theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-08)

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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of the Strategic Outline Business Case by West Somerset Railway for linking Bishops Lydeard and Taunton. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government believes that local authorities are best placed to decide on, and take forward, transport schemes that will most benefit their local areas. The Department does not currently have any plans to take forward development of Bishops Lydeard and Taunton. The Department has reached out to the Local Authority to meet with them to discuss this scheme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-08)

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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help return inflation to the target rate. \p Emma Reynolds: Inflation has fallen from the peak of 11.1%, returning to the 2% target in September 2024, before slightly increasing again to 2.6% in March.

The Bank of England has the responsibility of controlling inflation, and the Government fully supports them as they take action to sustainably return inflation to the 2% target. The independent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) at the Bank of England has cut Bank Rate three times since August as underlying inflationary pressure has eased.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-08)

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John Glen:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2025 to Question 33375 on Environment Protection: Finance, whether the defence sector will be included in the UK Green Taxonomy. \p Emma Reynolds: The government has set out its ambition for the UK to be the world leader in sustainable finance. This includes delivering a regulatory framework to support sustainable growth and enable the private sector to realise the opportunities of the transition. Through the consultation, the government was keen to explore whether a UK Green Taxonomy can be a useful tool in contributing to this ambition.

The government is reviewing and analysing the consultation responses, this includes considering the potential costs and how it fits in with existing regulation and regimes. We will publish a formal consultation response in due course which will set out next steps.

At this stage in the consultation process, the government was not seeking feedback on the detail of the sectors for inclusion. Instead, the government are focused on the bigger picture of whether and how this can be a useful tool for companies and investors. Therefore, at this stage issues around activities and sectors, such as defence, are out of scope.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-08)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has detected any ship-to-ship transfers in British waters that have enabled Russia to evade the price cap on exported oil since December 2022. \p Emma Reynolds: The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) in HM Treasury is responsible for the implementation of the Oil Price Cap (OPC). Whilst I cannot comment on individual instances of evasion of the OPC due to the sensitivity of that information, British territorial waters are not typically the site of ship-to-ship transfers of this kind.

The UK Government closely monitors these kinds of transfers for OPC evasion and continues to directly target shadow fleet vessels and entities that seek to undermine UK sanctions and facilitate the trade and transportation of Russian oil and oil products.

In October last year, the Department for Transport operationalised a mechanism to challenge suspected shadow fleet vessels with unknown insurance to provide proof of insurance as they transit the English Channel.

OFSI works closely with industry to aid compliance – as evidenced by the February 2024 updates to the OPC compliance regime and the OPC industry advisory on falsified certificates of origin, published in November 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-08)

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Luke Myer:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans she has for reform of Capital Gains Tax. \p James Murray: At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government increased the main CGT rates to 18% and 24%. The new CGT rates strike the right balance between raising revenue to repair the public finances and improve public services, while remaining internationally competitive, with lower headline rates than France, Germany and Italy.
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Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many posts there are for (a) press, (b) media and (c) other communications staff in his Department; and what the salary band is for each post. \p Hilary Benn: In the central Northern Ireland Office communications team, there are a total of ten full-time equivalent Government Communication Service professionals.

Of this total, six work in the media team which covers press and media responsibilities.

This is the latest available data from June 2024.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Leader of the House, if she will review the practices of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on disclosing information under (a) FOI and (b) parliamentary question. \p Lucy Powell: I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the response provided to his question 24243.

As I have previously said, I encourage Hon. Members to raise any specific issues they may have with myself.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether OpenAI’s UK data storage facilities will be subject to routine government security audits. \p Kanishka Narayan: Data centres were designated as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) in September 2024. In recognition of this, the government is expected to introduce proportionate regulatory oversight of this sector. The expected vehicle is the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill (CSRB). This will encapsulate OpenAI operations that use colocation services which are covered by the regulations in the CSRB.

DSIT is actively considering options to further improve the cyber security and resilience of Data Centres, as outlined in the Cyber Security and Resilience Policy Statement that was published on 1 April 2025. This would apply to most UK based data centres, including those used by OpenAI.

