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Written question asked by Baroness Coussins (Crossbench) on Thursday, 19 December 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 January 2025. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Monday, 6 January 2025 on behalf of the Department for Education.


Mandarin Language: Education

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Department for Education will consult the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the security services before it makes a decision on the funding of the Mandarin Excellence Programme beyond August 2025.

Answer

The government appreciates the benefits that studying Mandarin can bring to the workforce needs of the United Kingdom.

The government has recently confirmed funding for the Mandarin Excellence Programme until the end of this academic year, when the current contract ends. The department will work with all interested parties across government to consider the future approach to supporting Mandarin language learning beyond August 2025, to meet the UK’s varied needs for a pipeline of Mandarin language speakers.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3649
Session
2024-26
Related items
Mandarin Language: Education
Tuesday, 4 March 2025
Written questions
House of Lords
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Education Finance Mandarin language
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk