Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 17 July 2023 · 25 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 7 Partly answered 14 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Jamie Stone asked about teacher strikes and compensation, to which the Minister responded that teachers will receive a 6.5% pay raise, meeting manifesto commitments.
  • Jamie Stone also inquired about making the Turing scheme more accessible for disadvantaged students, with the Minister stating that disadvantaged students will take up two thirds of the international study and work opportunities.
  • Bridget Phillipson asked the Secretary of State to apologize for the disruption caused by teacher strikes, to which the response was that significant efforts have been made to address teachers' demands and fund necessary improvements.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Education
Context

Teachers in the UK have been on strike due to pay disputes. The question follows an announcement of a pay award for teachers.

Question

If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities, focusing specifically on addressing concerns about teacher strikes and ensuring proper compensation is provided according to manifesto commitments.

Answer from Gillian Keegan

This week, I have accepted the independent review body's recommendation in full, so our fantastic teachers will receive their highest pay award for 30 years—it will be at least 6.5%. From September, we will have delivered on our manifesto commitment by raising teachers' starting salaries to £30,000. To support our school leaders, we are providing an extra £525 million this year and a further £900 million in 2024-25.

Answered
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Q2 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Context

UK students who have been offered opportunities to study abroad under the Turing scheme are waiting for funding decisions. This is particularly challenging for less well-off families due to the need to pay for visas and accommodation in advance.

Question

Clearly, for students from less well-off families this is tough, as visas and accommodation have to be paid in advance. Will the Secretary of State give a commitment to bring forward these decisions next year, to make the Turing scheme more accessible to all students, regardless of their background?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. The Turing scheme is a great success. Disadvantaged students will take up two thirds of the international study and work opportunities from September, with students going to 160 different countries. It is a remarkable scheme, given that it has been introduced so quickly. I will work with the sector to make improvements to it and ensure people are funded in time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment was made regarding bringing forward funding decisions for the Turing scheme.

How: Working With The Sector

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Q3 Sheryll Murray Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

A meeting of the all-party parliamentary group on fisheries expressed interest in encouraging young people to pursue careers in fishing. Similar pleas have been made for agriculture.

Question

What more can the Department do to make it a reality that encourages young people to pursue careers in fishing and farming at an early educational stage?

Answer from Robert Halfon

My hon. Friend is a true fisherman's friend, although a lot sweeter tasting than the lozenges, I might add. She will be pleased to know that high-quality apprenticeship standards in agriculture and a level 2 fisher apprenticeship are available. We are promoting apprenticeships, including in agriculture, in our schools.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific actions or initiatives were committed for encouraging careers in fishing among young people.

How: Promoting Apprenticeships

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Q4 Bridget Phillipson Lab Houghton and Sunderland South
Education
Context

Ministers were aware of the likelihood of teachers going on strike since last year. The Secretary of State only settled the dispute recently.

Question

Will she take this opportunity to apologise to parents for the completely needless and avoidable disruption to their children's education for which she is responsible?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

Since I came into this job at the end of October, the unions asked for an extra £2 billion and I delivered it; families asked for childcare and I delivered it; the School Teachers Review Body asked for 6.5% for teachers and I delivered it; and that had to be funded, and I have delivered it.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not apologize or acknowledge responsibility for the disruption caused by teacher strikes.

How: Delivering On Requests

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Q5 Bridget Phillipson Lab Houghton and Sunderland South
Education
Context

The Institute for Fiscal Studies confirmed that ending private schools' tax breaks could raise up to £1.5 billion in additional revenue, which Labour plans to use to invest in new teachers and better mental health support.

Question

Will the Secretary of State distance herself from the discredited claim of the private schools' lobby, do the right thing and adopt Labour's plan to drive up standards in our schools?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

Labour has never driven up a standard in our schools. Most of our private schools are nothing like Eton or Harrow; they are far smaller and they charge a lot less. Many cost the same as a family holiday abroad, and there are plenty of parents who choose to forgo life's luxuries to give their children those opportunities.

How: Attacking Labour'S Record, Discussing Private School Costs

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Q6 Andy Carter
Education Children & Families
Context

There is a need to open a new free school in Warrington to provide better and more appropriate education for young people with autism and other special educational needs.

Question

Will the Minister update my constituents on the progress being made towards opening a new free school in Warrington, to provide better and more appropriate education for young people with autism and other special educational needs?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

We recently changed the location of the Warrington free school from the Bruche Primary School to a better suited site at Padgate, with the agreement of the local authority and the trust. We are now working with all parties to begin design preparation work and the school is on track to open in September 2025.

