theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-30)

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Adrian Ramsay:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much and what proportion of funding for (a) agricultural genetic modification research and development and (b) precision breeding techniques has been allocated to (i) non-UK companies and (ii) UK companies in each of the last 10 years. \p Daniel Zeichner: Innovate UK invested £0.15 million (2023) and £1.2 million (2024) into UK companies undertaking research using precision breeding techniques in crops and farmed animals. Innovate UK has not funded any agricultural genetic modification research and development over the last 10 years, nor has it funded any non-UK based companies.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to encourage people to buy UK produce. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra is working in partnership across the food system, the Government and four nations to develop an ambitious new food strategy which delivers a food system we can be even more proud of. It will help protect our British traditions, unlock the food sector’s economic potential, strengthen food security, tackle obesity and protect our planet for future generations.

Alongside, Defra is considering the policy options available to deliver on the Government's ambition for at least half of all food procured by the public sector to be, where possible, locally produced or certified to higher environmental standards, and to make it easier for British suppliers to bid for a share of the £5 billion spent annually on public sector catering contracts. To that end, the Government will conduct the first ever review of food currently bought in the public sector, including where it is bought from.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-30)

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Adrian Ramsay:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of precision breeding on market concentration in the agricultural sector. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 will reduce barriers to entry for businesses, evening the playing field between SMEs and large multinationals in the agricultural sector.

Internationally, countries that have chosen to regulate precision bred products differently from Genetically Modified Organisms have seen a ‘democratisation’ of the technology, leading to a greater proportion of applications being submitted by SMEs and local businesses.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-30)

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Andrew George:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans for badger culling in England to end. \p Daniel Zeichner: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for South Leicestershire, Alberto Costa, on 28 March 2025, PQ 40170.
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Adrian Ramsay:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to review the membership of the Chair of Cranswick plc on the Food Strategy Advisory Board. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra has no current plans to review membership of the Food Strategy Advisory Board. Members are senior leaders who represent important elements within the food system and the diversity of the sector, appointed for their individual experience and standing. Members do not represent their business interests.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-30)

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Adrian Ramsay:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential contribution of precision bred (a) crops and (b) foods to the economy (i) in each of the next seven years and (ii) from 2032. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Department has taken an evidence-based approach, underpinned by expert scientific advice and published data, to estimate the impacts of implementing the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.

This includes the Department’s De Minimis Assessment of the impacts of The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Regulations 2025, which covers a 10-year period. The De Minimis Assessment has been compiled by Defra economists and reviewed by the Defra Chief Economist.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.
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Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the UK-US trade deal prevents the importation of meat from low-welfare feedlots; and if he will consult animal welfare organisations on this matter. \p Daniel Zeichner: On 8 May, the UK Government announced a landmark economic deal with the United States, making the UK the first country to reach an agreement with President Trump.  This delivers on the commitment by the Prime Minister and the President on 27 February to agree an economic deal in our respective national interests.

This deal has created a reciprocal agreement to lower tariffs for British beef exporters to the US, while acting in the UK’s national interest by ensuring that we uphold our rigorous food standards while protecting our farmers.

We have always been clear that this Government will protect British farmers, secure our food security and uphold our high food, animal welfare and environmental standards in trade deals. That is exactly what we have done and will continue to do.
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Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the potential environmental impact of US meat imports on UK (a) farming and (b) climate goals. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, and Cabinet discussions are considered confidential.

On 8 May, the UK Government announced a landmark economic deal with the United States, making the UK the first country to reach an agreement with President Trump.  This delivers on the commitment by the Prime Minister and the President on 27 February to agree an economic deal in our respective national interests.

This deal has created a reciprocal agreement to lower tariffs for British beef exporters to the US, while acting in the UK’s national interest by ensuring that we uphold our rigorous food standards while protecting our farmers.

The agreement on beef means that around 1.5% of the UK beef market could come from the United States, and the same quantity of British beef can be exported to them.

We have always been clear that this Government will protect British farmers, secure our food security and uphold our high food, animal welfare and environmental standards in trade deals. That is exactly what we have done and will continue to do.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-30)

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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to increase export opportunities for UK farmers and food producers. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government will always seek new opportunities to grow the UK’s world class agri-food and drinks sector. We are working to agree a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement with the European Union to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and red tape for British producers and retailers.

