Topical Questions 2025-04-28

2025-04-28

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Imran Hussain Lab
Bradford East
Context
University and College Union projects that up to 10,000 university jobs may be cut by the end of the year. In Bradford, up to 300 further jobs are at risk, and Bradford University’s nursery service faces closure.
5,000 university jobs have been cut nationally, with the UCU projecting that another 10,000 will be cut by the end of this year. In Bradford alone, up to 300 further jobs are at risk and Bradford University’s nursery service faces closure. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to protect staff and students in places like Bradford given the growing crisis in higher education?
We are focused on putting universities on a firm footing. We had to make tough decisions to increase tuition fee limits in line with inflation for the next academic year but recognise the enormous economic value of universities in towns and cities right across the country. That is why we have reformed the regulator to put universities on a much firmer footing for the future.
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Q2 Partial Answer
Laura Trott Con
Sevenoaks
Context
The shadow Secretary of State asks a specific question about draft guidance for schools on gender questioning, which was published by the Conservatives before the general election.
Despite the Education Secretary’s best attempts to rewrite history, we Conservatives did not need a court to tell us that biological sex is real. We produced draft guidance for consultation over a year ago. Why has she not published it?
We need to take this issue seriously and get it right. The draft guidance was produced a matter of months before the general election, and we are taking stock following the full and final review from Dr Cass, which should be the basis for how we proceed.
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Q3 Partial Answer
Gregor Poynton Lab
Livingston
Context
The latest statistics show that the attainment gap between the richest and poorest pupils in Scotland is increasing year on year.
Closing the attainment gap was the SNP Government’s defining mission, but the latest figures show it is widening. The latest statistics reveal 1,351 pupils are leaving Scottish schools without any qualifications at all. What steps will Labour take to address this issue?
Scotland deserves a new direction and a better education system. The SNP Administration has many failures, but under a Labour government, Scotland will have a more effective approach to closing the attainment gap.
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Q4 Partial Answer
Munira Wilson LD
Twickenham
Context
The Secretary of State had previously stated that extending opportunities to vulnerable children was a top priority.
Last year, the Secretary of State said there can be no goal more important than extending opportunities for vulnerable children. Will she reverse her 40% cut to grants available through the adoption and special guardianship support fund?
We have confirmed £50 million for ’25-26. Further considerations will be for the spending review. We have made changes to maximise the number of children who can access the fund and are trialling kinship allowances, investing more in foster care, and providing local authorities with additional support.
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Q5 Partial Answer
Josh Dean Lab
Hertford and Stortford
Context
Young people are at the forefront of the mental health crisis.
Young people are at the sharp end of the mental health crisis. Can the Minister update on progress made on providing specialist mental health support in schools, and address gaps in support for neurodivergent pupils highlighted in the trailblazer programme?
We will provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school, including those who are neurodivergent. NHS-funded mental health support teams will roll out across schools and cover at least 50% of pupils this year.
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Q6 Partial Answer
Tom Morrison LD
Cheadle
Context
Genevieve Meehan, aged nine months, died in a nursery in Cheadle. Despite claims of nursery safety, the incident was preventable.
The Secretary of State may be aware of the tragic death of Genevieve Meehan who died in a nursery in Cheadle. She was just nine months old. Despite claims that the nursery was safe, Gigi’s death was entirely preventable. Gigi’s parents, John and Katie, are now campaigning for changes in the law around nursery safety. Will the Secretary of State meet me, Gigi’s parents and the Lullaby Trust to talk through this campaign and commit to helping to ensure that this tragic story is never repeated?
Every incident of harm of a child, including this tragic case, is incredibly distressing. I am committed to doing everything possible to reduce levels of harm as part of our mission to give every child the best start in life. I would welcome a meeting with the hon. Member and Gigi’s parents.
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Q7 Partial Answer
Olivia Blake Lab
Sheffield Hallam
Context
Families are experiencing delays in the adoption and special guardianship support fund, causing distress.
A number of families have contacted me to share their concerns about the impact of the delays to the adoption and special guardianship support fund and the cuts to the service. What consideration has the Department given to addressing their challenges, and what steps are being taken to ensure that adoptive families receive the timely support they so desperately need?
We are providing £50 million through the adoption and special guardianship support fund, funding Adoption England with £8.8 million to improve adoption services. This includes new support for the first 12 to 18 months after placement and better support for families in crisis.
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Q8 Partial Answer
Richard Foord LD
Honiton and Sidmouth
Context
Pay review bodies have recommended a 4% pay rise for school staff.
The pay review bodies have recommended a 4% pay rise for school staff. Will the Department for Education pay 4%, and will that really be expected to come from existing school budgets?
We will set out our approach to the recommendations in the usual way, but I say to the hon. Gentleman that one of the very first acts of this incoming Labour Government was to accept the previous recommendation to fund the 5.5% pay award for teachers.
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Q9 Partial Answer
Darren Paffey Lab
Southampton Itchen
Context
Fewer younger people in Southampton are successfully engaged in employment, education or apprenticeships compared to the national average.
Sadly, after years of Tory Government, fewer younger people in Southampton Itchen are successfully engaged in employment, education or apprenticeships compared with the national average. What specific steps will the Secretary of State take to ensure that apprenticeship and university routes are equally valued and equally accessible to the young people in my constituency?
Our youth guarantee will provide tailored support to young people, helping them to access high-quality education, training and employment. We want young people to be earning and learning, and we are wasting no time about that.
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Q10 Partial Answer
Joe Robertson Con
Isle of Wight East
Context
National per pupil funding criteria are not suitable for fairly funding schools in rural areas.
T7. National per pupil funding criteria are a blunt instrument for fairly funding schools in rural areas like mine on the Isle of Wight, which is also separated from the UK mainland by sea. Will the Minister meet me and representatives from the Isle of Wight council to discuss how fairer funding for Isle of Wight primary schools can be provided so that no more of them close unnecessarily?
I appreciate the concerns raised. The Isle of Wight local authority is working to address issues around surplus primary places in the best way, but it will take time to look at funding challenges. I am more than happy to continue this discussion as the issue is very important.
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Q11 Partial Answer
Monica Harding LD
Esher and Walton
Context
A boy with special educational needs has been excluded multiple times from school and is waiting for two years for specialist provision. The headteacher feels overwhelmed.
This week, on a visit to a school in my constituency, I was told about a boy with SEND who has been temporarily excluded five times. He is extremely dysregulated and vulnerable and has been waiting for two years for specialist provision. The school has tried to get him to the top of the mental health list but has been told that it cannot. What should I say to his headteacher, who is at the end of her tether?
The hon. Lady and I have discussed some of the challenges in her local area in relation to delivering better outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities, and she is right to raise this issue of ensuring that the health workforce can back up the change needed in education settings. We are working closely with colleagues across Government to ensure that we take a joined-up approach to improving outcomes.
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Working With Colleagues
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Q12 Direct Answer
Claire Hughes Lab
Bangor Aberconwy
Context
Welsh universities are facing challenges due to policies introduced by the previous UK Government.
Welsh universities, including Bangor University, face very real challenges as a direct result of policies introduced by the last UK Government. Will the Minister update us on conversations that her Department is having with the Welsh Government around higher education in Wales?
My hon. Friend is aware that education is devolved and that the Welsh Government are responsible for education policies in Wales, including those covering universities, but I assure her that the Department for Education engages with the devolved Government at ministerial and official levels on a range of areas covering education and students.
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Q13 Partial Answer
Rebecca Smith Con
South West Devon
Context
Concerns have been raised about a reduction in funding for adoptive parents from £10,000 to £3,000 through the adoption and special guardianship support fund.
What assurances can the Minister provide to concerned adoptive parents in my constituency who benefited from the match funding element of the adoption and special guardianship support fund, and whose funding could be cut from £10,000 to £3,000? Will she consider reintroducing this vital element of the ASGSF?
The adoption and special guardianship support fund still enables those who are eligible to access a significant package of therapeutic support to meet individual needs. The fund is important, which is why we have continued to fund it, but it is not the only source of adoption and kinship support, responsibility for which lies with local authorities and regional adoption agencies. Our £8.8 million of funding to support Adoption England can assist that.
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Noting The Fund Is Important But Not The Only Source Mentioning Other Sources
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Q14 Direct Answer
Chris Vince Lab/Co-op
Harlow
Context
Primary schools are concerned about school readiness, which was impacted by the closure of Sure Start.
This morning, I had the pleasure of visiting Milwards primary school, which is one of the many brilliant primary schools in my constituency. One of the main issues raised by primary schools is school readiness, which was hugely impacted by the closure of Sure Start. What are this Government doing to ensure that young people are ready for school and ready to learn?
I know that my hon. Friend is a huge champion for children in his constituency. This child-centred Government want to break down the barriers to opportunity and ensure that every child gets the best start in life. That is why we are introducing a number of initiatives through our plan for change, including good-quality early education, increasing school-based nurseries and investing in other initiatives that support a child’s development.
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Q15 Partial Answer
Jim Shannon DUP
Strangford
Context
There is a need for therapeutic and counselling opportunities to address the mental health needs of pupils early on.
What steps will be taken to ensure that there are therapeutic and counselling opportunities in all primary schools across the United Kingdom to ensure the earliest of interventions for pupils who could struggle in their education?
Education is a devolved matter, but I know that the hon. Gentleman is a champion on these issues, and I am very happy to meet with him. We are committed to rolling out mental health support teams to every school in England.
Assessment & feedback
Noting Education Is Devolved Offering To Meet
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