theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

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Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in each subgroup of psychiatric disorders recorded as the main disabling condition were awarded (a) at least eight but fewer than 12 points in the living component and fewer than four points in a single daily living category and (b) at least 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category were recorded as being in (i) part-time employment working fewer than 35 hours per week and (ii) full-time employment working 35 or more hours per week on 23 June 2025. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We only hold data on whether a claimant was employed or self-employed for each month up to March 2024. We do not hold any data on full-time or part-time work. Therefore, Table 1 shows the number of PIP claimants in employment in March 2024 who scored less than 4 points in all Daily Living activities, by Standard and Enhanced PIP Daily Living and primary medical condition.

Table 1. The number of PIP claimants in employment at the end of March 2024 who scored fewer than 4 points in all Daily Living activities, by Standard and Enhanced PIP Daily Living and primary medical condition.

Primary medical condition

Enhanced Daily Living

Standard Daily Living

All conditions

25,680

267,200

All psychiatric disorders

7,900

47,920

Anxiety disorders

290

2,530

Autistic spectrum disorders

690

3,130

Cognitive disorders

40

170

Conduct disorder (including oppositional defiant disorder)

-

10

Eating disorders

20

110

Enuresis

-

-

Faecal soiling (encopresis)

-

-

Hyperkinetic disorder

510

2,890

Learning disability global

170

400

Mixed anxiety and depressive disorders

3,280

20,510

Mood disorders

1,320

8,780

Obsessive compulsive disorder

70

600

Other psychiatric disorders of childhood

-

20

Personality disorder

360

2,390

Psychotic disorders

270

2,170

Somatoform and dissociative disorders

10

40

Specific learning disorder

160

610

Stress reactions

650

3,240

Substance (mis) use disorders

60

330

Notes:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_252

Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in each subgroup of psychiatric disorders recorded as the main disabling condition were awarded (a) at least eight but fewer than 12 points in the living component and fewer than four points in a single daily living category and (b) at least 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category and were (i) in receipt of and (ii) eligible for out-of-work benefits as of 23 June 2025. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We only hold data on PIP claimants who are also in receipt of out of work benefits. We do not hold data on their eligibility for benefits they are not in receipt of. Table 1 shows the number of PIP claimants in receipt of out of work benefits in February 2025 who scored fewer than 4 points in all Daily Living activities, by Standard and Enhanced PIP Daily Living and primary medical condition.

Table 1. The number of PIP claimants in receipt of out of work benefits as of February 2025 who scored fewer than 4 points in all Daily Living activities, by Standard and Enhanced PIP Daily Living and primary medical condition.

Primary medical condition

Enhanced Daily Living

Standard Daily Living

All main medical conditions

168,380

791,140

All psychiatric disorders

66,490

243,070

Anxiety disorders

2,540

12,420

Autistic spectrum disorders

1,640

6,330

Cognitive disorders

320

800

Conduct disorder (including oppositional defiant disorder)

10

50

Eating disorders

110

380

Enuresis

-

10

Factitious disorder

-

-

Faecal soiling (encopresis)

-

20

Hyperkinetic disorder

1,690

7,380

Learning disability global

960

1,820

Mixed anxiety and depressive disorders

32,970

119,900

Mood disorders

11,440

39,870

Obsessive compulsive disorder

460

2,050

Other psychiatric disorders of childhood

20

70

Personality disorder

3,520

11,770

Psychotic disorders

4,220

19,930

Somatoform and dissociative disorders

70

270

Specific learning disorder

770

1,480

Stress reactions

4,650

14,470

Notes:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

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Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in each subgroup of psychiatric disorders recorded as the main disabling condition were awarded (a) at least eight but fewer than 12 points in the living component and fewer than four points in a single daily living category and (b) at least 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category and were (i) waiting for and (ii) receiving treatment for a (A) physical and (B) mental health condition as of 23 June 2025. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department does not hold data on whether Personal Independence Payment claimants are waiting for or receiving treatment for their primary medical condition.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

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Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment has she made of the adequacy of (a) telephone and (b) online Work Capability Assessments in ensuring the needs of disabled people are (i) met and (ii) understood. \p Sir Stephen Timms: All Work Capability Assessments (WCAs) including paper-based, telephone, video and face-to-face are conducted by fully qualified, clinical professionals who have undergone a comprehensive training programme designed and approved by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The quality of their advice is continually assured internally by the assessment suppliers and externally by the department's independent audit function.

DWP conducted a Health Assessment Channels Trial (HACT) to evaluate how well telephone and video assessments are working compared to face-to-face assessments. The Health Assessment Channels Research report, published on 7 October 2024, presents findings from mixed-method research conducted by Ipsos to understand the impact of the introduction of remote channels on claimant experiences.

The HACT found that over three quarters of Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance claimants that participated in the trial felt that the channel was suitable after having attended their assessment. This was consistent across telephone, video and face-to face assessments. Moreover, when asked about their channel preference for future assessments, channel preference was closely correlated to the channel through which their most recent assessment had been conducted.

We remain committed to enabling a multi-channel assessment approach ensuring the needs of all our customers, including those that are disabled, are met.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of trends in levels of foodbank usage in Surrey since 2020. \p Alison McGovern: The Department does not hold information on levels of foodbank usage in Surrey.

The latest statistics on food bank usage including data at a national and regional level can be accessed here Children in low income families: local area statistics - GOV.UK and are available on Stat-Xplore Stat-Xplore - Home.

We are committed to tackling poverty and reducing mass dependence on emergency food parcels. To inform this work, DWP officials have engaged with a range of organisations to better understand the complex food support landscape.

We also continue to provide substantial funding to Local Authorities to support those most in need and extended the Household Support Fund by a further year until March 2026, providing funding of £742 million in England.

Through the Spending Review, we have announced £842m per annum to reform crisis support. This includes the first ever multi-year settlement to transform the Household Support Fund into a new Crisis and Resilience Fund, incorporating Discretionary Housing Payments and funding to ensure the poorest children do not go hungry outside of term time.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

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Claire Hanna:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy to uprate (a) inflation-linked benefits and (b) tax credits for the 2026–27 financial year in line with the consumer prices index rate of inflation for September. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Social Security Administration Act 1992 requires the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to review State pension and benefit rates each year to see if they have retained their value in relation to the general level of prices or earnings. Where the relevant rates have not retained their value, legislation provides that the Secretary of State is required to, or in some instances may, up-rate their value. Following this review, some rates are increased in line with statutory minima, and others are increased subject to the Secretary of State’s discretion.

The new and basic State Pensions, and the Standard Minimum Guarantee in Pension Credit (which replaced tax credits for most people above State Pension age on 5 April 2025). must be increased at least in line with the growth in earnings. In practice, the new and basic State Pensions are subject to our commitment for this Parliament to the triple lock of the highest of earnings growth, the increase in prices, or 2.5%

Additional-needs disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payment, Carer’s Allowance, and Additional Pension must be increased at least in line with the increase in prices. By convention, the measure used for this is the increase in the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) in the year to September.

For the rates of most other benefits, including Universal Credit (which replaced tax credits for people below State Pension age on 5 April 2025), once the Secretary of State has concluded her review of the increase in the general level of prices, she may decide to increase them. The Office for Budgetary Responsibility currently assumes that she will do so in line with the increase in CPI in the year to September. However, the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill has been introduced into Parliament and subject to parliamentary approval, this will alter the standard parameters of Secretary of State's annual review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much their Department has spent on (a) translation and (b) interpretation for languages other than (i) British Sign Language and (ii) languages native to the UK for people contacting (A) their Department and (B) its agencies in 2025. \p Andrew Western: In 2025 so far, within the stipulations, there has been spent on:

(a) Translation = £470,542.73

(b) Interpretation = £3,248,467.21

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

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Zöe Franklin:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to improve the (a) responsiveness and (b) accountability of the Child Maintenance Service when people request clarification of figures used in their assessments. \p Andrew Western: The Child Maintenance Service are wholly committed to delivering the best possible service to all customers within our growing caseload.

To ensure calculations are accurate the department continues to build on its already proportionate and cost-effective controls, such as:

In all instances where a new calculation is made both parents will receive a written breakdown of the figures used in the calculation which also includes advice on where to learn more about child maintenance calculations, how to contact the Child Maintenance Service and how to raise a dispute if they disagree with the calculation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

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Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing veteran aware training for jobcentre plus staff. \p Andrew Western: Armed Forces Champions (AFCs) are available within each Jobcentre district, providing specialist support to veterans. They will have completed the full work coach learning and had the opportunity to embed their learning prior to becoming an Armed Forces Champion, and they are provided with point of need learning which covers the knowledge and skills to provide tailored support for armed forces leavers, including signposting to specialist organisations and charities.

As part of the Armed Forces Covenant the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has initiatives which help current and former Armed Forces personnel and their families. This includes the role of the Armed Forces Champion in every Jobcentre. Armed Forces Champions develop and maintain joint working relationships, provide specialist support to all Jobcentre staff and act as the first point of contact in communities for organisations and services.

All Jobcentre Plus staff new to DWP receive mandatory learning to support customers which includes learning for armed forces leavers. The learning provides an overview of armed forces leavers and assists colleagues in understanding what help is available to them, their spouse/partner when resettling into civilian life.

DWP Work Coaches receive comprehensive learning to support vulnerable customers. Their learning journey includes a module on armed forces leavers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

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James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 59412 on Government Departments: Reviews, if her Department will publish the line by line review of its spending conducted for the Spending Review 2025. \p Andrew Western: DWP is committed to meeting the 5% savings and efficiency target, with Spending Review funding allocations agreed on this basis.

These funding allocations – informed by the findings of the Zero Based Review – are the first steps in a wider plan to finalise budgets for different projects and programmes, with any necessary savings decided through that process. The savings taken forward will be subject to the normal rigorous business planning processes, and in-year financial management.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

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Mr Paul Foster:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department monitors the compliance of individual local authorities with statutory duties under the Children and Families Act 2014 in relation to the delivery of EHCP provision. \p Catherine McKinnell: Local authorities identified as having issues with education, health and care (EHC) plan timeliness are subject to additional monitoring by the department, who work with the specific local authority. Where there are concerns about the local authority’s capacity to make the required improvements, the department can secure specialist advisor support to help identify the barriers to EHC plan timeliness and put in place practical plans for recovery.

When inspections indicate that there are significant concerns with local authority performance, the department will intervene directly. This may mean issuing an improvement notice, statutory direction and/or appointing a commissioner, deployment of which is considered on a case-by-case basis.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

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Kirith Entwistle:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 23 May 2025 to Question 52388 on Teachers: Religion, what the first degree subjects the 80 percent of entrants to RE Initial Teacher Training who did not have their first degree in Theology and Religious Studies were. \p Catherine McKinnell: The following table shows the subject for the first degree of new entrants to religious education initial teacher training (ITT) in the 2024/25 academic year. Subject is as specified in the Higher Education Statistics Agency’s Common Aggregation Hierarchy. Trainees with unknown first degree subject are excluded. Where trainees have more than one first degree subject, they are listed as “joint honours”. Note that some degree subjects, such as philosophy that are not included within theology and religious studies, may contain relevant content for religious education. It is the responsibility of the accredited ITT provider to determine the suitability of a candidate applying for ITT. The department publishes the ITT criteria which sets out the minimum requirements that a candidate must meet to be eligible for ITT.

Degree subject

Number of trainees

Percentage of trainees

Theology and religious studies

89

20%

Philosophy

82

18%

Sociology

52

12%

Joint honours

47

11%

History

30

7%

Law

29

7%

Psychology (non-specific)

23

5%

Education

18

4%

Politics

14

3%

Anthropology

5

1%

Childhood and youth studies

5

1%

Others in psychology

5

1%

Liberal arts (non-specific)

4

1%

Classics

3

1%

Media studies

3

1%

Social work

3

1%

Cinematics and photography

2

<1%

Health studies

2

<1%

Literature in English

2

<1%

Management studies

2

<1%

Music

2

<1%

Social sciences (non-specific)

2

<1%

Sport and exercise sciences

2

<1%

American and Australasian studies

1

<1%

Art

1

<1%

Business and management (non-specific)

1

<1%

Combined, general or negotiated studies

1

<1%

Counselling, psychotherapy and occupational therapy

1

<1%

Creative writing

1

<1%

Development studies

1

<1%

Developmental psychology

1

<1%

Drama

1

<1%

Economics

1

<1%

English language

1

<1%

Forensic and archaeological sciences

1

<1%

Geography (non-specific)

1

<1%

Health sciences (non-specific)

1

<1%

Nursing (non-specific)

1

<1%

Polymers and textiles

1

<1%

Social policy

1

<1%

Tourism, transport and travel

1

<1%
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Mr Paul Foster:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many Education, Health and Care (a) requests and (b) needs assessments have been (i) completed and (ii) issued within the statutory 20-week timeframe by Lancashire County Council in the last 12 months. \p Catherine McKinnell: Information on the number of requests for an education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment, the number of assessments carried out and the number of new plans issued within the statutory 20-week time, including at a local authority level, are published in the statistical release, accessible at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-health-and-care-plans/2025.
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Julia Lopez:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many private nurseries there were in (a) July 2024, (b) November 2024 and (c) June 2025. \p Stephen Morgan: The government’s Plan for Change sets out a commitment to give children the best start in life, breaking the link between background and opportunity.

The department estimates the number of private group-based providers in England via its annual survey of providers. In 2024, the number of private group-based providers was estimated at 21,200 as of July 2024. Full information can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/childcare-and-early-years-provider-survey/2024.

The department does not hold the information requested for the other date in question.
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Gareth Snell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of early intervention on children's readiness to start school. \p Stephen Morgan: The government’s Plan for Change sets out our ambition for a record proportion of children starting school ready to learn. The department will measure progress through 75% of children at the end of reception reaching a good level of development in the early years foundation stage profile assessment by 2028.

Antenatal classes, health visitors, parenting support, baby and toddler groups and access to affordable, high quality early education and childcare are vital to guiding parents, improving the home learning environment and supporting development.

A stable family environment is the foundation for better health, education and earnings. Studies have found that the most influential home environment variable on children’s cognitive development at age three and four, and academic outcomes at age seven, is the quality of the home learning environment during preschool years.

Children need access to high quality early education and evidence-based programmes designed specifically for this early stage of development. An impact evaluation of the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) found that children who receive NELI make, on average, four months of additional progress in oral language skills, and seven months for those children on free school meals.
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Gareth Snell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to provide training on home education for parents of school-age children. \p Stephen Morgan: The department does not have plans to provide training for parents on home education.

We have published guidance for home-educating parents to help them understand their rights and responsibilities.

The department is also introducing a new duty on local authorities to provide support to home-educating families through the Children Not in School measures within the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. This will ensure that there is a baseline level of support across all local authorities so that parents have access to a reliable level of support, irrespective of where they live, and we will be providing additional training to local authorities to help them to fulfil these duties.

Parents who choose to home educate have the flexibility to employ a variety of approaches and need not follow structures such as the national curriculum, stick to a traditional school day, nor include the study of specific subjects, provided the education is efficient, full-time and suitable to the age, ability and aptitude of the child and any special educational needs they may have. Issuing training would therefore not be appropriate, as we do not wish to impose restrictions on parents by instructing them on how they should home educate their children.
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Gareth Snell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to take steps to support nursery workers to encourage learning through play. \p Stephen Morgan: The early years foundation stage statutory framework (EYFS) sets the standards and requirements that all early years providers must follow to ensure every child has the best start in life and is prepared for school. The EYFS is clear that children learn through play and that play is essential for children’s development. For example, singing songs helps to develop language comprehension, vocabulary, self-expression and literacy. Early years practitioners should carefully organise enabling environments and cultures for high quality play and are encouraged to create games and provide opportunity for play both indoors and outdoors.

The department is committed to supporting settings in how to practically deliver the EYFS well for the benefit of all children. A range of information and resources are available, such as ‘Development Matters’, help for early years providers and the Foundation Years website, which includes ideas for play-based learning activities.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to tackle period poverty through schools in Newton Abbot constituency. \p Stephen Morgan: ​Nobody should have to miss out on education because of their period, which is why the department provides free period products to girls and women in their place of study through the Period Products Scheme. The scheme aims to remove periods as a barrier to accessing education and addresses pupils being unable to afford period products. Since the scheme began in 2020, 82% of eligible organisations in Devon have placed at least one order.

