Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 9 December 2024 · 30 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 19 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Esther McVey (Conservative) raised concerns about private schools not receiving VAT numbers and asked about discussions with the Chancellor.
  • Nadia Whittome (Labour) inquired about steps being taken to increase the number of special school places for children with SEND.
  • Laura Trott (Conservative) questioned the government's plans for implementing paused legislation and addressing concerns raised by its delay.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Esther McVey Con Tatton
Children & Families
Context

The question arises from the new department's duties and responsibilities.

Question

I am concerned about my departmental responsibilities. What specific actions will be taken to ensure a better start for children in life?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

Children growing up in our country deserve the best start in life, and nothing less. Last week, the Prime Minister published his plan for change, including an ambitious target to ensure that, by the end of the Parliament, a record proportion of children are ready for school. We will do this by transforming the early years, creating and expanding nurseries, rolling out childcare, strengthening family services and focusing on early intervention.

Answered
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Q2 Esther McVey Con Tatton
Education Taxation
Context

The question is prompted by the failure of private schools to receive their VAT numbers, despite applications. The rushed implementation of a policy in January has led to this issue.

Question

I have met private schools that told me they applied for VAT numbers but none received them. What discussions are you having with the Chancellor to address this and improve the situation?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

I would be happy to make sure that the point the right hon. Lady raises is looked into, but on the wider policy priority, I say to her that this party and this Government are determined to expand opportunity right across our country for the vast majority of children, who go to state schools.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific issue about VAT numbers was not addressed

How: Expanding Opportunity, State Schools

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Q3 Nadia Whittome Lab Nottingham East
Children & Families
Context

Many parents in Nottingham are desperate to secure a place for their child in a special school, indicating a lack of availability.

Question

I have been contacted by many parents who need special school places. What steps is the government taking to increase the number of special school places?

Answer from Stephen Morgan

I appreciate my hon. Friend's concern. As she will know, this Government inherited a broken system from the previous Government. We want to make sure that all children with SEND receive the support they need to achieve and thrive. We have announced £740 million of high needs capital funding for next year for additional places.

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Q4 Laura Trott Con Sevenoaks
Education
Context

The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 was passed before the election, but the government has paused its implementation. The question is about clarifying this situation.

Question

Since the Government decided to pause commencement of the legislation, what are your plans for implementing it and addressing concerns raised?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

This Government are absolutely committed to freedom of speech and academic freedom. We paused commencement of the previous Government's legislation because of the serious concerns raised by very many people, including from minority groups.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific plan for implementation was not detailed

How: Serious Concerns, Minority Groups

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Q5 Laura Trott Con Sevenoaks
Democracy & Elections
Context

Legal fees have been incurred due to the delay in implementing the Act, causing financial hardship. The Act is said to save legal costs.

Question

The delay in implementing the freedom of speech Act has caused significant legal expenses for some individuals. Will you get on with implementing it?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

I do accept that academics should be free to express a wide range of views, and there will be views that people sometimes find challenging, but it also matters that we have legislation that is workable. The former Universities Minister herself said that she was concerned about what it would mean for Holocaust denial on campus.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific action to implement the Act now was not committed

How: Views, Holocaust Denial

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Q6 Matt Rodda Lab Reading Central
Education
Context

For 14 years, criticism of teachers has led to poor recruitment and retention rates. The question asks for measures addressing this issue.

Question

For many years, criticism of teachers has affected their recruitment and retention. What are the current measures being taken?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

We are working at pace to recruit 6,500 new teachers. We have fully funded the 5.5% pay award, removed reductive headline Ofsted judgments, reduced workloads, ensured more flexibility and announced a £233 million package of recruitment incentives.

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Q7 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Children & Families
Context

A report shows that deprived areas have fewer childcare places than affluent ones, impacting school readiness.

Question

The IPPR report highlights the disparity in childcare places between deprived and affluent areas. Will you consider tripling the early years pupil premium?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

I do recognise the challenge the hon. Lady sets out and the very real challenge the Government have inherited in the provision of places. Our approach of rolling out nursery space within primary schools is crucial to creating the places that are required.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific proposal about tripling the early years pupil premium was not addressed

How: Recognise Challenge, Provision Of Places

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Q8 Paul Waugh Labour (Co-op) Rochdale
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Alison Duxbury, a constituent of Rochdale, cannot finalise her divorce due to delays in the teachers' pension scheme assessments. Many others are also experiencing similar issues.

Question

My constituent Alison Duxbury is unable to finalise her divorce because of the delays to assessments in the teachers' pension scheme, which her husband is part of. Alison is not alone; many others are suffering serious stress and unacceptable delays. Will the Minister meet me to unlock this bureaucratic logjam?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

I recognise the difficulties my hon. Friend has outlined. Changes to pension entitlement have caused the significant backlog in processing that we have inherited, but good progress is now being made. The Department and the administrator are focused on speeding it up. I appreciate the concerns he has raised and he might want to write to me with more detail, or a meeting could certainly be arranged.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for resolving delays not provided

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Q9 Kieran Mullan Con Bexhill and Battle
Education Children & Families
Context

The SEN unit at All Saints school in Sidley has been beneficial, raising questions about the role of such units and their funding challenges.

Question

On a recent visit, I saw the benefit of the SEN unit in All Saints school in Sidley. Does the Minister think that SEN units have a bigger role to play, and will Ministers meet me to discuss the funding challenges such units face?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

I recognise the issue the hon. Gentleman raises. It is important that we have the right balance between mainstream inclusion and specialist provision where it is needed. If it would be helpful for him to have a meeting to discuss specific concerns in his area, I would more than happy to arrange it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans or commitments regarding SEN unit funding not provided

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Q10 Maya Ellis Lab Ribble Valley
Children & Families
Context

The Start for Life programme provides important support during pregnancy and early childhood, but only covers a portion of local authorities. The APPG on babies would like to see all authorities able to access this funding.

Question

As chair of the all-party parliamentary group on babies, I am delighted that the announcements on Thursday included a one-year continuation of the Start for Life programme, which provides funding for 75 local authorities. We would, however, very much like all authorities to be able to access this funding in future so that every child is guaranteed the best start. Is the Secretary of State willing to meet the APPG in the new year to outline her long-term vision for supporting child development at the youngest ages?

Answer from Stephen Morgan

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight the importance of early support for babies. The plan for change sets out that we will improve support through pregnancy and early childhood. The Start for Life programme is the responsibility of Department of Health and Social Care Ministers, but officials would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss this important issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans or commitments regarding future funding not provided

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Q11 Sarah Green Lib Dem Chesham and Amersham
Education Children & Families
Context

Children are facing long waits for necessary assessments due to a shortage of educational psychologists.

Question

What steps are under way to recruit and retain more educational psychologists so that children, including in Chesham and Amersham, do not have to wait as long as they currently are for the assessment they need?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

The hon. Lady raises an important point. We are working at pace to ensure that we have more professionals, along with the Department of Health and Social Care, which is also ensuring that we have the right workforce to support all children with special educational needs. I will write to the hon. Lady with specific details of the steps being taken.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific recruitment and retention measures not provided

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Q12 Tom Rutland Lab East Worthing and Shoreham
Education Local Government
Context

Parents in Shoreham face uncertainty regarding their children's secondary education placement due to poor local authority planning.

Question

After years of failure by West Sussex county council to plan properly for secondary school places, parents in Shoreham face another year of waiting to find out if their children will have to travel a long distance for their education. Will the Minister meet me to discuss their concerns?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

Local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure that there are sufficient secondary school places and that children can go to school, and travel should not be a barrier to their getting to school. I know how important this issue is for parents, and I would be happy to arrange a meeting for my hon. Friend to discuss it further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions to improve planning not provided

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Q13 Rosie Duffield Ind Canterbury
Children & Families
Context

A constituent, Lewis, has been out of school for two years due to lack of appropriate educational placement by the local authority.

Question

My constituent, 14-year-old Lewis, has been out of school for two years and his education has been disrupted for four. He is yet another child whose parents have been told by Kent county council that he must attend a particular school despite the school saying that it is unable to meet his specific educational needs. This is typical of the battle that many families I see have to go through for years, costing them time and money and causing infinite stress. Will the Minister meet me and the parents to ensure that he is one of the last children to suffer from Kent county council's continual neglect of SEN children?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

The hon. Lady raises an important matter, which far too many people are having to raise. I would be happy to meet her not only to discuss this matter further, but to reiterate the steps we are taking to fix this broken SEND system.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans or commitments regarding addressing SEN children's education not provided

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Q14 Helen Hayes Lab Dulwich and West Norwood
Children & Families
Context

Families living in disadvantaged areas have the least likelihood of accessing quality childcare, raising concerns about child poverty.

