Written questions by Maskell.

What proportion of total university fee income has been derived from international students in each of the past five years.

The new International Education Strategy reflects the positive impact of international students. It confirms our continued commitment to welcoming students who meet the requirements to study in the UK.The system must, however, ensure that international students make a positive contribution to the communities in which they study. The ‘Restoring control over the immigration system’ White Paper contains measures that will achieve a reduction in net migration, whilst maintaining the UK’s globally competitive position and boosting our skills base.The department expects the UK to remain an attractive study destination. The most recent data shows that applications from Sponsored Study visa main applicants in the year ending January 2026 were 2 per cent higher than the previous year. The data is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/monthly-entry-clearance-visa-applications-january-2026/monthly-entry-clearance-visa-applications-january-2026.Whilst we recognise international students’ value, reliance on international fee income is a risk to some providers' income. HE providers must ensure their business models provide long-term sustainability.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of her Department's immigration criteria on the number of international students attending universities in (a) the UK and (b) York.

The new International Education Strategy reflects the positive impact of international students. It confirms our continued commitment to welcoming students who meet the requirements to study in the UK.The system must, however, ensure that international students make a positive contribution to the communities in which they study. The ‘Restoring control over the immigration system’ White Paper contains measures that will achieve a reduction in net migration, whilst maintaining the UK’s globally competitive position and boosting our skills base.The department expects the UK to remain an attractive study destination. The most recent data shows that applications from Sponsored Study visa main applicants in the year ending January 2026 were 2 per cent higher than the previous year. The data is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/monthly-entry-clearance-visa-applications-january-2026/monthly-entry-clearance-visa-applications-january-2026.Whilst we recognise international students’ value, reliance on international fee income is a risk to some providers' income. HE providers must ensure their business models provide long-term sustainability.

What recent estimate she has made of the financial return to the UK economy of public investment in higher education.

Graduates make a significant economic and financial contribution to the UK economy. A report commissioned by Universities UK and published in 2024 suggests that the UK higher education sector contributes around £265 billion to the UK economy and that every £1 of public funding invested in the sector’s teaching activities generated a total of some £13 in wider economic impact across the UK.The Universities UK commissioned report can be found here: https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/sites/default/files/field/downloads/2024-09/LE-UUK-Impact-of-university-TL-and-RI-Final-Report.pdf.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department’s policies of permitting the use of active substances in pesticides that are banned for outdoor agricultural use in veterinary tick and flea treatments.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is taking a range of actions to address the levels of fipronil and imidacloprid being detected in UK waterways. Through its leadership of the cross‑Government Pharmaceuticals in the Environment Group, the VMD has published a roadmap focusing on improving public awareness and promoting responsible use and disposal of topical flea and tick treatments. To strengthen the evidence base, the VMD is funding research into environmental exposure pathways and pet owner behaviours and is working with environment agencies to improve monitoring data. The VMD is also undertaking an evidence‑based review of distribution categories for veterinary medicines containing fipronil or imidacloprid.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to protect freshwater invertebrates from pesticides used in veterinary tick and flea treatments.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is taking a range of actions to address the levels of fipronil and imidacloprid being detected in UK waterways. Through its leadership of the cross‑Government Pharmaceuticals in the Environment Group, the VMD has published a roadmap focusing on improving public awareness and promoting responsible use and disposal of topical flea and tick treatments. To strengthen the evidence base, the VMD is funding research into environmental exposure pathways and pet owner behaviours and is working with environment agencies to improve monitoring data. The VMD is also undertaking an evidence‑based review of distribution categories for veterinary medicines containing fipronil or imidacloprid.

What estimate she has made of the number of redundancies in higher education in the last year.

The government greatly values the hard work of staff across the higher education (HE) sector who continue to deliver for students and universities during what is a challenging period.We are aware that some providers are making difficult decisions around staffing to safeguard their financial sustainability.Given that universities are independent, the government does not have a role in intervening with specific providers in pay and staffing matters, nor does it collect specific data on redundancies within HE.We encourage providers to work constructively with their staff to develop sustainable models that retain talent and expertise, and provide stability for the workforce and the institution.We are committed to putting our world-leading universities onto a secure financial footing so they can face the challenges of the next decade. Our decision to raise tuition fees annually in line with inflation, alongside refocusing the Office for Students on monitoring the sector’s financial health, demonstrates this commitment.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of tuition fee-based funding model for higher education.