Specific questions in relation to contracts between OpenAI and relevant Government Departments are a matter for that Government Department. Departments must carry out cyber security assurance of their critical services through GovAssure, assessing key security outcomes against the National Cyber Security Centre's Cyber Assessment Framework. Government’s Public Procurement Note 014 directs all commercial suppliers holding government OFFICIAL, personnel or citizen data to have a minimum of NCSC’s Cyber Essentials certification.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the outage of Amazon Web Services in October 2025 on Government web services. \p Ian Murray: I refer the hon. Member for Newton Abbot to the answer given on 27 October 2025 to Question 83776.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the AI Growth Lab promotes (a) responsible and (b) ethical AI innovation. \p Kanishka Narayan: The AI Growth Lab is designed to enable closely-supervised testing of innovative AI technologies in real-world settings, so that safe, beneficial AI can reach the market faster.

Robust safeguards would be in place, including clear “red lines” - regulations which are strictly out of scope, such as consumer safety provisions, fundamental rights, workers’ protections, and intellectual property rights – to maintain safety and preserve public trust.

The Call for Evidence, which is open until 2 January, seeks views from the public, Parliament and innovators to inform further development of proposals, helping to drive growth and responsible AI innovation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has held discussions with the Home Secretary (a) attracting and (b) retaining talented (i) researchers and (ii) innovators through the UK visa system. \p Kanishka Narayan: As set out in the Immigration White Paper, the Government is committed to delivering a competitive immigration system that attracts and retains talented international researchers and innovators. This includes reforms to our top talent visa routes, such as the Global Talent and High Potential Individual visas.

The recently launched Global Talent Taskforce is also working across Government and with my Department to support efforts to bring world-class talent to key Industrial Strategy sectors in the UK. My Department and DSIT Ministers work closely with the Home Office and across Government to ensure we continue to attract and retain top talent.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help people to prepare for the digital switchover in rural areas. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Government has acted to ensure any risks arising from the industry-led migration of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) are mitigated for all customers. Major communication providers and network operators signed voluntary charters in December 2023 and March 2024. To enhance protections for vulnerable customers, the Government secured new commitments from the telecoms industry in November 2024, including further safeguards set out in the non-voluntary migrations checklist.

One of the safeguards is to ensure that customers that have been identified as vulnerable, are provided with a battery back-up solution that provides over one hour of access to emergency services in the event of a power outage. This includes those who are landline dependent (e.g. because they live in a mobile not-spot). Many providers are going beyond these safeguards, including batteries that last 4-7 hours.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to the planned timetable for gigabit rollout on rural areas. \p Kanishka Narayan: According to the independent website, Thinkbroadband.com, 89% of premises in the UK already have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection. The government is still committed to ensuring 99% of premises receive gigabit coverage by 2032.

The funding, committed over the Spending Review covering the period 2026/27 to 2029/30, will support the delivery of all existing Project Gigabit contracts, voucher projects and areas currently in procurement. It reconfirms the government’s confidence in suppliers' ability to deliver the rollout.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the outage of Amazon Web Services in October 2025 on the technology sector. \p Kanishka Narayan: DSIT has communicated with AWS extensively throughout and in the immediate aftermath of the outage, to understand the situation and to ensure recovery was underway. All services have since been restored and we remain in regular contact with AWS.

We continue to work across government and with businesses to understand the full impact of the outage, identify lessons, and look at how we can mitigate impacts and ensure resilience in future.

The forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will protect the services the public rely on to go about their normal lives. This will include expanding the scope of the regulations to include more types of essential and digital services and making sure they adhere to robust cyber security practices.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what criteria his Department is using to select locations for AI Growth Zones. \p Kanishka Narayan: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 October 2025 to Question UIN 82268.
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Anneliese Dodds:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the role of media literacy in supporting (a) public health, (b) national security and (c) democracy. \p Kanishka Narayan: Media literacy enables citizens to critically assess information and make informed choices. It supports public health, national security and democracy by countering misinformation, improving society’s resilience to online threats, and empowering safe, confident participation online.

Media literacy is a cross-government priority, delivered through coordinated action across departments, civil society and industry, supported by targeted funding and community-led initiatives.

The Online Safety Act requires social media platforms to tackle illegal content relating to national security, health and democracy. It also updates Ofcom’s statutory duty to promote media literacy, which includes raising awareness of misinformation and helping users assess the reliability of content.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Anneliese Dodds:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what responsibility her Department has for ensuring media literacy. \p Kanishka Narayan: DSIT is committed to making the internet safer by ensuring platforms limit harmful content under the Online Safety Act and equipping people with the skills to navigate the online world.

As the lead department for media literacy, DSIT is committed to improving media literacy through coordinated cross-government work, funding innovative community-based interventions, launching an awareness campaign to build digital resilience and integrating media literacy with digital skills to meet evolving online challenges.

