Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Disadvantage Gap in Schools

Monday 17 April 2023 · 5 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister claims disadvantage gap closed by 13% in primary schools and 9% in secondary schools before the pandemic.
  • Government allocated 5 billion for an education recovery plan to help students catch up after pandemic disruptions.
  • Pupil premium funding is being increased from 2.6 billion to 2.9 billion.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rebecca Long-Bailey Lab Salford
Education
Context

The disadvantage gap continues to be wider than it was in 2019, and the Government limited the uptake of education recovery programmes like the national tutoring programme. The funding provided is less than a third of what the Education Recovery Commissioner recommended.

Question

I am concerned that despite painting a rosy picture, the disadvantage gap continues to be wider than it was in 2019 and the Government has limited the uptake of education recovery programmes like the national tutoring programme. They provided only less than a third of the funding recommended by their own Education Recovery Commissioner. Will the Minister commit today to increasing funding to meet these urgent needs?

Answer from Nick Gibb

Since 2010, we closed the disadvantage gap by 13% in primary schools and 9% in secondary schools. However, the gap widened during the pandemic. We introduced the national tutoring programme for intensive tuition to those who have fallen behind, spending £5 billion on an education recovery plan. The pupil premium is being increased from £2.6 billion to £2.9 billion this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to increasing funding beyond the current figures and programmes already in place.

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Q2 Rebecca Long-Bailey Lab Salford
Education
Context

Strikes by teachers' unions are disrupting children's learning and the ability to pass exams, particularly affecting those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The question highlights concerns about union actions holding children's futures hostage.

Question

I congratulate the Minister for narrowing the disadvantage gap and standing up to unions in 2010 when introducing reforms in education. However, it is unfortunate that Labour remains silent while unions disrupt learning through strikes. What work is being done to ensure disadvantaged students do not suffer due to union actions?

Answer from Nick Gibb

My hon. Friend rightly highlights the importance of prioritizing school attendance, particularly for vulnerable children and those in exam years. We have issued guidance to schools to prioritize these students when restricting attendance.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q3 Jonathan Gullis
Education Children & Families
Context

The Government's failure to invest adequately has resulted in disadvantaged pupils being further behind their peers than at any point over the last decade. The Minister has been in position for most of this period.

Question

Given the Minister's long-standing role, what does he attribute the widening disadvantage gap to during and post-pandemic?

Answer from Nick Gibb

We had closed the attainment gap by 13% in primary schools and 9% in secondary schools prior to the pandemic. The gap widened during the pandemic, hence we are allocating £5 billion for children's catch-up. I urge condemnation of strikes disrupting education.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide reasons specific to his period but highlighted pre-pandemic achievements and post-pandemic measures without addressing the widening gap causally.

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Q4 Stephen Morgan Lab Portsmouth South
Education
Context

Private schools received over £157 million in Government loans during the pandemic. One loan alone cost taxpayers more than £350,000 and another was given despite a financial surplus of £13 million.

Question

Why did the Government provide substantial loans to private schools when such funds were not available for state schools to help tackle the disadvantage gap?

Answer from Nick Gibb

We are spending £5 billion on an education recovery plan and have funded schools fully throughout the pandemic. Over £400 billion of support was provided to the UK economy and families.

Not addressed: The Minister did not address why loans were given to private schools without similar support for state schools.

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Q5 Carol Monaghan SNP
Education
Context

Despite improvements, the disadvantage gap continues to widen post-pandemic. The Government's national tutoring programme had limited uptake and funding fell short of recommendations.

Question

The Minister has highlighted improvements but the disadvantage gap is now wider than before the pandemic. Despite this, they provided only a third of recommended recovery funds. What urgent steps will be taken to address this pressing need?

Answer from Nick Gibb

Since 2010, we closed the disadvantage gap by 13% in primary schools and 9% in secondary schools. During the pandemic, this gap widened but we introduced a tutoring programme and allocated £5 billion for recovery. The pupil premium is being increased from £2.6 billion to £2.9 billion.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to specific actions beyond existing programmes and funding.

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