Around £10.8 billion in tuition fee loans administered by the Student Loans Company were paid directly to higher education providers in the 2024/25 financial year.To provide long-term funding certainty for the sector, so that it can focus on reform, we will increase tuition fee caps for all higher education providers in line with forecast inflation of 2.71% in 2026/27 and 2.68% in 2027/28 and then legislate when parliamentary time allows to increase tuition fee caps automatically for future years.We expect the sector to demonstrate that, in return for the increased investment that we are asking students to make, they deliver the best outcomes for those students and the country.

What recent estimate she has made of the financial return to the economy of public investment in higher education.

Research by London Economics estimates that teaching and learning activities provided by the UK higher education (HE) sector generated £94.8 billion, which was equivalent to an average £13 return for every £1 of public investment in 2021/22. The combined research and knowledge exchange activities of UK universities generated a total economic impact of approximately £62.84 billion. This equates to an average of £9.90 for every £1 invested. Spending by UK HE providers also produces indirect effects, positively impacting the economy.

How much and what proportion of university fee income is derived from international students in each of the last five years.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) is responsible for collecting and publishing data on the UK higher education (HE) sector. These data are shared with the department and includes a wide range of information on UK higher education providers (HEPs), including the income they receive through tuition fees.Between 2019/20 and 2023/24, the proportion of HE tuition fee income that is attributed to international students in UK HE has steadily increased from 39% in 2019/20 to 47% in 2023/24.The below table shows international tuition fee income as a proportion of total tuition fee income for UK HEPs:Academic year2019/202020/212021/222022/232023/24International tuition fee income as a proportion of total tuition fee income (sector)39% (£8.2 billion)39% (£8.8 billion)43% (£10.4 billion)46% (£12.1 billion)47% (£12.7 billion)HESA university finance data returns for the 2024/25 academic year are not complete therefore have not been included.

How much funding has been allocated to union-led workplace learning in each of the last five years.

The previous government ended the standalone Union Learning Fund (ULF) on 31 March 2021. The Adult Skills Fund funds a very broad range of provision, including to support the effective operation of Trade Unions such as for Trade Union Health & Safety Representatives. The Department is committed to working with employers, providers, and trade unions to ensure that high quality qualification and training pathways are meeting skills needs.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to publish a formal consultation on how a transition to in-ovo sexing would be implemented.

As stated in the recently published Animal Welfare Strategy the Government would like to see an end to the practice of killing day-old chicks and we will be working with the UK egg industry to this end. The Government welcomes industry’s interest in the development of day zero sexing technology.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether a consultation on ending the routine culling of male chicks through in-ovo sexing is under consideration.

As stated in the recently published Animal Welfare Strategy the Government would like to see an end to the practice of killing day-old chicks and we will be working with the UK egg industry to this end. The Government welcomes industry’s interest in the development of day zero sexing technology.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will commit to developing a roadmap for the transition to in-ovo sexing in the UK egg industry.

As stated in the recently published Animal Welfare Strategy the Government would like to see an end to the practice of killing day-old chicks and we will be working with the UK egg industry to this end. The Government welcomes industry’s interest in the development of day zero sexing technology.

Whether the following key workers will remain eligible for indefinite leave to remain after five years under changes to the migration rules, (a) NHS physiotherapists, (b) NHS therapy support workers, (c) physiotherapists employed by non NHS organisations contracted to provide NHS services, (d) therapy support workers employed by non NHS organisations contracted to provide NHS services, (e) physiotherapists employed by hospices, (f) therapy support workers employed by hospices, (g) Ministry of Defence physiotherapists, (h) rehabilitation support workers employed by the Ministry of Defence, (i) physiotherapists employed by other healthcare providers, (j) physiotherapists employed in social care, (k) physiotherapists employed by local authorities, (l) therapy support workers employed by other healthcare providers, (m) academic or research physiotherapists working in higher education, and (n) self employed physiotherapists.

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026. Contributions will now be analysed, and the findings will support the development of the final model.Economic and equality impact assessments will be conducted on the final model and published in due course.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department's policies of the146 cases of non-compliance in British laboratories described in the Animals in Science Regulation Unit Annual Report 2024, involving a total of 22,204 animals.

All establishments licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act1986 are required to meet standards of animal protections as set out in the Act and in the associated Code of Practice. The Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) conducts a programme of regular audits to assure compliance and takes any instance of non-compliance extremely seriously.ASRU’s annual report for 2024 shows a reduction in the instances of non-compliance from 169 cases in 2023 to 146 in 2024. While 22,204 animals were involved in these incidents, only a small proportion -189 animals - were found to have experienced adverse outcomes, a significant reduction from 553 in 2023. The species most affected were fish (99) and mice (58).ASRU’s published Compliance Policy (www.gov.uk/guidance/animal-testing- and-research-compliance-with-aspa) sets out how the regulator identifies, investigates and responds to potential incidents of non-compliance, and how it applies proportionate measures and sanctions where breaches are found. These actions are designed to drive sustained improvements in compliance, strengthen governance and ensure the principles of the replacement, reduction and refinement (the 3Rs) are fully embedded.

