Education and Local Government

Desmond Swayne Con

New Forest West

Compliments the spreadsheet provided by the Secretary of State indicating funding allocations. Expresses concern about ensuring secondary schools receive more than £5,000 per pupil and asks how this will be guaranteed against local authority redistribution.

Alex Cunningham

Welcomes additional finance for special needs but criticises the reduction in funding leading to a shortfall of £6.2 million by 2020, equating to a loss of £210 per pupil in Stockton, questioning its fairness.

John Redwood

Appreciates increased school funding and suggests schools should include self-employment as part of career education to help people realise their potential.

Kevin Hollinrake Con

Thirsk and Malton

References the families of schools initiative aimed at primary children, promoting self-employment values from a young age.

Layla Moran Lib Dem

Oxford West and Abingdon

As a former teacher, emphasises that behaviour management is crucial for teaching effectiveness. Questions the impact of reduced youth services on children's ability to behave positively in school.

Suella Braverman Con

Fareham and Waterlooville

Supports free schools like Michaela Community School, which she co-founded, as pioneers of innovative education methods. Asserts that such schools could be jeopardised under a Labour government.

Jonathan Gullis

As a former schoolteacher and head of year in inner-city Birmingham, expresses terror at the prospect of Labour's proposed changes to Ofsted, leaving children unprotected.

Jack Brereton

Supports the idea of building new free schools in areas like Stoke-on-Trent as a means to improve education quality and opportunities.

Barry Sheerman

Argues that evidence-based policy, such as early-years intervention for poorer backgrounds, offers the best value investment. Suggests this is not always the case but highlights its benefits.

Carol Monaghan

Welcomes teacher salary increases but questions whether those in free schools and academies will also receive nationally agreed pay rates.

Clive Betts Lab

Sheffield South East

Directs a question towards the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding Grenfell fire safety issues affecting leaseholders with non-ACM cladding. Requests a commitment to address this issue.

Angela Rayner Lab

Ashton-under-Lyne

Rayner emphasised the lack of primary legislation on education in three consecutive Queen's Speeches, noting that the pupil premium was promised but not protected or increased. She also criticised cuts to funding for children with special educational needs and disabilities, as well as the absence of legislative action on school uniforms and equipment costs despite repeated pledges from ministers.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

Russell-Moyle supported Rayner's critique, highlighting the underfunding of youth work services which has been slashed by £1 billion annually. He pointed out that while a fund for estate rebuilding was proposed, there is no provision for youth workers despite their critical role in interacting with young people.

Chris Grayling Con

Richmond Park

Welcomed the Queen’s Speech, highlighting its stability and emphasis on delivering measures related to Brexit. He emphasised improvements in education standards over the past decade and praised the increase in funding for schools in his constituency. He requested special needs support and reconsideration of academy trusts' funding. Additionally, he discussed housing and local planning challenges, advocating for wise integration of residential and commercial development, particularly in green belt areas.

Carol Monaghan SNP

Glasgow North West

Welcomed the new Deputy Speaker and expressed concern about the Government's dismissive attitude towards Opposition views. Criticised the Queen’s Speech for making small promises that do not address the needs of education, highlighting the importance of early years to employment support and the need for collaboration between different types of educational institutions in Scotland. Noted the £1.8 billion investment for FE infrastructure as insufficient compared to Scotland's £228 million investment which created a 'supercampus' in Glasgow. Discussed school funding cuts since 2010, arguing that Scotland spends more per pupil and achieving better outcomes despite austerity. Defended Scotland’s education system against PISA criticisms, mentioning the narrowing of curriculum in England as opposed to broadening it in Scotland. Emphasised the importance of proper teachers' pay and equal treatment in academies regarding salary scales. Highlighted the success of Scottish students entering universities from deprived areas, and questioned the vagueness around Augar review recommendations for higher education funding. Raised concerns about Brexit’s impact on research collaboration and funding for Scottish institutions, urging continued association with Erasmus programme.

David Davis Con

Goole and Pocklington

Davis emphasised the importance of addressing declining productivity, advocating for increased investment in research, infrastructure, regional development, and housing. He proposed doubling government and private sector research spending short-term and trebling it long-term to foster technological advancement and economic growth. Davis also criticised current university tuition fees, suggesting a need for radical system overhaul.

Mike Amesbury Lab

Weaver Vale

Amesbury questioned how the Government would address infrastructure deficiencies impacting productivity in constituencies like his, highlighting the urgent need for investment and improvement in transportation networks.

