Written questions by Cooper.

How revised school food standards will align with (a) wider Government strategies on health and (b) the 10-Year Plan for Health.

The government is committed to raising the healthiest generation ever and it is important that schools follow the latest nutritional guidance. We are working with experts on revising the School Food Standards, to ensure they support on strategies around health. The current School Food Standards already state one or more portions of vegetables as an accompaniment and one or more portions of fruit must be provided every day and at least three different fruits and three different vegetables each week.

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to increase the amount of health-related content in the national curriculum.

Health education has been compulsory in all state-funded schools in England since 2020, as part of statutory relationships, sex and health education (RSHE).The RSHE curriculum, which is currently being reviewed, includes a wide range of health-related top...

What steps she is taking to help support local authorities to reduce the waiting times for education, health and care plans to be processed.

For too long the education system has not met the needs of all children, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with parents struggling to get their children the support they need and deserve.The department wants to ens...

If she will take steps to increase the level of pay for non-academized sixth-form college teachers.

The government does not set or recommend pay in further education (FE), including in sixth form colleges. The pay and conditions of FE staff remains the responsibility of individual colleges and providers, who are free to implement pay arrangements in lin...

What steps she is taking to ensure that support for SEN children is needs-led.

The government has made it their mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life. The department’s ambition is that all children and young people receive the support they need, in the most appropriate setting. The...