Education Ministers were answering questions in the Commons.
Subjects covered included... Children in Need National
Funding Formula Social Mobility Apprenticeships
Alternative Educational Provision Knives Academy
Orders Private Tuition and Safeguarding LGBT Awareness
Student Retention: Higher...Request free trial
Education Ministers were answering questions in the Commons.
Subjects covered included...
To read any of these in greater detail, click on the link or see
below.
Children in Need
-
(Brentwood and Ongar)
(Con)
1. If he will take steps to improve outcomes for children
in need. [904424]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education
(Nadhim Zahawi)
We must help children in need to achieve their full
potential. That is why we are already implementing vital
social care reforms to improve children’s safety and
stability. On Friday, we launched the children in need
review. That will develop the evidence so that we can
understand what makes a difference to those children’s
educational outcomes and what works to improve those
outcomes in practice.
-
I strongly welcome the review that was announced last week.
Many of us have been pushing for that for a long time, and
I am sure that it will make a difference to the nearly
400,000 children in need in our country. As the Minister
goes about the review, will he commit to using the
considerable data at his disposal to highlight those areas
and children that buck the trend, so that we can learn from
their example?
-
My hon. Friend has been a champion of children in need. The
review is absolutely intended to establish best practice.
It builds on work that we already do with our partners in
practice local authorities, the expansion of which I
announced last week.
-
(Sefton Central)
(Lab)
Since 2010, the number of children on the child protection
register is up 83%, while the number of children in care is
at its highest since 1985. Does the Minister think that the
cuts in children’s services since 2010 are the reason for
that? If not, to what does he ascribe those terrible
outcomes for the most vulnerable children in our society?
-
Local authorities have been increasing their investment in
children’s services. I visited Hackney, Wigan and
Doncaster, and my impression is that the real
differentiator is leadership, which is why we are investing
£2 million in the Local Government Association to look at
leadership and the partners in practice programme.
-
(Great Grimsby)
(Lab)
Early intervention is critical to preventing children from
ending up as in need, so why have the Government cut
funding that supported the excellent Sure Start and
Home-Start projects, which did so much excellent work with
new parents in Great Grimsby?
-
Different local authorities do things differently. I
visited Stafford, and Stafford and Newcastle have improved
the outcomes for children in need by reaching out to those
families, rather than by investing in bricks and mortar.
There are different ways to deal with this, and local
authorities do it best.
-
Mrs (South Shields)
(Lab)
Research on the Department’s figures shows that children
are 10 times more likely to be on a child protection plan
if they live in a deprived area. Before the end of this
Parliament, it is estimated that the figure for child
poverty will reach 5 million and the funding gap in
statutory services will reach £2 billion. The Minister said
that strong leadership rather than extra funding is the
key. Will he explain how strong leadership will end this
crisis?
-
Local government spending for all services, including
children’s services, is £200 billion. We do see leadership
as a driver of better outcomes for those children. That is
why we are making the investment, including the £15 million
that we announced for eight more partners in practice,
which help local authorities that are struggling. For
example, Leeds is helping Kirklees.
National Funding Formula
-
(Bishop Auckland)
(Lab)
2. What assessment he has made of the financial effect of
the new national funding formula on schools in England.
[904425]
-
(Bradford South)
(Lab)
13. What assessment he has made of the financial effect of
the new national funding formula on schools in England.
[904438]
-
The Secretary of State for Education (Damian Hinds)
The new national funding formula means that funding will
finally be distributed based on the needs and
characteristics of every school in the country. It is
supported by an additional £1.3 billion, which means that
we will maintain school and high-needs funding in real
terms per pupil for the next two years.
-
Twenty-four of the 44 maintained schools in the Bishop
Auckland constituency will lose in real terms, taking
account of inflation. Many have high levels of deprivation
and large free school meal entitlement. How can the
Secretary of State justify that?
-
Of course, the formula rightly takes account of deprivation
in the way that the hon. Lady mentions. If the funding
formula were implemented in full in the Bishop Auckland
constituency, based on the 2017-18 pupil data, funding
would increase by £981,000 or 1.9%.
-
In every single school that I have visited in Bradford
South since becoming an MP, the head has raised with me
major concerns about funding. Will the Secretary of State
confirm that, despite the £1.3 billion that his predecessor
announced last July, school funding will still have fallen
in real terms by 2020 for the first time in a generation?
-
No. On the same basis as I answered the hon. Member for
Bishop Auckland (Helen Goodman), if the formula were
implemented fully in the Bradford South constituency, it
would mean an increase of 1.6% or £1.3 million. Across the
system, per pupil real-terms funding is being maintained.
-
(Witham) (Con)
The cost of advertising for teachers and the cost of supply
teachers, especially through agencies, are putting strain
on school funding and budgets. What action are the
Government taking to ensure that more money goes to the
education frontline and less on bureaucracy?
-
My right hon. Friend makes a very good point about one of
the cost pressures facing schools. We are working on seeing
what we can do to help and developing a new framework to
help to bring down recruitment costs, especially on the
supply teachers she mentions.
-
Mr (Hazel Grove)
(Con)
Schools in my constituency welcome the principle of the
national funding formula, which will see an increase in
funding. Will my right hon. Friend meet me and
representatives of primary and secondary schools to ensure
it is implemented in the right way?
-
My hon. Friend is correct to say that the implementation of
the national funding formula is a very important step
forward. I always happy to meet my hon. Friend.
-
(Ilford North)
(Lab)
Taking into account the rising cost pressures on schools,
whether on temporary and agency staff or on salaries,
virtually every school in my constituency will face
real-terms cuts to their funding by 2020. Is that not the
truth of the Government’s policy, or does the Secretary of
State for Education think he knows more about school
budgets than headteachers?
-
Across the system over the next two years, the total core
schools funding budget will be going up from just under £41
billion this year to £43.5 billion. Of course there have
been cost pressures on schools. I do not deny that for a
moment. It is one of the reasons why we are taking the
steps I outlined a moment ago to try to help with those
cost pressures, but across the system per pupil real-terms
funding is being maintained.
