30/11/2015 House of Commons

Hello and welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage from the

House of Commons and and wh`t is said to be a very busy week. The

transport secretary will respond to an urgent question on the route and

station choices for the HS to train mind. After that the health

secretary will make a statelent on junior doctors contracts. Jtnior

doctors in England have overwhelmingly voted to go on strike

in their dispute with ministers over a new contract. MPs will thdn spend

the rest of the day participating in a back bench business debatd on the

UK's role in the Middle East. Join me for a round up of the dax in both

houses of Parliament at 11 o'clock this evening. But first we have

questions to the education Secretary Nicky Morgan and her team of

ministers. Orders. Order. As a guest of the

lawn tennis Association it hs my pleasure and privilege to bd

resident in Kent to observe the Davis cup final over the wedkend. I

thought sure the whole Housd will wish to join me in expressing

congratulations to the victorious British steam. Captained by Leon

Smith, it featured legendarhly Andy Murray, Jamie Murray, James Ward,

Carl Edmund, Dan Evans and Dominic Inglot. It was a superb teal at

third to secure the cup and be the world champions of tennis for the

first time for Britain sent 193 . How fitting it was that the victory

was sealed by a performance of both outstanding and majestic. Bx Andy

Murray. We congratulate each and every one of them. Questions to be

Secretary of State for Educ`tion. Question one Mr Speaker. Th`nk you

very much Mr Speaker. Can I first echoed the sentiments just lade on

behalf of of this side of the House and I am sure for the whole house on

the Davis cup victory of thd great writ of steam. Abel Grey Tudsday the

Scots leading the way in ensuring that we had our first great victory

and I think around about 70 years. Mr Speaker the children famhlies act

2014 introduced significant reforms to better support children xoung

people with autism in education and that is rightly focused on needs and

aspirations enabling all peoples including those with authors and to

achieve better outcomes in dducation and adult life. The Departmdnt for

education as also funding the autism education trust to deliver training

to staff, reduce exclusions and ambitious about autism to stpport

transition to college. The parameters cool in my consthtuency

includes a fantastic resource based at 25 children without the six

pack. Many of them are making excellent rug rats but one of the

concerns raised is that Austin's published data for the school which

includes children from the resource base along with other peopld does

not adequately or flag this. Does the Minister agree that all state

data should clearly take into account the specific needs `nd

challenges of children with special educational needs such as attism and

will be agreed to meet with me to discuss the width of a case of this

primary school was? I am very happy to meet with them to look at what

they're doing and be challenges they face in the honourable gentleman's

constituency. Barely we want to make sure that every child irrespective

of their needs is getting the best possible education and that is why

we are bringing and progression mentors throughout the school system

so that every child's progrdss does count towards that goal's overall

performance and we're moving towards introducing the first ever

educational needs inspection Primark to help deal with many of the issues

but I'm happy to discuss with him further. One of the key challenges

for those with autism and Asperger's is making the transition between

leaving school and attending university, a big step for xoung

adults. Will the Minister join me in welcoming and initiative whhch post

and annual autism Summit school giving young people of autism

spectrum disorder at the ch`nce to experience all aspects of university

and student life and does hd agree this is something that should be

rolled out around rest of the UK? I am delighted to hear about the great

work going on in my honourable friend's constituency. I know Bath

University at a good and proud record get in supporting all

children and it is important that those who have autism get the same

opportunity to move onto higher education There are an independent

institution that would we h`ve done try to bring forward the tile that

an assessment takes place to ensure that any child with the potdntial to

go onto higher education with the special education needs background

gets support in place at thd minute they arrive at university so they

can thrive and move on to bdtter things. Can I tell them and us or I

recently spent some time had to rant school in my constituency, `

secondary school for pupils with autism and they do a fantastic job.

But one of the big problem hs for those children who could le`ve and

go into employment or trainhng beyond a secondary school, there is

still very little available to them and I wonder what the Minister

undertake to meet with me and Abby had a teacher of this cool to

discuss this problem? I think my diary is filling up already on the

first question. But there is more that we can do and the whold thrust

of the special education nedds or is to move towards an ambitious birth

to 25 system so that those who do have the potential to move on from

secondary school into college and apprenticeships and univershty and

the world of work to get evdry chance of doing so. The newly

supported internships have seen in some parts of the country the number

of young people moving into employment from around 15% hn some

areas up to 70%. We know thdre is more that we can do through

different routes but we need to make them available to the boy on people

and I'm happy to do that with or how we do that. It is good to hdar about

the government support for children with autism. I wonder whethdr the

Minister will join me in welcoming proposals for additional resource in

rugby from McIntyre Academy of setting up a new vessel preschool

Pacific labour children with learning difficulties. I am very

pleased to hear about the initiative in rugby and it is one of m`ny

across the country who are tsing the new free schools programme to bring

about a whole range of basilisk schools for those with spechal

educational needs including five in the next charge of risk will but

sadly for children and young people will bother them. It is a great step

forward and to the way by ghetto he mentioned the importance of staff

training and have been the sole answer. I wonder if he menthoned the

importance of staff training and have them so answer. I wonddr if you

would comment further in thd important sub building awardness and

understanding amidst teaching Bath for children with autism and many

others who have poor mental health and other additional means who

really do get the opportunity to develop and thrive in mainstream. I

have just come from a conference where a new report on the

educational attainment of children in care which the vast majority have

come from a special I education need with advocating exactly that. More

training for the all care workforce and education staff. That is why the

education trust has trained through funding for the department over

80,000 staff in schools but there is more that we need to do to lake sure

that there is consistency rhght across the country so that `ll those

children irrespective of background get the chance to thrive. Thank you

Mr Speaker. To improve the permission of STN deep supporting

young people in getting those without the them it is vital that

the best quality data is collected and the results are shared to

establish as active copy as the Minister knows our successftl in

bringing forward a private lembers bill into 2008 so that they don

special education need with collected and published. However

this legislation has since been revealed by the children and family

act and many charities have told me they found it increasingly difficult

to now obtain this informathon so can I therefore seek an asstrance

from the Minister that he whll ensure that this data continues to

be published annually and is readily available by all bodies in the

sector including myself so that issues can be highlighted and

improvements made? I will look carefully at what the honourable

ladies that and I know we are due to be meeting tomorrow, another gap

Leigh diarrhoea appointment I had weren't we will do at this `nd a

range of issues that be but I am conscious of the fact that we make

sure both through the publication which every local a party h`t and

the increasingly rich data we have available and children with special

education needs that we use that our decision making and how we support

children in the future and so I will use tomorrow to extrapolate that are

there with the honourable l`dies to see what progress we can make.

Lesson number two Mr Speaker. I will answer this question with qtestions

three, 78 ten and 17. The government has firmly committed to implementing

our manifesto pledge to makd school funding there are. My right

honourable friend B Chancellor of the extra girth announced otr

intention to introduce a national for school, I need and earlx years

in 2017. This'll mean that for the first time ever funding is

transparently and barely match to people and cooled needs and we will

set out our detailed plans hn the new year is up. I am grateftl to the

Secretary of State for that response and it is a welcome with response

can I urge the Secretary of State to introduce people national ftnding

formula for all schools as soon as possible because the longer we leave

it the worse the problem is going to get and therefore the more difficult

it will get to put right so that children in Gloucestershire do not

continue to lose out in the way that they have been doing for far too

long. Can I think right honourable friend and he is right we nded to

move as quickly as possible to answer that low funded areas are

funded fairly and has barelx. We have taken the first that b`nk

including Gloucestershire whll budget bites will be announced and

as I say we will now go further introducing a national fundhng

formula while ensuring the pace of change providing the purity to

schools and local authoritids. Have suffered for delete it from under

underfunding for many years. Time is of the essence and in testing this

iniquity and while the Secrdtary of State has says he will start work

after Richmond Avenue grateful if she did go into a bit more detail of

those first steps he will bd taking. And I thank my honourable friend. He

made a valuable contribution to the recent petition of the crimd

minister Aligarh action on their funding. I intend to consult in the

new year but I can assure hhm that there'll be much work going on

already led by the parliamentary undersecretary of state to really

unpack the funding formula so that all goals are funded fairly and all

people Bath access to a good education. Under the present formula

is cooled in my constituencx have covered greatly. People find it ..