DSIT supports Ofcom’s updated media literacy duties and leads the relationship with Ofcom, ensuring strategic alignment and promoting best practice across sectors.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what is the statutory basis of the work of the National Security and Online Information Team. \p Kanishka Narayan: The National Security Online Information Team (NSOIT) leads the department’s operational response to information threats which present a public safety or national security risk to UK audiences, working closely with other departments including the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The team's remit and work is kept under review by DSIT ministers who remain accountable to parliament, including regarding the work of the NSOIT.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what data sources have been used to train the Parlex AI tool on forecasting parliamentary reactions; and whether a data privacy impact assessment has been produced. \p Ian Murray: The Parlex tool has not been trained as a new AI model, nor does it involve the development of a novel forecasting system. Instead, it is a search and analysis tool that enables users to research existing parliamentary records to support policy development and parliamentary handling.

Parlex uses only publicly available parliamentary data, including Hansard transcripts, Parliamentary Questions, and Select Committee materials. All tools developed by the Incubator for AI, including Parlex, are assured in line with government guidelines, which include data protection assessments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Ofcom on the use of third-party providers to (a) assess, (b) index and (c) identify disinformation. \p Kanishka Narayan: DSIT’s National Security Online Information Team (NSOIT) leads the operational response to information threats, including disinformation, capable of posing a risk to UK public safety and national security. Information on contracts awarded by the department to third-party contractors to support this activity is available on GOV.UK.

Details about Ministerial meetings are published quarterly on GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Sir John Whittingdale:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 81396 on Artificial Intelligence: Copyright, if she will publish a list of the membership of all technical working groups that are due to be established in relation to the issue of copyright and AI. \p Kanishka Narayan: We are establishing technical working groups to inform our approach to copyright and AI. They will be designed to bring together a range of experts and stakeholders across key issues, including transparency and technical standards. We have shared the full list of attendees of the Ministerial meetings with members of the plenary group. The terms of reference will be published in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what quality assurance is in place to ensure that when a licence is issued for small-scale digital deployment, the coverage delivered aligns with the planned coverage; and how her Department works with operators to ensure an appropriate level of service is maintained. \p Kanishka Narayan: Localised networks, such as private mobile networks, are delivered by a wide range of providers to support connectivity for particular users, for example, for business and organisations in sectors such as manufacturing and healthcare. This is different from the coverage provided by the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) through their national networks, for which we have set the national ambition. For these localised networks, coverage and service levels are typically agreed between the service provider and its customers, and this will vary significantly between different uses. As such, coverage and service levels are not routinely monitored.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on ensuring that there is adequate telecommunications coverage across the South West region. \p Kanishka Narayan: Ofcom publishes figures on mobile and fixed broadband coverage across the UK twice a year in their Connected Nations report. The full report for 2025 is expected to be published by the end of this year.

Ofcom does not publish aggregate coverage figures at a regional level in their Connected Nations reports but does do so at a Local Authority and Westminster constituency level. There have already been mobile coverage uplifts across the South West from the Shared Rural Network programme, with further improvements to come in the region from the publicly funded element of the programme in Dartmoor and Exmoor.

Additionally, to improve gigabit broadband coverage, Openreach, Wildanet, Gigaclear and Wessex Internet are delivering a number of Project Gigabit contracts across the South West.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to (a) protect children and young people from online exploitation and (b) ensure that digital safety measures do not adversely impact online freedoms. \p Kanishka Narayan: The strongest protections in the Online Safety Act are for children.

All relevant services in scope of the Act are required to put in place systems and processes to proactively tackle child sex abuse material, and to reduce the risk of abuse and exploitation taking place on their service. These services must implement effective reporting mechanisms and will have new duties to report child abuse material to UK law enforcement. The government recognises the benefits of children exploring freely online and accessing its benefits, ensuring their safety as they do so. We live in a digital age and must strike the right balance so that children can access these benefits while we continue to prioritise their safety.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to help (a) prevent AI-driven cyber attacks and (b) promote ethical cyber security practices. \p Kanishka Narayan: The cyber resilience of the UK economy is a priority for government. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) provides tools and guidance to help organisations improve cyber security, including the highly effective Cyber Essentials scheme to protect against common cyber attacks. Using these products helps protect against a wide range of threats, including AI-driven cyber attacks.

The AI Security Institute uses novel scientific methods to research risks from AI, including the potential of AI to be used to carry out cyber attacks. In addition our AI Cyber Security Code of Practice - which was developed into a global standard earlier this year - sets out measures to address cyber security risks to artificial intelligence systems.

