions.

Independent retailers, including book shops, play a valuable role in our communities.

The Government continues to offer a comprehensive support package for small businesses which independent bookshops can access, including the extension to the Coronavirus Job retention Scheme to the end of April 2021, extension to the existing Loan Schemes to the end of March 2021, and cash grants of up to £3,000 per month for businesses which are closed.

Following the introduction of new national restrictions, independent book shops can continue to offer click and collect, and delivery services which will help businesses keep trading.

16th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to increase the number of suitably qualified and experienced personnel (SQEP) in the UK space sector.

The UK Space Agency is working closely with organisations across the sector to understand their varied requirements for SQEP. We are undertaking a nationwide Space Skills Survey to map the current learning landscape and identify gaps in provision of support. A Space Skills Advisory Panel, including expertise from across government, academia and industry, will then prioritise new training opportunities to ensure we can deliver a skilled and enthusiastic workforce for the space sector.

The UKSA has worked with the Space Engineering Trailblazer group to develop a new apprenticeship standard at level 4, and continues to work with industry to finalise the standards for a level 6 apprenticeship in Space Systems Engineering. Work also continues with other Trailblazer Groups to address other space skills issues such as data applications.

The UKSA also continues to raise awareness in the student body of the career opportunities presented by the space sector. This is delivered through country-wide careers engagements as well as through the Space Placements in Industry (SPIN) scheme. This successful scheme provides small grants to enable SMEs in particular to employ university students for short placements within their business, providing both meaningful work experience and developing skills in the interns to improve their employability. This year we received a record number of applications for the programme which was able to proceed with many projects being offered remotely, a threefold increase over previous years.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
16th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, on what date he plans to publish the national space strategy.

We are committed to making the UK a world leader in space and other high-tech industries. The UK’s first comprehensive national space strategy is therefore being developed under the direction of the National Space Council.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
16th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what general programmes and themes he plans to include in the national space strategy.

We are committed to making the UK world leader in space, building on our excellence in science to deliver solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges. Our UK Space Strategy will help the UK lead the way in this fast-growing, high-technology sector, levelling up our economy, strengthening our global influence and keeping people safe, including through a dedicated space innovation programme.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
16th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a lead authority to monitor the implementation of the national space strategy.

We are committed to making the UK a world leader in space and will put in place the right structures and governance to ensure our strategy’s success, overseen by the new National Space Council.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
16th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policy on future UK space capability of the Athena paper entitled A new Approach to Space.

The Government is committed to making the UK a global leader in space. As we develop the UK’s first comprehensive national space strategy, we are working closely with partners across the sector to realise our shared ambition for the UK’s world-class space industry.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
12th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of the new customs regulations with Belgium after the end of the transition period on vaccine imports from Pfizer after that company’s relocation of its cold storage facility from Havant to Belgium.

For security reasons, the Government cannot divulge how the vaccine will travel across borders. A number of scenarios have been investigated and we have put in place robust contingency plans to ensure that vaccine freight will continue unimpeded.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
12th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the outcome of the US presidential election on the commitments to the Paris Climate Accord of 2015.

The UK welcomes President-elect Biden’s commitment to re-join the Paris Agreement and to put the US on a path to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

As the incoming Presidency of the G7 and COP26, we look forward to working with the new US administration to address the urgent challenge of climate change and to encourage countries across the world to increase their climate ambition.

12th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of China’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

China’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 is welcome and significant as part of wider global efforts to limit climate change. We look forward to hearing more details on how the target will be translated into a long-term strategy and implemented in the short-term through China’s 14th Five Year Plan and NDC. We will continue to work with China on areas of mutual interest as we approach COP26 and CBD COP15, the UN biodiversity conference, which China is hosting next year.

3rd Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing additional support and guidance to independent book shops during the November 2020 covid-19 lockdown period.

Independent retailers,?including book shops, play a valuable role in our communities, acting as hubs for local people and having a positive impact on the communities they serve.

Book shops are able to benefit from additional financial measures announced by my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, including the extension to the Coronavirus Job retention Scheme, extension to the existing Loan Schemes to January 2021 with the ability to top-up Bounce Back Loans, and cash grants of up to £3,000 per month for businesses which are closed.

All shops can continue to offer home delivery and click and collect services to customers during the November lockdown.

The Government have previously published COVID-Secure guidance for retailers and have published guidance on the New National Restrictions. All shops can continue to offer home delivery and click and collect services to customers during the national restrictions in place in November.

3rd Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of enabling hospitality venues to offer takeaway alcohol during the November 2020 national lockdown to ensure their commercial survival.

During the new national restrictions in place from 5 November, pubs and bars are permitted to sell alcohol through delivery or via click and collect where remote ordering has been utilised.

20th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of interruptions to (a) scrutiny of and (b) consultation on the Aquind Interconnector project as a result of the covid-19 outbreak on public confidence in that project.

The Planning Inspectorate is responsible for the conduct of examinations into applications for development consent for nationally significant infrastructure projects. The examination of the application for the proposed Aquind Interconnector project is being carried out by The Planning Inspectorate in accordance with Government advice for dealing with such matters during the Covid-19 outbreak. The Planning Inspectorate is mindful of the need to ensure fairness and open access to all parties throughout the examination process.

The Planning Inspectorate’s report on the development consent application for the Aquind Interconnector will be carefully considered once it is submitted to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

16th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of compulsory purchases in the Portsmouth area by Aquind Interconnector on (a) the wellbeing of local homeowners and (b) public confidence in (i) local democracy and (ii) Portsmouth city council.

The Planning Inspectorate is currently examining the application for development consent for the proposed Aquind Interconnector project. The application seeks authorisation for the compulsory acquisition of land and rights over land in connection with the project and those matters will be considered during the examination of the application.

The Planning Inspectorate’s report on the development consent application for the Aquind Interconnector, including any compulsory acquisition matters that have been raised, will be carefully considered once it is submitted to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

7th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with representatives from Aquind Interconnector on running a route for cables through open country west of the A3 road area from Portsdown Hill to Hambledon Road, along the B2150.

The application for development consent for the proposed Aquind Interconnector has been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate and is currently being examined by them. Neither my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State, who has recused himself from any part in the decision-making process, nor his Ministers have had any discussions with representatives of Aquind Limited, the developer of the Aquind Interconnector, about route options for the proposed Interconnector.

7th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of the current proposed route of the Aquind Interconnector on the welfare of allotment holders in Portsmouth.

The Planning Inspectorate is currently examining the application for development consent for the proposed Aquind Interconnector. The Examining Authority will examine all relevant issues before submitting its report to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

As the decision to grant or refuse consent to an application for development consent is quasi-judicial, it would not be appropriate for my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State, who has recused himself from any part in the decision-making process, or his Ministers to comment further on any aspect of this live development consent application or to meet with any interested party to discuss it.

7th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will meet the South Downs National Park Authority to discuss the environmental implications of the Aquind Interconnector.

The Planning Inspectorate is currently examining the application for development consent for the proposed Aquind Interconnector. The Examining Authority will examine all relevant issues before submitting its report to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

As the decision to grant or refuse consent to an application for development consent is quasi-judicial, it would not be appropriate for my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State, who has recused himself from any part in the decision-making process, or his Ministers to comment further on any aspect of this live development consent application or to meet with any interested party to discuss it.

19th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business,Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to provide support to (a) local authorities and (b) Local Resilience Forums for the allocation of undistributed funding to businesses in Hampshire that are facing financial difficulties as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

The Government has put forward a package of support for businesses in recognition of the disruption caused by Covid-19. As part of this, as at 21 June, local authorities in Hampshire had paid out over £225 million to over 18,000 business premises under the Small Business Grants Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund.

On 1 May, the Government announced the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund to support businesses previously out of scope of the existing grant funding schemes. In Hampshire, a further £12 million has been made available to support local businesses through this additional fund.

The Government is working closely with all local authorities to ensure grant funding reaches businesses as quickly and efficiently as possible. As part of this, we have provided detailed guidance and FAQs, regular briefings, and one-to-one support from the Department, as well as a communications toolkit.

Once the schemes have closed, any unallocated funds will be subject to a reconciliation exercise with the Government. We will also provide additional funding to local authorities to meet the administrative costs of delivering this policy.

We are keeping in close contact with local authorities to understand how the schemes are rolling out.

3rd Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps is he taking to ensure that British Airways does not misuse the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme by terminating staff contracts and subsequently rehiring a new workforce with inferior pay and conditions.

During this difficult time, employers should act responsibly and only use the Job Retention Scheme to protect jobs. We would urge employers not to use the Job Retention Scheme to make someone redundant on less favourable terms than they would otherwise have received.

Terms and conditions of employment are for negotiation and agreement between employers and employees (or their representatives). Provided they do not discriminate unlawfully, for example on grounds of race, sex or disability, employers are free to offer the terms and conditions of employment which best suit their business needs.

Once agreed, however, they form a legally binding contract of employment. While it is always open to either party to seek to renegotiate the terms of the contract, if the employer changes any of the terms without the employee’s agreement, the employee may be entitled to seek legal redress.

Any redundancy process should be fair and reasonable, with appropriate equalities considerations. Employees can appeal to their employer if they feel they have been unfairly selected or they may be able to make a claim to an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal.

15th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment the Government has made of the potential economic effects of employees who have accrued large amounts of holiday while furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme utilising that entitlement immediately on the lifting of covid-19 lockdown measures.

Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, almost all workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks annual leave, which should be paid as if workers were still at work and working. Annual leave continues to accrue as long as the worker maintains their employment relationship with their employer, which is the case whilst an employee is on a period of furlough through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Workers on furlough are able to take annual leave, and employers are able to require them to do so. This will prevent large build-ups that would need to be used at the end of the lockdown measures.

The Government has been clear that employment rights remain unchanged under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Therefore, as holiday rights are unaffected by the scheme, no assessment has been made.

11th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure that construction work in urban areas does not increase respiratory risks to shielded people in those areas.

Since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Government has emphasised that people’s health is the top priority. We have been clear that construction work can continue in England if it is undertaken in a manner consistent with the guidelines issued by Public Health England. We have also published bespoke guidance to help those who work in outdoor environments, including construction workers, to understand how to work safely at this time.

The Health and Safety Executive has set out that dust from construction work does not usually pose a health risk to members of the public if the exposure is low and the duration is short. If high exposure and longer duration is likely, controls have been adopted to protect the workforce on a construction site; these are also likely to reduce the risk to members of the public. These controls include the use of low-dust products, as well as the use of water suppression or exhaust ventilation.

The Government is not aware of specific instances of brick dust affecting the respiratory functioning of people located near to construction sites during the Covid-19 outbreak.

11th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what reports he has received of brick dust affecting the respiratory functioning of people located near to construction sites during the covid-19 outbreak.

Since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Government has emphasised that people’s health is the top priority. We have been clear that construction work can continue in England if it is undertaken in a manner consistent with the guidelines issued by Public Health England. We have also published bespoke guidance to help those who work in outdoor environments, including construction workers, to understand how to work safely at this time.

The Health and Safety Executive has set out that dust from construction work does not usually pose a health risk to members of the public if the exposure is low and the duration is short. If high exposure and longer duration is likely, controls have been adopted to protect the workforce on a construction site; these are also likely to reduce the risk to members of the public. These controls include the use of low-dust products, as well as the use of water suppression or exhaust ventilation.

The Government is not aware of specific instances of brick dust affecting the respiratory functioning of people located near to construction sites during the Covid-19 outbreak.

11th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that building sites adhere to social distancing regulations during the covid-19 outbreak.

The health and safety of construction workers is a priority for the Government. To help ensure that it is safe for construction workers to operate in their workplace, the Government has worked with Public Health England (PHE) to develop sector-specific guidance on social distancing, and has also worked with the Construction Leadership Council to develop Site Operating Procedures (SOP), which provide practical advice to those seeking to implement the guidance.

The Health and Safety Executive has the powers to take enforcement action if a site is not consistently implementing the measures set out by PHE.

4th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to engage with the retail sector on the ability of that sector to transition back to business as normal once the covid-19 lockdown measures are eased.

We are in regular contact with a wide range of representatives of the retail sector.

I host a weekly call with non-food retailers and business representative organisations covering a range of subjects including operational challenges faced by the sector as we transition to a new normal.

The most recent call took place on 7th May and the next one is scheduled for 14th May.

Government is grateful to retailers and representative organisations who are engaging constructively with Government on how retailers can safely operate as restrictions begin to ease.

1st May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions has he had with representatives from the British Retail Consortium on the potential risks of easing of the lockdown.

Ministers and officials have regular engagement with a large number of businesses, representative organisations and trade unions across all sectors including the British Retail Consortium, in advance of easing the lockdown.

As this work is complex and multifaceted, we are working with industry, business representative organisations, unions, Public Health England, and the Health and Safety Executive to consider what might be needed to adapt workplaces to further improve the safety of these places and thereby minimise the risk of transmission as much as possible.

I host a weekly call with non-food retailers and business representative organisations including the British Retail Consortium with the most recent call taking place on 30th April. The next one is scheduled for 7th May.

We welcome the publication of jointly agreed advice by the British Retail Consortium and the Union for Shop Distributive and Allied Workers on the recommended implementation of social distancing practices for non-food retail stores.

1st May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that discussions are held with representatives of the retail sector in advance of easing the lockdown.

Ministers and officials have regular engagement with a large number of businesses, representative organisations and trade unions across all sectors including the British Retail Consortium, in advance of easing the lockdown.

As this work is complex and multifaceted, we are working with industry, business representative organisations, unions, Public Health England, and the Health and Safety Executive to consider what might be needed to adapt workplaces to further improve the safety of these places and thereby minimise the risk of transmission as much as possible.

I host a weekly call with non-food retailers and business representative organisations including the British Retail Consortium with the most recent call taking place on 30th April. The next one is scheduled for 7th May.

We welcome the publication of jointly agreed advice by the British Retail Consortium and the Union for Shop Distributive and Allied Workers on the recommended implementation of social distancing practices for non-food retail stores.

27th Apr 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of rules on staff who have been furloughed in line with the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme prohibiting the use of social media on the ability of those businesses to retain a customer base after the covid-19 outbreak.

The scheme is designed to help employers who are unable to operate or have no work for an employee to do because of coronavirus and those who otherwise would have been made unemployed. There is flexibility in that staff can be rotated and rolled on and off furlough, so long as each period on furlough is for a minimum of 3 weeks.

20th Apr 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that businesses uphold workers' rights during the covid-19 outbreak.

This Government is working to minimise any social and economic disruption as a result of Covid-19.

We would urge employers to take socially responsible decisions and listen to the concerns of their workforce. Employers and employees should come to a pragmatic agreement about these arrangements.

While most employers act responsibly, a small number fail to respect their workers employment rights. Labour market enforcement bodies continue to respond to complaints from workers either received directly or through the online form on gov.uk.

20th Apr 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what processes are in place for the Government to monitor compliance of supermarkets with covid-19 legislation.

Everyone must comply with the rules issued by Government in relation to Coronavirus, in order to protect both themselves and others.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 are the regulations in England that cover enforcement of violations of the Government’s rules on social distancing (Scotland and Wales have their own legislation).

In England, Environmental Health and Trading Standards officers will monitor compliance with these regulations, with police support provided if appropriate.

20th Apr 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of reports that supermarkets are not implementing Government policy (a) restricting shopping to essential goods and (b) on social distancing within shops during the covid-19 outbreak.

Government is clear that people should only leave the house for four reasons, which includes shopping for food and other essentials if they have to. Government have not published a list of goods it deems essential nor asked supermarkets to reduce the range of products they sell.

We have set out the general principles and measures for how social distancing can be implemented in the workplace, including staggering processes which would enable staff to continue to operate both effectively and where possible at a safe distance from one another.

We have also set out tailored advice for different scenarios as an example of how social distancing and other measures that might be implemented by employers in England to help protect their workforce and customers from coronavirus while still continuing to trade.

Everyone must comply with the rules issued by the?Government in relation to coronavirus, in order to protect both themselves and others. In England, Environmental Health and Trading Standards officers will monitor compliance with these regulations with police support if appropriate.

24th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether non-customer facing workers who do not have the facilities to work from home are able to continue to work at their workplace during the covid-19 outbreak.

Government advice is clear. If at all possible, people should work at home and where they cannot, employers should ensure that the work environment is a safe one and follow all relevant public health guidance.

Businesses and employees can get advice on individual employment issues by visiting the Acas website at www.acas.org.uk. Businesses can also ring the BEIS Business Support Line, 0300 456 3565, for further advice on support for business.

30th Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of recording whether a women who is making a claim at employment tribunal for the purpose of (a) her Department being able to provide more support and (b) workplace equality is pregnant.

Cases of pregnancy and maternity discrimination are recorded. When submitting an Employment Tribunal Claim Form (ET1), a claimant is required to specify the details of the case. This involves stating whether they have been discriminated against, including on the grounds of pregnancy and maternity.

There are a number of sources of support for pregnant women seeking to take a claim to an employment tribunal.

Acas (Advisory, Conciliation, and Arbitration Service) provides free and impartial information and advice to employees on all aspects of workplace relations and employment law. It produces advice and guidance on discrimination, bullying and harassment and has specific content covering pregnancy and maternity.

In addition, anyone who believes that they may have suffered from discrimination or had their human rights infringed can access the EASS helpline, which offers bespoke advice to clients to help them understand their rights and the resolution options that are open to them.

Legal aid is available for legal advice and representation for cases alleging unlawful discrimination, harassment or victimisation under the Equality Act 2010, or a previous discrimination enactment, which can arise in a variety of contexts – for example, consumer, education or employment matters. Legal aid for cases of this type must usually first be sought through the Civil Legal Advice (CLA) telephone gateway, before being referred onwards for face-to-face advice.

The Government is determined to do more to promote workplace equality. That is why we committed to introduce measures in an Employment Bill to extend redundancy protections to better prevent pregnancy and maternity discrimination.

29th Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2020 to Question 3877 on Fireworks: Animal Welfare, what the time frame is for the Office for Product Safety and Standards' review on the effect on humans and animals of the use of fireworks.

The work that the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is conducting to develop an evidence base is ongoing. It is continuing to assess new and emerging data and will report in due course.

27th Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps her Department is taking to help safeguard pregnant women from (a) workplace discrimination and (b) unfair dismissal.

The Government recognises the importance of tackling pregnancy and maternity discrimination.

The Government’s manifesto committed to reform the law so that women returning from maternity leave receive additional protection from redundancy.

We will extend the redundancy protection period for six months once a new mother has returned to work and provide similar protections for those parents taking adoption leave and shared parental leave. This will be part of an Employment Rights Bill to deliver the greatest reform of workers’ rights in over 20 years.

15th Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment she has made of the effect of fireworks used in public displays on levels of climate change.

The UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory publishes an annual assessment of greenhouse gas emissions by source and removals. Fireworks are listed under the Waste Incineration sector (5C) according to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Common Reporting Format sector classifications.

Greenhouse gas emissions from fireworks used in public displays are not included in the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory as they have been judged not to be a significant source of greenhouse gases in the UK. It is estimated that 10-20 thousand tonnes of fireworks are typically used in the UK each year. Even assuming the fireworks are entirely made of carbon and entirely oxidised, the greenhouse gas emissions from this level of activity would be less than 100kt CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalents). This is below the threshold of significance for including a source of greenhouse gas emissions in the inventory. The threshold was set by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as being both less than 500kt CO2e and 0.05% of the total national greenhouse gas emissions (which is 236kt CO2e for the UK).

15th Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to reduce the effect on the environment of fireworks used in public displays.

The Government understands concerns about the potential impact caused by fireworks on individuals, animals and the environment. This is why the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is developing a fact-based evidence base on the key issues that have been raised around fireworks. This includes looking at data on noise and disturbance, anti-social behaviour, non-compliance, environmental impact, and the impact on humans and animals. This will build a full picture of the data around fireworks in order to identify whether further action is appropriate.

15th Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to limit the noise level of fireworks to 90 dB for the welfare of animals.

The Government understands concerns about the potential impact caused by fireworks on individuals, animals and the environment. This is why the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is developing a fact-based evidence base on the key issues that have been raised around fireworks. This includes looking at data on noise and disturbance, anti-social behaviour, non-compliance, environmental impact, and the impact on humans and animals. This will build a full picture of the data around fireworks in order to identify whether further action is appropriate.

15th Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to encourage suppliers to stock fireworks with a noise level of less than 90 dB for public display.

We understand concerns about the potential impact caused by fireworks on individuals, animals and the environment. We also receive representations from a wide range of stakeholders, including members of the public, organisations and charities, with diverse views on what the issues are and what action they would like to see. This is why the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is developing a fact-based evidence base on the key issues that have been raised around fireworks. Officials in OPSS have also been in contact with Government Departments including Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Devolved Administrations as part of this work. Therefore, the review includes looking at data on noise and disturbance, anti-social behaviour, non-compliance, environmental impact, and the impact on humans and animals. This will build a full picture of the data around fireworks in order to identify whether further action is appropriate.

15th Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the effect of the use of fireworks on animal welfare.

We understand concerns about the potential impact caused by fireworks on individuals, animals and the environment. We also receive representations from a wide range of stakeholders, including members of the public, organisations and charities, with diverse views on what the issues are and what action they would like to see. This is why the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is developing a fact-based evidence base on the key issues that have been raised around fireworks. Officials in OPSS have also been in contact with Government Departments including Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Devolved Administrations as part of this work. Therefore, the review includes looking at data on noise and disturbance, anti-social behaviour, non-compliance, environmental impact, and the impact on humans and animals. This will build a full picture of the data around fireworks in order to identify whether further action is appropriate.

12th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help increase participation in grassroots (a) sports and (b) other physical activity by women and girls.

The Government is committed to supporting women's sport at every opportunity including pushing for greater participation.

In March this year, the Government announced a significant package of over £600 million to boost school sport, including confirmation of funding for the PE and School Sport Premium and the School Games Organisers network until the end of the summer term 2025. These programmes will improve the quality of PE and sports in primary schools to help children benefit from regular activity and ensure girls and boys have equal opportunity to play sport in school.

Sport England have also developed the Studio You PE teaching resource which aims to get young girls engaged in PE lessons, the platform offers video-based lessons covering a range of non-traditional activities, like boxing, dance, pilates and yoga. In addition, Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign has already inspired millions of women and girls to get active regardless of shape, size and ability. In May this year, This Girl Can and ukactive published guidance ‘How to make your spaces safer for women: A call to action from the 51%’ to help fitness and leisure facilities create safer spaces for women and girls to be active.

In addition, the Review of Women’s Football was published on 13 July, and supports the continued growth and development of women’s and girl’s football. The Government welcomes the work of the Review and will now consider the recommendations before providing a response in the autumn.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the BBC Board on the potential impact of BBC's proposed changes to local radio on the reporting of emergency planning incidents.

The Government remains disappointed that the BBC is planning to reduce parts of its local output. Ministers have met with the BBC on several occasions since the announcement where they have expressed the concerns shared across the House about the BBC’s plans.

While it is up to the BBC to decide how it delivers its services, the Government has been clear with the Chair of the BBC Board and the Director General that the BBC must make sure it continues to provide distinctive and genuinely local radio services, with content that reflects and represents people and communities from all corners of the UK. These services are a key part of the BBC’s public service remit and an example of how the BBC can use its licence fee funding to provide content that is directly relevant to audiences, particularly in areas that may be underserved by the market.

The BBC is editorially and operationally independent, and the decision over whether to proceed with these changes is for them. It is also the BBC’s responsibility to consider the potential impacts for audiences and staff of these changes under their public sector equality duty.

Since its initial announcement of these cuts, the BBC has confirmed that all local radio stations will retain the ability to break out of shared programming and respond to breaking local stories including extreme weather conditions or public health emergencies.

The Government also expects Ofcom, as regulator of the BBC, to ensure the BBC is robustly held to account in delivering its public service duties. As part of this, the BBC will be required to monitor the impact of changes on audiences and publish more information about how it delivers high quality, distinctive content and services for audiences across the UK.

In the publication of the BBC’s new Operating Licence, Ofcom sets out that it will hold the BBC to its commitments on local radio in England in relation to news and travel, breaking news and major incidents and its contribution to local democracy.

As a public authority, the BBC is itself responsible for undertaking equality impact assessments under the Public Sector Equality Duty (as contained in the Equality Act 2010). The BBC Director General was asked whether the BBC has carried out an equality impact assessment regarding the local radio proposals at his 13 June appearance at the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, and has committed to sharing relevant information on this with the Committee.

John Whittingdale
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
20th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the BBC's proposed changes to local radio coverage on the delivery of its equality obligations under the BBC operating licence.

The Government remains disappointed that the BBC is planning to reduce parts of its local output. Ministers have met with the BBC on several occasions since the announcement where they have expressed the concerns shared across the House about the BBC’s plans.

While it is up to the BBC to decide how it delivers its services, the Government has been clear with the Chair of the BBC Board and the Director General that the BBC must make sure it continues to provide distinctive and genuinely local radio services, with content that reflects and represents people and communities from all corners of the UK. These services are a key part of the BBC’s public service remit and an example of how the BBC can use its licence fee funding to provide content that is directly relevant to audiences, particularly in areas that may be underserved by the market.

The BBC is editorially and operationally independent, and the decision over whether to proceed with these changes is for them. It is also the BBC’s responsibility to consider the potential impacts for audiences and staff of these changes under their public sector equality duty.

Since its initial announcement of these cuts, the BBC has confirmed that all local radio stations will retain the ability to break out of shared programming and respond to breaking local stories including extreme weather conditions or public health emergencies.

The Government also expects Ofcom, as regulator of the BBC, to ensure the BBC is robustly held to account in delivering its public service duties. As part of this, the BBC will be required to monitor the impact of changes on audiences and publish more information about how it delivers high quality, distinctive content and services for audiences across the UK.

In the publication of the BBC’s new Operating Licence, Ofcom sets out that it will hold the BBC to its commitments on local radio in England in relation to news and travel, breaking news and major incidents and its contribution to local democracy.

As a public authority, the BBC is itself responsible for undertaking equality impact assessments under the Public Sector Equality Duty (as contained in the Equality Act 2010). The BBC Director General was asked whether the BBC has carried out an equality impact assessment regarding the local radio proposals at his 13 June appearance at the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, and has committed to sharing relevant information on this with the Committee.

John Whittingdale
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
20th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the BBC Board on the impact of BBC Local Radio proposals on working parents employed by those stations.

The Government remains disappointed that the BBC is planning to reduce parts of its local output. Ministers have met with the BBC on several occasions since the announcement where they have expressed the concerns shared across the House about the BBC’s plans.

While it is up to the BBC to decide how it delivers its services, the Government has been clear with the Chair of the BBC Board and the Director General that the BBC must make sure it continues to provide distinctive and genuinely local radio services, with content that reflects and represents people and communities from all corners of the UK. These services are a key part of the BBC’s public service remit and an example of how the BBC can use its licence fee funding to provide content that is directly relevant to audiences, particularly in areas that may be underserved by the market.

The BBC is editorially and operationally independent, and the decision over whether to proceed with these changes is for them. It is also the BBC’s responsibility to consider the potential impacts for audiences and staff of these changes under their public sector equality duty.

