Select committee: Public Services Committee

Falling Primary School Rolls

Open Opened 14 May 2026

Public Services Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗

Inquiry scope (the committee's words)

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.

Where it stands

The inquiry is open, opened 14 May 2026.

The committee has not published a report yet.

Evidence

3 oral evidence sessionsLatest 1 July 2026
9 witnesses

All evidence

Recent activity

Letter from Georgia Gould MP to the Public Services Committee (24 July 2026)2 September 2026, Correspondence
Policy Letter on Falling Primary School Rolls2 September 2026, Correspondence
Committee event22 July 2026, Formal meeting (private meeting) · Room GR-13, Fielden House

Meetings and visits

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions

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Date	Session and witnesses	Source
1 Jul 2026	Oral evidence session Alex Marsh · Department for Education, Anne Spinali · Department for Education, Georgia Gould MP · Department of Education	View ↗
24 Jun 2026	Oral evidence session 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	Oral evidence session 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

9 witnesses

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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

2 letters

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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	Not recorded	Policy Letter on Falling Primary School Rolls

Meetings & visits

4 items

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Date	Type	Detail
22 Jul 2026	Formal meeting (private meeting)	Not recorded · Room GR-13, Fielden House
15 Jul 2026	Formal meeting (private meeting)	Not recorded · GR-13, Fielden House
30 Jun 2026	Formal meeting (private meeting)	Not recorded · Archbishops' Room, Millbank House
10 Jun 2026	Formal meeting (private meeting)	Not recorded · Room 2A, Palace of Westminster