Answered
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Q7 Patricia Gibson SNP
Education
Context

Headteachers in England are struggling to recruit teachers due to feelings of being undervalued and underpaid. The Scottish Government has offered a significant pay increase.

Question

To combat this, when will the UK Government match the offer made by the Scottish Government, which will see most Scottish teachers' pay rise by 14.6% by January 2024, delivering a starting salary of £39,000?

Answer from Nick Gibb

In England, standards are rising. We have a record number of teachers in our profession: 468,000 teachers, which is some 27,000 more than in 2010.

Not addressed: No timeline was provided for matching the Scottish Government's pay offer for teachers.

How: Discussing Teacher Numbers

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Q8 Simon Jupp
Education
Context

Tipton St John Primary School in East Devon received funding and priority status in the school rebuilding programme.

Question

I was pleased to welcome Department for Education officials to Tipton St John Primary School in my constituency of East Devon recently. Thanks to the Department, the school has the funding it needs and now has priority status in the school rebuilding programme. That is thanks to the Conservative Government. Will my right hon. Friend meet me to discuss the project's great progress so far?

Answer from Nick Gibb

I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend. Progress is being made in identifying and securing a site on which to relocate the school. Officials continue to work with Devon County Council and the diocese of Exeter. I thank my hon. Friend for his support in progressing the discussions. The next step is for site appraisals to take place on potential new locations, and officials will continue to keep my hon. Friend informed.

Answered
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Q9 Tahir Ali Lab Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley
Education
Context

A record number of teachers have resigned, and there are significant teacher shortages in England.

Question

A record 40,000 teachers in England resigned last year; teacher vacancies have doubled in the last two years; and agencies and underfunded training programmes are struggling to send qualified teachers to schools. Amy Lassman, the headteacher of Nelson Mandela Primary School, an outstanding primary school in my constituency, tells me that that is affecting students the most, with many failing their classes. Will Ministers tell us what they intend to do to narrow the attainment gap and raise standards, when we have fewer and fewer teachers?

Answer from Nick Gibb

We continue to raise standards in our schools, as the hon. Gentleman will know. He should not talk down the profession. This is an exciting time to join teaching. It is an honour to be able to work with children and to shape the next generation. This year, 47,000 people came into teaching, a number that is broadly similar year on year, because this is a good profession to join and there is a Government that will support the teaching profession.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Narrowing the attainment gap and raising standards with fewer teachers

How: He Should Not Talk Down The Profession, This Is An Exciting Time To Join Teaching

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Q10 Henry Smith Con
Education Children & Families
Context

The Government have invested £204 million in childcare providers.

Question

I thank my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education for visiting the Busy Bees nursery in my constituency of Crawley earlier this month, and for the £204 million of investment that the Government are putting into childcare providers. Does that not demonstrate that the Conservative Government are now delivering for working parents?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

I know that my hon. Friend has done a lot of work in this sector. It was wonderful to visit Busy Bees and the fantastic team who work there. As well as the £204 million increase for providers, we have announced a £289 million investment to develop our universal wraparound childcare offer. We are the party of working parents. Labour has flip-flopped repeatedly on childcare, announcing vague policies in the autumn, which it quickly backtracked on. Its new plan, which I hear is to be means-tested, would snatch away childcare from thousands of hard-working parents. We are rolling out the largest investment in childcare in our history; Labour cannot even keep to its word.

Not addressed: The specific delivery for working parents

How: Labour Has Flip-Flopped Repeatedly On Childcare, We Are Rolling Out The Largest Investment In Childcare

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Q11 Samantha Dixon Lab Chester North and Neston
Children & Families
Context

The Secretary of State is working on improving children's early speech and language skills in schools.

Question

What steps is the Secretary of State taking to improve the development of children's early speech and language skills, especially in schools such as the wonderful Chester Blue Coat Primary School where 39 languages are spoken?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

I thank the hon. Lady for that question. This is really important. We are trying to make sure that all staff in early years settings are better equipped. We will be setting out a practice guide specifically on early years speech and language, as well as working with the NHS on better diagnostics.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Steps for improving skills in diverse environments

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Q12 Jason McCartney Con
Education Local Government
Context

Section 106 infrastructure payments have not been spent, and a local school has a leaky roof.

Question

Labour-run Kirklees Council has been sitting on millions of pounds of unspent section 106 infrastructure payments, much of which has been allocated for local schools. In the meantime, I have a local school that has a leaky roof. It is impairing the teachers' ability to teach the children. May I please ask the Minister what is happening with the latest round of condition improvement funding to help with school repairs?

