Topical Questions 2024-04-29
2024-04-29
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP for Goole and Pocklington thanked the Secretary of State for sponsoring his charity event and raised concerns about a fairer funding formula.
On a personal level, may I thank the Secretary of State for sponsoring my charity event yesterday for disabled children with SYNGAP1? Of course, I welcome the Government's funding of 60,000 new school places for children with special educational needs, but we need a fairer funding formula for those resources, and we need a further £4.6 billion just to prevent the crisis in special needs from getting worse, so what steps are the Government taking to ensure that funding is allocated according to need, not postcode?
I thank my right hon. Friend, who is doing exceptional work to raise awareness of the impacts of SYNGAP1, and has so far raised over £29,000 to support vital research. As he has pointed out, we are investing record amounts in special educational needs and disability funding. We review that funding and look at the formula every year; it has gone up by 60% over the past five years—to £10.5 billion—but I am very happy to meet my right hon. Friend, and look forward to doing so.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about fairer funding formula was not addressed directly; vague commitment to review
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP criticised the Secretary of State's childcare expansion plan, citing a National Audit Office report that found it does not achieve its primary aim or demonstrate value for money.
I associate myself with the Secretary of State's comments, and send my thoughts and best wishes to all those in the school community of Ammanford at this very difficult time. “The extension does not achieve its primary aim or demonstrate value for money”. That is a damning line from the National Audit Office's report into the Government's childcare expansion. For months, the Secretary of State has told parents and providers that they were wrong to be concerned, yet now we learn that even her own Department considers delivery to be “problematic”—her own failure exposed. Why has she not listened and got a serious plan in place, or is she simply waiting for Labour to publish ours so that she can steal it? [Laughter.]
I do not think anyone in the country is waiting for Labour to publish its plan. This is serious, because of course we are ambitious; delivering the largest expansion of childcare in our country's history is not an easy task, but that is the job of Government, and that is what we are doing. Thanks to the expansion, over 200,000 more children are getting childcare support.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific criticisms were not addressed; instead, the Secretary of State challenged Labour's plan.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP criticised the Secretary of State's failure to reform Ofsted, pointing out that school leaders, teachers, and staff are dismayed by her inaction.
Nonsense, Mr Speaker. What people right across this country want is a general election, and it cannot come soon enough. It is not only on childcare that the Secretary of State is in a total mess; school leaders, teachers and staff have been dismayed by her failure to reform Ofsted. She simply refuses to listen to staff, to the Education Committee, or indeed to parents. I am clear that under Labour, the days of one-word judgments will come to an end, so when can we expect the Secretary of State to follow Labour's lead and commit to ending Ofsted's headline grades?
We will not follow Labour's lead, because in 2010 only 68% of schools were rated “good” or “outstanding”; now, thanks to our reforms and hard work, that figure is up to 90%. We have already delivered a number of changes to improve the way Ofsted carries out its inspections.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was not addressed; instead, Labour's record on school ratings was challenged.
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP asked if the Secretary of State has powers to intervene when schools refuse to implement her guidance on social transitioning.
Are powers available to the Secretary of State where schools refuse to implement her guidance on social transitioning?
We expect that schools will follow the guidance, because it is guidance to help them carry out their existing statutory duties, including safeguarding. If they did not take those guidelines into account when delivering those duties, they would be at risk of breach.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raised concerns about deepfake images and nudification apps posing threats to girls' mental health and educational outcomes, and asked how the Government is working with internet companies.
I thank the Secretary of State for mentioning exam season. I am sure she will include the Scottish young people sitting their exams, whose exams started last week—they are already in the throes of it. Deepfake images and nudification apps pose massive threats to the mental health of girls in particular, and therefore their educational outcomes. I am pleased that the Government have taken steps to criminalise the creation of such images, but how is the Secretary of State working with Cabinet colleagues to put pressure on internet companies to take the radical action necessary to remove such images, which can have such an impact on girls' education?
The hon. Member is of course right that the lead is taken by a different Department, but we are very conscious of the pressures, including from social media, in relation to pornography, deepfake and nudification, as she rightly identifies, and we are working right across Government to make sure those pressures can be eased.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was not addressed; instead, the Secretary of State pointed out that another Department leads on this issue.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
A recent report by London Councils highlights a 4.3% drop in the number of pupils in schools in Hillingdon. There is concern about falling numbers on rolls in outer London.
There has been a 6% decline in nought to four-year-olds between 2015 and 2021, leading to challenges for local authorities managing school populations. Given this context, I ask if the government will work with schools and local authorities to promote more inclusion for SEND pupils in mainstream schools.
The number of nought to four-year-olds declined by 6% between 2015 and 2021, leading to challenges. The government is providing £242 million this financial year to support schools with managing declining numbers. Many SEND pupils can be included in mainstream schools through the SEND and alternative provision improvement plan.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit directly to specific actions or timelines for promoting inclusion of SEND pupils in mainstream education
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Parents face difficulties in appealing judgments of education, health and care plans which often list inadequate schools. There is concern over a lack of options for parents.
The Secretary described the system as 'lose-lose-lose'. However, how can parents obtain the right school if they cannot appeal, and who has caused issues in this system?
Parents felt they were not receiving a good service. We have seen an increase in demand over recent years and have introduced the SEND and alternative provision improvement plan to fix issues.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address how parents can obtain right schools without appealing decisions
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Apprenticeships in construction are struggling to attract young people, especially women and girls.
What measures is the Department implementing to make apprenticeships more attractive for young individuals, particularly women?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question and work on encouraging women into the construction sector through initiatives like 'I am a Housebuilder'. The Department has established an apprenticeship diversity champions network, which supports gender representation among employers.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps or commitments to increase attractiveness of building trade apprenticeships for young people and women
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The Cass review established that social transitioning is not a neutral act and introduces significant risk of harm.
Does the Secretary agree that Scotland's new First Minister should commit to factual, science-based education based on the Cass review findings?
I encourage those in the Scottish Government to pay attention to Hilary Cass's report, which has brought common sense into the debate. We prioritise children's safety and have produced draft guidance underpinned by parental involvement principles.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit directly to supporting implementation of Cass review in Scottish schools
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Liberal Democrat-run council in Rutland announced closure of a specialist SEND nursery rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted, alongside the only leisure centre.
The council plans to close an outstanding-rated SEND nursery and leisure centre. Does my hon. Friend agree that specialist provision must be protected?
My hon. Friend is right in championing the needs of parents and children facing these closures, which come from a series of negative reports about Lib Dem councils.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide commitment to protecting specialist SEND provision or addressing concerns raised by constituents
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
There is chaos surrounding the opening of King's Leadership Academy with parents and children facing uncertainty, causing pressure on local school places.
The Department's delay in applying for planning permission for King's Leadership Academy has caused issues. When will the Department take action to ensure the academy opens as planned?
I will look into the details of the case and write to the hon. Lady.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a concrete timeline or commitment for resolving the issue
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
There has been a significant drop in level 2 apprenticeship starts, affecting social mobility and regional development.
Research highlights the decline of level 2 apprenticeship starts. What work is being carried out to reverse this trend?
At levels 2 and 3, apprenticeships make up 65% of all starts so far this year with almost 140 at level 2. We have invested £50 million over two years to boost starts in sectors including engineering.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions addressing the decline of level 2 apprenticeship starts directly
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
The Outwood Academy Riverside in Middlesbrough is facing significant delays with no construction progress despite the approval of a new secondary school five years ago. The current setup involves children being taught in temporary accommodations.
Five years on from the approval of a new secondary school in my Middlesbrough constituency, not a brick has been laid and the children of Outwood Academy Riverside remain in an old Home Office block, and the next two years' intake are going to be bused to Redcar to portacabins plonked on a field. Children are spending their entire secondary school years in temporary accommodation and it is just not good enough. Will the Secretary of State tell ministerial colleagues to get a grip and crack on with building the new school these students need and deserve?
We have increased the amount of money going into condition funding. We are also, of course, rebuilding 500 schools under the school rebuilding programme. I will look into the specific case the hon. Gentleman mentions and come back to him.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to expediting construction for Outwood Academy Riverside specifically
Will Look Into
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a campaign to improve children's access to books and literary materials in their schools and communities before they start school.
My hon. Friend will be aware of my campaign to improve literacy across the country by improving children's access to libraries in their schools and communities. Much can also be done by parents, grandparents and carers in the years before children start school. What is the Department doing to improve access to books and audiobooks in particular, as well as other literary materials, for pre-school children?
My hon. Friend raises an excellent point. Reading is one of the most important things children can be doing at a young age. Our Little Moments Together campaign provides free resources for parents to encourage a positive culture of reading at home, and we also fund the National Literacy Trust, which does great work to promote reading.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify concrete actions or programmes targeting pre-school children directly
Raises An Excellent Point
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
The Youth Endowment Fund is working on initiatives to prevent young people from getting involved in crime.
Can the Minister give us an update on the schools-based work of the Youth Endowment Fund on trying to stop young people getting involved in crime, and can he tell us how the success of that work will be judged?
As it happens, I am meeting the director of the Youth Endowment Fund in the morning. We have a quarterly meeting to review progress and make sure it is on track.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide an update or evaluation methods for success
I Am Meeting
We Have
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
There are concerns about political indoctrination and unbiased education in schools.
In regard to the worrying topic raised earlier of antisemitism and Islamophobia in schools, will Ministers please bear in mind sections 406 and 407 of the Education Act 1996? The former bans political indoctrination in schools, and the latter says that when political subjects are brought to the attention of pupils, they must be presented in a fair and balanced way.
My right hon. Friend issues a timely and important reminder and we are very clear on that with schools. We also, of course, part-fund Educate Against Hate, which has materials available, and I know that schools also seek to go to lengths in most cases to make sure that when tackling controversial current affairs, they are doing so in an entirely impartial way.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address adherence to specific sections of the Education Act 1996
Timely And Important Reminder
We Are Very Clear
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
The childcare scheme is not meeting local demands, with low rates paid in central Bedfordshire causing further issues.
While it is welcome that Ministers are finally investing in childcare, the scheme just is not working, with local providers telling me it falls far short of what they need to meet demand, exacerbated by the especially low rate paid in central Bedfordshire. Will Ministers change course to make sure that central Bedfordshire families can finally access the childcare they need?
Again, the first stage of this roll-out has gone incredibly well, with more than 200,000 children now benefiting. Labour MPs should spend less time criticising our roll-out and more in asking their Front Bench what their plan is, because it is supposed to be like the creation of the NHS.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific issues or seek changes to the scheme
Should Spend Less Time Criticising
What Their Plan Is
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
Labour's policy to reduce support for independent special educational needs schools is causing concern.
St Francis School and Heathfield School are two excellent special educational needs schools in Fareham, supporting a variety of children with conditions ranging from Down's syndrome to epilepsy, but around the country there are 95,000 children at independent special educational needs schools. Does my hon. Friend agree that Labour's misguided attack on independent schools will be harmful and punitive to vulnerable children all around the country?
My right hon. and learned Friend is absolutely right. This is a policy to tickle the bellies of the left of the Labour party. The Opposition did not think it through, and they are now going to whack families trying to get the right support for their children with special educational needs with 20% more in fees.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address policy details or impacts directly
Tickle The Bellies
Did Not Think It Through
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a significant discrepancy in student maintenance support between Scottish students living away from home and English students outside London.
In 2024-25, Scottish students living away from home will be entitled to a minimum of £8,400 in student maintenance, whereas English students living outside London will only be getting a minimum of £4,767. Given the current cost of living crisis, which is undoubtedly a factor in the withdrawal of almost 16,000 undergraduate students in England last year, will the Government commit to providing the same encouragement and reinforcement to students in England as students in Scotland enjoy?
We are trying to deliver a system that is fair not just to students, but to taxpayers, too. That is why we are taking action to support students with the cost of living in England, including freezing tuition fees. We have increased loans by 2.8%, and we have made sure that if someone's family income falls by 15%, they can have their loans reassessed. It is also important that we support people from lower income households, which is why we have made a further £10 million available, including for hardship funding, in 2023-24. This system is fair not just to students, but to taxpayers more widely.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to matching Scottish support levels
Fair Not Just
Important That We Support
Response accuracy
Q20
Direct Answer
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Context
The Sir Robert Pattinson Academy is facing infrastructure challenges that have been refused urgent funding.
The Sir Robert Pattinson Academy in my constituency is a great school providing an excellent education to children. However, it is struggling with the challenges of aged infrastructure, and an urgent bid for it to rectify the heating and wiring challenges has been refused. An urgent meeting on Friday with officials was unproductive, not least because the data they were looking at was out of date. Can I ask the Secretary of State to please ensure that the senior leadership team gets an urgent meeting with senior officials and that she personally ensures that this bid is looked at properly and quickly?
I will indeed do that. My hon. Friend has brought up this subject with me and with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. There was that meeting with Mr Hardy on Friday. I know there are two separate cases around the condition improvement fund bid and the urgent capital support bid. We will continue to work with the school, and I will ensure that my hon. Friend gets that high-level meeting that she asks for.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q21
Partial Answer
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Context
The Department for Education announced a reduction in funding for the Now Teach programme, which has supported over 1,000 people switching careers to become secondary teachers.
Why are the Government withdrawing funding from Now Teach when they are missing their teacher training targets by 50% in certain subjects and when Now Teach has had such a successful track record in getting people to retrain as teachers?
The statistics provided by the hon. Lady are incorrect. The Government is reassessing the best way to attract more career changers into teaching and making sure it goes about it in the best and most productive way, not axing Now Teach.
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Assessment & feedback
The statistics provided by the questioner were denied but no specific commitment was made regarding funding for Now Teach or other career change programmes.
Denial Of Incorrect Statistics
Response accuracy
Q22
Partial Answer
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Context
Stories have emerged about children missing school time due to exclusion, bullying, and self-harming at Academies Enterprise Trust and Maltings Academy in Witham town.
What assurance can be given to pupils and their families that their concerns will be heard and they will have greater educational choice over which schools their children attend?
I am taking a close personal interest in multiple cases. My Department will work with my right hon. Friend on this matter.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific action or timeline was provided to address the local concerns raised.
Personal Involvement
Response accuracy
Q23
Partial Answer
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Context
A criminal investigation is ongoing after a charge of attempted murder was laid against someone involved with Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, which falls under the devolved education system in Wales.
Will the Secretary of State pledge to work with the Welsh Government to ensure safety measures are put in place following various investigations?
I am always willing to work with anyone from the devolved Administrations.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific commitment was made regarding safety measures or cooperation on a particular incident.
Broad Willingness To Collaborate
Response accuracy
Q24
Direct Answer
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Context
Businesses, particularly in manufacturing, struggle with filling vacancies and often look towards the existing workforce.
What work is being done to encourage more older workers into the apprenticeship system?
We are delivering local skills improvement plans and working with over 5,000 employers to match workforce needs through skills bootcamps that bring different demographics into training.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q25
Partial Answer
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Context
There are reports suggesting that some Conservative MPs want to ban graduate visas, which could negatively impact the UK's £42 billion benefit from international students.
Will the Minister ask the Home Secretary to quash rumours about banning graduate visas given their significant economic and cultural contributions?
We aim to balance a robust migration policy with maintaining our position as a top destination for international students, acknowledging their substantial economic and cultural benefits.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment was made regarding the Home Secretary addressing the issue directly or banning graduate visas.
Balancing Act
Response accuracy
Q26
Partial Answer
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Context
Bracknell Forest has received significant support from the Department of Education, including a £16 million safety valve programme and various special educational needs initiatives.
Given the high number of good and outstanding schools in Bracknell and the focus on apprenticeships at Bracknell and Wokingham College, might I tempt her to visit?
The safety valve programme is being used across 38 local authorities and provides a lifeline to many councils; it would be nice to see it in action.
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Assessment & feedback
No concrete commitment was made regarding visiting Bracknell Forest or highlighting specific support initiatives.
Broad Willingness
Response accuracy
Q27
Partial Answer
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Context
For over a decade, there have been calls to end the faith cap which restricts the opening of new Catholic schools.
Should I keep campaigning for an end to the faith cap given its ineffectiveness in preventing the opening of new Catholic schools?
The Catholic Church, the Church of England, and other denominations play a central role in education with high-quality schools popular among parents. The Government wishes to extend its academies and free schools programme which has improved quality since 2010.
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Assessment & feedback
No direct answer was given about the faith cap or whether continued campaigning would be effective.
General Comment
Response accuracy