The government recognises the important role that a broad and balanced curriculum plays in supporting pupils' health, wellbeing and preparation for adult life.

Relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) provides the statutory framework for teaching pupils about healthy relationships, sexual health and wellbeing. This is complemented by subjects such as science and religious education which provide relevant knowledge and opportunities for discussion from different disciplinary perspectives.

In science, pupils learn about the biological aspects of sexual health including human reproduction, fertility, and sexually transmitted infections. This knowledge helps pupils to understand their own development, make informed decisions and supports the understanding needed for healthy relationships and sexual wellbeing throughout their lives. Religious education can also support pupils' understanding by exploring different beliefs, values and ethical perspectives relating to relationships and family life

The government is continuing its programme of National Curriculum and GCSE reform. Proposals for the national curriculum and assessment system will be subject to public consultation.

UK Research and Innovation and the Science and Technology Facilities Council undertook a structured assessment of the impacts of different funding options across STFC's portfolio. This considered factors including scientific excellence, long-term research impact, strategic importance to the UK, international leadership, value for money and the preservation of capabilities that would be difficult or impossible to recreate if lost. Major international subscriptions are being fully protected, helping to maintain UK participation in world-leading facilities and collaborations. As part of the prioritisation process, STFC grant funding for Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics postdoctoral researchers was maintained at 2025/26 levels, protect funding for grant funded postdoc researchers at 25/26 levels, while PhD studentships and fellowships were also protected.

The Government is implementing Recommendation 7 of the Strategic Defence Review through reforms to Defence's Science, Technology and Innovation system, ensuring it is better aligned to Defence priorities and able to deliver technological advantage at greater pace.

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) continue to provide Defence's core research, analysis and evaluation capabilities, including long-term and applied research and the development of technologies critical to national security. The Ministry of Defence has also established UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), delivering the Strategic Defence Review recommendation to provide dedicated funding to support innovative UK companies and accelerate the adoption of technologies that strengthen Defence and Security capability. Together with the Defence Investment Unit, these organisations form a more integrated science, technology and innovation system within the National Armaments Director Group.

The Ministry of Defence has also launched the Defence Universities Alliance, bringing together 35 universities to strengthen collaboration on research, skills and talent development, and is implementing a new approach to horizon scanning and strategic foresight. This work has been informed by engagement across Government and supports the Department's wider Science, Technology and Innovation ambitions set out in both the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy.

Innovation is central to delivering good growth in every part of the UK. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) invested £596 million in the East Midlands in 2023/24, including £172 million in Leicestershire, Rutland & Northamptonshire.

Up to £20 million has been allocated to the East Midlands through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, supporting manufacturers to scale up clean energy and advanced production technologies.

Government is also backing Midlands Mindforge, the investment company dedicated to supporting university spin-outs in the Midlands, helping unlock an initial £30 million of capital.

The government remains committed to ensuring effective oversight of science and technology investment across departments.

Individual departments remain responsible for their own science and technology budgets. Following the transfer of science and innovation responsibilities to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, the government continues to ensure effective cross-government oversight through existing cross-departmental governance arrangements for science and technology, bringing departments together to align investments, share evidence and identify opportunities for collaboration on shared priorities.

The Department will continue to work with Ministers, the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, the CSA network, HMT and senior R&D officials across Government to maintain a strategic view of science and technology investment across Government, and help ensure that science and technology investment delivers maximum benefit for the UK.

Science and technology are central to the United Kingdom's national security, helping to strengthen resilience, protect critical infrastructure and maintain the UK's strategic advantage. Ministers engage regularly with Cabinet colleagues on national security matters, including those relating to science and technology. The Government's National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence Review both recognise the importance of emerging technologies such as AI, quantum technologies and engineering biology to the UK's security and prosperity. BIST invests in cutting-edge science and domestic R&D capacity to strengthen UK sovereign capability and ensure security and defence benefits from innovation.

This Government is committed to protecting moorlands. In September 2025, we amended the Heather and Grass Burning (England) Regulations 2021 to improve the resilience of our moorlands. The Regulations reflect the latest available evidence to guide sustainable land management and protect areas of moorland where intensive management is known to occur on deep peat. A licensing scheme was introduced alongside the regulations in 2021 and has been maintained under the 2025 amendments. This enables land managers to apply for a licence to burn to reduce the impacts of wildfire where there is no feasible alternative. Burning is one of several tools available to land managers to manage vegetation and reduce wildfire risk. Other land management methods are not restricted by these regulations, which cover roughly 5% of England’s land area.

Defra relies on good quality evidence to inform its decision-making and policy design. Whilst we know that damage from burning can occur at any depth, evidence shows that at 30cm, peatlands are capable of sustaining blanket bog habitat. Natural England’s Evidence Review on the effects of managed burning in upland peatland (NEER155) was one source of information which fed into the decision to amend the Regulations. NEER155 built on Natural England’s 2013 review (NEER004) by incorporating 102 new studies, which were assessed and subjected to the appropriate academic rigour. The overall findings and conclusions of NEER155 remained consistent with those of the 2013 review. It concluded that burning, especially repeated burning, results in a departure from the typical structure of these habitats and can impact how they function. The Government remains satisfied that the Regulations are supported by the available evidence.

This Government is committed to protecting moorlands. In September 2025, we amended the Heather and Grass Burning (England) Regulations 2021 to improve the resilience of our moorlands. The Regulations reflect the latest available evidence to guide sustainable land management and protect areas of moorland where intensive management is known to occur on deep peat. A licensing scheme was introduced alongside the regulations in 2021 and has been maintained under the 2025 amendments. This enables land managers to apply for a licence to burn to reduce the impacts of wildfire where there is no feasible alternative. Burning is one of several tools available to land managers to manage vegetation and reduce wildfire risk. Other land management methods are not restricted by these regulations, which cover roughly 5% of England’s land area.

Defra relies on good quality evidence to inform its decision-making and policy design. Whilst we know that damage from burning can occur at any depth, evidence shows that at 30cm, peatlands are capable of sustaining blanket bog habitat. Natural England’s Evidence Review on the effects of managed burning in upland peatland (NEER155) was one source of information which fed into the decision to amend the Regulations. NEER155 built on Natural England’s 2013 review (NEER004) by incorporating 102 new studies, which were assessed and subjected to the appropriate academic rigour. The overall findings and conclusions of NEER155 remained consistent with those of the 2013 review. It concluded that burning, especially repeated burning, results in a departure from the typical structure of these habitats and can impact how they function. The Government remains satisfied that the Regulations are supported by the available evidence.

This Government remains committed to driving UK science interests and investment through our international engagement. My department will continue to support research and innovation partnerships with priority countries, maintain the UK’s participation in major international collaborations, and promote opportunities through the Science and Technology Network. International engagement will help deliver the Industrial Strategy, attract global talent and inward investment, and ensure that UK science and technology contribute to long-term economic growth, prosperity and national security.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is strengthening knowledge of artificial intelligence, semiconductors and quantum technologies across the diplomatic network through targeted training, specialist resources, and expert engagement, building on the core capabilities of the Science and Technology Network, active in 65 locations worldwide and co-sponsored with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. A technology policy curriculum is available to all staff, supported by a dedicated knowledge hub, regular events and expert-led talks and discussions. The FCDO also delivers specialist learning programmes with external partners on AI policy, governance and other critical technologies, helping staff in the UK and overseas to engage effectively on these issues. These activities complement wider Civil Service AI skills programmes and Departmental guidance on the safe and effective use of AI.

The UK’s science and research strengths are central to this Government’s mission to deliver economic growth, raise productivity and improve living standards. To realise that ambition, the research and innovation system must attract, retain and support the very best talent. DSIT is investing over £5 billion in research talent over the Spending Review period, including funding for prestigious fellowships and studentships through UKRI and the National Academies, and the £54 million Global Talent Fund launched last summer to attract top researchers and their teams. DSIT has also recently launched a new voluntary Women in Research Charter which includes a headline commitment of a minimum standard on family leave for doctoral researchers, as well as commitments to enabling more flexible working, eliminating bias from grant and job application processes, and ensuring inclusive workplace cultures.