Answer from Nick Gibb

I welcome my hon. Friend's question. We have spent £15 billion since 2015 on repairs and maintenance of our school estate. We intend to announce any successful appeals from the latest condition improvement fund round this month, as CIF typically opens for applications each autumn. Eligible schools with an urgent condition need that cannot wait until the next round may of course apply for the urgent capital support.

Answered
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Q13 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Education Mental Health
Context

Teaching assistants are providing most of the mental health care in schools.

Question

The mental wellbeing of young people and children is really important. Last week, I met staff from Ebor Academy Trust and our mental health trust to talk about how better provision can be put in place. Labour has committed to ensuring that we have mental health professionals in our schools, but in this school it was the teaching assistants providing most of the care. How are we ensuring that teaching assistants are properly rewarded?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

Rates for teaching assistants are set by the local authority. Teaching assistants are highly regarded by all of us. As the hon. Lady says, they provide important pastoral care alongside the mental health support that we are rolling out via the mental health support teams.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Proper remuneration for teaching assistants

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Q14 John Penrose Con
Education
Context

Higher education publishes outcomes data to help students make informed decisions.

Question

Higher education already publishes outcomes data, so students choosing courses can compare what their chances of employment and earning power will be for each course at each college or university and make fully informed decisions. Does the Minister accept that publishing outcomes for further education alongside higher education not only shows students the best courses and colleges, but puts FE and HE on an equal footing for the first time and pushes those offering low-value FE and HE qualifications to either shape up or close down?

Answer from Robert Halfon

I know that my hon. Friend is a champion of his brilliant Weston College, which is an example of the greatness of our FE colleges. He will be pleased to know that the DFE publishes outcomes data on further education, which shows statistics on the employment, earnings and learning outcomes of further education learners. We are introducing a data dashboard, which is in the direction of travel in which he wants to go.

Answered
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Q15 Mike Amesbury Lab
Education
Context

Schools are requiring multiple branded items despite guidance to reduce costs, affecting affordability for students.

Question

Despite statutory guidance to reduce the costs of school uniforms, far too many schools are requiring four and up to five branded items. What more will the Minister do to intervene to ensure that schools abide by the law?

Answer from Nick Gibb

I thank the hon. Member for his private Member's Bill that, with the Government's support, enabled us to put the guidance on a statutory footing. About 61% of headteachers are aware of that guidance and are taking action to implement it. If parents are still concerned that the school uniform is too expensive, they can raise it with the school and go through the school's complaints process.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific measures for enforcement beyond raising concerns with schools.

How: Parents Can Raise Concerns

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Q16 Chris Loder
Education
Context

Concern over lack of oversight for multi-academy trusts regarding pupil grant funding pooling.

Question

In the absence of any Ofsted oversight or regulation of multi-academy trusts, will my right hon. Friend tell me what mechanism is in place for a school to escalate concerns over the pooling of pupil grant funding, especially in a situation where a multi-academy trust gives a school considerably less money than the Education and Skills Funding Agency allowance for that school?

Answer from Nick Gibb

Academy trusts can pool their general annual grant to deliver key improvements and efficiencies across the academies in the trust. The academy trust handbook requires consideration of each school's needs and an appeals mechanism, which can be escalated to the ESFA.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify how concerns about inadequate funding allocation are addressed beyond mentioning a handbook requirement.

How: Appeals Mechanism

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Q17 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Immigration Education
Context

Graduating students are facing unclassified results due to a marking dispute, affecting their ability to pursue further studies or secure visas.

Question

In my constituency of Edinburgh West this week, students are graduating, some of them with unclassified results, because of a dispute involving marking. This is making it difficult for those wishing to do masters or PhDs, particularly foreign students who have been told that they will have to reapply for visas. Are the Department for Education and the Home Office looking at ways of facilitating those students taking up the places that they have been offered without the classification and avoiding that problem with the visas?

Answer from Robert Halfon

UK Visas and Immigration will consider exercising discretion, and will hold graduate route applications made before the applicant results have been received, provided that the results are received within eight weeks of the application being made. Students who do not know when they will receive their results due to the boycott will be able to extend their permission while they wait for their results. They will be exceptionally exempt from meeting academic progression requirements.

Answered
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Q18 Tom Hunt
Education
Context

Rushmere Hall Primary School is striving to improve understanding of neurodiversity among regular teachers.

Question

Recently I visited Rushmere Hall Primary School in Ipswich, which is doing a fantastic job to support all neurodiverse pupils, particularly dyslexic pupils; however, its head spoke of a need for all regular teachers to have a better base understanding of neurodiversity, not just new specialists. In the special educational needs and disabilities improvement plan, the Government committed to that. I would like an update on how far we are getting with delivering that in practice.

