19/12/2016 House of Commons

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We are committed to ensuring that we have a high-quality affordable

childcare that families need. We are childcare that families need. We are

investing record funding of ?1 billion per year, have announced a

fire early funding system and are providing nearly 4000 places one

year early. Last week I visited a very well-respected local nursery.

They are concerned about the level They are concerned about the level

of funding they will receive. Can she give us some reassurance and

would she like to visit the school because they would be delighted to

see her? I thank my honourable friend for that. I would be more

than happy to visit. He is right to highlight the importance of this and

that is why we've committed to providing these until the end of the

Parliament. Isn't it the case that the promise is being funded by

nurses and can the Secretary of nurses and can the Secretary of

State tell us what analysis she has undertaken of the damage that will

be done by the cuts she is making? It is a rather churlish comment and

we are investing more money in this policy than any government ever. ?6

billion. He needs to be more appreciative, I think. Working

parents in my constituency very much welcome the 30 hours of free

childcare. Can the Minister set out for them, particularly those with

disabled children, how they will disabled children, how they will

make sure there is sufficient funding available to give children

the best start in life through that scheme. She's absolutely right. I

was in a nursery in new and they were already seeing a massive

difference this is making to working families and it is with regard to

children with special educational needs, there is a fund which will go

towards them. I hope the Minister will agree that the pupil premium

provides vital support to some of our most disadvantaged children and

we want them to know that many will not be able to care for the most

vulnerable children when the 30 hours is introduced so will the

Minister guarantee that all of the money will go to our most vulnerable

children and this vital resource will not be cut this Parliament? It

will continue and will continue to go to the most vulnerable children.

We are committed to making sure as many pupils as possible have a place

at school. The latest report shows that standards have risen compared

to 2010, when 1.8 million more pupils are taught in good or

outstanding skills, proposals are in place in the consultation. I am very

encouraged by the reply from the Minister. One of the issues raised

by them is securing school places for siblings. Will my right

honourable friend look at this as part of her plans? Any changes in

relation to the overall way that the code operates will be scrutinised by

this house, she will be aware that admissions for authorities are

responsible for setting their own admissions arrangements. But

actually it allows them to prioritise siblings and some

authorities choose to do that already. Headteachers in my

constituency say they are stymied by changing expectations from

government. Will the Secretary of State reassure her teachers in my

constituency that expectations will not keep changing without good

reason? I had a chance to visit one of the schools last week which was a

fantastic opportunity, they were working with Bristol University, and

in relation to the continued reforms, we want to make sure we see

improvements in classrooms and she will no doubt welcome the fact that

we launched the strategic school improvement fund which is about

making sure we can get the investment in schools that need to

improve quickly and effectively. Skills include technical provision

as a must, so does the Secretary of State agree that university

technical colleges play an important role in this and these should be

good and outstanding? We expect them to deliver high standards. I had the

chance to go to Didcot UTC and it was providing a fantastic education,

are very different one but one that worked for them in their interest.

It was getting very good results because of that. Thank you, Mr

Speaker. It is my understanding that in the last two years there were

over 60 schools which have been rated inadequate weir and an Academy

order has been issued and a sponsor yet to be identified. How does that

uncertainty help improve standards in those schools? We are committed

to making sure that when we see schools that are not achieving the

results that they need to for those children that we have a strong

approach that is steadily improving the schools and working with them to

approve, but where they cannot improve we want to make sure that

changes take place in terms of leadership and school sponsorship,

that means schools have got the flexibility and freedom to get

better. Yes. Thank you, Mr Speaker. As a former Acton residents, I'm

sure they will share concerns... They have a full role of students, a

secure site but no physical building. Can she do everything she

can to pressure the funding authority to find the shortfall that

Balfour Beatty want, because East Acton is the most deprived wards...

She's made her point with great force and eloquence but it does not

need to be made at any further point. Acton is a place I very much

enjoy living in and it is important we see school standards raised in

Acton. I will look very carefully at the particular issues she has raised

and perhaps write to her to find out what she can advise we do to speed

things up. There is a skill in my constituency, two of my children

attended, so do 1000 of its children, and it has been placed in

special measures and will become an Academy, which I support, but the

choice of Academy has been made and subsequently retracted pending

surveys on the school. The process is flawed. Would the secretary take

a look at this with urgency? I'm aware of this matter because he has

done his rule as a fantastic local MP in already raising it with me and

it is something we are looking at within the Department to see whether

we can make sure that the barriers preventing their school from getting

a great sponsor that can help improve it, not just for his own

children but all the children there, can be quickly removed.

Multi-Academy trusts enable the sharing of staff and expertise that

can help foster a truly excellent special education provision and

special schools can be helpful in supporting children with special

education needs as well as provision education needs as well as provision

alongside mainstream provision. Some examples can be found in the good

practice guidance published on the 9th of December. I was going to ask

him to issue further guidance when I tabled the question in December. I

don't think it has been issued so I'm grateful for that. I would

encourage him to look at special needs schools operating as special

needs schools because there is a difference between thousands of

pupils. I think the honourable gentleman is encouraged by the power

of his own question tabling. I expect nothing less from the

honourable gentleman. He raises an important issue. We continue to

provide guidance in this area. I would encourage any newly forming

organisation to get in touch. You've moved to number four. Very

well. I thank the Minister for meeting to discuss the contents of

my ten minute rule Bill to do with special needs. He mentioned the

arrangements were not ideal and needed some adjustment and mentioned

a consultation. Could he give us any more information on that? I welcome

a lot of sympathy for the cause he a lot of sympathy for the cause he

makes within it. I can commit to a consultation early in the New Year

and I know that he will want to contribute along with others

interested in this issue. Great teachers are critical to improving

educational outcomes. Teaching is a profession and we are supporting the

development of teachers including through the new leadership

innovation fund and the new chartered College of teaching and

also through investment in improving curriculum expertise and in

particular in maths which I saw for myself on a recent visit to China.

In the paper that was produced in In the paper that was produced in

March in 2016, there was a good proposal in that paper for a

national teacher vacancy website to national teacher vacancy website to

ensure that the cost of recruitment was kept down. What progress is

being made? She set out a commitment we made in

the March White Paper. It is going to offer a website with a free route

for schools to advertise teacher vacancies, but also provide teachers

with easier access to information about job opportunities. We have

worked closely with schools and teachers on testing out different

approaches for how to deliver that website so we can make sure it adds

maximum value to all schools. Whenever I meet young people in my

constituency, they tell me that the thing that could most affect their

educational outcomes is a curriculum for life and compulsory PSAT in all

schools. The curriculum was last updated before Facebook was even

invented. Teachers go unsupported and untrained. If yesterday's

briefings to the papers are to be believed, the government is

considering bringing in compulsory PSHE. Is this true, and if so, when

will it happen? It is urgent. I was clear in my first education select

committee appearance but I felt this was an area we needed to look at,

which is what we are doing. It is not just a question of updating the

guidance, it is also about the schools that it is taught in. It is

also about the quality of the teaching that happens as well. As

someone who did pure maths and applied maths as well as physics and

English at A-level, I am very keen mathematics teaching. I was

wondering, what was the Secretary of State's assessment of the recent

mathematics teacher exchange between the United Kingdom and China? I

think it has worked fantastically well so far. We have seen 131

teachers from England visiting Shanghai and 127 teachers from

Shanghai visiting English schools. Through that exchange, our teachers

have observed Shanghai teaching methods. And in the 48 schools that

have taken part in the study, most teachers have implemented changes

which have led to increased enthusiasm for mathematics,

hopefully as strong as his was at school, deeper engagement and

increased confidence, but critically, higher attainment. One

of the best ways to support teachers in improving educational outcomes,

particularly for children with special needs, is through the pupil

premium. Will she therefore explain to the House why the level of the

pupil premium has been frozen at current levels through this

Parliament? The pupil premium was of course something that the previous

coalition government introduced and is continuing to be supported

throughout this Parliament to make sure funding goes to those children

who need it most. Last week, I announced the national funding

formula, which also prioritises resources going towards children

with a distant advantage. The Secretary of State will know how

traumatic it is for students and teachers in getting children through

GCSE maths and English resits, which can often blight their post-GCSE

students. Can we have a curriculum which is vocationally based for

numeracy and literacy, which will give people the skills they need for

work without having to go through this traumatic and often wasteful

experience? It is important that all children leaving our education

system leave with something to show for their names, particularly on

maths and English. That is why we brought in the GCSE resits policy.

