Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Children of Military Families: Educational Support

Monday 22 June 2026 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Will Forster asked about the adequacy of educational support for children of military families and suggested increasing the service pupil premium.
  • Jennifer Craft inquired about ensuring that a child's EHCP automatically follows them due to military moves and requested digital solutions and MOD collaboration.
  • Calum Miller asked for a commitment to involve military families in future SEND reforms and consultations.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Will Forster Lib Dem Woking
Education Veterans
Context

The question arises in context of the additional pressures on education and family life due to military service. It highlights a specific case with Brookwood primary school educating many military children.

Question

What assessment has been made of the adequacy of educational support provided to the children of military families? In this Armed Forces Week, will the Government look at what further support they can give, including by increasing the service pupil premium which has gone up by just £20 in two years?

Answer from Georgia Gould

I am visiting a garrison in North Yorkshire in similar circumstances soon to talk to families and schools about particular pressures they face. We are working closely on this matter through the SEND reforms, including national inclusion standards, national specialist provision packages, and digital individual support plans and EHCPs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to increasing service pupil premium or any specific financial support

How: Working Closely On This Matter, Consulting Military Families

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Q2 Will Forster Lib Dem Woking
Children & Families
Context

The question is raised during Armed Forces Week, reflecting on the pride felt by families due to service but also highlighting issues faced by families with SEND children.

Question

What measures is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that when a child with SEND follows their parent due to military service they are not adversely impacted? Will she commit to ensuring these families receive adequate support in navigating special educational needs?

Answer from Georgia Gould

We are working closely on this matter, particularly through the SEND reforms. We are introducing national inclusion standards, national specialist provision packages and digital individual support plans and EHCPs to make it easier for families to move with special educational needs provision.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific measures or commitments beyond existing work on reforms

How: Consulting Military Families, Introducing New Standards And Packages

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Q3 Jennifer Craft Lab Thurrock
Education Defence
Context

The question focuses on the issue that when service families move, their child's EHCP does not automatically follow them, disrupting education and family movement.

Question

Will the Minister work closely with the Ministry of Defence to address the issue where a child's EHCP does not automatically follow them due to military moves? Will she commit to both digital solutions and working closely with MOD on this matter?

Answer from Georgia Gould

Last week, I met a Minister from the Ministry of Defence and we discussed exactly that issue. This is a massive priority for the Government; we are working on it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to any specific actions beyond current work

How: Priority, Working Closely

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Q4 Calum Miller Lib Dem Bicester and Woodstock
Defence Children & Families
Context

The question arises from the work of an all-party parliamentary group on armed forces community, with meetings held to listen and understand issues faced by service families.

Question

Will she make a commitment that service families will be recognised within the work on all future SEND reforms? Will she commit to involving military families in these consultations?

Answer from Georgia Gould

I would like to thank my hon. Friend and the chair of the APPG for organising that meeting; it was an impactful conversation. We will be looking at new ideas from members during our consultation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to including service families in future reforms

How: Consulting Military Families, Impactful Conversations

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Q5 Alex Baker Lab Aldershot
Education Children & Families
Context

The question focuses on the low increase in service pupil premium over two years, highlighting Brookwood primary school's significant number of military children due to nearby Army Training Centre Pirbright.

Question

What further support can be given to military families? Will she consider increasing the service pupil premium which has gone up by just £20 in two years?

Answer from Georgia Gould

I am visiting a garrison soon to talk about pressures faced. We are working closely on this matter, particularly through the SEND reforms. Time and again, I hear from military families that one of the biggest barriers is how hard it can be to move from place to place.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to increasing service pupil premium or other support

How: Working Closely On This Matter, Consulting Military Families

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