-
(East Worthing and
Shoreham) (Con)
We welcome the changes to the national funding formula and
the additional money, but there is still a huge gap between
the way schools are funded in West Sussex and in Greater
London. Special schools are not included in the national
funding formula, so an average 200-place school in West
Sussex will receive something like £800,000 less than an
equivalent school in Reading and £2 million less than one
in London. When will the Secretary of State address this
anomaly?
-
The intention of the national funding formula is not that
every pupil throughout the country has exactly the same
amount of money spent on them, because it is important that
the formula recognises the difference in composition of
pupil make-up. We were talking a moment ago about
deprivation, but there are other measures of additional
need that need to be reflected.
-
(Ashton-under-Lyne)
(Lab)
May I first start by congratulating Andria Zafirakou from
north London, who won this year’s global teacher prize this
weekend. I know the whole House will agree with her on the
power of the arts to change young people’s lives.
In the Chancellor’s spring statement last week, he said:
“School budgets are increasing per pupil in real terms.”
He also said that
“every school will receive a cash increase.”—[Official
Report, 13 March 2018; Vol. 637, c. 726-735.]
Does the Secretary of State agree with the Chancellor?
-
First, let me join the hon. Lady in congratulating Andria
Zafirakou on her outstanding achievement. It is a
particularly striking individual attainment, but it is also
a reflection of the incredibly inspirational role that
teachers everywhere play.
We have discussed funding at some length. The fact is that
across the system the per pupil real-terms funding is being
maintained. Over the next couple of years, local
authorities will play a role in allocating that money to
ensure the final result reflects local circumstances.
-
I am glad the Secretary of State accepts that point,
because the UK Statistics Authority last week refuted both
of those claims and he had to retract what he said at our
last question time. Last week, he said:
“the mere repetition of a falsehood does not turn it into
the truth.”—[Official Report, 13 March 2018; Vol. 637, c.
801.]
Will he now apologise for misleading the House and make
clear the truth that there is no increase and that school
budgets may face cuts of up to 1.5% per pupil?
-
Mr Speaker
Order. Before we proceed further, I must say to the shadow
Secretary of State that any accusation of misleading the
House must be accompanied by the word “inadvertent”. The
hon. Lady cannot accuse a Minister or any Member of
deliberately misleading the House, and I am sure she would
not wish to do that.
-
No, Mr Speaker. Inadvertently misleading the House.
-
It is true that cash funding per pupil is increasing. It is
also true that real-terms funding is increasing. But I
could and should have been more precise that when we talk
about real-terms per pupil funding, that is being
maintained. The core schools budget over the next two years
will rise from a little under £41 billion to £43.5 billion.
Social Mobility
-
Mr (Nuneaton) (Con)
3. What steps he is taking to improve social mobility.
[904426]
-
(Chippenham)
(Con)
8. What steps he is taking to improve social mobility.
[904433]
-
Mr (Middlesbrough
South and East Cleveland) (Con)
16. What steps he is taking to improve social mobility.
[904443]
-
The Secretary of State for Education (Damian Hinds)
Since 2010, there are 1.9 million more children in good or
outstanding schools and more disadvantaged children are
going on to university. Our plans to make further progress
include £72 million for 12 opportunity areas and £50
million on improving early language and literacy.
-
Mr Jones
Youth unemployment in my constituency has fallen by 72%
since 2010. If we are to build on that progress, will my
right hon. Friend set out how we can support the schools
that are underperforming, so that young people, wherever
they live, have the best opportunity to make the most out
of their lives?
-
My hon. Friend is right to highlight the dramatic falls in
unemployment and youth unemployment. In his constituency,
there have been over 7,000 apprenticeship starts since
2010. He is absolutely right that it is very important that
all schools are able to share in the improvements in
education outcomes, and it is very important that the
support is there to do that.
-
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I
strongly welcome the £26 million to support breakfast
clubs. Wiltshire is not a deprived county, but it has
pockets of deprivation, with some of my schools having two
thirds of pupils on pupil premium. Would the Minister
please clarify to the House how exactly deprivation areas
will be determined?
-
The definition of areas of deprivation will include the
opportunity areas that I mentioned a little earlier, as
well as other areas according to the IDACI—income
deprivation affecting children index—methodology. I cannot
say off the top of my head exactly what the implication of
that is for Chippenham, but I will be very happy to stay in
touch with my hon. Friend.
-
Mr Clarke
Literacy underpins social mobility, and since 2013, the
National Literacy Trust has run a fantastic hub in
Middlesbrough. Will the Minister join me in paying tribute
to the hub’s work and in particular my constituent Allison
Potter? It has contributed to narrowing the early years
development gap in the schools that it works with from
24.8% in 2013 to just 8.5% last year.
-
Indeed. Improving literacy is vital to improving social
mobility, and our plans for a centre of excellence and a
national network of English hubs will help with that. I am
happy, of course, to pay tribute to the fantastic work done
by the National Literacy Trust in its Middlesbrough hub and
to my hon. Friend’s constituent.
-
(Liverpool, West Derby)
(Lab/Co-op)
Three years ago, I launched the Liverpool to Oxbridge
Collaborative to support the most academic students in
schools in my constituency to give them the option of
applying to either Oxford or Cambridge. What are the
Government doing to support areas, particularly with high
social and economic need such as Liverpool, to aim high for
all their young people?
-
This goes to the heart of the Office for Fair Access and
what the Office for Students will do, but it is also really
important that universities—particularly selective
universities—continue to redouble their efforts to make
sure that they are reaching out directly, so that they are
tapping into the full range of talents that are on offer
throughout our country.
-
(Oxford West and
Abingdon) (LD)
If the Secretary of State is serious about improving access
to top universities for students from poorer backgrounds,
why is he not doing more to enact the findings on the
National Audit Office report on higher education, which
urged the Government to do more to provide high-quality,
independent careers advice to 13 and 14-year-olds?
-
The hon. Lady is entirely right to identify the importance
of independent careers advice. That goes for applications
to university, for subject choice and for considering
technical and vocational—as well as academic—routes, and
that is why we are putting so much focus on it.
-
(City of Durham)
(Lab)
The Secretary of State must understand that if we are to
achieve social mobility, our schools have to be adequately
funded. Because of funding cuts, Durham County Council is
closing a school—the only school—in a disadvantaged village
in my constituency. The young people there will feel
undervalued, as will the community, so what will the
Secretary of State do to ensure that that school stays open
and that those children are given a real chance in life?
-
I totally acknowledge that it can be very unsettling and
upsetting when a school closes like that. Of course, I am
happy to discuss the particular case with her, but it
remains the case that across the system we are holding the
core schools budget constant in real per pupil terms.
-
(Havant) (Con)
Having worked with Magic Breakfast for over five years, I
share the welcome from my hon. Friend the Member for
Chippenham (Michelle Donelan) for today’s Magic Breakfast
and school breakfast club funding. In addition to the
money, will my right hon. Friend encourage partner schools
to collaborate and share best practice to tackle social
mobility challenges?
-
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and constituency neighbour
for all he has done on breakfast over an extended period,
particularly with his Magic Breakfast connection, and I
share his desire to make sure that best practice is shared
across borders.
-
(Glasgow North West)
(SNP)
Scottish students from the most-deprived backgrounds are
supported by a comprehensive financial package, including
free tuition and bursaries, resulting in Scotland having
the lowest university drop-out rate in the entire UK. Will
the Secretary of State give serious consideration to
mirroring the support given to Scottish students, including
by abolishing the extortionate student fees, here in
England?
-
The important things to note are that with our university
financing system more young people, including from
disadvantaged backgrounds, than ever are able to go to
university, that universities are properly funded and that
there is no cap on ambition.
-
(Batley and Spen)
(Lab/Co-op)
Social mobility is improved when families have access to
Sure Start and children’s centres, yet, in a damning
report, the National Audit Office has revealed that the
Government have cut spending on Sure Start by 50% in real
terms since 2010, and we are still waiting for the
long-overdue consultation on the future of children’s
centres. Will the Secretary of State tell us whether he
believes that these cuts are good for social mobility and
on what date he will publish the consultation?
-
The hon. Lady is entirely correct in identifying the
importance of early years for children’s development,
social mobility and narrowing the gap, which is one reason
we are putting so much more effort and money into early
years and childcare, including through the extensions of
eligibility for the two-year-old offer, which I think,
bizarrely, she voted against last week.
Apprenticeships
-
(Stafford) (Con)
4. What steps his Department is taking to promote
apprenticeships. [904427]
-
Sir (Derbyshire Dales)
(Con)
11. What steps his Department is taking to promote
apprenticeships. [904436]
-
The Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills (Anne
Milton)
We are using radio adverts, digital advertising, social
media and telemarketing—the latest phase of marketing
started at the end of January and will continue until the
end of this month—and of course our national apprenticeship
week, with its hundreds of events throughout the country,
is also spreading the message. I should also point out that
a legal duty on schools to allow in technical education
providers was introduced in January.
-
My right hon. Friend knows that Newcastle-under-Lyme,
Stafford, Shrewsbury and several other very good colleges
that provide excellent apprenticeships have not been
awarded funding under the non-levy apprenticeships scheme.
She has worked hard to find a way through this, but can I
ask her for an update to ensure that those colleges can
continue to provide apprenticeships in vital areas such as
construction and engineering; otherwise there will be a bit
of an apprenticeships desert in those areas?
-
I know that my hon. Friend is a strong supporter of
colleges in his area, but, as with any procurement, some
bidders were unsuccessful. We have extended contracts for
existing providers by three months to give employers and
apprentices stability, and the main providers on the
register of apprenticeship training providers can still
deliver training directly to levy payers, to non-levy
payers through subcontracting and to employers receiving
transfers from April.
-
Sir
In 2009-10, there were 280,000 apprenticeships, and in
2016-17, there were 495,000, so we are moving in the right
direction. What more can the Government do to lift the
status of apprenticeships in schools, bearing in mind that
most teachers come through a university route? Should
Ofsted report on how schools are promoting apprenticeships
when they do their examinations?
-
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right that status is
crucial to increasing the value that people place on
apprenticeships. Having employers involved in the design of
the new standards right up to degree level and making sure
there is that 20% off-the-job training and that they last
for a minimum of 12 months are all about raising the status
and currency of apprenticeship qualifications. I make no
apology for making sure we increase the quality of
apprenticeships. It is not just about numbers; it is about
quality.
-
(Manchester Central)
(Lab/Co-op)
One of the key ways to promote apprenticeships is to
maintain a broad curriculum in our schools. This was one of
the key themes at the Association of School and College
Leaders conference last week, where the CBI president said
that children were missing out by being made to memorise
facts and that the curriculum should prepare them for adult
life. Does the Minister agree that the curriculum is
narrowing to the detriment of children and our future
economy?
-
There is no doubt that we have one of the best curriculums
in the world. What is absolutely crucial to the success of
any technical education programme —that includes
apprenticeships—is a solid foundation at school. That can
be used as a springboard into other careers, possibly via
apprenticeships.
-
(Scunthorpe) (Lab)
Knowledge of and access to apprenticeships relies on
high-quality careers information, advice and guidance in
schools. What are the Government doing to ensure that every
young person is entitled to that information, advice and
guidance, and that it stops being a rather dubious offer
across the patch, as it is at present?
-
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right about the importance
of good careers guidance. I am sure he has read the careers
strategy that we launched at the end of last year, which
uses the Gatsby benchmarks as a spine. Schools have a legal
duty to enable technical education providers to go into
schools. The Careers & Enterprise Company is doing
fantastic work all over the country, and Members of
Parliament also have a role to play: they, too, can go into
schools and point out the opportunities that exist.
-
(Filton and Bradley
Stoke) (Con)
Does my right hon. Friend agree that apprenticeships are
vital to maintaining and enhancing our sovereign defence
manufacturing capability, and are a key driver of social
mobility, especially in constituencies like mine?
-
I completely agree with my hon. Friend. Apprenticeships
represent a wonderful opportunity and are an important part
of the mix.
-
(Blackpool South)
(Lab)
Last month the Minister wrote to the chief executive of the
Institute for Apprenticeships with a long list of
requirements—I have it here—for the delivery of degree
apprenticeships and technical skills at levels 6 and 7. The
chief executive has said he told the Minister that the IFA
could not take on responsibilities for technical skills
unless adequate additional resources were allocated. Given
that the institute is scheduled to take on those
responsibilities next month, what resources and extra funds
has the Minister allocated to the chief executive here and
now?
-
I was with the chief executive of the IFA only about an
hour ago. The institute is increasing its headcount
substantially to ensure that it has the capacity to deal
with the new T-levels that are coming on stream. This is a
fantastic opportunity, and I look forward to working with
those at the IFA. They know that they should tell me if
they have any problems with resources, and we will then try
to meet their needs.
Alternative Educational Provision
-
Mr (Knowsley) (Lab)
5. What steps he is taking to support alternative
educational provision. [904428]
-
(Bury North) (Lab)
14. What steps he is taking to support alternative
educational provision. [R] [904440]
-
The Minister for School Standards (Nick Gibb)
I, too, congratulate Andria Zafirako on winning the global
teacher prize. I have met Andria. She is an inspirational
teacher who is dedicated to her pupils, and she has a love
of teaching and the profession.
On 16 March, we published a policy paper setting out our
approach to the reform of alternative provision. We want to
ensure that the right children are placed in AP, and that
they receive a higher-quality education with better
outcomes than is currently the case.
-
Mr Howarth
The Minister will know that, at its best, alternative
provision can give young people an opportunity to get back
on track, but that at its worst, in some cases, it is
nothing more than childminding. He will also know that
because of pressure on budgets, headteachers often take the
cheapest option. Will he address that problem and ensure
that schools have no incentive to send young people to
alternative provision that is unsuitable and of no use?
-
The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. The GCSE
outcomes of children in alternative provision are
significantly worse than those of children outside it. Only
4.5% of pupils in AP achieve grade 4 or better in English
and maths, compared with 65% of all other pupils. We have
asked to conduct an exclusions
review to establish which groups of young people are being
excluded from schools, focusing particularly on groups who
are disproportionately excluded from mainstream education.
-
I refer Members to my entry in the Register of Members’
Financial Interests.
Some 56% of Bury schools that responded to my schools
survey told me that they had been forced to cut special
educational needs and disability provision because of
school budget cuts. Does the Minister acknowledge that a
bigger number does not mean more money per student, and
will he commit himself to a real-terms per-pupil fair
funding formula that encourages the inclusion of SEND
pupils in mainstream schools?
-
We have increased high-needs funding from £5 billion in
2013-14 to £6 billion in 2018-19. It is up £130 million in
2017-18 compared with the previous year, and overall we are
spending £1.3 billion more on school funding compared with
under the 2015 spending review.
Knives
-
(Croydon Central)
(Lab)
7. What discussions she has had with the Home Secretary on
reducing the number of children carrying knives at school.
[904431]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education
(Nadhim Zahawi)
I commend the hon. Lady for her work as chair of the
all-party group on knife crime and for securing a debate on
the subject last September. I assure her that the
Department is committed to making schools as safe as we
possibly can, and that is why we are working closely with
the Home Office to reinforce the important message that it
is totally unacceptable to bring knives into schools.
-
Knife-carrying in schools is up by 42% across the UK, yet
in my constituency, and I expect across the country, at
least three quarters of headteachers have had to cut staff,
special needs provision and support such as mentoring,
which are all crucial in preventing crime. Now that this
epidemic has infiltrated our schools, will the Minister
admit that school cuts are threatening our children’s
safety?
-
The hon. Lady has heard from the Secretary of State
regarding school finance, and all I would add is that the
Department is working with the Home Office, and of course
other stakeholders—the police, Ofsted, and the Health and
Safety Executive—on updating our school security guidance
to make clear the risks of carrying knives and to provide
advice on dealing with this important issue. It is
unacceptable to carry a knife in school.
-
(North West
Leicestershire) (Con)
Will my hon. Friend join me in welcoming the award from the
Home Office of £765,000 for the new anti-knife crime
community fund, some of which will be spent on delivering
knife-crime awareness sessions in schools themselves?
-
I do welcome the Home Office’s commitment to this, and I
hope the Mayor of London will do the same for the schools
of the hon. Member for Croydon Central (Sarah Jones) in
Croydon.
-
(Lewisham, Deptford)
(Lab)
Youth violence is up and the number of mental health issues
among young people is up, yet the number of qualified
school nurses is down. The evidence shows that they can be
part of how we address the root causes of youth violence.
May we have qualified school nurses in every school as one
step to tackle this issue?
-
The hon. Lady knows we are making further investment in
mental health in schools to make sure that every school is
able to deal with the issue in an appropriate way.
Academy Orders
-
(Lewisham East)
(Lab)
9. How many schools in England subject to an academy order
have not confirmed a sponsor. [904434]
-
The Minister for School Standards (Nick Gibb)
There are currently over 2,000 open sponsored academies
and, as of 1 February, 92 schools subject to an academy
order were in the process of being matched to a sponsor.
That involves brokering a relationship between a suitable
academy trust and maintained school, and includes
addressing any land or contractual issues. A school not
having a confirmed sponsor is generally not due to the lack
of a sponsor, but because of the time it takes to address
those issues.
-
The Minister might know that my interest in this matter
stems from the number of years it took his Department to
resolve the situation at Sedgehill School in Lewisham,
which was not able to find a sponsor and instead has agreed
a three-year school improvement partnership. If the
Department is struggling so much to find sponsors for
academies, why is this still a central plank of the
Minister’s school turnaround strategy?
-
Because we are not, across the system as a whole,
struggling to find new sponsors. We have 7,000 academies
now, most of which are converter academies, and they
themselves are becoming the sponsors of underperforming
schools across the system. This system is working.
Secondary sponsored academies made the strongest
improvements in 2016, despite facing the biggest challenge,
and compared with 2015, the average attainment 8 score for
sponsored academies improved by almost three attainment
points, compared with 1.3 attainment points for maintained
schools. The academies programme is working and is raising
standards right across the system.
