Written questions by O'Brien.

How much the Government spent on children looked after in 2023-24; and what proportion of this was on unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

In 2023/24, local authority gross expenditure on children's and young people's services was £14.8 billion. Over half of that expenditure was on services for children looked after, which is a total of £8.1 billion (54.9%).Expenditure under the last administration on asylum seeker services for children, within local authority children’s services, increased by 29.7% to £341.7 million in 2023/24. This accounted for 4.2% of the total spend on looked after children.The asylum seeker services for children spending line is unlikely to capture all expenditure on unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). This spending line will only capture expenditure related to UASC that has not been recorded in other spending lines. For example, if a UASC is fostered then the associated expenditure will be captured in the ‘fostering services’ spend line by local authorities. These other lines are not disaggregated in the data collection so the department is unable to determine what proportion of fostering spend is spent on UASC.The relevant data can be accessed here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/la-and-school-expenditure and data guidance and a breakdown of spending categories is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/section-251-2023-to-2024/section-251-financial-data-collection-2023-to-2024-guidance-for-local-authorities-compiling-their-outturn-statement.In 2024/25, local authorities have planned expenditure on children looked after in gross terms to be £7.8 billion, of which £268.4 million is planned to be spent on asylum seeker services for children. The relevant data can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/planned-la-and-school-expenditure.Local authorities typically underbudget, so budgets are generally a poor indicator of actual spend, but they are currently the only published data available for 2024/25. For example, local authorities spent £1.5 billion, 23%, more than budgeted for in 2023/24 on looked after children. Gross planned spend on looked after children for 2023/24 was £6.6 billion and the actual spend on looked after children in 2023/24 was £8.1 billion. The relevant data can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/planned-la-and-school-expenditure/2023-24#dataBlock-b3207b9e-46a0-4a1e-8e8a-7bfa46e2241b-tables and here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/la-and-school-expenditure#explore-data-and-files.

What the predicted cost of children looked after is in 2024-25; and what proportion of this is allocated to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

In 2023/24, local authority gross expenditure on children's and young people's services was £14.8 billion. Over half of that expenditure was on services for children looked after, which is a total of £8.1 billion (54.9%).Expenditure under the last administration on asylum seeker services for children, within local authority children’s services, increased by 29.7% to £341.7 million in 2023/24. This accounted for 4.2% of the total spend on looked after children.The asylum seeker services for children spending line is unlikely to capture all expenditure on unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). This spending line will only capture expenditure related to UASC that has not been recorded in other spending lines. For example, if a UASC is fostered then the associated expenditure will be captured in the ‘fostering services’ spend line by local authorities. These other lines are not disaggregated in the data collection so the department is unable to determine what proportion of fostering spend is spent on UASC.The relevant data can be accessed here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/la-and-school-expenditure and data guidance and a breakdown of spending categories is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/section-251-2023-to-2024/section-251-financial-data-collection-2023-to-2024-guidance-for-local-authorities-compiling-their-outturn-statement.In 2024/25, local authorities have planned expenditure on children looked after in gross terms to be £7.8 billion, of which £268.4 million is planned to be spent on asylum seeker services for children. The relevant data can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/planned-la-and-school-expenditure.Local authorities typically underbudget, so budgets are generally a poor indicator of actual spend, but they are currently the only published data available for 2024/25. For example, local authorities spent £1.5 billion, 23%, more than budgeted for in 2023/24 on looked after children. Gross planned spend on looked after children for 2023/24 was £6.6 billion and the actual spend on looked after children in 2023/24 was £8.1 billion. The relevant data can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/planned-la-and-school-expenditure/2023-24#dataBlock-b3207b9e-46a0-4a1e-8e8a-7bfa46e2241b-tables and here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/la-and-school-expenditure#explore-data-and-files.

Whether the Single Unique Identifier that the Government are piloting is the NHS number; what the (a) locations, (b) timing and (c) size of the pilot is; and how families have been informed.

The department is currently exploring the suitability of using the NHS number as a single unique identifier with Wigan local authority. This process will take several months. This first phase of work will explore whether success rates of linking children’s records can be improved within a local authority by using the NHS number provided by the NHS Personal Demographic Service. This work will inform future tests and pilots. The department anticipates several rounds of piloting the different aspects of implementation to establish where it can have the right impact, and to understand the system costs and business process changes associated with its usage. We will be working with NHS England and local authorities as part of the piloting process, to ensure that the data processed as part of the pilot is secure and meets legal requirements around the data subject's rights to be informed about how their information is processed. One way children and families are informed about how their personal information is used, is via privacy notices. Wigan’s privacy notices that are relevant in this context can be accessed at: https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Council/DataProtection-FOI-Stats/Privacy-notices/Privacy-Notices-for-all-services.aspx.