The scheme offers a broad range of products for organisations to choose from, including certified organic and chemical-free tampons and pads, as well as reusable options such as period pants. The Lil-Lets organic range, available on the scheme, meets recognised certification standards and is free from harmful chemicals.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding of 19 May 2025, what changes she plans to make to the university home fee status of students of EU/EEA nationality studying in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland; and what changes she plans to make to the fee status of previously overseas British citizens who intend to study in the United Kingdom. \p Janet Daby: Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

On 19 May 2025, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, welcomed Presidents Von Der Leyen and Costa for the first ever summit between the UK and the EU and a deal was agreed which will deliver on what the British public voted for last year. This package delivers for the British people, without compromising on our red lines, no return to the customs union, no return to freedom of movement, and no rejoining the single market.

On home fee status, most new EU/EEA students who were not lawfully resident in the UK before the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 will pay international fees.

The Withdrawal Agreement provides that current EU principles of equal treatment continue to apply for those covered by the citizens’ rights provisions in the Withdrawal Agreement. This means that EU nationals lawfully resident in the UK before the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 are eligible in England for support on a similar basis as previously, subject to meeting the usual residency requirements, which are unchanged. Similar agreements have been signed with the European Economic Area (EEA) European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states and Switzerland.

UK nationals and their family members, living in the EEA or Switzerland at the end of the transition period will generally be eligible for home fee status, tuition fee and maintenance support from Student Finance England for courses starting on or after 1 August 2021 and before 1 January 2028, subject to meeting all other eligibility requirements.

There are no plans to make any changes to the fee status for these persons.
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Anneliese Dodds:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to establish a national, statutory mechanism to (a) identify and (b) support children with a parent in prison. \p Janet Daby: I refer my right hon. Friend, the Member for Oxford East to the answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 58709.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that there is an improved transition from T-levels to (a) Level 4, (b) Level 5 and (c) Level 6 apprenticeships in the (i) creative arts, (ii) media and (iii) computing sectors. \p Janet Daby: There are currently 21 T Levels available in a range of subjects, including three in the digital sector. T Levels in Craft and Design, and Media, Broadcast and Production were introduced for the first time in September last year.

T Levels are based on the same occupational standards as apprenticeships, and include industry placements of at least 45 days, making them excellent preparation for higher-level apprenticeships. Students progressing from a T Level may be able to complete an apprenticeship more quickly in recognition of their prior learning. Early data shows that T Levels are providing a particularly strong route into higher apprenticeships across a range of subjects. Among the first cohort of T Level completers doing an apprenticeship, almost three quarters (72%) had progressed to a Higher or Degree apprenticeship. This is significantly higher than the rate for all level 3 learners (24%), where the vast majority go on to do an apprenticeship at the same level (52%) or at a lower level (24%).
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Juliet Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the eligibility of the long course loan to (a) estranged and (b) care experienced students. \p Janet Daby: Full-time undergraduate students who are estranged from their parents or who are care leavers qualify for a long courses loan in the same way as other full-time undergraduate students.

Full-time students who attend their courses for more than 30 weeks and three days in an academic year qualify for additional means-tested long courses loan to help them with their living costs. This is paid for each week or part-week from 30 weeks and three days up to 45 weeks’ attendance. Students attending their courses for 45 weeks or more in any 52 week period are paid as if they are studying for the full 52 weeks, meaning that they qualify for 22 weeks additional living costs support. The weekly rates of long courses loan vary depending on where a student is living and studying during an academic year.

