theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_26

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve electric vehicle charging provision. \p Keir Mather: While transport in Northern Ireland is largely devolved to the Department for Infrastructure, the Department for Transport is supporting Northern Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles and has regular meetings to discuss the transition. Additionally, through Round 1 of the Levelling Up Fund, we are providing up to £3.27 million to upgrade and expand the electric vehicle charging network. Previously, two grants totalling £1.38 million were awarded under the On Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_27

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the time taken for driving tests and MOTs. \p Simon Lightwood: The national average waiting time in Great Britain (GB) for a car practical driving test in November 2025 was 22 weeks.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times across GB. The agency is intensifying its efforts to reduce waiting times and improve access to driving tests that will break down barriers to opportunity as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

On the 12 November, the Secretary of State for Transport, updated the Transport Select Committee on the government’s ongoing response to high driving test waiting times in GB. Further information on the measures announced can be found on GOV.uk.

DVSA supervises the delivery of light vehicle MOTs in GB through its approved MOT garages. However, as these are private garages, DVSA does not collate overall average waiting time data for MOTs.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_28

Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve processing times for driving licence renewals involving medical assessments. \p Simon Lightwood: The table below shows the average number of working days taken to process driving licence applications where a medical condition needed to be investigated before a licence could be issued for both group 1 (cars and motorcycles) and group 2 (lorry and bus) licences.

Group 1

Group 2

Dec 2024

45.32

46.65

Jan 2025

46.1

46.29

Feb 2025

42.65

40.55

Mar 2025

45.48

40.64

Apr 2025

41.64

43.49

May 2025

42.34

41.46

Jun 2025

48.08

37.85

Jul 2025

54.42

39.06

Aug 2025

49.33

41.72

Sept 2025

52.5

49.04

Oct 2025

78.36

55.78

Nov 2025

80.27

47.71

Driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence can be issued can take longer as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is often reliant on receiving information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued.

The DVLA is currently rolling out a new casework system which is expected to deliver significant improvements to the services provided to drivers with medical conditions. When fully implemented, this will provide improved turnaround times, increased capacity and automation, higher levels of digital functionality and digital communication. The DVLA is also planning to launch a new medical services platform which will enable more customers to transact online and will increase the use of email communication.

Applicants renewing an existing licence may be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing they can meet specific criteria. More information can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_29

Sir Iain Duncan Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will review the Plug-in Motorcycle Grant and extend it beyond April 2026. \p Keir Mather: The Plug-in Motorcycle Grant will continue at the same price threshold. The grant will close at the end of the 2025/26 FY or when budgets have been exhausted, whichever comes first.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_30

Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November, to Question 87899 on Delivery Services: Driving Licences, if she will (a) publish the letter referred to from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Transport, (b) make an assessment of the potential impact of people engaged in delivery work without valid documentation on road safety and (c) review the training, testing, and licensing requirements for motorcycles. \p Lilian Greenwood: a) I have placed copies of the letter referred to in my answer to Question 87899 in the Library of the House.

b) The Department has no plans to assess the potential impact of people engaged in delivery work without valid documentation on road safety. This is a matter of enforcement of the law and for the police to decide, on the evidence of each individual case, whether an offence has been committed and the appropriate action to take.

c) We are considering plans to review the existing requirements for motorcycle training, testing, and licensing that take account of both long-standing plans in the Department for Transport and the Driver Vehicle and Standards Agency, and proposals received from the motorcycle sector. The Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish the Strategy this year.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_31
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_31

Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an estimate of the potential impact of traffic congestion on the economy. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department for Transport publishes transport analysis guidance to help assess the economic cost of congestion associated with different policy interventions. It also regularly publishes statistics on speeds, delay and reliability on different types of roads. However, it does not routinely assess the economic cost of congestion on the road network as a whole.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_32
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_32

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average time taken by local authorities to repair a reported pothole was in (a) November 2025 and (b) each month since July 2024. \p Simon Lightwood: Local highway authorities have a duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the highways network in their area. The Act does not set out specific standards of maintenance, as it is for each individual local highway authority to assess which parts of its network need repair and what standards should be applied, based upon their local knowledge and circumstances. The Department does not hold data on the time taken by local highway authorities to repair reported potholes, but national guidance recommends that defects and potholes which require urgent attention should be made safe at the time of inspection or as soon as possible.

