Every parliamentary written question tabled by Shockat Adam this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–18 of 18 · Department for Education
Whether her Department is taking steps to restore public access to the Multiverse online professional development materials for teachers, archived by the Department in 2011, including the research contributions of individual educators who have since lost access to their publicly-funded work; and whether she will consider commissioning an update and relaunch of those materials.
Awaiting answer.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of Social Work England’s decision to raise annual registration fees on the (a) recruitment, (b) retention and (c) wellbeing of social workers; and whether her Department plans to (i) review and (ii) mitigate that increase.
After undertaking a consultation exercise, Social Work England has increased registration and renewal fees. Social Work England released an equality impact assessment alongside their consultation response.Registration and renewal fees have not increased since 2015 and the decision to increase fees was necessary to ensure the continuation of effective regulation of the social worker profession, thereby ensuring the protection of the public.Social workers may be able to claim tax on professional member fees. Details on how to do this can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/professional-fees-and-subscriptions.Additionally, social workers have the option to pay registration and renewal fees in full or in two instalments in October and the following April.
Whether declarations of interest were made by (a) Ruth Miskin, (b) Read Write Inc and (c) other (i) individuals and (ii) organisations involved in (A) drafting and (B) advising on the new Writing Framework.
The writing framework is the department’s initial step in a broader, long-term strategy aimed at enhancing the teaching of writing and raising attainment in schools. It was developed with input from an expert panel, all of whom had to declare any potential conflicts of interest, and with support from a wider group of other experts and organisations, including a range of commercial programme providers, academics and leading practitioners, to ensure a diverse and valuable range of perspectives. The writing framework does not support or promote any specific individual or organisation. The framework also makes it clear that there is no requirement for schools to adopt commercially produced programmes. However, the framework offers guidance to help schools evaluate their options and ensure any programme they choose is underpinned by a strong, evidence-based rationale.
What steps she has taken to prevent conflicts of interest during the development of the new Writing Framework for primary schools.
The writing framework is the department’s initial step in a broader, long-term strategy aimed at enhancing the teaching of writing and raising attainment in schools. It was developed with input from an expert panel, all of whom had to declare any potential conflicts of interest, and with support from a wider group of other experts and organisations, including a range of commercial programme providers, academics and leading practitioners, to ensure a diverse and valuable range of perspectives. The writing framework does not support or promote any specific individual or organisation. The framework also makes it clear that there is no requirement for schools to adopt commercially produced programmes. However, the framework offers guidance to help schools evaluate their options and ensure any programme they choose is underpinned by a strong, evidence-based rationale.
If she will make it her policy to introduce mandatory neurodiversity training for all (a) teachers and (b) education staff.
The department is committed to improving support for all children and young people. Statutory Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Teacher induction training must cover adaptive teaching and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and this includes training which would support effective teaching of neurodiverse pupils.The department has reviewed the content for the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework, adding significantly more content related to adaptive teaching and supporting and improving inclusivity for pupils with SEND.From September 2025, the department has also enhanced the requirement on providers of Early Career Teacher training to develop, in conjunction with educational experts, SEND specific training materials.The government is expanding the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme, providing neurodiversity training to teachers and staff in a further 1200 mainstream primary schools.The department recognises that continuous improvement is essential and have committed to a full review of the Early Career Teacher Entitlement in 2027.
How many nursery providers have closed in England in each year since 2018; and what data her Department holds on the reasons for those closures.
The government’s Plan for Change sets out a commitment to give children the best start in life, breaking the link between background and opportunity.Ofsted publishes data on the numbers of all types of providers joining and leaving the sector each year. Some caution is required in using the numbers because, for example, a nursery may resign one registration and immediately register new provision. Please also note that this data was released under the previous government: 2017/182018/192019/202020/212021/222022/232023/24Childcare providers leaving the sector-10,900-10,600-8,270-11,300-11,100-9,650-7,520Childcare providers joining the sector9,1407,8707,4006,9905,6906,3306,490Net change-1,760-2,730-870-4,310-5,410-3,320-1,030Note that from 2019/20, the numbers of annual joiners and leavers are calculated by comparing the beginning of the year to the end. Therefore, the numbers of providers joining and leaving from 2019/20 are not comparable with the figures up to 2018/19.Ofsted’s most recent publication shows the number of places available increased by 12,100 (1%) between August 2023 and August 2024. The department’s projections on demand for places are not published by region but show that around half of local areas need to increase their capacity by between 10% and 20% to meet demand for September 2025, with the highest uplift being in some of the most disadvantaged areas.