Private Tuition and Safeguarding
-
(York Central)
(Lab/Co-op)
12. What steps his Department is taking to ensure the
effective safeguarding of children and young people
receiving individual private tuition. [904437]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education
(Nadhim Zahawi)
It is ultimately the responsibility of parents to assure
themselves about the suitability of any private tutor they
might choose to employ before they engage them, for example
by seeking and checking references, and asking to see a
copy of any Disclosure and Barring Service certificate. It
is a serious criminal offence to seek to work with children
in a regulated activity after being barred from doing so.
-
One in four children currently receive tuition outside
school, but private and self-employed tutors do not have to
undergo criminal records checks, which puts those children
at serious risk. What is the Minister doing about that?
Will he meet me to discuss a serious case in my
constituency and to talk about why the law must change?
-
I will certainly meet the hon. Lady to discuss the case
about which she emailed us earlier today. I would be very
happy to do that.
LGBT Awareness
-
(Rutherglen and Hamilton
West) (Lab/Co-op)
15. What steps his Department is taking to ensure that all
schools teach awareness of LGBT issues in an
age-appropriate manner. [904442]
-
The Minister for School Standards (Nick Gibb)
Schools can currently teach about LGBT issues and must
comply with the Equality Act 2010. We have established a £3
million programme on homophobic, biphobic and transphobic
bullying. We are also engaging with stakeholders to develop
age-appropriate and inclusive relationships education, and
relationships and sex education. The response to the call
for evidence will be published shortly.
-
I thank the Minister for that answer. Following media
reports of a school in London censoring textbooks that make
reference to homosexuality, it is clear that more work is
still needed. Will he agree to look at the recommendations
of the Time for Inclusive Education campaign in Scotland to
ensure that all young people receive an education that is
fully LGBT-inclusive?
-
Yes, I would be very happy to look at that report. We are
consulting on the content of relationships and sex
education, and we will be publishing new guidance and
regulations on that. We will consult on that. We have also
introduced regulations to require schools to teach
fundamental British values.
Student Retention: Higher Education
-
(Dundee West) (SNP)
17. What steps his Department is taking to increase student
retention rates in higher education. [904444]
-
The Minister for Universities, Science, Research and
Innovation (Mr Sam Gyimah)
Our reforms will increase the chances of course completion.
The introduction of a transparency duty, access and
participation plans, and the teaching excellence and
student outcomes framework will hold universities to
account and help students to make informed choices about
where to study and to get the best value for money.
-
The Higher Education Statistics Agency audit showed that
6.2% of first-time students in Scotland dropped out before
their second year. That is not only the joint lowest figure
on record, but the lowest in the UK. With Scotland leading
the way, when will the Minister be coming north to Scotland
for inspiration to enable him to think again about this
Government’s failings on student retention?
-
Mr Gyimah
Scotland is of course a beautiful country. Our reforms here
have led to more disadvantaged people going to university
than ever before. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that
access should not just be defined as getting people into
university. We want them to be successful there and to go
on to achieve their aspirations. That is why, as part of
our reforms, we are introducing access and participation
agreements, which will be overseen by the new regulator,
the Office for Students. These will ensure that
universities are held to account for the success of
disadvantaged students.
-
(Stretford and Urmston)
(Lab)
Can the Minister explain to parents under the age of 25 in
my constituency who are unmarried but cohabit why their
household is not eligible for an adult dependant’s grant
while a similar household with a married couple would be?
-
Mr Gyimah
It sounds as though the hon. Lady is referring to a very
specific issue. I would be happy to take it up with her
afterwards.
-
Mr Speaker
The Minister could always put a copy of his reply in the
Library for the delectation of Members of the House, if he
felt so inclined. I am sure that we would all be deeply
grateful.
-
(Glasgow North)
(SNP)
Does the Minister accept that if we want to retain students
not just through their undergraduate degrees, but into
postgraduate studies and long-term academic careers, they
will need to have confidence about the benefits and
provisions that will come with that? To that end, what
discussions is he having with the University and College
Union and Universities UK about resolving the pensions
dispute?
-
Mr Gyimah
The hon. Gentleman will be aware that an agreement was
reached between the University and College Union and
Universities UK last week. That agreement was brokered by
the independent arbitrator, ACAS. I am disappointed that
that agreement was rejected the next day, however, and I am
urging both parties to get together to talk, because that
is in the interests of students, especially at this vital
time in their studies. The new regulator, the Office for
Students, has wide-ranging powers to ensure that
universities work to deliver for students. There is no
mandate for strikes to disrupt exams.
Further Education Funding
-
(Stoke-on-Trent
Central) (Lab/Co-op)
18. If he will undertake a review of the funding of further
education. [904445]
-
The Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills (Anne
Milton)
As the hon. Gentleman is aware, we are undertaking a
post-18 education and funding review—I am sure that he
watched the Prime Minister announcing it up in Derby a few
weeks ago. Alongside that, we are also looking at the
efficiency and resilience of the further education sector.
We need to ensure that existing and forecast funding, and
regulatory structures, meet the cost of high-quality
first-class provision.
-
Ministers make great play during these question sessions of
the importance of social mobility, and there is no greater
engine for social mobility in communities such as
Stoke-on-Trent than properly funded and well-resourced
further education. The City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form
College has seen its funding frozen in cash terms over the
past few years, but rising costs and inflationary pressures
mean that it has really seen a real-terms cut. What do the
Government have against the colleges in my constituency?
-
We have provided £4,000 for every 16 to 19-year-old and an
additional £600 for every pupil studying maths above the
baseline. We have invested £500 million into T-levels and
£20 million into preparation for T-levels. The work that we
have done with FE colleges—
-
indicated dissent.
-
The hon. Gentleman shakes his head, but it is true.
-
Mr Speaker
I do not think that the Minister should take it personally.
Head shaking in the House of Commons is not a novel
phenomenon; I believe that it has been going on for some
centuries.
-
(Torbay) (Con)
As part of the review of FE funding, I am sure that the
Minister will note the investment of more than £20 million
at South Devon College in Paignton into two schemes to
drive technical education. Does she agree that a key aspect
of the review will be to look how institutes of technology,
such as the one at South Devon College, are being taken
forward?
