Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Covid-19: Financial Implications for Schools — [Stewart Hosie in the Chair]

07 October 2020 · 1 other contributor · 4,087 words

Opened by Gareth Thomas Labour (Co-op) Harrow West

Responding minister: Nick Gibb

Education

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Gareth Thomas raised concerns about covid-19: financial implications for schools — [stewart hosie in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Schools in Harrow and across the UK face significant financial difficulties due to additional costs from COVID-19 measures.
  • One school expects 175,000 in extra expenses over a year, while another primary school has already spent over 60,000 since the start of the summer term.
  • The Government committed to a 52.2 billion annual education budget by 2022-23, including increased funding for high-needs support and a 650 million universal catch-up premium.

Key requests to Government

The Government should extend funding to cover additional costs due to the pandemic and recognise the need for sustained investment in deprived areas and special needs education. Ministers should also consider providing free household internet access for children from households on universal credit.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Gareth Thomas Labour (Co-op) Harrow West

Schools in Harrow and across the country are facing significant financial difficulties due to extra costs incurred from covid-19 measures. One school expects £175,000 in additional expenses over a year, while another primary school has already incurred more than £60,000 since the start of summer term. Teachers estimate that pupils are on average three months behind in their curriculum learning with disadvantaged children faring worse. School spending per pupil fell by 9% between 2009-10 and 2019-20, leaving them poorly placed to handle pandemic challenges.

Other contributors (1)
  • Fleur Anderson Lab Putney

    Ms Anderson outlined four areas of concern for local schools: mental health services that could be cut, additional costs such as staff and cleaning expenses, inconsistency in budget due to lost income from hiring out school premises, cuts in youth services impacting education, and special educational needs support lacking. She also highlighted the need for review and flexibility in the catch-up fund.

Government Response

Nick Gibb

The Government have ensured that pupils in all year groups are returning to school full-time from the beginning of autumn term. As of October 1st, 99.8% of schools were open and 92% had resumed teaching all their pupils. The Minister highlighted a £52.2 billion annual budget for education by 2022-23 with significant increases in high-needs funding. He detailed additional support measures such as a £650 million universal catch-up premium, the national tutoring programme, and remote education support with over 220,000 laptops provided to disadvantaged children.

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