The government has increased maximum loans for living costs, including long courses loans, by forecast inflation (3.1%), for the 2025/26 academic year.
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Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to fund level 6 apprenticeships for all ages for 2027-28. \p Janet Daby: Level 6 apprenticeships are a core part of our apprenticeships offer and continue to be funded by government.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question 58068 on Employment: British National (Overseas), if her Department will make an assessment of the potential implications for its policies of the report by British Future entitled Working it Out: Hong Kongers, Employment and the Cost of Living, published on 29 October 2024. \p Janet Daby: As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, said in the latest six-monthly Report, this government will continue to stand with the people of Hong Kong, strengthening the connections between our societies and remaining steadfast in commitment to the British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) visa route. The UK provides a welcoming home to Hong Kongers today and will continue to do so for Hong Kongers tomorrow. Government departments continue to work together in support of that objective. The BN(O) Welcome Programme continues to provide support to Hong Kongers in the UK, including through a network of 12 Welcome Hubs, helping BN(O)s understand and connect to services in their local area.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_275

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to provide information on vocational pathways to young people in the same way as information on university pathways. \p Janet Daby: The department has legislated to ensure that young people are supported to develop the knowledge and understanding of all pathways at key transition points. Schools have a legal duty to provide at least six opportunities for all pupils, during school years 8 to 13, to meet providers of approved technical education qualifications or apprenticeships.

A range of digital and in-person support is also available through the Apprenticeship and T Levels Ambassador networks and the Skills for Careers apprenticeships support page. The page can be found here: https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/training-choice/apprenticeships.

We fund the Careers and Enterprise Company to oversee a national network of 44 careers hubs that bring together schools, colleges and employers to improve the quality of careers programmes for young people. Over 400 leading employers and 3,700 business volunteers inspire young people about a range of exciting career opportunities, including the vocational and academic pathways into their sectors.

Careers hubs use data and frontline insight to support conversations about barriers to take up of technical and vocational pathways. Local partners devise solutions to meet local needs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_276

Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to answer Question 53853, tabled by the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend on 21 May 2025. \p Catherine McKinnell: I can confirm that a response has been submitted to my hon. Friend, the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend to Question 53853.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_277

Chris Ward:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to make SEND training mandatory for (a) Initial Teacher Training and (b) continual learning for qualified teachers. \p Catherine McKinnell: Supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is a mandatory part of initial teacher training and training for early career teachers, creating a strong foundation for those joining the profession. The new initial teacher training and early career framework comes into effect from September 2025 and sets out the minimum entitlement for teacher training and must cover adaptive teaching and SEND. The department tested this approach with SEND educational experts with consensus that the approach of ‘quality-first teaching’ would be the best way to improve outcomes for all children.

We also recognise that continuous improvement is essential and have recently committed to a full review of the early career teacher entitlement in 2027 to ensure it continues to provide the best possible basis for initial teacher training and early career teacher support.

To further support teachers, in autumn 2024 the department began delivery of the national professional qualification for special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs). This is now the mandatory qualification for SENCOs. Participants will develop the essential knowledge and skills needed to set the strategic direction of SEND policy in a school and the conditions in which pupils with SEND can thrive.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_278

Chris Ward:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the report by The Sutton Trust entitled The Opportunity Index, published in May 2025. \p Catherine McKinnell: The Sutton Trust’s valuable report highlights that too many children face barriers to success because of who they are or where they come from. This is why, through the Opportunity Mission, we will break the link between young people’s backgrounds and their future success, by tackling child poverty, ensuring all children have safe and loving homes, get the best start in life, achieve and thrive in school and develop skills to succeed in life.

We agree with the report that these challenges are multi-faceted and require a complex package of measures. That is why we have started to make progress by expanding free school meals to all children on Universal Credit, have delivered the largest ever uplift to early years pupil premium, are driving school improvement through our regional improvement for standards and excellence teams, and launched foundation apprenticeships as part of a Youth Guarantee so that all 18 to 21 year-olds in England have access to education, training or help to find a job or an apprenticeship.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_279

Amanda Hack:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when the Natural History GCSE will be made available to students. \p Catherine McKinnell: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for North West Leicestershire to the answer of 21 March 2025 to Question 36968.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

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Gareth Snell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of rolling out family hubs across the country. \p Janet Daby: On 11 June, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer set out plans for spending and public sector reforms through the Spending Review 2025. This announcement confirmed departmental budgets for 2026/27 onwards and committed that the government will continue to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme, working with parents to help give children the best start in life.

This builds upon my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, published in December 2024, which outlined the ambition to give children the best start in life by strengthening and coordinating family services to improve support through pregnancy and early childhood.