Answer from Claire Coutinho

I thank my hon. Friend, who I know is an amazing campaigner on this issue. We are doing a lot to progress the support in schools, making sure that we have access to a specialist workforce and that teachers have proper training. We will set out a best practice guide on autism specifically, for which we have seen a big rise in need.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details about progress towards ensuring regular teacher training.

How: We Are Doing A Lot To Progress

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Q19 Douglas Chapman SNP
Education
Context

Increase in the price of school meals, with Scottish Government implementing universal free school meals.

Question

The price of school meals has increased by more than a third in some parts of the UK, yet the Government, and indeed the Labour Front Benchers, will not commit to universal free school meals for primary school-age children. The Scottish Government are rolling out free school meals across all primary schools. The question is when this Government will take the lead from the Scottish Government and act decisively to help struggling families.

Answer from Nick Gibb

Record numbers of pupils in England are now eligible for a free school meal. Under universal infant free school meals, all infant pupils get a free meal. A third of children in our schools are receiving a free school meal. We believe very strongly, however, that we should focus the funding on the children in the greatest need. We keep the issue under review, but our focus is always on the most disadvantaged.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to implementing universal free school meals.

How: Focus On Those In Greatest Need

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Q20 Flick Drummond Con
Education Children & Families
Context

Legislation to ensure registration of children not attending school.

Question

My hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr Walker), the Chair of the Education Committee, mentioned my Children Not in School (Register) Bill, which passed its First Reading with support from colleagues across all parties and both Houses. The Schools Minister himself said before the Select Committee last month: “It is important that we know where children are and can make sure that they are safe.” Therefore, is it not critical that the Government work with me to expedite the Bill, as an existing and ongoing legislation vehicle that the Government can use without any further delay?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

As I have pointed out, we do intend to legislate for the children not in school measures and put attendance on a statutory footing when the legislative timetable allows, looking at the sitting Fridays that are left within this period. The Department is currently running a call for evidence on improving the support for children missing from education, and that evidence will be used to inform future policy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to expediting the Bill but mentioned legislative timetable constraints.

How: When The Legislative Timetable Allows

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Q21 Andrew Bridgen Con
Women & Equalities
Context

Concern about gender ideology indoctrination in junior schools.

Question

Does the Secretary of State think that something might be going seriously wrong when children in our junior schools are being indoctrinated by gender ideology at the same time as senior Members of this House appear unable to define what a woman is?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

I can assure my hon. Friend that I am more than capable of defining what a woman is. It is true that some schools are asking for guidance in this area, so we intend to bring forward guidance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address indoctrination concern directly but mentioned intention to provide guidance.

How: Some Schools Are Asking For Guidance

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Q22 Saqib Bhatti Con Meriden and Solihull East
Education
Context

Four individuals fell through the ice at Babbs Mill lake in Kingshurst, leading to tragedy. West Midlands Police officers were recognised for their bravery in forming a human chain and breaking through the ice to save them.

Question

I thank the Minister for his time on this previously. What progress has been made in revising the relationships, health and sex education curriculum guidelines specifically on understanding the implications of cold water shock on the body?

Answer from Nick Gibb

Swimming and water safety are in the national curriculum, and the Government are updating the school sport and activity action plan which will set out actions to help all pupils take part in sport and keep fit, including swimming and water safety. The plan will be published this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address the curriculum guidelines or cold water shock education specifically.

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Q23 Valerie Vaz Lab Walsall and Bloxwich
Education Economy
Context

The Secretary of State mentioned finding money within the Department to fund a pay settlement.

Question

Can she tell the House exactly where she found the money and what policies have not been delivered?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

We have a constructive relationship with the Treasury. We spent £100 billion on education and reprioritised the budget. The Treasury has allowed us to keep that money to reprioritise.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify where the funding came from or what policies were delayed due to the reallocation of funds.

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Q24 Andrew Jones Con
Education
Context

The National STEM Learning Centre in York provides professional development opportunities for teachers.

Question

Can she detail what professional support is available for teachers in their continuing professional development?

Answer from Nick Gibb

We have engaged in an extensive reform of teacher training, introducing higher level requirements in initial teacher training and a two-year early career framework for new teachers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not detail the specific professional support available for ongoing development after initial training.

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Q25 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Education
Context

Chairs of governing bodies across Richmond and Kingston upon Thames have requested a meeting to discuss crippling funding and recruitment issues.

Question

Will she agree to meet them?

Answer from Nick Gibb

Of course the Secretary of State will agree. We are spending record amounts on schools, achieving an extra £2 billion in the autumn statement last year, and have recruited 2,800 more teachers this year than last year.

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