theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_248
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_248

Wendy Morton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department plans to make an assessment of the potential impact of the application of VAT to private school fees on the long-term finances of (a) private and (b) state education sectors. \p James Murray: The Government has published a detailed costing note and Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) assessing the impacts of applying VAT to private school fees, including impacts on private schools and state schools: Private school fees — VAT measure - GOV.UK

How to fund VAT costs is a commercial decision for individual schools. The Government estimates that private school fees will increase by around 10% on average.

The number of children in independent schools has remained steady despite c75% real terms increase in average private school fees since 2000. The Government estimates that, in the long-term steady state, there will be 35,000 additional pupils in the state school sector, which is less than 0.5% of all state schools. Based on average 2024 to 2025 per-pupil spending in England, the government expects the revenue costs of pupils entering the state sector as a result of the VAT policy across the UK to steadily increase to a peak of around £270 million per annum after several years. In comparison, the Government estimates that the policy will raise over £1.7bn per annum by 2029/30.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_249
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_249

Susan Murray:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of threshold for the payment of Inheritance Tax on families with assets worth over £1 million. \p James Murray: Inheritance tax is a wealth transfer tax charged on the estate (the property, money, and possessions) of someone who has died. In the latest available tax year (2021-22), 4.39% of all UK deaths were liable to inheritance tax.

The tax liability is on the estate and not the beneficiary of any inherited assets. As such, HMRC does not collect information on the beneficiaries of estates, as it has no reason to do so.

The Government announced several reforms to inheritance tax at Autumn Budget 2024. The Government’s analysis of these reforms is based on the number of estates expected to pay more inheritance tax. More information is available in the various policy papers published alongside the Budget: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/autumn-budget-2024.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_250
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_250

James McMurdock:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to support people to access Government Gateway accounts without physical documentation. \p James Murray: Where a customer does not have a driving license or passport, dependent on what records exist for that customer, they can use the following evidence items to prove their identity using Government Gateway:

• Self-Assessment – (If record available) This is a knowledge-based question based on previous tax records.

• Credit Reference – These are knowledge-based questions based on 3rd party credit reference records.

• Tax Credits – (If record available) This is a knowledge-based question based on previous tax records.

If a user is unable to provide sufficient evidence to prove their identity online, they can contact the relevant department (e.g. HMRC or DWP) directly by telephone, post, or face to face (DWP Only).

There are no plans to improve or add additional options to Government Gateway to enable people to prove their identity – instead additional methods to prove identity will be provided by Gov.UK One Login (including face-to-face verification) which will gradually replace Government Gateway starting Winter 2025.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_251
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_251

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to Inheritance Tax at the Autumn Budget 2024 on costs to pension scheme administrators. \p James Murray: Most unused pension funds and death benefits will be included within the value of a person’s estate for inheritance tax purposes from 6 April 2027.

A technical consultation was published at Autumn Budget 2024 on the proposal for pension scheme administrators to become liable for reporting and paying any inheritance tax due on pensions. The consultation concluded on 22 January 2025 and the responses are being considered. In accordance with standard practice, a tax information and impact note will be published alongside the draft legislation before the relevant Finance Bill.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_252
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_252

Jim Shannon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing tax breaks to employers who train apprentices. \p James Murray: Employers of those under the age of 21 and apprentices under the age of 25 already receive 100% employer National Insurance relief on salaries up to £50,270.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_253
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_253

James McMurdock:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many complaints her Department has received on the difficulty of (a) accessing and (b) using the Government Gateway. \p James Murray: HMRC has 56 million active users of Government Gateway, who successfully used Government Gateway 435m times for the period 1 April 2024 – 14 March 2025. In the same period HMRC received 472 complaints in respect of accessing and/or using the service.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_254
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_254

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 17 February 2025 to Question 29957 on Bank Services and Banking Hubs, if her Department will direct the Financial Conduct Authority to require the creation of banking hubs in new towns without banking services. \p Emma Reynolds: Banking has changed significantly in recent years with many customers benefiting from the ease and convenience of remote banking. However, the Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets in new towns and across the UK and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 135 are already open.