What the average hourly funding rate provided to local authorities for the delivery of free nursery places in England was in each year since 2018.
It is our ambition that all families have access to high-quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, giving every child the best start in life. This is key to the government’s Plan for Change, which starts with reaching the milestone of a record number of children being ready for school. That also means ensuring the sector is financially sustainable and confident as it continues to deliver entitlements and high-quality early years provision going forward.In 2025/26 alone, this government plans to spend over £8 billion on early years entitlements and we have increased the early years pupil premium by over 45%. On top of this, we are providing further supplementary funding of £75 million for the Early Years Expansion Grant.To set early years funding rates, we uplift the national average rate from the previous year taking into account cost pressures facing the sector, including forecasts of average earnings and inflation, and the National Living Wage. We use the early years national funding formulae (EYNFF) to distribute the early years entitlements budget to local authorities. The EYNFF includes a base rate for each child, which is the same minimum funding for every child no matter where they live or whether they have additional needs. This rate is based on the core costs of childcare provision and has been informed by the cost of childcare review.To make sure we can account for the differences in costs across the country, such as on staffing and premises costs, we also apply an area cost adjustment for each area. This approach only increases funding, it never reduces the base rate or additional needs funding.The average hourly funding rate provided for 3 and 4-year-olds since 2018 is as follows: Year3 and 4-year-old combined rate2017/18£4.762018/19£4.752019/20£4.752020/21£4.832021/22£4.882022/23£5.042023/24 (April – August)£5.282023/24 (September – March)£5.622024/25£5.882025/26£6.12
What estimate her Department has made of regional variations in the cost of delivering nursery provision in England.
It is our ambition that all families have access to high-quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, giving every child the best start in life. This is key to the government’s Plan for Change, which starts with reaching the milestone of a record number of children being ready for school. That also means ensuring the sector is financially sustainable and confident as it continues to deliver entitlements and high-quality early years provision going forward.In 2025/26 alone, this government plans to spend over £8 billion on early years entitlements and we have increased the early years pupil premium by over 45%. On top of this, we are providing further supplementary funding of £75 million for the Early Years Expansion Grant.To set early years funding rates, we uplift the national average rate from the previous year taking into account cost pressures facing the sector, including forecasts of average earnings and inflation, and the National Living Wage. We use the early years national funding formulae (EYNFF) to distribute the early years entitlements budget to local authorities. The EYNFF includes a base rate for each child, which is the same minimum funding for every child no matter where they live or whether they have additional needs. This rate is based on the core costs of childcare provision and has been informed by the cost of childcare review.To make sure we can account for the differences in costs across the country, such as on staffing and premises costs, we also apply an area cost adjustment for each area. This approach only increases funding, it never reduces the base rate or additional needs funding.The average hourly funding rate provided for 3 and 4-year-olds since 2018 is as follows: Year3 and 4-year-old combined rate2017/18£4.762018/19£4.752019/20£4.752020/21£4.832021/22£4.882022/23£5.042023/24 (April – August)£5.282023/24 (September – March)£5.622024/25£5.882025/26£6.12
What comparative estimate her Department has made of the (a) number of available nursery places and (b) demand for those places in England by region.
The government’s Plan for Change sets out a commitment to give children the best start in life, breaking the link between background and opportunity.Ofsted publishes data on the numbers of all types of providers joining and leaving the sector each year. Some caution is required in using the numbers because, for example, a nursery may resign one registration and immediately register new provision. Please also note that this data was released under the previous government: 2017/182018/192019/202020/212021/222022/232023/24Childcare providers leaving the sector-10,900-10,600-8,270-11,300-11,100-9,650-7,520Childcare providers joining the sector9,1407,8707,4006,9905,6906,3306,490Net change-1,760-2,730-870-4,310-5,410-3,320-1,030Note that from 2019/20, the numbers of annual joiners and leavers are calculated by comparing the beginning of the year to the end. Therefore, the numbers of providers joining and leaving from 2019/20 are not comparable with the figures up to 2018/19.Ofsted’s most recent publication shows the number of places available increased by 12,100 (1%) between August 2023 and August 2024. The department’s projections on demand for places are not published by region but show that around half of local areas need to increase their capacity by between 10% and 20% to meet demand for September 2025, with the highest uplift being in some of the most disadvantaged areas.
