Written questions by Entwistle.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 May 2025 to Question 52388 on Teachers: Religion, what the first degree subjects the 80 percent of entrants to RE Initial Teacher Training who did not have their first degree in Theology and Religious Studies were.

The following table shows the subject for the first degree of new entrants to religious education initial teacher training (ITT) in the 2024/25 academic year. Subject is as specified in the Higher Education Statistics Agency’s Common Aggregation Hierarchy. Trainees with unknown first degree subject are excluded. Where trainees have more than one first degree subject, they are listed as “joint honours”. Note that some degree subjects, such as philosophy that are not included within theology and religious studies, may contain relevant content for religious education. It is the responsibility of the accredited ITT provider to determine the suitability of a candidate applying for ITT. The department publishes the ITT criteria which sets out the minimum requirements that a candidate must meet to be eligible for ITT.Degree subjectNumber of traineesPercentage of traineesTheology and religious studies8920%Philosophy8218%Sociology5212%Joint honours4711%History307%Law297%Psychology (non-specific)235%Education184%Politics143%Anthropology51%Childhood and youth studies51%Others in psychology51%Liberal arts (non-specific)41%Classics31%Media studies31%Social work31%Cinematics and photography2<1%Health studies2<1%Literature in English2<1%Management studies2<1%Music2<1%Social sciences (non-specific)2<1%Sport and exercise sciences2<1%American and Australasian studies1<1%Art1<1%Business and management (non-specific)1<1%Combined, general or negotiated studies1<1%Counselling, psychotherapy and occupational therapy1<1%Creative writing1<1%Development studies1<1%Developmental psychology1<1%Drama1<1%Economics1<1%English language1<1%Forensic and archaeological sciences1<1%Geography (non-specific)1<1%Health sciences (non-specific)1<1%Nursing (non-specific)1<1%Polymers and textiles1<1%Social policy1<1%Tourism, transport and travel1<1%

How many and what proportion of religious education teacher trainees held degrees in subjects other than religious education in the 2024-25 academic year; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of removing the subject knowledge enhancement grant for religious education on the quality of religious education provision.

Religious education (RE) is not a degree subject recognised by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). The closest subject in HESA’s Common Aggregation Hierarchy is theology and religious studies. In 2024/25, there were 444 new entrants to RE initial teacher training (ITT), for whom we have data on first degree subject. Of these, 89 (20%) had degrees in subjects categorised as theology and religious studies, and 355 (80%) had degrees in other subjects. Some degree subjects, such as philosophy, that are not included within theology and religious studies, may contain relevant content for RE. It is the responsibility of the accredited ITT provider to determine the suitability of a candidate applying for ITT. The department publishes the ITT criteria which sets out the minimum requirements that a candidate must meet to be eligible for ITT.The department continually reviews the support available to trainee teachers and the annual review of the subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) package will take place before the new academic year to ensure that available SKE provision is focused on the candidates who need it the most.The department remains committed to recruiting the teachers we need. We have announced an ITT financial incentives package worth up to £233 million for the 2025/26 ITT recruitment cycle, a £37 million increase on the last cycle. This includes a £10,000 tax-free bursary for RE trainee teachers.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of childcare provision.

Ensuring that parents are able to access affordable and high quality childcare is a priority for this government. Our focus in reforming the system will be to ensure that there are greater and more equal opportunities to access early education for every family, and that there are greater opportunities for children to thrive and develop. As an initial step, we are progressing work to deliver new places in 3,000 nurseries through upgrading space in primary schools.It is our ambition that all families have access to high quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, improving the life chances for every child and the work choices for every parent.From April 2024, working parents of 2-year-olds have able to access 15 hours of government-funded childcare per week (over 38 weeks a year) from the term after their child’s birthday. From September 2024, this was extended to parents of children aged 9 months and above, and from September 2025, working parents will be able to access 30 hours per week (over 38 weeks a year) for children from age 9 months to when they start school.The government has committed to continue to roll out the expanded childcare entitlements for eligible working parents of children aged from nine months. We are also growing the provision of ‘wraparound’ before and after school provision of childcare for primary school children.In 2024/25, we expect to provide over £1.7 billion to support local authorities and providers deliver the childcare expansion, rising, in 2027/28, to over £4.1 billion. By the same year we expect to be providing over £8 billion every year overall on new and existing early years entitlements.The department has regular contact with each local authority in England about their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing, including supporting them through our childcare delivery support contract where appropriate.The government is committed to delivering a modern childcare system from the end of parental leave to the end of primary school, providing every child with a firm foundation which sets them up for life and ensures parents are able to work the jobs and hours they choose effectively breaking down the barriers to opportunity for every family.Under Section 6 of the Childcare Act 2006, local authorities are responsible for ensuring that the provision of childcare is sufficient to meet the requirements of parents in their area. The department has regular contact with each local authority in England about their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing. Where local authorities report sufficiency challenges, departmental officials discuss with them what action they are taking to address those issues, and whether they need any additional support.