The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 granted the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) the responsibility and powers to seek to ensure the reasonable provision of cash withdrawal and deposit facilities. Under the FCA’s regime, LINK, the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network, is responsible for undertaking access to cash assessments. When a cash access facility such as a bank branch closes, or if LINK receives a request directly from a community, including in new towns, LINK independently assesses a community’s access to cash needs and can recommend a new service, such as a banking hub.

A community request can be submitted to LINK via its website.

Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking and via the Post Office.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_255
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_255

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the amount of money lost by people in the UK to cryptocurrency fraud since 2019. \p Emma Reynolds: The Financial Conduct Authority’s most recent consumer research publication provides indications of the levels of cryptoasset related fraud in the UK. This research is available online at: https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/research-notes/cryptoasset-consumer-research-2024-wave-5.pdf.

The Government take these fraud risks very seriously, and that is why it is proceeding with proposals to introduce a comprehensive UK financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_256
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_256

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to tackle cryptocurrency fraud. \p Emma Reynolds: Fraud is the most common crime in the UK and the Government takes this issue very seriously. That is why we are committed to updating and expanding the UK fraud strategy to tackle the full range of threats. We are working with law enforcement and industry to reduce fraud and better protect the public and businesses from this devastating crime.

Further, the Financial Conduct Authority commenced enforcement of the cryptoassets financial promotion regime in October 2023. This requires firms to ensure that promotions for cryptoasset products and services are fair, clear and not misleading; meaning cryptoasset promotions are now held to the same standards financial services products with similar risk.

The Government is also proceeding to introduce a comprehensive UK financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets, and intends to bring forward legislation for this as soon as possible this year.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_257
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_257

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2025 to Question 28608 on Employers' Contributions: Public Sector, whether the funding provided will offset the full impact. \p James Murray: At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government set aside funding to support the public sector with the additional cost of employer National Insurance Contributions. This support funding amounts to £4.7 billion in 2025-26, inclusive of Barnett consequentials.

This funding was based on an estimate of the proportion of employer NICs receipts paid by public sector organisations, using the Office for National Statistics (ONS) classification of the public sector boundary. This funding has since been allocated to departments and other public sector employers, with shares based on data covering headcount, wage and salary costs, with the Barnett formula applying in the usual way.

The Government plans to publish the allocations for departments alongside departmental budgets for 2025/26 as part of Mains estimates.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_258
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_258

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has banned the use of DeepSeek. \p James Murray: The Government has a robust set of security policies in place to oversee how information is handled, within our buildings, on our IT, and by our staff.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_259
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_259

Alex Burghart:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the number of claims that have been (a) made and (b) paid under the Duty Reimbursement Scheme for goods brought into Northern Ireland since the scheme was established. \p James Murray: The Duty Reimbursement Scheme (DRS) has been operational since June 2023, allowing businesses who move goods into Northern Ireland to reclaim or remit duty provided that the goods can be shown not to have subsequently entered the EU.

DRS claims are processed within 120 days of receipt, although generally the processing time for claims is much shorter. As of 14 March 2025, the average processing time for a DRS claim is 16 days.

Businesses also have a three-year window from the date they were notified of the duty being owed to make a claim under the DRS.

HMRC has published extensive guidance and will continue to support businesses to use the scheme effectively, as well as other schemes such as the Customs Duty Waiver Scheme.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_260
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_260

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to take steps to help support older people to use self-checkout kiosks in banks in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Emma Reynolds: Banking has changed significantly in recent years with many customers benefitting from the ease and convenience of remote banking. The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets in Surrey Heath and across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 135 are already open.

The Financial Conduct Authority requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers, such as the elderly and disabled. Additionally, under the Equality Act 2010, banks must make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services are accessible to all.

The Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) has recently published a Digital Inclusion Action Plan which sets out the Government’s first steps towards our long-term objective of ensuring everyone has the access, skills, support and confidence to participate in our modern digital economy.

Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_261
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_261

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of bank branch closures on local (a) residents and (b) businesses in market towns in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities, high streets and market towns in Surrey Heath and across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with banks to roll out 350 banking hubs, which will provide local residents and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services. Over 220 banking hubs have been announced so far, and over 135 are already open.

Banking has changed significantly in recent years with many customers benefitting from the ease and convenience of remote banking. While branch closures are commercial decisions for banks and building societies, FCA guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable.  This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly.

Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_262
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_262

Matt Vickers:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department is taking steps to support Safe Hands plan holders financially impacted by its administration. \p Emma Reynolds: I am sympathetic to all the Safe Hands customers who have lost money, following the collapse of the firm in 2022.

In January 2021, the Government legislated to bring all pre-paid funeral plan providers and intermediaries within the regulatory remit of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from 29 July 2022. This has ensured that 1.6 million funeral plan customers are, for the first time, protected by compulsory and robust regulation as they seek to put their affairs in order.

Unfortunately, the customers of Safe Hands do not qualify for compensation under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) as the funeral plan industry did not become regulated by the FCA until 29th July 2022. It would not be appropriate for the Government to set the precedent or expectation that it will use taxpayer money to compensate consumers for the misconduct of unregulated firms or products which were not sold as FCA regulated at the time.

DWP's Funeral Expenses Payments scheme offers financial support for a simple funeral for those on certain income-based benefits or tax credits. The scheme covers the necessary burial or cremation costs and provides up to £1,000 for other expenses.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_263
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_263

Dave Doogan:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the potential cost to the public purse of the Bank of England's Quantitative Tightening programme (a) since July 2024 and (b) since its commencement in November 2022. \p Emma Reynolds: Since October 2022, HM Treasury has transferred £85.9bn to the Bank of England to cover losses arising from the Asset Purchase Facility, of which £25bn was transferred since July 2024. This covers losses incurred from net interest costs and the sale and redemption of bonds as the portfolio is unwound.

Data on these quarterly cash transfers between HM Treasury and the Bank of England are made publicly available by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in its monthly Public Sector Finances publication. The data are available at the following link under the ONS series ID MF7A in worksheet PSA9B:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/governmentpublicsectorandtaxes/publicsectorfinance/datasets/publicsectorfinancesappendixatables110
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_264
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_264

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 29193 on Hospitality Industry: Employment, whether her Department has done a sector specific analysis of the projected impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on employment in hospitality. \p James Murray: The Government has taken a number of difficult but necessary decisions on tax, welfare, and spending to fix the public finances and fund public services.

The Government has set out the impacts of the policy changes from Autumn Budget 2024 in the usual way.

For example, a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer, the economic impacts of the policy, and the impacts on individuals, businesses, and civil society organisations, as well as an overview of the equality impacts.

As set out previously, the Office for Budget Responsibility also published the Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO), which sets out a detailed forecast of the economy and public finances.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_265
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_265

Max Wilkinson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of reducing taxes on the developers of brownfield sites on the development of new homes in town centres. \p James Murray: The government has announced reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework that will deliver key steps to get Britain building, and the reforms introduced through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will streamline the delivery of new housing and regeneration projects.

The government has also committed to deliver 1.5 million new homes as part of our mission to achieve economic growth across the country. At Autumn Budget, the government announced over £5 billion total housing investment in 2025-2026 to boost supply.

Tax stability is important for investment in regeneration, and the government has committed through the Corporate Tax Roadmap to provide the stability needed for businesses to make investments that are critical to boosting growth in the UK.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_266
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_266

Michael Wheeler:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to (a) reduce the time taken to (i) investigate and (ii) review research and development tax credit claims and (b) support small businesses to access tax relief schemes available to them. \p James Murray: When HMRC receives an R&D relief claim, it goes through a risk assessment process. New additional information requirements mean HMRC can more accurately identify claims that may not be compliant and reduce the number of valid claims being picked for a compliance check.