Clive Betts Lab

Sheffield South East

Betts challenged Davis on his critique of Labour's impact on productivity, noting consistent increases under previous Labour Governments and questioning why productivity has stagnated since 2010.

Barry Sheerman

Sheerman suggested that the issue with higher education funding was not in introducing student contributions but in raising them too rapidly without proper balance between beneficiaries (students, employers, and society).

Carol Monaghan

Monaghan raised concerns about Augar's recommendation to remove time limits on paying back student loans, worrying it could burden students with lifelong debt.

Clive Betts Lab

Sheffield South East

Over the past 10 years, local government has had bigger cuts than any other part of the public sector. Local councils need more funding to deliver services communities want and need. I welcome devolution but it must be for all councils not just combined authorities. Social care reform needs cross-party agreement with a social care premium and inheritance tax percentage. Abolition of section 21 evictions requires solutions on rent increases and eviction processes, also housing courts need legislation to address non-payment issues. Existing lease challenges require a draft Bill approach for nuanced detail consideration.

Alison Thewliss

I agree with the hon. Gentleman’s points about cladding in buildings affecting properties’ mortgageability, even under different Scottish building standards. Urgent action is needed by the Minister to address this issue.

Kevin Hollinrake Con

Thirsk and Malton

I hope that the hon. Gentleman stands again for Chair of the Select Committee. He rightly mentions local authority financing and social care premium, both of which are crucial issues for local authorities due to funding pressures from social care needs.

Robert Halfon Con

South Benfleet

Highlights the need for a healthier balance between technical and academic learning, advocating for rocket-boosting degree apprenticeships that ensure no debt and guarantee good skilled jobs. Stresses social justice must be at the core of education policy, with disadvantaged pupils 19 months behind by GCSEs; children in poorer areas are ten times more likely to go to a substandard school than those in wealthier areas. Proposes supporting local teacher development, incentivising initial teacher training providers, and offering bursaries and bonuses for good teachers in challenging areas.

Karin Smyth Lab

Bristol South

Ms. Smyth discussed the Queen's Speech and its implications for her constituency, highlighting economic divisions, lack of devolution, and underinvestment in education and skills training. She cited statistics on university attendance rates, school budget cuts amounting to over £15 million since 2015, a 40% decrease in government funding for further education colleges from 2012 to 2018, and the scarcity of A-level provision in Bristol South. She also emphasised the need for better apprenticeship programmes and alignment with green job opportunities to combat climate change.

Matt Rodda Lab

Reading Central

Mr. Rodda concurred with Ms. Smyth's concerns about underinvestment in education, particularly noting the shortage of teachers and insufficient funding for schools in Reading Central. He also highlighted concern over the government's rejigging of the school funding formula which many see as taking money from urban areas and redistributing it to better-off rural areas.

David Johnston Con

Wantage

Welcomed the opportunity to deliver his maiden speech. Pledged to continue the work of his predecessor, Ed Vaizey, who was known for promoting UK's creative and tech industries. Highlighted the geographical diversity within Wantage, mentioning key areas such as Wallingford, Didcot (referred to as England’s most normal town), Wantage itself (birthplace of King Alfred the Great), Faringdon, and Shrivenham. Emphasised the need for improved infrastructure across different regions, including road safety, reopening of Grove station, GP appointments, school places, broadband access, and other issues affecting small towns and rural areas. Stressed his background in education and employment opportunities through charity work. Advocated for improving social mobility by increasing per-pupil funding in schools and raising starting salaries for teachers to attract more educators. Suggested achieving parity between vocational and academic education as a means of enhancing educational opportunities.

Barry Sheerman Lab

Huddersfield

Mr Sheerman praised the maiden speech of David Johnston and emphasised the importance of cross-party work in education. He highlighted his involvement in initiatives such as apprenticeships and the introduction of an employers’ levy for training, despite initial challenges. He stressed that while there is a lot to be proud of regarding the UK's educational system, substantial proportions of children are not receiving adequate opportunities or qualifications. Mr Sheerman called for cross-party efforts to address underperforming areas in education.

Jim Shannon DUP

Strangford

Mr Shannon congratulated Barry Sheerman on his speech and recognised the contribution of overseas students to the UK's education system, noting their positive impact on partnerships and cultural exchange across regions.

Robert Syms Con

Poole

Congratulates the Member for Wantage on his maiden speech and expresses relief that a majority government is in place to deliver Brexit. He highlights concerns about school funding in Poole, calls for more flexible immigration policies regarding foreign students, supports home education, welcomes fairer funding for schools, encourages foreign students to come to the UK, promotes diversity in the education system, suggests flexibility in local government bid processes, and emphasises the importance of reversing the decline in home ownership among young people.

Rachel Hopkins Lab

Luton South and South Bedfordshire

Expresses gratitude for the opportunity to make her maiden speech, celebrates the representation of women in local government and Parliament, reflects on Luton's historical significance as a centre of straw hat trade led by women workers. She discusses her constituency’s community football club, planning work that approved development plans such as a new stadium, highlights the importance of comprehensive education for social mobility, advocates for arts and cultural programmes to address social injustice, calls for improvements in public transport infrastructure, particularly focusing on Luton station renovation, and emphasises the unique identity and diversity of Luton.

David Evennett Con

Bexleyheath and Crayford

Congratulated the hon. Member for Luton South on her maiden speech, criticised Labour and SNP for negativity, highlighted three areas: working class boys, social mobility, and colleges, praised government's achievements in education funding and standards.

Janet Daby Lab

Lewisham East

Critiqued the Government’s approach to public services, focusing on special educational needs. Highlighted issues such as severe cuts to local government funding, lack of support for families with children needing EHC plans, and inadequate youth services leading to mental health crises.

Tom Hunt Lab

Ipswich

Hunt discusses Ipswich’s past MPs, including Jamie Cann and Ben Gummer. He praises the town's economic importance through its ports and emphasises the need for fairer funding in education and transport infrastructure, along with tackling crime and antisocial behavior issues. He also stresses his personal commitment to helping children with special educational needs achieve their full potential.

Conor McGinn Lab

St Helens North

In St Helens, the local authority is losing £90 million a year in funding and schools have lost £5.3 million last year. Early years provision has also been affected, with 4,000 households on universal credit and high suicide rates previously noted. Despite these challenges, there are reasons for optimism: potential development at Parkside colliery site, glass industry revival through Glass Futures research facility, and a bid for funding from the town deals fund which aims to boost civic engagement.

Ben Everitt Con

Milton Keynes North

Mr Ben Everitt paid tribute to his predecessor, Mark Lancaster MP, and highlighted the economic significance of Milton Keynes. He emphasised the city's role in post-Brexit industrial strategy and its vibrant business sector, including Santander’s tech innovation hub which promises 6,000 jobs. He also discussed issues such as over-expansion, knife crime, homelessness, education, and praised community figures like Festus Akinbusoye for their contributions.

Steve McCabe Lab

Birmingham, Selly Oak

Acknowledged the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland's efforts in getting the Assembly back up and running. Acknowledges the election result but emphasises the need to analyse policies critically. Emphasised the importance of humility and understanding disadvantage in education spending increases. Criticised the current system for pupils with special educational needs, calling for a review of Education, Health and Care Plans and funding arrangements. Called for easier post-study work opportunities for PhD students. Highlighted issues in social care funding and consistency across different regions. Noted the need for proper resources to support joint working efforts in preventing crime.

James Daly Con

Bury North

James Daly highlighted the educational achievements in his constituency, including Hoyle Nursery School and Springside Primary School. He praised the bespoke curriculum and inclusive approach at these institutions that cater to children from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs. Daly also discussed Bury College's proposed new centre for health, science, and technology supported by government funds. Additionally, he addressed concerns about Bury football club losing its league status, advocating for a focus on fan interests over club owners' actions. He mentioned other issues like protecting the green belt, improving bus services, and supporting Kashmiri constituents.

Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem

North East Fife

Welcomes the hon. Member for Bury North on his excellent maiden speech, pays tribute to her predecessor Stephen Gethins and discusses her background in politics and police service. She emphasises the importance of diversity within politics and addresses the challenges faced by her constituency, including rural poverty and transport issues. Chamberlain advocates for electoral reform and a written constitution to improve local government representation and strengthen the United Kingdom.

Paul Holmes Con

Hamble Valley

Congratulates colleagues on their maiden speeches, discusses the importance of education and local government, welcomes funding announcements for schools and colleges, emphasises the need for teacher recruitment and retention, expresses passion for social mobility, pays tribute to his predecessor, thanks supporters, highlights Eastleigh's history and heritage including its aviation industry, mentions infrastructure challenges such as a flawed local plan and the need for upgrades on roads like Chickenhall Lane link road.