Our network of sixteen agri-food and drink attachés work to resolve export barriers around the world. Last year we resolved an export barrier nearly every week, including securing access to the US market for UK beetroot growers and resuming pork exports to China for major UK producers, which industry estimates are worth £80 million. We are committed to working in partnership with food and drink manufacturers to continue to capitalise on strong demand for UK produce around the world.
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Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to introduce provisions to allow British National (Overseas) visa holders access to home-rate university tuition fees prior to obtaining settled status. \p Janet Daby: I refer the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire to the answer of 29 May 2025 to Question 52277.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with university leaders on tackling antisemitism. \p Janet Daby: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education will shortly convene a roundtable discussion on antisemitism with a group of Vice Chancellors. This will be an opportunity to discuss what more can be done collectively, and at all levels, to make our universities a safe and inclusive environment for all.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support is available to promote (a) lifelong learning and (b) digital inclusion for older people. \p Janet Daby: The department is investing in education and skills training for adults through the Adult Skills Fund, which fully funds or co-funds education and skills training for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry to level 3, to help them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning.

This also funds the department’s Essential Skills entitlements, which provide the opportunity for fully-funded study for eligible adults who do not have essential literacy and numeracy skills up to and including level 2, and digital skills up to and including level 1. Essential Digital Skills Qualifications and digital Functional Skills qualifications up to level 1 are available for free under the digital entitlement for adults with low digital skills.

Where qualifications are not appropriate for a learner, more flexible provision is available through ‘Tailored Learning’, which offers bespoke courses in essential digital skills at a pace that works for them, supporting their journey to get online.

The ‘Free Courses for Jobs’ offer gives eligible adults the chance to access high value Level 3 qualification for free, which can support them to gain higher wages or a better job.

Skills Bootcamps give adults the chance to build sector-specific skills, including in digital, with a job interview on completion for eligible learners.

In January 2027, the department will introduce the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, which will broaden access to high-quality, flexible education and training. It will support individuals to learn, upskill and retrain across their working lives, up to the age of 60.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of promoting workplace apprenticeships as an alternative to sixth form or college education. \p Janet Daby: This government has a driving mission to break down barriers to opportunity. Too many young people are struggling to access high quality opportunities, and this government wants to ensure that more young people can undertake apprenticeships.

The department is widening the apprenticeships offer into a growth and skills offer, to deliver greater flexibility and choice for learners and employers, including through new foundation apprenticeships for young people.

Foundation apprenticeships will be a work-based training offer that will provide young people with clear progression pathways into further work-based training and employment. Construction will be one of the key sectors that will benefit from new foundation apprenticeships. This will inspire more young people into the construction industry and give them the tools they need for a sustained and rewarding career. As part of this new offer, employers will be provided with £2,000 for every foundation apprentice they take on and retain in construction.

The department continues to promote apprenticeships to young people through the Skills for Life campaign and the apprenticeship ambassador network (AAN). The AAN, which has around 2,000 volunteers, aims to champion apprenticeships for young people by aligning an ambassador to every state-funded secondary school by March 2026.
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Noah Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that the construction skills package creates (a) apprenticeships, (b) Technical Excellence Colleges and (c) Skills Bootcamps in (i) all parts of the UK and (ii) Cornwall. \p Janet Daby: On 23 March 2025, the government announced a construction support package worth over £600 million to tackle the acute shortage of skilled workers in the construction sector. This investment is a key part of our wider strategy to support national infrastructure projects, meet ambitious housing targets, and enable the transition to a clean energy economy.

The package includes funding for a range of initiatives, such as expanding construction courses, launching additional skills bootcamps and foundation apprenticeships, providing more industry placements, and establishing ten new Technical Excellence Colleges.

Skills England will engage and work closely with the devolved administrations to ensure alignment and coherence in addressing skills needs across the UK.

The department are keen to work closely with Mayoral Combined Authorities and local leaders who will be essential to delivering the devolved elements of this package, including adult skills funding.

Additional information regarding allocations at regional and provider level will be shared in due course.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will include within the remit of Skills England a requirement to help support (a) British National (Overseas) visa holders and (b) other migrants to access (i) training and (ii) employment. \p Janet Daby: Skills England will play a critical part in the government’s mission to drive growth across the country, support people to get better jobs and improve their standard of living.

Skills England will join the Labour Market Evidence (LME) Group to support a coherent approach to skills, migration and labour market policy. It will also shape technical education and apprenticeships to respond to skills needs.

It remains the case that eligible visa holders, including Hong Kong British National (Overseas) status holders, may be able to take an apprenticeship but must be able to complete the apprenticeship within the time they have available on their visa, including the end-point assessment.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to tackle antisemitism in universities. \p Janet Daby: This government is deeply concerned about the continued, unacceptably high, prevalence of antisemitism in universities. We have confirmed £7 million in funding to address antisemitism in education, and the Office for Students will be introducing a new registration condition from August that will require universities to act against all forms of harassment, including antisemitism.

Furthermore, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education will soon host a round table with leading vice-chancellors from across the country to discuss what more can be done collectively, and at all levels, to make our universities a safe and inclusive environment for all.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's transparency data entitled Breakfast clubs early adopters: schools in the scheme, published on 24 February 2025 and updated on 22 April 2025, for what reason 79 schools are no longer taking part in the scheme. \p Stephen Morgan: I refer the hon. Member for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston to the answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 47782.
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she plans to take to ensure that home educators' right to privacy is protected, in the context of the proposed home schooling register. \p Stephen Morgan: The department takes its data protection obligations seriously and is committed to high standards of information security, privacy and transparency. All data received by the department, including as part of the children not in school (CNIS) registers, will be processed in accordance with UK-GDPR principles. No individual personal data from CNIS registers will be published by the department.

The department is conducting a Data Protection Impact Assessment and are consulting with the Information Commissioner’s Office to ensure all data protection risks have been considered and appropriate mitigation are in place before any processing of data has begun. The Data Protection Impact Assessment will be reviewed on a regular basis and updated as required.

Parents have the right under UK-GDPR to object to how their data is used. However, this right is not absolute. If the department or other agencies outlined in the Bill have compelling, legitimate grounds to continue using the parent’s data that outweigh the parent’s rights, they can refuse the parent’s request.

We will outline in future statutory guidance to local authorities how they should inform parents about their rights around data sharing and processing at the point of registration and/or providing updates for the registers.
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Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing monitoring compliance with School Food Standards. \p Stephen Morgan: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Liverpool West Derby to the answer of 9 May 2025 to Question 48872.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 10 April 2025 to Question 43285 on Schools: Solar Power, whether any schools in Bedfordshire are on the long list. \p Stephen Morgan: ​​Pursuant to my answer of 10 April 2025, work is still progressing on finalising the long and short lists of projects in the East of England region to participate in this first year of the Great British Energy Solar Partnership programme. The department hopes to have finalised the selection before the summer break. ​

In the interim, we are providing support for all schools and colleges to start on their journey towards net zero via our new online sustainability support for education platform and our climate ambassador programme. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sustainability-leadership-and-climate-action-plans-in-education.

Where schools are considering the purchase of solar panels or other sustainable systems, our ‘Get help for buying’ service provides support to ensure that schemes procured are of high quality and value to the sector. More information can be found here: https://gethelpbuyingforschools.campaign.gov.uk/.

​Details of other government funding available to public bodies for sustainability can also be found at this website, prepared by the Crown Commercial Service: https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/social-value/carbon-net-zero/funding-and-grants.
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Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure children with SEND are not disproportionately affected by (a) school exclusions and (b) informal off-rolling in mainstream schools. \p Stephen Morgan: This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities receive the right support to succeed in their education. We are committed to ensuring earlier intervention in mainstream schools for pupils with special educational needs and introducing a new annual review of safeguarding, attendance and pupil movement, including off-rolling.

In all cases, school leaders should consider early intervention strategies to address the underlying causes of a pupil’s disruptive behaviour before issuing any exclusion. In the most serious cases, exclusion may be necessary to ensure every child can learn in a safe, calm classroom.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she plans to take to ensure that the amount of funding available for technical education is aligned with the skills requirements for key industries. \p Janet Daby: Over £7.5 billion of funding for the 16 to 19 programme is being invested during the 2024/25 academic year, with funding available via the High Value Courses Premium to encourage and support the delivery of level 3 study programmes and T Levels in priority subject areas.

Programme cost weightings support the delivery of higher cost vocational subject areas, which are often also areas of high value to the economy.

Additionally, the department will provide approximately £1.4 billion in funding for the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) in the 2025/26 academic year and will have devolved 68% of the ASF to mayoral strategic authorities. These authorities have autonomy in deciding how to use their funding to make decisions that are best for their areas. In non-devolved areas, the department uses five funding bands that reflect, amongst other considerations, the cost of the provision involved and skills needs.