The length of a compliance check will depend however on a range of factors, including the complexity of the claim and customer engagement. At Autumn Budget, HMRC published the Approach to Research and Development Tax Reliefs for 2023 to 2024, which shows that the average time to complete a compliance check for 2023-24 was 246 days, down from 269 days in 2022-23.

HMRC processed 92% of R&D claims within 40 days in 2023 to 2024. This is above HMRC’s published customer service aim to process 85% of claims within 40 days of receipt. Processing means paying the claim, making contact to request further information, or refusing the claim, and, for claims identified as high-risk, starting an appropriately targeted compliance check.

Small businesses are vital to high streets and communities, and essential to the success of the government’s growth mission. The Government recognises the important role tax reliefs, including the R&D reliefs, play in strengthening small businesses’ ability to invest and grow.   Whilst it is right that HMRC is taking action to address error and fraud, the government is committed to responding to stakeholder feedback and improving administration to ensure the R&D reliefs continue to support our most innovative businesses.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_267
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_267

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish a breakdown of student loan recipients by nationality in each of the last five years. \p Janet Daby: Attached is a table that breaks down unique students in receipt of tuition fee loans and/or student support scheme income contingent loans (such as maintenance loans) by nationality for the 2019/20 to 2023/24 academic years.

Nationality is an optional field for borrowers to fill out when they are applying for student finance, which is why the data contains ‘unknown’ records. The department has seen a downward trend in the number of ‘unknown’ records in recent years, which could be due to people moving towards digital rather than paper applications, as the digital application has a drop-down menu for nationality making it easier for applicants to select the relevant option.

Please note, when compared to published figures, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/student-support-for-higher-education-in-england-2024, total numbers of borrowers in receipt of tuition fee and maintenance loans will differ to this dataset as we are counting unique borrowers. Furthermore, the data is not fully static and data can be updated or re-categorised over time.

32437_table_nationality_student_loan_recipient (xlsx, 26.8KB)
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_268
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_268

Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help promote reading for fun in schools. \p Catherine McKinnell: I refer the hon. Member for South Shropshire to the answer of 11 March 2025 to Question 35717.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_269
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_269

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether any procurement contracts awarded by her Department have included mandatory commitments to equality, diversity, and inclusion training since 5 July 2024. \p Janet Daby: In accordance with government commercial policy, the department uses centrally maintained frameworks provided by Crown Commercial Service and otherwise uses the suite of standard contracts maintained by Cabinet Office, for the majority of contracts. These terms and conditions require the supplier to perform its obligations under the contract in accordance with equality law, but do not include a requirement to undertake mandatory training.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_270
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_270

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her planned timetable is for establishing Skills England on a statutory basis. \p Janet Daby: Skills England is already operational in shadow form and the government intends for it to be established as an executive agency soon. This model of arm’s length body provides a strong fit for Skills England as it can be operationalised quickly and provides independence, while ensuring sufficient proximity to the department, so that Skills England can inform decisions on skills policy and delivery.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_271
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_271

Suella Braverman:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to provide additional funding for teachers' pay increases. \p Catherine McKinnell: The overall core schools budget is increasing by £3.2 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, meaning the core schools budget will total over £64.8 billion compared to almost £61.6 billion in the 2024/25 financial year. This includes the £2.3 billion announced at the Autumn Budget 2024 and over £930 million being provided to support schools and high needs settings with the increases to employer National Insurance contributions from April 2025.

As set out in the written evidence, the department is expecting schools to be able to fund awards of 2.8% from the funding we are already giving to them. That will mean using a combination of the additional investment announced in the Autumn Budget 2024, alongside making use of their existing funds. The government has been clear that departmental settlements for the 2025/26 financial year will need to fund the next round of public sector pay awards.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_272
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_272

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what funding was available to Sure Start (a) in each year and (b) adjusted for inflation. \p Stephen Morgan: Annual expenditure figures for the Sure Start programme are published in the following reports:

Since April 2010, local authorities have reported expenditure on Sure Start children’s centres through annual section 251 returns. Annual expenditure figures on Sure Start children’s centres for the period between 2010/11 and 2023/24 are published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-local-authority-school-finance-data#local-authority-and-school-finance and https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/la-and-school-expenditure.

The department does not maintain records of annual Sure Start expenditure figures adjusted for inflation.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_273
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_273

Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure the sustainability of funding for maintained nursery schools. \p Stephen Morgan: ​My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has been clear in her commitment to early years. Despite tough decisions to get our public finances back on track, this government has increased investment in the early years sector to drive forward progress towards our Plan for Change target of a record number of children starting school ready to learn.

In the 2025/26 financial year alone, this government plans to spend over £8 billion on early years entitlements. The department has also announced the largest ever uplift to the early years pupil premium, increasing the rate by over 45% compared to the 2024/25 financial year, raising it to the equivalent to up to £570 per eligible child per year.

On top of this the department is providing further supplementary funding of £75 million for the early years expansion grant to support the sector to provide the additional places and workforce needed by September 2025.

The department is also providing £25 million through the Employer National Insurance Contributions Grant for public sector employers in early years, which includes maintained nursery schools (MNS).

As part of the overall early years budget, the department expects to spend £92.6 million in MNS supplementary funding in the 2025/26 financial year, in recognition of the additional costs MNS face. The national average hourly rate for MNS supplementary funding will increase from £5.27 in the 2024/25 financial year to £5.90 in the 2025/26 financial year.

The department has introduced a minimum and maximum hourly rate that a local authority can receive for their MNS to create a fairer distribution of funding. For 2025/26, the supplementary funding minimum hourly rate for MNS will be set at £5.27.

MNS supplementary funding is just as secure over the long term as all the other early years funding streams.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_274
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_274

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has considered allowing (a) Social, Emotional and Mental Health provisions and (b) Pupil Referral Units to offer post-16 education within existing frameworks. \p Catherine McKinnell: The statutory duty on local authorities to arrange alternative provision applies to children of compulsory school age. This includes a duty to arrange education for children who cannot attend school due to their mental or physical health needs.

Although the duty only applies to children of compulsory school age, alternative provision schools, including pupil referral units, can offer post-16 provision if they wish to do so. 21 of the 334 state-funded alternative provision schools currently have a registered sixth form.

If any alternative provision schools would like to offer post-16 placements, they should approach the department to discuss this. Funded post-16 education has a variety of provider types which deliver different provision, relevant to the different aspirations and needs of post-16 students. In addition, 16 to 19 study programmes should be tailored to meet the individual needs of the young person.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_275
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_275

Shivani Raja:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she plans to take to help ensure that schools meet their statutory requirement to teach religious education to pupils at all stages of their schooling. \p Catherine McKinnell: It is a mandatory requirement for maintained schools and academies to teach religious education (RE) to all pupils throughout all key stages up to age 18. RE is inspected by Ofsted as part of their assessment of a school’s curriculum, as set out in the school inspection handbook. In schools with a designated religious character, schools will receive an inspection of RE provision from their religious body.

The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The Review Group has now published a well-evidenced, clear interim report, which sets out its findings and confirms the key areas for further work. The review will be looking in greater detail at all curriculum subjects, including RE, within the next phase, proceeding on the basis of ‘evolution not revolution’. Any subject-specific findings and recommendations will be included in the final report, which will be published in the autumn.

RE is an important subject that should provide pupils with an opportunity to learn about a wide range of religious and non-religious beliefs. RE should help pupils to better understand the values and traditions of different religious communities.