-
My hon. Friend is right that institutes of technology will
form an important part of the mix. I know that head shaking
is common in the Chamber, but it should not distract us
from the facts: we are putting in substantial amounts of
money; we are undertaking a review of post-18 education;
and FE is an important driver of social mobility.
-
(Kingston upon Hull West
and Hessle) (Lab)
Last week, Hull College Group announced the loss of 231
full-time equivalent jobs. It has told me that Government
changes to funding for Jisc—an IT services company that
provides free IT support to colleges—will set it back
another £100,000, perhaps resulting in even more job
losses. Will the Minister please reverse the decision, or
at least provide some transitional funding so that FE
colleges are not hit so hard?
-
The changes to which the hon. Lady refers were important;
this is about fairness and equity. As I have pointed out, a
lot of money is going into FE colleges, but we are looking
at the efficiency and resilience of the FE sector to ensure
that the forecast funding and structures meet the costs of
high-quality, first-class provision.
Funding: 16 to 19-year-olds
-
(Weaver Vale)
(Lab)
19. What assessment he has made of recent trends in
education funding for 16 to 19-year-olds. [904446]
-
The Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills (Anne
Milton)
As I have pointed out, we have protected the base rate of
funding for 16 to 19-year-olds until 2020, and we will
invest £500 million extra a year into T-levels. I have
asked my officials to assess how far the current funding
system meets the costs of high-quality provision in the
further education sector and will update the House shortly.
-
Last week, Warrington and Vale Royal College announced its
intention to close the campus at Northwich in my
constituency—with 56 job losses and 300 students
displaced—citing severe financial pressures and the
Government’s area-based review. Will the Secretary of State
or the Minister agree to meet with me, the staff and some
of the students affected, and hopefully reverse the
decision?
-
I am happy to meet the hon. Gentleman. I should point out,
because not everybody understands it, that colleges are
independent bodies. I understand that Warrington and Vale
Royal College recently took a view that the Hartford campus
in Northwich was unviable and that provision should be
transferred to create a more efficient offer at other
sites, with travel support provided to learners. The issue
arose from difficulties in recruiting learners, not budget
cuts.
-
(Rochdale) (Lab)
Hopwood Hall College in Rochdale has achieved some
remarkable results. Towns such as Rochdale are more
dependent on further education and less dependent on the
university system. Will the Government recognise that the
differential in funding in further education holds back
young people from the most-deprived areas, who need skills
training more than anybody else?
-
One reason why we are undertaking a post-18 review of
education and funding is to make sure that all people, no
matter where they come from or what part of the country
they live in, have access to high-quality education, be
that in HE or FE.
Topical Questions
-
(Bath) (LD)
T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental
responsibilities. [904451]
-
The Secretary of State for Education (Damian Hinds)
Andria Zafirakou has already been mentioned a couple of
times today, and I know the whole House will want to
congratulate her on having been awarded the global teacher
prize this weekend, beating 30,000 entries from 173
countries.
This Government are committed to supporting all teachers to
make sure that children get a world-class education. This
month, I announced that we will develop a plan on workload,
professional development, flexible working and entry routes
into teaching. On Friday we launched the children in need
review, to develop the evidence on what makes a difference
to children’s educational outcomes so that more children
can get a better start in life. I am also today announcing
an investment of up to £26 million to boost breakfast clubs
in more than 1,700 schools in some of the most
disadvantaged areas, complementing our expansion of
eligibility for free school meals.
-
In the light of the recent racist incident in one of our
schools in Bath, does the Minister believe the safeguarding
policies, procedures and processes in our schools are
strong enough, and that the Ofsted inspection regime is
adequate in respect of safeguarding?
-
I was truly shocked to read of the incident to which the
hon. Lady refers. Such incidents, and racism in general,
must of course have no place in our schools or our country.
Schools have to have a policy setting out measures to
encourage good behaviour, including the prevention of
bullying, and where there are serious concerns, Ofsted has
powers to inspect any school without notice.
-
(Shrewsbury and
Atcham) (Con)
T2. Shrewsbury College has an outstanding reputation for
providing high-quality apprenticeship programmes, yet it
was unsuccessful in the latest non-levy apprenticeship
tender process, which will put the college and students at
a disadvantage. It caters for a huge geographical catchment
area, and Ministers and officials need to think again about
this. [904452]
-
The Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills (Anne
Milton)
This is not a situation we wanted to be in, but we are
obliged to undertake these procurement exercises. There
were 1,046 bids, for £1.1 billion. Some 700 of those bids
were successful and got a total of some £490 million. We
have put in transitional arrangements for existing
providers that were unsuccessful, giving employers and
apprentices stability. As I pointed out to my hon. Friend
the Member for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy) earlier, those
providers can still access apprenticeship funding by
delivering training directly to levy payers, to non-levy
payers through subcontracting and to employers receiving
transfers from April.
-
(Glasgow North West)
(SNP)
The pensions dispute ground universities to a halt last
week. The Secretary of State will be aware that there is a
proposal on the table to underwrite the universities
superannuation scheme. Although this matter is reserved,
the Scottish Government have said that they will give
consideration to the proposals from the University and
College Union. Given the talk of further disruption, will
he commit to doing the same?
-
The Minister for Universities, Science, Research and
Innovation (Mr Sam Gyimah)
As I mentioned in my earlier answer, the agreement on the
table was brokered between both parties by ACAS. The
dispute is between the universities, which are autonomous
organisations, and the lecturers. This is a private pension
scheme and one of the country’s largest, with nearly
400,000 members and more than £61 billion in assets. The
cost to the taxpayer of underwriting such a scheme could be
significant, and any further Government involvement in
supporting the USS would need to be considered very
carefully.
-
(Telford) (Con)
T4. I know the Minister shares my concern about the
horrific sexual exploitation of young girls in Telford. Is
he aware of any national inquiry that will specifically
investigate all aspects of current and historical cases of
child exploitation in Telford? [904454]
-
I share my hon. Friend’s concerns; it is a terrible case,
and tragically not the first of its type. I will write to
ask the chair of the new national child safeguarding review
panel to look at the places where these appalling crimes
have happened, such as Rotherham, Oxfordshire and, indeed,
Telford, and to report on whether lessons have been learned
and practices improved right across the system.
-
(Ashton-under-Lyne)
(Lab)
Last week, the Secretary of State was forced to extend the
childcare voucher scheme by six months in order to survive
the vote on it that we called. I tried to get some answers
last week, but the Secretary of State has given us no
clarity on what will happen next. Will he come back to the
House with an oral statement and give us a meaningful vote
before the scheme ends?
-
The move to tax-free childcare is of course a Treasury and
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs policy rather than a
Department for Education one, but we made it clear in last
week’s debate that there would be an extra six months to
look into transitional considerations.
-
(Hitchin and Harpenden)
(Con)
T5. Will the Minister explain the Government’s approach to
special educational needs funding in Hertfordshire and
other areas? There is concern in many quarters that
additional funding allocated to children with special needs
is not being adequately ring-fenced at a local level.
[904456]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education
(Nadhim Zahawi)
We have increased high needs funding, including by an
additional £130 million this year. Local authorities are
responsible for their high needs budgets. I have not heard
wide concerns about funding not being used to support
special educational needs, but I am of course happy to meet
my right hon. Friend to discuss the matter further.
-
Mr Speaker
The hon. Member for Hitchin and Harpenden (Bim Afolami) has
just been elevated by the Minister to membership of the
Privy Council. That makes him the first of his intake, and
he must be deeply grateful.
-
Mr (Coventry South)
(Lab)
T3. I do not think the answer that the Minister for
Universities, Science, Research and Innovation gave on the
pensions dispute at universities was good enough. He cannot
sit on the sidelines; he should be doing something to
resolve the situation rather than going up and down the
country giving lectures on behalf of the Conservative
party. [904453]
-
Mr Gyimah
The Government have not been sitting on the sidelines. We
have made sure that we have been in touch with all the
interested parties. Our prime concern is obviously for the
students, whose education is at stake. It is up to the
universities, as the employers, to negotiate with the
lecturers as the employees. A deal brokered by ACAS is on
the table. At the heart of the dispute is the valuation of
the pension scheme, and part of the deal is an independent
valuation of the pension scheme in the months ahead, which
is why I am disappointed that the deal was turned down the
next day. I urge all the parties to get together and to
keep negotiating to resolve the matter.
-
(Bexleyheath and
Crayford) (Con)
I welcome the news that up to £80 million will be invested
in helping small businesses to recruit apprentices. How and
when will small businesses be able to apply for that
funding?
-
It is very good news. As my right hon. Friend will be
aware, the Government will already pay 90% of training
costs for small businesses. We will announce in due course
more details on how that money will be distributed.
-
(Stoke-on-Trent
Central) (Lab/ Co-op)
T6. Headteachers throughout Stoke-on-Trent have told all
three of our city’s MPs that they have never quite felt the
pinch like they feel it now. Class numbers are rising,
support staff posts are being left vacant and the purchase
of new equipment is being put on hold, yet if we listen to
the Secretary of State we are led to believe that schools
have never had it so good and that money is flowing in.
Given that the two statements cannot be reconciled, will
the Secretary of State say who he believes is inadvertently
misleading Members? [904457]
-
There is no actual or inadvertent misleading of the House.
It is a fact that across the system the core skills funding
budget will go up from £41 billion this year to £43.5
billion in a couple of years’ time. Beyond that, the
national funding formula seeks to correct some of the
long-standing imbalances in the system. I was pleased to
visit Stoke recently and meet some of the outstanding
headteachers who operate in the hon. Gentleman’s area.
Funding has been tight for schools and there have been cost
pressures over the past couple of years, and we stand
behind headteachers and do everything we can to support
them.
-
(Redditch) (Con)
The University of Cambridge’s announcement that it will now
offer apprenticeships has put a quality stamp of approval
on that educational route. Does my right hon. Friend agree
that it is important that children from all around the
country, including from schools in Redditch, are encouraged
to apply? Does she agree that the “Opening Doors”
programme, which brings children from Ipsley middle school
in Redditch to local business Ltd, is key to the raising of
aspirations?
-
I congratulate my hon. Friend on what is going on in her
local area; it sounds excellent. A degree apprenticeship is
a wonderful way for students to earn while they learn, get
a degree, come out at the end of it with several years’
work experience and, probably, be way ahead of their
contemporaries who did an undergraduate degree.
-
(Eastbourne) (LD)
T7. A few weeks ago I had the privilege of meeting the
father of Oliver King and founder of the Oliver King
Foundation. His young lad, Oliver, died at school. His
father’s ambition is to get a defibrillator in every
school, because the work that the foundation has done
identified that that would save the lives of many, many
hundreds of people. Will the Government commit to
supporting a defibrillator in every school? [904458]
-
The Minister for School Standards (Nick Gibb)
We have funded a considerable number of defibrillators in
schools, and we are working with the British Heart
Foundation to provide facilities for schools to teach first
aid and lifesaving skills in schools.
-
(Bexhill and Battle)
(Con)
Pay rises for teachers in schools in my constituency would
be most welcome, but there is a concern that those rises
will have to be met from the increase in funding that was
delivered to schools in the summer. Are there plans, like
there are with the NHS, to find a budget outside the
existing school funding formula for those pay rises?
-
The teachers’ pay review body is deliberating at the
moment. We have already given our evidence, as, of course,
have the consultees. I point out that, since the spending
review, an additional £1.3 billion has been found for
school budgets.
-
(Bristol West)
(Lab)
Can the Minister tell us how many children with special
educational needs or a disability will not have an
education and healthcare plan by the Government’s deadline
of 1 April?
-
Our aim is that every child will have a plan in time. Those
who do not can be assured that their support will be
maintained, but most local authorities are on target to
deliver the health and care plans.
-
(Corby) (Con)
Over the weekend, I raised the issue of the passporting of
childcare payments by Northamptonshire County Council to
local providers. I am very pleased that a solution has been
found. I am grateful to Ministers for their support and
their interest in this issue, but will they join me in
thanking the staff of children’s services at
Northamptonshire County Council for listening to the
concerns and solving this matter so rapidly?