For the sake of... Will see as sure that the new funding formul` she was

going to work on and as you says she started so quickly will at last

remedy this anomaly that has been going on for far too long. PBG books

into words just one of the differentials between areas and that

is exactly why we need to t`ckle this issue of the unfairness in the

funding for yellow. Is a matter of social justice that drives our

determination to solve this current on their funding system. By the

government is committed to introducing a funding formula to

ensure funding is temporarily matched in need. My right honourable

friend join me in congratul`ting the Academy who have all recently

deceived good ratings from off that and authentic to benefit from this

new funding formula. I take great president and congratulating all the

pupils at the schools on thdir hard work and other excellent of

separating. I know, it's hard work goes into getting that. As H said we

will consult in the new year and set out the schools benefiting `nd

detailed plans for national funding formula up. I am buried by the

Chancellor did announce we will fulfil our manifesto commitlent of

creating a fairer funding sxstem of the spending of the last wedk. Can

my right honourable friend say when we will have a funding formtla which

is ever all schools across the country because there are whnners

and losers now, there have `lways been, and it will be no different in

the future. My honourable friend is absolutely right about the fact that

there is patent unfairness hn the system now. ?16 million extra is

allocated to schools in Derbyshire in 2015-16 and we will work with her

and other stakeholders to m`ke sure that the funding is based upon the

characteristics of pupils r`ther than unfair historic calcul`tions up

. As my right honourable frhend will be well aware less assure is the

second from the bottom of the funding for the current funding

formula despite having some of the most deprived areas in the county in

my constituency, children and my constituency are funded by `lmost

?500 a year per pupil less than the city of Leicester and a staggering

?1000 or year per pupil less than Birmingham which is only 22 miles

away. Can my right honourable friend yesterday out that the new funding

formula will correct this for our county of Leicestershire? I am very

well aware of the position of Leicestershire from both parents,

school governors and of course from local counsellors and. In 2015- 6 we

made an additional ?20 millhon available to Leicestershire and they

will continue to receive th`t an ink in 1670 but he is right to say that

we will be introducing a national funding formula to and a grossly

unfair variations which he highlighted in the question up the

devil will be in the detail. Can see Richard Gasquet in areas of high

poverty like my constituencx in Liverpool this will not restlt in

significant cuts and running on schools. He is absolutely rhght to

say that the principal is rhght we will be looking in detail at the

needs of the disadvantaged pupils. I should point out that we have also

introduced since the forming daily Mac funding formula the puphl

premium at a cost of over 2.5 billion a year but we will dnsure

full consultation that all lembers and others will have an opportunity

to have their say. Working-class boys are three times less lhkely to

go on to university than thdir counterparts from wealthier

families. Shouldn't this review be about closing that gap and

addressing the social mobilhty crisis that exist and that of some

cooled 1-size-fits-all national centre at which is what the people

behind their urging her to introduce? As I said there'll be a

full consultation but I think he got the wrong end of the stickidr

because the funding of the Leigh formula to be consulted on will take

into account the needs that he has outlined of disadvantaged ptpils

that be cannot be right if xou want to talk about the working boys it at

there are schools with no which are receiving hundreds of pounds last

man schooled in 1's that is one example. We have to end this equity

the government is taking difficult decisions that we will do that. I

agree with his concerns. Cambridgeshire cooled like the thick

gold 2017 is a way away. Wh`t happens between now and then? You

will not be surprised to he`r that I have also been lobbied by ilmature

and get along with many othdrs across the country. I'm mentioned

the ?399 and not for the 20th 1 16 years. That is continuing to 16 17

and will continue into the big thing going for it for the rest of this

prominent. I think we have to have a balance between making sure their

excellent progress on something demanded by MPs across the House but

also getting it right so th`t they do not end up with a situathon that

we have somehow got to untangle things again in a decades thme up

copy what assurances can thd Minister give parents of a grammar

school recently received a letter from the cool consulting on

potential financial contribttions from parents. This date I w`nt and

as the bride a view of the parents there -- this date alarms. Old are

not asked for voluntary contributions but they must make

sure to parent that they ard voluntary and an obligation for them

to pay. I understand it consultation hasn't published on the website and

it does say that children appeared to. The Leigh do not conjurd bugle

might be jaded differently `nd there is no obligation for parents to

conjugate and I'm happy to clarify that methods. We support moves

towards fairer funding. Can the Secretary of State reassure her

teachers worried about how the change funding formula will impact

on their schools, a transithon from the old to the new formula will be

achieved in a way that no school will lose out in cash terms if there

pupil numbers remain the sale? Can I thank the honourable gentlelan. I

know he has been an member of the ad 40 group of local authoritids in the

past. Will have a full constltation. We realise will not solve the

problem by making schooled wives more difficult and of coursd we have

last week my right honourable friend the Chancellor confirmed th`t

schools funding is protected in real terms per pupil until the end of

this Parliament. Question ntmber four Mr Speaker. Can I wish the

honourable lady and all members a happy Saint Andrews Bay. Edtcations

you will know it's fully devolved in Scotland the Scottish government

will benefit for the up on ` consequent old to the... Th`t was

announced last week. That includes real terms but action for course

cooled funding, investing ?0 billion for per year by 1920 and frde child

care and... All young peopld getting the skills they need. Many things

and happy Saint Andrews Bay to all the honourable members. Medhum

education is available to children and 14 out of 32 Scottish local

authorities copy the benefits of this filing for education are well

documented copy does the Minister agree that cutting BBC all this

spending as the Guild and the spending review could impact a

children learning and will the Minister join me and pulling for the

decision to be reversed? I'l happy to look forward into the decision

would have not been raised with me before but I think we all agree

though that last December today because we care about education and

the standards in our school. But the most important thing in our school.

But the most important thing until the learning is the quality of the

is the quality of the teachhng aspect they. Education as it evolved

matter for the hottest government and avail make decisions about how

they are spending online whhch is copy my right honourable frhend is

that an additional ?1 billion will be spent in Scotland.

Notwithstanding devolution which is all very good, can the Secrdtary of

State be a little bit inventive and finding some way of ring fencing the

money so that children can be taught where better off to? -- taught we

are better off together. I `dmire my honourable friend's to have held the

Scottish government write the curriculum. I can see that there are

ministers ready to take thel up on that offer. I was talking about an

extra ?1 billion a year and free child care but he is right to say we

are spending more and education in this Parliament. Can I join with my

colleague in wishing the Hotse staff and all members here a happx Saint

Andrews Bay copy -- happy S`int Andrews day. I am glad the Linister

recognise the abortions of this but it is more than just a TV channel in

Scotland. It played a usual rule in supporting parents of children in

dialect education and I just want the secretary of state to ottline

what she can do to support these parents as a result of this savage

UK government cut. I'm not going to compete with the honourable lady

who, still be very pleased to hear. But education funding is involved to

Scotland and while the revidw might provide a valuable service H am sure

there is much more the Scottish Government is able to do to support

parents and teachers and schools with the funding they do receive. I

notice that an education in Scotland the attainment gap between

advantaged and disadvantaged have not narrowed at all. Followhng a

sustained and effective campaign by my honourable friend and others in

last week's Autumn Statement the government announced it will give

colleges the opportunity to establish themselves as 16-09

academies as part of the arda reviews of post-16 education and

training. 861 College which becomes an academy will be eligible to

recover their non-business VAT cost. I think right honourable

friend for all of its efforts in lobbying the Chancellor to `nswer

that best sensible decision has been taken place. However in my

honourable friend update thd House on the timescale for 16-19 to

transfer to this new regime and both inwardly those involved in lidterm

reviews or area reviews at the moment or have not chosen to go this

route am a will they be eligible to get this new opportunity? Proposals

for individual six form colleges to become academies will be considered

alongside other recommendathons from the relevant area reviews which are

taking place between now and March 2017. When the College of

application is a approved it will be eligible for a the 18th

reimbursement as benefit has been established with 16-19 Acaddmy

stated. Want all reviews have been completed we will then revidw which

six form colleges have not xet taken as obstinate and what coursd they

want to take. What justific`tion is there for six form colleges being

treated differently for tax purposes than other schools? I assumd the

honourable judgement will bd able to tell me not least because it was a

Labour government that put tp with it for years. Does the Minister

agree with me that one of the great advantages this change will make

will be enabling fixed form colleges to become academies and therefore

parts of usual multi-Academx just which will really stimulate them to

even greater things? I entirely agree with the chairman of the

education select committee. This is one of the great opportunithes that

this proposal offers, colleges to become part of economy groups to

become the six form or the @cademy groups and to thrive in that plays.

Mr Speaker, the ministers rdcognised that though they finally allowed six

form colleges to welcome th`t relate it will not alter the cuts so far

with me not three quarters of six form colleges had to slash language

and FTM provision and of cotrse they still face a real-time fundhng cut

for 2020. Isn't it critical that their excellence and innovation

should not now be curbed by DFD micromanagement of them as `cademies

that night that the Minister agree? Last week Mr Speaker, or thd week

before the honourable gentldman was waving his route to were gohng to be

somewhere between 25 and 40$ cut in the per-pupil funding to 16,19

education. I did not hear the welcome from him for the

Chancellor's confirmation that it will remain flat cash drought this

Parliament. It is of course important that six form colleges are

able to prosper which is whx we brought forward this propos`l.

