Every parliamentary written question tabled by Andrew Snowden this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 61–80 of 259 · Department for Education
Whether she has considered issuing guidance to early years providers to ensure that penalty charges are not applied where delays are not attributable to parents and carers.
Through the department’s Best Start in Life strategy, we are focused on reforming the childcare system, delivering on our plan for change.Government funding is intended to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of funded, high-quality, flexible childcare, free of ...
What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the VAT increase on private schools on demand for school places in state schools.
HM Treasury published a tax information and impact note on applying VAT to independent school fees, which includes the government’s estimates of the number of pupils expected to enter the state sector as a result of this policy.
What estimate he has made of the number of school suspensions in Lancashire over the last five years.
Statistics on suspensions by local authority by full academic year can be found in the following publication: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/suspensions-and-permanent-exclusions-in-england/2023-24. This has been availa...
If she will update the School Food Standards policy to prohibit the use of meat derived from animals which have not been stunned prior to slaughter.
The government sets out required minimum standards for school food in the School Food Standards, to ensure that children are served healthy and nutritious meals at school. The standards do not specify food requirements in terms of cultural or religious ne...
What proportion of the measures set out in the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper have reached (a) consultation stage, (b) pilot stage and (c) full implementation.
The Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper sets out the government’s plan to deliver a world-leading skills system which meets the economic needs and improves lives. This is a multi-year reform programme that will be delivered through consultation, legi...
What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of further education colleges on supporting students not in employment, education or training.
The government is investing nearly £9 billion in 16 to19 education in the 2026/27 academic year 2026/27. This will fund the increasing numbers of 16 to 19-year-olds taking part in education. Alongside this, the government is taking important steps to supp...
What consideration she has given to funding further education colleges on an in-year basis where student enrolments exceed forecast allocations.
We recognise that where an institution makes a particularly significant expansion in student numbers in a single year, that can cause cost pressures. For that reason, we provide exceptional in-year growth funding for institutions that grow student numbers...
Whether her Department plans to introduce demand-led funding arrangements for further education colleges enrolling additional 16–24 year old learners in priority skills sectors.
We are providing nearly £9 billion in 16 to 19 programme funding in the 2026/27 academic year. This includes the high value courses premium to encourage and support delivery of selected study programmes and T Levels.We recognise that where an institution ...
If she will ensure Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport is integrated into Physical Education and PSHE curricula.
Following the government’s response to the Independent Curriculum and Assessment Review in November 2025, the department is strengthening the national curriculum, including in science and physical education.Pupils develop underpinning knowledge of energy ...
By what date will local authorities have to produce registers of Children Not in School.
Mandatory local authority Children Not in School registers will be implemented in England by the end of this Parliament.To implement the registers, we will hold a consultation in due course on draft statutory guidance and on the policy content of regulati...
What estimate she has made of the annual cost of the statutory duty introduced in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 to provide support to home-educating families who request it.
The Children Not in School measures in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, when implemented, will require local authorities in England and Wales to maintain registers of children who are not in school, including home-educated children.The depar...
When successful applicants to the Fostering Innovation Fund will be announced.
Lancashire County Council will be able to apply for the Innovation Fund as part of the Foster with Us fostering hub. The department encourages applications from areas working in partnership with other organisations, such as charities or independent foster...
Whether local authorities in Lancashire will be eligible to partner with charities and independent fostering agencies when applying for funding through the Fostering Innovation Fund.
Lancashire County Council will be able to apply for the Innovation Fund as part of the Foster with Us fostering hub. The department encourages applications from areas working in partnership with other organisations, such as charities or independent foster...
What recent estimate her Department has made of the effect on further education colleges of increased student enrolments not being fully funded until the following financial year.
Institutions receive funding for all their students on a lagged approach, meaning the funding in each academic year is based on the number of students in the previous year. This allows the department to issue firm allocations to institutions well in advan...
What recent assessment she has made of the equity of the pay gap between further education college lecturers and school teachers.
The statutory requirements for maintained schoolteachers' pay are set nationally subject to recommendations from the School Teachers’ Review Body. In 2024/25, the median full-time equivalent (FTE) salary for classroom teachers in secondary schools was £50...
What progress her Department is making towards delivering 3,000 new primary school-based nurseries.
This government is boosting availability and access through the school‑based nursery programme, backed by £400 million capital investment to deliver tens of thousands of places by supporting school‑led provision and private, voluntary and independent pr...
What progress her Department has made on recruiting 6,500 new expert teachers in key subjects.
The department has now achieved over 60% of our target to recruit 6,500 additional expert teachers by the end of this Parliament. There are 3,992 more expert teachers in secondary and special schools and colleges than in 2023/24. The latest data shows tha...
What steps her Department is taking to ensure new school meals guidance encourages use of local suppliers.
The government is committed to half of all food served in public settings being either locally sourced or certified to higher environmental standards.The School Food Standards allow school chefs and cooks creative freedom to adapt to the preferences of the children at their school, source seasonal or local food, and take advantage of price fluctuations.We are consulting on proposed changes to the School Food Standards in England until 12 June 2026. We will consider guidance for the new standards in due course. Presently, schools can voluntarily follow the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering, which includes advice around sourcing their school food.The department is working closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as they develop the Good Food Cycle vision.
Whether her Department plans to explicitly recognise the role of school milk provision within the revised School Food Standards.
The department is committed to raising the healthiest generation ever and are continuing our work to revise the School Food Standards. We are engaging experts across the sector and are developing our plans to consult on the changes.We know milk is excellent for children’s growth and development. Regulation 9 of the School Food Standards states that lower fat milk or lactose reduced milk must be available to children who want it for drinking at least once a day during school hours. Under Section 512ZB (3) of the Education Act 1996, it is also a legislative requirement that milk is provided free of charge to pupils who meet the free school meal criteria.
How many members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme who retired since 2020 have not yet received the full rectified pension payment owed to them following the McCloud remedy.
Recalculating retired members’ benefits is a complex process. For members retiring, these cases are relatively straightforward as no benefits are already in payment. For retired members, additional complications around tax, interest rules and system functionality required extensive consultation.Capita, the Teachers’ Pensions Scheme administrator, are processing Remediable Service Statement (RSS) choices, aiming to complete payments as quickly as possible.Of the members who have retired since 2020 who have received and returned their RSS, 4,176 are awaiting payment as of 17 March 2026.The issuing and payment of members’ RSS choices is a high priority. The department is continually exploring ways to improve payment times with Capita, which includes recruiting additional staff and automating functions wherever possible. Members’ original pension benefits will continue to be paid until their choice has been implemented.