The department is working with the Department of Health and Social Care to share further information about what the Spending Review settlement means for the continuation and expansion of the programme. We recognise the importance of providing local authorities with certainty of future funding across the whole programme and we will share further information when we are able to.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_281

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of post-16 transport costs on (a) education access and (b) participation rates in rural communities. \p Catherine McKinnell: The department recognises that the cost and availability of transport can present difficulties for some students, including those in rural areas. However, the responsibility for post-16 transport lies with local authorities, who have a duty to publish a transport policy statement each year that sets out the travel arrangements they will make to support young people to access further education.

Arrangements do not have to be free, but the department expects local authorities to make reasonable decisions based on the needs of their population, local transport infrastructure, and the resources they have available.

Many local authorities do offer some form of subsidised transport. For example, in the West Dorset constituency, Dorset Council offer a surplus seat scheme and subsidised transport for young people from low-income families who meet their eligibility criteria. Some education and training providers also provide subsidised or free transport, such as college buses, and travel subsidies from private training providers.

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund is also used to help students with travel costs, including those on low incomes. It enables schools, colleges and training providers to support students with transport costs where these have been identified as a barrier to participation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department plans to take to promote e-invoicing among SMEs. \p Gareth Thomas: Many SMEs could benefit from digital tools like e-invoicing. E-invoicing can streamline invoicing processes and lead to increased productivity, improved payment times and easier tax administration.

However, we know that SMEs face several barriers to adopting new digital technologies, one of which can be a lack of clear information on benefits and software options. The SME Digital Adoption Taskforce has been considering how to best overcome these and will be publishing their final report in the Summer.

DBT and HMRC recently ran a joint 12-week consultation to gather views on promoting e-invoicing in the UK. The Government will publish a summary of responses and provide an update on next steps in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_283

Alison Hume:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will publish an updated version of the Critical Minerals Strategy that includes policies on promoting the use of polyhalite. \p Sarah Jones: Building on the UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre’s (CMIC) updated criticality assessment, government has worked hand in hand with industry to develop a new Critical Minerals Strategy this year. This new, targeted Critical Minerals Strategy will help secure our supply chains for the long term and drive forward the green industries of the future and will be published in the coming weeks.

CMIC assessed 82 candidate materials as part of its 2024 criticality assessment. Polyhalite, a combination of various minerals including potassium, was not one of these candidate materials. However, government is fully aware and acknowledges the importance of polyhalite to the UK.

As we plan for future criticality and growth assessments, we will look to evaluate which additional minerals and materials, such as polyhalite, will need to be in scope to reflect the UK economy’s growing demands amidst evolving global supply chain dynamics.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_284

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to (a) commission and (b) publish research of the potential impact of e-invoicing on (i) digital adoption and (ii) changes in trends in the level of productivity of SMEs. \p Gareth Thomas: Yes. HMRC have commissioned research into SMEs perceptions of e-invoicing which we expect to publish later this year. DBT and HMRC also recently ran a joint 12-week consultation to gather views on promoting e-invoicing in the UK. The Government will publish a summary of responses and provide an update on next steps in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the Government plans to appoint a Trade Envoy to Canada. \p Gareth Thomas: We remain committed to strengthening our long, positive and wide-ranging trading relationship with Canada, with our trade in bilateral goods and services worth £28bn in 2024. There are no plans at present to appoint a Trade Envoy as the UK already has sophisticated diplomatic, trade and investment networks to support our engagement in Canada, as well as our recent visits by Ministers, including the Prime Minister on 15th June.

Markets where there are no Trade Envoys will continue to receive support alongside our other initiatives for exporters and investors, both of which are driving economic growth and creating opportunities at home and abroad.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the British Business Bank’s Cluster Champions programme to help support high-growth SMEs in South Northamptonshire. \p Gareth Thomas: The Cluster Champions programme is designed to provide up to £100 million of additional targeted investment to businesses in the eight Industrial Strategy sectors in ten clusters located in city regions across the whole of the UK. While not part of the clusters, high-growth SMEs in South Northamptonshire benefit from access to the £400 million Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, which provides debt and equity finance to businesses across the Midlands.