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Department for Education: Government Communication Service

Asked by Charlie DewhirstConservativeDepartment for EducationTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 24186

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2026 to Question 3763 and with reference to the Answer of of 19 January 2026 to Question 104195 on Government Communication Service: Staff, how many headcount staff in each of the Department’s Arm’s Length Bodies are (a) members of the Government Communication Network and (b) embedded communicators who are not counted as members of the Government Communication Network.

Answered by Department for Education

The Government Communication Service (GCS) completes an annual data collection for government communicators. The figures provided are from the commission completed in July 2026, where the department provided figures on behalf of its Arm’s Length Bodies.

Arm’s Length Body

Government Communicators Headcount

Standards and Testing Agency

4

Teaching Regulation Agency

0

Oak National Academy

14

Office for Students

20

Office of the Children’s Commissioner

5

School Teachers’ Review Body

0

Social Work England

12

Student Loans Company

55

There are no embedded communicators within the figures provided.

As non-ministerial departments, Ofsted and Ofqual have responsibility for their own staffing. I have asked His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, and Ofqual’s Chief Regulator, Sir Ian Bauckham CBE, to write directly to the hon. Member for Bridlington and the Wolds. A copy of each reply will be placed in the libraries of both Houses.

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