Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Education: Equality of Opportunity

Wednesday 21 October 2020 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister discussed ensuring equality of opportunity in education through initiatives like opportunity areas and T-levels.
  • Government established Opportunity North East to level up communities and ensure better attainment at ages 16 and 18.
  • Minister will chair a board meeting to discuss work with Richard Holden to support young people in North West Durham.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Education Women & Equalities
Context

The MP is concerned about the lack of equality of opportunity in the UK's education system.

Question

What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on ensuring equality of opportunity in the education system.

Answer from Michelle Donelan

Talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not. This Government's mission is to rectify that through work by the Department for Education including opportunity areas, access to higher education work and reforms to further education such as T-levels. Equality of opportunity lies at the heart of this work.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify any specific discussions held with the Secretary of State on ensuring equality of opportunity in the education system.

How: Broad Statements About Mission And Values

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Q2 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Education
Context

North West Durham sees lower educational outcomes, especially among white working class pupils who get disproportionately poor results. The MP is seeking measures to improve these outcomes at ages 16 and 18 and later life.

Question

What measures are the Government taking to ensure better attainment at the ages of 16 and 18 and in later life, and not only to deliver greater opportunities for individuals, but to level up all our communities?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

We established Opportunity North East. I will chair a board meeting tomorrow to discuss that work. We are working with the constituency's advocate, Richard Holden, to ensure young people in North West Durham get the chances and choices they deserve.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific measures taken by the government for better attainment at ages 16 and 18 or later life outcomes.

How: Reference To A Future Meeting, General Commitment To Work With Constituency Advocate

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