When teaching RE, schools should consider how their curriculum can develop social skills and empathy, as well as equip children and young people with the skills for living and working in a diverse society. For older pupils, RE should also focus on developing skills that are useful in a wide range of careers and adult life, in particular the skills of critical enquiry, creative problem-solving and communication.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_276
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_276

Leigh Ingham:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her planned timetable is for confirming 2026-27 funding for (a) the PE and sport premium and (b) School Games Organisers. \p Catherine McKinnell: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Stafford to the answer of 10 March 2025 to question 33607.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_277
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_277

Carla Denyer:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take legislative steps to require independent schools to (a) identify SEND pupils and (b) provide support to those pupils in line with the (i) SEND Code of Practice and (ii) Children and Families Act 2014. \p Catherine McKinnell: Independent schools are regulated against The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, which set out the standards for the education, welfare and safety for pupils attending an independent school. These standards can be accessed at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/3283. The standards related to ‘quality of education provided’ (curriculum and teaching) require independent schools to ensure their written policy, plans and schemes of work take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all their pupils, including those with special educational needs.

Section 85 of the Equality Act 2010 prohibits schools, including independent schools, from discriminating against pupils with certain protected characteristics. This includes a requirement that schools must not discriminate in the way they provide education for pupils; the way they afford pupils access to benefits, facilities or services; or by not providing education for pupils.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_278
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_278

Chris Hinchliff:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the permanent cost of pay rises for primary school teachers implemented in September 2024 has been factored into school budgets beyond April 2025. \p Catherine McKinnell: The overall core schools budget is increasing by £3.2 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, meaning the core schools budget will total over £64.8 billion compared to almost £61.6 billion in the 2024/25 financial year. This includes the £2.3 billion announced at the Autumn Budget 2024 and over £930 million being provided to support schools and high needs settings with the increases to employer National Insurance contributions from April 2025.

The funding announced at the Autumn Budget 2024 includes funding to cover the remaining costs of the 2024 teachers’ pay award in the 2025/26 financial year.

For mainstream schools, all of this funding has been rolled into the schools national funding formula in 2025/26, ensuring that it forms an ongoing part of schools’ core budgets.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_279
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_279

Chris Hinchliff:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the timing of the start of the school budget year in April and the academic year in September on schools' ability to budget effectively for staffing needs when pupil numbers increase in September. \p Catherine McKinnell: Schools are generally funded on the basis of their pupil numbers in the previous October census, therefore meaning the funding that schools receive for the 2025/26 funding year will be based on pupil numbers as of October 2024. This practice means that the department can publish allocations with enough time to give schools certainty over funding levels and to aid in their planning. It also gives schools time to adjust to any declines in pupil numbers, before these have an impact on their funding.

However, the department understands that this can cause problems where schools are experiencing significant growth in pupil numbers. The department also allocates ‘growth funding’ to local authorities. This can be used by local authorities to support both maintained schools and academies in managing a significant growth in pupil numbers, in advance of this increase being reflected in schools’ core funding allocations.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_280
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_280

Calum Miller:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to answer Questions (a) 36322, (b) 36323 and (c) 36324, tabled by the hon. Member for Bicester and Woodstock on 6 March 2025. \p Janet Daby: The answers to Written Parliamentary Questions 36322, 36323 and 36324 were published on 20 March 2025.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_281
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_281

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate of the total value of Construction Industry Training Board (a) levies paid and (b) expenditure on (i) apprenticeships and (ii) training in the most recent year for which figures are available. \p Janet Daby: The requested information is contained in the published Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Annual Report and Accounts (ARA) for 2023/24. The report is available on the CITB’s website and GOV.UK. It can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/citb-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024.

The figure for the 2023/24 period on levies paid is £202 million. Expenditure on apprenticeships was £111.2 million and expenditure on training was £86 million.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_282
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_282

Dave Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of (a) primary and (b) secondary schools are delivering two hours of PE a week. \p Catherine McKinnell: I refer my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield to the answer of 25 March 2025 to Question 34199.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_283
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_283

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help improve (a) education and (b) training for sustainable jobs in the renewable sector in South East Cornwall constituency. \p Janet Daby: Areas right across the UK are benefitting from the transition to low carbon energy. The government’s investments in the skills system are promoting education and training that creates meaningful opportunities for all, including in areas such as renewable energy for South East Cornwall.