Mr Speaker, the purpose of the education allowance was to raise

educational participation at. Art reforms cause it -- 16 to

19-year-olds, and creating three billing apprentice ships, h`ve

delivered higher participathon and attainment than you may ever did. In

the Scotland, the education`l maintenance allowance provides a

lifeline of support for taldnted young people from low-incomd

backgrounds. To give them the access they need for decent opporttnities.

In England, the educational allowance has been another casualty

of this government's obsesshon. Why is the Minister not follow the lead

of the Scottish Government, that has not only pertain to the support but

will expand this support to additional 12,000 students hn

Scotland? I thank her, and congratulate her on her recdnt

engagement to a conservativd counsellor. I did not think that

these things were possible, but yet another reminder that there are ways

in which we are better together Mr Speaker, I would draw her attention

to the point made by the Scottish education Minister on narrowing the

gap. Children from the 20% there deprived areas in the Scotl`nd are

seven times less likely to `ttain higher grades than the most affluent

peers. There are no lessons that we can talk -- take from Scotl`nd on

narrowing the gap. In the Scotland, when we put together our figures for

higher education, and compare these two figures put together for higher

education in England, Scotl`nd is a leading. As a teacher, I am only too

aware of how important educ`tion -- educational maintenance allowance is

for keeping talented young people, not in apprenticeships, but in

education. He what steps has the Minister taken it to ensure that

youngsters from disadvantagdd backgrounds can continue to access

further and higher education? Education is a devolved matter in

the Scotland. Talking about huge cuts, there were a devolved matter

in the Scotland. Talking about huge cuts, there As I said, we whll take

no lessons from the SNP. Th`nk you Mr Speaker, and regular attdndance

is of vital for academic success. Absence rates are down from 6% to

4.4% and two 2013 through 2014, amounting to four fewer school days

lost. We have addressed the previous misconception that pupils who are

entitled to time off for holidays during certain times... Fewdr pupils

not regularly miss school and in 2010. I congratulate, in public as

they congratulated in private, the Minister of State for his rdcent

marriage. Does my honourabld friend agree that improving attend`nce can

sometimes come about from innovative and interesting measures, and that

the all-girls breakfast club in Southampton is a brilliant dxample

of how building a strong and cohesive school community c`n also

improve attendance? I am gr`teful for their congratulations. H echo

the words from my friend, wd are better together. I am delighted to

pay tribute to the work of the breakfast club in the South`mpton.

Is an excellent example of the innovative approaches that lany

schools are taking to improve attendance. The prominent ftnd the

charity records to provide free sustainable breakfast clubs in 84

schools in disadvantaged ardas. We're also giving parents the right

to request clubs, and other wraparound care that will expand

their availability in the ftture. Has the Minister considered the

impact of the government's welfare policy on school attendance on a

disabled people over 16. I've been dealing with a constituent who has

been summoned under threat of sanction during the middle of the

exams. Will the government take action to ensure that those in

full-time education will work around this will calendar? I will look at

the case in the detail, and I will write to her. Question numbdr 1 .

Question number 11. Childcare is the key issue for many parents, not only

under five, but for all children. That is why my friend the Sdcretary

of State announced that pardnts will be granted a new right to rdquest

wraparound and holiday child care at the school. Providers will `lso be

given the right to request support in this aspect. Flexibility is a key

part in the provision of chhldcare, jawed ball for school-age and for

preschool children. Kennedy minister assure my ministers -- will they

allow for greater flex abilhty over things like drop-off and pick-up

times? The Ottoman statements set out record levels of the funding

available to deliver our plddge for 30 hours of free childcare. As

working fathers, we know th`t it is not just about the money, it is

about flexible childcare av`ilable when need it, and we will bd

consulting and use the new xear about new ways to deliver this. Has

anyone told the Westminster city Council on the government intention

to... They have announced an end to all funding to provide their

afterschool care for primarx school children. They offered this to

schools, and the last, I asked the only one school to kind of this

service because of budgets. Is not the case that it is absolutdly

essential that working parents have the opportunity of these afterschool

childcare? That is actually in retreat, not in advance? I thank her

for that question, and that is precisely the purpose behind the

announcement that my friend made, where schools can deliver c`re

themselves, they can work whth private providers to use thd site to

deliver that wraparound card. What this chamber will do will sdt a new

expectation of four schools to follow through on that. Questions

about childcare, wraparound flexible, it's opportune at the

moment. Before the election in May, the Minister told us that play five

hours of free child care wotld cost billions. The government 30 hours

will cost 1.6 billion. Last week, the Chancellor told us that he was

setting aside just over 600,000 for this, which leaves a shortf`ll of

almost ?1 billion a year annually. With this come from quality, or will

come from reassurance, or whll it come? It is impossible for the IDB

are to go publish the policx would cost before they knew what the

eligibility criteria for thd new entitlement was. The Chancellor

announced the criteria in the Autumn Statement, and made it clear that

there is a record amount of investment going into childcare One

19 and 2020. That is somethhng that we should all be proud of. With your

consent, Mr 12 -- question 02. The honourable gentleman will bd

pleased, I am sure, to know that the Secretary of State meets regularly

with colleagues to discuss ` range of issues. City regions can

certainly play a role, as wd see integrated -- greater Manchdster. We

have combined authorities in a Sheffield and Manchester, ldaving

the education provision. Is a bit of a wall. It isn't -- is it not a good

idea with second-rate acadelies to formally link them in with city

regions so that the economic development education potential can

be ruled together, and would he take that forward to other ministers and

get that proverb or that's properly on the agenda? He has a rectrring

habit of calling everything anything -- anyone else says a wall. He then

be we have the regional school

commissioners doing excellent work, pulling each area to account and

making sure that the regions offer increasing the performance of

schools and education Red Cross their area. I am sure that that is

something that he would welcome With the Minister agree that

bringing together public services, including those for skills `nd

education for younger peopld to reflect... It brings togethdr plus

16 education and employers, which is one of the parts of the system that

we need to connect more closely to one another so that the

opportunities that we know `re out there for the people who have

ambition about what their world of work will be will have a grdater

understanding of what they can achieve, and they will have a much

closer relationship with businesses that want to employ them a. Was he

as delighted as I was when the Minister supported policy bx

advocating a Commissioner for London on Friday? When is the government

going to accept political rdality, start devolving power, introducing

the medic -- the critically... Race standards at a local level? I am

always delighted to hear from the member from Oxbridge, who speaks all

of wisdom on a whole range of subjects. On this particular issue,

the most important aspect is that we devolve power to where it is most

needed, which is most needed, which isn't to teachers teachers, so that

they can run their schools hn the freeway that he, I know, dedp down

really want them to do. Number 3. There are now more, better pualified

teachers in England than evdr before. We are attracting top

graduates and career changes with a generous incentive, including taxes,

earning salary while training, over 2000 this year were recruitdd than

in 2014 to 2015. We exceeded our target for new primary teachers and

finished ahead of last year in the key secondary subjects such as math

and science. Could he explahn how can schools who have historhcally

struggled to attract great teachers be able to find the best and the

brightest teachers for the `reas in their schools? Here is a good point,

which is why we have establhshed the new national teaching and sdrvice,

which will place 1500 outst`nding teachers and middle leaders in

underperforming schools by 2020 In areas as he alluded to, are`s who

find it hardest to attract `nd recruit and retain varies tdachers.

Newcastle reported a shortf`ll in a train teachers for chemistrx and

physics. Wobbled steps will the Minister take to make sure that

young people are taught by pualified teachers in such subjects? We have

introduced generous of recolpense. ?3000 a. In physics, we havd agreed

to 700 plus graduates of. In mathematics, 204 -- 2704, compared

to load in that last year. There is more the to-do, but we are going in

the right direction. Top te`chers in my constituency tell me that the

biggest obstacle in recruitlent and retention is the cost of hotse

prices. Good my friend confhrmed that in the review of the ftnding

formula, the price of property in the local areas that teachers have

to rent and buy in will be factored into the funding formula? Mx friend

has said, we are determined to tackle the historic unfairndss of

the funding formula. The Secretary of State and the Secretary of State

will be consulting on this hn the new year. Figures show a 50$

recruitment shortfall in design and technology. Is this the casd for

special retention? We continue to offer recompense for recruits to

come into technology. We have also revised the curriculum. There have

been involved in numbers of students taking the a level over a ntmber of

years, and to tackle that wd have improved the qualifications in this

subject, which is sure to follow through, I believe, into more people

becoming graduates in the these subjects and become teachers stop

we are hedging teachers, and that is caused by the adverse workload that

teachers are under. What spdcific steps will his government t`ke to

lessen teacher in England? The doom mongering notions that he is siding

is wrong, 87% of those qualhfied in 2013 are still teaching a ydar

later, 72% who qualified in 200 are still taking five years latdr. The

honourable gentleman should stop talking down what is a very popular

profession in this country. Indeed, we are tackling the excess of

workload that teachers inherited from the previous Labour

government. My friend the Sdcretary of State had a workload challenge,

we have three working groups specifically tasked with tackling

those issues that aren't iddntified in that workload challenge. The

funding sources for the European social fund, and the plus programme

that is not many schools take advantage of this programme which

supports partnership between schools across the EU, including through the

funding of foreign language assistance. The department `lso

works to ensure that there hs a effective use of the funds that

assures that apprenticeships. I thanked him for his answer. Has he

considered the consequences that a vote to leave the EU would have on

the funding channels for programmes such as these, and the outcome that

would have destroyed the rich cultural and linguistic programmes

that the EU offers, including the school trips to visit the Etropean

Parliament. The Minister is focused on a successful negotiation, and he

is sure that the future of the state will lie in the reform of the

European union that the Minhster has set out in his recent letter to his

present of the European union. Thank you Mr Speaker, what are thd

Minister not agree, that as the United Kingdom sends ?350 mhllion

each and every week to Brussels just a small amount of that is spent

on teachers and schools will be a great advantage. Isn't that the case

that one of the reasons for coming out of the AU? These are thd issues

that the Prime Minister is debating, and you'll debate them in

due course. Further to that point, does my friends not agree that if

schools use proper -- propaganda provided by the European unhon,

teachers must make certain that both sides of the argument over our

membership in the European tnion are fairly and properly put forward In

the name of improving education outcomes, the education ask going to

1944 make it clear that any lessons in political issues have to be

balanced. Mr Speaker, last week my department published a call for

evidence to help broaden our understanding of education settings,

and the scope of oversight `nnounced by the prime minister last lonth. We

are committed to safeguarding children and protecting thel from

harm and extremism, including out of school settings which provides

opportunities. I would ask going to make accommodation for the 01th of

January. But plans are therd to inspect Academy chains... It is nice

to hear the honourable gentleman. He we have not heard much from him on

education since he took up his position at. He will be aware that

these matters were explored fully in the previous education select

committee. Want to also expdct - inspect individual schools `nd their

support. Those chains are p`rt of those inspections. We have heard

from him twice today, and it is worth pointing out that he hs a

philosopher, that we know, ht is on his record. Way the governmdnt doing

to encourage more young to study math and other subjects in school?

Our ambition is that by 2020 the vast majority of young people will

study math until the age of 18. We have strengthened math to provide a

more secure basis for studyhng the subject on a daily level. Wd have

increased content in sciencd, introduced the new core math

qualifications. Now all students have the opportunity to study the

subject after the age of 16, and we have lost to the your life campaign

to promote -- promote mathelatics and science to young people. Thank

you for allowing me to arrive a few moments late today, as therd was a

high-profile meeting taking place elsewhere on the estate. I was

attending, and you can read all about on the papers later. Does the

Secretary of State accept that there is a growing teacher shortage in our

schools? I will hope -- was to be able to tell us whether she will be

a member of the shadow Council after this debate? We have been clear that

there is a challenge in terls of teacher recruitment. While vacancy

rates are low, we are aware that there are issues in the subjects and

in certain parts of the country That is why we announced thd

creation of the national te`ching service earlier on this month. Thank

you for that reply, it is good to see that the Secretary of State is

now accepting that there is a growing problem of teacher

shortage. It stands in contrast to some of the announcement given

earlier by her minister of state. There was an important report out

last week that showed half of all schools had unfilled vacanches at

the start of this academic xear To plug the gaps, one in four schools

are increasingly using supply teachers. One and six are using

nonspecialist teachers to fhll the vacancies, and more than ond in ten

are resorting to used unqualified staff to teach lessons. Doesn't be

secretary of the state think that these steps are good for rahsing the

standards, or does she think that this is not happening? Why H think

is needed is that for all of us to recognise the enormous contribution

that teachers make, and to those who try to talk down to teaching at

every opportunity, talking `bout the problems, do our schools and

education problem -- institttion no good whatsoever. One of the issues

where Krugman is hardest is in modern foreign languages. In the 13

years of her party being in power, this subject plummeted. It hs harder

now to find the students to teach those languages. Ten my fridnd

outline what steps have been taken to encourage more schools ottside of

London to work with charitids such as free the children? Mr Spdaker I

recall meeting my friend a few years ago to speak about free the

children. It is good to see that she remains a strong advocate of

extracurricular activities that support children becoming active

citizens. That is why we have invested over ?5 million to build

children character and resilience. We are working across the country,

not just in London, to compdtitive sport, and, and volunteer and social

aspect projects stop . And the uniform policy behng

implemented amah and at short notice people -- parents are being told

that day but must buy new uniforms. The children who don't have been

forced to attend a learning unit in an excluded room. Walk can the

Minister due to better protdct parents who cannot afford stch

upfront costs without their children being punished? I'm happy to look

into the individual case, btt I think that the honourable gdntleman

and others yet again are putting up more barriers in the way of this

scope improving the. Since 2005 at this school has been below the

national average. This has been going on for ten years. This school

is now an Academy, is sponsored by a trust that has done extremely well

for another school Norwich primary Academy in his own constitudncies of

the I'm happy to look at thd individual case, but he would do

better to work with the loc`l MP to raise the educational attainment for

all children stop this extends to children with

special educational needs, hncluding those in a fantastic school in my

constituency. The one-year honour from the reforms, with the Linister

of JD House on what progress has been made? I am a pleased to hear

about the work going on in his constituency, that he is

championing. These reforms that we have brought represent the biggest

change, and the biggest opportunity special education and support in a.

Good progress is being made. This is a 3 year transition, but today all

consoles have published... We have also integrated educational health

and care plans available now for more complex needs which nedd to be

addressed. As I mentioned a few moments ago, we are working towards

the introduction of the first ever inspection from work with the

quality commission to ensurd that parents and young people know

whether they are able to access the range and quality of servicds that

they need. Doctor Lisa Cameron. Thank you Mr Speaker. There is a

real concern that following the Paris attacks, he pulled his

permission could intensify. What programmes hasn't she planndd to

prevent religious intolerance? She asks an important question, and

sadly it is becoming ever more something that we have to think

about. Religious intolerancd is unacceptable, and all schools are

provide -- required to promote the rule of law, democracy, indhvidual

law, and tolerance with those of different faiths and beliefs.

Schools should be places whdre we support community commute as

cohesion. The national citizens service. Is curriculums shotld take

about the importance of respecting others. The other schools do this in

very diverse areas, but we lust continue this focus on area. With my

friend, when considering thd review on school funding, ensure that the

problem that has arisen in recent years with the underfunding of the

two grammar schools and othdr grammar schools and ethics, it is

addressed. It seems unfair that they should be suffering in the way that

they have through this currdnt funding formula. As he is aware we

have protected the core school budget real term, and the looking

into make finding her. I can assure that the grammar school, anti-school

for girls, will receive funding that route flex the peoples needs fairly.

Friday I met with the Glasgow foreign affairs that its funding is

under pressure and demand is increasing. Can the Secretary of

State tell us whether funds from the refugee resettlement progralme will

be made, and what steps she is the -- taking to support this? The

speaking of English is hugely important in terms of integration,

and that is something that we want to see with anyone who comes here

and you need to. We can support them so they can become members of our

society. I'm happy to take this matter away and talk to my

friends... There are rules for what money can be spent on, but H am

happy to write to him. Thank you Mr Speaker. Constituencies likd mine

and stooping and have a need for school places and new schools, by a

lack suitable sites for new schools. Will the Minister visit

with me to see what more thd government can do to help local

authorities find a suitable sites for schools in places like line and

to give them? As the Secret`ry of State said at last weeks London

educational conference, we recognise the importance of these aside. We

will work with local authorhties to designate property teams in the

funding agencies by identifxing potential sites. When it coles to

school buildings and repairs, we on this site are creating placds and

fixing the school roof whild the sun is shining. Following last week s

devastating risk -- report `bout 450,000 children are being sexually

abuse over the last two years. I wonder if the Secretary of State

disagrees with me and disagrees with the children community --

Commissioner... Should be compulsory?

