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Written question asked by Baroness Coussins (Crossbench) on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 27 January 2026. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 January 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.


Languages: GCE A-level

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what the basis was for the decision not to introduce an advanced languages premium to boost A level take-up.

Answer

In our response to the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review we made a commitment to work with the sector to understand successful approaches to supporting the languages pipeline, starting at primary by reforming the curriculum, increasing take up at GCSE, and boosting demand at A level and degree level, to meet future social and economic needs.

We also want to learn from successful approaches such as the ‘Languages for All’ programme in partnership with Royal Holloway University of London, which has doubled the number of students studying modern languages at A level, through their pilot in Hounslow.

The department will support teachers to implement changes to the curriculum, though continued investment in the National Consortium for Languages Education, which provides high quality professional development and wraparound support for language teachers, with national reach.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL13523
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Languages GCE A-level
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk