Asked by: Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the difference in financial support available to mature students undertaking (a) five-year undergraduate medicine and (b) four-year graduate-entry medicine courses, including in respect of (i) maintenance support, (ii) tuition fees, (iii) travel expenses and (iv) childcare costs.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department works closely with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) on a wide range of matters to ensure the education system supports healthcare students, including support for mature students.
In the first four years of a five-year undergraduate medical course, students can access up-front fee loans and partially means-tested loans for living costs from Student Finance England (SFE).
Additional means-tested support is available for full-time students on medical courses with one or more dependent children. This includes the Childcare Grant to help with weekly childcare costs and the Parentsâ Learning Allowance for course related costs. Full-time medical students undertaking a clinical placement in the UK may also apply for a means-tested travel grant to help with associated travel costs.
Graduates wishing to study medicine or dentistry may choose a graduate-entry course. In the first year of graduate-entry medical degree, students may be eligible for a partial tuition fee loan and a partially means-tested maintenance loan from SFE.
The government has announced that maximum loans for living costs will increase annually in line with forecast inflation. For the 2026/2027 academic year, loans increased by 2.7%.
From year 5 of an undergraduate course and from year 2 of a graduate-entry course, medical students may access the NHS Bursary. This is non-repayable and includes a contribution towards tuition fees and further grants and allowances including support for childcare and travel costs, where eligible. Students in receipt of an NHS Bursary may also apply for a reduced rate loan for living costs from SFE.
DHSC increased NHS Bursary tuition fee contributions, maintenance grants and all allowances by 2.7% for the 2026/27 academic year.
Medicine and dentistry courses will attract Priority Additional Entitlement under the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE), due to be introduced from January 2027. For the first time, students who choose medicine as a second degree under the LLE will be able to access full tuition fee and standard living costs support for the years of study not covered by the NHS bursary.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that drivers are aware of the most recent changes to the Highway Code.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Improving road safety is one of my Departmentâs highest priorities. Injuries and fatalities from road collisions caused by driving are unacceptable, and this Government will work hard to prevent these tragedies for all road users.
That is why we published our Road Safety Strategy, which sets out the Governmentâs plan to significantly reduce deaths and serious injuries on Great Britainâs roads by 65% overall and (70% for children under 16) by 2035.
Following updates to the Highway Code in 2022, the department ran large-scale THINK! advertising campaigns to raise awareness of the changes, with the percentage of road users reporting they knew a little or a lot about the changes going from 36% in January 2022 to over 50% in August 2022 and 70% in September 2023. By that time 86% of road users reported having heard of the changes.
Via the THINK! campaign, we are also running year-round radio filler adverts encouraging compliance with the guidance to improve safety for those walking, cycling and horse riding. We will also continue to promote the changes via THINK! and Department for Transport social media channels, as well as through partner organisations.
However, as set out in the strategy, more work is needed to continue embedding these changes and overall awareness of the Highway Code. We are considering options in this area, and further details will be shared in due course.
As our road environment and technologies evolve, providing education for all road users throughout their lifetime is vital to improving road safety. As set out in the Road Safety Strategy, this Government will publish for the first time national guidance on the development and delivery of road safety education, training and publicity. Alongside this, we will publish a manual to support the implementation of a Lifelong Learning approach for road safety.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that the proposals in the Post-16 White Paper lead to more students with Specific Learning Disabilities accessing Level 3 courses.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper introduced reforms intended to widen participation in Level 3 study, including the development of new V Level qualifications, clearer progression routes from Level 2 to Level 3, an automatic college-place guarantee, enhanced support for learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and more flexible learning opportunities through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement. Together, these measures aim to ensure that high-quality Level 3 pathways are accessible, including to those with SEND, and all learners can progress successfully into further study or employment.
Earlier this year we published the SEND reform consultation, âPutting Children and Young People Firstâ, setting out our commitment to strengthening support across the 0 to 25 system, including a stronger emphasis on employment outcomes, better use of vocational pathways, supported internships and apprenticeships, and improved identification of SEND at any age.
Information on the participation, outcomes and achievements of learners through these reforms will be monitored to identify their impact and to inform policy development.
Asked by: Lord Bradley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to reform the student loans system over the next 12 months.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The government is taking decisive action to better support disadvantaged students, make things fairer for graduates, and create a more flexible, responsive post-16 education system through the introduction of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement in January 2027.
Since 2024, we have raised the Plan 2 repayment threshold twice, protected borrowers from the risk of inflation shocks by capping interest rates on Plan 2 and Plan 3 loans at 6% for the 2026/27 academic year, and future-proofed maintenance loans by committing to increase them every year in-line with forecast inflation. Further, we are making care leavers automatically eligible for the maximum rate of maintenance loan, and we will be reintroducing targeted, means-tested maintenance grants in the2028/29 academic year, funded by a levy on providers for international students.
We will continue to look for ways to make the system fairer for students, graduates and taxpayers in a financially sustainable way.
Asked by: Lord Pickles (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to reform the terms of repayment for student loans.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The government is taking decisive action to better support disadvantaged students, make things fairer for graduates, and create a more flexible, responsive post-16 education system through the introduction of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement in January 2027.
