Written questions by Lamb.

What steps she is taking to support and identify students with dual or multiple exceptionalities.

Awaiting answer.

Whether her Department will be offering support to further education colleges offering vocational courses to address the increase in steel costs as a result of planned import tariffs.

Awaiting answer.

If she will ensure that future people that attend university will not have the repayment thresholds for their student loans altered after taking them out.

This government increased Plan 2 repayment thresholds in April 2025 and again in April 2026, to protect lower-earning graduates and keep more money in their pockets. Between 2012 and 2024, then governments only increased repayment thresholds twice throughout that period. The government recently capped interest rates on Plan 2 loans at a maximum of 6% and is considering a range of options to make the system fairer. In order to be fiscally responsible, consideration must be taken regarding how any change would be funded.

If she will ensure that future people that attend university will not have the repayment thresholds for their student loans altered after taking them out.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Whether she plans to expand eligibility for the HAF programme to include children from low-income families not currently in receipt of free school meals.

The government remains committed to the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, ensuring children eligible for free school meals (FSM) can access enriching activities and healthy meals during school holidays. Over £600 million has been confirmed for the programme for the next three financial years from 2026/27. This multi-year commitment provides local authorities with stability and certainty, enabling longer term planning, procurement and investment to drive more effective and efficient delivery.For the 2026/27 financial year, eligibility for HAF will remain at the existing FSM threshold, targeting support to those who need it most. Future eligibility will be kept under review and any changes communicated in due course.An external evaluation commissioned by the department in 2021 found HAF successfully provided children with nutritious food whilst supporting parents to work and bringing financial relief. In a recent external survey of 20,000 parents and carers, over nine in ten reported that HAF reduced money worries during holidays and made it easier to work, alongside positive findings on the nutritional value and enjoyment of the food.The department is committed to the continued assessment of HAF’s impact and will be conducting an evaluation during the three year funding period.

What assessment has been made of the HAF programme’s impact on reducing child food insecurity and supporting families during school holidays.

The government remains committed to the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, ensuring children eligible for free school meals (FSM) can access enriching activities and healthy meals during school holidays. Over £600 million has been confirmed for the programme for the next three financial years from 2026/27. This multi-year commitment provides local authorities with stability and certainty, enabling longer term planning, procurement and investment to drive more effective and efficient delivery.For the 2026/27 financial year, eligibility for HAF will remain at the existing FSM threshold, targeting support to those who need it most. Future eligibility will be kept under review and any changes communicated in due course.An external evaluation commissioned by the department in 2021 found HAF successfully provided children with nutritious food whilst supporting parents to work and bringing financial relief. In a recent external survey of 20,000 parents and carers, over nine in ten reported that HAF reduced money worries during holidays and made it easier to work, alongside positive findings on the nutritional value and enjoyment of the food.The department is committed to the continued assessment of HAF’s impact and will be conducting an evaluation during the three year funding period.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure sustainable, inflation-linked funding for the holiday activities and food programme.

The government remains committed to the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, ensuring children eligible for free school meals (FSM) can access enriching activities and healthy meals during school holidays. Over £600 million has been confirmed for the programme for the next three financial years from 2026/27. This multi-year commitment provides local authorities with stability and certainty, enabling longer term planning, procurement and investment to drive more effective and efficient delivery.For the 2026/27 financial year, eligibility for HAF will remain at the existing FSM threshold, targeting support to those who need it most. Future eligibility will be kept under review and any changes communicated in due course.An external evaluation commissioned by the department in 2021 found HAF successfully provided children with nutritious food whilst supporting parents to work and bringing financial relief. In a recent external survey of 20,000 parents and carers, over nine in ten reported that HAF reduced money worries during holidays and made it easier to work, alongside positive findings on the nutritional value and enjoyment of the food.The department is committed to the continued assessment of HAF’s impact and will be conducting an evaluation during the three year funding period.

What steps she is taking to help increase the completion rates for EHCP applications within 20 weeks in West Sussex County Council.

It is important that, where required, education, health and care (EHC) plan assessments are progressed promptly and, if needed, plans are issued as quickly as possible so that children and young people can access the support they need.The department knows that local authorities have seen an increase in the number of assessment requests and that more needs to be done to ensure that some local areas deliver more effective and timely services. This includes better communication with schools and families.The last local area special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission for West Sussex was in November 2023, which found inconsistent experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Five areas for improvement were identified in the inspection report, including an area specific to the timeliness and quality of EHC plans:To identify and address ‘waiting well’ arrangements and gaps in service provision to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND.To ensure children identified as at high risk for aspiration are fully assessed and have access to video-fluoroscopy.To develop a strategy to improve the processes, quality and the timeliness of EHC plans.To implement oversight and commissioning arrangements of suitable specialist school places and alternative provision.To strengthen their strategic approach to preparation for adulthood.The department’s regional team has put in place systems to track outcomes against these areas for improvement and the progress made by children and young people with SEND. To assist the local area, the department has deployed a SEND advisor to offer support and advice. The advisor’s work has included monthly meetings with the local authority to review their statutory progress and to discuss their action plan, analysis of EHC plan data and trends, facilitation of best practice exchange with other local areas, and providing advice and guidance to enhance the quality of EHC plans.