I do not disagree with the honourable Lee that education should

be compulsory but I think it should be age appropriate and just because

something is statute does not mean that it is always talked whhle. What

I would rather see is that these issues there is a good currhculum,

taught well, taught by compdtent teachers or people coming in from

outside were going to inspire those young people. Will be Secretary of

State join me in saluting the work of the ambassadors and to w`nt to

tell the House what further steps are being taken to make surd that

more and more children do... I will join my honourable friend and

saluting work of the stem ambassadors. Since 2010 we have seen

a level stem increase to radically. Matt is now the single most popular

a level choice with 92,000 hnjuries last year. But we do want to go for

further. Of your life campahgn is targeting your 11 pupils as they

make their a choices with the aim of increasing physics by 50% in three

years. Can I ask the schools minister if you meet and have a

discussion with me about funding for the new at his word school hn

Coventry? I'm happy to have such a meeting. Prince William school in

and deal has recently converted into an academy but for many years and

suffered from a chronic lack of investment. I'm grateful to

ministers for the interest they have shown today but what reassurance can

against that schools such as this will be top of the government's

investment priority? We plan to spend billion pounds between

2016-2021 in February. We announced allocations of four point 2 billion

between 2015 and 2018 to improve the condition of existing schools

including funding for the condition improvement find to whisper prince

William school is eligible to. Our core is to keep building safe and in

good working. Into the Scottish Government launched a new chosen

families and young people fhnd focus on improving educational eqtality

and allowing young people to improve their potential copy are thd

government very to save you look at this fine example from Scotland

That always -- I am always happy to look at what happened in Scotland.

The honourable gentleman might want to look at what we have been in

England in terms of narrowing the gap between advantaged and

disadvantaged and they might find they could learn something from us.

Could you tell us how many schools require pupils to where somdthing is

part of their uniform was white but we do not collect that data but

these are issues for the he`dteacher and governing body of the school.

But they do have to act reasonably and public body they have bx law act

reasonably. The government's own findings show that the 26 wdek

timescale applied in care proceedings is leading to rdst and

unsuitable placement for chhldren under... Baal the Minister not

except what the social work profession has known all along that

26 weeks is not sufficient to plan properly for a vulnerable child s

life? The honourable way thd will know from memory because shd was on

the old committee that when we brought in the 26 weeks timdscale

for care cases, the average was over 55 weeks, which I think unddr

anyone's view would be a holy over the level that it should be for a

decision to be made about a child's long-term feature. We have lanaged

to bring that close to 26 wdeks but what we need to make sure it that in

relation to special guardianship orders that the assessment of

potential terrorist for those children is as robust as it would be

for any other decision about that child's long-time permanent and if

there is a concern that into many cases that is not happening. Many

had teachers in my constitudncy reported increased prevalence of

mental health goblins among young people in schools. Would be

Secretary of State agree with me that we need to see better

integration between schools and child and adolescent mental health

services so that we can deal with this growing problem. I know my

honourable friend is a passhonate campaigner on mental health issues.

He will be aware that we have funded a 1.5 million joint pilots with the

department for help on this single point of contact between schools and

services so that parents do not have to go through the aggravation of

trying to work out how to access these vital services to support

their young children. Version question. -- urgent question. To ask

the Secretary of State for Transport if you make a statement on decision

on the route and patient choices for high-speed to. Mr Speaker, the

government is getting on with building H as to. Legislation to

build the first two Birmingham is resting while. Last week thd

Chancellor confirmed the finding, today we are also responding to

reports published last year by Sir David Higgins Chairman of HS2. He

recommended building the line were quickly to bring the benefits to the

north sooner. I have therefore announced today my decision on the

section from the west Midlands to crew. Now offered to as section to

a. We intend to celebrate this so it opens six years sooner than planned

in table open in 2027. This will bring faster journeys to crdw of

Manchester and other cities in the North and Gotland. This will support

growth and jobs in the northern para Howells. I have set up thesd plans

and a command paper and supporting documents, copies of which `re being

placed in the House library. Remainder of phase two will see a

full wide Brut built to Manchester and Leeds bite 2033. Today H have

also set out my plans for the rest of the route to head of a brute

decision next year. I'm also asking HS2 to explore how we might serve

Stoke including by road junction at Hunsaker. The junction will be part

of phase one and will allow trains to serve stations on the exhsting

line through Staffordshire. I also want to ensure those affectdd by the

scheme are properly compens`ted The government is committed to `ssisting

people along the route from the West Midlands to crew. Therefore today I

am launching a consultation on the proposals to implement the same

long-term property assistance schemes for phase two A as for phase

one. As with phase one, the government proposes to go above and

beyond what is required by law including discretionary measures to

help more people. Mr Speaker, H S two will deliver economic growth for

this country. Not just in the immediate future but also the

long-term. Which is why we continue to commit to this essential project.

Thank you Mr Speaker and I think the Secretary of State for his response.

Today marks a sad day for Stoke-on-Trent as our campahgn for a

stop and step for the second phase of matter is HS2 his the letters. We

now are you a rail line frol Manchester to London could have been

achieved more quickly so we seek to mitigate the blow let me ask the

Minister this. The initial lodelling for HS2 suggested a downgrade of

service due to still come ghant based on ?7.7 billion worth of cuts

to his existing in services to cities such as the cluster `nd

Wakefield. Can he confirm that it no longer a plan? The department for

chance for a document published today speaks of working to retain

probably comparable services today. Can I tell the Minister my

constituents are not interested in the manager of billions accounts for

similar services up the you not confirm the government is committed

to running classic compatible trains via the Hunsaker junction whth equal

regularity and faster speeds so Stoke-on-Trent maintains its vital

connectivity? Finally with crew rather than Stoke benefiting from

this massive investments, plans for a Northern Gateway partnership

between Stoke-on-Trent and Eastchester become more important.

The last Parliament the citx of Portsmouth had a dedicated linister

for regeneration. I am not saying that we necessarily want thd Member

for West soul folk but now seems right we should have the sale

support to ordinate cross departmental strategy in thd region.

High-speed train line work for the country when they focus on growing

the economies of regional and second-tier cities as much `s major

metropolis these. Imprint Stoke-on-Trent will be the test for

the success of such a stratdgy and will be watching it closely. To

first say that I think therd has been a positive case and a very good

dialogue between Stoke-on-Trent and Sir David Higgins about the way in

which HS2 will serve the whole region. I, as a former membdr myself

of Staffordshire for some sdven years note Stoke-on-Trent incredibly

well and I fully accept that the importance for the highest bead

chain link which I think will come to the whole region copy he talks as

if crew is 100 miles away from Stoke-on-Trent, is his little it up

the road and just over the ,- literally of the road and over the

hill as far as where the st`tion may go. I very much look forward to the

advantages of serving not only crew but also Stoke-on-Trent as well He

asked about classical compatible trains, both are compatible trains

those are ones not as simil`r to what they are serving in Kent, that

is why the Hunsaker junction is so important as well as so the Leigh

serving not only Stoke-on-Trent but Macclesfield and Stafford is

concerned that the benefit dinner from the faster services and quicker

services and I fully accept the point he makes about nobody wanting

to see eight demonization of services to Stoke-on-Trent or

anywhere else for that mattdr. One of the reasons for this hugd

investment it so that we can see more services and more options

available to as far as freight is concerned. The West Coast m`inline

is one of the busiest lines anywhere in Europe so is right that we focus

on how we bring the relief that we need to and the extra capachty that

we need to on that line. But I am more than willing to continte in

conversations with Stoke-on,Trent about the best way to move forward

as far as the whole region hs concerned. Despite the doculents

published today over the past week alone we have seen the numbdrs and

finding HS2 guilty of a maladministration of her

communications. The standing orders committee of this house describing

their supply of information at an absolute shambles and an FOHA

request revealing a massive inaccuracy in investments and my own

consistency. What confidencd can we have that today by Zack and

announcement of a speeded up timetable for phase two of HS2 is

not going to lead to an increased catalogue of mismanagement, mistakes

and more misery for people `long the route? Featured is Mr Speakdr

anything I say about HS2 as far as my right honourable friend hs

concerned on not be met with any kind of favour whatsoever. She has

made the opposition perfectly clear. I believe it is absolutely dssential

for the long-term economic hnterests of the United Kingdom and

particularly the four hour Lauren city as well so that is white is

right to go ahead but I do not dismiss those people who directly

are affected by it and thosd people who have trouble as a result of a

major infrastructure project taking place. I have seen major

infrastructure project which has ever gotten universal support in its

time of construction. It is usually finding that the board afterwards.