Since 2024, we have raised the Plan 2 repayment threshold twice, protected borrowers from the risk of inflation shocks by capping interest rates on Plan 2 and Plan 3 loans at 6% for the 2026/27 academic year, and future-proofed maintenance loans by committing to increase them every year in-line with forecast inflation. Further, we are making care leavers automatically eligible for the maximum rate of maintenance loan, and we will be reintroducing targeted, means-tested maintenance grants in the2028/29 academic year, funded by a levy on providers for international students.
We will continue to look for ways to make the system fairer for students, graduates and taxpayers in a financially sustainable way.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the readiness of the student finance system for the launch of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) will transform the student finance system in England, broadening access to high-quality, flexible education and training. The LLE will launch in the 2026/27 academic year for learners studying courses starting on or after 1 January 2027.
When launched, it will support individuals to learn, upskill and retrain across their working lives. It will create opportunities for both young people and adults to develop the skills needed to succeed in life, contributing to growth across the country.
We are working closely with Student Loans Company and the Office for Students, as well as higher and further education providers, to make sure the student finance system is prepared for this change.
The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authorityâs 2024-2025 Annual Report on the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) reported that the LLE had an Amber SRO Delivery Confidence Assessment.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she has considered the potential merits of adding non level 4 (a) training, (b) adult education and (c) skills based courses to the eligibility for lifelong learning entitlement loans.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The government offers support for a range of level 2 and 3 courses through existing funding streams such as the Adult Skills Fund, Advanced Learner Loans and Free Courses for Jobs. The Adult Skills Fund fully funds or co-funds education and skills training for eligible adults aged 19 or older from pre-entry to level 3, to help them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning. Individuals can also take out an Advanced Learner Loan for level 3 courses.
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) will offer support for higher level courses. Subjects in scope for LLE modular funding are aligned to the priorities set out in the Industrial Strategy and informed by the work of Skills England.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she has considered the potential merits of including level 2 and 3 qualifications on the list of available courses for lifelong learning entitlement loans.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The government offers support for a range of level 2 and 3 courses through existing funding streams such as the Adult Skills Fund, Advanced Learner Loans and Free Courses for Jobs. The Adult Skills Fund fully funds or co-funds education and skills training for eligible adults aged 19 or older from pre-entry to level 3, to help them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning. Individuals can also take out an Advanced Learner Loan for level 3 courses.
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) will offer support for higher level courses. Subjects in scope for LLE modular funding are aligned to the priorities set out in the Industrial Strategy and informed by the work of Skills England.
Asked by: Dan Carden (Labour - Liverpool Walton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps her Department has taken to increase awareness of (a) Rule 178 of the Highway Code and (b) the Code more broadly.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Improving road safety is one of my Departmentâs highest priorities. Injuries and fatalities from road collisions caused by driving are unacceptable, and this Government will work hard to prevent these tragedies for all road users.
That is why on 7 January 2026, we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all.
Following updates to the Highway Code in 2022, the department ran large-scale THINK! advertising campaigns to raise awareness of the changes, including guidance aimed at improving safety for cyclists and encouraging compliance with âMUSTâ rules within the Code.
Via the THINK! campaign, we are also running year-round radio filler adverts encouraging compliance with the guidance to improve safety for those walking, cycling and horse riding. We will also continue to promote the changes via THINK! and Department for Transport social media channels, as well as through partner organisations.
However, as set out in the strategy, more work is needed to continue embedding these changes and overall awareness of the Highway Code. We are considering options in this area, and further details will be shared in due course.
As our road environment and technologies evolve, providing education for all road users throughout their lifetime is vital to improving road safety. As announced in the strategy to support a Lifelong Learning approach in the UK, the government will publish for the first time national guidance on the development and delivery of road safety education, training and publicity. Alongside this, the government will publish a manual to support the implementation of a Lifelong Learning approach for road safety.
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton and Winchmore Hill)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help improve public awareness and understanding of the 2022 updates to the Highway Code; and whether she plans to introduce a national public information campaign to support the implementation of the new Road Safety Strategy.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Improving road safety is one of my Departmentâs highest priorities. Injuries and fatalities from road collisions caused by driving are unacceptable, and this Government will work hard to prevent these tragedies for all road users.
That is why on 7 January 2026, we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all.
Following updates to the Highway Code in 2022, the department ran large-scale THINK! advertising campaigns to raise awareness of the changes.
Via the THINK! campaign, we are also running year-round radio filler adverts encouraging compliance with the guidance to improve safety for those walking, cycling and horse riding. We will also continue to promote the changes THINK! and Department for Transport social media channels, as well as through partner organisations.
However, as set out in the strategy, more work is needed to continue embedding these changes and overall awareness of the Highway Code. We are considering options in this area, and further details will be shared in due course.
As our road environment and technologies evolve, providing education for all road users throughout their lifetime is vital to improving road safety. As announced in the strategy to support a Lifelong Learning approach in the UK, the government will publish for the first time national guidance on the development and delivery of road safety education, training and publicity. Alongside this, the government will publish a manual to support the implementation of a Lifelong Learning approach for road safety.