Written questions by Spencer.

With reference to the Prime Minister's post on X, dated 11 June 2025, whether she plans to use revenue raised from VAT on school fees for purposes other than education.

The Government has taken a number of decisions on tax to stabilise the public finances and support public services. Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise £1.8bn a year. To raise school standards for every child, and break down the barriers to opportunity, the government will increase the core schools budget by £2.0bn in real terms over this Spending Review (2023-24 to 2028-29). This provides a £4.7bn cash increase per year by 2028-29 (compared to 2025-26), which ensures average real terms growth of 1.1% a year per pupil.

What assessment she has made of the prevalence of the use of large language models in the preparation of (a) GCSE and (b) A-Level course work; and whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of coursework as an effective and fair means of assessing candidates’ attainment.

Ofqual is the independent regulator of qualifications and assessments for England and is responsible for setting relevant rules and guidance, including in relation to malpractice. Ofqual published its approach to regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the qualifications sector in 2024, including its approach to managing malpractice risks associated with coursework. The policy document is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ofquals-approach-to-regulating-the-use-of-artificial-intelligence-in-the-qualifications-sector/ofquals-approach-to-regulating-the-use-of-artificial-intelligence-in-the-qualifications-sector.The Joint Council for Qualifications has also published guidance to give clarity to schools and colleges about the role they play in securing the authenticity of students’ work. This guidance, last updated in April 2025, provides schools and colleges with recommendations for both secure delivery of assessments and approaches for detection of where AI may have been inappropriately used.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on the operation of the Mental Health Act 1983.

The Government is neutral on the matter of assisted dying and the passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.The Government also has a duty to the statute book and to ensure that the legislation, if passed, is effective, robust, and workable. This includes analysing the bill’s workability in relation to existing legislation, such as the Mental Health Act 1983. The bill also provides powers to issue guidance and codes of practice which could be used to ensure that there are no unintended effects on other legislation.The Government has made a renewed focus on suicide prevention, and mental health is a key priority in its health mission within the Suicide Prevention Strategy for England.

What assessment she has made of (a) the prevalence of the use of large language models in the preparation of UCAS personal statements and (b) the potential impact of the use of large language models in UCAS personal statements on the likelihood of applications being successful.

The personal statement is an opportunity for applicants to showcase their ambitions, skills and experiences. As such, it is important that students use their own words to accurately reflect their unique qualifications and suitability for the chosen course.The department is in regular contact with UCAS and have been assured that plagiarism is taken seriously, with methods and guidance in place to caution against using artificial intelligence tools, including large language models, to write personal statements.UCAS have also consulted on future reform of the personal statement, and have worked with students, teachers and universities to devise a new format. In splitting the statement into a series of sections, this reform is aimed to simplify the process for students, and to ensure that universities hear from students in their own words.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of supporting the amendments tabled by the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

The Government is neutral on the matter of assisted dying and the passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.The Government has a responsibility to make sure that any legislation that passes through Parliament is effective and enforceable. Assessments were made of individual amendments to the bill to inform advice to Parliament on their workability, where major workability concerns were identified.The bill, and decisions on amendments, remains a matter for Parliament.

If she will (a) respond to and (b) support the provisions outlined in the Transport (Duty to Cooperate) Bill; and if she will meet the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge to discuss the Bill.

I understand that the second reading of this Bill is scheduled for 13 June. The Government will set out its position as part of that debate.

Whether she plans to improve (a) training provisions and (b) support for speech and language development professionals.

The department is continuing to improve access to speech and language therapy by funding the Early Language and Support for Every Child pathfinder project, in partnership with NHS England. This programme aims to improve capacity and knowledge in the workforce who support children in early years and school settings with mild to moderate speech, language and communication needs, by utilising therapy support assistants.The department is also funding evidence based early-language interventions in primary schools. The Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) is a programme for children needing extra support with their speech and language development. In July 2024, we announced that funded support for the 11,100 schools registered would continue for 2024/25 academic year. Since September 2020, over 35,000 individual practitioners from NELI schools have registered for one or more training course, of which more than 28,000 have completed one or more courses.Finally, the department is continuing to build the pipeline of speech and language therapists. The speech and language degree apprenticeship is now in its third year and offers an alternative pathway to the traditional degree route into a successful career as a speech and language therapist.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Economic and Social Research Council on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research projects in the context of the Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender, published on 19 March 2025.

No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research projects in the context of the Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender, published on 19 March 2025.

No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with Research England on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research projects in the context of the Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender, published on 19 March 2025.

No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research projects in the context of the Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender, published on 19 March 2025.

No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.

Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with Innovate UK on their approach to the (a) coding of and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research projects following the publication of the Sullivan report in July 2024.

No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Arts and Humanities Research Council on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research projects in the context of the Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender, published on 19 March 2025.

No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Government Digital Service on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research projects in the context of the Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender, published on 19 March 2025.

No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Natural Environment Research Council on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research projects in the context of the Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender, published on 19 March 2025.

No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Medical Research Council on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research projects in the context of the Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender, published on 19 March 2025.

No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Science and Technology Facilities Council on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research projects in the context of the Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender, published on 19 March 2025.

No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with universities on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research projects in the context of the Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender, published on 19 March 2025.

No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with UK Research and Innovation on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research projects in the context of the Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender, published on 19 March 2025.

No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Advanced Research and Invention Agency on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research projects in the context of the Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender, published on 19 March 2025.

No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.