The government recently wrote to the UK’s leading companies asking them to make cyber security a board-level priority and adopt best practice. This is part of the government’s wider work to provide the incentives, tools and regulations to drive good cyber security practices.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to support small businesses to improve cyber security. \p Kanishka Narayan: The cyber resilience of the UK economy is a priority for the government which is why our National Cyber Security Centre provides a range of free tools and guidance to help small businesses improve their cyber security. This includes the new Cyber Action Toolkit which offers clear, bite-sized actions to help small businesses safeguard their money and reputation from cyber criminals. In addition, the forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will ensure the most important digital services and suppliers are better protected than ever, meaning the small businesses which rely on them will also benefit.
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Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to introduce digital identity cards. \p Ian Murray: The Government has announced plans for a new national digital identity credential to be available to UK citizens and legal residents aged 16 and over. This will make it easier for people to securely access the services they are entitled to, where they want to, while also helping to prevent illegal working and deter illegal migration. Employers will be required to conduct digital right to work checks using the new digital ID by the end of this parliament.

We recognise the importance of both cybersecurity and privacy. We will consult and engage on the practical operation of the scheme, and the data structures underpinning it, as it is developed. The data for the digital ID scheme will be federated, as doing so is good practice for things like this. That means most data will stay where it is already safely stored, such as in HM Passport Office or other government departments, and only joined up if and when needed.

Following the Machinery of Government changes of 23/10/2025 policy responsibility now sits with the Cabinet Office.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of mandating that supply staff (a) are paid according to national pay scales and (b) have access to (i) the Teachers' Pension Scheme and (ii) other relevant pension funds. \p Georgia Gould: ​​A supply teacher’s pay and pension depends on how the supply teacher is employed.

​Supply teachers employed directly by a state maintained school or local authority must be paid in accordance with the statutory arrangements for teachers laid down in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document. If a supply teacher is employed by a private agency or non-maintained school, the employer can set the rate of pay.

​The Teachers’ Pensions Regulations currently provide for supply teachers to participate in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) where they are employed by a scheme employer, including local authorities, academies and further education colleges.

​Where supply teachers are self-employed or remain employed by a supply agency and their services are provided under a ‘contract for services’, it is not possible for them to participate in the TPS as there is no organisation to undertake the employer role, including remitting contributions to the scheme. However, eligible supply teachers working via agencies are entitled to workplace pensions.

​The department does not have plans at this time to assess the potential benefits of mandating pay or pensions for supply teachers.
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Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department a) has recently made and b) plans to make changes to the eligibility criteria for Disabled Students Allowance. \p Josh MacAlister: The department has not recently made changes to the eligibility criteria for Disabled Students’ Allowance and has no current plans to do so.

As part of wider reforms set out in the government’s post-16 education and skills white paper, the department is committed to improving access and support for all students in higher education, including those with disabilities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Melanie Onn:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of establishing one of the five proposed Clean Energy Technical Excellence Colleges in Northern Lincolnshire. \p Josh MacAlister: The department is introducing Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) to specialise in training skilled workforces which industry needs in growth-driving priority sectors.

The Post-16 education and skills white paper, confirmed that the government is expanding the TEC programme to a further four sectors: clean energy, advanced manufacturing, digital and technologies, and defence. These new TECs, backed by £175 million, will secure the pipeline of skilled workers into these areas. Provider specialisms will be aligned with the priority sectors in the Industrial Strategy and Plan for Change, and in direct response to employer demand for specialist technical skills.

Exact locations are yet to be determined, and colleges will be appointed through a fair and transparent application process. The selection process for these TECs will start by the end of 2025, with delivery planned to begin from April 2026. Further details will be published in due course.
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Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the withdrawal of non-specialist spelling and grammar software for university students receiving Disabled Students' Allowance support. \p Josh MacAlister: I refer the hon. Member for Yeovil to the answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 71715.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve training opportunities in construction for people in South Holland and the Deepings constituency. \p Josh MacAlister: The department is committed to improving construction training opportunities across England, including in South Holland and the Deepings.

A wide range of government-funded programmes are available for construction employers who are considering hiring employees, offering work experience, or upskilling existing staff. These include Apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps, and Free Courses for Jobs. Through the Construction Support Package, we are investing in high-quality training provision, supporting providers to deliver industry-relevant skills and helping more people into good jobs in the sector. The recently announced Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (CTEC) will drive up standards in construction education by working closely with employers to ensure training meets current and future workforce needs.

The CTEC serving the East of England region, which includes South Holland and the Deepings, is West Suffolk College. This college is part of the government’s initiative to train construction workers through a network of 10 regional hubs operating under a ‘hub and spoke’ model.
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Mark Garnier:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department engages with local authorities for the collection of data of the number of people not in education, employment or training. \p Josh MacAlister: The department regularly engages with local authorities with regard to monitoring not in education, employment or training (NEET) data and fulfilling their statutory duties. Statutory guidance directs local authorities to track information about all 16 and 17-year-olds (and up to 25 for those with education, health and care plans) and report monthly via the National Client Caseload Information System. This information will include whether they are NEET or have characteristics that put them at risk of becoming NEET, so that they and their delivery partners can effectively target and support those young people.

This management information is published annually and includes a NEET comparative scorecard that supports local authorities in benchmarking their performance and helps them to identify weaknesses in tracking and engagement. This information can be accessed at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/participation-in-education-training-and-neet-age-16-to-17-by-local-authority/2024-25. .

The department also works with local authorities to support the use of data tools to identify those at an increased risk of becoming NEET, so they can be monitored and targeted with extra support.
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Mark Garnier:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to prevent Further Education colleges from losing the whole funding allocation for students who do not meet the maths and English condition of funding. \p Josh MacAlister: Further education (FE) providers who do not support eligible students in maths and/or English under the maths and English condition of funding will have their future funding allocations reduced by half the national funding rate for each student and would not have their whole funding allocation removed. A provider is permitted to have non-compliance up to 2.5% of their total 16 to 19 cohort by opting them out of the requirements without incurring a financial penalty. This recognises that it may not be appropriate for all students to meet the requirements. Students with education health and care plans are eligible for an exemption.

The department is delivering a package to ensure every student is supported to make progress towards and attain level 2. This includes significant additional investment, including increases to the English and maths funding rate of 11% and the disadvantage payments of 7%, in 2025/26, and £800 million additional investment in FE in 2026/27.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

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Mark Garnier:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help students to change their further education course. \p Josh MacAlister: Students in further education (FE) do have the option to change courses. The process can vary between institutions and may have implications for funding, which should be carefully considered.

For funding purposes, a student aged 16 to 19 is considered as having started a study programme once they have remained on that programme within the current funding year for a defined period of time, as per the funding guidance accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/funding-rates-and-formula/16-to-19-funding-2025-to-2026-rates-and-formula.

To support a change, colleges are responsible for providing independent careers guidance up to the age of 18, in accordance with the Gatsby Benchmarks. This includes ensuring that personal guidance meetings are available to all learners at key decision points, particularly when significant choices regarding study or career pathways are being made.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-31 conversation_29

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Advanced Learner Loan scheme on tackling skills shortages in the low-carbon heating sector. \p Josh MacAlister: Skills England is working closely with The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which has set up the Office for Clean Energy Jobs to meet the governments Clean Energy Superpower mission. The government published its clean energy jobs plan on 19 October in which heating installer was identified as a priority role. Under the construction skills package the government is committing £625 million in England over 4 years to deliver up to 60,000 additional skilled construction workers, supporting a range of clean energy occupations including heating installers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-31 conversation_30

Mark Garnier:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department applies the same methodology for the number of people not in employment, education or training who are (a) 16 to 18 and (b) 18 to 24 years of age. \p Josh MacAlister: The department publishes statistics on those not in education, employment or training (NEET) for England from the labour force survey (LFS) for young people aged 16-24. These statistics are accessible at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/neet-statistics-annual-brief/2024.

The methodology is consistent for all age groups and further details can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/neet-age-16-to-24-methodology. Estimates relate to the status of young people as recorded for the associated response period.

Additionally, estimates of young people age 16 to 18 participating in education and training using departmental administrative data are published annually at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/participation-in-education-and-training-and-employment/2024.

This methodology enables an administrative estimate of those not in education or training. The LFS is used to estimate the proportion in employment. This source is considered the most robust measure for 16 to 18 year olds NEET. This release is a snapshot of participation and employment at the end of the calendar year.

Both NEET sources are based on status at time of data collection and therefore the definition does not rely on being out of education and employment for a specific length of time before being categorised as NEET.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-31 conversation_31

Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to regulate the use of supply teacher agencies by schools, including (a) measures to ensure fair pay, (b) pension access, and (c) transparency in agency fees. \p Georgia Gould: Schools are responsible for recruiting supply teachers, which includes deciding whether to use supply teacher agencies.

The department, in conjunction with the Crown Commercial Service, has established the agency supply deal, which supports schools to obtain value for money when hiring agency supply teachers and other temporary school staff. The deal has established a list of preferred suppliers that schools can access, all of which will be transparent about the rates they charge.

The Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) Regulations 2014, which set out the rules for the TPS, determine that for teachers to be eligible, their employment must be with an accepted employer, usually a school. Where supply teachers are self-employed, or employed by a supply agency and their services are provided under a contract for services, it is not possible for them to participate in the TPS. This is because there is no organisation to undertake the employer role, including remitting contributions to the scheme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-31 conversation_32

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of school funding allocations to meet increased costs associated with (a) energy, (b) staffing and (c) materials in the 2025-26 financial year. \p Georgia Gould: School funding is increasing by £3.7 billion in financial year 2025/26, meaning that core school budgets will total £65.3 billion, compared with £61.6 billion in 2024/25.

In May, the government announced a further £615 million of additional funding for schools in 2025/26 to support them with their overall costs, including staff pay awards. Schools will, on average, be expected to find the first 1% of pay awards through plans to realise and sustain better value from existing spend. Schools will not be alone in making these decisions. The department will support schools to tackle the systemic issues that drive costs and prevent schools getting the best value for money, such as with energy, through our Energy for Schools Service.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-31 conversation_33

Sir Gavin Williamson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to respond to the Freedom of Information request dated 13 August 2025 submitted by the Hon. Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge. \p Josh MacAlister: The department is dealing with this matter under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. As such, we are seeking necessary clearances and will provide a response as soon as possible.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-31 conversation_34

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to take steps to ensure that (a) kinship and (b) foster carers have the same employment leave rights as (i) adoptive, (ii) maternity and (iii) paternity carers. \p Josh MacAlister: The government has committed to conducting a review of the whole parental leave system. This review was launched on 1 July and represents a much-needed opportunity to consider our approach to the system of parental leave and pay.

The department will also consider whether the support available meets the needs of other working families who do not qualify for existing leave and pay entitlements, such as kinship carers.

Foster carers who combine fostering with paid employment have a range of existing workplace rights and legal entitlements to help manage their dual responsibilities, including the right to request flexible working from day one, introduced through the Employment Rights Bill, and adoption leave where applicable. The department also supports The Fostering Network’s ‘Fostering Friendly Employers’ campaign.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-31 conversation_35

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when her Department plans to publish further details on (a) how V Levels will align with (i) T Levels and (ii) A Levels in the post-16 qualification framework and (b) other matters relating to V Levels. \p Josh MacAlister: On 20 October 2025, the department set out plans to introduce V Levels, a third, vocational pathway at level 3. V Levels will sit alongside A levels and T Levels and will offer a vocational alternative to these academic and technical routes. We launched a consultation on post-16 level 3 and below pathways, closing on 12 January 2026. This can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/post-16-level-3-and-below-pathways. The results of the consultation and the department's response will be published in 2026.

This government remains strongly committed to T Levels and will continue to encourage their growth. T Levels are delivering fantastic results for students, providing the technical skills needed for progression into further study and training or skilled work. Where a learner wants in-depth knowledge of a subject area, they should study the T Level, compared to the V Level which allows learners more flexibility to explore different areas and which we generally expect will be the size of one A level.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-31 conversation_36

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will review the (a) age and (b) quality of school buildings in North Shropshire constituency. \p Josh MacAlister: Ensuring schools and colleges have the resources and buildings they need is a key part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every young person the best start in life.

The department collects consistent data on the condition of the school and college estate, which helps inform capital policy and programmes. The full set of Condition Data Collection (CDC) 1 data is presented at school or regional level and can be accessed here: https://depositedpapers.parliament.uk/depositedpaper/2285521/details. A summary of the CDC1 data can be accessed in the CDC1 key findings report, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/condition-data-collection-2-cdc2-programme. Individual reports are also shared with schools.

CDC1 ran from 2017 and 2019, covering government funded schools in England. The successor programme, CDC2, will provide an update on the condition of the government funded school buildings. It does not yet cover all schools in scope and is due to complete in 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-31 conversation_37

Stephen Gethins:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to publish an updated International Education Strategy. \p Josh MacAlister: The department is conducting a review of the UK government’s International Education Strategy alongside the Department for Business and Trade, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, to ensure that it continues to be an effective tool in increasing the value of education exports and reflects the priorities of education stakeholders, businesses and our global partners. As part of the review process, officials have engaged with devolved government officials and stakeholders to seek feedback on the strategic direction and other aspects of the strategy. We will announce next steps on this shortly.