Written questions by Hinds.

How many and what proportion of primary schools with breakfast provision supported under the National School Breakfast Programme are located in the 10% most deprived wards in England.

As of February 2025, 341 (21%) of primary schools taking part in the National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) are in the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. Around 22% of primary schools in the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England were taking part in the NSBP as at February 2025.The department has selected the schools of the breakfast club early adopter scheme to ensure there is a representative sample of primary schools nationally.This government’s new breakfast clubs are about more than the food. They provide opportunities for children to play and socialise before the start of the school day, supporting children’s attendance and attainment, enabling them to thrive academically and socially.This is why the department is committed to introducing free breakfast clubs in every school with primary aged children, with schools receiving funding to cover food, delivery and staffing costs. This goes far beyond the reach of the NSBP in all, and importantly, the most disadvantaged areas.On average, schools on the breakfast club early adopter scheme will get over £21,000 more than schools on the current NSBP.An average primary school, with 50% take-up, would receive over £23,000 for a full year for an early adopter breakfast club. The amount each school will receive will be based on the number of pupils who accessed the club and the characteristics of pupils.The department has used existing programmes and costs to determine the funding rates, and this has been tested and refined with a number of schools. One function of the early adopters is to test how schools utilise the funding and understand what support schools need.

What proportion of those primary schools in the 10 per cent most deprived wards in England have breakfast provision supported by the National School Breakfast Programme.

As of February 2025, 341 (21%) of primary schools taking part in the National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) are in the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. Around 22% of primary schools in the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England were taking part in the NSBP as at February 2025.The department has selected the schools of the breakfast club early adopter scheme to ensure there is a representative sample of primary schools nationally.This government’s new breakfast clubs are about more than the food. They provide opportunities for children to play and socialise before the start of the school day, supporting children’s attendance and attainment, enabling them to thrive academically and socially.This is why the department is committed to introducing free breakfast clubs in every school with primary aged children, with schools receiving funding to cover food, delivery and staffing costs. This goes far beyond the reach of the NSBP in all, and importantly, the most disadvantaged areas.On average, schools on the breakfast club early adopter scheme will get over £21,000 more than schools on the current NSBP.An average primary school, with 50% take-up, would receive over £23,000 for a full year for an early adopter breakfast club. The amount each school will receive will be based on the number of pupils who accessed the club and the characteristics of pupils.The department has used existing programmes and costs to determine the funding rates, and this has been tested and refined with a number of schools. One function of the early adopters is to test how schools utilise the funding and understand what support schools need.

How many and what proportion of schools in the pilot for the new free primary breakfast provision are located in the 10% most deprived wards in England.

As of February 2025, 341 (21%) of primary schools taking part in the National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) are in the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. Around 22% of primary schools in the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England were taking part in the NSBP as at February 2025.The department has selected the schools of the breakfast club early adopter scheme to ensure there is a representative sample of primary schools nationally.This government’s new breakfast clubs are about more than the food. They provide opportunities for children to play and socialise before the start of the school day, supporting children’s attendance and attainment, enabling them to thrive academically and socially.This is why the department is committed to introducing free breakfast clubs in every school with primary aged children, with schools receiving funding to cover food, delivery and staffing costs. This goes far beyond the reach of the NSBP in all, and importantly, the most disadvantaged areas.On average, schools on the breakfast club early adopter scheme will get over £21,000 more than schools on the current NSBP.An average primary school, with 50% take-up, would receive over £23,000 for a full year for an early adopter breakfast club. The amount each school will receive will be based on the number of pupils who accessed the club and the characteristics of pupils.The department has used existing programmes and costs to determine the funding rates, and this has been tested and refined with a number of schools. One function of the early adopters is to test how schools utilise the funding and understand what support schools need.

What estimate she has made of the annual operating cost for a 30 minute daily breakfast provision for a typical (a) single, (b) two and (c) three form entry primary school.

