Written questions by Andrew.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that Plan 2 student loan borrowers are informed of the changes to repayment thresholds due to take effect in April 2027.

The government announced on 26 November 2025, as part of Autumn Budget 2025, the repayment threshold to apply to English Plan 2 student loans from April 2027 to April 2030. The Student Loans Company (SLC) publish confirmation of the repayment threshold to apply in the upcoming financial year annually on GOV.UK. Further, SLC have extensive guidance on the operation of the student loan repayments system available on GOV.UK, including confirmation of the current repayment threshold.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of freezing the Plan 2 student loan repayment threshold from April 2027 on existing student loan borrowers.

It was announced at the Autumn Budget that the repayment and interest thresholds for Plan 2 student loans will be frozen from the 2026/27 financial year until April 2030, when they will increase annually by inflation.The department has produced the attached analysis regarding the impact of freezing the repayment and interest thresholds.If a borrower is earning above the repayment threshold and their income stays the same, then their repayments will remain the same. If a borrower is not earning above the repayment threshold and their income remains the same, they will continue to not be required to make any repayments.

Whether her Department has conducted an equality impact assessment on the freeze to the Plan 2 student loan repayment threshold due to take effect in April 2027.

It was announced at the Autumn Budget that the repayment and interest thresholds for Plan 2 student loans will be frozen from the 2026/27 financial year until April 2030, when they will increase annually by inflation.The department will release an equalities impact assessment, including the impact on lifetime repayments, alongside other borrower impacts for the Plan 2 repayment threshold and interest threshold freeze announced at the Autumn Budget.

What estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of the freeze to the repayment threshold from April 2027 on average annual repayments for Plan 2 student loan borrowers.

It was announced at the Autumn Budget that the repayment and interest thresholds for Plan 2 student loans will be frozen from the 2026/27 financial year until April 2030, when they will increase annually by inflation.The department has produced the attached analysis regarding the impact of freezing the repayment and interest thresholds.If a borrower is earning above the repayment threshold and their income stays the same, then their repayments will remain the same. If a borrower is not earning above the repayment threshold and their income remains the same, they will continue to not be required to make any repayments.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of supporting the roll-out of evidence-based parenting programmes through the Start for Life offer to all local authorities.

The government has confirmed over £500 million of funding allocated for the delivery of Best Start Family Hubs, which includes funding for parenting programmes.Through these Hubs, all local authorities will deliver parenting evidence-based interventions (EBIs) for families with 3 to 4-year-olds from April 2026. The department will be sharing a ‘menu’ of EBIs that has been developed in collaboration with expert partners and informed by sources such as the Foundations Guidebook and Nesta’s Call for Evidence. The ‘menu’ will preference EBIs that have undergone the most rigorous evaluation, to reflect our ambition to support local authorities to invest in programmes most likely to have the greatest impact. This will ensure that parenting support is rooted in robust evidence.

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the finding from The University of Manchester article entitled Transforming children and young people’s futures through PE, school sport, and physical activity, published in February 2025, that 43% of pupils spend over four hours daily on screens.

The government is committed to breaking down the barriers to accessing sport and physical activity for children and young people, including girls. Our manifesto set out our intention to support more children to be active by protecting time for physical education in schools and working across government to support the role grassroots clubs play in expanding access to sport and physical activity. The department acknowledges that there is a potential opportunity cost where excessive screen time displaces positive activities for children, including exercise. Across departments, the government is also considering the recommendations of the previous Education Committee’s report ‘Screen Time: Impacts on education and wellbeing’. In November 2024, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology announced a feasibility study on methods and data to understand the impact of smartphones and social media on children. The study, being conducted by the University of Cambridge and a wider consortium of experts from a range of universities, began on 2 December 2024 and will run for six months, until May 2025.

If she will hold discussions with (a) educators, (b) other practitioners and (c) school leaders on the development of physical education infrastructure in schools.

This government is committed to securing the infrastructure needed to protect time for physical education in schools and to support the role grassroots clubs play in expanding access to sport.The department will continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders including teachers, school leaders and sports organisations on how to achieve these manifesto commitments.

Whether she plans to provide funding for the PE and sport premium for primary schools in the 2025-26 financial year.