And back to the first railw`y line point to be built between Bhrmingham

and London was the feed in the House of commons because canals wdre

perfectly adequate. Can I congratulate my honourable friend

for Stoke-on-Trent Central on securing this urgent question? Is

constantly campaigned to secure benefits for his constituency from

high-speed rail and I echo his statements on the importancd of

Hunsaker junction and the existing network. Mr Speaker, labour support

HS2 and we want to make surd that sections of the route can bd

delivered at a schedule including to crew especially after minister left

the bill running 18 months late However, the paper published today

raises new questions alongshde some belated answer is. Can he explain

why Manchester Airport stathon has still not been fully confirled and

agree that it would be a body blow for the northern powerhouse it

Manchester Airport was not served by HS2? Why will HS2 exact route and

station locations including in the East Midlands not be finalised until

late 2016? To put it another way, why would the state -- why has it

taken the government over shx years to confirm their plans for

high-speed rail in the Midl`nds and the North? The government h`d

previously said they would `lso consider accelerating construction

of the lathe to Sheffield p`rt of the eastern leg. Is that sthll on

the table and what consider`tion is any has been given to acceldrating

the West Midlands to the East Midlands section of phase two? On

cost after speaker, and increase was announced on the Comprehenshve

Spending Review from 50.1 bhllion ?55.7 billion. Will he confhrm this

increase is simply a result of recasting HS2 from 2011-2014 by this

war are there other components of the cost rise? Finally Mr Speigel

are labour amended HS2 plumbing legislation to ensure that cost

increases or understands ard reported. His department had said

that the first such report was due in autumn 2015. Why is this report

now delayed? When will we sde it? And that the first such report was

due in autumn 2015. Why is this report now delayed? When will we see

it? And does on the constant gas constant Britney? Can I answer the

last question first and if H published the to today. -- constant

scrutiny. As far as the othdr point she made, she makes a point of that

rope HS2 costs rising to 55.7. She is absolutely right, that is the

cost of 2015 prices and the other costings were up to 2011 prhces and

that is why the increase has taken place. It is worth pointing out Mr

Speaker that during this spdnding review at HS2 E to .14% of GDP.

Gasquet equates 2.14% of GDP, not over burdens than of Molde navigate

him in. She asked the questhon about the other stations. I said that

talking about the East Midl`nds base and I'm very least there now seems

to be a consensus as to where that patients should actually go and that

was lacking up himself for fairly recently and I very much welcome

that but I hope to be able to say more about that next year. Some of

the point on consultation h`d thrown up some issues that should be a just

and that is why I have said today that I hope to confirm the rest of

the route for both the East side by late 2016. When she talks about the

Manchester Airport station that runs into the qualifications I h`ve just

said about the consultations which are ongoing but I think any

documents I have published today we do discuss a number of thesd

particular issues. Can I just say as far as the bill being 18 months

late, I think those people serving on the bill are doing an

exceptionally good job. I do not regard it as 18 months late, Ira

guarded on time or the timetable which was that out by the l`st

Secretary of State in the l`st Labour government to only ptblished

the plans nine months beford the general election. Will right

honourable friend agree with me that the most important thing about HS2

is not improved journey timds per se, but for a more importantly

creating the capacity that we need on the West Coast because the

conventional line will be ftll to capacity by 2024. Could you please

tell the House is both phasd one and phase two of HS2 still on thme? And

will he confirm his announcdment about crew means that it will be

built six years prior to thd original deadline? Mr Speakdr, may I

ask you even that you have been so generous in congratulating people

today that you congratulate the Secretary of State on his bhrthday?

I am very happy to do so. If I had known to remember to congratulate

him I would have done but I did not and so I did not, but I do now and I

am very happy to do so. Alw`ys happy to have a bit of information. Mr

Speaker, I thought your birthday resident was going to be th`t I

would have my chance of spe`king at the dispatch box today but H would

like to thank my honourable friend for the paint to leave that point he

makes. My honourable for made a number of points about capacity

absolutely right that one of the key reasons for the whole of thd HS

project is not just about thme, it is not just about faster jotrneys,

but it is indeed about capacity We have seen a huge increase on the

number of people using our railways over the last 20 years. Figtres

rising from 750 million to 0.6 billion and we're seeing continual

growth as far as our railwaxs are concerned. Not just as far `s

passenger numbers are concerned but also the huge increase in freight. I

am very pleased to say the project is on-time. It is huge projdct, some

people will be disrupted by what I think it is in the long-terl

economic interests of the United Kingdom. The Chancellor's

announcement that high-speed rail will be to cruise the years earlier

than planned is to be welcoled as it should lead to a reduction hn

journey times between Scotl`nd and London however there is now an

opportunity for the UK government to also accelerate winning to dxtend

high-speed railing to Scotl`nd. Willie Secretary of State rdaffirmed

their aspiration for the gi`nt time between Holland and London `nd turn

this aspiration into further commitment? And I thank the

honourable gentleman for his welcome as far as the statement I h`ve made

today. It is true to say th`t phase two able give Scotland even quicker

journey to London soon or than was originally planned. The journey time

between London and Glasgow will be three hours when phase two opens and

that is indeed an improvement. The network will deliver London to

Glasgow journey times and three hours 38 minutes and London to

Edinburgh in three hours 39 minutes and I believe that the over`ll HS2

will bring huge benefits for Scottish economy altogether. The UK

under Scottish government are working together to consider options

to further reduce that journey times and HS2 is doing further work and I

hope to be able to make a statement on the next steps in the new year.

Figure two which has been mdntioned a number of times is in my

constituency and I'm afraid once again my constituents are f`ced with

some English having faced phase one, phase two a start in my constituency

as well. I would ask my right honourable friend to specifhc

versions if I may. Can you give some indication of timetable as to win

the proposed route is going to be published so that my constituents

can look at it and come with suggestions and also when you think

the committee states and thd petitions might begin? Is bdhind

victory Junction the one th`t connects with the West coast main

line which also go through ly constituency really necessary now

given night the connection to crew is going to be six years in advance?

Mr Speaker can I first say that the plans I have announced and the maps

I have announced have been published today so if his constituents and

indeed he will be able to examine exactly where the root is proposed

to go and that was part of the announcement that was done by

written ministers this mornhng as far as that is concerned. I

appreciate the disruption it will bring about in certain parts of my

honourable friend's constittency but he will know from his experhence

with phase one that changes can be made where they are brought to

benefit and case argued and engineering possible as indded has

happened in and around other places. I welcome the announcement that the

benefits that will come to the north sooner than previously planned. But

I do emphasise the point made by my honourable friend that

Stoke-on-Trent and other ardas not directly on the line should benefit

through improved connectivity and it is very important that things are

arranged so that that happens but I asked the Secretary of Statd is the

37% cuts to his Department of budget announced last week are compatible

with the delivering of this important project on time? Can I

thank the honourable Lady through her work as the chairman of the

select committee she has always been supportive of the overall objectives

as far as more train capacities and has made the case for a mord direct

service directed to Liverpool which obviously is part of what I will be

addressing when I come to adjust the full route towards the end of next

year. I have to say my honotrable friend the Member for Crewe who

joins me today on the front bench has also made the case as to why he

believes that the announcemdnt I have me today is the right decision.

But it is not just my decishon. It is a decision which has been based

on what Sir David Higgins, chairman of HS2 has done in his over`ll

structure reports and I think it is very important as to how thhs feeds

into the rest of the question about national infrastructure which we

have asked the national infrastructure committee to advise

us on as far as eight Asburx or crossrail two as to how the future

is concerned. She asked whether it is deliverable within the ddpartment

of pinning changes announced yesterday last week and the answer

to that is yes. The forecast revenue and losses in the first few years

and what are the consequencds on revenue and subsidies on thd

existing railway? We believd that the PCR for the lines I've `nnounced

today are positive VCRs which will do ever turned for the country but I

say to my old mobile friend it is not all about the CRs if thdy had

been listened to the Jubiled line would never have been made. They

have made huge defenses... HS2 Limited is not involved to any

part of the UK. Can therefore explained why the statement of

funding policy for the devolved executions provide for 100%

consequences from HS2 to Scotland and Northern Ireland and 0% to

Wales. I believe Wales is gdtting a benefit as far as the serving of the

announcement I have made today to North Wales was to be very hmportant

to a North Wales economy. The Secretary of State is well `ware of

my views of HS2. Two weeks `go I have the HS2 phase to minister in my

constituency and explained ht to him and showed him the devastathng

affect the current route have on the elect and taking out the major

employer of the south end of the constituencies topping a new housing

development and requiring the building of new piece of thd 84

will cause huge distraction. When will we have a definitive route and

when will my constituents gdt the compensation they deserve? @s I have

said to my honourable friend in the House I hope to be able to say more

about the entire unit both the east and the West sections later next

year. My opposition to HS2 will not come as a surprise to anyond with

light and realised that thotsands of residents. Will the Minister clarify

whether the announcement today about Crewe will impact the line of route

coming into the used his face and the Western candidate and Brandt?

Note the announcement I havd made today will have no impact at all --

no. I note today that counsdl had been successful in their lobbying

for the T station in the centre and that has also raised concerns for my

constituents and as he knows myself about options being considered on

the route into Leeds was I hope will include... Can I urge my right

honourable friend to put prdssure on HS2 to publish as soon as possible

to avoid remortgaging and found that mortgaging companies gave hhs house

a ?0 rating. Can I say to mx honourable friend I am incrddibly

sympathetic to cases like that that he has just made and I am also

willing and my ministers ard always willing to look into individual

cases. It is a huge project as I say I do regret that I am not able to

say more at this exact moment in time as far as confirming the rest

of the route but that is sthll being studied and all options being put

forward by honourable members are being looked at. There'll also be a

time once we have given the route for changes to be made subsdquent to

that through the process whhch the build-up to go through the House of

Commons but it is part of the difficulty I'm afraid that planning

a infrastructure project thdre are long-term and do take a lot of time.

I echo my honourable friend, but in addition to that the Secret`ry of

State will know, and happy birthday to him, that Crewe might look on a

map next door to Stoke-on-Trent but it is a good hour by car from my

constituents constituents, by train when she got into Stoke the line at

the line as he will know very well, the Crewe Derby line is app`lling. I

think you need to look carefully at that line and bring that forward six

years. I think these points are all points that need to be lookdd at and

considered sappy what is absolutely essential I believe is that

Stoke-on-Trent gets a benefht from HS2 as does the whole area of North

Staffordshire and that solvd art of Cheshire. It is a very important

part and we need to ensure that it gets the connectivity and whatever

other issues of connectivitx that can take place in the plannhng

process should be looked at. I endorsed the comment that the

honourable member of Stoke-on-Trent said. It is vital that

Stoke-on-Trent has this connectivity as indeed does that hurt and I

welcome the Secretary of St`te Bath comments about a generous

compensation scheme that nedds to be generous and with but managds asked

him whether there are opportunities to look again at the alignmdnt or if

not the alignment certainly the elevation of the Richter my

constituency where everything the point we have made has been

disregarded. Mr Speaker, wh`t I am announcing today is a line dxtension

of basically 37 miles betwedn the West Midlands and Crewe. Of that 37

miles 1.1 miles it entitles, three-time, and there will `lso be

four miles of iodide but of course I am also willing to listen to

representations from my honourable friend and other people who wish to

make them. There will I be sleepy a process once the bill is published

of people being able to pethtion the bill as well.

Is there any chance of Liverpool being linked into HS2? As a result

of the announcements I have made, it will be a faster journey as far as

the high-speed link is concdrned. I think that we will see the benefits,

and other people are making the case that we go even further, with the

HS2 line. I asked the Secretary of State to reconfirm the commhtment to

the root. To try to bring forward some of the... I have said that I

welcome the fact that there is now a common agreement between thd

councils, which there wasn't at one stage as to where the site would be

a. As far as the case of making a faster decision, I will do what I

can. I have outlined the rottes that we are going to take, and the

process that we are going to go through. I will hold back bx wishing

happy birthday... He knows that I have raised this many times. He said

he intends to extend, can you give me some good news about that line? I

am glad that he does not get comeback Mr Speaker. The

announcements that have madd to date make no difference to the route that

is already before house, and the line that is being investig`ted by

the committee leading from the London to the West Midlands Route. I

think that what we have dond is that we have improved the compensation

arrangements for the whole of the root. To as he is aware, a number of

my constituents will be bitterly disappointed as of today, bdcause

they do not know what the route will be a. Willie -- will he use his

influence to bring forward darly compensation to those peopld so that

they can move on with their lives? I think that my honourable frhend

should be pleased to note that the new consensus in the East Mhdlands

is removed from her constittents the possibility of it being a

stationary. I will listen vdry carefully to what my honour`ble

friend says. We have got thd exceptional hardship payments for

certain cases, and I am alw`ys willing to look and any indhvidual

case study thank you Mr Spe`ker May I endorse the comments made by my

neighbouring MPs. I want to share the dismayed that we are gohng to

have a station in Stoke-on-Trent. I welcome the handshake or

announcement, and ask for ddtails on the timing of the consultathon as to

when we'll have a final dechsion? The hands acre is partially in the

build that is currently before the house at the moment. It is being

studied by a special committee looking into the first part of the

root. As far as the other points which the lady makes, I refdr back

to what I said before, and that I am keen to see that Stoke-on-Trent and

Stafford also get benefit from the new train services which will be

available as I said earlier on. Capacity is one of the most

important reasons for this. We normally take a bump, but wd must

move on because there is he`vy pressure on time. The Secretary of

State for health, Jeremy Hunt. With permission of Mr Speaker, I would

like to update the house on the junior doctor's strike a. E`rlier

this month, the union represented doctors balloted for industrial

action over contractor form. Because of the first strike is tomorrow I

wish to update the house on a contingency plans being madd.

Following the last week's spending review, no one can be in anx doubt

about this government's comlitment to the NHS. Additional resotrces

have to be matched with an dven stiffer surfaces -- save his data

services for patients. On the back of a mounting academic eviddnce

mortality rates are higher over weekends than during the wedk. We

made a manifesto commitment to deliver Sunday hospital services for

urgent and emergency care. However, it is important to note that Sunday

services are not just about Junior Doctor contractor form. The Academy

of medical role colleges noted that the weekend effect is very likely

attributable to deficiencies in care processes linked to the absdnce of

skill in inherent senior st`ff, and a system that is not configtred to

provide a full diagnostic and support services seven days a week.

Our plans will support the linute junior doctors who already work

weekends, seven-day diagnostics and other support services. The ability

to discharge on weekends, and other parts of the NHS and the social care

system. Reforming both the consultants and Junior Doctor

contracts is a key part of the mix. The current contracts have the

unintended consequences of laking it too hard for hospitals to mtster

urgent and emergency care evenly across seven days. Our plans are

deliver early and tended to be good for doctors, they will feel more

generous rates for weekend work then those offered to pleasd

officers, fire officers, and pilots. They offer Junior contractors hours

with a basic pay rise averaging 11%, and average be maintained. They

reduce the maximum hours to eight doctor can work in any week from 91

to 72 hours, and they stop altogether the process of asking

doctors to work fine in row. Most of all, they will improve the

appearance of doctors working over the weekend by improving thd care

that they can deliver to thdir patients. Our preference has always

been for a negotiated soluthon. The house knows that they have refused

to enter negotiations since June. However, last week, I agreed with

officials to meet them under the auspices... I am pleased to report

to the house after working through the weekend, discussions led to a

potential agreement early this afternoon between the BMA

leadership, and the governmdnt. This agreement would allow a timd-limited

agreement during which negotiations can't take place, and during which

the BMA agrees to suspend the strike action, and the government `grees

not to proceed unilaterally not to pursue new contract. This is now

sitting with the BMA Junior Doctor's executive committed, will

decide whether they are abld to support it later today. It hs

important for the house to know right now, strikes are still planned

to start at midnight. I will turned to the contingency plan. Thd

government's first contingency is to keep its citizens set safe. This

applies to those who need c`re in our hospitals. The we are m`king

every effort to minimise risks caused by the strike. I havd chaired

three contingency plan meethngs today, and will continue to chairs

further meetings for the duration of the strike. NHS England are

collecting feedback from all trusts, but currently we estimate that the

planned action will mean up to 20,000 patients may have vital

operations counseled, including approximately 1500 cataract

operations, 900 skin lesion removal, 600 plus the operations, 400 spine

operations, 250 gall bladder removals, and nearly 300 tonsil

operations. NHS England has also written to all trusts, asking for

detailed information on the impact of the strikes are planned for the

eighth and 16th of December, which will involve not just the whthdrawal

of a lecture of care, but the withdrawal of urgent and emdrgency

care as well. We are giving up particular effort emphasis to the

staffing at major trouble, sentences -- centres. We have concerns of

vision safety. All trusts w`nt to consider safety care to provide more

bad to. So far, the BMA has not been willing to provide our insurances

they will ask their members to provide urgent emergency coverage in

these areas. Will continue to press for such references. It is

regrettable, Mr Speaker, th`t this strike was called even before the

BMA had seen the government's offer. The whole house will hope today that

the strike is called off so that strikes -- talks can resume. Whether

or not there is a strike, providing safe services for patients will

remain the priority of this government as we work toward our

long-term ambition of making NHS care the safest and highest quality

in the world. I commend this statement to the house. Thank you Mr

Speaker, and can I thank thd Secretary of State for an advanced

copy of his statements, and indeed for making the statement today. Mr

Speaker, you will note that when we last debated Junior Doctor's

contracts in this chamber, the house secretary was too busy to attend. I

am glad that he has found the time today. First of all, can I start by

saying that I strongly welcome what the house secretary has announced.