As of February 2025, 341 (21%) of primary schools taking part in the National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) are in the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. Around 22% of primary schools in the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England were taking part in the NSBP as at February 2025.The department has selected the schools of the breakfast club early adopter scheme to ensure there is a representative sample of primary schools nationally.This government’s new breakfast clubs are about more than the food. They provide opportunities for children to play and socialise before the start of the school day, supporting children’s attendance and attainment, enabling them to thrive academically and socially.This is why the department is committed to introducing free breakfast clubs in every school with primary aged children, with schools receiving funding to cover food, delivery and staffing costs. This goes far beyond the reach of the NSBP in all, and importantly, the most disadvantaged areas.On average, schools on the breakfast club early adopter scheme will get over £21,000 more than schools on the current NSBP.An average primary school, with 50% take-up, would receive over £23,000 for a full year for an early adopter breakfast club. The amount each school will receive will be based on the number of pupils who accessed the club and the characteristics of pupils.The department has used existing programmes and costs to determine the funding rates, and this has been tested and refined with a number of schools. One function of the early adopters is to test how schools utilise the funding and understand what support schools need.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to payroll costs from the Autumn Budget 2024 on self funders in social care.

Self-funder fee rates are set by providers of adult social care, the majority of which are in the independent sector. The Department does not have powers to set or recommend the level of self-funder fees that care homes charge. However, all businesses are required to comply with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 by ensuring that they use fair and clear terms in their standard agreements with customers.

What the (a) number of prison places added, (b) number of prison places removed and (c) net change in the number of prison places was in each year from the earliest year for which data are available.

As previously set out in an ad-hoc release in October 2024, the previous Government only managed to increase prison capacity by c.500 places between May 2010 and April 2024.As we have also previously published, the previous Labour Government added nearly 28,000 places to the prison estate, however available records do not provide a breakdown for these figures.The answers to both questions, dating back to 2010, have been provided as an Excel document alongside this response. Please note that HMPPS does not collate data in the specific categories requested in PQ 36626 so these have been substituted for the equivalent categories in which the data is held. The ‘other’ category in the table includes all other changes such as places temporarily out of use for maintenance.Lastly, due to the complexities around prison crowding data, we are unable to provide a breakdown alongside the other information. However, data on prison crowding is published annually and a comprehensive overview can be viewed at HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2023 to March 2024 - GOV.UK.

What the number of prison places removed through (a) prisons closing, (b) parts of prisons being removed from use, (c) loss of modular units, (d) reductions in crowding places and (e) other removals was in each year from the earliest year for which data are available.

As previously set out in an ad-hoc release in October 2024, the previous Government only managed to increase prison capacity by c.500 places between May 2010 and April 2024.As we have also previously published, the previous Labour Government added nearly 28,000 places to the prison estate, however available records do not provide a breakdown for these figures.The answers to both questions, dating back to 2010, have been provided as an Excel document alongside this response. Please note that HMPPS does not collate data in the specific categories requested in PQ 36626 so these have been substituted for the equivalent categories in which the data is held. The ‘other’ category in the table includes all other changes such as places temporarily out of use for maintenance.Lastly, due to the complexities around prison crowding data, we are unable to provide a breakdown alongside the other information. However, data on prison crowding is published annually and a comprehensive overview can be viewed at HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2023 to March 2024 - GOV.UK.

What the number of prison places added through (a) prisons opening, (b) small secure houseblocks, (c) rapid deployment cells, (d) crowding places and (e) other additions was in each year from the earliest year for which data are available.

