VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Pre-school Education: Standards

Asked by John McDonnellLabourDepartment for EducationTabled Answered 9 May 2025UIN 48347

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of planned disability benefit changes on rates of school readiness.

Answered by Stephen Morgan

The ‘Pathways to Work’ green paper, published in March 2025, sets out plans and proposals to reform health and disability benefits and employment support. The reforms will ensure the most vulnerable and severely disabled people are protected while ensuring everyone who can work receives the active support they need. This includes an extra £1 billion for personalised health, skills and employment support for sick and disabled people. The department knows that good work brings higher incomes, dignity and can significantly reduce the chances of falling into poverty.

The reforms to disability benefit were part of a wider range of reforms, and so the specific impact on school readiness has not been assessed.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim