Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the effect on the development of children of the increasing use of smart speakers among 5-15 year olds; and if he will make a statement.

The EdTech Strategy, published in April last year, set out our vision for the use of technology in education and included commitments to help improve the evidence base on the impact of technology. The strategy, funded by £10 million, seeks to support the use of technology to help drive efficiencies, cut teacher workload, support inclusion, and ultimately, improve outcomes for children and young people. The strategy marks the development of the EdTech Demonstrator Schools and Colleges programme which aims to spread good practice in the use of technology. The programme is due to launch across the country in the Spring.