This year, local highway authorities were required to publish transparency reports setting out progress on highway maintenance, including the number of potholes they estimate they have filled in recent years. This information can be found on the websites of relevant local highways authorities.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_33
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_33

Cameron Thomas:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen neurodiversity awareness to ensure that every public servant can thrive equally in the workplace. \p Anna Turley: The Cabinet Office is taking a range of steps to strengthen neurodiversity awareness and support available. We have established a dedicated Neurodiversity Network, which provides a platform for colleagues to share lived experiences and access resources that promote understanding of neurodiversity across the department and has a senior active Neurodiversity Champion.

A Disability Line Manager Toolkit has been launched this year providing clear guidance on recognising neurodiversity, outlines common neurodivergent conditions, and highlights key statistics to build awareness among managers. It also explains the support available within the department, including the Workplace Adjustments Passport.

Sessions on the importance of neurodiversity, hosted by our Cabinet Office Diversity Network Champion and Diversity and Inclusion team are run, to help deepen insight and encourage inclusive working practices and we use Line Managers calls to raise awareness.

In addition, the Business Disability Forum, delivers regular Lunch and Learn events on neurodiversity. These sessions provide practical guidance, share best practice, and support managers and teams in fostering an inclusive culture.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_34
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_34

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the letter from the Permanent Secretary to the hon. Member for Thirsk & Malton, dated 24 November 2025, on what dates Tim Allan met Tom Baldwin since Mr Allan's appointment, and whether Government business was discussed. \p Anna Turley: The Special Adviser Code of Conduct sets out the categories of meetings, gifts and hospitality that are declared publicly. Any relevant meetings within this category will be published via this process in the normal way.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_35

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 4 November 2025, to Question 85501, on 11 Downing Street: Flats, to the answer of 21 October 2025, to Question 73315, on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, and to the answer of 20 November 2025, to Question 91457, on Written Questions: Government Responses, whether information on itemised spending on the Downing Streets flats has been released by the Cabinet Office under the Freedom of Information Act. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: As was the case under successive administrations, an itemised list is not routinely published. Total expenditure from the Prime Minister’s allowance on their official residence is disclosed in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_36
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_36

Cameron Thomas:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of neurodiversity training and accountability across civil service departments. \p Anna Turley: We do not have any specific neurodiversity training available to all Civil Service departments. Civil Service Expectations is an e-learning course for all civil servants which explains why inclusion, diversity and equality is important to the Civil Service and the citizens it serves. We do not actively monitor the training of other departments and departments have delegated authority to develop learning that aligns to their organisational requirements.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_37
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_37

Jim Shannon:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to launch the Contingent Decision route for the Civil Service Partnership Pension scheme. \p Anna Turley: A launch date for the Partnership Contingent Decision route cannot be confirmed at this time. The Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) launched the Contingent Decision process for members who opted out of the scheme in July 2025. However, the process for members who switched to the Partnership pension scheme involves additional complexity, requiring the reconciliation of contributions between defined contribution and defined benefit arrangements.

The administration of this work will now be picked up by Capita who took over the CSPS contract on 1 December. Planning work has started to define the process and timeline.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_38
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_38

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to Cabinet Office Publication of Special Adviser Interests 2024-2025, published on 17 July 2025, what matters Varun Chandra is recused from. \p Anna Turley: There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of special advisers' interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_39
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_39

Sir Gavin Williamson:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) specific recusals and (b) mitigation measures have been applied to Varun Chandra in relation to any Government (i) decisions, (ii) policies, and (iii) meetings that may intersect with (A) Hakluyt & Company and (B) its associated investment vehicles. \p Anna Turley: There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of special advisers' interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_40
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_40

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what vehicles other than the Ajax platform within the Army’s armoured fleet can fulfil the armoured reconnaissance role; and at which formation level. \p Luke Pollard: There are no other platforms within the Army’s armoured fleet which can fulfil the armoured reconnaissance role; Ajax has been specifically designed for this purpose.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_41
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_41

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2025 to question 88991 on Ajax Vehicles: Noise, on what date he received written assurances that Ajax was safe to operate from the (a) Chief of the Defence Staff and (b) National Armaments Director. \p Luke Pollard: The safety of Service personnel remains the top priority for Defence. As previously confirmed, prior to Ajax Initial Operating Capability being announced, assurances were provided regarding the safety of the platform.

I have commissioned a Ministerial review of the information given to Ministers as it is vital that advice given to Ministers is timely and accurate. However, it would not be appropriate to provide any further detail relating to these assurances, whilst the review is ongoing.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_42

Fleur Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment to confirm that Elbit Systems UK does not produce, transfer, or stockpile cluster munitions within the UK. \p Luke Pollard: In line with Public Procurement Regulations, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) conducts due diligence checks on its contractors. These include verification of a supplier's financial stability, operational capabilities, and regulatory compliance. Furthermore, the United Kingdom is a signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (‘The Oslo Convention’) which comprehensively prohibits all use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster munitions. The Department has no contracts with Elbit Systems UK for Cluster Munitions.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_43

Sir Iain Duncan Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 24 November 2025 to Question 91898, if the MOD produces any drones for non-military purposes with Chinese components. \p Luke Pollard: All drones or Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) procured as Programmes of Record under Ministry of Defence (MOD) commercial frameworks are deemed for military use, regardless of function.

The UK MOD does not operate Chinese-manufactured drones. We review our supply chains regularly to identify and mitigate risk to national security.

For drones procured outside frameworks, such as small unit purchases for training, procurement officers must consult the Defence Uncrewed Systems Design Authority for guidance to ensure that all uncrewed systems acquired for the UK military are integrated, interoperable, safe, secure, and provide value for money across the entire defence enterprise.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_44

Liam Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the policy papers entitled Spending Review 2025, published on 30 June 2025, and Budget 2025, published on 28 November 2025, what their Department’s capital Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) will be in each year of the Spending Review period; how much capital funding has been allocated to each of their Department’s programmes; and how much and what proportion of the capital DEL allocation remains unallocated in each year. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence's Capital Departmental Expenditure Limits over the course of the Spending Review were published following the completion of the Spending Review earlier this year.

Funding against individual programmes will be established as part of the ongoing work on the Defence Investment Plan.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_45
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_45

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and Norway to operate together to counter Russian undersea threat through major new defence agreement, published on 4 December 2025, how many offshore support vessels will be delivered as part of the Lunna House agreement. \p Luke Pollard: The Lunna House announcement on 4 December 2025 highlighted the UK's intent, conveyed to the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Støre, to deliver the Offshore Support Vessel as the mothership for the Mine Hunting Capability programme. The exact number of Offshore Support Vessels will be determined as part of the Defence Investment Plan and in conjunction with our Norwegian allies.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_46

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will provide a list of each company currently operating under Project Brakestop. \p Luke Pollard: I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that providing a list of each company currently operating under Project BRAKESTOP would prejudice national security and commercial interests.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_47
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_47

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress he has made on delivering Project Brakestop. \p Luke Pollard: Multiple contracts have been placed to develop prototype one-way effectors to meet Project BRAKESTOP's requirements, for which the builds are highly advanced. Flight trials are due to start soon.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_48

Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has plans to review documentation made public following the expiry of the 20-year confidentiality period relating to gurkha pensions and their alignment to British military standards. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: This Government holds the Gurkhas in the utmost esteem and greatly values their exceptional and lasting contribution to the United Kingdom. Their courage, loyalty, and commitment have been an integral part of the British Armed Forces for more than 200 years. The Government remains dedicated to honouring their service and ensuring they are treated with fairness and respect.

