Every parliamentary written question tabled by Damian Hinds this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 481–500 of 539 · this parliament
Whether she is making additional resources available to accommodate changes in the number of Education Health and Care Plan applications (a) this and (b) next financial year.
The department is aware not only of the financial pressures that local authorities are facing due to the increasing cost of supporting children and young people with education, health and care (EHC) plans, but also the pressures that the government as a w...
Whether she plans to continue to report on the (a) outputs of the Teacher Workforce Model and (b) extent to which targets are met.
The department uses the Teacher Workforce Model to calculate postgraduate initial teacher trainee targets each year. These targets are published online each year as part of an official statistics publication, the department intends to publish the 2025/26 ...
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of charging VAT on independent schools on levels of usage of unregistered schools.
Unregistered schools, by their nature, are unregistered and at risk of being unknown, therefore this is not possible to precisely ascertain. It is an offence under Section 96 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 for any person to conduct an unregistered ...
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the imposition of VAT on independent school fees on the number of children who are home schooled.
On 29 July, the Government announced that, as of 1 January 2025, all education services and vocational training provided by a private school in the UK for a charge will be subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20 per cent. This will also apply to boardin...
What data on unfilled school capacity by 2024 parliamentary constituency she plans to publish before the Finance Bill is introduced.
The department publishes annual statistics on the capacity and pupils on roll in schools, including unfilled places, each spring. This is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-capacity. Statistics publica...
Whether specialist post-16 institutions will be exempt from VAT.
On 29 July, the Government announced that, as of 1 January 2025, all education services and vocational training provided by a private school in the UK for a charge will be subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20 per cent. This will also apply to boardin...
Whether she has made an estimate of the maximum number of pupils that could move from independent to state schools for there to be a net increase in revenues to the Exchequer arising from her policy on levying VAT o
On 29 July, the Government announced that, as of 1 January 2025, all education services and vocational training provided by a private school in the UK for a charge will be subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20 per cent. This will also apply to boardin...
How many (a) children of secondary school age are resident, (b) children are on roll at state secondary schools and (c) places are unfilled in state secondary schools in (i) the South West, (ii) the local autho
The department does not hold information on all children and young people by residence.Information on unfilled state secondary school places, as at May 2023, is published in the School Capacity statistics publication, which can be found here: https://expl...
How many children of secondary school age are (a) resident and (b) on roll at state secondary schools in (i) Yorkshire & the Humber; (ii) York Local Authority and (iii) secondary planning area 8169997; and how
The department does not hold information on all children and young people by residence.Information on unfilled state secondary school places, as at May 2023, is published in the School Capacity statistics publication, which can be found here: https://expl...
How many children of secondary school age are (a) resident and (b) on the roll in (i) the North West, (ii) Salford Local Authority, (iii) secondary planning area 3550101, (iv) secondary planning area 3550102 an
The department does not hold information on all children and young people by residence.Information on unfilled state secondary school places, as at May 2023, is published in the School Capacity statistics publication, which can be found here: https://expl...
If she will make an estimate of the number of independent schools which charge lower fees than the average annual cost of provision in the state sector.
On a per pupil basis the total funding allocated to schools for 5 to 16 year old pupils, in cash terms, in the 2024/25 academic year, was £7,690. While the department does not hold data on private school fees, the Institute for Fiscal Studies calculates average private school fees across the UK were £15,200 in the 2022/23 academic year. This is around 90% higher than state school spending per pupil. This information can be found at: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/tax-private-school-fees-and-state-school-spending.
What estimate she has made of the average cost to independent schools of the increase in employer contributions to the teachers' pension scheme in the academic year 2024-25.
Departmental officials regularly gather data on the number of teachers opting out of participation in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) and discuss this with members of the Scheme Advisory Board, which is made up of employer and member representatives. Due to pension auto-enrolment rules that apply when a maintained school converts to an academy and pension re-enrolment rules requiring teachers to re-submit opt-outs, it is difficult to discern any particular trend. However, officials also monitor the overall participation rate of those eligible to be in the TPS and this has remained consistent in recent years.The department is not usually informed when independent schools consult with staff regarding ongoing participation in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. However, the scheme administrator does maintain a record of the number of independent schools participating in the scheme, as well as those that choose to leave the scheme either outright or by phased withdrawal. Independent school participation is regularly discussed with members of the Scheme Advisory Board, which is made up of member and employer representatives; such discussions start from the principle that independent schools participate voluntarily and have the right to cease participation if they so choose.The employer contribution rate for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) increased from 23.68% to 28.68% of member salary with effect from 1 April 2024. This followed on from the results of the most recent scheme valuation exercise, which was based on 2020 data. The revised rate will lead to an increase in pension costs for all participating employers roughly equivalent to 5% of their teacher salary costs in the 2024/25 academic year. Work has not been undertaken to estimate an average cost increase across the independent school sector because this was needed to reflect the estimated costs of pension benefits that have been accrued by members of the TPS, and those benefits that are forecast to be accrued in future. Independent schools have the option to cease participation in the scheme, either outright or through phased withdrawal, if they do not consider they can meet the costs or otherwise no longer wish to continue participation.