-
I certainly join my hon. Friend in his thanks, and I would
actually like to meet him to look at what other support we
can provide. I also commend the director of children’s
services at Northamptonshire County Council for doing an
excellent job in very difficult circumstances.
-
(Eltham) (Lab)
Based on Government statistics, 63 schools in my borough
will lose funding of £300,000 per annum between 2015 and
2020. Can the Minister tell me what happened to the Prime
Minister’s promise to maintain pupil funding?
-
No school in the country will lose funding under the new
national funding formula. The minimum that schools will
receive is an extra 0.5% increase, and that will be for
schools that have been receiving more than that funding
formula would produce. Therefore, no school will lose
funding. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has
said, there have been cost pressures in recent years, but
we are helping schools to deal with them through school
efficiency advisers and buying schemes to enable them to
marshal their resources as efficiently as possible.
-
(East Worthing and
Shoreham) (Con)
Recent figures from the Department show that, last year,
4,350 children were adopted in England. That is a near 20%
decline from the peak in 2015. Why are adoptions in
decline?
-
The Government are working with the sector via the Adoption
Leadership Board to address the issue of adopter numbers
early on, to ensure that there remain enough approved
adopters for children who are waiting.
-
(Cambridge)
(Lab)
Parents whose children use the Fields children’s centre in
Cambridge are seeing hours at the nursery cut, the baby
room closed, and parents being encouraged to ask their
employers to amend their working hours to fit the reduced
hours. How does the Minister expect parents and families to
cope when he is making their lives so much more difficult?
-
The experience around the country does not reflect the hon.
Gentleman’s view. The opposite is happening. Parents are
getting places, especially under the 30 hours a week of
free childcare for three and four-year-olds. Almost 300,000
children are now taking up those places, as we announced
last week.
-
(Stafford) (Con)
Last week I had the honour of chairing in Westminster the
second annual Stafford schools debating competition. The
standard was excellent, and I pay tribute to Councillor
Carolyn Trowbridge and Sam Phillips for their work in
organising the competition. What is the Department doing to
encourage public speaking and debate in schools across the
country?
-
I join my hon. Friend in commending his constituents who
organised this great event. It is true that public
speaking, debating and other such activities are really
important for developing a rounded young person—the
character development that we all want to see. Members of
Parliament can also play an important role in this, and
many run their own events.
-
Mr Speaker
Yes, and I look forward to visiting the constituency of the
hon. Member for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy)—I think in his
company—very soon. I imagine that his constituents will
roll out the red carpet for him; he will be pleased to know
that they certainly will not be expected to do so for me.
-
(Leyton and Wanstead)
(Lab)
Did the abolition of the education maintenance allowance
contribute to or hinder social mobility?
-
With the alternative funding that was put in place, it was
possible for sixth-form colleges to do other things to
ensure that they were attracting the full range of
students. More disadvantaged youngsters are going on to
university than ever before.
-
(Bristol South)
(Lab)
Last week I opened the extension to the Knowle West
children’s centre. The previous week the local further
education college, City of Bristol College, hosted my
apprenticeships fair. Both sectors are telling me that they
are desperately short of funding due to cuts. What
assessment do the Government make of children’s outcomes as
a result of the current funding cuts?
-
Local authorities are responsible for how they deliver
support to families, through children’s centres as well as
other support. Many authorities are focusing on getting
support directly to families rather than investing in
bricks and mortar.
-
(Chippenham)
(Con)
The pupil premium is an important source of funding to
level the playing field and improve social mobility. I have
asked a number of questions about ensuring that all those
who are eligible receive the pupil premium, and about
improving its scope. Does the Minister now agree that it is
time that we had a review of the pupil premium?
-
My hon. Friend is entirely correct that the introduction of
the pupil premium made an important structural change in
how we do these things, by ensuring that the additional
resourcing follows the pupils who need it in so that we can
narrow the gap. It is also right that we keep these things
periodically under review, as she suggests.
-
Several hon. Members rose—
-
Mr Speaker
The hon. Member for St Helens South and Whiston (Ms Rimmer)
is belatedly bobbing, but I am not psychic. It helps to bob
all along, if you want to be called.
-
Ms (St Helens South and
Whiston) (Lab)
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
What plans do the Government have to support the 1.4 million
children and young people affected by the decision to
discontinue the specialist contract for speech, language and
communication needs?
-
We are currently in negotiations with the Communication
Trust. We are looking at whole-workforce training to ensure
that we deliver better quality outcomes for children with
speech and other disabilities.
-
(Torbay) (Con)
I welcome the news of the £26 million investment in breakfast
clubs. How will my right hon. Friend ensure that the most
disadvantaged children benefit from that, particularly in
coastal communities?
-
We are using the IDACI—income deprivation affecting children
index—methodology, as I mentioned earlier to my hon. Friend
the Member for Chippenham (Michelle Donelan), to ensure that
this investment goes specifically to the most disadvantaged
areas, where it can make the most difference.
-
Several hon. Members rose—
-
Mr Speaker
I will call the two Members who have not been heard in this
session—first, .
-
(Kingston upon Hull
North) (Lab)
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
When does the Minister intend to announce the date for
issuing the criteria for the pilots to address holiday hunger
that were announced just a few weeks ago? Hull is champing at
the bit to make its application.
-
We have done some excellent work on this, and an announcement
is imminent.
-
(Birmingham, Erdington)
(Lab)
Michelle Gay, headteacher of Osborne Primary School, was in
tears when she told ITV just how tough it is to be one of the
361 schools in Birmingham suffering real-term cuts while
trying to give kids in one of the poorest and most deprived
constituencies in Britain the best possible start in life.
Headteachers have asked to meet the Secretary of State
personally so that they can bring home to him just how tough
it is becoming. Will the Secretary of State be generous and
agree to meet them?
-
As I said earlier, real-terms per-pupil funding in the core
schools budget is being maintained across the system, but two
things are overlaid on that. First, there is the application
of the national funding formula to correct historical
imbalances; and secondly, of course, local authorities play a
part in reflecting local circumstances. I do acknowledge that
with the cost pressures that there have been, things have
been tight in school budgets. I will be happy to meet the
hon. Gentleman and his constituents.
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