Question

We know that good quality early years education can play a significant role in closing the disadvantage gap, yet the Government have inherited a situation in which families who live in disadvantaged areas are the least likely to be able to access good quality childcare. How will the Secretary of State ensure that access to good quality childcare and early years education is at the heart of the Government's child poverty strategy?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

I agree strongly, and that is why, alongside additional investment, there must be reform. We will make sure that the areas that my hon. Friend identifies are addressed. I look forward to discussing them in front of the Select Committee before too long.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or reforms not provided

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Q15 Ben Maguire Lib Dem North Cornwall
Education Children & Families
Context

The Haven SEND unit at Budehaven community school in North Cornwall faces funding uncertainty due to Cornwall council's current SEND deficit.

Question

I recently visited the excellent Haven SEND unit at Budehaven community school in North Cornwall, and I invite the Minister to visit so that it can be replicated elsewhere. Does she plan to extend the unit's funding beyond February's cliff edge, given that Cornwall council's SEND deficit is currently £12 million and counting?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

Local authorities normally support special units in schools with funding from their high needs budget, but officials would be happy to investigate the funding arrangements for this school. Cornwall county council is being allocated a provisional amount of more than £86.6 million in the 2025-26 financial year through the high needs national funding formula, but we are happy to take away the particular issue that the hon. Gentleman raises.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment regarding Haven SEND unit's future funding not provided

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Q16 Helena Dollimore Labour (Co-op) Hastings and Rye
Education
Context

Parents, teachers, and students in Hastings and Rye are alarmed by the University of Brighton Academies Trust taking 20% of government grants intended for local schools. This issue affects educational quality.

Question

Parents, teachers, and students in my constituency were horrified to find out that the University of Brighton Academies Trust has been taking a whopping 20% of the Government grant meant for our local schools and education. What is the Minister doing to resolve these issues and make sure that every child in Hastings and Rye gets the best quality education?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

I agree with my hon. Friend. Outcomes in some schools in Hastings are just not good enough. We are all determined to drive up standards. Department officials continue to work with the University of Brighton Academies Trust on that. We are committed to ending its current financial model and to collaborating with school leaders on future budget setting to ensure we can drive high and rising standards in every school, including in Hastings.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or timeline for changing the financial model were not provided

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Q17 Peter Bedford Con Mid Leicestershire
Education
Context

Research indicates that children's financial habits are established by age seven, yet financial education is not included in the national curriculum in England.

Question

Research shows that money habits are instilled in young people from the age of seven. What are the Government doing to improve financial education in schools, particularly in England, where that is not currently on the national curriculum?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

We have launched our curriculum and assessment review to make sure that issues such as the one that the hon. Gentleman identifies are taken into account. It is a shame that we seem to hear nothing from the Opposition but negativity about the curriculum and assessment review. We are determined to make sure that all our children get a brilliant education, with high standards and strong academic outcomes, as well as the kind of life skills that he is right to identify.

Not addressed: No specific measures or timeline for financial education implementation were provided

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Q18 Calvin Bailey Lab Leyton and Wanstead
Education
Context

Further education colleges face difficulties with repair agreements and funding, exacerbated by political opposition.

Question

We are all keenly aware of the significant challenges that further education colleges continue to face, such as difficulties around repair agreements and funding, which are not helped by the opportunism from the Opposition, who are responsible for the mess those colleges are in in the first place. Can the Minister tell us more about the steps she is taking to ensure that these engines for opportunity for our young people, such as Leyton sixth-form college, have the support they need to thrive?

Answer from Janet Daby

This Government recognise the vital role that FE teachers play in equipping learners with the skills they need to drive growth in our economy. We are totally committed, and we are keeping our eye and our finger on it. We have provided an additional £300 million for further education to ensure that young people develop the skills that this country so desperately needs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific actions or timeline were detailed beyond a general commitment and funding amount

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Q19 Oliver Dowden Con Hertsmere
Education Taxation Religion & Faith
Context

Immanuel prep school in the constituency is closing, citing VAT on school fees and Labour policies as reasons.

