Topical Questions

Question

I join my right hon. Friend in condemning the barbaric terrorist attacks on Israel and the rise in antisemitism faced by students in Jewish education communities. However, what further steps is she taking to protect children from the impact of future strike action?

Question

I recognise the impact of the conflict on our education system. Persistent absence is a symptom of a wider breakdown of trust in schools. The Prime Minister's first step was to say that he had maxed out on supporting our children, and now the Secretary of State is blaming parents for keeping children at home with minor ailments. When are Ministers going to get a grip on this serious problem?

Question

Persistent absence is a symptom of a breakdown of trust right across our school system. The Conservatives reopened pubs before they reopened schools, left schools to crumble, and allowed disruptive strike action to drag on for months. Labour's first priority will be to rebuild that relationship between schools, families, and Government. Does the Secretary of State not believe that parents and children deserve a lot better than the sorry mess she is presiding over today?

Question

In the wake of the massacre that occurred in Israel, cases of antisemitism in this country have risen dramatically. Will my right hon. Friend join me in condemning antisemitism and state what she will do to ensure that Jewish students feel safe on campus?

Question

If the pay offer for teachers had matched the award for teachers in Scotland, there would have been no strike action. Will the Secretary of State explain how she expects to tackle the staffing crisis in teaching when her approach goes out of her way to alienate the profession?

Question

Like all county councils, Staffordshire County Council is struggling with the rising demand for special educational needs and disabilities support in schools, and with lengthy delays in issuing education, health and care plans. That is leaving children and families with a lack of vital support and appropriate education for their needs. What steps are the Government taking to tackle the shortage of educational psychologists and to ensure that children receive the education that they need to achieve good outcomes?

Question

The Department for Education has stated that<br/>“Where responsible bodies discover lead piping, they must take action”.<br/>Will the Secretary of State confirm whether those bodies are asked to look proactively for lead piping? What action are they asked to take if any is found?

Question

I welcome the idea of the advanced British standard assessment, although the name is unwieldy—acronyms are used elsewhere—and difficult to export. That aside, has there been any more exploration of what the curriculum would look like and of how many years young people would need to study for the qualification? Does it mean the end of GCSEs?

Question

When does the Minister anticipate that it might be possible to deliver at least half of all education, health and care plans for SEND children within the Government's own legal timeframe?

Question

Will my right hon. Friend outline the support provided to the Metropolitan Borough of Bury by the Government to enhance educational provision for children with special educational needs?

Question

In recent weeks, we have seen reported instances of antisemitism rise by 1,300% and Islamophobia by 150%, with Jewish kids afraid to go to school and Muslim kids asked, “Whose side are you on?” What are the Government doing to ensure that children are taught sensitively but robustly about the wrongs of such intolerance, and does Ofsted have a role in ensuring consistency of approach in all schools?

Question

Further to the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow East (Bob Blackman), since Hamas's attack, Jewish students on campus report that they have had a year's worth of antisemitic incidents in only two weeks. Some have been targeted, the attack itself was celebrated, and some have received death threats. As such, does the Minister agree that universities should work with the Union of Jewish Students to publicise the welfare hotline that it has established; avail themselves of the training that the UJS offers; and work to implement the recommendations of the recent report of the taskforce on antisemitism in higher education?

Question

Having recently visited a local nursery in Birdwell, I know that its staff are very concerned about their ability to plan for provision for children in the year 2024-25. When will the Government give them certainty on hourly rates?

Question

One day after Hamas's brutal massacre in Israel, a student at the University of Manchester spoke of being full of “pride and joy” at a once-in-a-lifetime experience—not only a disgusting comment but one that points to possible extremism in our university campuses. Far too many think that there are no consequences for spreading such hate in our educational settings, so will my right hon. Friend set out what the real consequences are?

Question

James, a 14-year-old lad from my constituency, has been passed from pillar to post by schools that simply cannot deal with his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism. Will the Minister meet me on that specific case?