Written questions by Rosindell.

How much funding she plans to provide for school infrastructure in the London Borough of Havering in each of the next three financial years.

Making sure the education estate is fit for purpose is a key part of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life.The government has just announced £2.1 billion for the 2025/26 financial year to improve the condition of the school estate, part of a broader capital package totalling £6.7 billion in 2025/26. The department will aim to set out the details of school condition allocations to local authorities and other responsible bodies, as well as outcomes of the condition improvement fund for 2025/26, in spring 2025.In addition, the government has committed to £1.4 billion in 2025/26 to continue the school rebuilding programme, which includes projects at Parklands Primary School and The Coopers’ Company and Coburn School in Havering. Furthermore, the department will continue to engage with trusts and local authorities in relation to free school projects with approved applications within Havering.The department will additionally provide support for school infrastructure through providing capital funding to create mainstream and high-needs school places. The basic need grant supports local authorities to provide mainstream school places based on their own pupil forecasts and school capacity data. Havering has been allocated £19.6 million in 2025/26 for places needed by September 2026. Other funding for place creation in the next three financial years will be confirmed in due course.Funding for future years post-2025/26 will be confirmed following the second phase of the spending review, concluding in late spring 2025.

What steps she is taking to help ensure value for money in tertiary education public spending.

The government defines tertiary education as all post-secondary education, encompassing both further education (FE) and higher education (HE). It includes education provided by colleges, universities and other specialist institutions, aimed at supporting progress to FE, training or work. Tertiary education typically starts from age 16.The government publishes research on the net present value of FE, which consistently shows good value for the taxpayer, here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/609e78c6d3bf7f2883267c3b/Measuring_the_Net_Present_Value_of_Further_Education_in_England_2018_to_2019.pdf.FE funding is designed to incentivise provision that has high economic value. For example, additional funding for 16 to 19-year-olds is available to encourage and support the delivery of selected courses in subjects that lead to higher wage returns. It is also available to support subjects that cost more to deliver. As part of the department’s FE accountability system, we issue guidance that requires colleges to publish an annual accountability statement detailing outcome targets for areas of the curriculum they are planning to change for the coming year.The department knows that investment in apprenticeships provides good value for money for the taxpayer. Apprenticeships at level 2, level 3 and levels 4/5 deliver a net present value of £16, £16 and £25 respectively for each pound of government funding.The department has also established Skills England, which will play a crucial role in identifying skills needs now and in the future and helping to ensure that training funded from the growth and skills levy delivers value for money.In order for HE students to be eligible for publicly funded loans, HE providers are expected to meet the registration conditions set by the Office for Students. These include clear expectations for the quality of HE, including minimum thresholds for student outcomes.

What steps she is taking to improve access to artificial intelligence training.

I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Romford to the answer of 15 October 2024 to Question HL1654.

What steps she is taking to reduce unauthorised school absences.

The government recognises that school absence is a key barrier to learning. Thanks to the sector's efforts, more students are attending school this year compared to last. However, 1.6 million children remain persistently absent, missing 10% or more of lessons. To address this, backed by £15 million, the government will expand the investment and reach of attendance mentoring. This will help to reach 10,000 more children and cover an additional ten areas which have some of the worst attendance rates across the country. In addition, the department will roll out funded breakfast clubs to all primary schools so that all children are ready to learn. The department will also introduce new annual Ofsted reviews on safeguarding, attendance, and off-rolling. Mental health support is also being expanded, with specialists in every school. The statutory ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ guidance promotes a 'support first' approach, encouraging schools, trusts, and local authorities to work with families to address attendance barriers. This guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance.

What steps she is taking to help support (a) primary and (b) secondary education for citizens of British overseas territories.

Education is a devolved matter and decisions about primary and secondary education is the responsibility of each Overseas Territory (OT). The department responds positively to direct requests from the OTs for support to enhance or reform their education systems by sharing information on approaches in England and facilitating opportunities to engage with policy and technical experts.Montserrat, the Pitcairn Islands, St Helena and Tristan da Cunha are in receipt of Official Development Assistance through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), which is used to assist their governments in the delivery of essential services including education. This includes funding for teaching staff and the FCDO work in partnership with the local governments to agree targets to improve outcomes and standards in education. Work is underway to establish partnerships between education teams in the OTs with counterparts in the UK, similar to the partnerships the FCDO have helped to establish on child safeguarding.The FCDO funded capital investment programme in Montserrat has included improvements to building in the secondary school and equipment for schools in St Helena.

Whether she is taking steps to make tertiary education in the UK more accessible for British Overseas Territory citizens.

Since 2007, persons who have settled status in the UK, and who have come to the UK from specified British Overseas Territories, have been eligible for home fee status if they meet the requirement of three years’ ordinary residence in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and/or specified British Overseas Territories.Since 2022/23 those starting designated full-time and part-time undergraduate courses are also now eligible for tuition fee loans in England if they meet the residency requirements. These requirements are that they have been ordinarily resident in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and/or specified British Overseas Territories throughout the three-year period preceding the first day of the first academic year of the course, with at least part of that period having been spent in the British Overseas Territories.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a cap on student numbers per university, in the context of recent trends in the availability of student housing.

Student accommodation is a busy part of the housing market, and this government recognises the concerns that some students may have about the availability of accommodation. As universities and landlords are private, autonomous bodies, the government has no role in student admissions or the provision of student accommodation, nor a remit to intervene in how it is allocated. Nevertheless, the department is working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to promote the importance of a strategic approach to meeting student housing needs to providers and local authorities. The department expects universities and private landlords to review their accommodation policies to ensure they are affordable, fair, clear and promote the interests of students.

Whether she plans to reform the national headship qualification to include a focus upon improving schools in deprived communities.

The National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) content framework includes evidence-based statements regarding school improvement, including around setting a strong culture, establishing and sustaining continuous improvement and sharing effective practice between schools to close the disadvantage attainment gap.Whilst NPQH is already equipping headteachers with the evidence-based knowledge and understanding they need to drive improvement for all pupils, including those in deprived areas, the department will continue to review all national professional qualifications to ensure the qualifications are based on the latest evidence of what works for teaching and learning.

What guidance will be issued to schools to assist with the new Ofsted framework for inspection.

This is a matter for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member for Romford and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.