How many people started apprenticeships at level (a) 2, (b) 3, (c) 4, (d) 5, (e) 6 and (f) 7 in each public service in each year since 2015.

Apprenticeship level was not collected by the previous government as part of the public sector data return.The latest data on public sector apprenticeship new starts for the years it was collected can be found in the links below.2023/24 financial year: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/680d7c76-ab1a-4fea-d82c-08dd4a33315d.2022/23 financial year: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/ef860ba0-ea81-4edf-d82d-08dd4a33315d.2017/18 to 2021/22 financial years: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/81667830-1958-49f0-d82e-08dd4a33315d.

How many schools (a) initially applied to be part of the universal primary school breakfast clubs pilot and (b) subsequently pulled out.

The government is committed to offering a free breakfast club in every state-funded school with primary-aged pupils in England, beginning with the launch of an early adopter scheme in summer term 2025. Schools were invited to express their interest in taking part by 20 December 2024. A list of participating schools will be published in due course.

With reference to her Department's consultation entitled School accountability reform - school profiles, improvement and intervention, page 18, published on 3 February 2025, what estimate she has made of the number of schools which will require a (a) structural intervention and (b) targeted RISE intervention in the next three years.

The department’s consultation document explained that, overall, we expect twice as many mandatory interventions in schools, through both structural intervention and targeted regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) interventions. This is expected to total around 370 schools experiencing mandatory intervention averaged annually over the next three years, based on the pattern of Ofsted inspections in recent years and based on the numbers of schools which already meet our proposed eligibility criteria but have not had structural intervention to date.

How many pupils are enrolled in a National Centre for Computing Education computing hub.

Computing hubs are embedded within individual schools which provide free computing continuing professional development (CPD), met a ministerially approved quality bar and are supported by the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE). 28 schools in England are currently part of a computing hub. The support offered by computing hubs is, for the most part, aimed at teachers only. Being enrolled at a school which is also a computing hub does not therefore mean that a pupil is enrolled in, or directly accessing, the computing support the hub offers. The only support from computing hubs which is aimed directly at pupils is hub-run outreach events. In the 2023/24 academic year, over 3,700 young people attended an NCCE outreach event.

What information her Department holds on the total number of pupils who (a) have participated in the National Consortium for Languages Education’s language hubs since they were established and (b) currently use those hubs.

There are currently 15 language hubs across England, typically comprising one lead school, working with seven partner schools and feeder primary schools, in addition to supporting wider networks of schools within their region. The support offered by language hubs is aimed at schools and teachers only. Being enrolled at a school which is also a language hub does not therefore mean that a pupil is enrolled in, or directly accessing, the languages support the hub offers.

What the annual cost of providing free breakfast clubs in every primary school will be.

The department will fund schools to provide the new breakfast clubs. The department published its funding methodology alongside guidance for early adopters on 16 January, and it has worked closely with schools on these rates to ensure they were sufficient for the ask. Funding for national rollout is subject to the next spending review. Funding rates for schools as part of the national roll out will be informed by learning from early adopters.

What estimate her Department has made of the cost of providing free breakfast clubs in primary schools in each financial year to 2028-29.

The department will fund schools to provide the new breakfast clubs. The department published its funding methodology alongside guidance for early adopters on 16 January, and it has worked closely with schools on these rates to ensure they were sufficient for the ask. Funding for national rollout is subject to the next spending review. Funding rates for schools as part of the national roll out will be informed by learning from early adopters.

How many and what proportion of staff in her Department are qualified teachers.

The information on staff teaching qualifications is not centrally held on the department’s HR system. Seeking the information across the department’s full workforce could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Whether schools delivering free school breakfasts will be allowed to charge for provision outside the free 30 minute entitlement.

This government is committed, through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, to delivering a free breakfast club of at least 30 minutes in every state-funded school with primary-aged pupils in England.Breakfast clubs boost attainment and attendance, and delivering free universal breakfast clubs will ensure children are set-up to learn. Schools will not be able to charge for the 30-minute funded breakfast club. Schools must not create an expectation that parents have to pay for additional provision in order to access the free 30 minutes, and clubs must be available to all pupils from reception to year 6. Beyond these requirements schools will have discretion to set-up their clubs in a way that works for the families they serve.This new offer will also support parents to have more choices on when to work and will support families with the cost of childcare.

Whether teachers staffing free school breakfast clubs will count as directed time.

From April 2025, up to 750 early adopter schools will be funded to provide access to a free, universal breakfast club lasting at least 30 minutes that includes food. The government has published guidance explaining the role of schools taking part in the breakfast clubs early adopter scheme. Through the early adopters, the department will test and learn what works to shape plans for the national rollout of free and universal breakfast clubs in every primary school. Schools will have flexibility over staffing their clubs and there is no government expectation that schools would need to direct teachers to staff breakfast clubs, decisions will be taken by schools at local level.The guidance can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/breakfast-clubs-early-adopter-guidance-for-schools-and-trusts-in-england/breakfast-clubs-early-adopter-guidance-for-schools-and-trusts-in-england.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21364 on Further Education and Schools: Employers' Contributions, in which month her Department plans to pay the grant for the cost of national insurance.

Payment dates will be confirmed in due course.

What estimate she has made of the cost to local government of implementing the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

The department has conducted initial new burdens impact assessments, in line with normal practice, for measures in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Once the new burdens assessments have been finalised, where it is assessed there is a new burden on local government, all additional net costs will be funded by central government in line with the New Burdens Doctrine.

Whether she plans to continue the grant to the Choir Schools Association in the next academic year.

The department will announce future funding for the Music and Dance Scheme for the 2025/26 academic year following the conclusion of the Spending Review in the spring. This includes consideration of the grant to the Choir Schools Association for the Choir Schools Scholarship Scheme. The department has provided a grant of over £216,000 per year for the Choir Schools Scholarship Scheme between 2010 and 2025.

What the average progress 8 score (a) overall, (b) for girls and (c) for boys was in each year for which data is available by ethnic group.

The average Progress 8 and Attainment 8 overall and for boys and girls by ethnic group are published at the following links:2018/19 to 2023/24: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/cb96bc10-b240-4f42-5969-08dd3479441b.2017/18: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/key-stage-4-and-multi-academy-trust-performance-2018-revised (See the “Characteristics national tables”, sheet “Characteristics Summary”).2016/17: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/revised-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2016-to-2017 (See the “Characteristics national tables”, sheet “Characteristics Summary”). The average Progress 8, Attainment 8, and percentage of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in English and mathematics GCSEs by ethnic group and region are published at the following links:2018/19 to 2023/24: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/9a0ba337-3764-486e-596e-08dd3479441b.2017/18: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/key-stage-4-and-multi-academy-trust-performance-2018-revised (See the “Characteristics local authority tables”, sheet “Table LA8”).2016/17: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/revised-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2016-to-2017 (See the “Characteristics local authority tables”, sheet SFR01/2018, sheet “Table LA8”).

How much her Department granted to the Choir Schools Association through the Music and Dance Scheme in each year since 2010.

The department will announce future funding for the Music and Dance Scheme for the 2025/26 academic year following the conclusion of the Spending Review in the spring. This includes consideration of the grant to the Choir Schools Association for the Choir Schools Scholarship Scheme. The department has provided a grant of over £216,000 per year for the Choir Schools Scholarship Scheme between 2010 and 2025.

What the average attainment 8 score (a) overall, (b) for girls and (c) for boys was in each year for which data is available by ethnic group.

The average Progress 8 and Attainment 8 overall and for boys and girls by ethnic group are published at the following links:2018/19 to 2023/24: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/cb96bc10-b240-4f42-5969-08dd3479441b.2017/18: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/key-stage-4-and-multi-academy-trust-performance-2018-revised (See the “Characteristics national tables”, sheet “Characteristics Summary”).2016/17: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/revised-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2016-to-2017 (See the “Characteristics national tables”, sheet “Characteristics Summary”). The average Progress 8, Attainment 8, and percentage of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in English and mathematics GCSEs by ethnic group and region are published at the following links:2018/19 to 2023/24: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/9a0ba337-3764-486e-596e-08dd3479441b.2017/18: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/key-stage-4-and-multi-academy-trust-performance-2018-revised (See the “Characteristics local authority tables”, sheet “Table LA8”).2016/17: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/revised-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2016-to-2017 (See the “Characteristics local authority tables”, sheet SFR01/2018, sheet “Table LA8”).

What the average (a) progress 8 score, (b) attainment 8 score and (c) share of pupils getting grade 5 or above in English and maths was for each ethnic group in each region of England in each of the last eight years.

The average Progress 8 and Attainment 8 overall and for boys and girls by ethnic group are published at the following links:2018/19 to 2023/24: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/cb96bc10-b240-4f42-5969-08dd3479441b.2017/18: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/key-stage-4-and-multi-academy-trust-performance-2018-revised (See the “Characteristics national tables”, sheet “Characteristics Summary”).2016/17: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/revised-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2016-to-2017 (See the “Characteristics national tables”, sheet “Characteristics Summary”). The average Progress 8, Attainment 8, and percentage of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in English and mathematics GCSEs by ethnic group and region are published at the following links:2018/19 to 2023/24: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/9a0ba337-3764-486e-596e-08dd3479441b.2017/18: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/key-stage-4-and-multi-academy-trust-performance-2018-revised (See the “Characteristics local authority tables”, sheet “Table LA8”).2016/17: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/revised-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2016-to-2017 (See the “Characteristics local authority tables”, sheet SFR01/2018, sheet “Table LA8”).