For students who achieved a D and were close to being able to get to

the better standard, they should have another go at doing that.

However, the functional skills qualifications have been

well-received by employers and we want to look at how they can also

play a role in enabling all young people to show their

accomplishments. Grammar schools are the Prime Minister's flagship policy

for improving outcomes, but today the Independent is saying that

officials in the Department for Education have said there is no

chance of a new selective school before 2020. Can the Secretary of

State confirm how many selective schools are to be built in this

Parliament? The consultation finished last week. We will now look

at the responses to it. We have to recognise that we need an education

system that has more good school places, especially for children in

parts of the country that don't have access to them. Rather than carping

with no suggestions, I hope we can have a good debate now that the

consultation has finished and bring forward additional grammar school

places. The school workforce census reports

a constant vacancy rate of 0.2% of teachers in post. New analysis

published in September looks at the proportion of schools with at least

one vacancy. This measure has sung the Luke shown some variance since

2010, with London having the highest proportion of vacancies. The

department is also working to identify those schools experiencing

the greatest teacher shortages and to support them to meet those

challenges. Good teaching depends on retaining good teachers in the

profession. Does the minister not accept that the consistent

underfunding of schools in disadvantaged areas such as the

north-east makes retaining teachers difficult, and will he look again at

the cost adjustment element of the national funding formula that could

have the adverse effect of sending money away from disadvantaged areas

into more affluent ones? We have protected the score schools but in

real terms throughout this Parliament and the last. We have

also grasped the nettle, something the Labour government failed to do

while in office, of introducing fair funding. One of the elements of that

is in ensuring sufficient funds to tackle disadvantaged and lower

attainment. Schools in Somerset have great teachers, but find it hard to

recruit does. Does my right honourable friend agree that

adjusting the funding formula will help rural areas like mine attract

and retain excellent teachers? My honourable friend is right. Areas

around the country have been underfunded for many years. We have

been the first government that has grasped this nettle introducing a

much fairer national funding formula that will deal with these historic,

and anachronistic and unfair national funding formulas. Regarding

the proposed funding formula last week, can I ask the minister how it

helps recruit and retain teachers when all but one of the schools in

my constituency will lose money under the funding formula? The

national funding formula has been introduced to ensure that we have a

fair funding system. We are consulting on that system over the

next 40 weeks, and I am sure the honourable gentleman will send him

his representations. If an outstanding academy in the New

Forest, minutes from the seaside, is having difficulty recruiting an

English teacher, what hope is there for anywhere else? My honourable

friend raises an important point. The national funding formula will

help schools have the resources to enable them to use the discretion we

have given schools in how they reward teachers, particularly in

those subjects where they find it difficult to recruit. Can I take

this opportunity to wish the House well. The Association of schools and

college leaders have found that opening up new grammars may worsen

new teacher recruitment is. Doesn't he think the priority should be

incentivising teacher recruitment and retention, rather than taking

the retrograde step of providing new armers that will do nothing for new

pupils and parents? We are prioritising teacher recruitment. We

met 94% of our target last year and 93% this year. We are recruiting

more teachers in science than before. She should look at the

number of teachers coming into teacher training, and acknowledge

the fact that there are 456,000 teachers in our schools today, an

all-time high, and there are 50,000 more teachers today than in 2010.

May I take the opportunity to thank the honourable gentleman for the

work he does for education. Helping all young people to get the careers

education and guidance they need is crucial to delivering social

mobility. That is why we are investing ?90 million over the

parliament to ensure that every young person has access to advice

and inspiration to fulfil their potential. This includes further

funding for the careers and enterprise company to continue the

excellent work it has started, including 1 million for the first

six opportunity areas. The all-party group for education is conducting an

inquiry into how we prepare children for their future careers. It seems

to be not just the academic, but also the soft skills. Does the

government feel that it is doing that ably enough, and would you

attend the launch of our document when it is produced on the 7th of

February? The honourable gentleman makes an important point. Not enough

schools are encouraging their children to do not just soft skills,

but all skills and technical education and apprenticeships. We

have worked to change that and make sure schools talk about

apprenticeships and skills when they give careers advice. We are

investing millions in the careers enterprise company, which is going

to look after 250,000 students in areas of the country that have least

careers provision. In terms of the event that the honourable gentleman

has asked me to, I will do my best. I have to obviously check the diary.

The junction of the careers and enterprise company will do a great

deal to improve careers advice among secondary school students. But to

encourage more girls into a science career, we have to start earlier in

primary schools. Can the minister confirmed that increasing diversity

in the careers that leads to greater productivity will form a central

part of the Stem related strategies? Again, my honourable friend is

right. We need to do everything was able to ensure that young people do

the empty macro subjects are encouraged into doing so -- the Stem

subjects. That is why we are encouraging apprenticeships. It is

why the get up and go campaign focuses on Stem subjects and

encouraging more women to do the skills we need. I am glad to hear of

the minister's support for young people studying Stem subjects. Does

he share my disappointment that the GCSE in environmental science has

now been discontinued? There are alternative qualifications. I would

also add that we are creating a state-of-the-art technical education

system with 15 different pathways, which will have important technical

routes and qualifications that will have the prestige and give employers

the qualifications that they need. The minister knows that university

technical colleges can be a fantastic route into

apprenticeships, degrees and jobs. The proposed Gloucestershire health

university technical College will be a magnificent example of this, but

with the minister to the chamber when the delayed deadline for UCT

applications will be announced? My honourable friend is right to

highlight the importance of UCT and here's a champion of apprentices and

skills in his constituency since he has been elected. I will speak to my

honourable friend the UCT minister about question he raises. Question

number seven, Mr Speaker. Following the EU referendum on the 23rd of

June, we are considering all aspects of how the vote of the people of the

United Kingdom to leave the EU might impact on further education

institutions. This includes consideration of institutions'

access to EU funding sources. We are committed to ensuring that the FE

sector remains effective in delivering learning that provides

individuals with the skills the economy needs for growth. The

Chancellor of the Exchequer committed to stability in the period

leading up to departure from the EU. Further institutions in Glasgow need

a certainty in this scenario, including those who have benefited

from European social fund to the tune of ?1.5 million this year

alone. Brexit is not a circumstance of Glasgow's choosing. Will the

government commit to abandon the empty "Brexit means Brexit" rhetoric

and publish detailed plans on Sunday? I say to the honourable lady

that leaving the European Union means that we all want to take our

own decisions about how to deliver the policy objectives previously

targeted by EU funding. The government is consulting closely

with stakeholders to review all EU funding schemes to ensure that any

ongoing funding commitments best serve the UK's national interest,

while ensuring appropriate certainty.

You are not be sensible for the government to commit simply

replacing EU funding with UK funding, keeping everyone happy? My

honourable friend makes an important point. The government of the UK will

decide how best to spend the money that was previously going to the

European Union. Colleges Scotland have received 250 million in EU

funding to fund capital projects. Given it was this government who

gambled away Scotland's membership, what is the likelihood of this

government replacing this type of vital funding in the years ahead. I

find it interesting that the party's position is to campaign for more

powers to go from Westminster to Scotland and yet they would like

funding decisions decided in the EU than in Scotland. Having said that

she will know the Chancellor has announced the Treasury will

guarantee investment bids which are signed before the UK leaves the EU

including funding for projects agreed after the Autumn Statement if

they represent good value for money and if they are aligned with the

continue beyond the departure from continue beyond the departure from

the EU. We know that our further education colleges benefit hugely

from European social funds. The government told me in February that

the funding agency had ?725 million and 120 million went to colleges

from funding, it guarantees jobs and skills. Can the Minister guarantee

that government will replace this after Brexit and F E colleges, which

provide courses and get the same guarantee as universities? Thank

you, Mr Speaker, I had hoped in the spirit of Christmas the honourable

gentleman might have welcomed the 900,000 apprenticeship

participation, the highest in our island's history. The access to

European funding is one aspect of business that is impacted by the

decision to leave the European Union and we are considering all aspects

of how colleges may be affected but it is worth noting that by 2020 the

adult budget will be the highest in the nation's history if you include

apprenticeships. All this getting up is good

preparation for Christmas. If he knows he has the next question he is

very welcome to remain standing at the box, nobody would think there is

anything disorderly or unreasonable about that. Thank you, it is good

for the calories in advance of Christmas.