Defence has no current plans to review documentation made public following the expiry of the 20-year confidentiality period relating to Gurkha pensions and their alignment to British military standards. Defence considers the Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS) to be a fair scheme, tailored to the historical circumstances during which it was open. The terms of the GPS have been challenged in a number of judicial reviews, including a case which went to the European Court of Human Rights and, at all levels, the courts have upheld the Government’s position that the scheme is lawful.

Gurkha service in the British Armed Forces was established under the 1947 Tripartite Agreement between Nepal, the UK, and India. The 1948 GPS was designed to support veterans retiring to Nepal, where their families lived. The Brigade of Gurkhas has been based in the United Kingdom since July 1997 and terms and conditions changed over time to reflect this new reality: Since 2006, Gurkhas have served on the same terms and conditions of service as the rest of the British Army, with certain provisions preserving the Brigade’s unique identity.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_49
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_49

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when was the last trial for the Sea Viper missile. \p Luke Pollard: The Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon successfully launched a Sea Viper missile during Exercise Formidable Shield in May 2025.

Exercise Formidable Shield is hosted by the UK on the Hebrides Range in Scotland and is the largest live-firing Integrated Air and Missile Defence exercise in Europe.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_50
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_50

Gareth Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether British students will be able to take part in the Erasmus+ exchange programme by January 2027. \p Josh MacAlister: As set out at the UK-EU Summit in May, the UK agreed to work towards association to the Erasmus+ programme on mutually agreed financial terms.

Negotiations are ongoing, and the timelines for any association are subject to ongoing discussion. We are open to associating to Erasmus+ for 2027 in principle, but only if we can reach agreement on financial terms, which should ensure a fair balance as regards the contributions of and benefits to the UK.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_51
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_51

Damien Egan:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to encourage businesses in Bristol North East to partner with education providers to deliver vocational training and Post-16 skills programmes to local young people. \p Josh MacAlister: The government works with employer representative bodies (ERBs) and local partners to strengthen collaboration between businesses and education providers. Through ERB-led Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs), we encourage employers to help shape the local post-16 technical education offer, so training meets labour market needs. Statutory guidance for the development of these plans was published on 18 November.

Business West is leading the development of the local LSIP working with the West of England Combined Authority, local businesses and delivery partners. The plan will be published in Summer 2026. Businesses are supported to partner with colleges and training providers to deliver vocational programmes, apprenticeships, and national initiatives such as Skills Bootcamps and T Levels.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_52
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_52

Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the adherence of private children’s homes to notifying the receiving local authority of vulnerable young people being placed in their area. \p Josh MacAlister: The department does not collect data on this activity. Ofsted conduct checks on compliance with notification processes as part of a home’s inspection, and if issues are found, this may impact their inspection rating.

The decision to place a child away from their local community should not be taken lightly, which is why it can only be made by those at director of children’s services level. The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review regulations and corresponding statutory guidance makes clear that both the local authority placing a child out of their area and those caring for looked-after children (including children’s homes) must inform the receiving local authority and all relevant safeguarding partners when a child has been placed within and/or leaves their boundaries.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_53
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_53

Dame Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support her Department provides to school trusts to safeguard against cyber attacks and to protect children's personal data. \p Olivia Bailey: The department provides guidance to help schools build their cyber resilience in our Cyber Security Standards, which address the core principles of cyber governance, processes and strategy.

We have also introduced a free interactive assessment tool, Plan Your Technology, to help schools understand if they meet our Cyber Security Standards and support schools to achieve them. We have incorporated the cyber security standards into Keeping Children Safe in Education and the Academy Trust Handbook. The department also has a small, dedicated sector cyber security team to support schools. This team provides appropriate advice and guidance via regular targeted and broad communications and more specific incident signposting when required.

The department’s Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) added cover for cyber incidents from 2022. With over 60% of schools RPA members, in the event of a cyber incident they have access to a 24/7 Incident Response Service.

