Written questions by Anderson.

If he will make it his policy to prioritise industrial rooftops over (a) arable farmland and (b) countryside fields for solar panel locations.

The Government incentivises industrial rooftop solar in various ways, including permitted development rights, favourable tax treatment, and the Smart Export Guarantee. Solar is part of our strategy for improving the energy performance of buildings. It will play an important role, where appropriate, on newbuild non-domestic buildings in the Future Buildings Standard which is to be introduced later this year. The UK’s overall approach to Net Zero commercial buildings will be set out in the Warm Homes Plan later this year. Achieving our ambitious clean power mission will require rapid deployment of rooftop and ground-mounted solar. However, planning guidance makes clear that, wherever possible, solar developers should utilise brownfield, industrial, contaminated, or previously developed land.

For what purposes their Department has used artificial intelligence in the last year.

The Department utilises AI tools to support officials in their work, mainly in drafting of written material for internal use.

What recent discussions she has had with (a) teachers and (b) head teachers on teaching pupils who have English as a second language.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has not recently met with teachers or headteachers to discuss teaching pupils whose first language is other than English.

For what purposes their Department has used artificial intelligence in the last year.

Over the last year, the Ministry of Justice has begun using artificial intelligence to boost staff productivity, reduce administrative burdens, and deliver better justice outcomes. Through the ‘AI for All’ initiative, all staff now have access to a secure AI assistant to support with day-to-day tasks. The tool Justice Transcribe, which is part of the Prime Minister’s AI Exemplars Programme, uses speech recognition to transcribe probation meetings, reducing the note-taking burden on frontline staff and enabling more meaningful engagement with those they supervise. These initiatives form part of the wider AI Action Plan for Justice, which sets out the Ministry of Justice's longer-term vision for the responsible and ethical adoption of AI across the justice system.

For what purposes their Department has used artificial intelligence in the last year.

The Department has developed, as proof-of-concept projects, artificial intelligence (AI) enabled summarisation tools that have been used to analyse and draw out key themes from free text and survey responses, as well as to summarise academic journals and parliamentary speeches. AI-enabled topic modelling tools have also been used to label text data source results and to group together similar responses in consultation analysis.In addition, a generative AI tool, Microsoft 365 Copilot, is currently being trialled by the Department’s staff in anticipation of a Department wide roll out of the tool in October 2025.The Department regularly reviews the usage of AI to maximise productivity benefits for staff and the public.

Innovation and Technology, for what purposes their Department has used artificial intelligence in the last year.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is central to our plan for growth and transforming public services, guided by the Government AI Playbook.We have adopted general-purpose AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot, enabling civil servants to draft, summarise, and analyse information. This is estimated to save a civil servant up to approximately 26 minutes per day. We have also built specific solutions, such as chatbots for operational queries and Impact Assessments.For wider government, the Incubator for AI (i.AI) delivers solutions such as Redbox and Consult, and GDS is building GOV.UK Chat for citizens.These tools improve efficiency and delivery of departmental outcomes. Further details have been published online as part of the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard.

For what purposes their Department has used artificial intelligence in the last year.

In the last year, the Department has expanded the use of artificial intelligence for a growing range of purposes within an AI governance framework consistent with the AI playbook for the UK Government. AI is being used to allow businesses to get tailored advice on export finance via business.gov.uk. A dedicated AI team has been exploring over 30 potential purposes such as conducting rapid evidence assessments and improving correspondence processes. In addition, the Department has made available approved AI tools and training to nearly 4,000 DBT officials around the globe, enabling them to benefit from AI in their own individual work.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) diplomatic and (b) consular support his Department has given to Craig and Lindsay Foreman in the last three months.

We are deeply concerned by Craig and Lindsay's detention in Iran. We are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members. We continue to raise the case directly with the Iranian authorities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to support Craig and Lindsay Foreman in Iran.

We are deeply concerned by Craig and Lindsay's detention in Iran. We are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members. We continue to raise the case directly with the Iranian authorities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what purposes their Department has used artificial intelligence in the last year.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is improving the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) efficiency, security and analysis. Over the last year, that has included using AI for language translation, document classification and data analysis, in support of the work of our policy and consular teams.Through FCDO.ai, the Department is coordinating responsible adoption of this technology, including participation in the piloting of the cross government Microsoft Copilot tool. All activity is governed by our AI Acceptable Use Policy and established assurance processes. The Department will continue to develop capabilities aligned with UK principles on AI safety and work with partners across government and internationally to share best practice.

Media and Sport, for what purposes their Department has used artificial intelligence in the last year.

DCMS follows the UK Government’s AI Playbook principles on safe, effective and responsible adoption of AI, and works closely with DSIT as the “Digital centre of government”.Any use of third party AI tooling is subject to multidisciplinary assurance prior to any use, including Cyber security, Data Protection, Knowledge and Information Management, and Technology assurance.DCMS is in its early days in terms of AI usage and measuring benefits to productivity. In the past year the Department has used AI for the following:Summarising large documents and emailsAnalysis of large documents, drawing out key information and drafting reportsDrafting meeting notesGenerating draft contentEnhancing our departmental data science capabilityProof of concept of using AI large language models (LLMs) to analyse free text responses to a public consultationAI produced data or drafts are manually reviewed. No decisions are made by the Department based on AI outputs, without manual checks and manual intervention.

For what purposes their Department has used artificial intelligence in the last year.

​​As part of our artificial intelligence (AI) adoption strategy, the department has established a secure infrastructure that enables teams to test and evaluate AI solutions within a controlled sandbox environment prior to the development of new AI-based products. Examples of initiatives currently in development include:​A records management tool, which classifies digital records to identify those that must be retained and archived in accordance with legislative requirements and The National Archives.​The Find Education and Training tool, which integrates multiple datasets including course offerings, training programmes, and geographic mapping to support 16 to 18-year-old learners in accessing appropriate educational or training provision.​In addition, we have deployed Microsoft Copilot Chat across the organisation to support staff in their daily work. Examples of how this tool is used include document summarisation, multi-source information analysis, and to support the drafting of briefings and papers.​Throughout these initiatives, the department has aligned our approach with the government’s AI Playbook, particularly its security principles. This includes ensuring our AI systems are secure by design, resilient to threats, and deployed in accordance with the Cyber Security Standard. Risk assessments and assurance processes are embedded into our development lifecycle to uphold robust security and governance.​The department also acknowledges and adheres to the mandatory obligation for government departments to comply with the AI Transparency and Risk Standards, which guide our efforts to ensure transparency, accountability, and responsible risk management in all AI deployments.

Communities and Local Government, for what purposes their Department has used artificial intelligence in the last year.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 65073 on 14 July 2025, Question UIN 57235 on 9 June 2025, Question UIN 27966 on 13 February 2025, Question UIN 27102 on 7 February 2025, Question UIN 24137 on 4 March 2025 and the answer to Question UIN 12978 on 15 November 2024. In addition to the uses outlined in the answers above, MHCLG has developed the Safer Greener Buildings Image Recognition Tool which uses an algorithm to ascertain an accurate estimate of residential building height and understanding of the external wall system materials. This is published as part of the government’s Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) in line with the mandatory obligation for central government departments to report where algorithmic tools are used in decision-making.

What data her Department holds on the number of (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils who have English as a second language.

The requested data on the number of primary and secondary school pupils who have English as an additional language can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics/2024-25.The most recent data has been available since 5 June 2025.A pupil is recorded to have English as an additional language if they are exposed to a language at home that is known or believed to be other than English. This measure is not a measure of English language proficiency or a good proxy for recent immigration.The department does not hold data for the number of pupils who have recently arrived in the UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, for what purposes their Department has used artificial intelligence in the last year.