My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, also committed over £600 million over the Parliament to deliver up to 60,000 skilled construction workers, supporting the government’s infrastructure and housebuilding priorities. This includes additional funding to deliver more construction courses, skills bootcamps, foundation apprenticeships, industry placements and the establishment of ten new Technical Excellence Colleges.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for School Standards of 28 April 2025, Official Report, column 7, if she will make an estimate of the proportionate pay rise that could be provided to teachers with the additional £400 million of funding. \p Catherine McKinnell: On 18 March, the department published the Schools’ Costs Technical Note, which forecast the headroom in schools’ budgets in the 2025/26 financial year, and set out what pay rise, for both teachers and support staff, would be affordable on that basis.
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Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a Skills Bootcamp course to support the attainment of Category D coach licences. \p Janet Daby: The government is giving local areas greater control of Skills Bootcamps in line with its commitment to devolution.

As national contracts come to an end, the government will fund Skills Bootcamps entirely through funding Mayoral Strategic Authorities and local areas directly.

Local areas will be able to choose which Skills Bootcamps they offer based on the needs of their local employers and economy. This could include Skills Bootcamps to support the attainment of Category D coach licences.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with the Office for Students on antisemitism at universities. \p Janet Daby: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education will shortly convene a roundtable discussion on antisemitism with several Vice Chancellors. The Office for Students (OfS) will be represented at this roundtable. This will be an opportunity to discuss what more can be done collectively, and at all levels, to make our universities a safe and inclusive environment for all.

Departmental officials meet regularly with the OfS and have discussed campus antisemitism with them in the context of the implementation of the new E6 condition, and when considering how best to uphold the rights of minority groups alongside freedom of speech.
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Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to encourage students to take social work courses in (a) higher and (b) further education. \p Janet Daby: The Department for Education shares responsibility with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) for social work supply, with DHSC providing bursaries to help with the cost of training. We have also developed guidance for aspiring social workers through the ‘Become a Social Worker’ website and we support initiatives like the Local Government Association’s ‘Make a Difference, Work for your Local Council’ and Social Work England’s ‘Change the Script’ campaigns which encourage student enrolment.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information she holds on the number of student loan borrowers whose repayment balances have increased despite making regular payments. \p Janet Daby: A borrower is deemed to have made regular repayments if they have made at least four repayments, of any amount, in the 2024/25 financial year. This may include borrowers who stopped their regular repayments or ceased being liable to repay part-way through the 2024/25 financial year.

The total number of borrowers whose loan balance has increased despite making regular repayments in the 2024/25 financial year is 2,145,434. This figure covers Plan 2, 5 and 3 borrowers. It has been generated by comparing borrowers’ loan balances on 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.

At the end of a borrower’s loan term, any outstanding loan balance, including interest built up, will be written off. This write-off is the government’s subsidy and is a deliberate investment in our people and the economy.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of planned changes to international student recruitment on the financial sustainability of universities. \p Janet Daby: This government’s position on international students has been clear. We are committed to a United Kingdom that is outward looking and welcomes international students who make a positive impact on the UK’s higher education (HE) sector, our economy and society as a whole.

The government expects the UK to remain a highly attractive study destination. The UK has a world class HE sector with 4 universities in the top 10 and 15 in the top 100 worldwide, according to the latest QS World University Rankings, alongside a wide array of high-quality institutions which can offer a fulfilling and enjoyable experience to international students from around the world.

In order to put the sector on a firmer financial footing, Professor Edward Peck has been appointed as substantive Chair of the Office for Students to continue its focus on financial sustainability and increasing opportunities in HE. We have also taken the difficult decision to increase tuition fee limits by 3.1% in the 2025/26 academic year, in line with inflation.

The department will publish its plans for HE reform as part of the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper this summer.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will take steps to improve training for disabled children’s social care professionals in local authorities. \p Janet Daby: Every day, children’s social care professionals provide a vital service to children in need of support, including disabled children. Whilst it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that their social care workforces are well-equipped for the roles they perform, the department is focused on supporting continued improvements in practice. All qualified children’s social workers must register with the professional regulator Social Work England and meet the professional standards. These include practising in line with the requirements of the Equality Act, which includes disability as a protected characteristic.

The department sets the professional standards that new children’s social workers should attain through the post-qualifying standards. The department is currently consulting on a new set of standards which include a greater focus on disability. Subject to the spending review, the department plans to introduce a new two-year social worker induction programme based on the new standards, to strengthen support for new children’s social workers.

In addition, the Law Commission are currently undertaking an independent review of social care legislation relating to disabled children. They are due to report their final recommendations to government in summer 2025, at which point the department will consider proposals for reforms to the disabled children’s social care system.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will meet with the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme to discuss the merits of ensuring the skills required for the ceramics industry are met through (a) the national curriculum and (b) her plan for apprenticeships. \p Janet Daby: The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18. The Review is looking at all subjects and wants to ensure a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work. The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in the autumn, at which point the government will respond.

The department will continue to support learners who wish to have a career in the ceramic industry through its technical education offer, with a range of qualifications available including T Levels, where there is an option to specialise in ceramic making, and apprenticeships.

Employers have developed the level 3 craft technician apprenticeship standard, which includes a ceramicist option. The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) is working to agree an end-point assessment organisation to enable starts onto this standard. IfATE’s functions will shortly transfer to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education to be implemented in future by Skills England.
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Patrick Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to provide a substantive response to the Freedom of Information Act request of 14 February 2025 with reference number 2025-0005461. \p Janet Daby: The department responded to this freedom of information request on 7 May 2025.
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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help support further education colleges to secure T Level placements for (a) engineering and (b) other subject students. \p Janet Daby: While schools and colleges are responsible for sourcing industry placements, the department offers a range of support. The department offers a range of resources, including our support website for schools and colleges with guidance and workshops to help colleges plan and design placements, which is available at the following address https://support.tlevels.gov.uk/hc/en-gb.   Our employer website includes case studies and webinars for specific T Levels such as Engineering and Manufacturing and is available here: https://employers.tlevels.gov.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/13884064882194-Why-host-students-doing-engineering-and-manufacturing-T-Levels.

We have a 900+ strong ambassador network, including representatives across different T Levels. Our Connect service helps colleges connect with local employers and we also provide continuing professional development to upskill colleges with employer engagement activities.

In January 2025 we updated our industry placement delivery approaches, for example, allowing up to 20% of placements to take place remotely (and up to 50% for Digital). Further information can be accessed at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/678a7a302080f65f988bd3a1/T_Level_industry_placement_delivery_guidance.pdf.

Colleges also receive £550 per T Level student to source and monitor industry placements. A targeted employer support fund for the 2025/26 financial year will support all employers delivering Health T Level placements and small and medium enterprises delivering all other placements.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-30)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that safeguarding teams in schools follow up with young people who have self-harmed. \p Stephen Morgan: The Department for Health and Social Care is primarily responsible for child mental health, including self-harm. Schools and colleges also have an important role to play in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of their pupils. ‘Keeping children safe in education’, the department’s statutory guidance for schools and colleges, makes clear that schools should ensure they have clear systems and processes in place for identifying possible mental health problems, including routes to escalate concerns and clear referral and accountability systems.

The department supports mental health leads in schools to embed effective approaches that help to identify issues such as self-harm and provides appropriate support along with a range of guidance and practical resources.

If staff have a mental health concern about a child which is also considered to be a safeguarding concern, they should follow their child protection policy and speak to their Designated Safeguarding Lead or a deputy immediately.

Designated Safeguarding Leads act as a source of support, advice and expertise for all staff and are the point of contact with local safeguarding partners. They liaise with school mental health leads and, where available, with mental health support teams where safeguarding concerns are linked to mental health issues. They also work with parents and carers to safeguard and promote the welfare of children to ensure support is in place at every stage.

The government will also provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school by expanding Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs), so every child and young person has access to early support to address problems before they escalate.

By April 2026, we estimate that 60% of pupils in schools and learners in further education in England will be covered by an MHST, up from 52% in April 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-30)

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James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the system of fining parents for taking their children out of school; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of this system on families from disadvantaged backgrounds. \p Stephen Morgan: Tackling absence is at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity. We are facing an absence epidemic, with one in five children persistently absent. These figures are higher for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ statutory guidance sets out that schools must consider whether support is more appropriate before deciding whether a penalty notice should be issued. A penalty notice cannot be given for authorised absence, such as those due to illness.

In cases of holiday taken in term time without permission or where the parent has not engaged or support is not working, the law protects the child’s right to a full-time education. This can include the issuing of penalty notices.

Where a penalty notice is considered, the national framework for penalty notices (introduced on 19 August 2024 following national consultation) is designed to improve consistency and fairness across the country. It states that penalty notices must be considered on an individual basis, preventing schools from having blanket rules. Schools or local councils may choose to issue a notice to improve instead of a penalty notice. This is a further offer of support before a penalty notice is issued.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-30)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether their Department plans to amend its policies on access to (a) toilets, (b) changing facilities and (c) other single-sex spaces in (i) Departmental buildings and (ii) other buildings within their Department’s remit following the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025. \p Janet Daby: The Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the provision of single-sex spaces is on the basis of biological sex. Providers should note and follow the ruling.

It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all. Trans people should have access to services they need but in keeping with the ruling.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), as Britain’s Equalities watchdog, is developing updated guidance to support service providers. Ministers will consider the EHRC’s updated draft once they have submitted it following further work in light of this ruling.

The government is considering the implications of the Court’s judgment, including what this means for government buildings.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-30)

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Brian Mathew:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to tackle processing delays of valuations by the Teachers’ Pension Scheme; and what steps she is taking to ensure that pensions are paid promptly once teachers have chosen how they wish to receive their benefits. \p Catherine McKinnell: The scheme administrator has made significant progress to reduce the backlog of Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV) figures that had built up whilst the necessary guidance was developed, following the Transitional Protection (McCloud) remedy taking effect.

CETVs that could be automated have been prioritised, alongside the most sensitive cases, to reduce the backlog from 3,062 at the end of October 2024 to 473 as of 6 May. The current outstanding figure includes recent applications.

Addressing the remainder of the backlog remains a key priority for both the department and the scheme administrator. The scheme administrator is now working through the more complex cases for members who have not retired and who have scheme flexibilities, to take account of those which must be processed clerically as a result. Guidance to provide CETV calculations for members who have retired has recently been received and is being assessed by the scheme administrator.

Where members affected by Transitional Protection apply to retire, they are provided a Remediable Service Statement (RSS) which details their choices available for the remedy period. Once the member choice is completed and returned by the member, the scheme administrator will process the member’s retirement and put benefits into payment as soon as is practicable, or in line with the relevant retirement date.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-30)

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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of providing redress to people impacted by forced adoptions between 1945 and 1976. \p Janet Daby: This abhorrent practice should never have taken place, and our deepest sympathies are with all those affected.

We take this issue extremely seriously and are considering what more can be done for those who were impacted by historical forced adoption.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-30)

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Ms Polly Billington:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 52414 on Personal Independence Payment, how many recipients of PIP are forecast by her Department to lose their PIP Daily Living Entitlement after all PIP reassessments have taken place over the projected six year timeframe. \p Sir Stephen Timms: It would take 10 years for all claimants on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to be assessed under the new criteria as many claimants receive 10-year awards. For claimants receiving PIP when the 4-point policy is introduced in November 2026, we estimate that by 2036/37, 440,000 claimants will not receive the daily living component of PIP who would have under current rules, after behavioural effects are taken into account.

No one will lose access to PIP immediately. The changes, subject to parliamentary approval, would be brought in from November 2026. After that date, no one will lose PIP without first being reassessed by a trained assessor or healthcare professional, who assesses individual needs and circumstance. Reassessments happen on average every 3 years. Someone who didn’t score 4 points in an activity in a previous assessment may well score 4 points in a future assessment – not least as many conditions tend to get worse, not better, over time.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has taken into account expected behavioural changes in its numbers and determined that 370,000 (1 in 10) current PIP recipients may lose entitlement by 2029/30 at their next award review after changes to PIP eligibility come into effect in November 2026. We use the same methodology as the OBR to provide the comparable figure for 2036/37.

We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including how to make sure health and eligible care needs are met. PIP is not based on condition diagnosis but on functional disability as the result of one or more conditions, and is awarded as a contribution to the additional costs which result.

We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment which I will lead, and we will bring together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this and to start the process as part of preparing for a review. We will provide further details as plans progress.

Even with these reforms, the overall number of people on PIP and DLA is expected to rise by 750,000 by the end of this parliament and spending will rise from £23bn in 2024/25 to £31bn in 2029/30.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-20)

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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54744 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals before the end of the 21-day period set through the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010. \p Stephen Doughty: Primary legislation will be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time allows.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-20)

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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, whether Mauritius will be able to conduct marine research activities (a) on Diego Garcia, (b) in the 12 nautical mile zone from Diego Garcia, (c) in the 12 nautical mile to 24 nautical mile zone and (d) in the Chagos Archipelago. \p Stephen Doughty: I refer the Right Honourable Member to the answer of 11 June 2025 to question 54739.