We are making over 60 million support apprenticeship take-up from

disadvantaged areas. Our campaign aims to get more young people to

apply for an apprenticeship. We are increasing the number of

traineeships. What measures is he putting in place to overcome

barriers to accessing apprenticeships and for ensuring a

good promotion of them by schools? I thank my honourable friend for this

question. We are putting 60 million in deprived areas to encourage

trainers to have that. We are putting a lot of funding into

helping 16-18 -year-olds, supporting businesses and providers. We are

supporting health and social care apprenticeships if they have a plan

from the local authority. We're giving 12 million to the fund. This

government is committed to ensuring most young people can do

apprenticeships. From next April, many schools will pave the

apprenticeship levy, and other cost. That is an additional cost of

?15,000. Will the Minister agreed to meet with me and another member and

concerned headteachers to discuss the impact of the levy on schools

and academies. I'm very happy to meet with the honourable lady but

the whole purpose of the levy is to change behaviours and ensure we

become an apprenticeship and skilled nation. If the schools have the

needs of their levy then not only will they not pay any levy but they

will get 10% on top. Small businesses often give the best

experience to an apprentice but lack the resources to support them. What

steps is the Minister taking to encourage small businesses to take

on apprentices? I know that the honourable friend is a champion of

small businesses in his constituency. We are doing huge

amounts to encourage small businesses to take on young

apprentices, huge financial incentives for the providers and the

businesses, small businesses have to pay no training cost at all if they

have 16-18 -year-olds. We have cut national insurance for

apprenticeships up to the age of 25. The scheme must be better publicised

in our high schools and primary schools to encourage those who don't

feel comfortable in academia to understand there are options

available to them. Could the Minister specified how the

Department plans to implement any such system in schools? As so often,

the honourable gentleman makes a the honourable gentleman makes a

good point. When I go around the country, again and again,

apprentices have not been encouraged by their schools to do this and we

are looking at how to ensure that careers encourage them. We are

investing ?90 million in careers, they have many advisers, getting

kids to do work experience. We are committed to tackling inequalities

so that all pupils can fulfil their potential. We welcome the

contribution, including the benefits of an academic curriculum. The

northern powerhouse challenge as well funded as the London challenge

was funded with the very welcome, for schools such as one outstanding

school in my constituency. What support will be available to schools

like that already doing their very best in very disadvantaged areas?

There is an achievement gap which is why in March 2016 the Chancellor

announced ?20 million of new funding to support a northern powerhouse

strategy. Old Trafford is the best performing in North England but one

of the worst funded authorities. I'm sure he can imagine the concern that

the draft funding formula produced last week would lead to all

secondary schools being worse off and the number of primary schools

being worse off. Can I ask him to look as a matter of urgency at the

nature of the funding formula to ensure fairness to the

which have been underfunded? They which have been underfunded? They

will see gains, some ?210 million, but in Trafford there is a loss of

0.4%. The current formula under funds primary is computed

secondaries. Under the proposed national funding

formula, the secondaries will lose but the primaries will game. The

education policy found that there are no better standards in local

authorities so why is expanding trust is key to driving up

standards? Is it because he is very well paid by an academy trust and is

there perchance any evidence? He is experienced in running a very

successful one. Sponsored academies do increase more rapidly. One of the

causes identified is the challenge of teacher supply. Does my

honourable friend agree with me that one way of improving that will be to

recruit more members from the former members of the Armed Forces into the

teaching profession? I do agree and we have a scheme that does just

that, and as the years go by it is recruiting increasing numbers, small

numbers but increasing numbers of highly qualified but experienced

ex-military personnel. Thank you, Mr Speaker, we've not permanently

closed any academies within three years of their conversion, but we've

re-brokered them. If no school has been closed within three years of

such conversion and now Academy closed solely as a result of a bad

Ofsted report and there is no reliable estimate of the cost or the

availability of alternate places and future demand and the real travel

alternative schools, how does the alternative schools, how does the

government justified reneging on their promise to the pupils and

parents to rescue an Academy in my constituency rather than close the

school? No decision has been taken yet on the future of this academy

but ministers are going to consider all options and the view of parents

in the community before reaching a final decision. They will ensure

that they get good access. Increasing this for pupils underpins

our commitment to making sure our country works for everyone and in

the pupil premium we are narrowing the gap between disadvantaged pupils

and their peers and indeed, this can be seen in the primary school in

Enfield which I want to congratulate for its excellent work on pupil

premium. Thank you for the response. On the response from my right

honourable friend for Harlow, given the school's link with local

employers, they have let their most vulnerable. Can I commend the

Secretary of State for the good example of the TEFL steps in to work

programme which is bucking the national trend. It is something I do

commend. We're working with it to strengthen links between employers

and schools when you get a close relationship, especially for those

with learning difficulties, it can make a great difference. There is a

serious problem here in terms of disadvantaged young people, clever

and bright at the age of 11, then lose them, they fail in secondary.

Is she further aware, though she is reluctant to answer the question,

how many young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are locked

into the further education system unable to get their GCSEs in maths

and English? When is she going to do and English? When is she going to do

something about it? We've seen the attainment gap getting lower between

disadvantaged young people and those who start off from better

backgrounds. We put resources into the system. Further education is one

of our key aims across the Parliament to make sure it delivers

the same gold standard. The House will know that the

Secretary of State failed to commit to building a school in this

Parliament. Today, the policy Institute have released evidence

showing you cannot future proof and 11 plus test. Does she agree with me

that selection at 11 will favour that selection at 11 will favour

families that can afford it and do nothing to improve the educational

outcomes of the most disadvantaged pupils?

I disagree. As usual, from the opposition, we have had criticism

but no alternative policies whatsoever, and a continued failure

by the opposition to set out whether it would close existing grammars. At

some stage, it would be fantastic to get clarity on Labour Party policy.

We want to see more good school places for children, particularly

disadvantaged children, and we know the disadvantaged children on free

school meals who get into grammar schools see the attainment gap

closed by the time they leave. The new national curriculum that came

into force in September 2014 expects every pupil to know the

multiplication tables to 12 times 12 by the end of year four. We have

strengthened our primary maths assessment to prioritise fluency in

written calculation and we have removed the use of calculators from

key stage two tests. We have not made an assessment of the proportion

of children in Northamptonshire or England who know the multiplication

tables by heart, but we plan to intend a multiplication tables check

for primary school pupils in England to ensure that every child leaves

primary school fluent in that times tables up to and including 12 times

12. Which my friend madrasas is 144. We are all much better informed!

Would my honourable friend agree that learning your times tables is

essential for success and maths, and what is the government's official

view to the best way in which times tables should be taught and learnt?