The government is dedicated to increasing children's activity levels by protecting physical education (PE) time and supporting grassroots clubs to expand access to sports for all girls and boys. Through our independent, expert-led Curriculum and Assessment Review, we will seek to deliver a curriculum which is rich, broad and inclusive, ensuring all children and young people have the best start in life and have equal opportunities to participate in high quality PE, sports and physical activities.Further information on budgets for the 2025/26 academic year will be shared in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that all school-age children have access to high quality physical education.

The government is dedicated to increasing children's activity levels by protecting physical education (PE) time and supporting grassroots clubs to expand access to sports for all girls and boys. Through our independent, expert-led Curriculum and Assessment Review, we will seek to deliver a curriculum which is rich, broad and inclusive, ensuring all children and young people have the best start in life and have equal opportunities to participate in high quality PE, sports and physical activities.Further information on budgets for the 2025/26 academic year will be shared in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to help ensure young performers are (a) not (i) overworked and (ii) financially abused and (b) otherwise safeguarded in the context of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

The existing legislation on child performance is already sufficient. Under S37 of the Children and Young Persons Act (1963), a licence must be obtained before children can take part in certain types of performance, both professional and amateur, and in paid sport and modelling. The licensing system is administered by local authorities. A licence will only be granted by the local authority once it is assured that the child’s education, health, and wellbeing will not suffer, and the conditions of the licence will be observed. The current system provides a check that those responsible for such activities make suitable arrangements to safeguard the children involved and that any potential risks are mitigated. The needs of children, their wellbeing and education are paramount. Indeed, producers and organisers have a responsibility to ensure that each child is kept safe and that their education does not suffer. All schools can grant leaves of absence for pupils to participate in a regulated performance (paid or unpaid) during school hours. Schools maintained by a local authority and special schools not maintained by a local authority can only do so in the following circumstances, under regulation 11(2) of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024:Where the local authority has granted a licence for the pupil to take part in a performance regulated by section 37(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963.Where a pupil does not need a licence for such a performance because an exception applies under section 37(3) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, including where a Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) covering the pupil has been issued by the local authority where the performance will take place or by the Secretary of State.Where a Justice of the Peace has given the pupil a licence to go abroad for a performance or other regulated purpose under section 25(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. On each occasion that schools take the attendance register they must record whether each registered pupil is physically present in school or, if not, the reason they are not in school by using the appropriate national attendance and absence codes from regulation 10 of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024. The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 set out details of what safeguards must be in place to ensure that children do not perform excessively, limits are placed on performance duration, and requirements for breaks are set out, as well as ensuring that children do not also work on days that they are performing. They also set out arrangements for tutoring should they be absent from school to ensure that their education does not suffer. Requirements for chaperones, travel, changing, and accommodation arrangements are also defined. The premises for any performance must also be approved by the local authority. These regulations are vital to children performing in a safe environment whilst ensuring that their education and wellbeing does not suffer. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is also strengthening child employment legislation, giving greater opportunities for meaningful suitable employment to children, whilst ensuring it does not have a negative impact on their health, development, and education.

Whether her Department plans to take steps to ensure that young performers are positively recorded in the absent register following the passage of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

The existing legislation on child performance is already sufficient. Under S37 of the Children and Young Persons Act (1963), a licence must be obtained before children can take part in certain types of performance, both professional and amateur, and in paid sport and modelling. The licensing system is administered by local authorities. A licence will only be granted by the local authority once it is assured that the child’s education, health, and wellbeing will not suffer, and the conditions of the licence will be observed. The current system provides a check that those responsible for such activities make suitable arrangements to safeguard the children involved and that any potential risks are mitigated. The needs of children, their wellbeing and education are paramount. Indeed, producers and organisers have a responsibility to ensure that each child is kept safe and that their education does not suffer. All schools can grant leaves of absence for pupils to participate in a regulated performance (paid or unpaid) during school hours. Schools maintained by a local authority and special schools not maintained by a local authority can only do so in the following circumstances, under regulation 11(2) of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024:Where the local authority has granted a licence for the pupil to take part in a performance regulated by section 37(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963.Where a pupil does not need a licence for such a performance because an exception applies under section 37(3) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, including where a Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) covering the pupil has been issued by the local authority where the performance will take place or by the Secretary of State.Where a Justice of the Peace has given the pupil a licence to go abroad for a performance or other regulated purpose under section 25(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. On each occasion that schools take the attendance register they must record whether each registered pupil is physically present in school or, if not, the reason they are not in school by using the appropriate national attendance and absence codes from regulation 10 of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024. The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 set out details of what safeguards must be in place to ensure that children do not perform excessively, limits are placed on performance duration, and requirements for breaks are set out, as well as ensuring that children do not also work on days that they are performing. They also set out arrangements for tutoring should they be absent from school to ensure that their education does not suffer. Requirements for chaperones, travel, changing, and accommodation arrangements are also defined. The premises for any performance must also be approved by the local authority. These regulations are vital to children performing in a safe environment whilst ensuring that their education and wellbeing does not suffer. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is also strengthening child employment legislation, giving greater opportunities for meaningful suitable employment to children, whilst ensuring it does not have a negative impact on their health, development, and education.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of safeguarding provisions in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill for young performers absent from school for work.

