Question

To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment the Commission has made of the adequacy of planned levels of future funding for the Chamber and Participation Team’s Outreach Team.

The Commission has considered the Chamber and Participation Team’s proposed changes to the educational outreach model. These changes have also been considered by the Administration Committee and Lords Services Committee. A formal consultation with affected staff is underway and will close on 29 June 2026. Final decisions will be taken following the conclusion of the consultation.

The proposed changes involve the development of a smaller, Westminster-based team, which would operate a UK-wide digital outreach service. Under the current model, in 2025/26 only 9% of Members were involved in a school outreach visit and 32% of constituencies received no outreach visits at all. The new service aims to significantly improve on these figures, with much greater opportunities for Members to join in with digital sessions with their local schools. The total, combined reach of the new service is expected to be the same as or greater than the current service by the third year of its operation.

Proposed changes to the staffing of the Education Outreach team would save a total of £550k per annum. The House of Commons share of this saving would be £385k per annum as the House of Commons contributes 70% of the Education Outreach team budget. An estimated £40k per annum would be required for software licensing for new digital services. An initial investment in the creation of a dedicated digital education room would be subject to more detailed financial modelling and any necessary approvals.

Other outreach and education services provided by the Participation team for audiences across the UK – including the Education Centre, UK Parliament Week, Teacher Training, Learn with the Lords, and the Travel Subsidy – are not affected by this proposal.