As outlined in the recently published 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, this Government is committed to delivering an additional 14,000 prison places through the 20,000 prison place programmes, which the previous Government failed to deliver.We are aiming to deliver the further 14,000 places by 2031 through our four new prisons, in addition to HMPs Five Wells and Fosse Way which have already been built. Other places within the 20,000 place programmes will be delivered through expansion of the existing estate, including Small Secure Houseblocks and Rapid Deployment Cells, additional houseblocks and refurbishments on the existing estate, additional crowded places available in the new manage and maintain private prison contracts, Category D Estate Expansion, Small Secure Investments and Urgent Temporary Accommodation.No places have been delivered through the Small Secure Houseblocks Programme to date. ‘Other (e)’ in the table below consists of additional crowded places available in the new manage and maintain private prison contracts, Category D Estate Expansion, Small Scale Investments and Urgent Temporary Accommodation.Data has been provided from this point as the programmes in the question (Rapid Deployment Cells and Small Secure Houseblocks) are new delivery types from the 20k programmes, which began in 2020. Due to the complexities around prison crowding data (d), we are unable to provide a breakdown in the below table. However, data on prison crowding is published annually and a comprehensive overview can be viewed at HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2023 to March 2024 - GOV.UK This data does not represent the net breakdown of supply across this period, which can be found through PQs 36624 and 36626, or the October 2024 Ad Hoc publication which can be found at The_number_of_prison_places_built_and_closed__2010-2024_.docx.YEAR PROGRAMME PLACES ADDED 2020New Prisons (a)0 Small Secure Houseblocks (b)0 Rapid Deployment Cells (c)0 Houseblocks and Refurbishments (e)651 Other (e)02021New Prisons (a)0 Small Secure Houseblocks (b)0 Rapid Deployment Cells (c)0 Houseblocks and Refurbishments (e)0 Other (e)4072022New Prisons (a)1,715 Small Secure Houseblocks (b)0 Rapid Deployment Cells (c)0 Houseblocks and Refurbishments (e)0 Other (e)3532023New Prisons (a)1,715 Small Secure Houseblocks (b)0 Rapid Deployment Cells (c)406 Houseblocks and Refurbishments (e)165 Other (e)2842024New Prisons (a)0 Small Secure Houseblocks (b)0 Rapid Deployment Cells (c)361 Houseblocks and Refurbishments (e)214 Other (e)2512025New Prisons (a)0 Small Secure Houseblocks (b)0 Rapid Deployment Cells (c)0 Houseblocks and Refurbishments (e)0 Other (e)126

What information her Department holds on the average (a) length of (b) time off the job in apprenticeships in (i) England (ii) Germany.

The average expected duration of an apprenticeship in England is published in the apprenticeships statistics publication, which is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/e4c10266-a793-4c29-0de2-08dd5ccbf23a.The ‘Apprenticeship evaluation 2023: learner, non-completer and employer surveys’ contains survey-based information on apprenticeship duration and off-the-job training hours undertaken, noting that proportions are given rather than averages: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-evaluation-2023-learner-non-completer-and-employer-surveys.The last published estimate of average off-the-job training hours in England covers the 2018/19 academic year. See Table 3 in the ‘Further education and skills: November 2019 statistics’ publication here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ddd3bbd40f0b650d9ba9b15/FE_and_Skills_commentary_November_2019.pdf.The publication of off-the-job training hours estimates was stopped from the 2019/20 academic year onwards after a review of their quality, particularly regarding the robustness of comparisons over time.Equivalent information for Germany is not held by the department.

What comparative assessment she has made of rates of school absence in academic year 2023-24 in England relative to the other home nations.

The department does not publish statistics on the other home nations besides England. The rates of school absence on the other home nations have been aggregated from the individual nations’ government websites.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of Low Emission Zones on the cost of school trips made by coach by schools in (a) Greater London and (b) other parts of the country.

Schools typically offer a range of enriching opportunities, including trips, for pupils but it is for schools to decide what to offer in line with their curriculum and what works for the children and families they serve. The department has not made an assessment of the impact of Low Emission Zones on the cost of school trips made by coach.

Innovation and Technology, what the remit is of the (a) Information Commissioner's Office and (b) Ofcom for algorithmic recommender systems on social media.

The Information Commissioner’s Office enforces the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018. Organisations that process personal data through algorithmic recommender systems are subject to the requirements of the data protection legislation.Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom can require social media providers to take proportionate steps relating to the design of their service, to help keep users safe. This includes steps relating to content recommender systems. Both regulators have various audit and enforcement tools, such as the ability to request information from individuals and issue monetary penalties for non-compliance.

What steps her Department is taking to measure the actual costs for the schools participating in the existing National School Breakfast programme.

The national school breakfast programme (NSBP) is a demand-led programme, established under the previous government. It is a food-only programme which does not include staffing costs. Eligible schools place breakfast food orders with the department’s supplier, Family Action, via their portal, rather than being allocated funding directly. Schools are charged 25% of food and delivery costs by the supplier, with the department covering the remaining 75% of the costs. Schools can therefore order as much food as they need on the system.The department works closely with Family Action to monitor take-up of the programme by eligible schools, alongside monitoring school-level food and delivery costs. The number of schools on the scheme is relatively stable.

What the evidential basis is for her Department's funding allocations to schools for the National School Breakfast programme.

The national school breakfast programme (NSBP) is a demand-led programme, established under the previous government. It is a food-only programme which does not include staffing costs. Eligible schools place breakfast food orders with the department’s supplier, Family Action, via their portal, rather than being allocated funding directly. Schools are charged 25% of food and delivery costs by the supplier, with the department covering the remaining 75% of the costs. Schools can therefore order as much food as they need on the system.The department works closely with Family Action to monitor take-up of the programme by eligible schools, alongside monitoring school-level food and delivery costs. The number of schools on the scheme is relatively stable.

How many primary schools run breakfast clubs with a duration of (a) 30, (b) less than 30 and (c) more than 30 minutes.

Findings from the ‘School and college voice: February 2024’ report show that 28% of primary school leaders, excluding special schools, said their school does not offer childcare both before and after school. Of those offering childcare both before and after school, this includes paid for childcare and clubs with only limited spaces available. The department does not hold data on the duration of each existing breakfast club in England. The department’s new breakfast clubs are free, open to all pupils in the school, include food and are at least 30 minutes in duration.The primary schools which will start delivering the government’s free breakfast clubs from the summer term as early adopters are a nationally representative sample of primary schools in England.

How many and what proportion of the schools participating in the new breakfast club pilot previously had no breakfast provision.

Findings from the ‘School and college voice: February 2024’ report show that 28% of primary school leaders, excluding special schools, said their school does not offer childcare both before and after school. Of those offering childcare both before and after school, this includes paid for childcare and clubs with only limited spaces available. The department does not hold data on the duration of each existing breakfast club in England. The department’s new breakfast clubs are free, open to all pupils in the school, include food and are at least 30 minutes in duration.The primary schools which will start delivering the government’s free breakfast clubs from the summer term as early adopters are a nationally representative sample of primary schools in England.

What information her Department holds on the number of school trips made annually, by (a) region (b) mode of transport.

The department does not collect information from schools about the number of school trips made or the mode of transport used. It does, however, provide guidance on health and safety on school trips. This guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-and-safety-on-educational-visits/health-and-safety-on-educational-visits.

What the evidential basis is for the estimate that the new primary school breakfast programme will save parents £450 a year.

The estimate that the government’s breakfast club programme will save parents £450 a year is based on the average fee charged for a breakfast club in England according to the childcare and early years survey of parents. Taking into account the amount parents currently pay for breakfast clubs, the department has calculated how much parents will save per year, on average, from the introduction of free, 30 minute clubs.

With reference to clause 25 8(b) of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, whether guidance will be issued as to what would count as exceptional circumstances.

The references in the Children Not in School measures of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to “education otherwise than at school” should be read in the broadest sense of the term and not solely referring to Education Otherwise Than in A School (EOTAS). The wording in the Bill reflects the current duty on parents outlined in Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 to secure an efficient, full-time, suitable education for their children either by regular attendance at school “or otherwise”, such as home education. Both home-educated children and EOTAS arrangements would be eligible for inclusion in local authority Children Not in School registers.As part of the implementation of the Bill, the department will provide statutory guidance on what qualifies as an exceptional circumstance in relation to local authorities not notifying the other parent of a consent decision, as well as details of how a parent can appeal to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, if a parent disagrees with a local authority’s decision on permission to home educate.

With reference to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, whether the references in the Bill to education otherwise than at school refer to the form of schooling commonly known as education otherwise than at school (EOTAS).

The references in the Children Not in School measures of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to “education otherwise than at school” should be read in the broadest sense of the term and not solely referring to Education Otherwise Than in A School (EOTAS). The wording in the Bill reflects the current duty on parents outlined in Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 to secure an efficient, full-time, suitable education for their children either by regular attendance at school “or otherwise”, such as home education. Both home-educated children and EOTAS arrangements would be eligible for inclusion in local authority Children Not in School registers.As part of the implementation of the Bill, the department will provide statutory guidance on what qualifies as an exceptional circumstance in relation to local authorities not notifying the other parent of a consent decision, as well as details of how a parent can appeal to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, if a parent disagrees with a local authority’s decision on permission to home educate.