We are currently reviewing the evidence base, including responses to the recent call for evidence on screen use, and this will inform our next steps in supporting schools and ensuring technology is used safely and effectively.

The government is also developing practical, evidence-based guidance on healthy screen use for parents of children aged 5 to 18. This will help parents and carers recognise that technology can bring benefits when used well, including for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The department has not carried out a unique assessment of the effect of screen-based learning on the concentration, handwriting, and reading comprehension of school children in England.

The department expects schools to use screen-based learning only where it supports effective teaching and improves pupils’ learning. Schools are responsible for deciding when technology is appropriate, based on pupils’ age, curriculum needs and the evidence about what works.

To support schools with choosing technology, the department is investing £24 million in the EdTech Testbeds programme to help generate evidence of the impact of technology on pupil outcomes, inclusion and teacher workload.

The government recognises that we must get the balance right when it comes to technology use for teaching and learning. The department’s expert advisory group on screen time is assessing a range of evidence and responses to the department’s call for evidence, which will inform guidance and policy on the use of technology in schools.

The department collects a wide range of information on technology use in schools through the biennial Technology in Schools Survey, which provides information on the availability and use of devices by pupils in primary and secondary schools. This does not include specific information about use of devices during lessons or for homework activities.

The government recognises that we must get the balance right when it comes to technology use. The department’s expert advisory group on screen time is assessing a range of evidence and responses to the department’s call for evidence, which will inform guidance and policy on the use of technology in schools.

The department supports schools to make evidence-informed decisions about technology and trends in technology use in schools and colleges through the Technology in Schools Survey.

To consider the effectiveness of these technologies the department has a series of programmes underway, including the £24 million EdTech Testbed programme, which will generate stronger evidence on the impact of educational technology in real-world school and college settings. A pilot EdTech Evidence Board has also been established and uses independent expert panels to review evidence of the quality and impact of EdTech tools. Finally, artificial intelligence benchmarks are being developed as an independent way to assess the effective development of generative AI tools for education.

The department also works with the Education Endowment Foundation to support independent evaluations of EdTech use. Decisions about one-to-one devices and specific applications remain for schools and trusts, based on their pupils’ needs, infrastructure and teaching priorities.

The department works closely with the Department of Health and Social Care, including on regular policy and evidence exchanges on the implications of screen-based devices and education technology for pupils. This includes drawing on medical and child development expertise, and wider evidence on children’s health, wellbeing and learning.

The department established expert arrangements to inform its work on screen use, including an expert group co-chaired by the Children’s Commissioner for England and Professor Russell Viner to support evidence-based guidance for children and families.

The department has also launched a Call for Evidence on screen use for children aged 5 to 18 and exploring how to support schools and families to make informed, evidence-based decisions about technology use.

Schools are expected to use technology in a safe, proportionate and purposeful way, alongside statutory safeguarding duties, filtering and monitoring requirements, and statutory guidance that schools should be mobile phone-free environments by default.

The government has launched work to develop practical, evidence-based guidance on screen use for parents of young people aged 5 to 18, to be published this autumn.

The guidance will cover screen use across different aspects of young people's lives, including at home and in schools. It is being informed by a recent Call for Evidence and an independent expert group chaired by Professor Russell Viner and Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner. The expert group’s membership includes a broad range of academics and sector expertise, including Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer.

The department recognises the growing use of education technology in schools and the importance of understanding its impact on pupil outcomes. Through the Technology in Schools Survey, we track the types of devices made available to pupils and the extent to which these are used in lessons. The department is currently launching programmes such as the National EdTech Testbed programme to build the evidence base on the impact of technology. We announced in January 2026 that the Testbed Programme has expanded, and we have now partnered with the Education Endowment Foundation to deliver the £24 million multi-year programme which will build an evidence pipeline, evaluating the impact of education technology and artificial intelligence in schools and colleges, and how it can be used effectively to support teachers, improve inclusion and strengthen educational outcomes. The department will continue to support schools to make evidence-informed decisions about the use of technology.

Decisions about the use of digital devices in classrooms are for schools to make. However, the government’s guidance for younger children advises limiting screen time and prioritising sleep, play, physical activity and interaction with adults. The government is considering the evidence base, following a Call for Evidence, on screen use for children aged 5 to 18 and how to support schools and families to make informed, evidence-based decisions about technology use.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 9 September 2025, to Question 73563 which remains extant.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-08-29/73563

For security reasons, we are not able to confirm the types of devices used.

The Government does not hold Workforce Commission data specifically at Glasgow City Region level. The latest available data indicates approximately 2,800 civil servants in digital, data and technology roles across Scotland.

The Government's ambition is for Digital, Data and Cyber Professions to reach 10% of the Civil Service workforce by 2030, up from approximately 5.8% today. This is being taken forward through the Roadmap for Modern Digital Government and the forthcoming Digital Workforce 2030 Strategy, which set out plans to address workforce shortages, strengthen digital leadership, and improve recruitment, retention and cross-sector mobility.

This includes expanding entry and development routes such as TechTrack apprenticeships, the Digital Fast Stream, AI and Data Science Accelerator programmes, returnship opportunities, and access to learning and accreditation through initiatives such as Get Tech Certified and the Government Digital and Data Hub. The Government is also reforming the Digital, Data and Cyber Pay Framework and strengthening profession capability frameworks to support recruitment and retention of specialist talent.

Nearly £17 million has been allocated to this project up until 2029/30. The project is currently in its early stages, with Network Rail developing a Full Business Case for the entire programme which, once complete, may indicate further funding required in future years.

DWP maintains robust business continuity and resilience plans designed to safeguard the payment of benefits and pensions in the event of major disruption, including significant IT or infrastructure failures. The Department keeps these arrangements under regular review and testing to ensure that critical services can continue to operate during incidents affecting normal business operations.

It would not be appropriate to disclose the detailed arrangements in place. Releasing information about specific contingency measures could reduce their effectiveness and increase risks to the resilience and security of systems that support the delivery of benefits and pensions.