What assessment she had made of trends in the number of animals who died or were euthanised following non-compliance incidents as reported in the Animals in Science Regulation Unit Annual Report 2024.

Any incident of non‑compliance with the ASPA, including those where animals died or were euthanised following non-compliance, is taken seriously and investigated in line with ASRU’s published compliance framework The framework explains how potential breaches are assessed and how proportionate, evidence based regulatory actions are determined (www.gov.uk/guidance/animal-testing-and-research-compliance-with-aspa).All licensed establishments must uphold the standards for animal protections as set out in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) and the associated Code of PracticeASRU assesses trends and underlying causes of non-compliance as part of its Annual Report. This analysis informs ASRU’s actions that are designed to strengthen compliance, address identified risks and support continuous improvement in animal protections.

With reference to the report from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Adoption and Permanence entitled Adoptee Voices, published on 28 January 2026, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a national adoptee forum.

Adoption England already has a well-established National Youth Forum. Young people who contributed to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Adoption and Permanence’s Adoptee Voices report can join the Forum to share their views and influence the government and others involved in developing policy. The government particularly wants to hear from adoptees and those with lived experience of adoption. That is why we are seeking their views specifically through our consultation on the future of adoption support. The consultation document can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/adoption-support-that-works-for-all.

With reference to the report from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Adoption and Permanence entitled Adoptee Voices, published on 28 January 2026, if she will take steps to provide additional support for adoptees in schools.

All children and young people should have every opportunity to achieve and thrive, but too many face barriers holding them back. The upcoming Schools White Paper will set out our vision for a system that delivers educational excellence for every child and young person, no matter their background or circumstance.Local authorities have a statutory duty to promote the educational achievement of previously looked-after children, including children adopted from state care, and must appoint a Virtual School Head to discharge this duty. All maintained schools and academies must appoint a designated teacher to provide advice and expertise on the needs of previously looked-after children on their roll. Previously looked-after children have highest priority in school admissions and attract Pupil Premium Plus funding of £2,630 per child per year to support improved educational outcomes.Through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, we are committed to updating statutory guidance for Virtual School Heads, including strengthening sections on promoting the educational outcomes of previously looked-after children. In doing so, we will consider the findings of the report to ensure guidance reflects the experiences and needs raised by adoptees. This will support greater consistency and ensure good practice is shared across the system.

With reference to the report from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Adoption and Permanence entitled Adoptee Voices, published on 28 January 2026, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of offering every adoptee at least one adoptee-specific peer group and space during adolescence and early adulthood.

Young people involved in Adoption England’s National Youth Forum and regional adoption agency peer groups have spoken about how these groups have helped them explore and strengthen their identity, as well as to develop friendships with peers who understand their background. That is why our new consultation on the future of adoption support, “Adoption support that works for all”, includes proposals to increase opportunities for all young people to be involved in peer-led support groups, mentoring schemes, and wider community-based activities. This will help young people develop friendships and networks which can last a lifetime. The consultation can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/adoption-support-that-works-for-all.

With reference to the report from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Adoption and Permanence entitled Adoptee Voices, published on 28 January 2026, if she will take steps to provide (a) a safe space in school and colleges for adoptees and (b) a teacher in each school to support adoptees.

All children and young people should have every opportunity to achieve and thrive, but too many face barriers holding them back. The upcoming Schools White Paper will set out our vision for a system that delivers educational excellence for every child and young person, no matter their background or circumstance.Local authorities have a statutory duty to promote the educational achievement of previously looked-after children, including children adopted from state care, and must appoint a Virtual School Head to discharge this duty. All maintained schools and academies must appoint a designated teacher to provide advice and expertise on the needs of previously looked-after children on their roll. Previously looked-after children have highest priority in school admissions and attract Pupil Premium Plus funding of £2,630 per child per year to support improved educational outcomes.Through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, we are committed to updating statutory guidance for Virtual School Heads, including strengthening sections on promoting the educational outcomes of previously looked-after children. In doing so, we will consider the findings of the report to ensure guidance reflects the experiences and needs raised by adoptees. This will support greater consistency and ensure good practice is shared across the system.