What assessment she has made of trends in the levels of independent-sector schools (a) consulting with staff on the teachers’ pension scheme, (b) leaving the teachers’ pension scheme and (c) pursuing phased withdrawal from the teachers’ pension scheme.
Departmental officials regularly gather data on the number of teachers opting out of participation in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) and discuss this with members of the Scheme Advisory Board, which is made up of employer and member representatives. Due to pension auto-enrolment rules that apply when a maintained school converts to an academy and pension re-enrolment rules requiring teachers to re-submit opt-outs, it is difficult to discern any particular trend. However, officials also monitor the overall participation rate of those eligible to be in the TPS and this has remained consistent in recent years.The department is not usually informed when independent schools consult with staff regarding ongoing participation in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. However, the scheme administrator does maintain a record of the number of independent schools participating in the scheme, as well as those that choose to leave the scheme either outright or by phased withdrawal. Independent school participation is regularly discussed with members of the Scheme Advisory Board, which is made up of member and employer representatives; such discussions start from the principle that independent schools participate voluntarily and have the right to cease participation if they so choose.The employer contribution rate for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) increased from 23.68% to 28.68% of member salary with effect from 1 April 2024. This followed on from the results of the most recent scheme valuation exercise, which was based on 2020 data. The revised rate will lead to an increase in pension costs for all participating employers roughly equivalent to 5% of their teacher salary costs in the 2024/25 academic year. Work has not been undertaken to estimate an average cost increase across the independent school sector because this was needed to reflect the estimated costs of pension benefits that have been accrued by members of the TPS, and those benefits that are forecast to be accrued in future. Independent schools have the option to cease participation in the scheme, either outright or through phased withdrawal, if they do not consider they can meet the costs or otherwise no longer wish to continue participation.
What assessment she has made of trends in the levels of in-service teachers opting out of the teachers’ pension scheme.
Departmental officials regularly gather data on the number of teachers opting out of participation in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) and discuss this with members of the Scheme Advisory Board, which is made up of employer and member representatives. Due to pension auto-enrolment rules that apply when a maintained school converts to an academy and pension re-enrolment rules requiring teachers to re-submit opt-outs, it is difficult to discern any particular trend. However, officials also monitor the overall participation rate of those eligible to be in the TPS and this has remained consistent in recent years.The department is not usually informed when independent schools consult with staff regarding ongoing participation in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. However, the scheme administrator does maintain a record of the number of independent schools participating in the scheme, as well as those that choose to leave the scheme either outright or by phased withdrawal. Independent school participation is regularly discussed with members of the Scheme Advisory Board, which is made up of member and employer representatives; such discussions start from the principle that independent schools participate voluntarily and have the right to cease participation if they so choose.The employer contribution rate for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) increased from 23.68% to 28.68% of member salary with effect from 1 April 2024. This followed on from the results of the most recent scheme valuation exercise, which was based on 2020 data. The revised rate will lead to an increase in pension costs for all participating employers roughly equivalent to 5% of their teacher salary costs in the 2024/25 academic year. Work has not been undertaken to estimate an average cost increase across the independent school sector because this was needed to reflect the estimated costs of pension benefits that have been accrued by members of the TPS, and those benefits that are forecast to be accrued in future. Independent schools have the option to cease participation in the scheme, either outright or through phased withdrawal, if they do not consider they can meet the costs or otherwise no longer wish to continue participation.
What proportion of secondary schools are (a) at and (b) over capacity at key stages 3 and 4 in (i) City of Bristol, (ii) Kingston upon Thames, (iii) Richmond upon Thames, (iv) Salford and (v) Surrey.
Information on state-funded school places as at May 2023 is published at local authority level in the annual School Capacity statistics publication, which is available at the following link: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-capacity.The number and proportion of secondary schools at or over capacity for the requested local authorities can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/91c62513-ae0a-4c08-9fa3-08dcca50353d.This includes sixth forms as well as key stages 3 and 4 for schools with sixth forms. Data are not available by year group or key stage.
How many unfilled places there are at state school sixth forms in (a) City of Bristol, (b) Camden, (c) Haringey, (d) Kingston upon Thames, (e) Richmond upon Thames, (f) Southwark, (g) Stockport and (h) Surrey; and how many pupils of that age there are in independent schools in each of those areas.
Information on state-funded school places as at May 2023 is published at local authority level in the annual School Capacity survey. This survey can be accessed here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-capacity. The capacity of state-funded school sixth forms and the number of students on roll in these sixth forms for these local authorities, which can be used to calculate unfilled places, is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/1df04bec-f3ec-4b8a-9fb7-08dcca50353d. Data is collected from independent schools through the school level annual school census. This data does not include phase but does include age of pupils. This information is published in the ‘Schools, pupils and their characteristics’ publication, which can be accessed here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics. Information on the number of students aged 16 to 19 enrolled in independent schools in January 2024 for these local authorities can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/d0df582b-2601-4fd8-cf33-08dcca5019b8. However, please note that age does not necessarily directly align to state-funded sector primary, secondary and post-16 schools.
Whether she has had discussions with (a) City of Bristol, (b) Kingston upon Thames, (c) Richmond upon Thames, (d) Salford and (e) Surrey local authorities on capital funding for additional secondary school places at key stages 3 and 4.
The statutory duty to provide sufficient school places sits with local authorities. The department engages with local authorities, including those mentioned, on a regular basis to review their plans for creating additional primary and pre-16 secondary school places and to consider alternatives where necessary. When local authorities are experiencing difficulties, the department offers support and advice. The department provides capital funding through the basic need grant to support local authorities to provide mainstream school places needed for year groups from reception to year 11, based on their own pupil forecasts and school capacity data. Nearly £1.5 billion of allocations have been confirmed to support local authorities to create school places needed over the current and next two academic years. Local authorities’ allocations are published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/basic-need-allocations.
What discussions she has had with the local authorities in (a) City of Bristol, (b) Camden, (c) Haringey, (d) Kingston upon Thames, (e) Richmond upon Thames, (f) Southwark, (g) Stockport and (h) Surrey on capital funding for additional state school sixth form places above those planned before July 2024.
Local authorities have broad duties to encourage, enable and assist young people to participate in education or training. This includes a duty to secure enough suitable education and training provision to meet the reasonable needs of all young people in their area who are over compulsory school age but under 19 or aged 19 or over and for whom an education, health and care plan is maintained. As regards sixth form places, if approached by a local authority, the department will discuss options with them to support them to meet their statutory duties. The post-16 capacity fund provides funding to schools and colleges, including in Stockport and Surrey, to ensure there is enough capital capacity in schools and colleges to accommodate the demographic increases in 16 to 19 learners. It has made available £238 million in capital funding since 2021.
What estimate she has made of the average annual cost to independent schools of proposed changes in business rates.
On 29 July 2024, the Government announced that eligibility for business rates charitable rate relief will be removed from private schools in England. The increased business rates liability will vary from school to school and will be determined by their underlying Rateable Value, set by the Valuation Office Agency independently of central government. The government will confirm the introduction of these tax policy changes at the Budget, at which point the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will certify the government’s costings and impact analysis for these measures. This was a tough but necessary decision that will help to secure additional funding to support the delivery of the Government’s commitments relating to education and young people, including opening 3,000 new nurseries, rolling out breakfast clubs to all primary schools, and recruiting 6,500 new teachers.
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed application of VAT to private school fees on state secondary planning areas.
This government is committed to ending the VAT exemption on private schools. While the impact of this policy is being fully considered, research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies indicates that the number of pupils who may switch schools as a result of these changes is likely to represent a very small proportion of overall pupil numbers in the state sector, with any displacement expected to take place over several years. This research can be found here: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/tax-private-school-fees-and-state-school-spending. Details of the government’s own assessment of the expected impact will be published at the Budget in the usual way, following scrutiny by the Office for Budget Responsibility. The department cannot be certain of the precise level, if any, of transfer from private to state sectors additional to the movements between schools, and between the private and state sectors, which happen each year in all parts of the country. The department will be monitoring demand and capacity using our normal processes and working with local authorities to meet any pressures.