Chris Hinchliff MP: written questions

Written questions

• School Meals: StandardsDepartment for EducationTabled 19 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61427More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Written Statement of 5 June 2025 on School Food, HCWS682, what the (a) timeframe and (b) scope of the consultation on revising School Food Standards will be; and whether that consultation

  Answer: To ensure quality and nutrition in meals for children, the department is acting quickly with experts across the sector to revise the school food standards, so every school is supported with the latest nutrition guidance. The department is currently engagi...

  Answered 26 Jun 2025

  Original Parliament record
• Schools: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 38800More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the timing of the start of the school budget year in April and the academic year in September on schools' ability to budget effectively for staffing

  Answer: Schools are generally funded on the basis of their pupil numbers in the previous October census, therefore meaning the funding that schools receive for the 2025/26 funding year will be based on pupil numbers as of October 2024. This practice means that th...

  Answered 25 Mar 2025

  Original Parliament record
• Schools: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 38799More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the permanent cost of pay rises for primary school teachers implemented in September 2024 has been factored into school budgets beyond April 2025.

  Answer: The overall core schools budget is increasing by £3.2 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, meaning the core schools budget will total over £64.8 billion compared to almost £61.6 billion in the 2024/25 financial year. This includes the £2.3 billion annou...

  Answered 25 Mar 2025

  Original Parliament record
• Special Educational Needs: North East HertfordshireDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 903096More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of special educational provision in North East Hertfordshire constituency.

  Answer: This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.The department wan...

  Answered 10 Mar 2025

  Original Parliament record
• Supply Teachers: Conditions of Employment and PayDepartment for EducationTabled 13 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23641More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what hat assessment she has made of potential steps to improve and the (a) pay and (b) working conditions of supply teachers in North East Hertfordshire constituency.

  Answer: Supply teachers make an important contribution to the smooth running of schools by filling posts on a temporary basis and covering teacher absences.A supply teacher’s pay and working conditions will depend on who employs the supply teacher. Supply teacher...

  Answered 21 Jan 2025

  Original Parliament record
• Schools: TransportDepartment for EducationTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14195More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of expanding free school transport access to include students between 16 and 19 years old.

  Answer: The department recognises that the cost and availability of public transport can be an issue for some 16 to 19 year olds when travelling to their college or sixth form, particularly for those with special educational needs (SEN) or those living in rural a...

  Answered 22 Nov 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Private Education: Special Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8364More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 7 October 2024 to Question 5661 on Private Education: VAT, whether her Department has made a specific assessment of the potential impact of the policy on children with special educatio

  Answer: This government is committed to ending the VAT exemption that private schools enjoy and will confirm the introduction of these changes at the Budget on 30 October. The Office for Budget Responsibility will also certify the government’s costings for these ...

  Answered 18 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Special Educational Needs: HertfordshireDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1445More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the process to secure a SEND diagnosis for children living in North East Hertfordshire.

  Answer: Ofsted inspected local arrangements for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Hertfordshire in July 2023. Its report, published on 10 November 2023, concluded that there are widespread and/or systemic failings, leading to sign...

  Answered 30 Jul 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Special Educational Needs: North East HertfordshireDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1442More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support (a) children with SEND and (b) their parents, families and carers in North East Hertfordshire constituency.

  Answer: This government is committed to providing the necessary support to improve the experiences for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. The department is committed to taking a community-wide appr...

  Answered 26 Jul 2024

  Original Parliament record