Topical Questions 2021-09-06
2021-09-06
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Russell Scott Primary School in Denton had a £2.7 million refurbishment by Carillion, which left structural problems requiring another £5 million for repairs. Tameside Council is unsure if the building can be fixed.
Russell Scott Primary School in Denton had an extensive £2.7 million refurbishment a few years back. Unfortunately, the work was done by Carillion just before it went bump. Some £670,000 has been spent patching the structural problems caused by its works, but another £5 million is needed, and even then, Tameside Council is not convinced that the building will be fixed. This is serious, so may I ask the Secretary of State for an urgent meeting to look at how we can help Russell Scott give the children there the very best education in the very best buildings?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising the issue of Russell Scott Primary School. I know that my noble Friend Baroness Berridge would be very happy to meet him and other representatives to discuss in detail some of the challenges that the school is facing.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Government is expected to allocate additional funds for sixth-form students in the next spending review.
Sixth-form education will play a pivotal role in building back better after covid. Will the Secretary of State join me, please, in supporting an increase in base rate funding for sixth-form students to at least £4,760 in the forthcoming spending review? Will he also please agree to meet members of the all-party parliamentary group on sixth-form education, which I co-chair?
I would be absolutely delighted to meet my hon. Friend and colleagues on the all-party parliamentary group on sixth-form education. He will no doubt be aware that we have already been putting extra resources into 16-to-19 education. An additional £400 million was awarded in 2019. We recognise that it is important to invest in the quality of estate, which is why we are putting £1.5 billion into upgrading that estate.
▸
Assessment & feedback
We Have Already Been Putting Extra Resources
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
There has been a significant loss of childcare providers since June, with nearly 3,000 closures reported.
Earlier this year, in June, I stood at this Dispatch Box and confronted the Minister about the number of nurseries and childcare providers that were closing because of the Government's inability to fund the early years sector properly. The Minister accused me of scaremongering. Since June, there has been a further loss of 500 childcare providers in the sector, which brings the net loss for this year alone to nearly 3,000. Will the Minister make up for dismissing the concerns of parents, children and carers by providing targeted funding for the early years sector from this Government?
The Ofsted data from March shows a 4% dip in the number of childcare providers since 31 August, which is a fall largely driven by childminders and carers, not nursery settings. Sufficiency is the key measure and we have not had any reports of sufficiency issues in early years settings since they reopened in June 2020. We put £3.5 billion into our early years entitlements because we care about childcare.
▸
Assessment & feedback
We Have Not Had Any Reports Of Sufficiency Issues
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
What steps are the Government taking to promote the Turing student exchange scheme in Scotland?
The Turing scheme has exceeded expectations, with 40,000 placements across 150 locations. Ministers met Scottish journalists and education providers when applications opened. A total of 28 Scottish institutions have successfully applied for over £7.8 million in funding.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Council for At-Risk Academics has called for a fellowship scheme similar to the PAUSE scheme in France.
The Council for At-Risk Academics has called on the UK Government to set up a fellowship scheme for scholars at risk in Afghanistan similar to the PAUSE scheme in France. Will the Secretary of State consider implementing such a scheme?
I think we all recognise the amazing work that academics and teachers did in Afghanistan, doing so much to support education there. We would certainly look very closely at all options to support people who are most vulnerable as a result of the Taliban regime.
▸
Assessment & feedback
We Would Certainly Look Very Closely
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has provided statistics about the risk of severe illness in children aged 12 to 15.
We now know from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation that the chance of 12 to 15-year-olds ending up in intensive care with covid is two in a million. Given that statistic, is it still proportionate that millions of children are losing school days this week to be tested for covid?
My hon. Friend will be delighted to know that we will be reviewing the need for children to be doing home testing at the end of September. If there is not a requirement to do that, we will be looking at removing it. It is important that we continue to keep these matters under review. That is why we will be doing so at the end of this month.
▸
Assessment & feedback
We Will Be Reviewing
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
▸
Context
There is a shortage of educational psychologists, which delays the creation of education, health and care plans.
Disabled children and those with high needs have suffered disproportionately as a result of missed education and a lack of assessment. There is a huge shortage of educational psychologists, which is delaying the drawing up of education, health and care plans. Can the Minister tell me what steps she is taking to help those children to get the services they need and to catch up?
We have increased the high needs budget by a record £2.3 billion, which is over a third over the past three years. We are also making good progress with the special educational needs and disability review, which has inevitably been a bit frustrated by the pandemic and changed the issues we are looking at, but we absolutely want all pupils to have access to the education they deserve. That is why our recovery funding has also been extra tilted towards those in specialist settings.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The Pandemic And Changed The Issues
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The London Mathematical Society is raising awareness of the importance of mathematics through its campaign called 'Protect Pure Maths'. There's a concern that not enough people are studying maths.
I am concerned about the invaluable contribution maths makes to our economy and way of life, especially in areas like computing, encryption, AI, and even vaccine development. The London Mathematical Society is raising awareness through its Protect Pure Maths campaign. What will my right hon. Friend do to encourage more people to study maths at university and support STEM?
We have seen a real revolution in maths over the last 10 years, with A-levels being the most popular subject. This has been supported by changes in curriculum and the introduction of new specialist maths schools to help young people excel in mathematics.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about university studies was not addressed directly; only high school level is mentioned.
Changes In The Curriculum
Introduction Of New Specialist Maths Schools
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Students at the University of St Andrews are unable to start their studies due to visa delays.
At the University of St Andrews in my constituency, a number of students face difficulties starting their studies due to issues with obtaining visas. Is the Minister for Universities aware of these delays and what discussions have taken place with the Home Office regarding this issue?
I am more than happy to meet the hon. Member and work closely with colleagues in the Home Office to assist them in making the process smoother, as international students are vital to this country economically, culturally, and socially.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about meeting was not addressed; only willingness stated.
More Than Happy To Meet
Work Closely With Colleagues
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
▸
Context
A meeting was held recently to discuss the installation of defibrillators in schools following a tragic loss.
My right hon. Friend had a recent meeting about defibrillators in schools, but can he give us an update on when this will happen and how we ensure all schools have them?
It was moving to speak with Mark King about his loss, joined by Jamie Carragher. This focuses us on encouraging schools to have defibrillators and we will look at changing regulations under secondary legislation to ensure this.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about timeline for regulation change was not addressed directly; only intention stated.
Look At Changing The Regulations
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Community settings expose young people to significant risks, including alcohol abuse, drug dealing, and sexual exploitation.
Safeguarding is a priority in statutory settings like schools. However, young people in the community face huge risks such as excessive drinking, drug dealing, and sexual exploitation due to lack of youth provision. Will the Minister meet me to discuss putting these services in place?
I absolutely agree we need more for young people, which is why over summer we saw our amazing holiday activities and food programme. It helped build confidence, wellbeing, and close the attainment gap. I am happy to meet the hon. Member to find out more about her constituency.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for a meeting was not directly addressed; only willingness stated.
Happy To Meet
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
It was great visiting Ilfracombe Church of England Junior School's holiday activities, but this is one of few in my rural constituency. What steps are being taken to ensure more students can access such programmes?
I thank all hon. Members for visiting their HAF programmes this summer; they had so much fun and I am delighted that participation was high. It is the first time we have ever had such a project, and local authorities are setting out plans for Christmas.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about measures to increase reach was not addressed directly; only current efforts mentioned.
First Time We Have Ever Had
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
▸
Context
There has been a significant decrease in school participation rates for drama and music over the past decade.
Over the last decade, there's been a 47% drop in drama participation and a 36% fall in music. A broad curriculum is vital but often depends on parents' ability to pay. Unless committed funding is provided, young people will be let down. What will the Minister do about it?
We are committed to arts education; GCSE arts participation has remained stable over 10 years. We have significant funding: £620 million including £79 million for music hubs and £148 million for the music and dance scheme.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about providing funding was not directly addressed; only current funding levels mentioned.
Committed To Arts Education
Response accuracy
Q14
Direct Answer
Will the Secretary of State speak with the Home Department about getting visas for 12 at-risk Afghan scholars awarded sponsored places by British universities but needing visas to take them up?
I will most certainly speak with the Home Secretary about this. We want to support those from Afghanistan in resettling and contributing to our education system.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy