Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Integrated Education

Wednesday 2 December 2020 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government provided 500 million for the development of shared schools in Northern Ireland under the Fresh Start agreement.
  • 31 million was spent by 2019-20, with full funding committed through 2025-26.
  • The Secretary of State agrees to do all they can to support the delivery of shared education as part of fulfilling the legacy of the Good Friday agreement.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alex Cunningham Lab
Northern Ireland
Context

The MP questions progress on the commitment made under the Fresh Start agreement to integrate education and mentions that £500 million has been provided for this initiative.

Question

What assessment does he have of progress towards integrated education in Northern Ireland? The Government provided £500 million for development, but only £31 million was spent by 2019-20. Is the establishment of an independent fiscal council necessary to ensure proper delivery?

Answer from Robin Walker

The Government is committed to integrated education in Northern Ireland. £500 million was provided under the Fresh Start agreement for the development of shared schools, with £31 million spent by 2019-20 and full funding committed through 2025-26. An independent fiscal council could support accountability on delivery and other fiscal matters.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The exact commitment to establish an independent fiscal council was not given, only that it could support accountability.

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Q2 Alex Cunningham Lab
Northern Ireland
Context

The MP references the Good Friday agreement and highlights the opportunity presented by the New Decade, New Approach deal to drive progress on shared education.

Question

Integrated education is a major unfulfilled legacy of the Good Friday agreement. Is it time to seize the opportunity given by the New Decade, New Approach deal to drive real progress on shared education that builds a fairer society?

Answer from Robin Walker

Yes, it is time to seize the opportunity presented by the New Decade, New Approach deal to drive real progress on shared education that builds a fairer society.

Answered
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Q3 Karin Smyth Lab Bristol South
Education Northern Ireland
Context

The MP mentions hosting the Integrated Education Fund and having a positive cross-party discussion about supporting integrated education despite the pandemic.

Question

Will the Secretary of State and Minister commit to doing all they can to support delivery of shared education, as part of fulfilling a legacy work from the Good Friday agreement?

Answer from Robin Walker

I agree with the hon. Lady about the importance of this issue. Under New Decade, New Approach, the Executive agreed to establish a programme focusing on educating children together to build a shared society. I have met Northern Irish parties and share their ambition to speed up delivery.

Partly answered

Not addressed: A direct commitment was not given; instead, agreement on the importance of the issue and some progress were acknowledged.

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