Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Educational Attainment

Monday 12 October 2020 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister's Department committed to raising educational standards and levelling up opportunities across the UK.
  • Government announced a 1 billion covid recovery package including a 350 million national tutoring programme for disadvantaged pupils.
  • Government assessment highlights the significant benefits of A-level equivalent qualifications, increasing average earnings by 10%.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Education
Context

The questioner is concerned about ensuring improvement in educational standards across all regions of the UK.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure improvement in educational attainment in each region of the UK?

Answer from Gavin Williamson

My Department is committed to raising standards across the country and levelling up opportunities for all. Our £1 billion covid recovery package includes a £350 million national tutoring programme targeted at disadvantaged pupils, and we continue to invest in the growth of strong academy trusts to drive attainment in areas facing particular challenges.

Answered
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Q2 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Education
Context

The questioner inquires about the assessment made by the Government regarding the impact of individuals gaining a level 3 qualification compared to sticking at level 2.

Question

In blue wall constituencies such as North West Durham and more broadly across the north of England, it is quite clear that the Government's lifelong learning announcement will really benefit people and communities disproportionately well, helping our Government's levelling up agenda. What assessment have the Government made of the impact on earnings of individuals who gain a level 3 qualification, rather than sticking at level 2?

Answer from Gavin Williamson

My hon. Friend raises an incredibly important point, because there is so much evidence that if people have an A-level equivalent qualification, the benefits that they will have throughout their life are significant, with an increase of 10% of average earnings for those who gain that qualification. That is why our lifetime skills guarantee is so vital to ensure that people right across the country have the opportunities that we want all our constituents to have.

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Q3 Carol Monaghan SNP
Education Scotland
Context

The questioner is concerned about the impact of the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill on teachers in Scotland and asks if a meeting can be arranged to discuss these concerns.

Question

Educational attainment depends very much on the quality of the teachers. In Scotland, teachers must attain a specified professional standard, which is not necessarily replicated in other parts of the UK. The General Teaching Council for Scotland has raised concerns about the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill and its implications for the profession in Scotland, so will the Secretary of State agree to meet the General Teaching Council for Scotland to discuss these concerns?

Answer from Gavin Williamson

Of course, we would always be happy to meet.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask was not directly answered, and the response is too vague without a clear commitment to arrange a meeting or provide details of how the concerns will be addressed.

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Q4 Robert Halfon Con
Education
Context

The questioner raises concerns about students who missed out on learning during the past six months and asks about the assessment made of their needs and what plans are in place if they need to be sent home.

Question

My right hon Friend is right to delay the exams, as announced today. What assessment has been made of the students who missed learning over the past six months in terms of the catch-up needed for the learning they have lost, and what is the plan, if students are sent home, to ensure that they carry on learning at home online?

Answer from Gavin Williamson

My right hon. Friend raises the vital point that we need to ensure that we have continuity of education. I think every Member of this House recognises the value that all children gain from being in school with their teachers and having the opportunity to learn, and that is why issuing the direction of continuity of education and ensuring that schools are held accountable for delivering education even if pupils are having to isolate at home is so incredibly important. We need to ensure that every child, whether they are in the classroom or at home, is getting the education that they require.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask was not directly answered, and while there is a commitment to continuity of education, there are no concrete details on how learning loss will be assessed or what specific plans are in place for home learning.

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