Marie Rimmer Lab

St Helens South and Whiston

The hon. Member emphasises the importance of protecting society's most vulnerable people, particularly children in care and elderly adults. She notes a 28% increase in children in care over the past decade, reaching more than 78,000 in England alone. The local authority in St Helens cares for 529 young children, which is significantly higher compared to the national average. Rimmer argues that the number of children in need of care should be lower and highlights a lack of funding affecting youth services and education. She mentions a £800 million overspending by councils last year to ensure children's safety, with St Helens facing an expected expenditure increase from £10.5 million to £25.5 million on looked-after children in just 10 years. Rimmer also points out the issue of unregulated care and the vulnerability of young people placed in such care due to a lack of other provision, leading to higher risks for predatory groups like county lines gangs. She further discusses how austerity policies impact adult social care, with Knowsley Council spending 44% on adult social care and St Helens experiencing a 40% net reduction in available resources since 2010. Rimmer calls on the Government to release the delayed Green Paper on social care funding and begin a bottom-up review of how we fund social care for children, young people, and adults.

Jonathan Gullis Con

Stoke-on-Trent North

Discusses his background as a teacher and trade union representative. Emphasises the importance of education in improving social mobility, highlighting personal examples from his family's history. Acknowledges recent improvements in Stoke-on-Trent's educational performance but notes ongoing challenges such as school places, public transport, and high-skilled job opportunities. Advocates for investment in free schools, reopening old mineral lines, and positioning Stoke-on-Trent at the centre of the technological revolution.

Alex Norris Lab Co-op

Nottingham North and Kimberley

It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent North. The speaker thanks his neighbours for re-electing him, emphasising his commitment to fighting for schools in Nottingham with better resourcing. Since 2015, £20 million has been lost from local schools—nearly £400 per head—a cut that will not heal. Despite Ministerial claims of more money for schools, the reality is real-terms cuts due to growing costs such as increasing pupil numbers and complex education needs. The speaker highlights increased class sizes across primary schools in his constituency, with an extra two and a half pupils per class at Bulwell Saint Mary’s between 2015 and 2018. He notes that new funding tends to benefit better-off communities more than poorer ones, widening inequalities. The speaker also raises the disparity in educational outcomes for boys, particularly white British boys in working-class communities, calling on the Government to address this issue by implementing better curriculums based on international best practice and targeting resources to augment the pupil premium.

Tom Randall Con

Gedling

The speaker makes his maiden speech, reflecting on the opportunity to represent his hometown of Gedling. He introduces the history and geography of Gedling, mentioning notable figures like Thomas Hawksley and Richard Parkes Bonington who are from the area. He acknowledges his predecessor, Mr Vernon Coaker, as a respected MP for over two decades with strong work on human trafficking and modern slavery. The speaker supports the Government’s commitment to recruit 20,000 police officers and increase NHS spending while also praising the Government's pledge to level up educational opportunities by increasing funding for schools and starting salaries for teachers.

Layla Moran Lib Dem

Oxford West and Abingdon

Congratulates the hon. Member for Gedling on his speech, expresses disappointment with the Queen’s Speech regarding education policy, argues that education policies should be evidence-based rather than ideological, criticises the government's approach to PISA rankings, highlights the importance of social and emotional wellbeing in learning, raises concerns about permanent exclusions in schools, points out disparities in educational outcomes for children from poorer backgrounds, and mentions the high rate of exclusion among pupils with special educational needs.

Kevin Hollinrake Con

Thirsk and Malton

Mr. Hollinrake emphasises the importance of 'levelling up' which includes education and local government funding, advocating for increased public and private sector investment in northern regions and other parts of England. He mentions a £100 billion infrastructure investment commitment by the Government and discusses the economic benefits of higher productivity and better job opportunities in these areas. Mr. Hollinrake also suggests various policy ideas such as free ports, enterprise zones, retraining incentives for long-term unemployed individuals, SME-first policies, devolution to local authorities, and more public sector jobs.

Alex Cunningham Lab

Stockton North

Mr. Cunningham expresses concern over the lack of focus on education funding by the Government, highlighting significant budget cuts in his constituency's schools and the resultant loss of staff and resources needed for young people. He criticises the Government’s approach to equality issues, stating that children from less advantaged backgrounds face more challenges in realising their full potential. Additionally, he discusses rising unemployment rates and health inequalities affecting Stockton-on-Tees. Mr. Cunningham also calls on the Government to provide necessary infrastructure, such as a modern hospital for his constituency, and criticises local political decisions regarding Teesside airport. He advocates for greater investment in public services and industry support.

John Stevenson Con

Cumbria North West

Local government should be reformed to deliver the Government's policies. This includes moving towards more unitary councils, introducing Mayors for cities and rural areas, proper devolution with tax-raising powers, and significant investment in infrastructure. The regions need structural reform, power transfer, and opportunities to attract private investment.