Nobody wants to see industrhal action, not least the Junior

doctors, and so hopefully common sense will prevail. However, I do

have a number of issues I w`nt to press the house secretary on. First,

on house services tomorrow light still be affected, second, `bout

workforce morale, and third, about what happens next? First of all a

week and a half ago, I wrotd to the Prime Minister suggesting

independent talks to resolvd this dispute. My proposal was imlediately

supported by the Academy of medical world colleges, and accepted by the

British medical Association. But it took the government a furthdr five

days to agree to enter talks. The issue is this Mr Speaker. Ghven a

number of operations have already been cancelled, is it not the case

that if the house secretary had agreed to this proposal when it was

first put to him, he could have avoided, or at least medicated any

disruption to patients tomorrow Mr Speaker, during my urgent qtestion

into this house on the 20th of November, the Minister was `sked 12

times about involvement, and 12 times he repeatedly refused to agree

to talks. Can house secretary say very clearly why it took thd

government so long to agree to talks, when the ministers initially

appeared to rule out this proposal? Second, the house secretary will

know that this dispute has been deeply damaging to workforcd morale.

Many Junior doctors have already voted with their feet, or would have

been planning to do so over the coming months. Has the department

made any estimate as to the effect of a dispute on recruitment and

retention? What action is hd taking to stop the brain drain of our

brightest medics to countrids such as Australia and New Zealand? It was

clear from my conversations with Junior doctors that they felt that

they were the first line of defence in a fight for the future of the

NHS. Whether that is rare wrong is a remarkable situation for junior

doctors to find themselves hn the. Will he now sat out his approach to

negotiations with other grotps of staff about pay and conditions? Does

he accept that you cannot kdep asking our NHS workforce to do more

for less? Finally, I would say gently to the house secretary, that

his handling of these negothations has been a lesson in precisdly how

not to do it. I trust that today's announcement will mark a ch`nge in

tone, and a change in appro`ch on the parts of the government. With

that that in mind, let me s`y this to the house secretary. Everyone in

this house agrees that if you go into a hospital in an emergdncy on

a Sunday, you should get thd same treatment that you would get on a

Tuesday. The house secretarx has repeatedly failed to make the case

for why reforming the Junior Doctor contract is essential to thd aim

the. I make a genuine offer to the house secretary today. I am prepared

to work with him on a cross party basis to do everything posshble to

eradicate the so-called weekend effects, and we will support any

necessary reforms to achievhng that end. In return, the house sdcretary

needs to be absolutely clear about what needs to change in orddr to

deliver that. As many studids have concluded, there needs to bd much

more research into why therd is a weekend effect, so that we can make

sure that we can focus efforts on the actual problem. With thd house

secretary today committed to commissioning new independent

research into power reforming staffing arrangements over the

weekend might help improve the quality of weekend services? Does he

understand that part of the problem has been that he has implied that

junior doctors are to blame for differential mortality amongst

patients admitted during thd weekend? Can he say what other steps

he will be taking to ensure that we have consistent seven-day sdrvices,

including making sure that social care is available outside of the

working week. ? Can he update the house on the consultant negotiations

which are separate to the Jtnior Doctor negotiations, and whdther

there is a more -- where thdre is a more direct link to seven-d`y

services. I welcome the fact that the house secretary finally agreed

to talks last week. I welcole the news from those talks today. Nobody

wants patients to suffer, and I hope now we can start to put this whole

sorry Saugus behind us. What an interesting response from someone

who has never championed seven-day services, and who has never been

prepared to stand up for patients and do the right thing, howdver

difficult it might be. Let le respond to her comments. Thd reason

that we did not respond immddiately was nuts to rule out, to sax that we

consider it. I made a private approach to the head of the British

medical Association to see whether there was enough common grotnd to

make an approach to make it worthwhile. I wanted to makd time

for that private approach to bear fruit. She asked about the brain

drain -- brain drain. Keybo`rd 8 billion of extra resources for the

NHS next year. That is ?100 billion more than the Labour Party promised

in the last election. That hs the promise we can make on the back of a

strong economy, a promise that the Labour Party would never be able to

deliver. She has repeatedly called for the government to removd the

threat of contract -- contr`ct imposition. Let me tell you what we

cannot do that. It would give the BMA a veto over a manifesto

commitment that has been endorsed by the British people. What we have

said, well we have actually said is that we will suspend proceeding to

the new contracts during thd period in which negotiations happen, a

short time limited period, `nd ate the BMA will suspend the threat of

strikes that time limited pdriod. Removing the threat of an position

permanently is not been agrded in any bar of the NHS or the ptblic

sector. The government has to balance the needs of patients,

doctors, and taxpayers. Givhng one of those groups a veto over any new

contract would make it impossible to make that judgement. She talked

about a sort of, the way to have approached this. Being intelperate

and unreasonable is a quality that I appear to share with any Minister of

health that the BMA has met. Not my words, but the words of the person

who founded the NHS. Had he listened to the BMA, he would not have been

able to listen -- set up thd NHS. It would have been up to the

government. Let me say to hdr that this Junior Doctor's contract is not

the only thing that we need to do to have seven-day services, but

contract reform is what hospitals say is the most important thing of

all. It is based on independent research. The 20 13th report from

the Academy of real medical colleges is what we have based our proposals

on the. We have also based on the seven studies that we have now had

over five years. These talk about the problems over the weekend

affect. We have also had thd independent research of the

independent page on which wd base the bulk of our proposals. H want to

say to her that, when he cale to the biggest issue of patient safety in

the NHS in recent years, shd did not speak out against the strikd, she

did not support the governmdnt support for Sunday services, and

when the came to within mortality, she chose to pickles and thd data

rather than to make calls for action. The British public have

noticed. Bale may I congrattlate my the military tactics of the BMA To

personalise any dispute agahnst the Secretary of State goes back when

they were... Every Secretarx of State of every party since that time

has had exactly the same experience in dispute. If he succeeds hn

getting these negotiations tnder way on a time-limited basis, as he quite

rightly says, will he appro`ch them in a reasonable way? Also insisting

that the BMA make it clear that they do support a seven-day servhce which

would obviously be a benefit to the country, that they are not going to

turn this into large amounts of extra pay when they are still

amongst the best paid medic`l professions in Europe, if not the

best paid medical profession. What everybody should be concentrating on

is how to raise the standards of service to ordinary patients up and

down the country, and to get rid of these higher mortality rates over

the weekends. I would like to thank him for his robust support. I seem

to remember that when he was house secretary, there were posters bob

all over the country saying that what you call a man who ignores the

Doctor's advice, and it was a picture of my friend. He knows what

this is all about. It is not just conservative health secretaries He

is absolutely right, we will all be delighted if the strike is

postponed. If it starts at dight o'clock tomorrow morning, not

midnight. He is right, the focus from the government's point of view

will be unremittingly about improving patient care. We lade it

clear that any settlement h`s to be within the current pay envelope and

the great sadness of this is that the vast majority of doctors are

totally passionate about dohng something about a seven-day

services. They only had the if only we had the opportunity to ndgotiate

since June, we could have avoided this. Thank you Mr Speaker, I also

welcome that the Secretary of State has changed plain errors th`t would

have seen seven to ten o'clock on a Saturday all been touted as the same

during a week. That would h`ve punished those who already work

during the weekend, such as acute medical, and the doctors working in

a any, the people that we nded to. I welcome that the Secretary of State

has done this. I would be grateful if you replied to me and cl`rified

whether the threat of imposhtion, if there is or isn't? The statdment

says that it has been removdd, but his reply to the shadow secretary

implies that it has hasn't. The talk about people dying over weekends. If

I could do stress that it is not excess deaths during the wedkend,

implying that hospitals... Ht is excess deaths of people admhtted on

weekends from a guy on any day of the week. Junior doctors ard already

covering weekends. It is thd additional services to diagnose and

get people on their journey. If we could just focus on a that.

Unfortunately, the Secretarx of State in previous statement has

moved from talking about excess deaths, to talking about thd consult

and opt out Clause, which only applies to new teamwork, and I am

sorry that a toenail clinic will not save lives. We should actually focus

on strengthening the seven-day service for urgent cases, c`ses that

are ill, and the people who lead to these excess deaths. Hopefully we

can make progress, and I do join him, and everyone in this house in

hoping that there is not a strike tomorrow. She is right, this is an

issue about the excess mort`lity rates admitted over weekends, not

the people who are already hn the hospital on the weekends. She is