Select Committee · Public Services Committee
Falling Primary School Rolls
Status: Open
Opened: 14 May 2026
Inquiry scope
Falling pupil numbers drive budget pressures for schools, most of whose funding is provided on a per-pupil basis, as facilities and senior staffing costs are relatively static. In 2023/24, 14.7% of local authority-run schools were in debt, up from 7.9% six years earlier. The IfG estimates that empty school places account for almost two-fifths of that rise. This inquiry seeks to understand the causes and impacts of falling primary school rolls, the implication and sufficiency of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill and the work of the Government and education sector in meeting the challenges presented by falling demand for school places.Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul 2026 | Alex Marsh · Department for Education, Anne Spinali · Department for Education, Georgia Gould MP · Department of Education | View ↗ |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Jenna Julius · National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), Jon Andrews · Education Policy Institute, Pepe Di'Iasio · Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) | View ↗ |
| 17 Jun 2026 | Heather Sandy CBE · Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS), Steve Rollett · Confederation of School Trusts, Yolande Burgess · London Councils | View ↗ |
Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Marsh · Director of School Analysis, System and Strategy | Department for Education | 1 |
| Anne Spinali · Director for Higher Education Reform and Funding | Department for Education | 1 |
| Georgia Gould MP · Schools Minister | Department of Education | 1 |
| Heather Sandy CBE · Chair of the Inclusive Education Policy Network | Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) | 1 |
| Jenna Julius · Research Director for Systems and Structures | National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) | 1 |
| Jon Andrews · Head of Analysis and Director for School System and Performance | Education Policy Institute | 1 |
| Pepe Di'Iasio · General Secretary | Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) | 1 |
| Steve Rollett · Deputy Chief Executive | Confederation of School Trusts | 1 |
| Yolande Burgess · Strategy Director: London's Communities and Public Service Reform | London Councils | 1 |
Correspondence
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| Published | Direction | Letter |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sep 2026 | To committee | Letter from Georgia Gould MP to the Public Services Committee (24 July 2026) |
| 2 Sep 2026 | — | Policy Letter on Falling Primary School Rolls |
Meetings & visits
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| Date | Type | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Jul 2026 | Formal meeting (private meeting) | — · Room GR-13, Fielden House | |
| 15 Jul 2026 | Formal meeting (private meeting) | — · GR-13, Fielden House | |
| 30 Jun 2026 | Formal meeting (private meeting) | — · Archbishops' Room, Millbank House | |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Formal meeting (private meeting) | — · Room 2A, Palace of Westminster |