Since its initial announcement of these cuts, the BBC has confirmed that all local radio stations will retain the ability to break out of shared programming and respond to breaking local stories including extreme weather conditions or public health emergencies.

The Government also expects Ofcom, as regulator of the BBC, to ensure the BBC is robustly held to account in delivering its public service duties. As part of this, the BBC will be required to monitor the impact of changes on audiences and publish more information about how it delivers high quality, distinctive content and services for audiences across the UK.

In the publication of the BBC’s new Operating Licence, Ofcom sets out that it will hold the BBC to its commitments on local radio in England in relation to news and travel, breaking news and major incidents and its contribution to local democracy.

As a public authority, the BBC is itself responsible for undertaking equality impact assessments under the Public Sector Equality Duty (as contained in the Equality Act 2010). The BBC Director General was asked whether the BBC has carried out an equality impact assessment regarding the local radio proposals at his 13 June appearance at the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, and has committed to sharing relevant information on this with the Committee.

John Whittingdale
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
20th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has held discussions with the BBC Board on the potential impact of the BBC's proposals for Local Radio on staff.

The Government remains disappointed that the BBC is planning to reduce parts of its local output. Ministers have met with the BBC on several occasions since the announcement where they have expressed the concerns shared across the House about the BBC’s plans.

While it is up to the BBC to decide how it delivers its services, the Government has been clear with the Chair of the BBC Board and the Director General that the BBC must make sure it continues to provide distinctive and genuinely local radio services, with content that reflects and represents people and communities from all corners of the UK. These services are a key part of the BBC’s public service remit and an example of how the BBC can use its licence fee funding to provide content that is directly relevant to audiences, particularly in areas that may be underserved by the market.

The BBC is editorially and operationally independent, and the decision over whether to proceed with these changes is for them. It is also the BBC’s responsibility to consider the potential impacts for audiences and staff of these changes under their public sector equality duty.

Since its initial announcement of these cuts, the BBC has confirmed that all local radio stations will retain the ability to break out of shared programming and respond to breaking local stories including extreme weather conditions or public health emergencies.

The Government also expects Ofcom, as regulator of the BBC, to ensure the BBC is robustly held to account in delivering its public service duties. As part of this, the BBC will be required to monitor the impact of changes on audiences and publish more information about how it delivers high quality, distinctive content and services for audiences across the UK.

In the publication of the BBC’s new Operating Licence, Ofcom sets out that it will hold the BBC to its commitments on local radio in England in relation to news and travel, breaking news and major incidents and its contribution to local democracy.

As a public authority, the BBC is itself responsible for undertaking equality impact assessments under the Public Sector Equality Duty (as contained in the Equality Act 2010). The BBC Director General was asked whether the BBC has carried out an equality impact assessment regarding the local radio proposals at his 13 June appearance at the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, and has committed to sharing relevant information on this with the Committee.

John Whittingdale
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
20th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has held with the BBC Board on conducting equality impact assessments on changes to BBC local radio coverage for rural communities.

The Government remains disappointed that the BBC is planning to reduce parts of its local output. Ministers have met with the BBC on several occasions since the announcement where they have expressed the concerns shared across the House about the BBC’s plans.

While it is up to the BBC to decide how it delivers its services, the Government has been clear with the Chair of the BBC Board and the Director General that the BBC must make sure it continues to provide distinctive and genuinely local radio services, with content that reflects and represents people and communities from all corners of the UK. These services are a key part of the BBC’s public service remit and an example of how the BBC can use its licence fee funding to provide content that is directly relevant to audiences, particularly in areas that may be underserved by the market.

The BBC is editorially and operationally independent, and the decision over whether to proceed with these changes is for them. It is also the BBC’s responsibility to consider the potential impacts for audiences and staff of these changes under their public sector equality duty.

Since its initial announcement of these cuts, the BBC has confirmed that all local radio stations will retain the ability to break out of shared programming and respond to breaking local stories including extreme weather conditions or public health emergencies.

The Government also expects Ofcom, as regulator of the BBC, to ensure the BBC is robustly held to account in delivering its public service duties. As part of this, the BBC will be required to monitor the impact of changes on audiences and publish more information about how it delivers high quality, distinctive content and services for audiences across the UK.

In the publication of the BBC’s new Operating Licence, Ofcom sets out that it will hold the BBC to its commitments on local radio in England in relation to news and travel, breaking news and major incidents and its contribution to local democracy.

As a public authority, the BBC is itself responsible for undertaking equality impact assessments under the Public Sector Equality Duty (as contained in the Equality Act 2010). The BBC Director General was asked whether the BBC has carried out an equality impact assessment regarding the local radio proposals at his 13 June appearance at the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, and has committed to sharing relevant information on this with the Committee.

John Whittingdale
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
6th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she is taking steps to provide financial support to charities in Hampshire in the context of the rise in energy prices.

The Government has taken action to support charities across the country, including in Hampshire, with rising energy prices.

The Energy Bill Relief Scheme provided charities and voluntary organisations with support for their energy bills up to 31 March 2023, and they continue to receive support under the Energy Bill Discount Scheme.

As announced in the Spring Budget, the government will also provide over £100 million of support for charities and community organisations in England. This will be targeted towards those organisations most at risk from cost of living pressures, due to increased demand and higher delivery costs, as well as providing investment in energy efficiency. Work is underway to finalise the delivery time frames and eligibility criteria. Further details will be announced as soon as possible.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
6th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she is taking steps to financially support charities in Hampshire who have increased service demand.

The Government has taken action to support charities across the country, including in Hampshire, with rising energy prices.

The Energy Bill Relief Scheme provided charities and voluntary organisations with support for their energy bills up to 31 March 2023, and they continue to receive support under the Energy Bill Discount Scheme.

As announced in the Spring Budget, the government will also provide over £100 million of support for charities and community organisations in England. This will be targeted towards those organisations most at risk from cost of living pressures, due to increased demand and higher delivery costs, as well as providing investment in energy efficiency. Work is underway to finalise the delivery time frames and eligibility criteria. Further details will be announced as soon as possible.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
5th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to set a deadline for bringing forward legislative proposals to deliver the legal framework for a short-term let registration scheme in England.

Following last year's Call for Evidence, in December 2022 the Government introduced a registration scheme for short-term lets in England in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. On 12 April 2023, a consultation was published which sought views on details about how the scheme will operate. The consultation closed on 7 June 2023, and the Government is working to analyse responses.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will work with the relevant Government departments on the design of the registration scheme and to ensure that different measures which apply to short-term lets are proportionate, complementary and easy to understand.

John Whittingdale
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
23rd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of increases in costs for sports clubs on the level of youth participation in grassroots sport.

Supporting grassroots sport is a key government priority. Last year, Sport England received almost £350 million from the Government and National Lottery to fund grassroots sports projects so that everyone is able to access quality sport and physical activity opportunities, and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits that exercise provides.

There are a range of funding options available to sport clubs struggling with increased costs.

Since its creation, Sport England’s Together Fund has invested more than £3.6 million into projects to support with the cost of living. Additionally, Sport England’s Active Together fund supports campaigns that encourage grassroots community sport and youth participation. Since 2020, the fund has committed £3.5 million to successful projects, with funding going towards supporting rising energy costs, ensuring that these activities remain affordable for communities.

At the Spring Budget, the Government announced a £63 million package to address the cost pressures facing some public swimming pool providers, and provide investment in energy efficiency measures to make facilities sustainable in the long-term. This intervention aims to ensure that children and adults up and down the country have accessible opportunities to get active.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
23rd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department is taking steps to support (a) clubs and (b) other groups who deliver grassroots and community sports with increases in the cost of living.

Supporting grassroots sport is a key government priority. Last year, Sport England received almost £350 million from the Government and National Lottery to fund grassroots sports projects so that everyone is able to access quality sport and physical activity opportunities, and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits that exercise provides.

There are a range of funding options available to sport clubs struggling with increased costs.

Since its creation, Sport England’s Together Fund has invested more than £3.6 million into projects to support with the cost of living. Additionally, Sport England’s Active Together fund supports campaigns that encourage grassroots community sport and youth participation. Since 2020, the fund has committed £3.5 million to successful projects, with funding going towards supporting rising energy costs, ensuring that these activities remain affordable for communities.

At the Spring Budget, the Government announced a £63 million package to address the cost pressures facing some public swimming pool providers, and provide investment in energy efficiency measures to make facilities sustainable in the long-term. This intervention aims to ensure that children and adults up and down the country have accessible opportunities to get active.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
23rd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the impact of increases in the cost of living on access to grassroots and community sport.

Supporting grassroots sport is a key government priority. Last year, Sport England received almost £350 million from the Government and National Lottery to fund grassroots sports projects so that everyone is able to access quality sport and physical activity opportunities, and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits that exercise provides.

There are a range of funding options available to sport clubs struggling with increased costs.

Since its creation, Sport England’s Together Fund has invested more than £3.6 million into projects to support with the cost of living. Additionally, Sport England’s Active Together fund supports campaigns that encourage grassroots community sport and youth participation. Since 2020, the fund has committed £3.5 million to successful projects, with funding going towards supporting rising energy costs, ensuring that these activities remain affordable for communities.

At the Spring Budget, the Government announced a £63 million package to address the cost pressures facing some public swimming pool providers, and provide investment in energy efficiency measures to make facilities sustainable in the long-term. This intervention aims to ensure that children and adults up and down the country have accessible opportunities to get active.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
11th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the long-term delivery of funding changes to local BBC radio stations on the (a) quality and b) localness of news to listeners in (i) Portsmouth and (ii) the South East.

The Government recognises the important role that BBC Local Radio services play in delivering local news and reflecting local experiences in Portsmouth and the South East. The Government is therefore disappointed that the BBC is planning to reduce parts of its local radio output.

While it is up to the BBC to decide how it delivers its services, I have met with BBC leadership and shared concerns expressed in recent parliamentary proceedings about reductions to BBC Local Radio. The Government has been clear that, as our national broadcaster, the BBC must make sure it continues to provide distinctive and genuinely local radio services, with content that reflects and represents people and communities from all corners of the UK. The BBC should set the standard in the UK and internationally with high-quality output across its services.

The BBC has outlined that, under current proposals, overall investment in local services is being maintained, which includes £19m from broadcast services being moved to online and multimedia production to adapt to audience changes. The BBC has confirmed that it is protecting local news bulletins throughout the day, and local live sport, and community programming across all 39 stations, and that there will be fully local programming between 6am and 2pm, with neighbouring or regional sharing in most of the remaining listening hours.

Ofcom, as the independent regulator of the BBC, is responsible for ensuring that the BBC continues to meet the public service obligations set out in the BBC Charter, Agreement, and Operating Licence. The Government understands that Ofcom is continuing to discuss the proposed changes to local radio output with the BBC.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
11th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on how many occasions she has met the Communication Workers Union to help resolve ongoing industrial disputes related to (a) Royal Mail and (b) BT since taking office.

The Secretary of State has not met the Communications Workers Union to discuss the ongoing industrial disputes related to Royal Mail or BT since taking office.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
11th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the impact of recent trends in the level of incel online content on (a) harms to young people and (b) violence against women and girls.

The online space should not be a refuge for violent misogyny, and this Government is committed to ensuring there are sufficient protections for women and girls online.

Under the Online Safety Bill, all companies will need to protect children and tackle illegal content online, whilst holding platforms to account for their terms of service. Where incel behaviour relates to a criminal offence, or poses a risk to children, platforms will need to tackle this content.

All services will need to proactively remove and prevent users from being exposed to priority illegal content. This includes offences that disproportionately affect women and girls, such as offences relating to sexual images - i.e revenge and extreme pornography - and harassment and stalking.

Women and girls will also be better able to report abuse and should expect to receive an appropriate response from the platform.

11th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of ukactive’s June 2022 survey finding that 79 per cent of public leisure facilities say that without support for their energy costs, they are likely or extremely likely to cease operations within the next six months.

We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to indoor and outdoor pools and that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The responsibility of providing this access lies at Local Authority level, and the government continues to encourage Local Authorities to invest in swimming facilities.

We recognise the impact rising energy prices will have on businesses of all sizes. Ofgem and the government are in regular contact with business groups and suppliers, including ukactive to understand the challenges they face and explore ways to protect consumers and businesses.

Sport England has invested £9,564,322 in swimming and diving projects since April 2019, which includes £6,260,502 to Swim England. This is in addition to the £100 million National Leisure Recovery Fund, which supported the reopening of local authority swimming pools throughout the country after the pandemic.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
11th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make it his policy to introduce emergency funding for (a) public leisure centres and (b) swimming pools to support their energy costs.

We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to indoor and outdoor pools and that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The responsibility of providing this access lies at Local Authority level, and the government continues to encourage Local Authorities to invest in swimming facilities.

We recognise the impact rising energy prices will have on businesses of all sizes. Ofgem and the government are in regular contact with business groups and suppliers, including ukactive to understand the challenges they face and explore ways to protect consumers and businesses.

Sport England has invested £9,564,322 in swimming and diving projects since April 2019, which includes £6,260,502 to Swim England. This is in addition to the £100 million National Leisure Recovery Fund, which supported the reopening of local authority swimming pools throughout the country after the pandemic.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
17th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which organisations were awarded funding from the first phase of the Youth Investment Fund administered by Children in Need; and how much each of those organisations was awarded, and for what purposes.

Phase 1 of the Youth Investment Fund, administered by BBC Children in Need, delivered funding for local youth organisations in levelling up priority areas in England. The funding has enabled local youth providers to invest in capital projects that expand the reach, number and range of services they currently offer.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport plans to announce and publish a list of successful recipients of the grant on GOV.UK in due course.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
12th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of her Department’s response to (a) recommendation H and (b) that recommendation's stipulation of an expectation of further action from the football authorities in the Fan-led review into football governance report, published 24 November 2021.

We firmly believe that increasing the level of financial redistribution between the leagues will help improve the financial health of football clubs.

The Fan Led Review recommended that football should seek to resolve issues related to financial distribution itself, and the government agrees that the ideal outcome is for football to solve this problem. We are continuing to push for a football led solution, and we remain in close engagement with all relevant parties in seeking this. We remain open to granting backstop powers to the regulator if football cannot come up with a solution to distributions, and we will provide an update on this in the White Paper.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
12th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will commit to a deadline for introducing legislation for an independent regulator for English football.

The Queen’s Speech confirmed our commitment to an independent regulator for English football. A White Paper will be published in the summer that will set the details on the implementation of our football governance reforms, and we will legislate when parliamentary time allows.

We are working at pace to deliver these measures that will bring sustainable reform that ensures current and future fans continue to enjoy our national game.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
12th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she will take to help reduce energy price pressures on swimming pool (a) owners and (b) operators.

We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to indoor and outdoor pools and that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The responsibility of providing this access lies at Local Authority level, and the government continues to encourage Local Authorities to invest in swimming facilities.

We recognise the impact rising energy prices will have on businesses of all sizes. Ofgem and the government are in regular contact with business groups and suppliers to understand the challenges they face and explore ways to protect consumers and businesses.

Sport England has invested £25,027,478 in swimming and diving projects since January 2017, which includes £15,724,500 to Swim England. This is in addition to the £100 million National Leisure Recovery Fund which supported the reopening of local authority swimming pools throughout the country after the pandemic.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
10th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of making provision of swimming pools a statutory requirement for local authorities.

We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to indoor and outdoor pools and that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The responsibility of providing this access lies at Local Authority level, and the government continues to encourage Local Authorities to invest in swimming facilities.

The Local Government Finance Settlement makes available £54.1 billion in 2022/23 for local government in England, an increase of up to £3.7 billion on 2021/22. The majority of this funding is un-ringfenced in recognition of local authorities being best placed to understand local priorities, such as leisure and cultural services. Swimming and leisure services are not currently statutory requirements for local authorities, however we continue to work with partners to consider whether this should continue to be the case.

Sport England has invested £25,027,478 in swimming and diving projects since January 2017, which includes £15,724,500 to Swim England. This is in addition to the £100 million National Leisure Recovery Fund which supported the reopening of local authority swimming pools throughout the country after the pandemic, with 1,176 separate pools supported across 701 sites.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
10th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made on the impact of energy price increases on local authorities provision of public swimming facilities.

We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to indoor and outdoor pools and that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The responsibility of providing this access lies at Local Authority level, and the government continues to encourage Local Authorities to invest in swimming facilities.

We recognise the impact rising energy prices will have on businesses of all sizes. Ofgem and the government are in regular contact with business groups and suppliers to understand the challenges they face and explore ways to protect consumers and businesses.

Sport England has invested £25,027,478 in swimming and diving projects since January 2017, which includes £15,724,500 to Swim England. This is in addition to the £100 million National Leisure Recovery Fund which supported the reopening of local authority swimming pools throughout the country after the pandemic, with 1,176 separate pools supported across 701 sites. There are an estimated 14 swimming pools in Portsmouth.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
10th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the implications for its policy of Swim England’s Decade of Decline report into swimming pool provision.

We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to indoor and outdoor pools and that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The responsibility of providing this access lies at Local Authority level, and the government continues to encourage Local Authorities to invest in swimming facilities.

We recognise the impact rising energy prices will have on businesses of all sizes. Ofgem and the government are in regular contact with business groups and suppliers to understand the challenges they face and explore ways to protect consumers and businesses.

Sport England has invested £25,027,478 in swimming and diving projects since January 2017, which includes £15,724,500 to Swim England. This is in addition to the £100 million National Leisure Recovery Fund which supported the reopening of local authority swimming pools throughout the country after the pandemic, with 1,176 separate pools supported across 701 sites. There are an estimated 14 swimming pools in Portsmouth.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
10th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what financial support is available to public swimming pools to help with rising energy prices.

We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to indoor and outdoor pools and that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The responsibility of providing this access lies at Local Authority level, and the government continues to encourage Local Authorities to invest in swimming facilities.

We recognise the impact rising energy prices will have on businesses of all sizes. Ofgem and the government are in regular contact with business groups and suppliers to understand the challenges they face and explore ways to protect consumers and businesses.

Sport England has invested £25,027,478 in swimming and diving projects since January 2017, which includes £15,724,500 to Swim England. This is in addition to the £100 million National Leisure Recovery Fund which supported the reopening of local authority swimming pools throughout the country after the pandemic, with 1,176 separate pools supported across 701 sites. There are an estimated 14 swimming pools in Portsmouth.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
10th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the impact of energy price increases on the provision of public swimming pools.

We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to indoor and outdoor pools and that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The responsibility of providing this access lies at Local Authority level, and the government continues to encourage Local Authorities to invest in swimming facilities.

We recognise the impact rising energy prices will have on businesses of all sizes. Ofgem and the government are in regular contact with business groups and suppliers to understand the challenges they face and explore ways to protect consumers and businesses.

Sport England has invested £25,027,478 in swimming and diving projects since January 2017, which includes £15,724,500 to Swim England. This is in addition to the £100 million National Leisure Recovery Fund which supported the reopening of local authority swimming pools throughout the country after the pandemic, with 1,176 separate pools supported across 701 sites. There are an estimated 14 swimming pools in Portsmouth.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
10th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy in provision of public swimming facilities in Portsmouth.

We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to indoor and outdoor pools and that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The responsibility of providing this access lies at Local Authority level, and the government continues to encourage Local Authorities to invest in swimming facilities.

We recognise the impact rising energy prices will have on businesses of all sizes. Ofgem and the government are in regular contact with business groups and suppliers to understand the challenges they face and explore ways to protect consumers and businesses.

Sport England has invested £25,027,478 in swimming and diving projects since January 2017, which includes £15,724,500 to Swim England. This is in addition to the £100 million National Leisure Recovery Fund which supported the reopening of local authority swimming pools throughout the country after the pandemic, with 1,176 separate pools supported across 701 sites. There are an estimated 14 swimming pools in Portsmouth.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
31st Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the findings of the November 2021 survey of UK swim schools undertaken by the Swimming Teachers’ Association; and what steps she plans to take to increase (a) national swimming teacher provision and (b) reduce waiting lists for swimming lessons at swim schools.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to indoor and outdoor pools. Swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy as well as being a crucial life skill in terms of water safety.

The Government has provided a range of support for swimming pools during the pandemic. The £100 million National Leisure Recovery Fund supported the reopening of local authority swimming pools throughout the country.

Sport England continues to invest in access to swimming, awarding £9,112,544 in grassroots swimming and diving since 2019, including £6,230,502 directly to Swim England. This supports Swim England’s work to develop the swimming workforce, including the Institute of Swimming which delivers training for swimming teachers.

Swim England are running a Recruitment Academy to help tackle the issue of teacher shortages across the sector, offering an end-to-end service which seeks, recruits and trains swimming teachers. There are currently 48 academies in progress with over 200 learners going through the programme.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
14th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what measures the Online Safety Bill contains to ensure that legal but harmful online content cannot be accessed through Virtual Private Networks.

Under the Online Safety Bill, tech companies will have to put in place proportionate and effective systems and processes to protect children from harmful content.

Legislation will not require the removal of legal but harmful content accessed by adults. The biggest tech companies will be held to account for the consistent enforcement of their terms and conditions.

The onus will be on companies to ensure that their systems are sufficiently effective. Ofcom will be able to take robust enforcement action against companies that fail to fulfil their duties to keep children safe.

Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
14th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the security of the technology underpinning the proposals for verification for accessing adult content in the Online Safety Bill.

Age verification technologies are well established and are widely used across a number of sectors, including online gambling. They are proven to be able to verify a user’s age whilst protecting both their privacy and data. This government takes the issue of data privacy and security extremely seriously and that is why safeguards for users’ privacy are included in the Online Safety Bill. Furthermore, the Data Protection Act 2018 sets high standards of data protection and security and includes strong sanctions for malpractice. This will apply to age verification technologies. Both services in-scope of online safety regulation and age verification providers must comply with data protection laws or face enforcement action from the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Many third party age verification solutions provide an anonymised yes/no answer to the question of whether a user is over 18. This can remove the need for a service to process a user’s personal data.

Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
14th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what progress has been made on implementing the recommendations of the Fan led Review of Football Governance; and if she will make a statement.

The final findings and recommendations of the Fan Led Review were published on 24 November 2021. The Government is working at pace to consider the recommendations, including those made on enhancing the existing owners’ and directors’ test, and to determine the most effective way to deliver an independent regulator.

The Secretary of State committed to Parliament on 3 March to bring forward our response as soon as possible. We will issue a formal response in the coming weeks.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
14th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to implement the (a) fit and proper persons test and (b) all other recommendations of the fan-led review of football published on 24 November 2021.

The final findings and recommendations of the Fan Led Review were published on 24 November 2021. The Government is working at pace to consider the recommendations, including those made on enhancing the existing owners’ and directors’ test, and to determine the most effective way to deliver an independent regulator.

The Secretary of State committed to Parliament on 3 March to bring forward our response as soon as possible. We will issue a formal response in the coming weeks.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
14th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to increase the number of swimming pools with public access in (a) Portsmouth, (b) the South East and (c) England.

We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to indoor and outdoor pools and that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy.

There are an estimated 4291 publicly accessible swimming pools in England, with 855 in the South East and 14 in Portsmouth.

Sport England have awarded £25,753,616 to swimming and diving projects since January 2017, which includes £16,149,002 of funding directly to Swim England. The responsibility of providing access to swimming pools lies at Local Authority level, and the government continues to encourage Local Authorities to invest in swimming facilities.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
14th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate she had made of the number of swimming pools with public access in (a) Portsmouth, (b) the South East and (c) England.

We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to indoor and outdoor pools and that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy.

There are an estimated 4291 publicly accessible swimming pools in England, with 855 in the South East and 14 in Portsmouth.

Sport England have awarded £25,753,616 to swimming and diving projects since January 2017, which includes £16,149,002 of funding directly to Swim England. The responsibility of providing access to swimming pools lies at Local Authority level, and the government continues to encourage Local Authorities to invest in swimming facilities.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
14th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the role local newspapers play in keeping residents informed on local planning decisions, including those who either (a) don’t use or (b) have access to the internet.

The government recognises the importance of local newspapers to communities and the continued need to reach out to people who cannot, or prefer not to, digitally access information. The government is also mindful of the potential impact that any changes to the existing publicity requirements for statutory notices, including planning notices, might have on transparency and local democracy, as well as the potential effect on the sustainability of the local newspaper industry.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
14th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the research commissioned by her Department from Plum Consulting, entitled Research into recent dynamics of the press sector in the UK and globally, published in May 2020, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the findings of that research on the impact of the decline of local press on the scrutiny of democratic functions.

Newspapers play an invaluable role in the fabric of our society. They remain uniquely placed to undertake the investigative journalism and scrutiny of public institutions, including local councils and our courts, that is vital to helping ensure a healthy democracy both nationally and at a local level.

The government commissioned Plum Consulting’s research to better understand the link between newspapers and democratic engagement, alongside wider sector trends, in doing so supporting policy development to ensure the sustainability of the sector. The findings of the research confirm the importance of a free press to our democracy, drawing a direct correlation between local newspaper provision and electoral turnout. It also provided a snapshot of which areas have strong or poor coverage from local newspapers.

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
18th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when her Department plans to announce awards from the third tranche round of the Culture Recovery Fund.

To date, a total of £1.2bn has been distributed through the Culture Recovery Fund, supporting around 5000 individual organisations and sites across England.

We will announce the organisations that will receive funding from the third round of the CRF in due course following the completion of Arm’s-Length Bodies’ application processes. Arm’s-Length Bodies have published target time-frames within which they hope to inform applicants.

It is important that, in spending taxpayers money, we do our due diligence to ensure it is being spent correctly.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
1st Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of funds from Round 1 of the Culture Recovery Fund have been dispersed.

As of 8/7/21, 89% by value of all Round 1 CRF awards (from the loans, resource grants and capital grants) have been paid to date.

Payments through the Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) are typically made in multiple tranches. Final payment is typically made at the very end of the grant period, once activities and costs have been reported.

In both rounds of the CRF revenue grants programme, DCMS has been able to give recipients the flexibility to extend the grant period. For CRF1 awardees, they have been able to extend until 30 June 2021, and for CRF2 awardees until 31 December 2021.

As such, a significant number of CRF 1 awardees have only very recently concluded the grant period.

In addition to the above, payment schedules can be impacted by a number of factors, such as the provision of bank details and activity reports from applicants, as well as assurance processes undertaken by distributing arms-length bodies, in order to ensure best use of tax-payers’ money.

21st May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what the clinical evidence is for the decision to not to allow amateur choral singing groups of more than six people to meet.

I know that the restrictions on singing are frustrating to large numbers of amateur choirs and performance groups across the country and that many people have made sacrifices in order to drive down infections and protect the NHS over the last year. I can assure you that everyone across the Government wants to ease these restrictions as soon as possible.

However, it is important that we take a cautious approach in easing restrictions. We have followed the views of public health experts on singing. We are aware, through the NERVTAG and PERFORM studies that singing can increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission through the spread of aerosol droplets. This was backed up by a consensus statement from SAGE, resulting in the suggested principles of safer singing being published.

We will continue to keep guidance and restrictions under review, in line with the changing situation. As set out in the roadmap, we hope to remove all legal limits on social contact at step 4. Further detail on step 4 will be set out as soon as possible.

21st May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what the clinical evidence was for the decision to lift the covid-19 social distancing restrictions on choral singing groups from 17 May 2021.

I know that the restrictions on singing are frustrating to large numbers of amateur choirs and performance groups across the country and that many people have made sacrifices in order to drive down infections and protect the NHS over the last year. I can assure you that everyone across the Government wants to ease these restrictions as soon as possible.

However, it is important that we take a cautious approach in easing restrictions. We have followed the views of public health experts on singing. We are aware, through the NERVTAG and PERFORM studies that singing can increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission through the spread of aerosol droplets. This was backed up by a consensus statement from SAGE, resulting in the suggested principles of safer singing being published.

We will continue to keep guidance and restrictions under review, in line with the changing situation. As set out in the roadmap, we hope to remove all legal limits on social contact at step 4. Further detail on step 4 will be set out as soon as possible.

18th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the provisions in the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement on tariff-free movement of equipment for TV and film production, what plans he has to facilitate the movement of live music and production equipment across the EU.

This Government understands that the cultural and creative sectors rely on the ability to move people across borders quickly, simply, and with minimal cost and administration.

Being outside the European Union does not change this. It does, however, mean practical changes on both sides of the Channel that will require understanding and adaptation. UK professionals are of course still able to tour and work in the EU, and vice versa.

Since 1 January 2021, customs processes apply to all movements of commercial and non-commercials goods between Great Britain and the EU. Both parties’ include similar legislative provisions on the customs procedures governing the temporary admission of goods, which would include musical instruments and professional equipment and reflects practice set out in relevant international conventions, including the ATA and Istanbul Conventions. Where musicians or other professionals move equipment to the EU temporarily, which means they intend to return this equipment to the UK afterwards, there are several options to avoid payment of import duties in the EU and on return to the UK, including via the use of ATA Carnets and the Temporary Admission procedure.

A carnet is not required for musicians with accompanied instruments or equipment (carried or taken with the individual in personal baggage or a vehicle) travelling between Great Britain and The EU.

The management of EU import and export procedures is the responsibility of the customs authorities of the Member States. It is important that businesses and individuals confirm the processes in advance of their journey.

We are working urgently across government and in collaboration with the music and wider creative industries, including through the touring working group, to help address these issues so that touring in Europe can resume with ease as soon as it is safe to do so.

14th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking with local authorities throughout the country to facilitate the reopening of parkrun events in the context of the covid-19 outbreak.

Government has prioritised the safe return of sport including team sports, contact combat sports and organised sports participation events. Organised outdoor sport, such as Parkrun, is exempt from legal gathering limits and can take place with any number of participants, as long as undertaken in line with published COVID-secure guidance. As such, Parkrun has been able to take place since 29 March as part of Step 1 of the government’s response to the Covid-19 Roadmap.

We are aware of issues at local levels around this, which is why I met with ParkRun on the 21 March to discuss the issues regarding their return. I am committed to supporting them to return as soon as possible.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
16th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what restrictions he plans to place on third party access to the data infrastructure contained in the proposed AQUIND subsea interconnector; and if he will make a statement.

The AQUIND subsea interconnector project is in the early planning stage. DCMS works with industry to manage the development of the UK’s submarine cable network including assessing and mitigating the physical, personnel, and cyber risks involved.

12th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if his Department will publish guidance on when busking and street performances can begin safely as covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Indoor and outdoor performance events with a socially distanced audience are permitted from Step 3 of the Government’s Roadmap (not before 17 May). Busking is permitted from Step 3.

Busking may involve attendees converging on and congregating in a site for a specific performance or activity, and may risk audiences gathering in an uncontrolled environment.

We will continue to work with stakeholders on reopening the live music sector, in line with the timetable set out in the Roadmap.

26th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many registrations his Department has received to the Film & TV Production Restart Scheme to date; how many claims have been made; and how much has been paid out on those claims.

The Government’s Film & TV Production Restart Scheme was launched on 16 October 2020 to provide support for production companies across the UK who would otherwise have been unable to film due to the lack of insurance covering covid-related risks.

There are now over 200 production companies registered to receive support from the scheme in the event of delay or disruption due to coronavirus. This means that the scheme is protecting over 22,000 jobs and over £780 million of production spend in the UK.

So far, over 50 claims have been made and these are being assessed. The scheme has now paid out on the initial claims.

9th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the effect of clubs in steps 4-6 of the National League on (a) mental wellbeing, (b) community projects, (c) economic prosperity and (d) other aspects of the local community.

Football clubs at all levels make a significant contribution to their local communities. National League clubs have demonstrated this more than ever throughout the pandemic, from delivering care packages for the vulnerable through to raising money for front-line charities, they are at the heart of their communities.

The Government therefore confirmed that Steps 3-6 of the National League System will receive up to £10 million of grant support from the Sports Winter Survival Package. This is being distributed at pace by the Football Foundation. This funding is designed to protect the immediate future of approximately 850 clubs over the winter period.

We also understand the importance of spectators to these clubs and have shown our commitment to getting fans back into stadia when infection rates are reduced. The Prime Minister is due to set out a roadmap to recovery in the week commencing 22 February.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
9th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what level of restrictions will be lifted for clubs in steps 4-6 in the National League to allow fan attendance after the covid-19 lockdown period.

Football clubs at all levels make a significant contribution to their local communities. National League clubs have demonstrated this more than ever throughout the pandemic, from delivering care packages for the vulnerable through to raising money for front-line charities, they are at the heart of their communities.

The Government therefore confirmed that Steps 3-6 of the National League System will receive up to £10 million of grant support from the Sports Winter Survival Package. This is being distributed at pace by the Football Foundation. This funding is designed to protect the immediate future of approximately 850 clubs over the winter period.

We also understand the importance of spectators to these clubs and have shown our commitment to getting fans back into stadia when infection rates are reduced. The Prime Minister is due to set out a roadmap to recovery in the week commencing 22 February.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
9th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the £10 million grant to National League clubs in steps 4-6 in supporting them through and beyond this lockdown period.

On 27th January 2021, the government confirmed that Steps 3-6 of the National League System will receive up to £10 million of grant support from the Sports Winter Survival Package. This is designed to protect the immediate future of approximately 850 clubs over the winter period. This support is being distributed at pace by the Football Foundation and is available with immediate effect.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
1st Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when his Department plans to publish its online Media Literacy Strategy.

As set out in the Full Government Response to the Online Harms White Paper Consultation, the Government is developing an Online Media Literacy Strategy which will be published in Spring 2021. The Strategy will explore the existing media literacy landscape and ensure a coordinated and strategic approach to media literacy education for children, young people, and adults.

1st Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which groups his Department (a) has consulted and (b) plans to consult to help determine the list of harms which will accompany the Online Safety Bill.

We have engaged with a broad range of stakeholders throughout the policy development process for the new online safety legislation, including with industry, civil society, academia and parliamentarians. This will continue to inform the scope of the regulatory framework, including categorisation of companies and harms they must address. We will continue to engage with a broad range of stakeholders as we develop online safety legislation.

1st Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what representations he has received on the use of (a) size and (b) risk as contributing factors in the categorisation of companies in the forthcoming Online Safety Bill; and if he will make a statement.

We have engaged with a broad range of stakeholders throughout the policy development process for the new online safety legislation, including with industry, civil society, academia and parliamentarians. This will continue to inform the scope of the regulatory framework, including categorisation of companies and harms they must address. We will continue to engage with a broad range of stakeholders as we develop online safety legislation.

23rd Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the (a) effect on transparency and local democracy of the statutory requirement to publicise planning applications in local newspapers and (b) potential effect on local newspaper revenue of discontinuing that requirement.

Local planning authorities are required to publicise certain types of planning applications in local newspapers as set out in Article 15 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015.

We are mindful of the potential impact that any changes to the requirements might have on transparency and local democracy, as well as the potential effect on local newspaper revenue. Indeed the independent Cairncross Review into the future of journalism found that statutory notices, including planning notices, provide an important strand of revenue for many local publishers and that their withdrawal would do serious damage to parts of the sector.

Proposals to reform publicity requirements are being considered through the “Planning for the Future” White Paper which aims to make it simpler, quicker and more accessible for local people to engage with the planning system using digital tools. We recognise the importance of local newspapers to communities and the continued need to reach out to people who cannot digitally access information. MHCLG is considering consultation responses and will publish a response in due course, and the impact on transparency and local democracy, as well as on local newspaper revenue will be considered before any decisions are taken.

John Whittingdale
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
23rd Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the perpetuation of negative stereotypes about people with Down syndrome in broadcast media on the qualify of life of those people.

The Government recognises the editorial and operational independence of broadcasters but believes the broadcasting sector should reflect and represent all parts of society.

Ofcom, as the UK’s independent TV and radio regulator, sets rules in its Broadcasting Code to ensure broadcasters provide adequate protection to members of the public from the inclusion of harmful and offensive material in programmes. Ofcom can investigate and determine whether a breach of the Code has occurred, for example if the broadcast of negative stereotypes of people with Down’s syndrome is so severe that there is the potential for harm to be caused to viewers.

John Whittingdale
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
12th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the level of (a) structural and (b) institutional racism within professional football.

Racism or any form of discrimination has no place in football or society.

The Government welcomed the launch of the Football Association’s ‘Football Leadership Diversity Code’ to ensure English football better represents our modern and diverse society.

There is still more to do, however, and the Government continues to liaise closely with the football authorities to tackle this issue.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
3rd Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing additional support and guidance to (a) gyms, (b) bowling alleys, (c) dance studios and (d) other sports facilities to ensure that people of all ages are able to have access to the services they need to maintain physical and mental wellbeing during the November 2020 covid-19 lockdown period in England.

Sports and physical activity providers and facilities are at the heart of our communities, and play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active.

Government has provided unprecedented support to businesses through tax reliefs, cash grants and employee wage support, which many sport clubs have benefited from. On 22 October, the Government announced a £100m support fund for local authority leisure centres. In addition, Sport England’s Community Emergency Fund has also provided £210 million directly to support community sport clubs and exercise centres through this pandemic.

We are continuing to work with organisations to understand what they need and how we may be able to support them.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
6th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of a specific job support scheme for the live events supply chain for the duration of the lockdown restrictions affecting that sector.

We appreciate the important role that the events and music industries play in the UK’s economy, and that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to these sectors.

We have not made any assessments around the development of a specific job support scheme for the live events supply chain. As you are aware, the Chancellor has announced the Winter Economy Plan to protect jobs and support businesses over the coming months, once the existing Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme come to end. From November, the Jobs Support Scheme will provide further support to returning workers, while the extended Self-Employed Income Support Scheme will aid the self-employed who are currently actively trading but are facing reduced demand.

We are also offering businesses who face a drop in demand for their services and possible cash flow issues generous terms for the repayment of deferred taxes and government-backed loans. We will give all businesses that borrowed under the Bounce Back Loan Scheme the option to repay their loan over a period of up to ten years. This will reduce their average monthly repayments on the loan by almost half. We also intend to allow CBILS lenders to extend the term of a loan up to ten years, providing additional flexibility for UK-based SMEs who may otherwise be unable to repay their loans.

In addition, the Secretary of State announced an unprecedented £1.57 billion support package for the cultural sector which will benefit the live music sector by providing support to music venues and many other cultural organisations to stay open and continue operating.

We continue to engage with the sector to discuss the on-going challenges facing the industry.

5th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of taking account of the outcomes of the fan-led review of governance when making decisions on the provision of financial support to football clubs.

Football clubs are the heart of local communities, they have unique social value and many with a great history. It is vital they are protected.

The Government is focusing its support on those in the sector most in need as a result of the decision not to readmit spectators to stadia from 1 October. We are working through the details and will set that support in due course.

In parallel, we also continue work on the fan-led review of football governance and are currently considering deciding the scope and structure of the review. Whilst any thorough review could not be concluded in advance of consideration of financial need as a result of a delay to the return of fans, I am clear that the governance and financing of football are intrinsically linked, and will have that in mind as both strands progress.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
1st Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of enabling the Sports Ground Safety Authority and respective external Safety Advisory Groups for each English Football League and National League club to make health and safety risk assessments in relation to enabling the return of fan-attended fixtures.

On 22 September it was announced that all sports pilot events currently ongoing would be paused with immediate effect, due to the sharp upward trajectory of Covid-19 cases nationally. A?s set out in our Roadmap, sports events pilots, and the full return of fans to stadia would only ever take place when it was safe to do so.

The Government will continue to work closely with the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA) and a whole range of sports to understand the latest thinking that might allow spectators to return. This includes the creation of a new Sports Technology Innovation Working Group of sporting bodies and health experts to analyse new technologies which might support this.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
1st Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make it his policy to introduce restrictions on financial support for football club owners that have been deemed to be profligate with their funds.

Football clubs form the bedrock of local communities. It is vital they are protected.

We have worked closely with football throughout the pandemic including getting the Premier League and English Football League back behind closed doors but we have been clear that we expect the game - where it can at the top tiers - to support itself. The Government will then focus our support on those in the sector most in need as a result of the October 1 decision.

We are working through the details and will set that support in the coming days.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
3rd Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to his statement at the daily press conference on 17 June, that all but five countries worldwide broadcast the restart of the Premier League on 17 June 2020, which five countries did not air the restart of the Premier League.

We understand from the Premier League that broadcast rights to their matches have been sold around the world, with only five countries not covered as of 17 June - Afghanistan, Cuba, North Korea, the Philippines and Turkmenistan.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
19th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if the Government will classify people working in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors as critical workers during the covid-19 outbreak.

The guidance published on GOV.UK specifies that ‘charity workers delivering key frontline services’ can be classified as critical workers during the covid-19 outbreak. However, the guidance also states that if children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.

John Whittingdale
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
6th Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to prevent library closures.

Local authorities in England have a statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. It is for individual local authorities to decide how best to provide a public library service that meets local needs within their available resources. The net expenditure on the library service by local authorities in England increased in 2018/19 from 2017/18.

DCMS works across central and local government to encourage investment in libraries to ensure they can continue to support the delivery of local and national priorities and needs. The DCMS funded Libraries Taskforce was established, by DCMS and the Local Government Association, to devise and implement the “Libraries Deliver” strategy which is helping support and reinvigorate the public library service in England. It has worked with sector partners to advocate for libraries and to share and promote good practice to help libraries better serve their communities.

In October 2019 DCMS also announced the £250 million Cultural Investment Fund, of which over £125 million will be invested in regional museums and libraries over five years from 2020/21. The funds will be used to upgrade buildings and technology so public libraries across England are better placed to respond to the changing ways people are using them.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
21st Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the real term changes in funding for schools in Portsmouth South constituency between 2023-24 and 2024-25 on a) educational attainment of pupils b) classroom sizes and c) classroom resources.

This government is committed to providing a world-class education system for all children and has invested significantly in education to achieve that.

Nationally, funding for both mainstream schools and high needs, including additional funding for teachers’ pay, is over £1.8 billion higher in 2024/25, compared to 2023/24. The overall core school budget will total over £59.6 billion in 2024/25. This is the highest ever in real terms per pupil.

Through the schools National Funding Formula (NFF), the department calculates and publishes notional funding allocations for each mainstream school. These are aggregated at local authority level and, following an update in pupil numbers, are used to calculate each local authority’s Dedicated School Grant (DSG) allocations. Each local authority then determines individual schools’ final funding allocations through their own local formula.

Through the 2023/24 notional NFF, schools in Portsmouth South are allocated an average £5,814 per pupil. Through the 2024/25 notional NFF, schools in Portsmouth South are allocated an average £6,135 per pupil. This is a cash increase of 2.0% compared to 2023/24. This increase is after taking into account the mainstream schools additional grant (MSAG), which the department has rolled into the schools NFF in 2024/25, to ensure that this additional funding forms an on-going part of schools’ core budgets.

These constituency figures are based on an aggregation of school-level allocations. Schools’ actual allocations are based on local authorities’ funding formulae.

The figures do not include the additional funding the department is providing through the Teachers Pay Additional Grant (TPAG). Nor do they include other grants, such as the Pupil Premium.

The government provides these increases to school revenue budgets so that schools can cover cost increases in the year ahead. However, schools have autonomy over their own spending and should use this to raise attainment as well as to manage their classroom resources.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
21st Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the real term change in average per pupil spending was in Portsmouth South constituency between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 financial years.

This government is committed to providing a world-class education system for all children and has invested significantly in education to achieve that.

Nationally, funding for both mainstream schools and high needs, including additional funding for teachers’ pay, is over £1.8 billion higher in 2024/25, compared to 2023/24. The overall core school budget will total over £59.6 billion in 2024/25. This is the highest ever in real terms per pupil.

Through the schools National Funding Formula (NFF), the department calculates and publishes notional funding allocations for each mainstream school. These are aggregated at local authority level and, following an update in pupil numbers, are used to calculate each local authority’s Dedicated School Grant (DSG) allocations. Each local authority then determines individual schools’ final funding allocations through their own local formula.

Through the 2023/24 notional NFF, schools in Portsmouth South are allocated an average £5,814 per pupil. Through the 2024/25 notional NFF, schools in Portsmouth South are allocated an average £6,135 per pupil. This is a cash increase of 2.0% compared to 2023/24. This increase is after taking into account the mainstream schools additional grant (MSAG), which the department has rolled into the schools NFF in 2024/25, to ensure that this additional funding forms an on-going part of schools’ core budgets.

These constituency figures are based on an aggregation of school-level allocations. Schools’ actual allocations are based on local authorities’ funding formulae.

The figures do not include the additional funding the department is providing through the Teachers Pay Additional Grant (TPAG). Nor do they include other grants, such as the Pupil Premium.

The government provides these increases to school revenue budgets so that schools can cover cost increases in the year ahead. However, schools have autonomy over their own spending and should use this to raise attainment as well as to manage their classroom resources.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of schools have not completed the Government survey on reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

It is the responsibility of those who run schools - academy trusts, Local Authorities and voluntary aided school bodies - to manage the safety and maintenance of their schools and to alert the department if there is a serious concern with a building. It has always been the case that where the department is made aware a building may pose an immediate risk, immediate action is taken.

All responsible bodies were requested to complete a questionnaire. We now have responses to these questionnaires for all of the schools with blocks built in the target era, of which there are 15,158.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
16th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has considered the potential merits of including in statutory guidance on relationships, sex and health education a requirement for pupils to be taught about the health risks associated with e-cigarettes and vapes.

On 1 June 2023, the Prime Minister announced an intervention which will take steps to prevent children obtaining e-cigarettes illegally. The Department is planning to include a specific reference to the dangers of e-cigarettes in the amended relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) curriculum.

The RSHE statutory guidance, which sets out the curriculum topics, already states that in primary and secondary school, pupils should be taught the facts about legal and illegal harmful substances and associated risks. This includes smoking, alcohol use, and drug taking. To support schools to deliver this content effectively, the Department published a suite of teacher training modules, including drugs, alcohol and tobacco, which makes specific reference to e-cigarettes.

In addition, drugs, alcohol and tobacco are taught in compulsory health education. This supplements drug education which is part of the National Curriculum for Key Stages 2 and 3 science.

Schools are required by law to have a behaviour policy that sets out what is expected of all pupils, including what items are banned from school premises. This should be communicated to all pupils, parents and school staff.

Schools have the autonomy to decide which items should be banned from their premises, and these can include e-cigarettes. Items banned by the school can be searched for as outlined in the department’s searching, screening and confiscation guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/searching-screening-and-confiscation.

The Department believes that this will help head teachers to manage the use of e-cigarettes on school premises and to inform young people about the risks, with a view to reducing the numbers of pupils who are currently using e-cigarettes, or who might be tempted to try it in the future.

19th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of pay for supply teachers employed through education recruitment agencies.

Schools have the freedom to make staffing decisions that meet their circumstances. This means schools, academies and Local Authorities are responsible for the recruitment of their workforces, including whether to use supply agencies for supply staff.

If a supply teacher is employed by a private employment agency, the agency can decide their salary. As this is a commercial arrangement between the school or Local Authority and the agency, the Department is unable to intervene in matters concerning the terms of their employment or their pay. Supply teachers are free to register with multiple agencies to find the best pay and conditions to meet their own circumstances.

Under the Agency Workers Regulations, an agency supply teacher is entitled to receive the same pay and conditions of employment as teachers employed by the school or the Local Authority after 12 weeks in the same role with the same school or Local Authority. Guidance on the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/agency-workers-regulations-2010-guidance-for-recruiters.

In August 2018, in conjunction with the Crown Commercial Service, the Department for Education launched the agency supply deal. The deal supports schools with getting value for money when hiring agency supply teachers and other temporary staff.

The deal has established a list of preferred suppliers that schools can access, all of which:

  • Will be transparent with schools about the rates they charge.
  • Will agree to not charge finder’s fees for workers who have been in post for 12 weeks, when four weeks’ notice is given.
  • Will conduct consistent, rigorous background screening checks in line with the Department’s statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’.
  • Will be accredited by an approved accreditation body, that will audit suppliers for compliance with robust recruitment principles and the terms of the framework.

Details of the deal can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers.

Education is a devolved matter, meaning the devolved administrations set their own policy on supply teacher pay and conditions.

19th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of teachers accredited by initial teacher training (ITT) providers in the academic years (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23 will be accredited to deliver ITT courses in academic year 2024-25.

The number of places and trainees changes each year. The table below shows the number of initial teacher training (ITT) providers and total new entrants to ITT over the past four years.

Year

Number of ITT providers

Total number of ITT new entrants

2019/20

237

33,799

2020/21

236

40,377

2021/22

234

36,159

2022/23

226

28,991

179 providers have been accredited to deliver reformed ITT from September 2024, following an accreditation process designed to drive up the quality and consistency of ITT leading to Qualified Teacher Status. This number includes 155 existing ITT providers. Together, these providers will cover all regions of the country. Where appropriate, the Department is encouraging accredited providers to consider partnering with those who were unsuccessful in gaining accreditation to bring together high-quality provision with local expertise, connections and experience.

The Department will continue to monitor the availability of provision across England to ensure that the ITT market is ready and able to deliver teacher training programmes in every part of the country from September 2024.

19th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had recent discussions with the Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education on the closure of Sir Frederick Gibberd College's main school building and sports hall block.

I continue to work closely with the trust and local authority to ensure all pupils at Sir Frederick Gibberd College receive an excellent education in a safe and secure environment.

All pupils have returned to face-to-face education, and we are working at pace to deliver long term solutions as soon as possible. I have had regular discussions with the Minister for the School System and Student Finance about the school, and with staff and department officials.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many days teachers of each subject have been absent from school in each year since 2019.

Information on the school workforce in England, including teacher absences due to sickness, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.

The Department collects information on teacher absences from state funded schools via the School Workforce Census. The number of working days lost due to absence are collected for sickness absence and pregnancy related absences only.

More information on teacher absences is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, accessible here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f5ba72da-be42-4d81-d365-08db81e98ab0. Further granularity, such as the type of sickness absence, is not centrally collected. The requested figures for absences by subject taught are not available.

4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the most common reasons were for teachers' absence from school in each year since 2019.

Information on the school workforce in England, including teacher absences due to sickness, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.

The Department collects information on teacher absences from state funded schools via the School Workforce Census. The number of working days lost due to absence are collected for sickness absence and pregnancy related absences only.

More information on teacher absences is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, accessible here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f5ba72da-be42-4d81-d365-08db81e98ab0. Further granularity, such as the type of sickness absence, is not centrally collected. The requested figures for absences by subject taught are not available.

4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many days teachers have been absent from school in each year since 2019.

Information on the school workforce in England, including teacher absences due to sickness, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.

The Department collects information on teacher absences from state funded schools via the School Workforce Census. The number of working days lost due to absence are collected for sickness absence and pregnancy related absences only.

More information on teacher absences is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, accessible here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f5ba72da-be42-4d81-d365-08db81e98ab0. Further granularity, such as the type of sickness absence, is not centrally collected. The requested figures for absences by subject taught are not available.

4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of schools recorded a sewage leak in each year since 2019.

Schools and their Responsible Bodies are not obliged to report leaks causing operational issues or temporary closure to the Department. Therefore, the Department does not hold the information requested.

These issues are often dealt with locally and, where applicable, using insurance providers.

4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of schools have taught classes in portacabin units in each year since 2019.

Nothing is more important than the safety of children and staff. It has always been the case that where we are made aware of a building that may pose an immediate risk, the Department takes immediate action. This Government has taken more proactive action on RAAC than any other in the UK.

The Department will fund emergency mitigation work needed to make buildings safe, including installing alternative classroom space where necessary. Where schools and colleges need additional help with revenue costs, like transport to locations or temporarily renting a local hall or office, the Department will provide that support for all reasonable requests. Longer-term refurbishment projects, or rebuilding projects will also be funded where these are needed, to rectify the RAAC issue in the long term.

It is the responsibility of those who run schools – academy trusts, Local Authorities, and voluntary aided school bodies – who work with their schools on a day to day basis, to manage the maintenance of their schools. These responsible bodies may deploy temporary buildings for a wide range of reasons, not all of which will relate to building or refurbishment works. In addition, most building and refurbishment works within education settings do not involve RAAC and will not require the involvement of the Department. The Department does not therefore hold information on the number of schools using temporary classrooms.

Where schools need to vacate buildings due to RAAC, they use a range of different types of accommodation including accommodation on and off site. On site accommodation can include semi rigid structures and temporary classrooms. Where temporary units and structures are required as a result of buildings having been vacated due to the confirmed presence of RAAC, the Department has increased the supply of these, working with three contractors to accelerate the installation of temporary units in particular. The Department has not, therefore, produced central estimates of the number of temporary classrooms required, however, we can confirm that we have secured significant capacity to meet current needs, and can increase this if necessary. Our focus is on working closely with individual settings to make sure they have workable plans for their individual circumstances and context. Based on the experience where RAAC assessed as critical was found, the Department expects the vast majority will be able to continue to provide face to face teaching without any disruption.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the number and proportion of schools that will teach classes in portacabin units in the 2023-24 academic year.

Nothing is more important than the safety of children and staff. It has always been the case that where we are made aware of a building that may pose an immediate risk, the Department takes immediate action. This Government has taken more proactive action on RAAC than any other in the UK.

The Department will fund emergency mitigation work needed to make buildings safe, including installing alternative classroom space where necessary. Where schools and colleges need additional help with revenue costs, like transport to locations or temporarily renting a local hall or office, the Department will provide that support for all reasonable requests. Longer-term refurbishment projects, or rebuilding projects will also be funded where these are needed, to rectify the RAAC issue in the long term.

It is the responsibility of those who run schools – academy trusts, Local Authorities, and voluntary aided school bodies – who work with their schools on a day to day basis, to manage the maintenance of their schools. These responsible bodies may deploy temporary buildings for a wide range of reasons, not all of which will relate to building or refurbishment works. In addition, most building and refurbishment works within education settings do not involve RAAC and will not require the involvement of the Department. The Department does not therefore hold information on the number of schools using temporary classrooms.

Where schools need to vacate buildings due to RAAC, they use a range of different types of accommodation including accommodation on and off site. On site accommodation can include semi rigid structures and temporary classrooms. Where temporary units and structures are required as a result of buildings having been vacated due to the confirmed presence of RAAC, the Department has increased the supply of these, working with three contractors to accelerate the installation of temporary units in particular. The Department has not, therefore, produced central estimates of the number of temporary classrooms required, however, we can confirm that we have secured significant capacity to meet current needs, and can increase this if necessary. Our focus is on working closely with individual settings to make sure they have workable plans for their individual circumstances and context. Based on the experience where RAAC assessed as critical was found, the Department expects the vast majority will be able to continue to provide face to face teaching without any disruption.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to provide additional funding to schools affected by the use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) for the cost of (a) hiring and (b) fitting temporary accommodation that is not on a school site.

Nothing is more important than the safety of children and staff. It has always been the case that where we are made aware of a building that may pose an immediate risk, the Department takes immediate action. This Government has taken more proactive action on RAAC than any other in the UK.

The Department will fund emergency mitigation work needed to make buildings safe, including installing alternative classroom space where necessary. Where schools and colleges need additional help with revenue costs, like transport to locations or temporarily renting a local hall or office, the Department will provide that support for all reasonable requests. Longer-term refurbishment projects, or rebuilding projects will also be funded where these are needed, to rectify the RAAC issue in the long term.

It is the responsibility of those who run schools – academy trusts, Local Authorities, and voluntary aided school bodies – who work with their schools on a day to day basis, to manage the maintenance of their schools. These responsible bodies may deploy temporary buildings for a wide range of reasons, not all of which will relate to building or refurbishment works. In addition, most building and refurbishment works within education settings do not involve RAAC and will not require the involvement of the Department. The Department does not therefore hold information on the number of schools using temporary classrooms.

Where schools need to vacate buildings due to RAAC, they use a range of different types of accommodation including accommodation on and off site. On site accommodation can include semi rigid structures and temporary classrooms. Where temporary units and structures are required as a result of buildings having been vacated due to the confirmed presence of RAAC, the Department has increased the supply of these, working with three contractors to accelerate the installation of temporary units in particular. The Department has not, therefore, produced central estimates of the number of temporary classrooms required, however, we can confirm that we have secured significant capacity to meet current needs, and can increase this if necessary. Our focus is on working closely with individual settings to make sure they have workable plans for their individual circumstances and context. Based on the experience where RAAC assessed as critical was found, the Department expects the vast majority will be able to continue to provide face to face teaching without any disruption.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to provide additional funding to schools affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) for the transport of pupils to temporary buildings.

Nothing is more important than the safety of children and staff. It has always been the case that where we are made aware of a building that may pose an immediate risk, the Department takes immediate action. This Government has taken more proactive action on RAAC than any other in the UK.

The Department will fund emergency mitigation work needed to make buildings safe, including installing alternative classroom space where necessary. Where schools and colleges need additional help with revenue costs, like transport to locations or temporarily renting a local hall or office, the Department will provide that support for all reasonable requests. Longer-term refurbishment projects, or rebuilding projects will also be funded where these are needed, to rectify the RAAC issue in the long term.

It is the responsibility of those who run schools – academy trusts, Local Authorities, and voluntary aided school bodies – who work with their schools on a day to day basis, to manage the maintenance of their schools. These responsible bodies may deploy temporary buildings for a wide range of reasons, not all of which will relate to building or refurbishment works. In addition, most building and refurbishment works within education settings do not involve RAAC and will not require the involvement of the Department. The Department does not therefore hold information on the number of schools using temporary classrooms.

Where schools need to vacate buildings due to RAAC, they use a range of different types of accommodation including accommodation on and off site. On site accommodation can include semi rigid structures and temporary classrooms. Where temporary units and structures are required as a result of buildings having been vacated due to the confirmed presence of RAAC, the Department has increased the supply of these, working with three contractors to accelerate the installation of temporary units in particular. The Department has not, therefore, produced central estimates of the number of temporary classrooms required, however, we can confirm that we have secured significant capacity to meet current needs, and can increase this if necessary. Our focus is on working closely with individual settings to make sure they have workable plans for their individual circumstances and context. Based on the experience where RAAC assessed as critical was found, the Department expects the vast majority will be able to continue to provide face to face teaching without any disruption.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made how many schools in addition to those already identified are affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

This Government has taken more proactive action on RAAC than any other in the UK. Nothing is more important than the safety of children and staff. It has always been the case that where we are made aware of a building that may pose an immediate risk, the Department takes immediate action. It is the responsibility of those who run schools – academy trusts, Local Authorities, and voluntary aided school bodies – who work with their schools on a day to day basis, to manage the safety and maintenance of their schools and to alert us if there is a concern with a building.

The Department is providing responsible bodies with a range of support to identify RAAC within their estates and ensure that the associated risks are mitigated.

The Department has issued repeated guidance since 2018 to all responsible bodies highlighting the potential risks associated with RAAC and supporting them to identify this within their buildings, as well as to take appropriate steps in meeting their obligations to keep buildings safe. Our most recent guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-estates-guidance.

There are over 22,000 schools and colleges in England, and the vast majority are unaffected. A significant proportion of the estate was built outside the period where RAAC was used, with around one third of the estate being built since 2001, therefore, the Department has focused efforts on buildings built in the post-war decades.

The Department issued a questionnaire in March 2022, asking responsible bodies to inform the Department of any suspected RAAC identified in their estates. Responsible bodies have submitted questionnaires for over 98% of schools with blocks built in the target era, of which there are 14,900. The Department is pressing all remaining schools to get checks completed, to determine which schools require surveys.

The Department has also published updated guidance to support settings where the presence of RAAC is confirmed. All schools where RAAC is confirmed are provided with a dedicated caseworker to support them and help implement a mitigation plan and minimise the disruption to children’s learning. This guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-guidance-for-responsible-bodies-and-education-settings-with-confirmed-raac.

Departments have been asked to report on the current picture of suspected and confirmed RAAC in their estates as soon as possible. The Government published lists of education settings confirmed as having RAAC on Wednesday 6 September and committed to providing further updates. The published list is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-raac-management-information.

On the question of timescales, our focus is on supporting schools and colleges to put in place suitable mitigations to minimise disruption to learning. The Department will fund emergency mitigation work needed to make buildings safe, including installing alternative classroom space where necessary. The Department will also fund longer term refurbishment projects, or rebuilding projects where these are needed, to rectify the RAAC issue in the long term. Where schools and colleges need additional help with revenue costs, like transport to locations or temporarily renting a local hall or office, the Department will provide that support for all reasonable requests. Longer-term refurbishment projects, or rebuilding projects will also be funded where these are needed, to rectify the RAAC issue in the long term.

All previously confirmed School Rebuilding Programme projects announced in 2021 and 2022 will continue to go ahead. A full list of confirmed projects can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-rebuilding-programme-schools-in-the-programme.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, in what year each school affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was built.

This Government has taken more proactive action on RAAC than any other in the UK. Nothing is more important than the safety of children and staff. It has always been the case that where we are made aware of a building that may pose an immediate risk, the Department takes immediate action. It is the responsibility of those who run schools – academy trusts, Local Authorities, and voluntary aided school bodies – who work with their schools on a day to day basis, to manage the safety and maintenance of their schools and to alert us if there is a concern with a building.

The Department is providing responsible bodies with a range of support to identify RAAC within their estates and ensure that the associated risks are mitigated.

The Department has issued repeated guidance since 2018 to all responsible bodies highlighting the potential risks associated with RAAC and supporting them to identify this within their buildings, as well as to take appropriate steps in meeting their obligations to keep buildings safe. Our most recent guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-estates-guidance.

There are over 22,000 schools and colleges in England, and the vast majority are unaffected. A significant proportion of the estate was built outside the period where RAAC was used, with around one third of the estate being built since 2001, therefore, the Department has focused efforts on buildings built in the post-war decades.

The Department issued a questionnaire in March 2022, asking responsible bodies to inform the Department of any suspected RAAC identified in their estates. Responsible bodies have submitted questionnaires for over 98% of schools with blocks built in the target era, of which there are 14,900. The Department is pressing all remaining schools to get checks completed, to determine which schools require surveys.

The Department has also published updated guidance to support settings where the presence of RAAC is confirmed. All schools where RAAC is confirmed are provided with a dedicated caseworker to support them and help implement a mitigation plan and minimise the disruption to children’s learning. This guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-guidance-for-responsible-bodies-and-education-settings-with-confirmed-raac.

Departments have been asked to report on the current picture of suspected and confirmed RAAC in their estates as soon as possible. The Government published lists of education settings confirmed as having RAAC on Wednesday 6 September and committed to providing further updates. The published list is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-raac-management-information.

On the question of timescales, our focus is on supporting schools and colleges to put in place suitable mitigations to minimise disruption to learning. The Department will fund emergency mitigation work needed to make buildings safe, including installing alternative classroom space where necessary. The Department will also fund longer term refurbishment projects, or rebuilding projects where these are needed, to rectify the RAAC issue in the long term. Where schools and colleges need additional help with revenue costs, like transport to locations or temporarily renting a local hall or office, the Department will provide that support for all reasonable requests. Longer-term refurbishment projects, or rebuilding projects will also be funded where these are needed, to rectify the RAAC issue in the long term.

All previously confirmed School Rebuilding Programme projects announced in 2021 and 2022 will continue to go ahead. A full list of confirmed projects can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-rebuilding-programme-schools-in-the-programme.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her planned timetable is for fixing all school buildings affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

This Government has taken more proactive action on RAAC than any other in the UK. Nothing is more important than the safety of children and staff. It has always been the case that where we are made aware of a building that may pose an immediate risk, the Department takes immediate action. It is the responsibility of those who run schools – academy trusts, Local Authorities, and voluntary aided school bodies – who work with their schools on a day to day basis, to manage the safety and maintenance of their schools and to alert us if there is a concern with a building.

The Department is providing responsible bodies with a range of support to identify RAAC within their estates and ensure that the associated risks are mitigated.

The Department has issued repeated guidance since 2018 to all responsible bodies highlighting the potential risks associated with RAAC and supporting them to identify this within their buildings, as well as to take appropriate steps in meeting their obligations to keep buildings safe. Our most recent guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-estates-guidance.

There are over 22,000 schools and colleges in England, and the vast majority are unaffected. A significant proportion of the estate was built outside the period where RAAC was used, with around one third of the estate being built since 2001, therefore, the Department has focused efforts on buildings built in the post-war decades.

The Department issued a questionnaire in March 2022, asking responsible bodies to inform the Department of any suspected RAAC identified in their estates. Responsible bodies have submitted questionnaires for over 98% of schools with blocks built in the target era, of which there are 14,900. The Department is pressing all remaining schools to get checks completed, to determine which schools require surveys.

The Department has also published updated guidance to support settings where the presence of RAAC is confirmed. All schools where RAAC is confirmed are provided with a dedicated caseworker to support them and help implement a mitigation plan and minimise the disruption to children’s learning. This guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-guidance-for-responsible-bodies-and-education-settings-with-confirmed-raac.

Departments have been asked to report on the current picture of suspected and confirmed RAAC in their estates as soon as possible. The Government published lists of education settings confirmed as having RAAC on Wednesday 6 September and committed to providing further updates. The published list is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-raac-management-information.

On the question of timescales, our focus is on supporting schools and colleges to put in place suitable mitigations to minimise disruption to learning. The Department will fund emergency mitigation work needed to make buildings safe, including installing alternative classroom space where necessary. The Department will also fund longer term refurbishment projects, or rebuilding projects where these are needed, to rectify the RAAC issue in the long term. Where schools and colleges need additional help with revenue costs, like transport to locations or temporarily renting a local hall or office, the Department will provide that support for all reasonable requests. Longer-term refurbishment projects, or rebuilding projects will also be funded where these are needed, to rectify the RAAC issue in the long term.

All previously confirmed School Rebuilding Programme projects announced in 2021 and 2022 will continue to go ahead. A full list of confirmed projects can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-rebuilding-programme-schools-in-the-programme.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support schools that have been affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

This Government has taken more proactive action on RAAC than any other in the UK. Nothing is more important than the safety of children and staff. It has always been the case that where we are made aware of a building that may pose an immediate risk, the Department takes immediate action. It is the responsibility of those who run schools – academy trusts, Local Authorities, and voluntary aided school bodies – who work with their schools on a day to day basis, to manage the safety and maintenance of their schools and to alert us if there is a concern with a building.

The Department is providing responsible bodies with a range of support to identify RAAC within their estates and ensure that the associated risks are mitigated.

The Department has issued repeated guidance since 2018 to all responsible bodies highlighting the potential risks associated with RAAC and supporting them to identify this within their buildings, as well as to take appropriate steps in meeting their obligations to keep buildings safe. Our most recent guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-estates-guidance.

There are over 22,000 schools and colleges in England, and the vast majority are unaffected. A significant proportion of the estate was built outside the period where RAAC was used, with around one third of the estate being built since 2001, therefore, the Department has focused efforts on buildings built in the post-war decades.

The Department issued a questionnaire in March 2022, asking responsible bodies to inform the Department of any suspected RAAC identified in their estates. Responsible bodies have submitted questionnaires for over 98% of schools with blocks built in the target era, of which there are 14,900. The Department is pressing all remaining schools to get checks completed, to determine which schools require surveys.

The Department has also published updated guidance to support settings where the presence of RAAC is confirmed. All schools where RAAC is confirmed are provided with a dedicated caseworker to support them and help implement a mitigation plan and minimise the disruption to children’s learning. This guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-guidance-for-responsible-bodies-and-education-settings-with-confirmed-raac.

Departments have been asked to report on the current picture of suspected and confirmed RAAC in their estates as soon as possible. The Government published lists of education settings confirmed as having RAAC on Wednesday 6 September and committed to providing further updates. The published list is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-raac-management-information.

On the question of timescales, our focus is on supporting schools and colleges to put in place suitable mitigations to minimise disruption to learning. The Department will fund emergency mitigation work needed to make buildings safe, including installing alternative classroom space where necessary. The Department will also fund longer term refurbishment projects, or rebuilding projects where these are needed, to rectify the RAAC issue in the long term. Where schools and colleges need additional help with revenue costs, like transport to locations or temporarily renting a local hall or office, the Department will provide that support for all reasonable requests. Longer-term refurbishment projects, or rebuilding projects will also be funded where these are needed, to rectify the RAAC issue in the long term.

All previously confirmed School Rebuilding Programme projects announced in 2021 and 2022 will continue to go ahead. A full list of confirmed projects can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-rebuilding-programme-schools-in-the-programme.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to publish a list of schools affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

Departments have been asked to report on the current picture of suspected and confirmed RAAC in their estates as soon as possible. This will be updated on a regular basis as new buildings are identified and surveying and remediation are carried out.

The Government published lists of education settings confirmed as having RAAC on Wednesday 6 September, and committed to providing further updates.

4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which Minister in her Department is responsible for school building safety.

The Minister in the Department for Education who is responsible for school building safety is Baroness Barran.

4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the cost to the public purse has been of school building repairs in each year since 2019.

It is the responsibility of those who run schools - academy trusts, Local Authorities and voluntary aided school bodies - to manage the safety and maintenance of their schools and to alert the Department if there is a serious concern with a building. It has always been the case that where the Department is made aware of a building that may pose an immediate risk, immediate action is taken.

The Department will spend what it takes to keep children safe. This includes paying for the emergency mitigation work needed to make buildings safe, including alternative classroom space where necessary, and supporting schools with remedial works – this is the Department’s immediate focus. Where schools need additional help with revenue costs like transport to other locations, the Department is actively engaging with every school affected to put appropriate support in place. The Department expects to fund all reasonable revenue costs related to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). It will also fund refurbishment projects, or rebuilding projects where needed, to rectify RAAC for the long term.

The Department is providing funding to improve the condition of the school estate, with over £15 billion allocated since 2015, including £1.8 billion committed for 2023/24. This funding is informed by consistent data on the condition of the estate. On top of this, the Department will transform 500 schools through its School Rebuilding Programme, prioritising buildings in the poorest condition and those with evidence of potential safety issues.

Local authorities, larger multi academy trusts and larger voluntary aided school bodies are eligible to receive an annual School Condition Allocation (SCA) for maintaining and improving the condition of the schools for which they are responsible. Small and standalone academy trusts, small voluntary aided school bodies and sixth-form colleges are instead able to bid into the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) each year for specific capital projects to improve the condition of their buildings. Further details are available at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/condition-improvement-fund. Schools also receive Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) each year to spend on small capital projects or contribute to larger projects. As part of the overall condition funding allocated, the Department has provided one off allocations in some years. This includes £560 million in 2020/21 allocated through SCA and CIF, as well as £447 million allocated in 2022/23 to improve buildings prioritising energy efficiency.

Details of SCA and DFC, as well as overall funding for the Condition Improvement Fund, for the current financial year are available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-capital-funding#funding-allocations-for-the-2022-to-2023-financial-year; and for previous years, including one off allocations, at: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/*/https:/www.gov.uk/government/publications/capital-allocations.

The figures do not include capital funding for the Department’s rebuilding programmes, which are delivering rebuilt and refurbished school buildings across the country.

4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department's surveys of school buildings are visual inspections.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

4th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of schools have not yet completed the Government survey on reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

20th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers were recruited in (a) Portsmouth South and (b) Portsmouth North constituency in each academic year since 2019-20.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers in state funded schools in England, which is an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This is the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

The requested figures for teachers joining and leaving service by parliamentary constituency are not available.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number and characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, working pattern and post) of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.

Figures for 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified from the November 2023 census.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

20th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers in schools Mid Bedfordshire constituency were recruited in the academic years (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers in state funded schools in England, which is an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This is the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

The requested figures for teachers joining and leaving service by parliamentary constituency are not available.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number and characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, working pattern and post) of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.

Figures for 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified from the November 2023 census.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

20th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers in schools in Mid Bedfordshire constituency left the profession in the academic years (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers in state funded schools in England, which is an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This is the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

The requested figures for teachers joining and leaving service by parliamentary constituency are not available.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number and characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, working pattern and post) of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.

Figures for 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified from the November 2023 census.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

20th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many careers advisors were working in schools in the (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23 academic years.

Secondary schools are responsible for making sure their pupils receive independent careers guidance. The Department’s statutory guidance is clear that every pupil should have opportunities for personal guidance interviews with a qualified careers adviser whenever significant study or career choices are being made. The Government’s expectation is that every pupil should have at least one such interview by the age of 16, and the opportunity for a further interview by the age of 18.

The figures in the school workforce census do not represent the total number of careers advisers, since many schools and colleges commission the services of an external, qualified careers professional. Schools are encouraged to search for qualified careers practitioners in their area on the UK Register of Career Development Professionals. As of May 2022, there were approximately 1,800 careers professionals on the register.

The Careers & Enterprise Company also connects schools and colleges with employers to provide meaningful encounters with the world of work for young people. One way they do this is through their Enterprise Adviser Network, which is an integral part of the Careers Hub Network. Enterprise Advisers commit around one day per month to work with individual schools or colleges to help unlock relationships with other local businesses and provide strategic guidance to develop their careers plan.

In addition to the careers advice offered through their school or college, pupils can also access careers information, advice and guidance through the National Careers Service, which is accessible for those aged 13 and over. Pupils can access web chat and one to one guidance via the phone service.

Information on the state funded school workforce in England, including the number of staff and subjects taught, is published in the annual ‘School workforce in England’ national statistics release, which is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.

20th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many full-time equivalent mental health professionals were working in schools in the (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23 academic years.

The requested information on mental health professionals working in schools is not collected centrally.

The department collects information on staff working in state funded schools via the annual School Workforce Census but does not directly identify mental health professionals. The results are published in the annual ‘School Workforce in England’ national statistics release, accessible at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.

The mental health of children and young people is a government priority. To expand access to early mental health support, the department is working with NHS England to increase the number of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) working with schools and colleges. These teams include trained professionals who can offer support to children experiencing common mental health problems and liaise with external specialist services to help pupils get the right support. As of April 2023, MHSTs covered 35% of pupils in schools and learners in further education in England. A further 100 teams are expected to be operational by April 2024, when MHSTs will cover an estimated 44% of pupils and learners.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
20th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department is taking steps to encourage the use of artificial intelligence in schools.

The Department recognises that technology, when used appropriately, including artificial intelligence (AI), has the potential to reduce workload. The Department wants to capitalise on the opportunities it presents for education as well as addressing the risks and challenges.

On 29 March 2023, the Department published a position statement on the use of generative AI in education following open access to tools such as ChatGPT, Google Bard and others, recognising that these tools are already being used in education. The Department ran a call for evidence to gather the experiences and expertise across education, to support continued evidence generation and identify where further work is required. The call for evidence closed on 23 August 2023 and the findings will be published in November 2023.

The Department is commissioning a project to better understand and test possible uses for generative AI in education, based on responses to the call for evidence to explore, for example, whether it can be used for marking and feedback. This project will help us to build a robust evidence base to inform future policy and to further explore the opportunities this technology presents. It will involve AI experts and educators. The Department intends to publish the findings of this project in Spring 2024.

20th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what percentage of pupils taking A-Levels received the grades A* to E and U in each subject by each region of England in each academic year since 2019.

The data in the attached table provided covers A levels entered by pupils aged 16 to 18 in state funded schools and colleges in England for each academic year since 2018/19. Figures are broken down by each Government Office Region and by subject. The proportion achieving grades A* to E and U within each is shown.

The number of A level awards and grades, and the proportion awarded at grade A* to E is published in the ‘A level and other 16 to 18 results’ statistical release. The proportion awarded grade U in each subject was calculated by dividing those numbers by the total number of A level entries in that subject.

Due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the summer examination series was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021. Alternative processes were set up to award grades. A level examinations returned in 2022 and adaptations were made, such as providing advance information. The approach to grading for 2022 examinations broadly reflected a midpoint between results in 2019 and 2021.

20th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the uptake of National Professional Qualifications.

National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) provide teachers and head teachers with access to high quality professional development

A total of 63,454 teachers and head teachers have started a fully funded NPQ since the reformed suite of NPQs was introduced in autumn 2021. This equates to around 11% of the school workforce having started an NPQ in two academic years.

NPQ take up increased by 20% from the 2021/22 academic year to the 2022/23 academic year, significantly increasing the number of teachers and head teachers engaging in high quality evidence based continuing professional development. The latest publication on NPQ take up is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/teacher-and-leader-development-ecf-and-npqs-2022.

Emerging findings, reported by current NPQ participants, suggest the courses are having a positive effect on classroom practice and school wide strategies. The emerging findings are available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1131108/Emerging_findings_from_the_evaluation_of_National_Professional_Qualifications_Interim_report_1.pdf.

20th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what percentage of pupils taking GCSEs received the grades 9 to 1 in each subject in each region of England in each academic year since the introduction of that grading system.

This information can be found in the attached file, alongside accompanying footnotes including information on the comparability of data during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This data covers attainment in state funded schools in the 2018/19 to 2021/22 academic years. The data is based on the number of entries for each subject, as opposed to the specific number of pupils although due to discounting rules, these tend to be very similar.

19th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of pupils taking T-Levels received each grade in each academic year since the introduction of those exams.

The number and proportion of students in receipt of T Level results and grades for 2021/22 (revised data) and 2022/23 (provisional data) are available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/cc5ab632-b444-4218-cdff-08db9969b0eb.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
19th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department issues to head teachers on tackling absenteeism among pupils in schools.

The Department is implementing a comprehensive strategy to tackle absenteeism among pupils in school. This includes publishing new guidance in September 2022. The guidance is for all school and academy trust staff, including head teachers and governors, in addition to Local Authority attendance staff and local partners. The guidance can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1099677/Working_together_to_improve_school_attendance.pdf.

The guidance includes the expectation that schools work with Local Authority attendance staff and local partners to monitor attendance patterns to identify problems early and facilitate targeted, multi agency support where needed. This is intended to improve the consistency of support offered to pupils and families. To help schools track attendance trends the Department has developed a pupil attendance data tool for schools, trusts, and Local Authorities.

Following publication of the new guidance, the Department worked with high performing schools, trusts and Local Authorities to run a series of effective training webinars to embed good practice and improve attendance. The Department will continue to make support available for all schools and their headteachers in the form of good practice sharing and case studies.

The Department recently published additional guidance on supporting attendance where mental health and wellbeing is a barrier, including examples of effective practice and support, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-issues-affecting-a-pupils-attendance-guidance-for-schools.

19th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of pupils taking A-Levels received each grade in each academic year since 2019.

The number of A levels entered by students aged 16-18 in England, and the grades awarded since the 2018/19 academic year are set out in the following table:

Grade

Number

Proportion

2018/19

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

2018/19

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

A*

57,733

102,624

141,457

114,351

7.9%

14.4%

19.1%

14.8%

A

129,611

171,431

187,520

166,876

17.8%

24.1%

25.3%

21.6%

B

188,454

194,135

188,995

201,556

25.9%

27.3%

25.5%

26.1%

C

175,557

155,674

136,531

152,203

24.1%

21.9%

18.4%

19.7%

D

109,776

65,340

59,089

85,525

15.1%

9.2%

8.0%

11.1%

E

48,104

20,015

23,629

37,771

6.6%

2.8%

3.2%

4.9%

U

16,577

1,737

3,548

11,197

2.3%

0.2%

0.5%

1.4%

Total entries1

727,415

712,171

741,826

772,541

  1. Examination entries are for the academic year stated, after discounting. Total entries includes pending awards

The number of A level awards and grades is published in the ‘A level and other 16 to 18 results’ statistical release. The proportions are calculated as those numbers divided by total A level entries.

Due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the summer examination series was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021. Alternative processes were set up to award grades (Centre Assessment Grades in 2020, Teacher Assessed Grades in 2021). A level examinations returned in 2022 and adaptations were made, such as providing advance information. The approach to grading for 2022 examinations broadly reflected a midpoint between results in 2019 and 2021.

Examinations and assessments for AS level, A level and vocational and technical qualifications returned to pre-pandemic arrangements in 2023. Ofqual set out that grading will include an allowance for disruption so that overall results will be similar to those of 2019. So where national performance is found to be lower than it was prior to the pandemic, senior examiners will make allowances when setting grade boundaries.

18th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding has been allocated to each priority education investment area to improve school attendance.

Funding for the 24 Priority Education Investment Areas (PEIAs) has been agreed and announced. Details have been published and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-investment-areas/local-needs-fund.

The Local Needs Fund is providing up to £42 million in PEIAs to fund bespoke interventions to improve attainment at Key Stages 2 and 4. Where poor attendance has been identified as a key factor in an area, initiatives will be funded to address this. Because the mix of initiatives funded in each area reflects local need, the funding allocated to attendance projects will vary. Some projects have begun, and the remainder will commence during the rest of the calendar year. The Department will publish further details of the funding allocations for different initiatives once all the necessary grant agreements are in place.

Alongside area initiatives funded through the Local Needs Fund, PEIAs are also benefitting from the Department’s wider strategy for improving attendance. The Department has published guidance setting out how it expects schools, trusts, and Local Authorities to work together to improve attendance. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance.

The Department has employed expert attendance advisers who are playing an important role, working closely with Local Authorities and some multi academy trusts with higher levels of persistent absence to review their current practice and support them to develop plans to improve. Every Local Authority in a PEIA has been prioritised for this support.

Earlier this academic year, the Department launched a £2.32 million attendance mentoring pilot to deliver intensive one to one support to a group of persistently and severely absent pupils. The pilot will run for three years and will support a total of 1,665 pupils in five PEIAs (Middlesbrough, Knowsley, Doncaster, Stoke-on-Trent and Salford) with significant absence challenges. The findings from this pilot should enable schools, trusts, and Local Authorities to address persistent and severe absence more effectively.

The Department has also established an alliance of national leaders from education, children’s social care and other relevant services to work together to raise school attendance and reduce persistent absence. Several PEIAs are piloting similar local alliances to share best practice and address specific area wide challenges.

18th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools in England are currently operating in temporary buildings.

The safety of pupils and staff is vital. It is the responsibility of those who run schools, including Academy Trusts, Local Authorities and Voluntary Aided School Bodies, to manage the maintenance of their schools and alert the Department if there is a concern with a building. Local Authorities and Academy Trusts do not need to report to the Department if they are operating from temporary buildings, but the Department provides support on a case by case basis as necessary. This includes when schools have closed part or all of the site for a period of time. In most cases this is for a number of days as opposed to a longer closure. The number of schools this has applied to is changing regularly with ongoing activity to mitigate the effect, including minimising any short term influence on education. Where the Department is aware of the use of temporary buildings it works with responsible bodies to understand the effect of this, including costs.

The Department uses temporary buildings on school sites for short periods of time in centrally delivered school building programmes, and this is planned carefully to ensure disruption to education is minimised.

The Department provides support to schools and responsible bodies and has allocated over £15 billion since 2015 to keep schools safe and operational. This includes £1.8 billion committed this financial year, informed by consistent data on the school estate. In addition, the Department’s School Rebuilding Programme will transform 500 schools over the next decade, prioritising schools in poor condition.

18th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an estimate of the cost to schools transport to and from temporary school buildings.

The safety of pupils and staff is vital. It is the responsibility of those who run schools, including Academy Trusts, Local Authorities and Voluntary Aided School Bodies, to manage the maintenance of their schools and alert the Department if there is a concern with a building. Local Authorities and Academy Trusts do not need to report to the Department if they are operating from temporary buildings, but the Department provides support on a case by case basis as necessary. This includes when schools have closed part or all of the site for a period of time. In most cases this is for a number of days as opposed to a longer closure. The number of schools this has applied to is changing regularly with ongoing activity to mitigate the effect, including minimising any short term influence on education. Where the Department is aware of the use of temporary buildings it works with responsible bodies to understand the effect of this, including costs.

The Department uses temporary buildings on school sites for short periods of time in centrally delivered school building programmes, and this is planned carefully to ensure disruption to education is minimised.

The Department provides support to schools and responsible bodies and has allocated over £15 billion since 2015 to keep schools safe and operational. This includes £1.8 billion committed this financial year, informed by consistent data on the school estate. In addition, the Department’s School Rebuilding Programme will transform 500 schools over the next decade, prioritising schools in poor condition.

18th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her Department's total underspend was in each financial year since 2019-20.

The Department’s expenditure is published each year in the Annual Report and Accounts and is available on GOV.UK.

18th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which underspends in her Department's budget will be used to fund the school teacher pay award.

The Government has accepted the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) recommendations for 2023/24 Teacher Pay Awards in full. This means that teachers and head teachers in maintained schools will receive an increase of at least 6.5%, the highest STRB award in three decades. The Department will be providing an additional £525 million of funding in the 2023/24 financial year, and £900 million in 2024/25, and as the unions have agreed, this means that the award is properly funded.

Although the Department will have to make difficult decisions, all frontline services will be protected. Funding for early years, SEND, school conditions and core school and college budgets are fully protected. To help fund the pay award, the Secretary of State has secured exceptional permission from the Treasury to keep money where there have been or will be underspends, which in normal years would have to be returned to Treasury.

17th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what funding was allocated to local authorities through the National Funding Formula in the 2022-23 academic year.

The Government is committed to providing a world class education system for all pupils and has provided significant funding to achieve that.

The National Funding Formula (NFF) allocates funding to Local Authorities on a financial year basis. Through the 2022/23 schools NFF, Local Authorities were notionally allocated £40.1 billion in funding. This included funding for both academies and maintained mainstream schools. Out of this £40.1 billion, £22.8 billion was allocated by reference to academies. In making allocations, the NFF does not distinguish between academies and maintained schools, and the proportion of the total funding allocated by reference to academies was therefore determined by the number and characteristics of the pupils who attend academies.

Alongside the schools NFF, Local Authorities were also allocated £9 billion for high needs. Local Authorities use their high needs funding to provide the costs of special schools, both academy and maintained special schools, and the costs of special educational needs top up funding to mainstream schools, both academy and maintained.

17th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what funding was allocated to multi-academy trusts through the National Funding Formula in the 2022-23 academic year

The Government is committed to providing a world class education system for all pupils and has provided significant funding to achieve that.

The National Funding Formula (NFF) allocates funding to Local Authorities on a financial year basis. Through the 2022/23 schools NFF, Local Authorities were notionally allocated £40.1 billion in funding. This included funding for both academies and maintained mainstream schools. Out of this £40.1 billion, £22.8 billion was allocated by reference to academies. In making allocations, the NFF does not distinguish between academies and maintained schools, and the proportion of the total funding allocated by reference to academies was therefore determined by the number and characteristics of the pupils who attend academies.

Alongside the schools NFF, Local Authorities were also allocated £9 billion for high needs. Local Authorities use their high needs funding to provide the costs of special schools, both academy and maintained special schools, and the costs of special educational needs top up funding to mainstream schools, both academy and maintained.

17th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate of the number of schools that deliver a school week of less than 32.5 hours.

The Department’s review of time in schools found that the average mainstream school day is 6 hours and 30 minutes, which equates to a 32.5 hour week. This data draws on the COVID-19 school snapshot panel findings from a survey conducted in July 2021.The review can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-time-in-school-and-16-to-19-settings.

17th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department has taken to improve children's oracy skills in Portsmouth South constituency.

Spoken language is a key part of the knowledge rich curriculum and is taught from early years to GCSE level. The Department recognises the importance of spoken language which is already part of the English National Curriculum. The GCSE English Language qualification ensures that pupils are able to listen to and understand spoken language and use spoken standard English effectively.

The Department is also providing up to £17 million of funding for the Nuffield Early Language Intervention to improve the language skills of reception age pupils who need it most following the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Department has secured over £28 million to support the speech and language of three and four year olds. This will be delivered through the new family hubs network.

On 11 July 2023, the Department published the updated Reading Framework which outlines how vitally important talking is to reading and how teachers can support all pupils to express their ideas confidently. The £60 million English Hubs Programme, launched in 2018, is dedicated to improving the teaching of reading with a focus on phonics, early language development and reading for pleasure. Since its launch, the English Hubs Programme has provided appropriate and targeted support to several thousand schools.

Portsmouth’s local English Hub, Springhill English Hub, is working hard to engage and support primary schools across Portsmouth to improve the teaching of phonics, including offering showcase events especially for Portsmouth schools. The Hub has supported four schools in the city, with another six expected to become partner schools in September 2023.

17th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers in schools in the (a) South West, (b) London and (c) East of England left the profession in each academic year since 2019-20.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) in state funded schools in England, which is an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number and characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, working pattern and post) of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england. Information for entrants by age, type and academic year is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/295abd8b-e85d-478f-1bad-08db839d58e2.

The table attached provides the latest data for academic years 2010/11 to 2021/22 of the FTE number of qualified teachers leaving and the leaving rate, from state funded school, by region. For consistency with previously provided information, entrants numbers and rates have also been provided. Figures for 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified by their absence from the November 2023 census.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

17th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers in schools in the East of England left the profession in each academic year since 2019-20.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) in state funded schools in England, which is an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number and characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, working pattern and post) of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england. Information for entrants by age, type and academic year is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/295abd8b-e85d-478f-1bad-08db839d58e2.

The table attached provides the latest data for academic years 2010/11 to 2021/22 of the FTE number of qualified teachers leaving and the leaving rate, from state funded school, by region. For consistency with previously provided information, entrants numbers and rates have also been provided. Figures for 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified by their absence from the November 2023 census.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

17th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers in schools in the South East left the profession in each academic year since 2019-20.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) in state funded schools in England, which is an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number and characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, working pattern and post) of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england. Information for entrants by age, type and academic year is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/295abd8b-e85d-478f-1bad-08db839d58e2.

The table attached provides the latest data for academic years 2010/11 to 2021/22 of the FTE number of qualified teachers leaving and the leaving rate, from state funded school, by region. For consistency with previously provided information, entrants numbers and rates have also been provided. Figures for 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified by their absence from the November 2023 census.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

17th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers in schools in the West Midlands left the profession in each academic year since 2019-20.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) in state funded schools in England, which is an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number and characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, working pattern and post) of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england. Information for entrants by age, type and academic year is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/295abd8b-e85d-478f-1bad-08db839d58e2.

The table attached provides the latest data for academic years 2010/11 to 2021/22 of the FTE number of qualified teachers leaving and the leaving rate, from state funded school, by region. For consistency with previously provided information, entrants numbers and rates have also been provided. Figures for 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified by their absence from the November 2023 census.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

17th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate of the number of teachers that left the profession in the East Midlands in each academic year since 2019-20.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) in state funded schools in England, which is an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number and characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, working pattern and post) of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england. Information for entrants by age, type and academic year is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/295abd8b-e85d-478f-1bad-08db839d58e2.

The table attached provides the latest data for academic years 2010/11 to 2021/22 of the FTE number of qualified teachers leaving and the leaving rate, from state funded school, by region. For consistency with previously provided information, entrants numbers and rates have also been provided. Figures for 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified by their absence from the November 2023 census.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

17th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate of the number of teachers that left the profession in Yorkshire and the Humber in each academic year since 2019-20.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) in state funded schools in England, which is an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number and characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, working pattern and post) of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england. Information for entrants by age, type and academic year is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/295abd8b-e85d-478f-1bad-08db839d58e2.

The table attached provides the latest data for academic years 2010/11 to 2021/22 of the FTE number of qualified teachers leaving and the leaving rate, from state funded school, by region. For consistency with previously provided information, entrants numbers and rates have also been provided. Figures for 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified by their absence from the November 2023 census.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

17th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers over the age of 30 (a) joined and (b) re-joined the profession in each academic year since 2019-20.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) in state funded schools in England, which is an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number and characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, working pattern and post) of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england. Information for entrants by age, type and academic year is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/295abd8b-e85d-478f-1bad-08db839d58e2.

The table attached provides the latest data for academic years 2010/11 to 2021/22 of the FTE number of qualified teachers leaving and the leaving rate, from state funded school, by region. For consistency with previously provided information, entrants numbers and rates have also been provided. Figures for 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified by their absence from the November 2023 census.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

17th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers over the age of 60 (a) joined and (b) re-joined the profession in each academic year since 2019-20.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) in state funded schools in England, which is an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number and characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, working pattern and post) of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england. Information for entrants by age, type and academic year is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/295abd8b-e85d-478f-1bad-08db839d58e2.

The table attached provides the latest data for academic years 2010/11 to 2021/22 of the FTE number of qualified teachers leaving and the leaving rate, from state funded school, by region. For consistency with previously provided information, entrants numbers and rates have also been provided. Figures for 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified by their absence from the November 2023 census.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

17th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers over the age of 40 (a) joined and (b) re-joined the profession in each academic year since 2019-20.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) in state funded schools in England, which is an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number and characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, working pattern and post) of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england. Information for entrants by age, type and academic year is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/295abd8b-e85d-478f-1bad-08db839d58e2.

The table attached provides the latest data for academic years 2010/11 to 2021/22 of the FTE number of qualified teachers leaving and the leaving rate, from state funded school, by region. For consistency with previously provided information, entrants numbers and rates have also been provided. Figures for 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified by their absence from the November 2023 census.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

17th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers over the age of 50 (a) joined and (b) re-joined the profession in each academic year since 2019-20.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) in state funded schools in England, which is an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number and characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, working pattern and post) of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england. Information for entrants by age, type and academic year is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/295abd8b-e85d-478f-1bad-08db839d58e2.

The table attached provides the latest data for academic years 2010/11 to 2021/22 of the FTE number of qualified teachers leaving and the leaving rate, from state funded school, by region. For consistency with previously provided information, entrants numbers and rates have also been provided. Figures for 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified by their absence from the November 2023 census.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

17th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether it remains her Department's policy for all schools to join academy trusts by 2030.

I refer the hon. Member for Portsmouth South to the answer of 9 February 2023 to Question 121149.

17th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress she has made on implementing the Parent Pledge outlined in the 2022 Schools White Paper.

The parent pledge set out the commitment that any child who falls behind in English or mathematics will receive targeted and evidence based support to help them catch up.

The Department will continue to focus on supporting all pupils to recover from the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic through multi year recovery funding of almost £5 billion, including the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) and the Recovery Premium. Since the NTP began in November 2020, over 3 million courses have started to support pupils who have fallen behind to catch up. The Department has also provided £1 billion to extend recovery premium funding for a further two academic years in 2022/23 and 2023/24 so that schools can deliver evidence based interventions based on pupil need.

More broadly, the pledge to support children to catch up is underpinned by ensuring high quality teaching and a strong curriculum. In September 2022, the Department established Oak National Academy as an Arm’s Length Body to provide high quality, adaptable and optional support, reducing workload for teachers and enabling pupils to access a high quality curriculum. As part of our teacher development reforms, the Department also introduced a fully funded new suite of National Professional Qualifications based on the best available research and evidence.

The Department continues to fund schools to further improve outcomes for all pupils. Overall, the core schools’ budget is rising by over £3.9 billion this year alone, compared to the 2022/23 financial year, on top of a £4 billion cash increase last year. That’s a 16% increase in just two years. Next year, school funding will be more than £59.6 billion, which is the highest ever level in real terms per pupil.

The Department welcomes the work that many schools are doing to strengthen parental engagement, for example through Parent Teacher Associations, to actively involve parents in supporting their child’s education.

12th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will provide details of the most common reasons provided for teacher absences in academic years (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23 to date.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers in state funded schools in England, which is an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number and characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, working pattern and post) of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england. This information by gender is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/7b82526d-9d49-4c9b-c47f-08db81eb944a.

Figures for 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified by their absence from the November 2023 census.

The requested figures for leavers by subject taught are not available.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks, such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

The Department collects information on teacher absence from state funded schools via the School Workforce Census. The number of working days lost due to absence are collected for sickness absence and pregnancy related absences only. This information is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f5ba72da-be42-4d81-d365-08db81e98ab0. Further granularity, such as the type of sickness absence, is not centrally collected.

12th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will provide the number of teachers by subject taught that left the profession in academic years (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23 to date in England.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers in state funded schools in England, which is an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number and characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, working pattern and post) of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england. This information by gender is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/7b82526d-9d49-4c9b-c47f-08db81eb944a.

Figures for 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified by their absence from the November 2023 census.

The requested figures for leavers by subject taught are not available.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks, such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

The Department collects information on teacher absence from state funded schools via the School Workforce Census. The number of working days lost due to absence are collected for sickness absence and pregnancy related absences only. This information is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f5ba72da-be42-4d81-d365-08db81e98ab0. Further granularity, such as the type of sickness absence, is not centrally collected.

12th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will provide the number of teachers by gender that left the profession in academic years (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23 to date in England.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers in state funded schools in England, which is an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number and characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, working pattern and post) of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england. This information by gender is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/7b82526d-9d49-4c9b-c47f-08db81eb944a.

Figures for 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified by their absence from the November 2023 census.

The requested figures for leavers by subject taught are not available.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks, such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

The Department collects information on teacher absence from state funded schools via the School Workforce Census. The number of working days lost due to absence are collected for sickness absence and pregnancy related absences only. This information is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f5ba72da-be42-4d81-d365-08db81e98ab0. Further granularity, such as the type of sickness absence, is not centrally collected.

12th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department has taken to support teachers following the recommendations of her Department's research report entitled Working lives of teachers and leaders, published in April 2023.

The ‘Working Lives of Teachers and Leaders’ longitudinal study explores the experiences of teachers, middle leaders and senior leaders working in schools in England. The study covers a range of areas including workload, school culture and leadership, career reflections and future ambitions.

The report, published in April 2023, summarised findings from wave 1 of the study, which was carried out in spring 2022. Although this research report does not make any recommendations, the Department will use the findings as part of its broader research programme on the teaching workforce to design policies that better support teachers, middle leaders and senior leaders.

The Department continues to take steps to support teachers with reforms aimed at increasing teacher recruitment in key subjects and areas, through an attractive pay offer and financial incentives such as bursaries, and also at ensuring teachers stay and succeed in the profession.

On 13 July 2023, the Department announced that it is accepting the School Teachers Review Body’s recommendations in full for the 2023/24 pay award for teachers and headteachers, which means that teachers and headteachers in maintained schools will receive a pay award of 6.5%. This is the highest pay award for teachers in over 30 years. This comes on top of the record pay rise in 2022/23 of 5.4% on average, meaning that over two years teacher pay is increasing by more than 12% on average. This award also delivers the manifesto commitment of a minimum £30,000 starting salary for school teachers in all regions of the country, with a pay award of up to 7.1% for new teachers outside London.

To support teacher retention, the Department has worked with the education sector and published a range of resources to help address staff workload and wellbeing and support schools to introduce flexible working practices. This includes the School Workload Reduction Toolkit and the education Staff Wellbeing Charter. More than 2,700 schools and colleges have signed up to the Charter, which has been downloaded over 30,000 times.

Building on a successful pilot, the Department is providing over £1.1 million to provide professional supervision and counselling to school and college leaders. Over 1,000 headteachers have benefitted from the support so far. On 12 June 2023, the Department announced the expansion of the programme, doubling places this year, so that more headteachers can have access to this valuable support.

12th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she has taken to help reduce repetition between initial teacher training courses and the early career framework.

To build knowledge and expertise, novice teachers need to progressively deepen their understanding of a range of concepts and, crucially, be able to connect and apply this knowledge to their practice in any context or situation. This determines the influence a teacher can have on the pupils with whom they work.

The Core Content Framework (CCF) provides the foundation for this and by the end of Initial Teacher Training (ITT), teachers will be familiar with concepts related to teaching and will have started to apply them in their practice. Acquiring knowledge takes time, and familiarity is not the same as long term experience, which allows teachers to do this thoughtfully across a range of contexts. The Early Career Framework (ECF) intentionally returns to these concepts to develop and deepen teachers’ knowledge and expertise and enable them to become more expert practitioners over the first two years of their career.

The Department has committed to reviewing the CCF and ECF alongside each other. Building on the first few years of ECF delivery, there is a plan to review and revise the CCF and ECF into more closely combined frameworks which cover the first three years or more at the start of a teacher’s career and articulates what trainee and new teachers need to know and need to know how to do.

This revised CCF and ECF will underpin a joined up sequence of training and development over at least the first three years of new teachers’ careers to support them at the start of their new career. The Department aims to ensure that what new teachers study across these early years of their career delivers continuous, coherent and complementary knowledge for all trainees and new teachers and provides the confidence and expertise for a lifelong career in teaching.

12th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she has taken to support delivery partners of accredited initial teacher training providers to ensure they know how many teachers they will be able to recruit.

The Department does not limit the number of trainees that lead partners of accredited Initial Teacher Training providers can recruit. Lead partners work closely with their accredited provider to determine their course capacity, ensuring they have enough placement schools to support the trainees they recruit.

12th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she has taken to support accredited initial teacher training providers to support their new delivery partners.

Ahead of the delivery of reformed Initial Teacher Training (ITT) from September 2024, the Department is working closely with accredited ITT providers to facilitate partnerships, to help them build their capacity to cover areas that require greater provision.

The Department is encouraging accredited providers to partner with those who were unsuccessful in gaining accreditation, as this will bring together high quality provision with local expertise, connections and experience.

In December 2022, the Department published ITT Partnership guidance which contains detailed information on how accredited providers can work with unaccredited organisations to form strong partnerships. This work is also supported by the Department’s dedicated Provider Relationship Managers.

Accredited providers were also able to apply for a grant of up to £20,000 to develop partnerships to deliver ITT provision in target regions of historically low provision.

The Department is reviewing the readiness of accredited providers’ partnerships for 2024 delivery through the Stage 2 process. In this stage, ITT experts, who have experience of ITT delivery and a thorough understanding of the ITT reforms, review partnership arrangements and provide additional support to providers and their delivery partners.

The Department’s priority is to ensure that the new standards and expectations will continue to be met by all institutions delivering ITT within a partnership.

11th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps to provide guidance to schools on implementing flexible working whilst maintaining education quality and the attractiveness of the teaching profession.

Ensuring teaching is an attractive profession in which teachers are supported to succeed is a key priority for the Department.

Flexible working is increasingly a normal expectation of employees, and teaching is no different. The opportunity to work flexibly can help to recruit and retain talented teachers, enabling the high quality teaching needed to support pupil outcomes.

The Department is taking action to expand and promote opportunities for flexible working, whilst maintaining the quality of education. This includes promoting formal flexible working arrangements, such as part time working and encouraging informal flexibility, such as agreed ad hoc days off for personal or family days. It also includes opportunity to spend planning, preparation and assessment time working remotely, away from the school building.

To promote flexible working practices, the Department has published supportive resources on GOV.UK, including non-statutory guidance and case studies. The Department is continuing to build on this collection.

The Department is also funding support. In February 2023, a culture change programme was launched, focused on embedding flexible working in schools and multi academy trusts. This programme includes the delivery of supportive webinars. As part of this package of support, the Department is funding flexible working ambassador schools and multi academy trusts to provide bespoke peer support to leaders in education. In June 2023, the Department appointed seven new ambassadors and is currently in the process of recruiting more, building on the work of a previous cohort of ambassador schools.

11th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support children's (a) mental health and (b) academic attainment following the covid-19 pandemic.

Helping pupils recover from the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the Department’s main priorities.

The Department is committed to ensuring all schools are calm, safe and supportive learning environments that promote and support mental health and wellbeing. The Department is offering schools and colleges funding to train a senior mental health lead who can put in place an effective whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing. Over 13,800 schools and colleges have now received a training grant, including more than 7 in 10 state funded secondary schools.

As of September 2020, the health education curriculum has a strong focus on mental wellbeing. Pupils are taught the links between physical and mental health, how to recognise and talk openly regarding their emotions, and how and where to seek support if they are concerned for their own or someone else’s mental wellbeing.

When a pupil is struggling with their mental health, it is vital to intervene early. That is why the Department is working with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to continue the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams across schools and colleges. These teams currently cover 35% of pupils in schools and further education and will increase to an estimated 44% of pupils by April 2024.

Raising attainment for all pupils is at the heart of this Government’s agenda. The Department is committed to helping every pupil to fulfil their potential by ensuring they receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

The Government is committed to providing a world class education system for all children and has invested significantly in education to achieve that. Overall, the core schools budget is rising by over £3.9 billion this year alone, compared to the 2022/23 financial year. This is on top of a £4 billion cash increase last year, a 16% increase in just two years. School funding in 2024/25 will be more than £59.6 billion, the highest ever level in real terms per pupil.

This funding will enable headteachers to continue to spend in the areas that we know positively affect educational attainment, including high quality teaching and targeted support to the pupils who need it most.

Also, the Department’s multi year recovery funding which made available almost £5 billion continues to be delivered, and much of the extra recovery funding the Department has made available, for instance in staff development, will have benefits for years to come.

The Department is continuing to deliver the proposals set out in the Schools White Paper, which aim to improve outcomes for all pupils, with specific focus on raising attainment for disadvantaged pupils.

Schools continue to receive the Pupil Premium to enable them to provide extra support and so improve disadvantaged pupils’ academic and personal achievements. Pupil Premium rates will increase by 5% for 2023/24, taking total Pupil Premium funding to £2.9 billion.

The Department is funding 55 Education Investment Areas (EIA), of which 24 are Priority Education Investment Areas (PEIA). In each of the 24 PEIAs, the Department will also make more intensive investment on top of the significant support available in EIAs, including a share of up to £42 million through the Local Needs Fund to address specific local barriers through bespoke interventions to improve attainment at Key Stages 2 and 4. PEIAs are also benefiting from having enhanced or priority access to a number of other programmes offered by the Department, including Maths Hubs and Connect the Classroom.

11th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers in schools in each region other than the North West and North East left the profession in the academic years (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers in state funded schools in England, an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes it the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.

The table attached provides the latest data for the academic years 2019/20 to 2021/22 of the FTE number of qualified teachers leaving and the leaving rate, from state funded schools, by region. For consistency with previously provided information, entrants numbers and rates have also been provided.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

11th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to (a) encourage people to enter the teaching profession and (b) improve staff retention in the education sector.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers in state funded schools in England, an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes it the highest number of FTE teachers on record since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

The Department’s reforms are aimed at increasing teacher recruitment and at ensuring teachers across England stay and thrive in the profession.

The Get Into Teaching service helps make teaching a career of choice and supports candidates to apply for teacher training. Prospective trainees can access support and advice through expert one to one teacher training advisers, a contact centre and a national programme of events. The teaching marketing campaign provides inspiration and support to explore a career in teaching and directs people to the Get Into Teaching service: https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/.

The Department announced a financial incentives package worth up to £181 million for those starting Initial Teacher Training (ITT) in the 2023/24 academic year. The Department is providing bursaries worth up to £27,000 and scholarships worth up to £29,000 to encourage trainees to apply to train in key secondary subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computing. Additionally, for 2022/23, the Department raised starting salaries outside London by 8.9% to £28,000.

The Department provides a levelling up premium worth up to £3,000 annually for mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computing teachers in the first five years of their careers who work in disadvantaged schools nationally, including within Education Investment Areas. The eligibility criteria and list of eligible schools are available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/levelling-up-premium-payments-for-teachers.

The Department has created an entitlement to at least three years of structured training, support and professional development for all new teachers, underpinned by the Initial Teacher Training Core Content Framework available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/initial-teacher-training-itt-core-content-framework and the Early Career Framework available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-career-framework. Together, these ensure that new teachers will benefit from at least three years of evidence based training, across ITT and into their induction.

To support retention in the sector, the Department has worked with the education sector and published a range of resources to help address staff workload and wellbeing and support schools to introduce flexible working practices. This includes the workload reduction toolkit available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-workload-reduction-toolkit and the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/education-staff-wellbeing-charter. More than 2,700 schools have signed up to the Charter so far.

6th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding from Priority Education Investment Areas has been allocated to attendance initiatives.

Funding for the 24 Priority Education Investment Areas (PEIAs) has been agreed and announced. Details have been published and can be found on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-investment-areas/local-needs-fund.

The Local Needs Fund is providing up to £42 million in PEIAs to fund bespoke interventions to improve attainment at Key Stages 2 and 4. Where poor attendance has been identified as a key factor in an area, initiatives will be funded to address this. Because the mix of initiatives funded in each area reflects local need, the funding allocated to attendance projects will vary. Some projects have begun, and the remainder will commence during the rest of the calendar year. The Department will publish further details of the funding allocations for different initiatives once all the necessary grant agreements are in place.

Alongside area initiatives funded through the Local Needs Fund, PEIAs are also benefitting from the Department’s wider strategy for improving attendance. The Department has published guidance setting out how we expect schools, trusts and Local Authorities to work together to improve attendance: https://viewyourdata.education.gov.uk/.

The Department has employed expert attendance advisers who are playing an important role working closely with local authorities and some multi-academy trusts with higher levels of persistent absence to review their current practice and support them to develop plans to improve. Every local authority in a PEIA has been prioritised for this support.

Earlier this academic year, the Department launched a £2.32 million attendance mentoring pilot to deliver intensive one-to-one support to a group of persistently and severely absent pupils. The pilot will run for three years and will support a total of 1,665 pupils in five PEIAs (Middlesbrough, Knowsley, Doncaster, Stoke-on-Trent and Salford) with significant absence challenges. The findings from this pilot should enable schools, trusts, and Local Authorities to address persistent and severe absence more effectively.

The Department has also established an Alliance of national leaders from education, children’s social care and other relevant services to work together to raise school attendance and reduce persistent absence. Several PEIAs are piloting similar local Alliances to share best practice and address specific area-wide challenges.

6th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her Department's expected timescale is for when initiatives to improve school attendance will commence using Priority Education Investment Areas funding.

Funding for the 24 Priority Education Investment Areas (PEIAs) has been agreed and announced. Details have been published and can be found on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-investment-areas/local-needs-fund.

The Local Needs Fund is providing up to £42 million in PEIAs to fund bespoke interventions to improve attainment at Key Stages 2 and 4. Where poor attendance has been identified as a key factor in an area, initiatives will be funded to address this. Because the mix of initiatives funded in each area reflects local need, the funding allocated to attendance projects will vary. Some projects have begun, and the remainder will commence during the rest of the calendar year. The Department will publish further details of the funding allocations for different initiatives once all the necessary grant agreements are in place.

Alongside area initiatives funded through the Local Needs Fund, PEIAs are also benefitting from the Department’s wider strategy for improving attendance. The Department has published guidance setting out how we expect schools, trusts and Local Authorities to work together to improve attendance: https://viewyourdata.education.gov.uk/.

The Department has employed expert attendance advisers who are playing an important role working closely with local authorities and some multi-academy trusts with higher levels of persistent absence to review their current practice and support them to develop plans to improve. Every local authority in a PEIA has been prioritised for this support.

Earlier this academic year, the Department launched a £2.32 million attendance mentoring pilot to deliver intensive one-to-one support to a group of persistently and severely absent pupils. The pilot will run for three years and will support a total of 1,665 pupils in five PEIAs (Middlesbrough, Knowsley, Doncaster, Stoke-on-Trent and Salford) with significant absence challenges. The findings from this pilot should enable schools, trusts, and Local Authorities to address persistent and severe absence more effectively.

The Department has also established an Alliance of national leaders from education, children’s social care and other relevant services to work together to raise school attendance and reduce persistent absence. Several PEIAs are piloting similar local Alliances to share best practice and address specific area-wide challenges.

6th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether funding for Priority Education Investment Areas has been agreed.

Funding for the 24 Priority Education Investment Areas (PEIAs) has been agreed and announced. Details have been published and can be found on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-investment-areas/local-needs-fund.

The Local Needs Fund is providing up to £42 million in PEIAs to fund bespoke interventions to improve attainment at Key Stages 2 and 4. Where poor attendance has been identified as a key factor in an area, initiatives will be funded to address this. Because the mix of initiatives funded in each area reflects local need, the funding allocated to attendance projects will vary. Some projects have begun, and the remainder will commence during the rest of the calendar year. The Department will publish further details of the funding allocations for different initiatives once all the necessary grant agreements are in place.

Alongside area initiatives funded through the Local Needs Fund, PEIAs are also benefitting from the Department’s wider strategy for improving attendance. The Department has published guidance setting out how we expect schools, trusts and Local Authorities to work together to improve attendance: https://viewyourdata.education.gov.uk/.

The Department has employed expert attendance advisers who are playing an important role working closely with local authorities and some multi-academy trusts with higher levels of persistent absence to review their current practice and support them to develop plans to improve. Every local authority in a PEIA has been prioritised for this support.

Earlier this academic year, the Department launched a £2.32 million attendance mentoring pilot to deliver intensive one-to-one support to a group of persistently and severely absent pupils. The pilot will run for three years and will support a total of 1,665 pupils in five PEIAs (Middlesbrough, Knowsley, Doncaster, Stoke-on-Trent and Salford) with significant absence challenges. The findings from this pilot should enable schools, trusts, and Local Authorities to address persistent and severe absence more effectively.

The Department has also established an Alliance of national leaders from education, children’s social care and other relevant services to work together to raise school attendance and reduce persistent absence. Several PEIAs are piloting similar local Alliances to share best practice and address specific area-wide challenges.

6th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of pay for supply teachers employed through education recruitment agencies.

The Government’s education policy reforms in England have given schools the freedom to make staffing decisions that meet their circumstances. This means schools, academies and Local Authorities are responsible for the recruitment of their workforces, including supply teachers, including whether to use supply agencies.

In August 2018, in conjunction with the Crown Commercial Service, the Department launched the agency supply deal. The deal supports schools with getting value for money when hiring agency supply teachers and other temporary staff.

The deal has established a list of preferred suppliers that schools can access, all of which:

  • Will be transparent with schools about the rates they charge.
  • Will agree to not charge finder’s fees for workers who have been in post for 12 weeks, when four weeks’ notice is given.
  • Will conduct consistent, rigorous background screening checks in line with our statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education.
  • Will be accredited by an approved accreditation body, that will audit suppliers for compliance with robust recruitment principles and the terms of the framework.

Details of the deal can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers.

Education is a devolved matter, meaning the devolved administrations set their own policy on supply teacher pay and conditions.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department holds data on the reason behind pupil absence numbers in the academic year (a) 2021-22 and (b) 2022-23.

The Department releases information from the School Census which relates to absence rates by reason for the 2021/22 academic year. This is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/pupil-absence-in-schools-in-england/2021-22.

School Census data covering the 2022/23 academic year is expected to be published in March 2024. The Department has released absence rates for the autumn term of 2022/23, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/pupil-absence-in-schools-in-england.

The Department also publishes experimental statistics on attendance data for the 2022/23 academic year to date. This is derived from regular attendance data automatically submitted to the Department by participating schools. These statistics are regularly updated. Due to the timeliness of the data and that they are based on a subset of schools, the figures are estimates that are expected to change as registers are adjusted. The data should be viewed as an early indicator for the more detailed but less regular National Statistics on pupil absence. The data is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/pupil-attendance-in-schools.

The data includes reason for absence. Absence rates by reason, since the week commencing 12 September 2022 to 16 June 2023 are available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/28d62a70-df15-4171-8b3c-08db7860a436.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many new school buildings built since 2019 meet the standards recommended in The British Association of Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People's Classroom Acoustics – recommended standards, published in 2018.

New school buildings delivered by the Department must meet the standards set in the school Output Specification Generic Design Brief. More information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employers-requirements-part-b-generic-design-brief. The guidance requires that people with disabilities, including those with a visual or hearing impairment, should not be placed at a disadvantage by the design of the buildings or grounds.

The Generic Design Brief requires that pre- and post-completion testing should be carried out in accordance with the ‘ANC Good Practice Guide for the Acoustic Testing of Schools’ published by the Association of Noise Consultants.

The Department also produces guidance specifically on acoustics which can be found in Building Bulletin 93: Acoustic Design for Schools (BB93). BB93 sets out minimum performance standards for the acoustics of school buildings and describes the normal means of demonstrating compliance with the Building Regulations. More information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bb93-acoustic-design-of-schools-performance-standards.

The Department does not collect data on how many new school buildings built since 2019 meet the acoustic classroom standards recommended by the British Association of Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of specialist maths teachers in schools.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers in state-funded schools in England, an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes it the highest number of FTE teachers on record since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

The Department has announced a financial incentives package worth up to £181 million for those starting initial teacher training in the 2023/24 academic year. The Department is providing bursaries worth £27,000 tax-free and scholarships worth £29,000 tax-free, to encourage talented trainees to teach mathematics. A Levelling Up Premium worth up to £3,000 tax-free is also available for mathematics, as well as physics, chemistry and computing, teachers in the first five years of their careers who work in disadvantaged schools nationally, including within Education Investment Areas (EIAs).

The Department has also raised starting salaries outside London by 8.9% to £28,000 and remains committed to the Government’s ambition of delivering £30,000 starting salaries to attract talented people to teaching.

To support retention, the Department has worked with the education sector and published a range of resources to help address staff workload and wellbeing and support schools to introduce flexible working practices. This includes the School Workload Reduction Toolkit and the education Staff Wellbeing Charter. More information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-workload-reduction-toolkit, and: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/education-staff-wellbeing-charter. More than 2,700 schools have signed up to the Charter so far.

The Department is launching a new fully funded mathematics National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for those leading mathematics teaching in primary schools. The Department will work with NPQ providers to make this available to primary schools from February 2024. Alongside this, an updated Targeted Support Fund will be offered for the 2023/24 academic year, providing additional funding to incentivise primary school teachers and leaders, including in the smallest schools.

The Department is providing funding to support and enhance mathematics teaching across the country. Reform of the mathematics curriculum and examinations system was accompanied by the introduction of a National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics, which is now working with a network of 40 maths hubs to help local schools improve the quality of their teaching based on best practice from East Asia. On 17 April, the Secretary of State announced plans to extend the support available from maths hubs from academic year 2023/24. This was accompanied by plans to provide more intensive maths hubs support to schools that need it most.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of teachers in schools.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers in state-funded schools in England, an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes it the highest number of FTE teachers on record since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

The Department has announced a financial incentives package worth up to £181 million for those starting initial teacher training in the 2023/24 academic year. The Department is providing bursaries worth £27,000 tax-free and scholarships worth £29,000 tax-free, to encourage talented trainees to teach mathematics. A Levelling Up Premium worth up to £3,000 tax-free is also available for mathematics, as well as physics, chemistry and computing, teachers in the first five years of their careers who work in disadvantaged schools nationally, including within Education Investment Areas (EIAs).

The Department has also raised starting salaries outside London by 8.9% to £28,000 and remains committed to the Government’s ambition of delivering £30,000 starting salaries to attract talented people to teaching.

To support retention, the Department has worked with the education sector and published a range of resources to help address staff workload and wellbeing and support schools to introduce flexible working practices. This includes the School Workload Reduction Toolkit and the education Staff Wellbeing Charter. More information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-workload-reduction-toolkit, and: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/education-staff-wellbeing-charter. More than 2,700 schools have signed up to the Charter so far.

The Department is launching a new fully funded mathematics National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for those leading mathematics teaching in primary schools. The Department will work with NPQ providers to make this available to primary schools from February 2024. Alongside this, an updated Targeted Support Fund will be offered for the 2023/24 academic year, providing additional funding to incentivise primary school teachers and leaders, including in the smallest schools.

The Department is providing funding to support and enhance mathematics teaching across the country. Reform of the mathematics curriculum and examinations system was accompanied by the introduction of a National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics, which is now working with a network of 40 maths hubs to help local schools improve the quality of their teaching based on best practice from East Asia. On 17 April, the Secretary of State announced plans to extend the support available from maths hubs from academic year 2023/24. This was accompanied by plans to provide more intensive maths hubs support to schools that need it most.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve school attendance rates.

The Department has a comprehensive attendance strategy to improve school attendance.  Recent guidance has been published setting out how schools, trusts and Local Authorities are expected to work together to improve attendance, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance.

The guidance is clear that schools should develop and maintain a whole school culture that promotes the benefits of high attendance, have a clear school attendance policy and have effective day to day processes in place to follow up absence. The guidance sets out that schools are expected to use attendance data to identify patterns of poor attendance, at individual and cohort level, as soon as possible so that all parties can work together to resolve them before they become entrenched.

The Department has employed expert attendance advisers who are playing an important role working closely with Local Authorities and a number of multi-academy trusts with higher levels of persistent absence to review their current practice and support them to develop plans to improve.

The Department has launched a £2.32 million attendance mentor pilot to deliver intensive one to one support to a group of persistently and severely absent pupils. The pilot will run for three years supporting a total of 1,665 pupils. The findings from this pilot should enable schools, trusts, and Local Authorities to address persistent and severe absence more effectively.

The Secretary of State has also established an Alliance of national leaders from education, children’s social care and other relevant services to work together to raise school attendance and reduce persistent absence.

The Department launched new attendance hubs with the Ofsted Outstanding Northern Education Trust. There are now 10 lead schools sharing their effective practice on attendance with up to 600 partner schools, reaching hundreds of thousands of pupils. This is alongside intensive support to Children in Need through Virtual Schools Heads.

Schools and Local Authorities can also use a range of measures to provide support for and/or sanctions against parents when their child’s irregular attendance in school becomes a problem. These measures are used to reinforce parents’ responsibilities and to support them in improving their child’s attendance at school.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data his Department holds on the age of teachers in England who have left the profession in the academic years (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers in state funded schools in England - an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

Of the 468,400 FTE teachers in England, 22,400 were in the North East, and 63,200 were in the North West.

The Department has taken action to improve teacher workload, working with teachers and headteachers to understand and address longstanding issues around marking, planning and data management. The Department continues to work proactively with the sector to understand the drivers behind workload and wellbeing issues, and to improve policies and interventions.

The Department is supporting schools to act and remove unhelpful practice that creates unnecessary workload. The School Workload Reduction Toolkit, developed alongside head teachers, is a helpful resource for schools to review and reduce workload. Further information on the workload reduction toolkit can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-workload-reduction-toolkit.

The Department also worked in partnership with the education sector and mental health experts to create the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter, which the Department is encouraging schools to sign up to as a shared commitment to promote staff wellbeing. So far, 2,600 schools have signed up to the Charter. The Charter is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/education-staff-wellbeing-charter.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england. The age of teachers in England who have left the profession in the academic years 2019/20 to 2021/22 is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f886df55-bbc3-4c72-a8a1-08db7862b3a9.

Between 2019/20 and 2022/23, there was an increase of FTE teachers in the North East (from 21,723 to 22,435) and in the North West (from 61,346 to 63,247) over this period.

The table below provides the latest data for academic years 2019/20 to 2021/22 of the FTE number of qualified teachers leaving and the leaving rate, from state funded schools in the North East, North West, and England.

FTE qualified teachers leaving and entering and the leaving and entering rates1 from state funded schools, by geography as at November 2019 to 2021 is outlined in the table below.

North East

Leavers

Leaving rate

Entrants

Entering rate

2022/232

x

x

2,089

9.5

2021/223

1,780

8.1

1,791

8.2

2020/21

1,573

7.2

1,637

7.5

2019/20

1,285

5.9

1,752

8.0

North West

Leavers

Leaving rate

Entrants

Entering rate

2022/23

x

x

6,009

9.7

2021/22

5,724

9.3

5,405

8.7

2020/21

4,458

7.3

4,817

7.9

2019/20

4,069

6.7

5,456

9.0

England

Leavers

Leaving rate

Entrants

Entering rate

2022/23

x

x

47,954

10.5

2021/22

43,997

9.7

44,011

9.7

2020/21

36,179

8.1

41,784

9.3

2019/20

32,267

7.3

45,365

10.3

Source: School Workforce Census
1: Leaving/entering rate is the number of leavers/entrants divided by the total number of qualified teachers in post in November each year

2: For example, 2022/23 entrants are those who joined service between November 2021 and November 2022

3: For example, 2021/22 leavers are those who left service between November 2021 and November 2022

x: 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified by their absence from the November 2023 census.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers in schools in the North West left the profession in the academic years (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers in state funded schools in England - an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

Of the 468,400 FTE teachers in England, 22,400 were in the North East, and 63,200 were in the North West.

The Department has taken action to improve teacher workload, working with teachers and headteachers to understand and address longstanding issues around marking, planning and data management. The Department continues to work proactively with the sector to understand the drivers behind workload and wellbeing issues, and to improve policies and interventions.

The Department is supporting schools to act and remove unhelpful practice that creates unnecessary workload. The School Workload Reduction Toolkit, developed alongside head teachers, is a helpful resource for schools to review and reduce workload. Further information on the workload reduction toolkit can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-workload-reduction-toolkit.

The Department also worked in partnership with the education sector and mental health experts to create the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter, which the Department is encouraging schools to sign up to as a shared commitment to promote staff wellbeing. So far, 2,600 schools have signed up to the Charter. The Charter is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/education-staff-wellbeing-charter.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england. The age of teachers in England who have left the profession in the academic years 2019/20 to 2021/22 is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f886df55-bbc3-4c72-a8a1-08db7862b3a9.

Between 2019/20 and 2022/23, there was an increase of FTE teachers in the North East (from 21,723 to 22,435) and in the North West (from 61,346 to 63,247) over this period.

The table below provides the latest data for academic years 2019/20 to 2021/22 of the FTE number of qualified teachers leaving and the leaving rate, from state funded schools in the North East, North West, and England.

FTE qualified teachers leaving and entering and the leaving and entering rates1 from state funded schools, by geography as at November 2019 to 2021 is outlined in the table below.

North East

Leavers

Leaving rate

Entrants

Entering rate

2022/232

x

x

2,089

9.5

2021/223

1,780

8.1

1,791

8.2

2020/21

1,573

7.2

1,637

7.5

2019/20

1,285

5.9

1,752

8.0

North West

Leavers

Leaving rate

Entrants

Entering rate

2022/23

x

x

6,009

9.7

2021/22

5,724

9.3

5,405

8.7

2020/21

4,458

7.3

4,817

7.9

2019/20

4,069

6.7

5,456

9.0

England

Leavers

Leaving rate

Entrants

Entering rate

2022/23

x

x

47,954

10.5

2021/22

43,997

9.7

44,011

9.7

2020/21

36,179

8.1

41,784

9.3

2019/20

32,267

7.3

45,365

10.3

Source: School Workforce Census
1: Leaving/entering rate is the number of leavers/entrants divided by the total number of qualified teachers in post in November each year

2: For example, 2022/23 entrants are those who joined service between November 2021 and November 2022

3: For example, 2021/22 leavers are those who left service between November 2021 and November 2022

x: 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified by their absence from the November 2023 census.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers in schools in the North East left the profession in the academic years (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers in state funded schools in England - an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes the highest number of FTE teachers since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

Of the 468,400 FTE teachers in England, 22,400 were in the North East, and 63,200 were in the North West.

The Department has taken action to improve teacher workload, working with teachers and headteachers to understand and address longstanding issues around marking, planning and data management. The Department continues to work proactively with the sector to understand the drivers behind workload and wellbeing issues, and to improve policies and interventions.

The Department is supporting schools to act and remove unhelpful practice that creates unnecessary workload. The School Workload Reduction Toolkit, developed alongside head teachers, is a helpful resource for schools to review and reduce workload. Further information on the workload reduction toolkit can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-workload-reduction-toolkit.

The Department also worked in partnership with the education sector and mental health experts to create the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter, which the Department is encouraging schools to sign up to as a shared commitment to promote staff wellbeing. So far, 2,600 schools have signed up to the Charter. The Charter is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/education-staff-wellbeing-charter.

Information on the school workforce in England, including the number of teachers joining and leaving service nationally, is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england. The age of teachers in England who have left the profession in the academic years 2019/20 to 2021/22 is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f886df55-bbc3-4c72-a8a1-08db7862b3a9.

Between 2019/20 and 2022/23, there was an increase of FTE teachers in the North East (from 21,723 to 22,435) and in the North West (from 61,346 to 63,247) over this period.

The table below provides the latest data for academic years 2019/20 to 2021/22 of the FTE number of qualified teachers leaving and the leaving rate, from state funded schools in the North East, North West, and England.

FTE qualified teachers leaving and entering and the leaving and entering rates1 from state funded schools, by geography as at November 2019 to 2021 is outlined in the table below.

North East

Leavers

Leaving rate

Entrants

Entering rate

2022/232

x

x

2,089

9.5

2021/223

1,780

8.1

1,791

8.2

2020/21

1,573

7.2

1,637

7.5

2019/20

1,285

5.9

1,752

8.0

North West

Leavers

Leaving rate

Entrants

Entering rate

2022/23

x

x

6,009

9.7

2021/22

5,724

9.3

5,405

8.7

2020/21

4,458

7.3

4,817

7.9

2019/20

4,069

6.7

5,456

9.0

England

Leavers

Leaving rate

Entrants

Entering rate

2022/23

x

x

47,954

10.5

2021/22

43,997

9.7

44,011

9.7

2020/21

36,179

8.1

41,784

9.3

2019/20

32,267

7.3

45,365

10.3

Source: School Workforce Census
1: Leaving/entering rate is the number of leavers/entrants divided by the total number of qualified teachers in post in November each year

2: For example, 2022/23 entrants are those who joined service between November 2021 and November 2022

3: For example, 2021/22 leavers are those who left service between November 2021 and November 2022

x: 2022/23 leavers are not available yet as they will be identified by their absence from the November 2023 census.

Leavers are defined as qualified teachers leaving the state funded sector in England, for example due to a change of career or joining other UK education sectors, and those leaving on career breaks such as maternity leave or secondments outside of the school sector. Some of these teachers may rejoin a state funded school in England at a later date.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her Department holds on the number of complaints received on the online Teacher Regulation Agency system for reporting teacher misconduct.

The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) plays an important role in regulating the teaching profession in England, and considering cases of serious teacher misconduct. Teachers are the most important factor in a child’s education and the overwhelming majority are highly competent and effective, and never engage in any form of misconduct.

The TRA will only consider allegations of the most serious cases of misconduct. A referral may be made to the TRA by employers, the public, the police, the Disclosure and Barring Service and other regulators and interested organisations. The TRA considers all referrals it receives and where the allegations could amount to serious misconduct by a teacher, the TRA will impartially investigate the matter and, if necessary, take appropriate action.

The TRA reviews all feedback on its processes. It does not sub-categorise complaints specifically in relation to the online referral service.

It is important that processes relating to teacher misconduct are progressed without any political involvement and Ministers in this Department cannot have any involvement in these independent investigations, related processes, and decisions.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has conducted a review of the impact of the pandemic on teacher recruitment and retention strategies.

Recent data shows that there are now over 468,000 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers in state-funded schools in England, an increase of 27,000 (6%) since 2010. This makes it the highest number of FTE teachers on record since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.

The Department has continued to implement the significant reforms that were set out in the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy in 2019, despite the pandemic.

The Department has transformed training, support and professional development for all new teachers, creating an entitlement to at least three years of evidence based training, across initial training and into their induction. This includes the biggest teaching reform in a generation, the Early Career Framework, which provides the solid foundations for a successful career in teaching, backed by over £130 million a year in funding.

The Department has launched a new and updated suite of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) for teachers and school leaders at all levels, from those who want to develop expertise in high quality teaching practice to those leading multiple schools across trusts. Since autumn 2021, eligible teachers and leaders have been able to access scholarships to undertake fully funded NPQs.

The Department has published a range of resources to help schools address teacher workload, prioritise staff wellbeing and support schools to introduce flexible working practices. The Department has worked in partnership with the education sector and mental health experts to create the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter which schools are encouraged to sign up to as a shared commitment to promote staff wellbeing. More than 2,700 schools and colleges have signed up to the Charter, which has been downloaded over 30,000 times.

Building on a successful pilot, the Department is investing over £1.1 million to provide professional supervision and counselling to school and college leaders. Over 1,000 headteachers have benefitted from the support so far. On 12 June 2023, the Department announced the expansion of the programme, doubling places this year, so that more school leaders can have access to this valuable support.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve school behaviour.

Behaviour is a priority for the Government. All schools should be calm, safe and supportive environments where all pupils and staff can work in safety and are respected.

The Department has an ambitious programme of work on improving behaviour in schools which aims to provide clarity and support for headteachers and staff. This includes the recently updated suite of guidance: ‘Behaviour in Schools’ guidance, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/behaviour-in-schools--2, the ‘Suspension and Permanent Exclusion’ guidance, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-exclusion, and the ‘Searching, Screening and Confiscation’ guidance, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/searching-screening-and-confiscation. These are practical tools to help schools create environments which young people want to attend.

The Department is investing £10 million through the Behaviour Hubs programme to enable schools with exemplary behaviour cultures to support schools that want and need to turn around their behaviour, alongside a central offer of support and taskforce of advisers. The programme will support up to 700 partner schools during the three years it is scheduled to run.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve the wellbeing of children in school.

The department is committed to ensuring all schools are calm, safe and supportive learning environments that promote and support wellbeing.

To support this, the department is offering all schools and colleges funding to train a senior mental health lead who can put in place an effective whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing. Over 13,800 schools and colleges have now received a training grant, including more than 7 in 10 state-funded secondary schools.

To help children understand and look after their own wellbeing, as at September 2020, the department’s Health Education curriculum has a strong focus on mental wellbeing. Pupils are taught about the link between physical and mental health, how to recognise and talk about their emotions, and how and where to seek support if they are concerned about their own or someone else’s mental wellbeing.

When a child or young person is struggling with their mental health, it is vital to intervene early. That is why the department is working with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to continue the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams across schools and colleges. These teams currently cover 35% of pupils in schools and learners in further education and we estimate this will increase to around 44% by April 2024.

The Department publishes annual State of the Nation reports on children and young people’s wellbeing. These reports draw together the best available evidence and inform work across government to support young people's wellbeing. The latest report, published February 2023, can be accessed here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1134596/State_of_the_nation_2022_-_children_and_young_people_s_wellbeing.pdf.

Claire Coutinho
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to tackle islamophobia in schools.

The Government condemns and strives to tackle all forms of discrimination, prejudice, and harassment.

Under the Equality Act 2010, schools have a duty to take steps to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations across all protected characteristics, including between people of different religions or beliefs. The Department has published advice to support schools to fulfil their duties under the Equality Act 2010, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools?msclkid=9ce22dddcc5d11ec9a0a2d6e2fd0a666.

As part of a broad and balanced curriculum, pupils should be introduced to different societies, and how different groups have contributed to the development of Britain. This can include experiences and voices of people from all backgrounds. The relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) curriculum has a focus on equality, respect, the harmful impact of stereotyping, as well as the importance of valuing difference. RSHE guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/teaching-about-relationships-sex-and-health.

Schools are also required to actively promote fundamental British values, including mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. Actively promoting these values means that any opinions or behaviours that contradict them need to be challenged. The Department publishes information, guidance and support for teachers and head teachers on how to challenge discriminatory beliefs on the Educate Against Hate website, accessible at: https://www.educateagainsthate.com. This includes the ‘Respectful School Communities’ toolkit, a self review and signposting tool to support schools to develop a whole-school approach which promotes respect and discipline.

