Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Educational Disadvantage: Covid-19

Monday 22 June 2020 · 8 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 8 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government committed to a 1 billion package to address educational disadvantage caused by coronavirus.
  • The suggestion of moving the 2021 exam season back by two months is being reviewed to provide additional teaching time.
  • The Secretary of State welcomed the Autism Education Trust's extra funding for training teachers and creating optimal learning environments.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wes Streeting Lab Ilford North
Education
Context

The Government's latest Social Mobility Commission report highlights a lack of coherent strategy, mounting evidence that welfare changes have put more children into poverty, and widening attainment gaps.

Question

The Secretary of State acknowledges the impact of coronavirus on education. However, his response seems short of the comprehensive action needed to address educational disadvantage. The report also mentions further education as underfunded and undervalued. With a DFE press release last Thursday announcing support for early years and post-16 education but later only providing funding for schools, is it time for the Secretary of State to take more decisive action?

Answer from Gavin Williamson (Secretary of State for Education)

The Government are committed to closing educational gaps. Unlike the Labour party, they are driving up education standards through an extra £1 billion package aimed at helping disadvantaged students affected by coronavirus.

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Q2 Alec Shelbrooke Con Wakefield
Education
Context

Suggestion to move the 2021 exam season from May to July, allowing more classroom time for students and teachers.

Question

In light of the suggestion about moving the 2021 exam season back by two months to give pupils more classroom learning time before exams, has the Secretary of State considered this or other ways to provide additional teaching time?

Answer from Gavin Williamson (Secretary of State for Education)

As part of the £1 billion package, plans are in place to support disadvantaged children through one-on-one tutoring and group sessions. The suggestion about providing more teaching time before exams is being reviewed by consulting Ofqual on moving exam dates back to give students extra learning opportunities.

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Q3 George Howarth Lab Great Grimsby
Education
Context

Additional £350 million for catch-up tutoring, but schools with already strained budgets must cover a quarter of the cost.

Question

While welcoming the extra funding for catch-up tutoring, there are concerns that schools will have to find a quarter of the costs themselves. Can the Secretary of State assure that schools, best positioned to understand their pupils' needs, can allocate these funds effectively and appropriately?

Answer from Gavin Williamson (Secretary of State for Education)

Pleased to report Knowsley Council's cooperation in opening up schools. The £350 million package is targeted, based on evidence showing tutoring's significant impact on disadvantaged children's progress. Additionally, the £650 million portion offers flexibility to schools for improvement initiatives and aligns with Education Endowment Foundation guidance.

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Q4 Miriam Cates Con Stockton South
Education Children & Families
Context

Parents report emotional and behavioral challenges in autistic children due to disrupted school routines. Some autistic children are not allowed back due to social distancing concerns.

Question

Recognising the £1 billion support package's importance, Miriam Cates highlights emotional impacts on children beyond academic loss, particularly for those with autism. Parents indicate a detrimental effect of lockdown routines and fear permanent harm from delayed returns. What measures can be taken to facilitate earlier school re-entry for autistic children?

Answer from Gavin Williamson (Secretary of State for Education)

Welcomes the early return of all children and supports the Autism Education Trust, which receives extra funding this year for training teachers and creating optimal learning environments.

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Q5 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Education
Context

Anderson refers to conversations with headteachers in his constituency who wish for a full school service resumption.

Question

Anderson deeply regrets the Labour Party's refusal to publicly acknowledge schools' safety, urging the Secretary of State to remind colleagues about prioritizing children's education and welfare over political debates.

Answer from Gavin Williamson (The Secretary of State for Education)

Williamson agrees with Anderson, noting that schools are a safe environment not just for students but also for staff. He expresses hope that the shadow Secretary of State will acknowledge the importance of returning all children to school in a secure setting.

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Q6 Rebecca Long-Bailey Lab Salford and Eccles
Education
Context

Long-Bailey highlights inconsistencies in the Government's press release on education funding, emphasizing that less than an hour after its issuance, it was modified to exclude early years and 16-19 providers from eligibility.

Question

Long-Bailey questions why there were alterations made to the initial announcement regarding the £700 million funding allocation. She inquires about the necessity for schools to contribute 25% of their tuition fund themselves and demands clarity on these issues.

Answer from Gavin Williamson (The Secretary of State for Education)

Williamson criticizes Long-Bailey's questioning, stating that while Labour advocates oppose children returning to school, his government is committed to ensuring every child returns safely. He claims their £1 billion funding scheme will be more effective than any proposals from the opposition in closing attainment gaps.

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Q7 Rebecca Long-Bailey Lab Salford and Eccles
Education
Context

Long-Bailey voices frustration over the lack of consultation with relevant stakeholders before announcing the £1 billion scheme. She calls for a task force comprising trade unions, educational bodies, local authorities, parent groups and health experts to address immediate issues.

Question

Long-Bailey questions why there was no formal discussion with these sectors ahead of announcing the funding scheme. She inquires if Williamson will now convene such a taskforce to urgently tackle outstanding matters related to education recovery.

Answer from Gavin Williamson (The Secretary of State for Education)

Williamson acknowledges that Labour would not see any children returning to classrooms if left to their policies, while his government has already reintroduced nursery, reception, years 1 and 6, alongside years 10 and 12. He confirms they will outline full return plans next week and reiterates commitment to listening to all sectors.

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Q8 Robert Halfon Con Harlow
Education
Context

Halfon welcomes the £1 billion funding announcement by the Government, emphasizing its potential to aid disadvantaged children. He inquires about using part of this fund for summer school or camp programs.

Question

Halfon requests confirmation that money from the £1 billion scheme can be utilized for setting up summer schools or camps and asks if the Department will collaborate with Essex County Council on such initiatives.

Answer from Gavin Williamson (The Secretary of State for Education)

Williamson thanks Halfon for his advice. He confirms the Department's willingness to work with Essex County Council on setting up camps across the county and cites summer camps as one of several schemes recommended by the Education Endowment Foundation in their guidance.

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