What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding rates for early years providers offering free nursery places.
It is our ambition that all families have access to high-quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, giving every child the best start in life. This is key to the government’s Plan for Change, which starts with reaching the milestone of a record number of children being ready for school. That also means ensuring the sector is financially sustainable and confident as it continues to deliver entitlements and high-quality early years provision going forward.In 2025/26 alone, this government plans to spend over £8 billion on early years entitlements and we have increased the early years pupil premium by over 45%. On top of this, we are providing further supplementary funding of £75 million for the Early Years Expansion Grant.To set early years funding rates, we uplift the national average rate from the previous year taking into account cost pressures facing the sector, including forecasts of average earnings and inflation, and the National Living Wage. We use the early years national funding formulae (EYNFF) to distribute the early years entitlements budget to local authorities. The EYNFF includes a base rate for each child, which is the same minimum funding for every child no matter where they live or whether they have additional needs. This rate is based on the core costs of childcare provision and has been informed by the cost of childcare review.To make sure we can account for the differences in costs across the country, such as on staffing and premises costs, we also apply an area cost adjustment for each area. This approach only increases funding, it never reduces the base rate or additional needs funding.The average hourly funding rate provided for 3 and 4-year-olds since 2018 is as follows: Year3 and 4-year-old combined rate2017/18£4.762018/19£4.752019/20£4.752020/21£4.832021/22£4.882022/23£5.042023/24 (April – August)£5.282023/24 (September – March)£5.622024/25£5.882025/26£6.12
What steps her Department is taking to support the financial sustainability of nursery providers in the context of changes to free childcare entitlement.
The government’s Plan for Change sets out a commitment to give children the best start in life, breaking the link between background and opportunity. We want a record proportion of children (75%) to achieve a good level of development by the end of reception by 2028. By focusing on child development rather than just childcare, the government aims to ensure that children are better prepared for school and future learning.In 2025/26 alone, we plan to provide over £8 billion for the early years entitlements. This is a more than 30% increase compared to 2024/25, as we roll out the expansion of the entitlements.As announced at the Spending Review, the government will provide an additional £1.6 billion per year by 2028/29, compared to 2025/26, to continue the expansion of government-funded childcare for working parents. Employment Allowance is being increased to protect businesses by providing relief of up to £10,500 per annum on their employer Class 1 National Insurance contributions liabilities from 6 April 2025. Early years childcare providers are entitled to claim the Employment Allowance if they are private businesses or charities, and we expect the vast majority will be eligible to do so.
What estimate her Department has made of the average shortfall between Government funding and the actual cost to nurseries of delivering a funded nursery place.
It is our ambition that all families have access to high-quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, giving every child the best start in life. This is key to the government’s Plan for Change, which starts with reaching the milestone of a record number of children being ready for school. That also means ensuring the sector is financially sustainable and confident as it continues to deliver entitlements and high-quality early years provision going forward.In 2025/26 alone, this government plans to spend over £8 billion on early years entitlements and we have increased the early years pupil premium by over 45%. On top of this, we are providing further supplementary funding of £75 million for the Early Years Expansion Grant.To set early years funding rates, we uplift the national average rate from the previous year taking into account cost pressures facing the sector, including forecasts of average earnings and inflation, and the National Living Wage. We use the early years national funding formulae (EYNFF) to distribute the early years entitlements budget to local authorities. The EYNFF includes a base rate for each child, which is the same minimum funding for every child no matter where they live or whether they have additional needs. This rate is based on the core costs of childcare provision and has been informed by the cost of childcare review.To make sure we can account for the differences in costs across the country, such as on staffing and premises costs, we also apply an area cost adjustment for each area. This approach only increases funding, it never reduces the base rate or additional needs funding.The average hourly funding rate provided for 3 and 4-year-olds since 2018 is as follows: Year3 and 4-year-old combined rate2017/18£4.762018/19£4.752019/20£4.752020/21£4.832021/22£4.882022/23£5.042023/24 (April – August)£5.282023/24 (September – March)£5.622024/25£5.882025/26£6.12
How many new nursery settings have opened in England in each year since 2018.
