Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Industrial Action: Impact on Children and Parents

Monday 11 December 2023 · 3 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

  • Last year's strikes led to over 25 million school days lost, impacting children and parents.
  • University industrial action caused delays in degree marking, jeopardizing students' future opportunities.
  • The Secretary of State is willing to share information on the impact of industrial action with devolved Administrations.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Pawsey Con
Education Children & Families
Context

Teachers' strikes have caused significant disruption, leading to the loss of over 25 million school days last year. Parents and children are facing far-reaching consequences.

Question

What steps she is taking to help reduce the impact of industrial action by teachers on children and parents?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

Last year's strikes were one of the biggest outbreaks of industrial action in a generation. Over 25 million school days were lost, with far-reaching consequences across our society. We cannot afford a repeat of that disruption, and it is my duty to protect children's education. That is why we are consulting on minimum service levels to end further disruption to education, while providing certainty to parents.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or timeline for implementing minimum service levels

How: Under Review

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Q2 Mark Pawsey Con
Education
Context

A constituent's final degree papers were not marked due to strikes, jeopardizing her postgraduate course and employment offer. The situation was resolved only after direct intervention by the student's mother.

Question

The issue extends to university students as well. My constituent's final degree papers were not marked this year because of industrial action. That put in jeopardy her postgraduate course and her employment offer. Her degree was issued only after her mother personally visited the dean of the university involved and demanded action. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that degree exam papers are marked on time in the current academic year?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

Our young people should never be pawns in the disputes of adults. The behaviour of University and College Union members was disgraceful, and their actions caused untold disruption and stress for thousands of students. Although the higher education sector is independent of Government, the damaging impact of strike action cannot go unchecked. That is why we are consulting on minimum service levels in this sector, unlike the Labour party, which always bows to its union paymasters.

Not addressed: Specific steps or timeline for implementing minimum service levels in higher education

How: Disgraceful Behaviour, Labour'S Stance

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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Education Northern Ireland
Context

Industrial action is affecting many schools, particularly those with pupils having special educational needs. The Department of Education in Northern Ireland should also be involved.

Question

It is a pleasure to be called to ask a supplementary to the first question. I am ever mindful of the importance that the industrial action finishes. Has the Secretary of State had any opportunities to discuss this with the Department of Education in Northern Ireland? I understand that she has no responsibility for Northern Ireland, but it is important that we work together to try to solve the problems of industrial action. It is affecting loads of schools, particularly those whose pupils have special educational needs. I am really concerned.

Answer from Gillian Keegan

The hon. Member puts his finger on it. Industrial action has a massive impact, particularly on vulnerable children, those with special educational needs, and those in exam cohorts. I am always happy to share with my counterparts in the devolved Administrations, and I am very happy to share what we are doing on minimum service levels.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific opportunities or timeline for joint discussions

How: Opportunity To Discuss

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