We also work closely with the National Cyber Crime Security Centre (NCSC), who offer cyber security tools and guidance for schools, including free Protective Domain Name Service.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_54
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_54

Caroline Voaden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure SEND is taken into account in school attendance policies. \p Olivia Bailey: As set out in the department’s 2024 guidance ‘Working together to improve school attendance’, every pupil has a right to a full-time education, and high attendance expectations should be set for all pupils.

A school’s attendance policy should account for the specific needs of each pupil and provide these pupils with the necessary support. This includes pupils with specific barriers to attendance, such as those with mental or physical ill health and/or special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

To support pupils with SEND, schools should understand the individual needs of the pupil and family, work in partnership with the pupil and family to put in-school support in place, as well as with the local authority and other agencies where external support is needed, and regularly review and update support to ensure it continues to meet individual needs.

Schools should ensure attendance data is regularly monitored for pupils with long-term illnesses and/or SEND, including alongside the local authority, so that additional support from other partners can be accessed where necessary.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_55
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_55

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with school governing bodies on improving transparency for parents. \p Georgia Gould: The department’s governance guidance for schools and trusts makes clear that as publicly funded organisations, schools and trusts should foster a culture of transparency and welcome public scrutiny.

When shaping the school or trust’s vision, the governing body or trust board should remain connected and responsive to pupils, staff, parents, carers, and the wider community through meaningful engagement.

To promote transparency in decision-making, the governing body or trust board should actively seek and consider the views of parents and carers. Governing bodies and trust boards are required to have at least two parent governors/trustees.

To ensure transparency, details of governors/trustees are recorded on Get Information About Schools, and governance structures, governor/trustee register of pecuniary of interests and governance meeting attendance are published on the school’s or trust’s website.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_56
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_56

Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a financial protection scheme for users of home learning providers which become insolvent. \p Olivia Bailey: Where an online home learning provider closes, parents and local authorities should work together to identify other suitable provision which is safe and meets the needs of the child. Home learning providers are often private providers and so are responsible for the financial management of their business.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_57
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_57

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what is the total cost to the public purse of the decision to extend the statutory override for the cost of SEND to 2027-28. \p Georgia Gould: The statutory override is an accounting measure, designed to keep Dedicated Schools Grant deficits separate from local authorities’ wider financial position. The extension of the override to the end of the 2027/28 financial year does not affect local authorities’ statutory duties to provide support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), nor does it change how much they spend to fulfil those duties. As these duties remain unchanged and, as with the previous government’s decision to extend the statutory override to the end of 2025/26, the extension itself does not result in any additional cost to the public purse.

The government recognises many local authorities are likely to continue to accrue deficits due to their spending on high needs, as we have seen in recent years, as they ensure that there are sufficient resources to secure provision for children and young people with SEND in mainstream or in specialist education. We will set out our plans to support local authorities with historic and accruing deficits through the upcoming Local Government Finance Settlement.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_58
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_58

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies on funding SEND provision of the mainstream school spending per pupil on page 122 of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic Financial Outlook. \p Georgia Gould: The government has set out its position on page 105 of the budget document, confirming that special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) pressure will be absorbed within the overall government Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) budget from the financial year 2028/29 onwards such that we would not expect local authorities to need to fund future special educational needs costs from general funds.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) have illustrated the impact in the funding required for this, estimated at £6 billion, if these costs were met by diverting mainstream schools funding. However, that is only an indicative example and does not reflect government policy. We have confirmed that SEND pressure will be absorbed within the overall government DEL budget from 2028/29 onwards, not that it will be absorbed within the core schools budget.

Furthermore, the £6 billion figure quoted by the OBR is based on current spending trajectories and does not take account of future government decisions on reforms to the SEND system, details of which will be set out in the Schools White Paper in the new year.

Budgets from 2028/29 onwards, including the core schools budget, will be confirmed at the 2027 Spending Review.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_59
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_59

Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 15 October to Question 78154, how much of the £500 million allocated to local authorities for Family Help services is being allocated to help adoptive and kinship families with post placement support. \p Josh MacAlister: Family Help reforms are being delivered nationally through the Families First Partnership programme, offering services to all families, including adoptive and kinship families.

On 20 November, we announced additional investment of £547 million, bringing total programme funding to £2.4 billion over this Spending Review period. This funding demonstrates the government’s commitment to invest in prevention, supporting local authorities and partners to deliver reformed help and protection services that make a real difference to families.

It is for local authorities to determine how best to make use of these resources to support adoptive and kinship families with the help they need.

The department will soon pilot a new Kinship Allowance in some local authorities in England, which will support around 4,500 children. This will test whether paying an allowance to cover certain costs can help increase the number of children taken in by family members and friends.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_60
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_60

Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate has been made of the number of reports of child (a) sexual (b) criminal exploitation safeguarding failings at (1) private (2) local authority children’s homes in England since 2015. \p Josh MacAlister: All registered children’s homes, whether privately run or local authority-operated, must notify Ofsted, the regulator for children’s social care, about certain serious incidents that happen to children in their care living with them and what they have done in response. The published data, available from April 2023, includes a category of ‘sexual exploitation’, which shows:

This data does not distinguish between private or local authority run homes and does not specify data on criminal exploitation.

Ofsted review the notifications received to ensure homes have acted to protect the child from immediate harm, and the information contained in the notifications informs their risk assessment and inspection scheduling.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_61
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_61

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of locally delivered mentoring schemes in improving youth employment outcomes. \p Josh MacAlister: The department is working to strengthen how young people at risk of becoming NEET are identified and supported. Local authorities, Strategic Authorities, schools and further education providers will be enabled to share and use data more effectively, supported by new ‘Risk of NEET’ indicator tools and guidance. We have published guidance to support local authorities to identify at-risk young people, support participation and post-16 transition, and prevent NEET.

Alongside this, the Youth Guarantee ensures all 18- to 21-year-olds have support to access training, an apprenticeship or work, backed by careers advice, work experience and a targeted job backstop.

Our statutory careers guidance sets clear expectations for schools and colleges to provide inclusive, high quality careers programmes to encourage schools to make links with providers and employers offering mentoring opportunities, particularly for disadvantaged young people and those at risk of becoming NEET.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_62
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_62

Olly Glover:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what number of students eligible for the 16-19 large programme uplift funding in the last five academic years studied four or more A Levels and pursued STEM-related subjects. \p Josh MacAlister: The requested data can be found in the below table. Please note that the large programme uplift (LPU) is calculated using attainment data and as such operates on a three-year lag. Therefore, the latest LPU calculation was for 2025/26 academic year allocations based on 2022/23 attainment data. The department has announced that moving forward LPU funding will be focused on large programmes which include maths, further maths and other high value A-levels.

Time Period

Number of Students

2022/23

7606

2021/22

7875

2020/21

9126

2019/20

8230

2018/19

6485

Notes about the data:

1. Includes state-funded students who ended 16-18 study in the reported year (e.g. 2022/23).

2. Includes students who entered for at least four STEM A levels and achieved at least a grade B in each A level, or a grade C in the case of further mathematics.

3. Discounting rules apply (i.e. where students have multiples entries in the same subject, the best result is included).

4. STEM subjects are defined by subject mapping codes as used in the A level and other 16 to 18 results statistical release.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_63
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_63

Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her Department's policy is on supporting schools with falling pupil numbers. \p Georgia Gould: Local authorities hold the statutory place planning function, ensuring there are sufficient schools in their area to meet the needs of pupils. It is for local authorities, in collaboration with academy trusts and other local partners, to balance the supply and demand of school places.

The department recognises the pressures caused by demographic changes in some areas. The lagged funding system, where schools are funded on the basis of their pupil numbers in the previous October census, helps to give schools more certainty over funding levels, and is particularly important in giving schools with falling rolls time to re-organise their staffing and costs.