The existing legislation on child performance is already sufficient. Under S37 of the Children and Young Persons Act (1963), a licence must be obtained before children can take part in certain types of performance, both professional and amateur, and in paid sport and modelling. The licensing system is administered by local authorities. A licence will only be granted by the local authority once it is assured that the child’s education, health, and wellbeing will not suffer, and the conditions of the licence will be observed. The current system provides a check that those responsible for such activities make suitable arrangements to safeguard the children involved and that any potential risks are mitigated. The needs of children, their wellbeing and education are paramount. Indeed, producers and organisers have a responsibility to ensure that each child is kept safe and that their education does not suffer. All schools can grant leaves of absence for pupils to participate in a regulated performance (paid or unpaid) during school hours. Schools maintained by a local authority and special schools not maintained by a local authority can only do so in the following circumstances, under regulation 11(2) of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024:Where the local authority has granted a licence for the pupil to take part in a performance regulated by section 37(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963.Where a pupil does not need a licence for such a performance because an exception applies under section 37(3) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, including where a Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) covering the pupil has been issued by the local authority where the performance will take place or by the Secretary of State.Where a Justice of the Peace has given the pupil a licence to go abroad for a performance or other regulated purpose under section 25(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. On each occasion that schools take the attendance register they must record whether each registered pupil is physically present in school or, if not, the reason they are not in school by using the appropriate national attendance and absence codes from regulation 10 of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024. The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 set out details of what safeguards must be in place to ensure that children do not perform excessively, limits are placed on performance duration, and requirements for breaks are set out, as well as ensuring that children do not also work on days that they are performing. They also set out arrangements for tutoring should they be absent from school to ensure that their education does not suffer. Requirements for chaperones, travel, changing, and accommodation arrangements are also defined. The premises for any performance must also be approved by the local authority. These regulations are vital to children performing in a safe environment whilst ensuring that their education and wellbeing does not suffer. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is also strengthening child employment legislation, giving greater opportunities for meaningful suitable employment to children, whilst ensuring it does not have a negative impact on their health, development, and education.

What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that young performers who are absent from school receive an appropriate education.

The existing legislation on child performance is already sufficient. Under S37 of the Children and Young Persons Act (1963), a licence must be obtained before children can take part in certain types of performance, both professional and amateur, and in paid sport and modelling. The licensing system is administered by local authorities. A licence will only be granted by the local authority once it is assured that the child’s education, health, and wellbeing will not suffer, and the conditions of the licence will be observed. The current system provides a check that those responsible for such activities make suitable arrangements to safeguard the children involved and that any potential risks are mitigated. The needs of children, their wellbeing and education are paramount. Indeed, producers and organisers have a responsibility to ensure that each child is kept safe and that their education does not suffer. All schools can grant leaves of absence for pupils to participate in a regulated performance (paid or unpaid) during school hours. Schools maintained by a local authority and special schools not maintained by a local authority can only do so in the following circumstances, under regulation 11(2) of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024:Where the local authority has granted a licence for the pupil to take part in a performance regulated by section 37(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963.Where a pupil does not need a licence for such a performance because an exception applies under section 37(3) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, including where a Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) covering the pupil has been issued by the local authority where the performance will take place or by the Secretary of State.Where a Justice of the Peace has given the pupil a licence to go abroad for a performance or other regulated purpose under section 25(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. On each occasion that schools take the attendance register they must record whether each registered pupil is physically present in school or, if not, the reason they are not in school by using the appropriate national attendance and absence codes from regulation 10 of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024. The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 set out details of what safeguards must be in place to ensure that children do not perform excessively, limits are placed on performance duration, and requirements for breaks are set out, as well as ensuring that children do not also work on days that they are performing. They also set out arrangements for tutoring should they be absent from school to ensure that their education does not suffer. Requirements for chaperones, travel, changing, and accommodation arrangements are also defined. The premises for any performance must also be approved by the local authority. These regulations are vital to children performing in a safe environment whilst ensuring that their education and wellbeing does not suffer. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is also strengthening child employment legislation, giving greater opportunities for meaningful suitable employment to children, whilst ensuring it does not have a negative impact on their health, development, and education.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill on local authority licensing for young performers who are absent from schools for performing engagements.