We don't have an official way of how this is taught, but we do expect

every child to know their tables. The reason it is until year four is

so that children can recall the times tables automatically so that

they can then tackle long multiplication and long division. We

want all pupils to be healthy and active and have the opportunity to

engage in sport and physical activity. That is why PE remains a

compulsory subject at all four key stages in the national curriculum

and since 2013, we have given ?600 million to primary schools to

include the quality of PE provision, with that doubling from 2017. Given

the urgent need to tackle child obesity and physical inactivity, can

my right honourable friend tell the House what steps he is taking to

work with organisations such as the UK active outdoor industry

Association as well as local organisations like active Cheshire

to follow the example of the school where my daughter goes to take

forward more daily initiatives? As a fellow Cheshire MP, I am aware of

the excellent work done by local schools and local groups in

partnerships. We welcome initiatives such as the daily mile. They help

teachers have the autonomy to make good decisions on behalf of their

pupils to have an array of excellent initiatives, and we continue to

promote those. The minister is too modest in declining to take the

opportunity to say that he has himself over many years led by

example to his repeated and impressive marathon running, with

which the whole House by now should be familiar. Physical activities are

important to equip the next generation with the skills to

contend with both their physical health and the mental health. But

alone, it will not content with our nation's obesity crisis. We know

from the child measurement figures how challenging this is for our

country. Will his government be bringing forward compulsory PSHE so

we can equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills to

know what they should be eating as well as what physical activities

they should be doing? I have already told the House that PE is compulsory

at all four key stages. The Secretary of State has set out the

need to improve the access and quality of PSHE, and that is

something we are looking forward to. I will be taking part in the London

Marathon again next year to continue my efforts to lead by example. The

honourable gentleman is genuinely a hero! Topical questions, Mr Nigel

Huddlestone. If I can just wish everybody a happy Christmas in the

House as well. Mr Speaker, the latest stab figures show that there

are near Ely 1.8 million -- there are nearly 1.8 million children

being taught in outstanding schools than in 2010. Our consultation has

ended and we look forward to responding to that in due course. In

the past few weeks, we have announced ?114 million for the

strategic school improvement fund and have published the next age of

consultation on our national fairer funding formula for schools across

England, which will finally bring an end to the historic postcode lottery

of school funding. I also saw the excellent teacher exchange programme

in Shanghai, China, earlier this month, as well as visiting many

great schools in our own country. Team GB gave an incredible

performance that this year's Rio Olympic Games, bringing home 67

medals. One third of those medal winners went to private schools

compared to 7% of the population as a whole. What else is the government

doing to encourage greater participation in sport in our state

schools? Since 2013, we have provided over ?600 million to

primary schools through the primary PE and sport premium, which is

making a difference. In independent research, schools reported an 84%

increase in participation in extracurricular activities. We know

there is more to do, and that is why we have doubled a premium to ?320

million a year from autumn 2017. I would also like to wish the

Secretary of State a Merry Christmas and all the members of the House,

but it ain't going to be a Merry Christmas for our schools. The

recent government consultation says there will be a floor on schools

funding so that no school would lose more than 3% of their funding per

pupil as a result of changes to the funding formula. Some schools face

to severe cuts to manage. But only has the National Audit Office show

that schools are facing funding cuts of 8% per pupil, they have

criticised her department for failing to make the scale of the

coming cuts clear. The Secretary of State has two choices. Order. I am

sorry. If we are going to have a right for the opposition front bench

to come in on topical is, and I make this clear with immediate effect, it

must be done briefly, otherwise it is completely absorbing the time for

backbenchers. A single sentence from the honourable lady will suffice.

Sorry, Mr Speaker. Will she cut the funding in 2020 or will she issue

guidance to schools on what those cuts will be? We are consulting on

proposals for a new national funding for here. Everybody accepts the

current system is unfair, transparent and out of date and it

doesn't support our aspiration for all children to reach their

potential to succeed in adult life. There is little or no justification

for the differences that local schools get at the moment. The

consultation is now under way. I have no doubt that honourable

members across the House will want to respond. The former Chancellor

was the most recent senior Conservative to say that the Prime

Minister's plans to include international students in migration

figures were not sensible. Will the Secretary of State join us and

commit to doing everything she can to reverse this foolish policy and

ensure that students are removed from the migration statistics? We

value the significant contribution that international students make to

our universities. We have no plans to introduce a cap on and take. As

the Secretary of State recently announced, we will shortly be

seeking views on the study immigration root of all parties

including the opposition should ensure their point of view is heard.

Getting it right early on is crucially important for life

chances. Corby provides flagship nursery provision and early

intervention provision which local families appreciate and value. With

the minister be willing to visit to discuss how the funding reforms can

best support this provision going forward? We all know that maintained

nursery schools are a small but important part of the early years

sector, providing high quality child care and education, often in

disadvantaged areas. They have a potentially important role in

shaping best practice with other providers in their area, and I would

be happy to meet my honourable friend and other representatives to

discuss this further. Does that Secretary of State acknowledge that

many schools including the primary school in the most deprived part of

my constituency which contacted me on Wednesday are struggling

financially as a result of amongst other things, the overhead is being

heaped on them. It is children with special educational needs who are

likely to suffer most from the financial squeeze. In fact, under

the national funding formula that we announced last week to stop the

consultation on in relation to high needs, there will be no local areas

losing. And we will be able to do not only that, but also ensure that

those areas that need to gain who have been underfunded will be able

to gain up to 3% over 2018-19 and 2019-20. Following the publication

of the key stage two results on Thursday, the national average pass

rate was 54%. The Lancashire pass rate was 54%, but the pass rate in

my constituency was 47%. What steps is this Parliament taking towards

best practice for schools like those in my constituency and what can she

do to help schools that are underperforming? I share my

honourable friend's concern. We want all schools to use evidence -based

teaching and to help spread effective practice. We have

established a national network of teaching schools as well as school

partnerships led by schools that excel in the teaching of maths,

phonics and science. International students are vital to an economy and

contribute ?7 billion to universities in the UK. Can the

Secretary of State confirm whether or not the government plans to use

the new teaching and excellence framework to link student visas to

the quality of an institution as a means of cutting immigration? No

decision has been taken as to the best way to differentiate in order

to allow our best institutions to continue to attract international

students at this stage. The Home Secretary has indicated that she

will be starting a consultation in the new year. All parties are

encouraged to contribute to that. Recognising the mental health

challenges faced by an increasing number of young people, can my right

honourable friend to the House what steps she is taking to work with

bodies such as young minds and the NSPCC to help young people and their

parents tackle self harming, which is blighting the lives of too many

children? Every child and young person should be able to enjoy good

mental health and well-being. My honourable friend is right to raise

serious concerns about self harm. We are working with the Department of

Health to tackle it by funding guidance for schools on teaching

about self-harm and pointing parents towards the Mind portal and the

invaluable NSPCC ChildLine, but we know there is more to do. The 80

sector in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland supported SNP

amendments to the higher education Bill on UK research and innovation.

Can the Secretary of State tell us if she plans to look at this issue

again, or is she happy to ignore the HE voices within the devolved

nations? The honourable gentleman will have seen the amendment

ensuring that there will be at least one member of the UK border with

experience of the excellent research that goes on in at least one of our

devolved administrations. Universities like Sunderland do a

fantastic job supporting part-time and mature students into higher

education. Ministers claim to support this, so why in the Autumn

Statement was funding for widening participation cut by 50%? The

honourable lady will be encouraged to see that spending on access

agreements will increase to over ?800 million in the next financial

year, up from ?400 million when this last coalition government came into

office, almost doubling the amount being spent on this important area.

The Secretary of State will remember the historic and ongoing problems

with flooding in Tipton St John primary school. Will she ever

announce an early Christmas present for the people of Tipton St John by

announcing that her department is going to contribute to the funding

solution to relocate the school to Ottery St Mary? Following his

meeting on the top of October with my right honourable friend the

Secretary of State and representatives from the county to

consider plans to relocate the school, a feasibility study was

submitted to the educational funding agency. Officials have reviewed the

report and have been in dialogue with Devon County Council to address

outstanding issues. Once those are resolved, a decision can be taken

about whether a central funding contribution can be made and whether

he will have a Christmas present. What contingency plans does the

Minister has showed a source of recruitment for EU teachers

diminish. As I said earlier the government welcomes the contribution

EU students and international students make to higher education

institutions and there is no plan to introduce a cap on that number. We

continue to welcome EU students. Superb schools across my

constituency based a double financial whammy of being both rural

and small. Under new funding formula is only eight schools will get

another blip. Could the minister look again at school is not hitting

the traditional markers of deprivation? -- get an uplift. We

have a consultation on introducing a national funding formula. We have

tried to make sure there are factors affecting schools in more remote

locations but also where they have higher cost bases under the

additional costs allowance to reflect that as well. This is a

consultation and I'm sure she will want to have input into this. Last

Tuesday was in 2000 people filled the Royal concert Hall in Nottingham

to hear hundreds of schoolchildren singing and playing together in the

Nottingham music service Christmas in the city concert. The opportunity

to learn to play music is very important in building confidence and

enjoyment of school and will she visit Nottingham music service to

hear more of the wonderful work but they are doing in our city schools

were more than 8000 students are learning to play a musical

instrument? ?300 million has been announced for music and the arts. I

recognise how important music is and I hope those children will get the

benefit of the ongoing investment this government is now putting in.

Willmore pupils be able to take up places in grammar schools? Once we

have got through the response to consultation and had the chance to

change the law hopefully preventing grammar schools from being opened, I

hope we will be able to make progress on this. And finally, Fiona

McTaggart. Headteachers will be grateful to the Minister for meeting

with them to discuss teacher shortages but unfortunately, I have

reminded him twice since then about the fact that they have not received

the letter he promised at that meeting. Can I expect that before

Christmas? I will do my utmost to ensure they receive a letter and I

enjoyed reading them, they raised important points, but we are

ensuring that we are filling teacher training places and there are more

teachers now in the system than last year. Statement. The Prime Minister.

Thank you Mr Speaker and with permission I would like to make a

statement on last week's European Council. Both the UK and the rest of

the EU are preparing for the negotiations that will begin when we

trigger Article 50 before the end of March next year. The main focus of

this council was rightly on how we can work together to address some of

the most pressing challenges we face. These include responding to

the migration crisis, strengthening Europe's security and helping

alleviate the suffering in Syria. As I have said

for as long as the UK is a member of the EU we will continue to play our

full part. And that is what this council show. With the UK making a

significant contribution on each of the issues. First migration, from

the outset the UK has pushed for a conference of approach that focuses

on the root causes of migration is the best way to reduce the number of

people coming to Europe. I've called for action in transit countries and

source countries to destruct smuggling what works, improve local

capacity to control borders and support sustainable livelihoods both

for people living there and refugees. And we must better

distinguish between economic migrants and refugees, swiftly

returning those who have no right to remain and thereby sending out a

deterrence message to others thinking of embarking on a perilous

journey. The council agreed to action in all these areas and the UK

remains fully committed to playing our part. We have already provided

training to the Libyan coast guard, the Royal Navy is providing

practical support in the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea and we

will deploy 40 additional staff to the Greek islands to accelerate the

processing of claims especially from Iraqi, Afghan and Eritrean nationals

and help return those who have no right to stay. Ultimately we do need

a long-term sustainable approach and that is the best way to obtain the

consent of our people to provide support and sanctuary to those most

in need. Turning to security and defence, whether deterring Russian

aggression, countering terrorism or fighting organised crime, the UK is

firmly committed to the security of our European neighbours. That is

true now and will remain true once we've left the EU. At this council

will welcome the commitment from all member states to take greater

responsibility for their security, invest more resources and develop

more capabilities. That is the right approach. And as the council made

clear, it should be done in a way that complements rather than

duplicates Nato. A stronger EU and the stronger Nato can be mutually

reinforcing and this should be our aim. We must never lose sight of the

fact that Nato will always be the bedrock of our collective defence in

Europe. But we must never to undermine that. We also agreed at

the council to renew Tier three economic sanctions on Russia for a

further six months, maintaining pressure on Russia to implement the

Minsk agreement in full. Turning to the appalling situation in Syria, we

have all seen the devastating pictures on our television screens

and heard heartbreaking stories of families struggling to get to

safety. At this council we heard directly from the Mayor of East

Aleppo, a brave and courageous man who already has witnessed his city

brought to rubble. His neighbours murdered and lives of children

destroyed. He had a simple plea, to get those that have survived through

years of conflict, torture and fear, to safety.

Together with our European partners we must do all we can to help. The

council was unequivocal in its condemnation of President Assad and

his backers, Russia and Iran. Who must bear the responsibility for the

tragedy in Aleppo. They must now allow the UN to evacuate safely the

innocent people of Aleppo, Syria and Sue President Assad claims to

represent. We've seen some progress in recent days but a few

bus-loads is not enough when there are thousands more that must be in

Aleppo, but we are in President Assad may be congratulating his

regime forces on their actions in Aleppo, but we are in that this is

no victory but a tragedy. One that we will not forget that this is no

victory but a tragedy. One that we will not the council Rougerie did

that those responsible must be held to of practical support for

alongside our diplomatic efforts, the UK will provide a further ?20

million of practical support who are most for trusted humanitarian

partners, working on the front line in some of the hardest to reach

places in Syria, to help them deliver food parcels and medical

supplies to those most in need this includes ?10 million for trusted

humanitarian partners, working on the front line in some of the

hardest to reach places in Syria, to help them deliver food parcels and

medical supplies to those most in and an additional ?10 million to

Unicef to provide life-saving aid supplies for all those that have

been lost but it is not too late to save those who remain at the

Jordanian border. It is sadly too late to save all those that have

been lost but it is not too late to save those who and turning the

Council on the UK plans for leaving the EU and explained I updated the

Council on the UK plans for leaving the EU and explained that two this

House voted I explained that two weeks I explained that two a

considerable this House voted by a to support the government by

delivering the referendum result and invoking article 50 before the end

of, almost six to one to support the government by delivering the

referendum result and invoking Article 50 before the end of month

on whether the will respect the verdict of independent judiciary but

equally clear that whichever way the judgment goes we will meet the

timetable that I have set out. I also reaffirmed my commitment to a

smooth and orderly exit and in this period made it clear to the other EU

leaders that it remains my objective that we give reassurance early in

negotiations to EU citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in

EU countries that their right to stay where they have made their

homes will be protected. This is an issue I would like to agree quickly

but clearly requires the agreement of the rest of the EU. I welcomed

the subsequent short discussion between the 27 other leaders on

their own plans for the UK withdrawal. It describe the other

leaders prepare for the negotiations just as we are making our own

preparations. That is in everyone's best interests. My aim is to cement

the UK is a close partner of the EU once we've left as I've said I want

the deal that we negotiate to reflect the kind of mature

cooperative relationship that close friends and allies enjoy. A deal to

give our company is the maximum freedom to trade with the European

markets and allow European businesses to do the same year. A

deal that will deliver the deepest possible cooperation to ensure

national security and that of our allies but a deal that will mean

when it comes to decisions about our national interest, such as how we

control immigration, we can make these decisions for ourselves. And

that our laws are once again made in the UK and not in Brussels. The calm

and measured approach this government will honour the will of

the British people and secure the right deal to make a successful

Brexit for the UK, the EU and the world. I commend this statement to

the House. I would like to thank the Prime Minister for an advance copy

of her statement and as we approach the end of this year I think we can

all agree this has been a year of enormous change in this country and

the rest of the world. With that change comes a great deal of

division. As we move swiftly to the triggering of Article 50, I want to

appeal to the prime Minster to not only work hard to heal the divisions

in the UK but also make sure her new years resolution includes a to build

better relations with our European partners so we get the best deal for

the people of this country. Not just a Brexit that benefits business and

bankers, and at the moment it is clear that on the international

stage the Prime Minister and the UK are becoming increasingly isolated.