In the last 12 months, Defra has explored the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across a range of areas to improve delivery of public services, strengthen resilience, and support innovation. AI has been deployed in habitat maps, such as Living England, and peatland restoration projects, such as AI4Peat, to enhance biodiversity monitoring, and in the Environment Agency’s FloodAI trial to improve flood forecasting, strengthen early warning systems, and protect critical infrastructure. Before any application is deployed, the department considers data and security protection risks to ensure AI is applied responsibly. Guidance on the safe, effective, and responsible adoption of AI can be found in the Government’s AI Playbook. The department also acknowledges the mandatory obligation under the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) to report where algorithms are used in decision-making. As of September 2025, Defra has published several ATRS records, including Local Authority Waste Collection Cost Groupings, Hello Lamp Post, and Living England, covering algorithmic tools in environmental protection and public engagement. The department is also piloting the use of artificial intelligence to analyse open sources online for emerging civil contingencies risks and issues. Internally, the department has piloted AI-powered tools to automate the migration of legacy IT systems to modern cloud environments and rolled out Microsoft Copilot Chat to streamline day-to-day tasks, improve productivity, and support staff in working more efficiently.

For what purposes their Department has used artificial intelligence in the last year.

AI is being used for a range of purposes in the Home Office to improve business delivery as part of overall digital improvements in the department with well-established systems such as e-Gates, to allow entry at the Border; in our passport service, to support online applications; triage tools, which route cases to the appropriate teams; and the Child Abuse Image Database (CAID) Classifier, which helps police officers grade child sexual abuse material (CSAM) more swiftly and reduces their exposure time to harmful contentThe Home Office continues to introduce AI tools, including the rollout of Microsoft Copilot to assist in day-to-day activities. We have also provided bespoke tools to specific teams to support asylum decision making.We are also running several AI trials to test their potential for wider productivity and quality improvements in existing business processes.

What data her Department holds on the proportion of (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils who do not speak English as their first language who arrived in the UK in each of the last five years.

The requested data on the number of primary and secondary school pupils who have English as an additional language can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics/2024-25.The most recent data has been available since 5 June 2025.A pupil is recorded to have English as an additional language if they are exposed to a language at home that is known or believed to be other than English. This measure is not a measure of English language proficiency or a good proxy for recent immigration.The department does not hold data for the number of pupils who have recently arrived in the UK.

For what purposes their Department has used artificial intelligence in the last year.

Over the last year, the Cabinet Office has used artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency, improve productivity, and accelerate operational speed across government.The Department’s goal has been to use AI - where reasonable and possible to do so - to free up officials to focus on higher value strategic work and delivering on the country’s priorities. There are significant potential gains from safe and responsible AI adoption within the public sector.Guidance on this can be found in the Government’s AI playbook and strategy.

How much funding has been allocated to local authorities to support (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils who have English as a second language in each of the last five years.

The schools national funding formula (NFF) allocates core funding to local areas for mainstream schools. The NFF includes an English as an additional language (EAL) factor. Pupils attract this funding to their school if their first language is not English and if they entered the state education system in England in the past three years. The table below shows the total funding allocated through the EAL factor from the 2021/22 to 2025/26 financial years:Financial YearPrimary EAL fundingSecondary EAL fundingTotal EAL fundingEAL funding as a proportion of total NFF funding2021/22£311 m£108 m£420 m1.1%2022/23£307 m£105 m£412 m1.1%2023/24£318 m£116 m£434 m1.0%2024/25£343 m£141 m£484 m1.1%2025/26£365 m£173 m£539 m1.1%

If she will make an estimate of the total cost of support provided to pupils with English as an additional language in (a) primary and (b) secondary education in each of the last five years.

The schools national funding formula (NFF) allocates core funding to local areas for mainstream schools. The NFF includes an English as an additional language (EAL) factor. Pupils attract this funding to their school if their first language is not English and if they entered the state education system in England in the past three years. The table below shows the total funding allocated through the EAL factor from the 2021/22 to 2025/26 financial years:Financial YearPrimary EAL fundingSecondary EAL fundingTotal EAL fundingEAL funding as a proportion of total NFF funding2021/22£311 m£108 m£420 m1.1%2022/23£307 m£105 m£412 m1.1%2023/24£318 m£116 m£434 m1.0%2024/25£343 m£141 m£484 m1.1%2025/26£365 m£173 m£539 m1.1%