Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

School Standards

Wednesday 4 June 2025 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sir Desmond Swayne inquired about discussions with the Scottish Government on school standards.
  • Richard Baker asked about the employment opportunities for young people in Scotland and the need to tackle persistent attainment gaps.
  • The SNP Scottish Government's policies are linked to declining school standards and widening attainment gaps.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Education Scotland
Context

The Scottish Government's declining education standards and widening attainment gap.

Question

What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on school standards. I am concerned about the decline in school standards in Scotland, which was once a benchmark for others but is now disappointing.

Answer from The Secretary of State for Scotland (Ian Murray)

There is a simple answer to that question: the SNP Scottish Government. Standards of attainment in Scotland’s schools are declining across the board and outcomes for young working-class kids are getting worse, with the attainment gap widening.

Answered
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Q2 Richard Baker Lab Glenrothes and Mid Fife
Education Employment
Context

The SNP Scottish Government's failure to address the persistent attainment gap faced by pupils from poorer backgrounds.

Question

When my right hon. Friend discusses with SNP Ministers, through announcements made this week, the huge employment opportunities that this Government have created for young people in Scotland, will he impress on them the urgent need to finally tackle the persistent—and in some areas widening—attainment gap faced by pupils from poorer backgrounds? These concerns are often raised by residents of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse.

Answer from The Secretary of State for Scotland (Ian Murray)

Last year, 1,351 pupils left high school in Scotland without a single qualification. One in six Scots is not in education, employment or training. The SNP Scottish Government's legacy includes opposing the defence industry and trade deals with the EU, India and the US.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific commitment to addressing the attainment gap

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