Question

To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, what steps the Commission is taking to ensure that the outcomes from the Savings and Improvements Programme adequately support the continued delivery of Parliament's educational outreach programmes.

The Commission has considered the changes to the education outreach model proposed by the Chamber and Participation Team. These changes have also been considered by the Administration Committee and the Lords Services Committee.

The proposed continued support for the educational outreach programme will focus on the key benefit of a supporting the establishment of a UK wide digital education model which ensures there are no geographic barriers to participation for schools. Every school, regardless of their location in the UK, will be able to join a session to participate, putting all schools on an equal footing. This support includes the proposed creation of a digital education room at Westminster, a staff team to lead the education programme and the resources to create a new programme that meets the curriculum.

Research has been conducted by the Participation Team on ambitious digital education programmes already underway across the UK with institutions including the Royal Ballet and Opera, The North East Museums Service, and the Holocaust Education Trust all of whom are reaching tens of thousands of students across the UK through the digital education programmes they already have in place.

Under the current outreach 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 proposed 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 proposed 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. All of these education services have UK wide regional and national reach that reflect the percentage of schools in each area. This support to the education service remains in place to create a holistic education programme for schools to select from.