If we are to build a successful Britain after Brexit it is more

vital than ever that our relationship with our European

partners remains strong, cordial and respectful. It is also clear through

my own discussions with European leaders that they are becoming

increasingly frustrated by her shambolic government and the

contradictory approach to Brexit negotiations. The mixed messages

from her front bench only adds to the confusion. This government fails

to speak for the whole country, instead we hear a bubble of voices

speaking for themselves and their vested interests. For instance last

week we were told by the permanent representative to the EU that a

Brexit deal may take ten years. Contradicting what the Secretary of

State for Brexit told us at a select committee that day when he said that

a deal could be struck in 18 months. A bit of a difference. We also heard

from the Chancellor told us that Britain was looking for a

for the Secretary of State for for the Secretary of State for

a transitional deal. Saying that any a transitional deal. Saying that any

would go against the wishes of those would go against the wishes of those

who voted to leave. The people of Britain deserve better than this

confusion at the heart of government. Confidence has been

lost, the Office for Budget Responsibility made their own

judgment on the government Brexit plans in November. When they

published a new forecast for 2017. Growth was revised down, wages

revised down, business investment revised down. The only thing that

the Obi are raised was their forecast for inflation. They are

risking even weaker growth than they have delivered so far, an exodus of

financial services and hitting the manufacturing industry hard. I

welcomed that the government have now accepted the labour demands for

a published Brexit plan. But it is still unclear as to how the plan

will be presented and when we will receive it here in Parliament. So

can the Prime Minister today do what the Secretary of State for Brexit,

the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for International

trade and the permanent Secretary to the EU all failed to do last week,

and give this country some real answers. Can she tell us when the

House will receive the government plans for Article 50, how long we

will be given to scrutinise that plan, can she also tell us how long

the British Government envisages the whole process taking and can she

tell us if the British Government will be looking for an interim

transitional deal with the European Union. These are basic questions

that still have not been answered almost six months after the UK voted

to leave the EU. There are also reports that the UK

will be asked to pay a 50 billion euro bill to honour commitments to

the European budget until 2020. Can the Prime Minister tell the House if

this is the case, and can she update us on the government's contingency

plans for those projects and programmes in the UK that are

currently reliant on EU funding after 2020? There is much concern in

many parts of the country about those programmes. I welcome the

Prime Minister's desire to bring forward and give greater clarity to

the issue of rights of European Union citizens in the UK. However,

if the Prime Minister is serious about this, why wait? Why won't this

government and the worry, as this House demanded in July, and give an

unequivocal commitment to guarantee people's rights before Article 50 is

triggered, as both the TUC and the British Chamber of Commerce have

called for this weekend? Not only is it the right thing to do, it would

also send a clear signal to our colleagues and our European friends

that Britain is committed to doing the right thing and committing to a

friendly future relationship. With that in mind, I would like to take

this opportunity to welcome the Austrian President, Alexander van

der Bellen, on his election. I am sure we will all agree his victory

in the presidential elections represents a victory for respect and

kindness over hate and division. And it is a signal against the dangerous

rise of the far right across Europe. Mr Speaker, I am also glad the

European Union Council leaders discussed the other pressing global

issues last week, notably the terrible situation in Syria. I want

to use this opportunity to renew the calls I made in a letter to the

Prime Minister last week for an urgent and concerted effort from the

government to press for an end to the violence and a UN led ceasefire.

The creation of a UN brokered humanitarian corridor and the

insurance of an end to attacks on the civilian publishing as well as

urgent talks through the UN to ensure a political settlement. The

rules of war are being broken on all sides. Labour has long condemned

attacks on civilian targets on all sides, including those by Russian

and pro-Syrian government forces in Aleppo. For which there can be no

excuse. I also know the issue of Cyprus and reunification was raised

at the council meeting. Could the Prime Minister give us an update on

what was said on this issue? Britain is after all a guarantor of Cypriot

independence from the 1960 treaty. There is a lot to do in 2017, with a

lot of important decisions to be made. I make a plea to the Prime

Minister to represent all sides, whether they voted to leave or

remain, and to make the right decisions that benefit not just her

party, but everyone in this country. Prime Minister. Thank you, Mr

Speaker. On the issue of Cyprus, yes, the president updated us on the

talks that have taken place. These are important talks. We all accept

that we have perhaps the best opportunity for a settlement in

Cyprus that we have seen for many years. The president made clear that

the talks have been taking place under UN auspices between the two

leaders. They have been encouraged by the leaders on the island and it

is important to recognise the leadership they have shown in

relation to this. The honourable gentleman is right, there are three

guarantors, Greece, Turkey and the UK. We stand ready to play our part

is required and when it is appropriate for us to do so. There

is the possibility of a meeting coming up in January. There is the

possibility that that will be attended by others like the UK. The

EU said it stood ready to participate if that was going to be

part of helping this deal to come through. Secondly, on the issue of

Syria, as I said, the honourable gentleman wrote to me asking to take

action through the United Nations. We have consistently been taking

action through the UN. We have worked over the weekend to ensure

that there was a UN Security Council resolution today. That was accept

it, as members of this House will know. There have been other Security

Council resolutions previously that Russia have vetoed. The most recent

one, Russia and China vetoed. But we now have a resolution that has been

accepted by Russia and China and accepted unanimously by the Security

Council that provides for UN monitoring, and also for

humanitarian access and UN monitoring of people leaving Aleppo,

which I think is important. He spent most of his comments in relation to

the issue of Brexit. He started talking about is wanting a deal that

benefits the UK. Yes, I have been saying that ever since I first came

into this role. We want to make sure we get the best possible deal. But

in negotiations, you don't get the best possible deal by laying out

everything you want in advance. He talks about isolation. Well, the

point is that the UK is going to leave the European Union. We are

leaving the group that is the European Union. In due course, they

will be meeting only 27 because we will no longer be a member. But what

is clear from what happened at the European Council is that as long as

we are a member, we will continue to play our full part within the

European Union. He talked about the question of EU funds which are

currently intended to continue beyond the date at which we would be

leaving the European Union. The Chancellor of the Exchequer set out

clearly weeks ago what the position on this was, that those funds will

continue to be met, provided they give value for money and meet the UK

Government's objective is. He talked about the length of the process. As

he knows, once we trigger article 50, the treaty allows for a process

that can take up to two years. Of course, how long within that process

it does take depends on the progress of the negotiations that take place.

He then talked about uncertainty and needing investment to come into the

UK. He gave the impression that there was this bleak picture in

terms of the economy. Fastest growing economy this year in the G7,

I would remind him. Let's look at companies that have announced new

additional investment since the Brexit referendum. Honda, Jaguar

Land Rover, Nissan, Howdy, Facebook, Google, GSK. The list will continue,

because this is still a good place to invest. It is still a good place

to grow businesses. Then he talks about confusion on the front bench.

Well, he has obviously been looking at his own front bench when he can

to does this. Let's take one simple issue of immigration. The Shadow

Home Secretary suggests freedom of movement should be maintained. The

Shadow Chancellor said we should have a fair deal on freedom of

movement, and the shadow Brexit secretary says we should have

immigration controls. They can't even agree on one aspect of the

European Union and leaving it. With the right honourable gentleman's

negotiation techniques, if he was in office, we would be getting the

worst possible deal we could get for the United Kingdom. Mr Iain Duncan

Smith. May I ask my right honourable friend that when she was at the

council and she reminded the council leaders about her generous offer to

allow EU citizens who were here in the UK to remain and for UK citizens

to receive the same privilege, did she manage to take to one side

Donald Tusk and ask him simply white, when his own government was

keen to agree to that, he turned around and vetoed it? My right

honourable friend is right. I made clear once again that I hope that

this issue of EU citizens living here and UK citizens living in the

EU member states can be dealt with at an early stage of the

negotiations. The other member states and the council have been

clear that they are not prepared to enter into negotiations before

article 50 is triggered. But I will continue to remind them of our hope,

for good reason, because we want to reassure people, that this can be

dealt with at an early stage and then the people concerned can get on

with their lives. I thank the Prime Minister for advanced site of her

statement and wish colleagues a very Merry Christmas, happy Hogmanay and

a fantastic 2017. Mr Speaker, it is now more than six months since the

Brexit referendum, when more than 6 million voters in Scotland voted to

remain. Tomorrow, the Scottish Government will become the first

administration in the UK to publish its plans in detail. The Prime

Minister has said she will seriously engage with the Scottish Government.

She says she has a Respect agenda. So will the Prime Minister commit to

meet with the First Minister to incorporate priorities of the

Scottish Government in the UK negotiating position? On security,

the Prime Minister's statement welcomed commitments on capability

including cyber threats. Without going into details for obvious

reasons, is the Prime Minister confident that enough safeguards are

in place regarding democratic institutions in the UK, including

political parties? And on the issue of Middle East violence, it was

discussed in the council and across the House, we obviously welcome

initiatives that make a difference in Syria. But there was no mention

in her statement of Yemen. Is it true that senior ministers have

known for some time that UK cluster munitions have been used in the

current conflict in Yemen, and when was the Prime Minister told about UK

cluster munitions in Yemen, and when will the UK join our European

partners in starting to have a more ethical foreign policy on both Saudi

Arabia and Yemen? Prime Minister. On the issue of Yemen, the right

honourable gentleman will have seen that there will be a statement being

made by the Defence Secretary later this afternoon. This was not an

issue that was discussed at the European Council. We focused on the

issues I mentioned in my fitment. He talks about cyber security and

political parties. I have to say that maintaining their cyber

security is a matter for individual political parties. It is up to them

to look at how they undertake that. Then he referred to the document the

Scottish Government will be publishing tomorrow. I took a call

from the First Minister this morning and I assured her that we will look

seriously at the proposals the government in Scotland is bringing

forward. I welcome the fact that they are looking at their

priorities. We have encouraged all devolved administrations to look at

their priorities so that they can be taken into account in the UK

negotiations on leaving the EU. There is already a structure that

enables us to discuss this with the devolved authorities. And there will

be a further session of the plenary in January. These normally only meet

once a year, but we are accelerating the number of meetings precisely so

that we can engage with the devolved administrations on these issues.

John Redwood. When people in the opposition and in business say that

we should make compromises by offering money or some control over

our laws or some control over our borders to get a deal, does the

Prime Minister agree that they are bidding against our country, making

a good deal more difficult to achieve and misunderstanding what

the majority voted for? I say to my right honourable friend, I agree

with him that what the public want is for us to get the best possible

deal for the UK. They want to leave the European Union and deliver

success in doing that. It is right that we don't give out every detail

of our negotiating strategy because if we did, that would be the way to

get the worst possible deal. On Friday, together with other

honourable members from Wolverhampton, I met with UTC

Aerospace, which employs 1600 people in high-value jobs in Wolverhampton.

That company raised with us membership of the European aviation

safety agency. When the Prime Minister says Brexit means Brexit,

does she mean we will no longer participate in the European aviation

safety agency and other agencies such as the European medical agency

and many others? It is precisely because we need to look with great

care at the wide range of our relationships with Europe that we

have taken time before we trigger Article 50. This is exactly the sort

of work that the department for exiting the European Union is doing,

looking at the range of organisations, some of which are

linked to membership of the European Union and some of which are not so

linked to the EU. They are crucially talking to each sector about what is

important for them so that we understand what matters to business.

I welcome these are preparations before triggering Article 50 and

would she agree that a speedy conclusion of the subsequent

negotiations would be in the interests of this country both to

put an end to damaging uncertainty and because according to the Office

for Budget Responsibility, every additional weeks of delay in leaving

the EU costs the country during ?50 million nett per week. As I said in

an earlier response, the treaty sets out for a potential two-year process

of negotiations. How long that is necessary to take is of course a

matter for the progress of those discussions and talks. So I think

that is a valid point about the sooner certainty can come the better

for business but of course we need to make sure we're getting the right

deal for the UK. Perhaps the Prime Minister could tell us with some

certainty when her plan for exiting the EU which she has agreed to

present to the House is actually going to be ready. Presumably some

time before she triggers Article 50. Yes. In their joint statement of the

15th of December at the president of the European Council and of the

European Commission and the heads of state of all the 27 member states

unanimously insisted and I quote, access to the single market requires

acceptance of all four freedoms including freedom of movement. Does

my right honourable friend agree that such an ultimatum is both

unacceptable and will not be accepted by the British people. I

have said all along I believe part of the vote to leave the EU,

underlying that was the desire for the British people to have control

over immigration and for decisions on immigration to be made by the

government here in the UK. And we should deliver on that. I look at

these issues in terms of the deal with want to negotiate, in terms of

the outcome that we want, which is the best possible deal for trading

with an operating within the single European market but doing that

commensurate with the other requirements we have, which is

British laws made here in Britain and control on immigration.

Following the European Council it appears the Prime Minister is

leading the country not just out of the EU but also out of the single

market and the customs union. Neither of which were on the ballot

paper last June. If instead remain had won by whisker last June, but

the government have had a mandate I wonder for a hard remain, would

David Cameron now has been stood there bouncing us into the euro and

showing and will she agree that as ludicrous as it sounds, it is no

more ludicrous than the extreme rewriting of the referendum result

which she now seeks to impose on the British people. The majority vote at

the referendum was for the UK to leave the EU. That is what we will

be delivering. Once again the right honourable gentleman raises

questions about means rather than ends. What we want is the best

possible outcome in terms of the trading relationship with the EU.

And for operating within the EU. That is where the focus should be

and not on particular processes to get there. The council conclusions

stress the continued resolve of the union to deepen and strengthen its

relationship with the Ukraine in face of current challenges. How

strongly does she expect government to support Ukraine after we have

left the EU? It is absolutely right that the European Council was

concerned with and wanted to ensure that we had that continuing

relationship with Ukraine. The UK is already supporting Ukraine in a

number of ways. And obviously when we have left the EU we will look at

our continuing bilateral relationships with countries across

the European continent. We are already providing money to establish

a national anti-corruption bureau in Ukraine, supporting energy reform in

Ukraine to reduce dependence on Russian gas, offering defensive

training to the Ukraine armed forces and supporting internal reform with

Ukrainian Ministry of Defence. So in a number of areas where already

supporting Ukraine and expect we will continue to want to have a good

bilateral relationship with them once we have left the EU. Could the

Prime Minister update as if they have been any discussions about how

successful the EU thinks its arrangement with Turkey with regards

to order and flow of immigration has been. We support the continuing EU -

Turkey deal and it has had an impact on migratory movements but of course

there are elements to that deal with which the UK is not involved because

they involve the Schengen zone member states. That is still a

matter of being discussed by those members of the Schengen zone. The UK

is not part of that. But I think we should recognise that the

arrangements in place so far have had an impact on movements into

Greece from Turkey. And crucially, I think what we need to see is making

sure the process of returning people who have no right to be in Greece is

operating as swiftly as possible. That is one reason why we are

offering extra staff to Greece to enable that process and those claims

to be processed more smoothly. The whole house will welcome the focus

reported from the meeting on Syria and Aleppo. The additional British

humanitarian support including for Unicef that she has announced on the

part played by British diplomats and the government over the weekend in

securing the successful UN resolution very much along the lines

of the debate in this House last week, will she ensured that over the

Christmas and New Year holiday, the full span of government attention

continues on securing unfettered access for humanitarian workers for

medical supplies and food. Bearing in mind there are still more than

50,000 people out in the open in Aleppo. Very frightened and in

temperatures well below freezing. My right honourable friend recognises

it is not just about agreeing resolution but about ensuring that

that is implemented. So the desire to ensure that humanitarian aid is

available to people and people are able to leave safely is put into

practice. I can assure him we recognise the importance of getting

the momentum of this. It is over the coming days and weeks that this will

be important to be doing this and the focus will continue to be on

that. May I ask about the risks of that cliff edge prompting some key

financial institutions already to think about moving some businesses

out of the UK. Does she agree with the chance of the said it would be

helpful if we started to discuss a transitional arrangement going

beyond that particular deadline and started to discuss that now. The

Chancellor reflected the comments I made when I spoke to the CBI, which

was a recognition of the desire for business to be able to have some

certainty beyond that point of leaving the EU. That is one reason

why we have already announced that we're going to bring EU law into

domestic law in the UK that point so people can have some certainty about

what that point of movement from membership of the EU to outside it

is. The CSU economy minister of Bavaria gave a clear warning to

coalition partners in Berlin in November that uncertainty could

damage the Bavarian economy is the UK is one of its most important

trading partners. Does the Prime Minister appreciate that they will

be significant forces in Europe supporting her timetable to trigger

Article 50 at the end of March in order to bring conclusion to the

arrangement of pre-trade existing between us and Bavaria. Well it is

an important point, he raises a specific case in relation to Bavaria

but overall the point is simple, this is not just about what is in

the interests of the UK but also about what is in the interests of

the remaining 27 members of the EU. As we negotiate the deal I expect us

to be negotiated a deal which is right in the UK but will retain a

strong EU with which we will be trading and with which we will be

working together on matters of mutual interest. I welcome the

extension of sanctions against Russia for six months but there has

been little visible progress on the Minsk accord during the time, during

recent months. What will the extension of these sanctions

achieve? The council was updated by Chancellor Merkel and president

Francois Hollande who have been leading in relation to discussions

on the Minsk agreement. Everyone is concerned that we still have the

position where the Minsk agreement has not been put into place. I

believe we need to roll over sanctions to show our continuing

rigger on this matter. And a continuing expectation for Russia

that they will actually abide by the requirements. Instead of EU

countries dangerously duplicating Nato structures but without American

participation, would it not do much more for the defence of Europe is

countries like France and Germany and other EU states that are members

of Nato actually spend a minimum of 2% of their GDP on defence. My

honourable friend is right that we want to see other countries also

stepping up to the plate. This country is spending 2% of its budget

on defence, we think others should be as well and I would encourage

them to do so. Is it not clear that there are many differences on her

side of freedom of movement. Would also not be the case that if this

arrangement continues, it would make a mockery of a majority decision

taken by the British people in the referendum. As I said earlier I

think an important part of the vote, one of the things underlying the

vote, was a desire for people to see the British Government bringing

control of immigration back home. I suggest if he has that view of

freedom of movement he might talk to his own front bench. Over 10,000

Ukrainian servicemen have now been killed since the start of the

Russian backed conflict and progress on Minsk appears to be stalled.

Would she agree that we have a special responsibility in this since

we are signatories of the Budapest Memorandum and will she examine what

further pressure we can put on Russia and also what additional

assistance we can give to the people of Ukraine. I have to say we do look

at what more we can do. My right honourable friend the Defence

Secretary announced recently some extension of the training of

Ukrainian forces. And my right honourable friend the Foreign

Secretary also looks at whether there are other ways in which we can

ensure that the Minsk agreement is implemented in full. Of course I

think it is important that we work through the European Union in doing

that and put the pressure of the EU behind this. Did she discuss with

fellow leaders interference by Russia in the political processes of

Western democracies including our own using propaganda and cyber, what

action will she take to investigate what may already happened in this

country and how we can stop it happening in the future. I think

everyone is aware of the way in which Russia is currently operating

and the more aggressive stance rushes taking across a whole range

of ways, a whole range of aspects. I'm sure the right honourable

gentleman will not expect me to go into detail as to how we look at

these issues particularly in relation to cyber matters is the

right honourable gentleman the spokesman for the Scottish National

Party indicated earlier. But I can assure the right honourable

gentleman that we take the actions of state sponsored intervention and

cyber attacks very seriously. 2.8 million EU citizens must be assured

of their position in the UK, that has been welcomed. I work on a

report providing suggestions on how to regularise the immigration status

of the 1.8 million people on track to gain permanent residents and who

we suggest should be granted indefinite leave to remain. I am

aware of this report and I can assure her that we of course look

seriously as any proposals but come forward on this and other matters

relating to Brexit. Could I pressed her on the replied that she gave to

the leader of the Scottish National Party on Yemen? I appreciate she was

the only leader of a foreign country to address the GCC recently and the

Foreign Secretary has spoken courageously about the situation in

the Yemen. We celebrate Christmas on Sunday, but the people of that

country will be eating grass and drinking sea water in order to

survive. What does it say about politics in 2016 that the richest

club in the world is unable to find time to discuss one of the poorest

countries. I can assure the honourable

gentleman we're taking the situation in

Yemen seriously. Not least in humanitarian aid, but also my

honourable friend, the Foreign Office minister was in Riyadh, and

one of the issues he was discussing was the opening of the port, save

supplies can get through. My reading of the council conclusions on

defence corporation is the strength of British implements, rather than

the weakness, the Leader of the Opposition's inclusions. Given we

spent two percent of GDP on defence, 0.7% on aid, both sides of that

argument, are we in a good position to make this case? When we have

left, our European partners will still want that close relationship,

why we will get a good deal. My honourable friend is absolutely

right. We should be proud of the fact that in this country we spent

two percent on defence, 0.7% on international aid. Something

recognised not just across the European Union, but internationally.

It is that which enables us as the United Kingdom to take the lead on a

number of issues. He is absolutely right, from everything we saw in the

position and role the United Kingdom has played in the EU Council

discussions, it is clear people will continue to want to have a good

relationship with United Kingdom, that puts us in a good place in

getting the right deal. Can I congratulate the French and British

diplomats in New York who got the security council resolution today?

Is the Prime Minister aware, the Assad regime pass presented

immediately denounced it. It is quite clearly Syrian government will

not be happy about this. Can she take practical steps to ensure that

the resolution is actually implemented? Particularly protecting

those people witnesses to crime. Those people like the White helmets

being so brave in East Aleppo, which now could be vulnerable to

Hezbollah, the militias and the Assad regime. The honourable

gentleman is right, he is right about how the resolution isn't

lamented. French and UK diplomats worked hard to make sure this

resolution would be accepted by the Security Council. We had to make

sure it is put into practice. He refers to the evidence of crime, we

have been taking action making sure people are equipped, and trained to

gather evidence of crimes that have taken place, so they can be properly

investigated. Earlier private Prime Minister said: when it comes to

decisions on national interest, and immigration, we can make those

decisions for ourselves. May I commend that statement, and when she

finally presents her plan to Parliament, will she keep it brief,

focus on outcomes and not means. We are leaving the EU, the internal

market, we are going to regain control of our borders and laws, but

nothing in that is against concluding a free-trade deal

overwhelmingly in favour of our interests and our friends and

allies? My honourable friend is right, we need to get the right

possible deal. He is right to focus on the outcome of the deal we want,

rather than particular ends on means to achieve that outcome. It is

absolutely clear it is possible to get a deal which is a very good

trade deal for the United Kingdom. Also in the interests of the

European Union. With regards to the best interests of the United

Kingdom, with the Prime Minister confirm remaining in the European

arrest warrant, and Euro poll are in the best interest of the United

Kingdom? The honourable gentleman knows I have stood at this dispatch

box and argues we should remain in these particular aspects. In the

whole area of cooperation on crime, it will be part of the negotiations.

It is an issue, not just of what is in the UK's interests, the UK

working with partners in the European union is in their

interests, too. What are the chances of the proposed European defence

fund adding new money to collective European defence and security? What

is the Prime Minister'sattitude to the leaked a matter of the mechanism

due next year? On the issue of the European defence fund, referred to

in the Council conclusions, this is something which is yet to be fully

fledged out, how it will operate in the future. One of the issues

discussed by the European Council members is a concern to ensure

better procurement of defence equipment across the European Union.

It is in that context that these issues are being considered. Can I

push the Prime Minister on the matter of security? Viewed from

Moscow Europe must look so much more disunited and weak since June. The

fact the matter, we have 100,000 men and women in our Armed Forces, you

can get them in Wembley Stadium. What it tanks rolled across borders

in this unstable period of European history, what would we do? I have to

say to the honourable gentleman, first of all, the Secretary of State

for Defence has told me the figure is too not 100,000. Let's look at

the issue he has talked about. One of the things I have said in my

statement, the importance of Nato is the bedrock of our security and that

of our allies. That is important in ensuring our defence. What is this

government doing in defence spending, spending two percent,

committing over ?170 billion over a number of years for investment in

defence equipment. Ensuring we have the defence we need, both the forces

and equipment to keep us safe. Can my right honourable friend set out

how our support for the Syrian people, through the aid budget, is

helping alleviate some of the horrendous suffering happening over

there? My honourable friend is right to raise this issue, as we focus on

the specific question of Aleppo, it is easy to forget the significant

contribution in the UK is making through its aid budget, to the

humanitarian effort for the refugees from Syria. Much of that is going to

refugees in countries around Syria, Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan. We are

the second biggest bilateral donor in relation to humanitarian aid for

refugees, have committed ?2.3 billion. Medical supplies, food,

water, these are getting through, to people where they would not have

them elsewhere. It means that children are being educated as a

result of the money being spent by the United Kingdom. Absolutely right

we should do that. Can I commend the Prime Minister for her solid and

strong stance on Brexit. 27 EU members met without the Prime

Minister in attendance. Is this beginning of the cloak and dagger

approach? Ken's I/O sure we will not be kept in the dark, everything is

open. The British view expressed that the ballot box is sacrosanct

and a priority. 27 members of the European met for 25 minutes to

discuss aspects of the process for the UK leaving the European Union.

Absolutely right they meet together as 27. When we trigger article 50 we

want to make sure the process is as smooth and orderly as possible. It

is in our interests, the interests of the economy, the interest of

other economies as well. I welcome the fact that they are meeting of a

27, to make preparations, as we do when the 27, to make preparations,

as we do when we trigger article 30. -- 50. It is absolutely right we

maintain good relationships with the 27 member states of the European

Union, what steps is the premise the making connection we talk to

countries not in the European Union, to gain insight in their position,

and make plans for the future? My honourable friend raises an

important point, not just relationships with the EU, our

relationship with individual countries member of the EU, and

members of -- those who are not members. I held discussions with

those countries, and the United Kingdom outside the EU will not be

leaving Europe, we want to continue to have good relations with friends

and allies in Europe, good bilateral relationships, enabling us to trade

well with those nations, as well. One of the key aspects of security

cooperation across Europe is the ability to impose sanctions on the

EU sanctions regime. What discussions that the Prime Minister

have on the UK's involvement in that after leaving the European Union? I

can ensure him that the UK voice will be heard from you put forward

our opinion on matters like sanctions on Russia, and maintained

until the Minsk agreement is observed. One thing that both sides

of the EU referendum campaign can agree on is that during the

referendum campaign one of the big issues with the amount of money we