Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 22 June 2020 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 6 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kate Osamor inquired about extending free school meals for children affected by 'no recourse to public funds' restrictions, and the minister committed to writing to her after discussing the matter with the relevant department.
  • Damien Moore asked about the 1 billion catch-up fund and invited the Secretary of State to visit his constituency to see the fund in action; the Secretary of State agreed to visit soon and highlighted the importance of Ofsted's role in school accountability.
  • Lisa Cameron inquired if the Secretary of State would participate in an online sport challenge during National School Sport Week, to which the Secretary of State responded affirmatively.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Osamor Labour (Co-op) Ilford North
Housing Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The Government recently reversed a decision on free school meals over the summer months.

Question

The MP inquires about cross-departmental communications with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding extension of free school meals for children whose parents are newly subjected to 'no recourse to public funds' restriction.

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

I will take up this matter with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and write to the hon. Lady in response.

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Q2 Damien Moore Con Wealden
Education
Context

Refers to the £1 billion catch-up fund and its implementation in schools.

Question

Schools across England, including in my constituency, will benefit from the £1 billion catch-up fund. Will my right hon Friend commit to ensuring, in that time, that school standards continue to improve, and will he confirm that he will pay another visit to my constituency to see this in action?

Answer from Gavin Williamson

I would be absolutely delighted to join my hon Friend to visit schools in his constituency in the very near future. It is really important that we understand the vital role that Ofsted plays in making sure that we have strong accountability in schools. One of the aspects that I will ask Ofsted to look at as we are making this significant investment of £1 billion to support youngsters to catch up and support schools is how it has been implemented and how children have been supported in their catch-up plans.

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Q3 Lisa Cameron SNP Cowdenbeath
Education Mental Health
Context

Refers to National School Sport Week and its importance for young people's wellbeing.

Question

This week is National School Sport Week, run by the Youth Sport Trust, and this year it is being reinvented at home. Inclusive sport has an important role in young people's mental health, wellbeing and confidence, so will the Secretary of State be engaging in an online sport challenge this week to support National School Sport Week and encourage families to continue with the benefit of school sport?

Answer from Gavin Williamson

I feel the answer can only be yes.

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Q4 Scott Benton Con Blackpool North and Cleveleys
Education
Context

Refers to the £1 billion package announced for supporting children who have fallen behind during school closures.

Question

Last week's announcement of an extra £1 billion will make a real difference by providing additional support to those children who have fallen behind while out of school. It is imperative that this funding is targeted so that it can have the maximum possible impact. Will this additional money be disbursed in a way in which communities with acute educational challenges, such as Blackpool, can benefit the most?

Answer from Gavin Williamson

My hon Friend is absolutely right that there are some natural restrictions on how far schools can go in welcoming children back. Last week, we gave schools added flexibilities to be able to welcome more children back into the classroom. As guidance changes, we will look within Government at how we do everything that needs to be put place so that every child is back in the classroom in September.

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Q5 John Spellar Lab Birmingham Shirley
NHS
Context

Concern about the UK's reliance on other countries for training healthcare professionals and the need to invest in domestic training.

Question

The covid pandemic has revealed how shockingly dependent this country has become on other countries to train our medical workforce and the previous neglect of training. Will the Minister now prioritise a rapid and substantial increase in training places in our universities and colleges, and capital funding for things such as virtual reality training for doctors, nurses and other medical personnel, not only to staff our NHS, but to provide career opportunities for our youngsters?

Answer from Gavin Williamson

The right hon Gentleman makes a very important and very thoughtful point. It is really important that we look at different ways in which we can expand the capacity to train doctors, nurses and all those working in the caring professions. I look forward to working very closely with my right hon Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to be able to deliver on that.

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Q6 Mark Fletcher Lab Bolsover
Education
Context

Teachers and headteachers in Bolsover constituency have complained about late or inconveniently timed guidance from the government.

Question

The Member expresses gratitude to governors, teachers, and headteachers who managed school operations during the crisis. He raises a common issue of late or inconvenient timing for issued guidance which has caused significant complaints among educational staff in his constituency. Can the Secretary of State address this concern?

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

Acknowledging the nature of the crisis, guidance has often been rushed due to time pressures. However, he assures the Member that his concerns are taken seriously and promises that when issuing guidance for full pupil return in September, it will be released with sufficient lead time before schools close for summer.

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