Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 11 March 2024 · 15 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 9 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Darren Henry asked about the consistency of after-school care support and the Secretary of State responded with a 289 million investment to help schools develop wraparound care programmes.
  • Darren Henry inquired about guarantees for childcare places promised by new measures, and the Secretary of State assured that the government is working with local authorities to ensure availability.
  • Bridget Phillipson acknowledged the Secretary of State's advocacy for childcare and early education with 500 million in the Budget, and the Secretary of State highlighted the Conservative Government's support for childcare providers and the increase in average funding rates.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Darren Henry
Children & Families
Context

The MP noted recent visits to Fairfield Spencer Academy, highlighting work by Craig Jones and the Junior Adventures Group in providing crucial support to children beyond regular school hours. Concerns are raised about inconsistent funding for school-age childcare across different areas.

Question

I recently visited Fairfield Spencer Academy where I met Craig Jones from the Junior Adventures Group who is doing good work with after-school care. However, this level of support isn't consistent around the country and needs reform. While welcoming £289 million for wraparound care, will the Secretary of State commit to a universal funding model linked to parent earnings?

Answer from Gillian Keegan (Secretary of State)

We are making wraparound childcare available for all parents who need it, with £289 million investment to help schools develop programmes before and after school. I am sure the Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing will be happy to meet my hon. Friend to keep him updated on progress.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to a universal funding model linked to parent earnings

How: Will Be Happy To Meet My Hon. Friend To Keep Him Updated

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Q2 Darren Henry
Children & Families
Context

Concerns about the availability of childcare places despite Government promises. Providers report uncertainty over additional funding, with many saying they will not offer more places or could close soon.

Question

With only three weeks to go before new childcare measures start, more than seven in ten providers say they will not offer additional places and a quarter are likely to close within a year. Will the Secretary of State now guarantee that all parents can access the childcare places promised?

Answer from Gillian Keegan (Secretary of State)

Absolutely; I set that out in my topical statement. We are working with every local authority to ensure places are available. The Conservatives have a plan for working parents while Labour has none.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Guarantee on availability of childcare places

How: The Conservatives Have A Plan For Working Parents

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Q3 Bridget Phillipson Lab Houghton and Sunderland South
Children & Families

Question

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has rightly championed childcare and early education with £500 million in this year's Budget, on top of billions committed last year to the sector.

Answer from Gillian Keegan (Secretary of State)

This Conservative Government are backing brilliant childcare providers as we roll out our historic childcare offer. Average funding rates will increase over the next two financial years, giving businesses confidence to invest and expand.

Answered
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Q4 Bridget Phillipson Lab Houghton and Sunderland South
Context

False accusations against an academic on the board of UK Research and Innovation by a Government colleague, followed by an apology.

Question

In light of false accusations levelled at an academic and subsequent apology, what action is the Secretary of State taking to assure academics they remain free to make legitimate comments?

Answer from Gillian Keegan (Secretary of State)

Academic independence and free speech are important. That's why we passed the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 and have a free speech director in the Office for Students.

Answered
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Q5 Robin Walker Con
Education

Question

With four grammar schools in my constituency providing an important and very popular element of a diverse education system, will the Minister commit to continue her support for grammar schools now and in the future?

Answer from Damian Hinds (Minister)

I support all great schools in our diverse school system, including strong grammar schools. I encourage them to increase access for disadvantaged pupils which can help with social mobility.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to continuing support for grammar schools

How: Increase Access For Disadvantaged Pupils

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Q6 Grahame Morris Lab Easington
Education
Context

The schools in Peterlee and Seaham have significant structural issues affecting the educational environment.

Question

Acre Rigg Infant School has asbestos in every wall and a metal structure made from recycled world war two aircraft. Seaham Trinity Primary School has lifting floors, rising damp, black mould caused by a faulty roof, leaking pipes and poor screeding. Can the Schools Minister explain to parents how their children are supposed to flourish and prosper in such an inadequate educational environment?

Answer from Damian Hinds

In the 2021 spending review, we committed £19 billion for school capital over the three years. I do not know offhand the specifics of the schools that the hon. Gentleman has mentioned, but I would of course be very happy to meet him to hear further details.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific funding or plans for addressing the structural issues in the schools mentioned.

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Q7 Mark Eastwood
Education
Context

The questioner held a successful skills and apprenticeships fair at Kirklees College.

Question

I recently held my third annual skills and apprenticeships fair at the iconic Pioneer House Kirklees College building in Dewsbury. Will my right hon. Friend visit the college and meet some of the apprentices, employers and college staff who helped make that event a great success?

Answer from Robert Halfon

I would be absolutely delighted to visit Kirklees College, and I congratulate my hon. Friend on his apprenticeship fair. Overall at Kirklees since 2010, there have been something like 12,300 apprenticeship starts in my hon. Friend's constituency.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to visiting the college but praised the fair and provided statistics.

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Q8 Alex Cunningham Lab
Children & Families
Context

An estimated 6,000 children in England are attending illegal or unregistered schools that provide limited or no appropriate education.

Question

Does the Minister agree that while efforts to introduce a home education register to keep track of children who are outside a school setting are welcome, more legislation is needed to close the loopholes exploited by proprietors of illegal schools and ensure that children are kept safe and educated appropriately?

Answer from Damian Hinds

The hon. Gentleman will, of course, know of our plans and our support for the private Member's Bill on that subject. From the schools White Paper, he will also know of the other things we have committed to do when legislative time allows.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific legislation but referenced existing plans and a future White Paper.

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Q9 Selaine Saxby
Education Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Rurality imposes challenges on primary schools with vast catchment areas.

Question

What steps is the Department taking to support rural primary schools, which often have a vast catchment area and difficult buildings?

Answer from Damian Hinds

I recognise what my hon. Friend says about rurality. Of course, the lump sum element in the funding formula is important for small schools. We have more than doubled the national funding formula sparsity funding in three years, with £6.5 million for Devon in 2024-25.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q10 Mary Glindon Lab Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Education
Context

Four schools in North Tyneside closed just over a month ago because of a structural problem.

Question

Ministers will be aware that four schools in North Tyneside closed just over a month ago because of a structural problem not related to RAAC. The 1,700 pupils have been relocated, thanks to the council and to the schools working together. Can the Minister assure me that funding will be made available either to rebuild or to restructure the schools as soon as it is needed?

Answer from Damian Hinds

Yes, and I am aware that the hon. Lady has met my noble Friend Baroness Barran. Inspections by structural engineers are ongoing, as I think the hon. Lady will know, but the early indications are that this was a historical and isolated issue about the way the school was built.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide assurance on funding for rebuilding/restructuring.

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Q11 Tim Loughton Con
Children & Families
Context

Adoption numbers in England have halved since doubling a decade ago.

Question

About 10 years ago, following the Government's reforms, the number of adoptions in England doubled, but 10 years on, they have halved. Why?

Answer from David Johnston

My hon. Friend raises a very important point. We are taking a number of actions to increase the number of people who adopt and foster, and to support kinship care as well, but I would be happy to discuss this matter with him further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific reasons for decrease in adoption rates.

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Q12 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Mental Health Children & Families
Context

Children with special educational needs, mental health challenges, and childhood trauma are not accessing appropriate education.

Question

What are the Government doing to ensure that every area has a workforce plan and an estates plan, and the funding to match?

Answer from David Johnston

Through our special educational needs and disabilities and alternative provision improvement plan we are taking a whole range of actions. That has included increasing the number of special school places by more than 60,000 since this Government came to power, as well as training a lot more special educational needs co-ordinators.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q13 James Davies Con
Education Wales
Context

Headteachers have written to parents about the dire financial situation facing their schools.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that and outline what discussions he has had with the Welsh Government to ensure schools in Wales also see the benefit of that funding?

Answer from Damian Hinds

I regret that, as education is a devolved matter, the Labour party is in charge of education in Wales. It really saddens me to hear of children in my hon. Friend's constituency suffering from its mismanagement of that system, despite the great work of brilliant and inspiring teachers in Wales.

Not addressed: Discussed Labour's management of Welsh education but did not provide specific details on funding or discussions with Welsh Government.

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Q14 Barry Sheerman Lab
Education
Context

Reports suggest some teachers and headteachers feel they are not being listened to or treated respectfully by Ofsted.

Question

The Secretary of State loves plans. What is her plan to reinvigorate and change the course of Ofsted?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

I was delighted to attend the Association of School and College Leaders conference alongside Sir Martyn Oliver, who announced the Big Listen, which is part of making sure that we get the cultural reforms required. I am concerned by reports that some teachers and headteachers feel that they are not listened to or treated in a dismissive or rude manner.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plan or actions were not provided

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Q15 Michael Ellis Con
Community Security Culture, Media & Sport Religion & Faith
Context

A Jewish student at Cambridge University faced vandalism by an antisemite who slashed a painting of Lord Balfour, highlighting the widespread issue of antisemitic incidents in universities.

Question

What steps does my right hon. Friend propose to take to convey to university heads that they have a legal and moral obligation to stamp out antisemitism?

Answer from Robert Halfon

I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for his question. Arthur Balfour was a great man and identified the need for a homeland for British Jews. That is why antisemites do not like him and are slashing his picture. I and the Secretary of State are spending a lot of time with Jewish student groups. I have been to Leeds University to spend time with Jewish students, because the chaplain there was attacked, and we are working with Universities UK. We have announced a £7 million package to give to Jewish student groups, including the University Jewish Chaplaincy, to try to stop antisemitism on campus. We are also developing a quality seal that we will ask universities to adopt, so that they deal properly with antisemitic incidents.

Answered
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