Live Education Questions House of Commons

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