Question

Over the weekend, Immanuel prep in my constituency announced it was closing, citing VAT on school fees and other damaging Labour policies. Does the Secretary of State share my concern about the damage that will do to Jewish children growing up in my constituency and the surrounding area, who will be deprived of access to a Jewish education, which they richly deserve?

Answer from Stephen Morgan

The Government's fiscal inheritance is so dire that we have to take tough, but necessary decisions and take them quickly. Removing VAT exemptions from January is the right thing to do to deliver for every child across our country.

Not addressed: No agreement or disagreement was given about the specific concerns raised

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Q20 Tom Hayes Lab Bournemouth East
Children & Families
Context

Childcare providers in Bournemouth are recognised for their work, including Cats Whiskers day nursery and Tops day nursery.

Question

I was delighted to spend Friday afternoon with Cats Whiskers day nursery and earlier this year, I visited Tops day nursery, which is ranked ninth in the Department's top 100 apprenticeship employees. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to increase the number and quality of childcare apprenticeships?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

I pay tribute to the providers in my hon. Friend's constituency for their work. We want to see great careers right across the early years sector from apprenticeships all the way up to graduate level. I will happily meet him to discuss that further.

Not addressed: No specific measures or timeline were provided for increasing childcare apprenticeship quality and quantity

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Q21 Patrick Spencer Con Central Suffolk and North Ipswich
Education
Context

Inquiry into the benefits and drawbacks of school academisation.

Question

Will the Secretary of State reconfirm her commitment to academies and to the policy of academisation?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

We want all schools to do well for our children and to drive high and rising standards regardless of the name above the door.

Not addressed: No specific reaffirmation or details about commitment were provided

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Q22 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Education Children & Families
Context

Academisation has resulted in fragmented accountability lines, particularly for special educational needs (SEND) support from local authorities.

Question

Academisation has created fragmentation in lines of accountability, leaving local authorities carrying much risk, not least when it comes to SEND provision. Will my hon. Friend look at academy governance structures to ensure that local authorities can carry that responsibility and be able to deliver for children with SEN?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

My hon. Friend raises an important point. Rather than obsessing about structures and names over doors, we are determined to ensure that every child in every community has a good school and that schools work together in communities with their local authorities to co-operate on place planning and admissions, with every child getting the best education and every school having high and rising standards.

Not addressed: No specific examination or changes to governance were promised

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Q23 Graham Stuart Con Beverley and Holderness
Education Local Government
Context

East Riding of Yorkshire has the lowest high needs block funding in the country at £952.

Question

At just £952, the East Riding of Yorkshire has the lowest high needs block funding of any local authority in the country. Ministers have committed themselves to looking again at the formula so that we can have the right one. Will they please commit to doing everything they can to bring it in for the next financial year so that we do not have another year of grossly unfair and disproportionate distributions of funding?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

The right hon. Gentleman will know that this is a complex area. It would not have been possible to make any changes to the funding formula this year, but we will look in the future at what changes might be required. I am sure that as part of that process he will make representations on behalf of his constituents.

Not addressed: No commitment was given for a specific timeline or revision by the next financial year

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Q24 Christopher Vince Lab Co-op Harlow
Children & Families
Context

Christopher Vince talks to SENCOs across Harlow and Essex regularly due to his friend being one. He mentions that many SENCOs are leaving the profession because of high workload and stress.

Question

I talk to special educational needs co-ordinators across Harlow and Essex on a regular basis, partly because my best friend is one. He tells me that a number of special educational needs co-ordinators—easy for me to say—are leaving the profession because of their high workload and the stress that it causes. What support will the Government give to ensure that special educational needs co-ordinators get the support, including mental health support, that they need?

Answer from Catherine McKinnell

My hon. Friend is a strong advocate for special educational needs in his community. We know that SENCOs perform a vital function in making sure that children and their families get the support they need to access the education they deserve. He is right that they deserve support as well. We need to encourage more people to be trained up in and understand the needs of children with special educational needs so that everybody can play their part in creating an inclusive education system.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The government did not specify any concrete support measures or funding for SENCOs.

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Q25 Max Wilkinson Lib Dem Cheltenham
Employment Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

Businesses report an increase in cyber-attacks and longer wait times to employ someone to deal with those attacks.

