Topical Questions 2021-12-06
2021-12-06
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Arthur Labinjo-Hughes' case has prompted concern for child protection and the lessons to be learned.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities, specifically addressing steps being taken in response to Arthur's tragic death.
The nation is appalled by Arthur Labinjo-Hughes' case. No child should face such cruelty. A statement will be made later today on steps being taken to learn from this tragedy and prevent similar occurrences.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Derby High School seeks funding to develop a technology centre.
Will the Secretary of State meet me and the school's headteacher, Ms Hubert, to discuss developing plans for a technology centre?
The Secretary of State is happy to meet the hon. Friend, Ms Hubert, and others to discuss plans for building on the success of Derby High School pupils.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
Vaccination rates for children aged 12 to 15 in the north-west and west midlands are below national average.
The Secretary of State will be aware that just 40% of children aged 12 to 15 have been vaccinated. Will he use Christmas holidays to vaccinate children, support schools for next term planning?
The Government will continue vaccinating 12 to 15-year-olds through both school settings and centres. Early vaccinated individuals are due their second jab by mid-December according to JCVI recommendations.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Sir Kevan Collins resigned in protest over the Government's failure to support children.
Why will the Secretary of State not bring forward proper proposals, like Labour's clear, costed and achievable plans, which match the scale of the challenge that our children face?
Instead of increasing inputs, focus on outcomes. 16 to 19-year-olds get an extra hour of education weekly; £800m and £1bn allocated for secondary and primary pupils respectively in Budget.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific proposals not detailed or committed to beyond stating focus on outcomes
Focusing On Outcomes
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
Lack of post-16 educational opportunities is a concern for the next generation of young people.
Does she agree that it is vital to access full suite of educational choices locally?
Three general further education providers serve Bolsover. The hon. Friend will work on this issue urging Derbyshire authority to use published process to bring it to ESFA's attention.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Speculation about lowering the student loan repayment threshold concerns graduate debt holders.
Will the Minister detail discussions with Treasury colleagues? Will proposed changes be applied retrospectively?
We will respond shortly to Augar review focusing on best interests of students, taxpayers, and universities. No comment on speculation.
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Assessment & feedback
Details of discussions with Treasury and retrospective application confirmation not provided beyond process statement
No Comment On Speculation
Response accuracy
Q7
Direct Answer
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Context
Getting more young people into STEM subjects is vital.
What are my right hon. and hon. Friends doing to get more young people, and especially more young women, throughout the UK into STEM subjects?
Multiple programmes are funded including £84m for computing teaching and participation at GCSE and A-level and £76m for maths mastery. Over 20,000 STEM ambassadors exist with 40% being women.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The post-Brexit Nobel laureate scheme was intended to attract top scientists but has failed.
Will the Secretary of State explain reasons for this complete failure? Could it be due to a hostile environment?
The prize route is one option under global-talent route with thousands of applications since 2020. It has high bar requiring prestigious awards already accepted in their field.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific reasons for lack of success not provided beyond stating route requirements, avoiding discussion on hostile environment
Stating Route Requirements
Response accuracy
Q9
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns over potential school closures due to the omicron variant. The MP is concerned about the impact of online learning on children's education and wellbeing.
I am concerned that despite necessary steps being taken against the omicron variant, there remains a possibility of primary schools and nurseries closing, which would negatively affect young children's education and wellbeing.
In-person education remains our absolute priority. Our guidance is clear that settings should do everything possible to keep children in face-to-face education safely, and I will do everything in my power to keep schools and nurseries open.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
The question comes from a meeting with students who want to reduce school emissions, highlighting cost as the main barrier for teachers in getting electric cars.
Following discussions with students inspired by COP26, they have found that financial barriers are preventing more teachers from acquiring electric vehicles. They seek information on what measures will be taken to address this issue and promote emission reduction.
As a former Minister at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, I can tell the hon. Lady that it is about ensuring that we deliver affordable transport that is green: not only cars but other forms of transport.
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Assessment & feedback
salary sacrifice schemes
About Ensuring That We Deliver Affordable Transport
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Q11
Direct Answer
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Context
Some schools have not had inspections for over a decade, raising questions about the current state of education quality.
Due to long periods without inspections in some schools, parents need up-to-date assessments of their children's school quality. This includes considering new senior leadership teams and other material changes.
My hon. Friend is right that parents should have up-to-date assessments of the quality of education at their child's school, which is why, from the start of this term, Ofsted resumed routine inspections of the full range of schools.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
Covid-related absences are increasing, and there is a need to improve school ventilation.
With rising pupil and staff absences due to covid, the Bradford pilot was initiated earlier this year to address indoor air quality. The MP seeks an update on its progress, including details of air purifiers and implementation plans.
The hon. Lady is right about the importance of this issue. CO2 monitors are being rolled out successfully across the school estate, and we will work closely with the NHS on interpreting and implementing action based on its findings.
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Assessment & feedback
implementation plans for air purifiers
We Will Work Closely
Response accuracy
Q13
Direct Answer
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Context
Local headteachers have highlighted the need for mental health support alongside education.
In addition to providing quality education, local headteachers also provide counselling and pastoral care. The MP seeks information on the Government's plans to further support mental health provision in schools.
The Government are providing additional support through establishing mental health support teams in 35% of schools and colleges in England by 2023, enabling all schools and colleges to train senior mental health leads by 2025.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
The biggest issues in special education needs are timely multi-disciplinary team meetings and inadequate support.
Concerns over the adequacy of multi-agency workforce plans to meet children's additional needs were raised. The MP seeks an update on this from the SEN review.
The hon. Lady is right in this regard. The SEN review will look at this issue, and it will report in the first quarter of next year.
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Assessment & feedback
timeline for multi-agency plan implementation
It Will Report
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
Interest in parliamentary workings among students has grown, but access is limited due to covid restrictions.
Due to ongoing covid restrictions, the MP seeks ways for Parliament to engage with schools and colleges across Wales and the UK through new virtual methods.
Parliament's excellent free education service offers a range of resources, including the resumption of school visits to Parliament and online workshops.
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Assessment & feedback
virtual engagement methods
Offers A Range Of Resources
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
Severe conditions at Russell Scott Primary School have been highlighted, including health hazards due to a botched refurbishment.
Three months ago, I raised the appalling conditions at Russell Scott Primary School in Denton, where pupils face sewage and toxic fumes. What progress has been made by DfE officials with Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council?
We continue to work with Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council. In that debate, he put in a bid for the next round of the priority school building programme.
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Assessment & feedback
timeline and current status of rebuilding efforts
Continue To Work
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
Local directors of public health are advising schools to go beyond national guidance, causing issues such as event cancellations and forced mask-wearing in classrooms.
Across the country, many local directors of public health are going far beyond the Department's covid guidance in their recommendations to schools. Headteachers are being put in an impossible position due to these excessive measures. Does my right hon. Friend agree that this is unethical and inhumane? What can he do to ensure that schools do not go beyond the Government's guidance?
The most important thing is that we prioritise face-to-face education. Keeping children in school is my absolute priority, and I will do everything in my power to maintain that situation. Of course, directors of public health can advise temporary additional measures, but they should always be proportionate.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was not fully addressed as no concrete actions were provided to prevent schools from exceeding guidance.
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
The school capital programme has been cut since 2010, affecting schools like Lydiate Primary School. The programme was reduced from £9.1 billion to £4.3 billion.
Since 2010, the school capital programme has been cut from £9.1 billion to £4.3 billion. Will the Government put money back into the programme and rebuild schools such as Lydiate Primary School?
The Prime Minister announced a new school rebuilding programme in June 2020. We have confirmed the first 100 schools as part of a commitment to 500 projects over the next decade, including Deyes High School in Sefton. We are investing £5.6 billion of capital funding to support the education sector in 7942-23.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was not fully addressed as no commitment was made specifically for Lydiate Primary School.
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
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Context
A ten-minute rule Bill proposes universal screening for dyslexia in primary schools, seeking stronger support and assessment.
Will the Secretary of State welcome tomorrow's ten-minute rule Bill that proposes universal screening for dyslexia in primary schools? Will he put his full weight behind it?
My right hon. Friend is a passionate champion and advocate for the technology behind screening for dyslexia. I will certainly take a close look at his Bill tomorrow.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was not fully addressed as no commitment to support the bill was given.
Response accuracy
Q20
Partial Answer
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Context
Early years investment has been strongly advocated for its benefits, with a need for accessible and cheap pre-school care.
Is the Secretary of State aware that investing in early years is proven to be the best investment? When will we take this seriously and have good, accessible, and cheap pre-school care?
I know that I can call the hon. Gentleman my friend because he is a passionate champion of education and of early years, and has been for a long time. We are delivering family hubs which are evidence based when it comes to what can be done in the early years for families.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was not fully addressed as no timeline or concrete plan was provided.
Response accuracy
Q21
Partial Answer
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Context
Storm Arwen has damaged electricity supplies in the constituency, affecting homes and schools such as those in Weardale and Lanchester.
Will the Minister ask the Department to feed into the Ofgem review to ensure that if there are power issues in future, schools like the small schools in Weardale or St Bede's in Lanchester are not cut off from education?
I would certainly be happy to meet my hon. Friend further to discuss this while we also discuss the situation at Witton-le-Wear.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was not fully addressed as no commitment to request input from the department was given.
Response accuracy
Q22
Partial Answer
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Context
The Scottish Government have implemented a child payment of £10 per week, which is being doubled to £20 in April. The questioner asks if the UK government should do more to support vulnerable families.
Is it not time the UK Government did more to support vulnerable families and looked at reinstating the £20 a week universal credit uplift?
I am very proud of the work we do on breakfast clubs and on the holiday activities and food programme, which I helped to set up when I was a Minister in the Department. There is now £200 million-plus a year.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was not fully addressed as no commitment to reinstate the universal credit uplift was given.
Response accuracy