Where falling pupil numbers results in spare space becoming available, primary schools have been able to apply for capital funding to create or expand school-based nurseries. We have just announced at least £3 billion for high needs capital between 2026/27 and 2029/30, on top of the £740 million this year, to create special educational needs units and resourced provision, including where there is spare space, and to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of the school environment.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_64
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_64

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the consistency of pupil experience between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2; and what steps she is taking to address declines in pupil motivation or engagement during the transition between these stages. \p Georgia Gould: The department recognises that moving between key stages can be challenging for some children, including the transition from key stage 1 to key stage 2.

One of the ways the department is looking to understand the experiences of children is through our Educational Outcome Pathways Studies (EOPS). EOPS Primary follows children in primary school from years 1 through 6 and collects data on their experiences, progress at school and wellbeing. It also examines factors at home, at school and in the wider environment that may influence children’s attitudes, behaviours and outcomes. Children in the study are currently in year 3, which is the key stage 2 transition year.

Alongside this, the government has committed to publish a new pupil engagement framework, helping schools to identify and address aspects of the pupil experience in their setting which may be preventing children from attending, achieving and thriving. As it is developed, we will consider the evidence around effective practice that supports pupil transitions alongside other approaches that can support pupil engagement.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_65
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_65

Vicky Foxcroft:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2025 to Question 91414 on Citizenship: Teaching, what method her Department uses to assess whether citizenship is a shortage subject in schools in the absence of subject-specific data. \p Georgia Gould: The Teacher Workforce Model (TWM) is used each to year estimate required number of teachers, which the department then uses to calculate the number of trainees needed. This includes those on postgraduate initial teacher training (PGITT), which is the largest source of new trainees. Required PGITT trainee numbers and actual numbers of PGITT trainees are published annually.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_66
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_66

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that specialist speech and language therapies are available to children with education, health and care plans in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Georgia Gould: The department is working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to improve access to community health services, including speech and language therapy, for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. This includes extending the Early Language Support for Every Child programme, trialling new ways of working to better identify and support children with speech, language and communication needs in early years settings and primary schools.

In addition to the undergraduate degree route, speech and language therapists can also train via a degree apprenticeship. This route is now in its fourth year of delivery and offers an alternative pathway to the traditional degree route into a successful career as a speech and language therapist, helping to grow the pipeline.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_67
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_67

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to introduce standardised digital literacy guidance for schools to teach children critical evaluation skills for assessing the reliability of online information. \p Georgia Gould: Following the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review’s final report on 5 November, the department will update the national curriculum to prepare young people for life and work in a changing world. In line with the Review’s recommendations, refreshed programmes of study will include critical thinking skills, in addition to digital and media literacy and artificial intelligence.

To ensure consistency, we are legislating so that academies will be required to teach the refreshed national curriculum alongside maintained schools. Content will be shaped through expert engagement, with a public consultation on draft proposals next year.

Currently, media literacy is taught through citizenship, relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) and computing, whilst digital literacy is addressed in computing and RSHE. To support teachers now, the department-funded National Centre for Computing Education provides free resources and continuing professional development, including materials on messaging in digital media, the credibility of sources and identifying ‘fake’ news and edited images.
wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_68
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-12 conversation_68

David Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to shorten the time between a child’s SEND diagnosis and them receiving their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in Hertfordshire. \p Georgia Gould: We know some families face challenges with education, health and care (EHC) plans, and we understand how urgently they need to be addressed. This government’s priority is improving outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), ensuring they receive the opportunities and support to achieve and thrive in their education.

The department has been working closely with Hertfordshire local authority since its local area SEND inspection in July 2023 to address areas for improvement. Data from November 2025 shows Hertfordshire is now above the national average on EHC plan timeliness, with 94% of plans issued within deadlines.

We are continuing to engage closely with children and young people, parents and experts as we develop plans to ensure all children and young people get the outcomes and life chances they deserve. We will share more information on plans for reform in a full Schools White Paper in the new year.