All schools are required by law to have a behaviour policy which outlines measures to encourage good behaviour and prevent all forms of bullying amongst pupils. To support schools tackle bullying, the Department is providing over £3 million of funding between August 2021 and March 2024 to five anti bullying organisations. The Department has deliberately focused this grant programme on preventing and tackling bullying of pupils with protected characteristics. This includes projects targeting the bullying of particular vulnerable groups, such as those who are victims of hate related bullying.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to encourage more (a) women, (b) men, (c) people from ethnic minority backgrounds and (d) people from lower social-economic backgrounds to become school leaders.

The Department wants teaching to be an inclusive profession where teachers from all backgrounds are supported throughout their career, from the moment they enter the profession, through their continued development as teachers and as they progress into leadership.

Recruitment campaigns for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) are targeted at students, recent graduates and potential career changers regardless of their identity or background.

Apply for Teacher Training, the new application service for ITT in England, was rolled out nationally in 2021. It has been designed to be user friendly and has been extensively tested with a diverse range of potential applicants to ensure it helps remove barriers to great teachers applying for ITT courses.

The Department’s world class teacher development programmes, such as National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), are designed to support all teachers through to executive headship, and are designed to reach as many people as possible, regardless of their background. Since autumn 2021, eligible teachers and headteachers have been able to access scholarships to undertake fully funded NPQs and 51,518 qualifications have been started so far.

Flexible working supports equality of opportunity in the workforce and can help women to stay in the workforce and progress. The Department is taking action to promote flexible working in schools. This includes publishing resources and guidance on GOV.UK and funding a programme of support, including webinars with a focus on how flexible working can support diversity and inclusion.

Governors have an important role to play in promoting diversity, equality and inclusion when appointing headteachers. Guidance states that school governance boards are expected to have an understanding of, and an adherence to, the Equality Act 2010, promoting equality and diversity throughout the organisation including in relation to its own operation. They should understand the full diversity of the cultural context of the school and community they serve and are reminded of this in the department’s Governance Handbook: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/governance-handbook, and in the current guidance on recruiting a headteacher: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/recruiting-a-headteacher.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to encourage more (a) women, (b) men, (c) people from ethnic minority backgrounds and (d) people from lower socio-economic backgrounds to become teachers.

The Department wants teaching to be an inclusive profession where teachers from all backgrounds are supported throughout their career, from the moment they enter the profession, through their continued development as teachers and as they progress into leadership.

Recruitment campaigns for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) are targeted at students, recent graduates and potential career changers regardless of their identity or background.

Apply for Teacher Training, the new application service for ITT in England, was rolled out nationally in 2021. It has been designed to be user friendly and has been extensively tested with a diverse range of potential applicants to ensure it helps remove barriers to great teachers applying for ITT courses.

The Department’s world class teacher development programmes, such as National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), are designed to support all teachers through to executive headship, and are designed to reach as many people as possible, regardless of their background. Since autumn 2021, eligible teachers and headteachers have been able to access scholarships to undertake fully funded NPQs and 51,518 qualifications have been started so far.

Flexible working supports equality of opportunity in the workforce and can help women to stay in the workforce and progress. The Department is taking action to promote flexible working in schools. This includes publishing resources and guidance on GOV.UK and funding a programme of support, including webinars with a focus on how flexible working can support diversity and inclusion.

Governors have an important role to play in promoting diversity, equality and inclusion when appointing headteachers. Guidance states that school governance boards are expected to have an understanding of, and an adherence to, the Equality Act 2010, promoting equality and diversity throughout the organisation including in relation to its own operation. They should understand the full diversity of the cultural context of the school and community they serve and are reminded of this in the department’s Governance Handbook: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/governance-handbook, and in the current guidance on recruiting a headteacher: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/recruiting-a-headteacher.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support is available to schools with falling pupil numbers.

The Department has now published the National Funding Formula for schools and high needs 2024/25, available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-funding-formula-for-schools-and-high-needs.

The overall core schools budget will be over £59.6 billion in the 2024/25 financial year, the highest ever level in real terms per pupil in 2024/25, as measured by the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies.

To support Local Authorities to meet their sufficiency duty, the Department provides them with revenue funding for growth and falling rolls through their Dedicated Schools Grant. The Department has allocated £259 million in Growth and Falling Rolls funding to Local Authorities in 2023/24.

Local Authorities currently have discretion on whether to operate a falling rolls fund. Any decisions regarding the criteria for, and level of, falling rolls funding which is allocated by the Local Authority must be approved by the Schools Forum.

The Department is introducing new requirements for growth and falling rolls funding in 2024/25 which will provide Local Authorities with more flexibility to support schools seeing significant declines in pupil numbers, where these places will still be needed within the next three to five years. More information on the changes to growth and falling rolls funding can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-funding-formula-for-schools-and-high-needs.

3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of children attending unregistered schools.

The Department has not made any estimate of the number of pupils in unregistered schools. Those responsible for conducting unregistered schools do not generally inform the Department about the school’s operation. It is therefore not possible to accurately estimate the number of children attending unregistered schools.

Unregistered schools are those that are operating as an independent school without having registered with the Department. It is a criminal offence under Section 96 of the Education and Skills 2008 Act for any person to operate an unregistered independent school. The Department and Ofsted continue to investigate any setting where intelligence or evidence suggests the operation of an unregistered school. Section 97 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 permits no notice inspections of settings believed to be operating in breach of the registration requirement.

Between 1 January 2016 and 31 March 2023, 726 inspections of suspected unregistered independent schools took place. Of those, 146 settings were issued with a warning notice and 129 settings closed or ceased operating illegally. Since 2016, six successful prosecutions have been brought against those responsible for conducting unregistered schools.

3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help schools plan their budgets for the 2023-2024 academic year.

The Government is committed to providing a world class education system for all pupils and has provided significant funding in education to achieve that. The Autumn Statement 2022 announced additional funding of £2 billion in each of the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years, over and above totals announced at the Spending Review 2021.

This means funding for mainstream schools and high needs is £3.5 billion higher in the 2023/24 financial year, compared to 2022/23 financial year. That is on top of the £4 billion, year on year increase provided in the 2022/23 financial year. This is an increase of £7.5 billion, or over 15%, in just two years.

Funding for both mainstream schools and high needs will total £58.8 billion in 2024/25. This is the highest ever level per pupil, in real terms as measured by the Institute for Fiscal Studies. The Government provides these increases to school revenue budgets so that schools can cover cost increases in the year ahead.

Funding for mainstream schools and high needs for 2023/24 is allocated through the schools and high needs National Funding Formulae (NFFs), published in July 2022. This determines the amount of funding each Local Authority receives for the schools in their area, and final school allocations are then determined by each Local Authority’s own local funding formula.

All schools should have been notified of their funding allocations for 2023/24. Academies will receive their funding allocations on an academic year basis from the Education and Skills Funding Agency, and maintained schools receive their funding on a financial year basis from their Local Authorities.

In addition to funding through the NFF, in 2023/24 mainstream schools also receive funding through the Mainstream Schools Additional Grant (MSAG). The Department has now published school level allocations of the MSAG funding, so that all eligible schools can see their additional funding through this grant. Pupil Premium allocations for the 2023/24 financial year have also been published.

The Department understands that one of the key concerns of schools regarding budget planning in the 2023/24 academic year is teachers’ pay.

Following unions’ rejection of the Government’s 4.5% offer in March, the independent School Teachers’ Review Body has submitted its recommendations to the Government on teacher pay for the 2023/24 academic year, as part of the normal process. The Department will be considering the recommendations and continues to work across government to ensure that announcements can be made as early as possible. This year, for example, to allow trusts more time to prepare their budgets, the Department has extended the deadline for the Budget Forecast Return that academies are required to provide, setting out their budget plans, to 31 August 2023.

It is recommended that schools consider the range of possible scenarios on the different cost factors, including on support staff pay and energy, that might materialise, and what the implications would be for their individual school.

Guidance to help schools complete forecasts can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academies-budget-forecast-return-guide-to-using-the-online-form/academies-budget-forecast-guidance-for-completing-the-online-form. The Department’s School Resource Management offer also includes advice to help with forecasting, including estates management advice, buying guides and how to join or create your own school professionals network.

3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when her Department plans to publish updated school Condition Data Collection.

The key, high level findings of the Condition Data Collection (CDC) programme were published in May 2021 in the ‘Condition of School Buildings Survey: Key Findings’ report. This is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/989912/Condition_of_School_Buildings_Survey_CDC1_-_key_findings_report.pdf.

Individual CDC reports are shared with every school and the academy trust, Local Authority or voluntary aided body responsible for those schools, to help inform their investment plans, alongside their own more detailed condition surveys and safety checks. The Department has committed to publishing the school level CDC data before the summer recess.

Well maintained, safe school buildings are a priority for the Department. The Department allocates significant funding to those responsible for the school estate to improve their buildings. This is over £15 billion since 2015, including £1.8 billion committed for the 2023/24 financial year. The School Rebuilding Programme will also transform buildings at 500 schools over the next decade, prioritising schools in poor condition. The Department has announced 400 schools to date, including 239 in December 2022.

3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of pupils who are registered with a state-funded school spend less than two days a week in a placement with an unregistered alternative provider.

The department collects information via the alternative provision census on pupils aged 2-18 which local authorities have placed in unregistered providers. Since the 2022/23 academic year, the department has also collected information via the school census on placements made by schools, with the first mandatory collection being within the spring census.

The published data is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics/2022-23. The information is not readily available from this source in the form requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Claire Coutinho
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding Ofsted received in academic years (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23.

This is a matter for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to the right honourable member for Portsmouth South directly and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many Ofsted inspectors have left the regulator to join multi-academy trusts in each of the last five years.

This is a matter for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to the right honourable member for Portsmouth South directly and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many primary schools offer breakfast clubs to their pupils as of 3 July 2023.

The Government is committed to continuing support for school breakfasts, and in November 2022 the National School Breakfast Programme was extended for an additional year until the end of the summer term in 2024.

The Government is investing up to £30 million in this programme overall. This funding will support up to 2,700 schools in disadvantaged areas, meaning that thousands of children from low-income families will be offered free nutritious breakfasts to better support their attainment, wellbeing, and studies. As at November 2022, 2,170 schools were participating in the programme, of which 1,417 were primary schools. The Department is currently working with its supplier to publish updated data in due course.

Schools are eligible for the programme if they have 40% or more pupils from disadvantaged households, as measured by the income deprivation affecting children index. As at March 2023, 2,500 schools were participating in the programme.

Alongside the national programme, there are several organisations such as FareShare, Magic Breakfast, Kellogg’s and Greggs providing valuable support to schools with a breakfast provision.

3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support schools with buildings with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

The safety of pupils and staff is vital. It is the responsibility of those who run schools to manage the safety and maintenance of their schools and alert us if there is a concern with a building. This is typically academy trusts, Local Authorities, and voluntary aided school bodies. The Department provides support on a case by case basis, working with the sector when we are alerted to a serious safety issue.

Where it is suspected that reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is present in a school, the Department takes swift action based on professional advice.

In cases where RAAC is confirmed, the Department provides rapid support to schools on the advice of structural engineers. This could include funding capital works to remove any immediate risk and, where absolutely necessary, the provision of temporary buildings.

The Department provides support to schools and responsible bodies and has allocated over £15 billion since 2015 to keep schools safe and operational. This includes £1.8 billion committed this financial year, informed by consistent data on the school estate. In addition, the Department’s School Rebuilding Programme will transform 500 schools over the next decade, prioritising schools in poor condition.

3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department provides performance-related pay to teachers in schools.

Following the Government’s pay reforms in September 2013, all pay awards for teachers in maintained schools have been based on performance. Pay progression linked to performance is detailed within the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document 2022, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-teachers-pay-and-conditions.

3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with education unions on industrial action by their members.

The Government and the education trade unions, the ASCL, NAHT, NASUWT and NEU, took part in a period of intensive talks between 17 March and 23 March 2023, with over 200 hours of Ministers’ and officials’ time spent on these talks, after which an in principle offer was made by the Government. This offer comprised a package of pay and non-pay related measures. Unfortunately, the four trade unions rejected this fair and funded offer.

Following the unions’ rejection of the Government’s March pay offer, teacher pay for next year will go through an independent pay review process as usual. The School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) makes recommendations on the pay of teachers in England and reports to the Secretary of State for Education and the Prime Minister.

As part of the normal process, the STRB has now submitted its recommendations to the Government on teacher pay for 2023/24. The Department will be considering the recommendations and will publish its response in the usual way.

The Department will continue to engage regularly with teaching and leadership unions on policy developments as usual.

3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of teachers entitled to retention bursaries did not receive them in the academic years (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23.

The Department is currently offering a Levelling Up Premium worth up to £3,000 tax-free for mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing teachers in the first five years of their careers who choose to work in disadvantaged schools, including in Education Investment Areas. The Department is also continuing to pay Early Career Payments to teachers who started Initial Teacher Training between 2018/19 and 2020/21. In the 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic year, the Department also paid Mathematics and Physics Teacher Retention Payments.

To claim these retention payments, teachers complete a short online application within the specified claim window, and the Department pays them directly if eligible. The Department is not able to confirm how many or what proportion of eligible teachers did not receive payments because the teacher workforce is fluid.

For the Mathematics and Physics Teacher Retention Payments pilot, the Department estimated that uptake by eligible teachers was above 90%. The Department is continuing to assess uptake of the other retention payment schemes, and expects a similar uptake level.

3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding allocated for the (a) maintenance and (b) refurbishment of school buildings in the last three years.

It is the responsibility of those who run our schools and who work with their schools day to day to manage maintenance and to alert the Department if there is a serious concern with a building. This includes academy trusts, local authorities, and voluntary aided school bodies. The Department provides additional support on a case by case basis if we are alerted to a serious safety issue by responsible bodies that cannot be managed within local resources.

Well-maintained and safe school buildings are a priority for the Department. That is why the Department has allocated over £15 billion since 2015 to keeping schools safe and in good working order. This includes £5.8 billion allocated between the 2021/22 and 2023/24 financial years, which is informed by consistent data on the school estate. Early indications from our latest survey, Condition Data Collection 2, alongside feedback from responsible bodies, show that in almost every case where a Grade D (bad condition) component was identified in Condition Data Collection 1, it has now been addressed.

The Department’s School Rebuilding Programme will transform 500 schools over the next decade, prioritising schools in poor condition or with potential safety issues. 400 schools have been announced to date, including 239 in December 2022.

3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many school buildings are not in use following an assessment that they pose a posing a risk to life.

The safety of pupils and staff is vital. It is the responsibility of those who run schools, including academy trusts, Local Authorities and voluntary aided school bodies, to manage the maintenance of their schools and alert the Department if there is a concern with a building. Local Authorities and academy trusts do not need to report building closures to the Department, but the Department provides support on a case by case basis, working with the sector if it is alerted to a serious safety issue. This includes when schools have closed part or all of the site for a period of time once RAAC is confirmed. In most cases this is for a number of days as opposed to a longer closure. The number of schools this has applied to is changing regularly with ongoing activity to mitigate the impact, including minimising any short term impact on education.

Where it is suspected that reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is present in a school, the Department takes swift action based on professional advice. In cases where RAAC is confirmed, the Department provides rapid support to schools on the advice of structural engineers. This could include funding capital works to remove any immediate risk and, where absolutely necessary, the provision of temporary buildings. Longer term remediation of RAAC is supported by capital funding provided to the sector, the Department’s rebuilding programme, and urgent capital support.

The Department provides support to schools and responsible bodies and has allocated over £15 billion since 2015 to keep schools safe and operational. This includes £1.8 billion committed this financial year, informed by consistent data on the school estate. In addition, the Department’s School Rebuilding Programme will transform 500 schools over the next decade, prioritising schools in poor condition.

3rd Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what criteria her Department uses to determine whether a school building should immediately close.

The safety of pupils and staff is vital. It is the responsibility of those who run schools, including academy trusts, Local Authorities and voluntary aided school bodies, to manage the maintenance of their schools and alert the Department if there is a concern with a building. Local Authorities and academy trusts do not need to report building closures to the Department, but the Department provides support on a case by case basis, working with the sector if it is alerted to a serious safety issue. This includes when schools have closed part or all of the site for a period of time once RAAC is confirmed. In most cases this is for a number of days as opposed to a longer closure. The number of schools this has applied to is changing regularly with ongoing activity to mitigate the impact, including minimising any short term impact on education.

Where it is suspected that reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is present in a school, the Department takes swift action based on professional advice. In cases where RAAC is confirmed, the Department provides rapid support to schools on the advice of structural engineers. This could include funding capital works to remove any immediate risk and, where absolutely necessary, the provision of temporary buildings. Longer term remediation of RAAC is supported by capital funding provided to the sector, the Department’s rebuilding programme, and urgent capital support.

The Department provides support to schools and responsible bodies and has allocated over £15 billion since 2015 to keep schools safe and operational. This includes £1.8 billion committed this financial year, informed by consistent data on the school estate. In addition, the Department’s School Rebuilding Programme will transform 500 schools over the next decade, prioritising schools in poor condition.

28th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the cost to the public purse was of appointment of Regional Department for Education Directors.

Regional Directors (RDs) are Senior Civil Servants who act on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education and are held to account by the Director General for Regions Group. They work locally across children’s social care, special educational needs and disabilities, schools and area based programmes to improve outcomes for children, families and pupils.

Recruitment to RD posts is managed by the Department’s existing internal recruitment teams. There is no additional cost to the public purse from their appointments. The salaries of RDs can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disclosure-of-scs-posts-and-salary-information.

20th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the effectiveness of the Regional Department for Education Directors.

Regional Directors (RDs) are Senior Civil Servants who act on behalf of the Secretary of State and are held to account by the Director General for Regions Group. Their performance is managed through the normal and existing service arrangements for Senior Civil Servants.

The Department publishes annual reports relating to school and academies performance, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and children’s social care, in which the work of RDs will be included.

19th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when her Department plans to announce whether UTC Portsmouth's bid to expand into Southampton has been successful.

This free school application wave is prioritising applications for new schools and university technical colleges in areas where they are most needed, both in terms of the demand for additional places, and where they will have biggest impact on improving outcomes.

The department is considering all applications carefully and will announce successful proposals in due course.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
12th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has plans for free school meals outside of school term time.

Free school meals (FSM) is an educational entitlement, intended to support pupils while they are in education. Pupils do not receive FSM when they are not receiving education, including during school holidays.

Overall, two million more pupils now enjoy a free meal at school compared to 2010. This means over one third of pupils are in receipt of FSM, up from just one in six in 2010 thanks to the introduction of Universal Infant Free School Meals and generous transitional protections.

The Department is providing over £200 million of funding per year in the Holiday Activities and Food programme, which provides food and activities for disadvantaged children in England, for four weeks during summer and one week each at Christmas and Easter. The programme provides heathy meals, enriching activities and free childcare places to children from low income families, benefiting their health, wellbeing and education.

For those who require extra support, the Government is providing an additional £1 billion of funding, including Barnett impact, to enable the extension of the Household Support Fund in England in the next financial year. This is in addition to funding already provided since October 2021, bringing total funding to £2.5 billion. In England this will be delivered through an extension to the Household Support Fund backed by £842 million, running from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, which Local Authorities use to help households with the cost of essentials.

Overall, the Government is providing total support of over £94 billion over 2022/23 and 2023/24 to help households and individuals with the rising cost of living.

12th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of free school meals outside of school term time on levels of child poverty.

Free school meals (FSM) is an educational entitlement, intended to support pupils while they are in education. Pupils do not receive FSM when they are not receiving education, including during school holidays.

Overall, two million more pupils now enjoy a free meal at school compared to 2010. This means over one third of pupils are in receipt of FSM, up from just one in six in 2010 thanks to the introduction of Universal Infant Free School Meals and generous transitional protections.

The Department is providing over £200 million of funding per year in the Holiday Activities and Food programme, which provides food and activities for disadvantaged children in England, for four weeks during summer and one week each at Christmas and Easter. The programme provides heathy meals, enriching activities and free childcare places to children from low income families, benefiting their health, wellbeing and education.

For those who require extra support, the Government is providing an additional £1 billion of funding, including Barnett impact, to enable the extension of the Household Support Fund in England in the next financial year. This is in addition to funding already provided since October 2021, bringing total funding to £2.5 billion. In England this will be delivered through an extension to the Household Support Fund backed by £842 million, running from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, which Local Authorities use to help households with the cost of essentials.

Overall, the Government is providing total support of over £94 billion over 2022/23 and 2023/24 to help households and individuals with the rising cost of living.

12th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of specialist physics teachers in schools.

Recent data shows record numbers of teachers in England’s state funded schools with over 468,000 full time equivalent now in our schools. This is an increase of 2,800 since last year, and an increase of 27,000 since 2010.

The Department’s recruitment and retention reforms aim to ensure effective teacher supply across all subjects. The Department recognises that recruitment and retention in some subjects, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects, remains more challenging and the Department has put additional targeted initiatives in place.

​The Government remains committed to delivering £30,000 starting salaries to attract talented people to teaching. In October 2022, the Department announced an Initial Teacher Training (ITT) financial incentives package worth up to £181 million for those starting ITT in 2023/24, which is a £52 million increase on 2022/23. The package includes bursaries worth £27,000 tax free and scholarships worth £29,000 tax free, to encourage talented trainees to teach in key subjects, such as physics, chemistry and computing. More information on the financial incentives package can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/funding-initial-teacher-training-itt/funding-initial-teacher-training-itt-academic-year-2023-to-2024.

​For the 2023/24 academic year, the Department has also extended bursary and scholarship eligibility to all non-UK national trainees in physics.

The Department is offering a Levelling Up Premium worth up to £3,000 tax free for mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computing teachers in the first five years of their careers who choose to work in disadvantaged schools, including in Education Investment Areas. More information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/levelling-up-premium-payments-for-teachers.

​In spring 2022, the Department launched ‘Engineers teach physics’, an ITT course which was piloted as a step to encourage engineering graduates and career changers with an engineering background to consider a career as a physics teacher. Following the pilot year, the Department has now rolled ‘Engineers teach physics’ out nationally, with 18 providers currently offering this course.

​The Department reviews the existing schemes on offer each year and considers the introduction of specific targeted initiatives where there is evidence that they could contribute to the recruitment and retention of excellent teachers.

​To support retention across all subjects, the Department has published a range of resources to help address staff workload and wellbeing. This includes the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter, which the Department is encouraging schools to sign up to as a shared commitment to promote staff wellbeing: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/education-staff-wellbeing-charter. The Department will be reviewing progress made against the Charter later this year.

12th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help encourage underrepresented groups of young people to study physics.

The Department supports a range of work to improve the uptake of and attainment in physics to ensure that anyone, regardless of their background, can pursue an education in science.

The Department funds the Isaac Physics programme, an online platform of GCSE and A level physics materials developed by Cambridge University, which is designed to increase the numbers of students, particularly from typically underrepresented backgrounds, studying physics in higher education.

The Department also funds the Inclusion in Schools project, delivered by the Association for Science Education, which is designed to increase the uptake of A level physics by students in underrepresented groups, including girls.

A key objective of the Institute of Technology programme is to increase the participation of individuals from underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) including, for example, women or disadvantaged groups in local areas. Increased uptake will help to increase the long term pipeline of STEM skills.

The Department also supports the STEM Ambassadors programme, a nationwide network of volunteers from STEM and related employers. Approximately 45% of ambassadors are women and 15% are from minority ethnic backgrounds, providing young people with a variety of role models. These ambassadors visit primary and secondary schools across the UK to raise awareness of the diverse range of STEM careers and enable young people to explore and develop their skills and interest in STEM.

Additionally, the Department is working with some of the country’s most influential employers through the Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network to understand how to better reach out to people from disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented groups.

12th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to meet its target of recruiting 2,820 specialist physics teachers in 2023.

Recent data shows record numbers of teachers in England’s state funded schools with over 468,000 full time equivalent now in our schools. This is an increase of 2,800 since last year, and an increase of 27,000 since 2010.

The Department recognises the strong competition for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates. Our offer of a £27,000 tax free bursary or a £29,000 tax free scholarship in physics, chemistry, computing, and mathematics, reflects the priority the Department places on training teachers to teach STEM subjects. For the first time, this offer is also available to international trainees choosing to undertake physics teacher training.

The Department is offering a Levelling Up Premium worth up to £3,000 tax free annually for physics, maths, chemistry and computing teachers in the first five years of their careers who choose to work in disadvantaged schools. This will support recruitment and retention of specialist teachers in these subjects in the schools and areas that need them most.

The Department also remains committed to delivering the manifesto commitment of a £30,000 starting salary. The School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a significant 8.9% pay uplift to teacher starting salaries outside London in 2022/23 has been implemented, bringing starting salaries up to £28,000.

The Department has expanded its ITT pilot course ‘Engineers teach physics’, nationally, with 18 providers now offering it. This expansion of providers will ensure that this programme is available to more trainees across the country, further improving the shortfall in physics teachers. The Department continues to work closely with sector experts, such as the Institute of Physics, engineering representative bodies and academic institutions during this project to encourage more graduates and career changers with an engineering or material science background to consider teaching physics as a career.

To make teaching here even more attractive to the best teachers from around the world, the Department is piloting a new relocation payment for overseas nationals coming here to train or teach physics or languages. This single payment of £10,000 will help towards the costs of visas and other expenses.

12th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of her policies aiming to reduce child poverty.

The department has evaluated the impact of poverty on educational outcomes. The evidence shows that disadvantaged pupils and those with additional needs are more likely to fall behind and need extra support to reach their full potential. That is why the department has a range of support in place to support pupils, families, and schools.

The Schools White Paper set out a long-term vision for a school system that helps every child to fulfil their potential by ensuring that they receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time. This is founded on achieving world-class literacy and numeracy. We are also investing in 55 Education Investment Areas (EIAs), including Portsmouth, where outcomes in literacy and numeracy are the poorest. In these areas, we will implement a package of measures to drive school improvement and improve pupil outcomes. Portsmouth is also one of the 24 Priority Education Investment Areas (PEIAs) where the department will make more intensive investment on top of the significant support available to all EIAs. PEIAs are a subset of EIAs that have particularly low attainment and high rates of disadvantage.

More widely, the government is committed to closing the disadvantage gap. This government’s work for the ten years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic showed that progress can be made to narrow the gap, and that the department’s policies and programmes are making an impact. We will continue to monitor progress and to deliver programmes designed to help disadvantaged pupils, for example through the Pupil Premium, introduced in 2011, and worth over £2.9 billion in 2023/24.

Thanks to the measures brought in by this government, we have driven up school standards across the country. 88% of schools are now rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’. The rate of improvement has been even greater in Portsmouth, where there has been an increase in schools reaching this high bar of 36% over the course of this government.

In 2018, the department launched the £60 million English Hubs Programme. The 34 English Hubs are primary schools which are rated outstanding at teaching early reading. Since its launch, the English Hubs Programme has provided appropriate and targeted support to several thousands of schools across England. Schools supported as partner schools outperformed non-partner schools by around 7 percentage points, when comparing the change in year 1 phonics screening check results between pre-COVID-19 pandemic and 2022.

Portsmouth’s local English Hub, Springhill English Hub, is working hard to engage and support primary schools across Portsmouth to improve the teaching of phonics, including offering showcase events especially for Portsmouth schools. The Hub has supported four schools in the city, with another six expected to become partner schools in September 2023.

Schools within Portsmouth are also supported by Solent Maths Hub. Maths Hubs aim to raise the standard of mathematics education from reception through to A level, and harness mathematics leadership and expertise within an area to develop and spread excellent practice, for the benefit of all students. Maths Hubs use their networks to deliver a range of Continued Professional Development in mathematics to schools in their geographical patch.

In April 2023, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced plans to extend the £100 million Teaching for Mastery programme to reach 75% of primary schools and 65% of secondary schools by 2025. This was accompanied by plans to provide more intensive Maths Hubs support to schools that need it most, including in Priority Education Investment Areas, to continue driving up the quality of mathematics teaching in schools.

Outcomes, as measured by international comparison studies, show improvements in key subjects like reading and maths. Most recently, England came fourth out of the 43 countries that tested children of the same age, in the Progress in International Literacy Study (PIRLS), with an average score of 558.

Providing support for vulnerable children and young people is a priority for this government. We recognise the strain that families are under and will continue to work collaboratively with local areas to ensure children, young people, and families have access to the support they need, for instance to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and in support of cost of living pressures. Many of the department’s recovery programmes, including the Recovery Premium, are especially focused on helping the most disadvantaged. Funding for the National Tutoring Programme is also allocated on the basis of disadvantage. The department’s guidance to schools highlights the help to those students in particular.

The government spends over £1 billion annually delivering free school meals (FSM) to pupils in schools, as the provision of nutritious food ensures pupils are well nourished, develop healthy eating habits, and can concentrate and learn. In addition, the department has extended the National School Breakfast programme for another year until July 2024. Overall, we are investing up to £30 million in the programme, covering the period from July 2021 to July 2024. This funding will support up to 2,500 schools in disadvantaged areas, meaning that thousands of children from low-income families will be offered free nutritious breakfasts to better support their attainment, wellbeing, and readiness to learn.

This Government has extended FSM eligibility several times and to more groups of children than any other government over the past half a century. The department provides free meals for 2 million disadvantaged pupils through the benefits-related criteria. Combined with almost 1.3 million infant pupils who also receive an FSM through the Universal Infant Free School Meal policy, this accounts for over one third of all pupils in school, compared to one sixth of pupils in 2010.

This year, the department is again investing over £200 million in the Holiday Activities and Food programme, with all local authorities in England delivering in the Easter, summer, and Christmas holidays. The programme provides healthy meals, enriching activities and free childcare places to children from low-income families, benefiting their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Claire Coutinho
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
12th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of recent trends in child poverty in Portsmouth South constituency.

The department has evaluated the impact of poverty on educational outcomes. The evidence shows that disadvantaged pupils and those with additional needs are more likely to fall behind and need extra support to reach their full potential. That is why the department has a range of support in place to support pupils, families, and schools.

The Schools White Paper set out a long-term vision for a school system that helps every child to fulfil their potential by ensuring that they receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time. This is founded on achieving world-class literacy and numeracy. We are also investing in 55 Education Investment Areas (EIAs), including Portsmouth, where outcomes in literacy and numeracy are the poorest. In these areas, we will implement a package of measures to drive school improvement and improve pupil outcomes. Portsmouth is also one of the 24 Priority Education Investment Areas (PEIAs) where the department will make more intensive investment on top of the significant support available to all EIAs. PEIAs are a subset of EIAs that have particularly low attainment and high rates of disadvantage.

More widely, the government is committed to closing the disadvantage gap. This government’s work for the ten years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic showed that progress can be made to narrow the gap, and that the department’s policies and programmes are making an impact. We will continue to monitor progress and to deliver programmes designed to help disadvantaged pupils, for example through the Pupil Premium, introduced in 2011, and worth over £2.9 billion in 2023/24.

Thanks to the measures brought in by this government, we have driven up school standards across the country. 88% of schools are now rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’. The rate of improvement has been even greater in Portsmouth, where there has been an increase in schools reaching this high bar of 36% over the course of this government.

In 2018, the department launched the £60 million English Hubs Programme. The 34 English Hubs are primary schools which are rated outstanding at teaching early reading. Since its launch, the English Hubs Programme has provided appropriate and targeted support to several thousands of schools across England. Schools supported as partner schools outperformed non-partner schools by around 7 percentage points, when comparing the change in year 1 phonics screening check results between pre-COVID-19 pandemic and 2022.

Portsmouth’s local English Hub, Springhill English Hub, is working hard to engage and support primary schools across Portsmouth to improve the teaching of phonics, including offering showcase events especially for Portsmouth schools. The Hub has supported four schools in the city, with another six expected to become partner schools in September 2023.

Schools within Portsmouth are also supported by Solent Maths Hub. Maths Hubs aim to raise the standard of mathematics education from reception through to A level, and harness mathematics leadership and expertise within an area to develop and spread excellent practice, for the benefit of all students. Maths Hubs use their networks to deliver a range of Continued Professional Development in mathematics to schools in their geographical patch.

In April 2023, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced plans to extend the £100 million Teaching for Mastery programme to reach 75% of primary schools and 65% of secondary schools by 2025. This was accompanied by plans to provide more intensive Maths Hubs support to schools that need it most, including in Priority Education Investment Areas, to continue driving up the quality of mathematics teaching in schools.

Outcomes, as measured by international comparison studies, show improvements in key subjects like reading and maths. Most recently, England came fourth out of the 43 countries that tested children of the same age, in the Progress in International Literacy Study (PIRLS), with an average score of 558.

Providing support for vulnerable children and young people is a priority for this government. We recognise the strain that families are under and will continue to work collaboratively with local areas to ensure children, young people, and families have access to the support they need, for instance to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and in support of cost of living pressures. Many of the department’s recovery programmes, including the Recovery Premium, are especially focused on helping the most disadvantaged. Funding for the National Tutoring Programme is also allocated on the basis of disadvantage. The department’s guidance to schools highlights the help to those students in particular.

The government spends over £1 billion annually delivering free school meals (FSM) to pupils in schools, as the provision of nutritious food ensures pupils are well nourished, develop healthy eating habits, and can concentrate and learn. In addition, the department has extended the National School Breakfast programme for another year until July 2024. Overall, we are investing up to £30 million in the programme, covering the period from July 2021 to July 2024. This funding will support up to 2,500 schools in disadvantaged areas, meaning that thousands of children from low-income families will be offered free nutritious breakfasts to better support their attainment, wellbeing, and readiness to learn.

This Government has extended FSM eligibility several times and to more groups of children than any other government over the past half a century. The department provides free meals for 2 million disadvantaged pupils through the benefits-related criteria. Combined with almost 1.3 million infant pupils who also receive an FSM through the Universal Infant Free School Meal policy, this accounts for over one third of all pupils in school, compared to one sixth of pupils in 2010.

This year, the department is again investing over £200 million in the Holiday Activities and Food programme, with all local authorities in England delivering in the Easter, summer, and Christmas holidays. The programme provides healthy meals, enriching activities and free childcare places to children from low-income families, benefiting their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Claire Coutinho
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
6th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's press release entitled More support to keep pupils in the classroom published on 2 January 2022, whether this guidance remains in place for schools.

The temporary measures outlined in the press release dated 2 January 2022 are no longer in place. The measures outlined were temporarily introduced to support and protect the return to face to face education.

On 1 April 2022, the Government withdrew many pieces of specific COVID-19 pandemic guidance for schools and childcare services, as well as for other sectors. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) published a series of new public health guidance documents, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-guidance-sets-out-how-to-live-safely-with-covid-19.

Given the low risk to children and young people, high levels of vaccination among the UK population, and a dominant variant that continues to be milder than in the past, there is no longer a need for specific COVID-19 pandemic guidance in school. Schools should follow the public health guidance set out by UKHSA on managing COVID-19 in line with other infectious diseases. This is accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-guidance-sets-out-how-to-live-safely-with-covid-19.

All schools should have infection prevention and control measures in place that will help to manage the spread of infection. These include ventilation, cleaning, and supporting routine immunisations for those eligible.

The Department published Emergency Planning and Response guidance for schools, which sets out how schools should plan for and deal with emergencies, including the possibility of future significant public health incidents. This guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-planning-and-response-for-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings.

6th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress she has made on the roll out of measures to improve air filtration in schools as set out in January 2022.

Since 2021, the Department has delivered over 700,000 CO2 monitors to over 45,000 state funded schools and colleges, as well as early years settings and childminders operating in groups of four or more, and children’s homes that offer places to six or more children.

The first phase of this programme began in September 2021 and supplied education providers with enough CO2 monitors for 50% of teaching and childcare spaces. The second phase began in December 2022 and ended in April 2023. It ensured all eligible providers received additional monitors for the remaining 50% of teaching and childcare spaces.

For poorly ventilated teaching spaces in state funded schools where improvement to ventilation is not possible, the Department has provided over 9,000 air cleaning units (ACUs) to over 1,300 schools. The ACU programme began in January 2022 and was well received by schools, colleges and childcare providers. Applications were reopened in November 2022 to give providers another opportunity to receive a Department funded ACU for spaces with sustained high CO2 readings (1500ppm or more).

All ACUs provided by the Department have met the minimum recommended technical specification for ACUs in education and childcare settings. Details are available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1152803/HEPA_Specification_V0.9_.pdf. The Department’s technical specification was developed through consultation with industry wide experts in both air cleaning and ventilation, from academia, professional bodies and industry, including chartered engineers, scientists, and several Government Departments. Through this consultation, the Department has developed a specification focusing on key drivers including classroom size, acoustics, clean air delivery and filtration, as well as requiring strong evidence to verify manufacturers' claims.

The application window for a Department funded ACU has now closed. The Department’s ‘Find a Framework’ service continues to supply education and childcare providers with a route to purchasing air cleaning units and replacement filters directly from suppliers. The service is accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-a-dfe-approved-framework-for-your-school.

The Department has published guidance with linked resources to help schools and nurseries understand the need for good ventilation and how to make the most out of their devices. This guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-co-monitors-and-air-cleaning-units-in-education-and-care-settings.

2nd Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the increase will be in funding for the National Tutoring Programme in the academic year 2023-24 following the decision to raise the subsidy rate to 50% for that year.

The National Tutoring Programme (NTP) is central to the Department’s £5 billion education recovery programme, which includes up to £1.5 billion on tutoring, £400 million on teacher training opportunities, and nearly £2 billion of direct funding to schools so they can deliver evidence-based interventions based on pupil needs. This support is especially focused on helping the most disadvantaged, vulnerable or those with the least time left in education, wherever they live.

The (NTP) makes available subsidised tutoring to boost progress of pupils who most need to catch up on education lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is extensive evidence that tutoring is one of the most effective ways to accelerate academic progress. Since November 2020, over three million courses have been started through the NTP.

The Department has set the subsidy rate for the NTP for the 2023/24 academic year at 50%. This change is in response to schools’ concerns over previously announced funding arrangements, which included a 25% subsidy rate. The 50% subsidy rate announced on 23 May 2023 means that schools now need to contribute less of their core funding to provide tutoring.

The Department is providing £150 million for tutoring in the 2023/23 academic year. The funding each school receives is determined by their number of pupils eligible for the Pupil Premium. The funding provided next year is unchanged as a result of changing the subsidy rate at 50%, and brings the total funding for tutoring to £1 billion.

2nd Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has issued guidance to schools on discussions of Andrew Tate’s views in Personal, Social and Health Education lessons.

The statutory guidance for relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) does not address teaching about the views of Andrew Tate directly, but it emphasises that schools should be aware of issues such as everyday sexism, misogyny, homophobia and gender stereotypes.

Schools should take positive action to build a culture where these are not tolerated, and any occurrences are identified and tackled. The guidance is clear that schools should make clear that sexual harassment is not acceptable, will never be tolerated, and is not an inevitable part of growing up. The statutory guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.

15th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of the support available to families moving to the UK on a student visa.

As set out in the government's International Education Strategy and subsequent updates, the department is committed to working with the higher education sector to enhance the international student experience, and to ensure they have an enjoyable and valuable experience whilst in the UK. Details of the strategy are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-education-strategy-global-potential-global-growth/international-education-strategy-global-potential-global-growth.

This includes working closely with organisations such as the UK Council for International Student Affairs, who offer a range of information and guidance for those travelling on a student visa. This information is available at: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/.

In addition, universities provide a range of dedicated support to their international students at pre-arrival, on-arrival and during their studies. This includes welcoming services, transitional support and visa advice.

As set out in Home Office guidance, international students and their families who come to the UK on a student visa are required to have money to support themselves for the duration of their studies. The guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa. Generally, to qualify for student support from Student Finance England, a person resident in England must have settled status or a recognised connection to the UK. This includes persons who are covered by the EU Withdrawal Agreement, have long residence in this country or who have been granted international protection by the Home Office. There are also requirements associated with ordinary residence in the UK.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
15th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the role of physical activity in promoting mental wellbeing among children and young people.

The UK Chief Medical Officers' Physical Activity Guidelines set out how regular physical exercise provides a range of physical and mental health benefits for children and young people.

On 8 March 2023, the Government announced multi million pound funding to support schools in providing more opportunities for pupils to be active by accessing high quality Physical Education and school sport. This funding will help pupils to meet the UK Chief Medical Officers' daily recommended amount of physical activity.

To support pupils to access more opportunities to be active outside of school and gain the mental wellbeing benefits of exercise, the Department has announced funding of up to £57 million to deliver phase three of the Opening School Facilities programme. This will allow schools to open their sport facilities outside of the core school day, at weekends and during holidays. The funding will be targeted to the schools in the country’s least active communities, where it will have the most positive impact.

15th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities have opportunities to take part in physical education and sport within schools.

Physical education (PE) is a foundation subject at all four Key Stages, and it is a vital part of a broad and balanced curriculum for all pupils to access. Schools are expected to develop a sporting curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils, during PE lessons and in extracurricular sporting activity.

On 8 March 2023, the Government committed over £600 million in funding over the next two years for primary schools, including special schools to provide high quality PE and school sport to all pupils. £57 million up to March 2025 was additionally announced to deliver phase three of the Opening School Facilities Programme which will support schools in low socio-economic areas to open their sports facilities in the evenings, during weekends and in the holidays.

The Department funds two other programmes to support pupils access to PE and school sport. The Girls Your Time initiative, worth up to £980,000 up to March 2024, is increasing opportunities for girls aged 8 to 16 to access competitive sport and sport leadership opportunities. The Inclusion 2024 grant, which is worth up to £900,000 up to March 2024, is providing practical support to schools to increase opportunities for disabled pupils and those with special educational needs to engage in sport and physical exercise.

15th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that children from under-served communities are supported to take part in school sport.

Physical education (PE) is a foundation subject at all four Key Stages, and it is a vital part of a broad and balanced curriculum for all pupils to access. Schools are expected to develop a sporting curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils, during PE lessons and in extracurricular sporting activity.

On 8 March 2023, the Government committed over £600 million in funding over the next two years for primary schools, including special schools to provide high quality PE and school sport to all pupils. £57 million up to March 2025 was additionally announced to deliver phase three of the Opening School Facilities Programme which will support schools in low socio-economic areas to open their sports facilities in the evenings, during weekends and in the holidays.

The Department funds two other programmes to support pupils access to PE and school sport. The Girls Your Time initiative, worth up to £980,000 up to March 2024, is increasing opportunities for girls aged 8 to 16 to access competitive sport and sport leadership opportunities. The Inclusion 2024 grant, which is worth up to £900,000 up to March 2024, is providing practical support to schools to increase opportunities for disabled pupils and those with special educational needs to engage in sport and physical exercise.

15th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department has taken to enable children and young people to contribute to the development of the new School Sport and Activity Action Plan.

The update to the School Sport and Activity Action Plan will be published this summer and will build on the Government’s Physical Education (PE) and School Sport announcement on 8 March 2023. This confirmed funding for the PE and Sport Premium and School Games Organisers for an additional two academic years.

The Action Plan has been informed by data collected from over 100,000 pupils and young people annually through the Sport England’s Active Lives Survey. This survey collects data on pupils' behaviours and attitudes to sport and physical activity. The Department has also worked with a wide range of sector organisations and schools who share insight from teachers, parents, and pupils.

15th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her Department's estimated timeframe is for releasing the new School Sport and Activity Action Plan.

The update to the School Sport and Activity Action Plan will be published this summer and will build on the Government’s Physical Education (PE) and School Sport announcement on 8 March 2023. This confirmed funding for the PE and Sport Premium and School Games Organisers for an additional two academic years.

The Action Plan has been informed by data collected from over 100,000 pupils and young people annually through the Sport England’s Active Lives Survey. This survey collects data on pupils' behaviours and attitudes to sport and physical activity. The Department has also worked with a wide range of sector organisations and schools who share insight from teachers, parents, and pupils.

15th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department is taking steps to help reduce potential cost barriers to accessing branded school uniform for asylum seeking children.

New statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms came into force in September 2022 which requires schools in England to ensure that their uniforms are affordable. The guidance states that branded items should be kept to a minimum, and any branded items should be low cost or long lasting. It also states that schools should make second hand uniform available for parents to acquire. Schools must have regard to this guidance when developing and implementing their uniform policy. The guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms/cost-of-school-uniforms.

The Department is not taking any additional steps specifically for asylum seeking children to reduce potential cost barriers to them accessing branded school uniform.

The pressures placed on local education and children’s services infrastructure relating to asylum seeking children should be managed through existing processes and funding allocations.

15th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to raise awareness of the Chief Medical Officer's guidance on recommended activity levels for children and young people among teachers and schools.

To help children meet the UK Chief Medical Officers' physical activity guidelines, the Department has worked with sector organisations, such as the Youth Sport Trust and Women’s Football Association, on an ongoing programme of communications activity to raise the profile of physical activity.

On 8 March 2023, the Department announced over £600 million across the next two academic years for the primary Physical Education and Sport Premium. The Premium can be used by schools to help provide access for pupils to at least 30 minutes of physical activity during the school day, as well as providing additional funding to support schools to ensure girls and boys have equal access to sport in school.

15th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to ensure food vouchers are available for asylum-seeking children during school holidays.

Asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute are eligible for support under Section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum 1999 Act. The support provided usually consists of accommodation (with utility bills and council tax paid) and a weekly allowance to meet other essential living needs.

Asylum seekers with children also have access to free schooling, including free school meals (FSM).

Whilst FSM is not available to pupils outside of term time, pupils who are eligible for FSM are also entitled to a place on their Local Authority’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme, which provides healthy food and enriching activities over the main holiday periods.

12th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the expected impact on levels of participation in the National Tutoring Programme of changes in the subsidy rate in academic years (a) 2022-23 and (b) 2023-24.

Since the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) began in 2020, over three million courses have been started. The Government is investing more than £1 billion so that pupils can catch up through accessing high quality tuition.

The Department continues to monitor participation in the NTP in the 2022/23 academic year via the termly school census.

Statistics from the most recent census, which show the position at 19 January, are available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/national-tutoring-programme/2022-23. The Department is supplementing data received from schools with insight from stakeholders and the Department’s support desk to understand barriers to delivery faced by schools.

The Department will publish information for schools on arrangements for the programme for the academic year 2023/24 in due course. The Department remains committed to publishing statistics on participation in the programme throughout the next academic year.

24th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to address (a) recruitment and (b) retention of teachers with expertise in Physical Education.

Over 465,500 (FTE) teachers work in state-funded schools across the country, which is over 24,000 more than in 2010.

As of November 2021, there were 23,708 teachers of physical education (PE) in state-funded secondary schools in England. Recruitment to Initial Teacher Training (ITT) has been high for PE and has consistently exceeded its target. The Initial Teacher Training Census shows that in 2022/23, PE was at 143% of its target. In 2021/22, it was at 163% of its target. These figures can be found online at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/initial-teacher-training-census/2022-23.

One of the Department’s priorities is to continue to attract, retain and develop the highly skilled teachers needed to inspire the next generation. The Department’s reforms will support teacher recruitment and retention across all subjects, including PE.

The Department is transforming the process of becoming a teacher In October 2021, the Department rolled out its new digital service, ‘Apply for teacher training’. This was a key milestone in the delivery of a more streamlined, user friendly application route. The Department’s marketing campaign provides inspiration and support to explore a career in teaching and directs people to the ‘Get Into Teaching’ service.

The Department remains committed to delivering starting salaries of £30,000 to attract and retain the very best teachers. The Department has implemented the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a significant 8.9% pay uplift to teacher starting salaries outside London in the academic year 2022/23, bringing them up to £28,000, and a 5% pay rise for experienced teachers. This is the highest pay award in 30 years.

The Department has created an entitlement to at least three years of structured training, support and professional development for all new teachers, including those of PE. Underpinning this is the new ITT Core Content Framework and the Early Career Framework. Together, these ensure that new teachers will benefit from at least three years of evidence based training, across ITT and into their induction.

Teacher retention is key to ensuring effective teacher supply and quality, and the Department has published a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing and support schools to introduce flexible working practices.

24th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to outsource teaching within delivery of the Physical Education curriculum.

Physical education (PE) is a National Curriculum foundation subject at all four Key Stages. Schools are responsible for monitoring the progress of their pupils. There is no requirement for schools to report this information to the Department.

It is for schools to decide how to teach PE and deploy staff. At secondary school, Initial Teacher Training recruitment targets for PE teachers are consistently met or exceeded, which ensures a supply of trained staff. The PE and Sport Premium can be used by primary schools to train primary generalist teachers in how to teach PE effectively. The Department has previously published research into the effectiveness of the PE and Sport Premium, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/primary-pe-and-sport-premium-survey.

On 8 March 2023, the Government announced multi-million-pound funding to provide high quality PE and sport in schools. This includes confirmation of over £600 million across the next two academic years for the PE and Sport Premium. To support schools to use the PE and Sport Premium effectively, the Department will issue updated guidance in summer 2023 and a new digital tool will be introduced for schools to report on their spending. The Department is also developing plans for a new evaluation of the PE and Sport Premium, alongside other interventions to support the teaching of PE.

24th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Primary Education and Sport Premium.

Physical education (PE) is a National Curriculum foundation subject at all four Key Stages. Schools are responsible for monitoring the progress of their pupils. There is no requirement for schools to report this information to the Department.

It is for schools to decide how to teach PE and deploy staff. At secondary school, Initial Teacher Training recruitment targets for PE teachers are consistently met or exceeded, which ensures a supply of trained staff. The PE and Sport Premium can be used by primary schools to train primary generalist teachers in how to teach PE effectively. The Department has previously published research into the effectiveness of the PE and Sport Premium, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/primary-pe-and-sport-premium-survey.

On 8 March 2023, the Government announced multi-million-pound funding to provide high quality PE and sport in schools. This includes confirmation of over £600 million across the next two academic years for the PE and Sport Premium. To support schools to use the PE and Sport Premium effectively, the Department will issue updated guidance in summer 2023 and a new digital tool will be introduced for schools to report on their spending. The Department is also developing plans for a new evaluation of the PE and Sport Premium, alongside other interventions to support the teaching of PE.

24th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of progression of learning in Physical Education across all key stages from primary to secondary school.

Physical education (PE) is a National Curriculum foundation subject at all four Key Stages. Schools are responsible for monitoring the progress of their pupils. There is no requirement for schools to report this information to the Department.

It is for schools to decide how to teach PE and deploy staff. At secondary school, Initial Teacher Training recruitment targets for PE teachers are consistently met or exceeded, which ensures a supply of trained staff. The PE and Sport Premium can be used by primary schools to train primary generalist teachers in how to teach PE effectively. The Department has previously published research into the effectiveness of the PE and Sport Premium, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/primary-pe-and-sport-premium-survey.

On 8 March 2023, the Government announced multi-million-pound funding to provide high quality PE and sport in schools. This includes confirmation of over £600 million across the next two academic years for the PE and Sport Premium. To support schools to use the PE and Sport Premium effectively, the Department will issue updated guidance in summer 2023 and a new digital tool will be introduced for schools to report on their spending. The Department is also developing plans for a new evaluation of the PE and Sport Premium, alongside other interventions to support the teaching of PE.

24th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Physical Education curriculum in supporting children to lead healthy active lives.

Physical education (PE) is a National Curriculum foundation subject at all four Key Stages. Schools are responsible for monitoring the progress of their pupils. There is no requirement for schools to report this information to the Department.

It is for schools to decide how to teach PE and deploy staff. At secondary school, Initial Teacher Training recruitment targets for PE teachers are consistently met or exceeded, which ensures a supply of trained staff. The PE and Sport Premium can be used by primary schools to train primary generalist teachers in how to teach PE effectively. The Department has previously published research into the effectiveness of the PE and Sport Premium, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/primary-pe-and-sport-premium-survey.

On 8 March 2023, the Government announced multi-million-pound funding to provide high quality PE and sport in schools. This includes confirmation of over £600 million across the next two academic years for the PE and Sport Premium. To support schools to use the PE and Sport Premium effectively, the Department will issue updated guidance in summer 2023 and a new digital tool will be introduced for schools to report on their spending. The Department is also developing plans for a new evaluation of the PE and Sport Premium, alongside other interventions to support the teaching of PE.

14th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will provide additional support for people studying for a languages PGCE who will not qualify for the higher bursary available to those starting in September this year.

The Department is providing a £15,000 tax free bursary for language trainees who have started initial teacher training (ITT) courses in the 2022/23 academic year. The Department reviews bursaries each year before deciding the amount for trainees starting ITT the following academic year. This review assesses several factors, including historic recruitment, forecast economic conditions, and teacher supply need in each subject.

The final bursary amount is communicated to candidates considering ITT, so that they are aware before they apply to, and start their ITT course. As the bursaries are designed to incentivise applications to specific ITT courses, they cannot be awarded retrospectively to trainees who were not eligible when they applied.

14th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much financial support (a) was available in 2022-23 and (b) will be available in 2023-24 for international students training to teach languages.

To receive an initial teacher training (ITT) bursary or scholarship, trainees must usually be entitled to support under the Student Finance England criteria.

For eligible languages trainees who have started ITT courses in the 2022/23 academic year, we are offering a £15,000 tax free bursary. EU nationals who were resident in the UK before the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, and have pre-settled status or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, are eligible for student finance and ITT bursaries or scholarships on a similar basis to domestic students, subject to meeting the usual residence requirements.

Other non-UK nationals are unlikely to be eligible for student finance and ITT bursaries or scholarships unless they have certain types of immigration permission and have been living in the UK for some time.

For the 2023/24 academic year, the Department has extended ITT bursary and scholarship eligibility in languages and physics to all non-UK nationals, regardless of their eligibility for student finance. This means they are eligible for bursaries worth up to £27,000 tax free and scholarships worth up to £29,000 tax-free.

30th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that LGBT-inclusive relationship and sex education is provided to school children.

In September 2020, the Government made relationships education compulsory for primary school pupils, relationships and sex education compulsory for secondary school pupils, and health education compulsory for pupils in all state funded schools.

Guidance for schools is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publi