The existing legislation on child performance is already sufficient. Under S37 of the Children and Young Persons Act (1963), a licence must be obtained before children can take part in certain types of performance, both professional and amateur, and in paid sport and modelling. The licensing system is administered by local authorities. A licence will only be granted by the local authority once it is assured that the child’s education, health, and wellbeing will not suffer, and the conditions of the licence will be observed. The current system provides a check that those responsible for such activities make suitable arrangements to safeguard the children involved and that any potential risks are mitigated. The needs of children, their wellbeing and education are paramount. Indeed, producers and organisers have a responsibility to ensure that each child is kept safe and that their education does not suffer. All schools can grant leaves of absence for pupils to participate in a regulated performance (paid or unpaid) during school hours. Schools maintained by a local authority and special schools not maintained by a local authority can only do so in the following circumstances, under regulation 11(2) of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024:Where the local authority has granted a licence for the pupil to take part in a performance regulated by section 37(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963.Where a pupil does not need a licence for such a performance because an exception applies under section 37(3) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, including where a Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) covering the pupil has been issued by the local authority where the performance will take place or by the Secretary of State.Where a Justice of the Peace has given the pupil a licence to go abroad for a performance or other regulated purpose under section 25(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. On each occasion that schools take the attendance register they must record whether each registered pupil is physically present in school or, if not, the reason they are not in school by using the appropriate national attendance and absence codes from regulation 10 of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024. The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 set out details of what safeguards must be in place to ensure that children do not perform excessively, limits are placed on performance duration, and requirements for breaks are set out, as well as ensuring that children do not also work on days that they are performing. They also set out arrangements for tutoring should they be absent from school to ensure that their education does not suffer. Requirements for chaperones, travel, changing, and accommodation arrangements are also defined. The premises for any performance must also be approved by the local authority. These regulations are vital to children performing in a safe environment whilst ensuring that their education and wellbeing does not suffer. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is also strengthening child employment legislation, giving greater opportunities for meaningful suitable employment to children, whilst ensuring it does not have a negative impact on their health, development, and education.

What financial support she plans to provide to the Early Years sector to help manage the impact of proposed changes to employer National Insurance contributions.

I refer the right hon. Member for Daventry to the answer of 11 November 2024 to Question 12804.

What steps she is taking to embed a Whole Education Approach to mental health and wellbeing in all education settings.

​​The government is committed to improving mental health outcomes for all children and young people, as this is critical to breaking down barriers to opportunity and learning.The department, along with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, provides guidance to schools and colleges on a whole school or college approach to promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing, which can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/614cc965d3bf7f718518029c/Promoting_children_and_young_people_s_mental_health_and_wellbeing.pdf. The department has also provided a free to access resource hub for mental health leads, which can be found here: https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/whole-school-or-college-resources/.Over 70% of all schools and colleges have accessed grants from the department to train a senior mental health lead, who develops their knowledge and skills to embed a whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing. Information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/senior-mental-health-lead-training. In addition, as of April 2024, Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) cover 44% (4.2 million) of pupils in schools and learners in further education (FE) in England. Coverage of MHSTs is expected to cover at least 50% by the end of March 2025.A key part of our approach is ensuring the right support is available to every young person that needs it, which is why we have committed to provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school. The government will also be putting in place new Young Futures hubs, including access to mental health support workers, and will recruit an additional 8,500 new mental health staff to treat children and adults.For early years settings, the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets the standards and requirements that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children have the best start in life and are kept healthy and safe. The EYFS statutory framework can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2.The department works closely with the FE sector to support providers to develop and implement a whole college approach to mental health and wellbeing. This is supported by the Association of Colleges refreshed Mental Health and Wellbeing Charter, which was published in March 2024.To raise standards in the higher education sector, the Office for Students has provided £400,000 of funding to the student mental health charity, Student Minds. This has enabled significant expansion of the University Mental Health Charter Programme, with 113 universities now signed up. The programme helps universities to adopt a whole institution approach to mental health.