Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will continue her Department’s funding for the Mandarin Excellence Programme.

This government remains committed to supporting the teaching of modern foreign languages in England’s schools. Languages provide an insight into other cultures and can open the door to travel and employment opportunities. They also broaden pupils’ horizons, helping them flourish in new environments. Having the opportunity to study a modern foreign language should be part of the broad and rich education that every child in this country deserves.

The department will continue to fund the Mandarin Excellence programme for the 2024/25 academic year.

The Spending Review settlements for 2025/26 were confirmed at Budget on 30 October and business planning is underway so that programmes can be given certainty about funding as soon as possible.