Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

School Staff Absences

Monday 31 January 2022 · 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

  • The Department has extended the covid workforce fund to at least the February half-term to help schools with high absence and financial pressures.
  • Other measures include encouraging former teachers to temporarily fill absences.
  • The Government has sent carbon dioxide monitors to schools to identify classrooms that need additional support.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rebecca Long-Bailey Lab Salford
Education
Context

The questioner is concerned about high staff absence rates in schools and the adequacy of government support to address this issue.

Question

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of Government support to help tackle staff absences in schools. The Department has extended the covid workforce fund to at least the February half-term, so that schools with high absence and financial pressures can continue to access these additional funds.

Answer from Robin Walker

The Department has extended the covid workforce fund to at least the February half-term, so that schools with high absence and financial pressures can continue to access these additional funds. Other measures include asking former teachers to come forward if they are available to temporarily fill absences in schools during the spring term.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assessment of the adequacy of government support not provided, only mentions extensions and other measures.

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Q2 Rebecca Long-Bailey Lab Salford
Education Environment
Context

On January 20, over 415,000 pupils and 15% of teachers were absent. Despite this, only 9,000 air purifiers have been promised for approximately 300,000 classrooms in the UK. In comparison, Germany has pledged to subsidise up to 80% of the cost of air cleaning equipment.

Question

On 20 January, more than 415,000 pupils were off school and 15% of teachers were absent, but only 9,000 air purifiers have been promised, for approximately 300,000 classrooms. The Minister lauds the Government response, yet Germany has promised to subsidise 80% of the cost of air cleaning equipment in all schools to ensure that education is not disrupted. Why is he failing to ensure that our pupils have similar levels of protection?

Answer from Robin Walker

Very simply, because we are taking an evidence-based approach. We have listened to schools and we sent them the carbon dioxide monitors so that they can monitor where classrooms need the extra support. About 3% of classrooms needed that extra support and they are the ones where the devices are being provided entirely funded by the Department.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not address why UK funding for air purifiers is lower than Germany's, only states an evidence-based approach and funds distribution based on need.

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