Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Children from Disadvantaged Backgrounds: Geographic Equality of Opportunity

Wednesday 7 July 2021 · 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 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ruth Edwards asked about steps to improve geographic equality of opportunity for disadvantaged children.
  • Peter Aldous raised concerns about current funding arrangements for early years education in deprived areas.
  • Kieran Mullan inquired about actions to support disadvantaged white boys based on a recent Education Committee report.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ruth Edwards
Education Children & Families
Context

N/A - General policy question about opportunities for disadvantaged children.

Question

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to improve geographic equality of opportunity for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Answer from Vicky Ford

Every child, no matter what their background, should have access to world-class education that opens up opportunities for their future. Our pupil premium is targeted at schools based on the number of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. It has helped to close the attainment gap over the past decade, and it is expected to increase to more than £2.5 billion this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific geographic equality measures are not addressed

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Q2 Peter Aldous Con
Children & Families
Context

The MP is concerned about the current funding arrangements that may be skewed against providers operating in deprived areas, such as parts of Lowestoft.

Question

I am most grateful to the Minister for her reply. Early years education plays a key role in supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds, but there is a concern that the current funding arrangements are skewed against providers operating in deprived areas such as parts of Lowestoft in my constituency. I have corresponded with her on this issue, and we will hopefully meet shortly, but does she agree it is vital that all children, whatever their background, have ready access to high-quality and properly funded early years education? Will the Government take steps to ensure this happens?

Answer from Vicky Ford

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. High-quality early years education is important, which is why the Government have invested over £3.5 billion every year for the past three years in supporting education for two, three and four-year-olds. Our recent education recovery announcement included increased investment in early years teaching.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific funding arrangement issues are not addressed

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Q3 Kieran Mullan Con Bexhill and Battle
Education
Context

The question arises from the recent Education Committee report, highlighting concerns about the support for disadvantaged white boys.

Question

In light of the recent Education Committee report, what is the Department doing to support disadvantaged white boys?

Answer from Vicky Ford

We are considering the recommendations of the Select Committee on Education very carefully, and all the evidence shows that high-quality teaching is the single most effective way to improve education outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. That is why it is so important that the pupil premium is used to support continuing professional development, as well as academic programmes and pastoral support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures for disadvantaged white boys are not detailed

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Q4 Ruth Edwards
Education Safeguarding & DBS Women & Equalities
Context

The question is prompted by a recent Ofsted report highlighting the issue of sexual abuse in schools, particularly affecting girls.

Question

Given the recent Ofsted report, what steps are the Government taking to make sure that all parts of the country have robust safeguarding measures in place so that every girl can fulfil her potential in school without fear of sexual abuse?

Answer from Vicky Ford

My hon. Friend is absolutely right—sex abuse is not acceptable. The Government are taking action through the child sex abuse strategy and the violence against women and girls strategy, and we have published strengthened guidance for schools on peer-on-peer abuse and updated relationships, sex and health education.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures to ensure robust safeguarding across all regions are not detailed

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