Question

Businesses report that cyber-attacks are increasing, as is the amount of time they have to wait to employ someone to deal with those cyber-attacks. What is the Department doing to fill that skills gap?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

The hon. Member is right that there are skills gaps in cyber, digital and tech overall. That is why Skills England will drive forward our work in addressing those skills gaps as well as in ensuring that our young people have great careers in the years to come. That is one area in particular where I know there is lots of opportunity for young people to enjoy a fantastic career.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The department did not provide specific measures or timelines for addressing the skills gap.

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Q26 Darren Paffey Lab Southampton Itchen
Education
Context

Itchen sixth-form college received an outstanding rating from Ofsted. The questioner wants to address financial inconsistencies such as lecturers' pay and VAT liabilities.

Question

Itchen sixth-form college in my constituency was recently judged to be “outstanding” by Ofsted. Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating the college? Does she agree that future success requires us to sort out financial inconsistencies such as lecturers' pay and VAT liabilities?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

My hon. Friend identifies a number of the challenges that we have inherited as a new Government. We are working as quickly as we can to address them. We want to ensure that teachers right across the sector, whether in our schools, the FE sector or colleges, get the support, the pay and the recognition that they deserve.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not confirm specific actions regarding financial inconsistencies like lecturers' pay and VAT liabilities.

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Q27 Siân Berry Green Brighton Pavilion
Education Employment
Context

Teacher strikes are occurring due to a lack of funding for pay uplifts in non-academy sixth-form colleges compared to schools and academies.

Question

In Brighton's non-academy sixth-form colleges, the current teacher strike action stems largely from the Government not providing the same funding to cover pay uplifts as they do for schools and academies. Will the Secretary of State urgently correct that unjustified funding anomaly?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

At the Budget, we set out an additional £300 million for further education. The hon. Lady will know that the Government are not responsible for and play no role in setting or making recommendations about teacher pay in FE colleges. We are looking closely at sixth-form colleges too as part of this, which again is part of the challenge that we inherited from the last Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not commit to urgent correction of the funding disparity for non-academy sixth-form colleges.

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Q28 Sarah Smith Lab Hyndburn
Education Children & Families
Context

The government aims to ensure that 40,000 extra children are school ready every year but many schools lack the space for additional nursery provision.

Question

I welcome this Government's ambition to ensure that 40,000 extra children are school ready every year. However, at schools such as West End school in Oswaldtwistle in my constituency, there are no extra classrooms to make extra nursery provision available. Will the Minister consider capital funding to ensure that lots of primary schools have the opportunity to extend high quality nursery provision?

Answer from Stephen Morgan

The Government are committed to rolling out school-based nurseries. I would welcome the opportunity to meet my hon. Friend to discuss those issues further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to providing specific capital funding for nursery provision extensions at primary schools.

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Q29 Nick Timothy Con West Suffolk
Education
Context

The questioner acknowledges the Government's ambition for schooling in England but wants to send personal congratulations to Katharine Birbalsingh.

Question

I assure the Education Secretary that we are very positive about schooling in this country. I am sure that she will want to thank all school leaders for their work to help English schools to soar up the rankings for the programme for international student assessment and programme for international student assessment rankings—PISA and TIMMS—but will she join me in sending personal congratulations to Katharine Birbalsingh, whose approach to discipline, the curriculum and teacher-led instruction makes her school Michaela the best in the country?

Answer from Bridget Phillipson

I will always celebrate the fantastic work of our school leaders and teachers, because they are how we will drive high and rising standards across our school system. The hon. Gentleman and I probably have more in common than he realises. He might recognise these words: “The greatest injustice in Britain today is that your life is still largely determined not by your efforts and talents but by where you come from, who your parents are and what schools you attend. This is wrong.” They are taken from the 2017 Conservative manifesto, which he was involved in writing.

Not addressed: The Secretary did not provide a direct response to congratulating Katharine Birbalsingh or acknowledging her work.

How: Mention Of Previous Government'S Manifesto

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Q30 Oliver Ryan Labour (Co-op) Burnley
Education
Context

The Heasandford primary school in Burnley is in a dire state and needs repair.

Question

I recently visited Heasandford primary school in my constituency, which is in a dire state. Will the Minister meet me and Lancashire county council to see what we can do to repair the school—the biggest in Lancashire by class number—and make sure that it is fit for children's ambitions in Burnley?

Answer from Stephen Morgan

We are committed to improving the condition of the estate through the annual funding programme. I will happily meet my hon. Friend to discuss those issues further.

Answered
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