David Linden SNP

Glasgow East

Welcomes the commitment for extended leave for parents of premature or sick babies in the Queen's Speech. Supports measures on building safety and fire safety introduced after Grenfell Tower tragedy, although disappointed with some aspects. Welcomes delegated legislation for five-yearly electrical safety checks but notes Scotland already implemented similar regulations earlier. Criticises Government’s housing policies, particularly right-to-buy scheme, for failing to address housing crisis. Condemns UK Government's delay in providing necessary information to the Scottish Government and local authorities for budget setting. Advocates for fair share of funding from proposed shared prosperity fund.

Robert Courts Con

West Oxfordshire

Emphasised the importance of education in social mobility, highlighting that since 2010, over 86% of children are now in good or outstanding schools. He recognised the challenges faced by teachers due to cost pressures and welcomed the levelling up funding for schools. He also praised the focus on T-levels and vocational skills as well as initiatives aimed at disadvantaged backgrounds. Robert Courts mentioned the need for practical work experience, citing a STEM programme at Carterton Community College supported by the Royal Air Force.

Bambos Charalambous Lab

Southgate and Wood Green

The Queen’s Speech lists a series of draft Bills but raises more questions than answers, with glaring omissions in local government and education. Increased funding for schools is welcome but insufficient to reverse years of austerity damage. The Government's funding plans mean 83% of schools will be worse off by April 2020 compared to 2015. The Government failed to mention nursery school sector and further education crisis. Teachers are leaving due to workload, stress from SATs results, and Ofsted inspections; a new system of accountability is needed. Child poverty impacts children's education significantly; an estimated 4.1 million children trapped in poverty by 2022. The Government's promise about teacher pay rise was deceptive, funding only 0.75% leaving schools to find the rest. Local government has been treated similarly, with a cut of 60% since 2010 for Enfield Council, despite severe deprivation areas. Cuts in youth services have led to higher crime rates and fewer opportunities for young people.

Thangam Debbonaire

Agrees with Charalambous that headteachers are frustrated by the Government’s attitude of saying everything is rosy despite real-terms decreases in funding. They have had years of cuts, making it difficult to see a positive outlook.

Paul Blomfield Lab

Sheffield Central

Echoed comments on maiden speeches and discussed the importance of engaging with young people in his community consultation. Raised concerns about Brexit, climate emergency, Flybe's impact on carbon emissions, education funding cuts, special needs additional funding, mental health issues among students, and proposed solutions such as providing a counsellor in every secondary school.

Alex Cunningham Lab

Stockton North

Emphasised the critical reliance of certain airports on Flybe's flights, suggesting that intervention might be necessary for the company to survive.

Thangam Debbonaire Lab

Bristol West

Agreed with Paul Blomfield regarding funding cuts affecting special educational needs provision, highlighting headteachers' concerns about insufficient resources to fulfill their responsibilities.

David Linden SNP

Aberdeen South

Welcomed the Scottish Government's investment in mental health counsellors for schools to tackle issues early on and support young people with mental health needs.

Andrew Gwynne Ind

Gorton and Denton

Local government faces financial pressures due to a decade of funding reductions. This has led to unrepaired roads, uncollected bins, reduced adult learning, and diminished public services in many parts of England. Over the past 10 years, nearly one-fifth of UK libraries have closed, with almost 10,000 fewer librarians now introducing young people to literature. Sure Start funding has been halved since 2010, closing around 1,000 centres. The crisis in children’s services has seen a 139% rise in serious cases over the past decade.

Kevin Hollinrake Con

Thirsk and Malton

Emphasised the need for a cross-party solution to social care, citing the Select Committees' joint proposal of a social care premium. Asked Andrew Gwynne's party if they would support any Government move in this direction.

Robert Jenrick Reform

Newark

Closes the debate by acknowledging impressive maiden speeches, emphasising the role of education in ensuring young people can fulfill their potential, highlighting funding for schools and apprenticeships, discussing planning reforms and infrastructure investment, committing to more affordable housing and safety regulations, and addressing levelling up initiatives. He also responds to questions from other MPs on women's representation, permitted development rights, housing infrastructure fund bids, first homes discount policy, and proposals for existing leaseholders.

Commons Sense

Education and Local Government

Lead MP

Debate Type

Tags

At a Glance

How the Debate Unfolded

Lead Contributor

Contributors (59)

About House of Commons Debates