The department funds a range of programmes that develop green skills, including:

Moreover, green energy will be eligible for the first round of shortened apprenticeships that we recently announced as part of our skills reforms.

The recently created Skills England is working with partners to map out and address skills needs linked to clean energy.

Addressing local renewable energy and green skills needs are a priority set out in Local Skills Improvement Plans, including the plan covering South East Cornwall. With support from the department, local colleges are actively addressing green skills needs through various initiatives and programmes in key areas such as green construction, heat pump technologies and electric vehicles.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_284
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_284

Jonathan Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2024 to Question 7546 on Children: Hygiene, what discussions she has had with (a) school leaders and (b) local authorities on the impact of uniform hygiene on children; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of publishing practical guidance for schools on this matter. \p Catherine McKinnell: Tackling child poverty is at the heart of breaking down barriers to opportunity and improving the life chances for every child. For too many children, living in poverty robs them of the opportunity to learn and to prosper.

A new Ministerial Taskforce, led by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has begun work on a child poverty strategy.

This taskforce will harness all available levers to drive forward short-term and long-term actions across government to reduce child poverty, with a child poverty strategy published later this spring. Additional information regarding this strategy is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-child-poverty-developing-our-strategy/tackling-child-poverty-developing-our-strategy-html.

It is important that all children can attend school in a clean, affordable uniform. School leaders are well placed to manage uniform standards, including hygiene.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_285
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_285

Navendu Mishra:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to increase funding for schools in Stockport constituency. \p Catherine McKinnell: The overall core schools budget is increasing by £3.2 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, meaning the core schools budget will total over £64.8 billion compared to almost £61.6 billion in 2024/25. This includes the £2.3 billion announced at the Autumn Budget 2024 and over £930 million being provided to support schools and high needs settings with the increases to employer National Insurance contributions from April 2025.

As Stockport constituency spans two local authority areas, funding figures for both are provided. In Stockport local authority for the 2025/26 financial year, average funding per pupil through the mainstream schools dedicated schools grant (DSG) is increasing by 3% compared to 2024/25. In Tameside local authority, average funding per pupil through the DSG is increasing by 2.5% in the 2025/26 financial year compared to 2024/25. Both local authorities are seeing funding increases above the national average per pupil funding increase of 2.15%.

Funding allocations for the 2026/27 financial year will be confirmed following the spending review process.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_286
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_286

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what percentage of primary and secondary schools are delivering two hours of PE a week. \p Catherine McKinnell: The government has pledged to protect physical education (PE) time and wants schools to offer a minimum of two hours of PE per week to their pupils. This government is committed to supporting schools to ensure this ambition is met, including through the PE and sports premium in primary schools.

In December 2023 the department asked primary and secondary school leaders how many minutes of compulsory PE teaching were timetabled for pupils in the autumn term in the 2023/2024 academic year. The findings are published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-and-college-voice-omnibus-surveys-for-2023-to-2024/school-and-college-voice-december-2023.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_287
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_287

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 34284 on Empty Property: Shops, how many programmes in addition to the High Street Rental Auction fund are operating bidding schemes for local authorities to receive funding. \p Alex Norris: The design of the High Street Rental Auction Fund was set by the previous administration. This Government was elected on a manifesto that stressed a partnership approach with local authorities and an intention to stabilise the funding system by providing multi-year funding settlements and ending competitive bidding.

We will set out a refreshed approach to local growth funding at the multi-year Spending Review in the Spring. An approach that includes more integrated settlements, over longer term, with less central direction, more local choice and no competitive bidding.
wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_288
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_288

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the written statement of 3 March 2025 on Anti-Muslim Hate/Islamophobia Definition Working Group, HCWS487, to which Minister that group will report; and if the report will be laid before the House. \p Alex Norris: The Terms of Reference for the Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition Working Group have now been published. The group will report to the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and provide advice to Ministers on appropriate and sensitive language to describe, understand and define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim. Once the Government has reviewed this advice, it will consider its next steps.