The government’s Plan for Change sets out a commitment to give children the best start in life, breaking the link between background and opportunity.Ofsted publishes data on the numbers of all types of providers joining and leaving the sector each year. Some caution is required in using the numbers because, for example, a nursery may resign one registration and immediately register new provision. Please also note that this data was released under the previous government: 2017/182018/192019/202020/212021/222022/232023/24Childcare providers leaving the sector-10,900-10,600-8,270-11,300-11,100-9,650-7,520Childcare providers joining the sector9,1407,8707,4006,9905,6906,3306,490Net change-1,760-2,730-870-4,310-5,410-3,320-1,030Note that from 2019/20, the numbers of annual joiners and leavers are calculated by comparing the beginning of the year to the end. Therefore, the numbers of providers joining and leaving from 2019/20 are not comparable with the figures up to 2018/19.Ofsted’s most recent publication shows the number of places available increased by 12,100 (1%) between August 2023 and August 2024. The department’s projections on demand for places are not published by region but show that around half of local areas need to increase their capacity by between 10% and 20% to meet demand for September 2025, with the highest uplift being in some of the most disadvantaged areas.
How many free nursery hours were funded in each year since 2018; and what the total cost to the public was in each of those years.
Funding for the early years entitlements is based on part-time equivalent (PTE) hours. We define 1 PTE as 15 hours across 38 weeks a year (570 funded hours per annum).Early years entitlements funding is allocated to local authorities through the early years block of the dedicated schools grant (DSG). DSG allocations are published annually on GOV.UK. The figures requested have been provided in the attached table.Early years entitlements funding is demand led, so allocations are updated to reflect actual take-up throughout the year. Final allocations for a financial year are available in the July following the financial year ending in March.
What progress her Department has made on implementing the recommendations of the Durham Commission on Creativity and Education.
In July 2024, this government established the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE.The Review seeks to deliver a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work. This includes creative subjects such as art, music and drama, as well as skills for life and work.On 18 March, the Review published a well-evidenced, clear interim report, which sets out its interim findings and confirms the key areas for further work.The final report with recommendations will be published this autumn, along with the government’s response. The Review’s recommendations will inform changes to the current system.The Durham Commission report published in 2019 set out a number of recommendations, and some were taken forward by the previous government, Arts Council England and others.This includes the ‘Creativity Collaboratives’ programme established by Arts Council England in 2021 to test innovative practices in teaching for creativity.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund on children facing adoption breakdown.
I refer the hon. Member for Leicester South to the answer of 13 May 2025 to Question 49523.
With reference to Article 7 of UN Resolution A/78/L.67/Rev.1, if she will take steps to introduce observance of the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica to the National Curriculum.
Schools are free to decide which events to commemorate and what activities to put in place to support pupils’ understanding of significant events and particular months or days dedicated to specific historical events, such as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica.Schools also have the opportunity to mark such events though the curriculum, and to teach about the Srebrenica Genocide, for example, through subjects such as history and citizenship.
With reference to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's response to the Government's consultation on the structure, distribution and governance of the statutory levy on gambling operators, published on 27 November 2024, what steps her Department is taking to improve education for (a) children and (b) young people on the issue of gambling harms.
Within schools, statutory relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) supports children and young people to make informed decisions in relation to their mental wellbeing and online behaviour. The RSHE statutory guidance is clear that children and young people should be taught about the risks related to gambling including the accumulation of debt, how advertising and information is targeted at them and how to be a discerning consumer of information online. These subjects support children and young people to develop self-control and their ability to self-regulate, as well as providing strategies for doing so. Young people attending further education (FE) colleges, take part in regular tutor sessions that are devoted to their personal development. This includes financial education and the informed use of money where the dangers of gambling can be discussed. The department continues to work closely with the FE sector to promote and support providers to develop and implement a whole college approach to mental health and wellbeing. This includes establishing Mental Health Support Teams in schools and colleges to provide early intervention for students experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues.