0:00:00 > 0:00:01Houses of Parliament at 11pm tonight. First it's questions to the
0:00:01 > 0:00:11Education Secretary Justine Greening.Number two Mr Speaker.
0:00:11 > 0:00:16Thank you very much Mr Speaker, good afternoon. The national fostering
0:00:16 > 0:00:19stocktake is currently under way and will report to ministers with
0:00:19 > 0:00:22recommendations about I the earned of the year. It is exploring a wide
0:00:22 > 0:00:27range of issues, including recruitment and retention of foster
0:00:27 > 0:00:29carers, giving a better understanding of the current
0:00:29 > 0:00:35situation. The House should be aware we have invested £900,000 supported
0:00:35 > 0:00:39local authorities to find new ways to recruit and train foster carers.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Mr Speaker, I've had the prif Lenning of meeting some of our
0:00:42 > 0:00:46Nottingham foster carers and I know what an amazing job they do, often
0:00:46 > 0:00:50for very little monetary reward. Local authority children services
0:00:50 > 0:00:53departments are under immense pressure. We have record numbers of
0:00:53 > 0:00:57young people in care and yet, some have been forced to cut specialist
0:00:57 > 0:01:01support staff. Potential foster families are under pressure,
0:01:01 > 0:01:06including from Government policies such as the bedroom tax. I welcome
0:01:06 > 0:01:08the national stocktake, but it's long overdue. What steps is the
0:01:08 > 0:01:13Government going to take to address the urgent need to recruit
0:01:13 > 0:01:16additional foster parents?I would certainly echo everything the
0:01:16 > 0:01:22honourable lady said in terms of the value of foster carers. Indeed 74%
0:01:22 > 0:01:25have looked after children -- of looked after children are in foster
0:01:25 > 0:01:29care. The stocktake will give minister information on which to
0:01:29 > 0:01:35base future policy. I met foster carers last week and heard the
0:01:35 > 0:01:39problems they face and the support we can give them.Does the minister
0:01:39 > 0:01:43agree with me with the care system under increasing pressure that there
0:01:43 > 0:01:48is now a need to have a root and branch, fundamental review of the
0:01:48 > 0:01:53care I gnome in England in the same way there has been in Scotland?
0:01:53 > 0:01:57Certainly the stocktake is part of this. One of the most exciting
0:01:57 > 0:01:59developments as been the way that innovation has been brought forward
0:01:59 > 0:02:04in this area. We've invested £200 million in the innovation fund. I
0:02:04 > 0:02:08would recommend to honourable and right honourable members to have a
0:02:08 > 0:02:14look at the no wrong door policy, working very well in North Yorkshire
0:02:14 > 0:02:19or the mocking bird contellation which a hub to support foster carers
0:02:19 > 0:02:24dealing with the more difficult children.What steps is the minister
0:02:24 > 0:02:29taken to address the 61% decline in total apprenticeship starts from May
0:02:29 > 0:02:38to July 2017? THE SPEAKER:In relation to foster
0:02:38 > 0:02:44carers, I assume? Well, I think it will have to be, well done.The
0:02:44 > 0:02:48great thing about being a foster career is you don't need to carry
0:02:48 > 0:02:52out an apprenticeship. I would encourage thinking about applying to
0:02:52 > 0:02:56do. So there is a surplus of fostering places, one of the
0:02:56 > 0:03:00problems we face is having foster carers with the right type of home,
0:03:00 > 0:03:04for example, large sibling groups are hard to place, as indeed some
0:03:04 > 0:03:09parts of the country we have lack of sufficiency.I would like to pay
0:03:09 > 0:03:12tribute to the amazing work that foster carers do for our looked
0:03:12 > 0:03:16after children nationally in. My experience, foster placements can be
0:03:16 > 0:03:20challenging for the carers and also the children depending on their
0:03:20 > 0:03:25need. Can the minister outline what extra training can be provided to
0:03:25 > 0:03:30improve the quality of these placements and the decision making?
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Well, good local authorities do give their foster carers the support they
0:03:33 > 0:03:37need. I've mentioned the innovation funding that has helped them do that
0:03:37 > 0:03:41more effectively. There's other ways we can help foster carers, for
0:03:41 > 0:03:45example, when an allegation is made against a foster career it's treated
0:03:45 > 0:03:48in a different way than to a social worker or a teacher. That's
0:03:48 > 0:03:53something I hope that the fostering stocktake, which is being ably run,
0:03:53 > 0:04:05will address.Number three Mr Speaker.Thank you Mr Speaker in.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08November 2013, OFQUAL published an assessment of the potential cost and
0:04:08 > 0:04:12delivery impact of the reformed general qualifications as part of
0:04:12 > 0:04:17ongoing work they're committed to overseeing the introduction of the
0:04:17 > 0:04:21new exams and evaluating their effectiveness. We've recently
0:04:21 > 0:04:27consulted on the future of primary assessment, setting out our plans to
0:04:27 > 0:04:32establish a settled and trusted system.The new voctional exam
0:04:32 > 0:04:34framework assessment will need to change. If you study tree surgery
0:04:34 > 0:04:40you can only fell trees in the Autumn, harvest is seasonal and
0:04:40 > 0:04:43animal husbandry assessment periods do not match the assessment
0:04:43 > 0:04:47framework. Assessments should occur at a time when appropriate. Will the
0:04:47 > 0:04:51Secretary of State relax the tight assessment period so colleges can
0:04:51 > 0:04:54assess their students so their skills can be assessed properly?We
0:04:54 > 0:04:59have to ensure that the assessment system is robust so that students
0:04:59 > 0:05:02can be sure that their hard work is properly recognised and that
0:05:02 > 0:05:05employers understand that when qualifications are presented to
0:05:05 > 0:05:08them, they do reflect the quality of the study and the skills that they
0:05:08 > 0:05:15have acquired.I wonder what the minister's reflection is on the fact
0:05:15 > 0:05:21that in the maths higher paper for this year's GCSE, the pass mark was
0:05:21 > 0:05:26just 18 out of 100. And whether he thinks that pupil sitting that exam
0:05:26 > 0:05:30would have been given confidence or not to go on and do maths A-level. I
0:05:30 > 0:05:36can tell him as a 16-year-old myself, I was one of -- I was the
0:05:36 > 0:05:41only girl in my sixth form college to do further marges and A-level.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45Had I sat a GCSE paper that was actually impossible not rigorous, I
0:05:45 > 0:05:53would not have chosen those subjects.Actually, the new GCSE is
0:05:53 > 0:05:56significantly more demanding academically and that is to ensure
0:05:56 > 0:06:00that there's a better fit and preparation for students to go on to
0:06:00 > 0:06:04study maths at A-level. The comparable outcome system ensures
0:06:04 > 0:06:10that roughly the same proportion of students achieve the grades one to
0:06:10 > 0:06:16nine as achieved A star to G last year. That's why you might get a
0:06:16 > 0:06:20lower mark for a C grade or a grade four this year, but as the students
0:06:20 > 0:06:24and the schools become more used to the new curriculum, I expect that
0:06:24 > 0:06:30figure will rise in future years. THE SPEAKER:Nodding and shaking of
0:06:30 > 0:06:34the Huddersfield head, but let's hear the words out of the mouth of
0:06:34 > 0:06:37the honourable gentleman.Mr Speaker I have tried for many years when he
0:06:37 > 0:06:42was on my Select Committee to get the minister to be more pragmatic
0:06:42 > 0:06:47and lessise logical about these things. On this day of all, the 25th
0:06:47 > 0:06:51anniversary of Ofsted today, will he talk to Ofsted about what's going
0:06:51 > 0:07:01on? So many young people can't get on with their lives and
0:07:01 > 0:07:08apprenticeships because they can't get the GCSE in English and maths.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Maths and English are key skills that young people if they're going
0:07:11 > 0:07:16to get on in life. There is a direct correlation between the income young
0:07:16 > 0:07:20people and adults will earn if they have those GCSEs than if they do not
0:07:20 > 0:07:26have them. What the rules say is that those who they D or grade 3 on
0:07:26 > 0:07:30GCSE are expected to continuing studying them. Those with lower
0:07:30 > 0:07:34grades can take stepping stone qualifications in English and maths
0:07:34 > 0:07:38at further education college and that is the best preparation for a
0:07:38 > 0:07:46long-term and successful career. Number four, Sir.Thank you, Mr
0:07:46 > 0:07:50Speaker. With your permission I'll answer question four and 19
0:07:50 > 0:07:58together, if I may? Apprenticeship starts for women have gone up from
0:07:58 > 0:08:0352% to 53%, people from ethnic backgrounds up from 11. 2 to 10. 4
0:08:03 > 0:08:08to 11. 2 and for those with learn disabilities or difficulties they're
0:08:08 > 0:08:15up from 9. 9 to 10. 3. There's a great deal of work going on to make
0:08:15 > 0:08:19sure we broaden participation in the apprenticeship, diversity champions
0:08:19 > 0:08:22network and the career and enterprise company both are doing
0:08:22 > 0:08:31excellent jobs. Coy go on but I won't try your patience, Mr Speaker.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35I'm glad she agrees people with learning disabilities can make a
0:08:35 > 0:08:38valuable contribution to the work place, she's already mentioned the
0:08:38 > 0:08:43numbers, would she like to tell us what the Government is doing to
0:08:43 > 0:08:46increase the chances for those with learning difficulties and
0:08:46 > 0:08:53disabilities to access those apprenticeships?Yes, indeed I will.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57I know my honourable friend has got a particular interest in this. We
0:08:57 > 0:09:03have said we will implement the taskforce recommendations in full
0:09:03 > 0:09:07and that includes introducing flexibilities so that demrish and
0:09:07 > 0:09:11maths requirements can be adjusted for a defined group with a learning
0:09:11 > 0:09:16difficulty or disabilities. We have made British sign language
0:09:16 > 0:09:19qualifications and alternative to English functional skills for those
0:09:19 > 0:09:24who have this as a first language and of course, we're working closely
0:09:24 > 0:09:32with, I'm working closely with my colleagues in DWP and also BIZ.I
0:09:32 > 0:09:36welcomed the announcement made in July for a new apprenticeship
0:09:36 > 0:09:39procurement process for non-levy employers. What assurances can the
0:09:39 > 0:09:42minister give that the department is now better placed to award
0:09:42 > 0:09:45apprenticeship funding to those employers who are so keen to train
0:09:45 > 0:09:51our young people?My honourable friend is right that the procurement
0:09:51 > 0:09:58that was launched in July will ensure good geographical coverage
0:09:58 > 0:10:02and high quality apprenticeship training for SMEs. I accept the fact
0:10:02 > 0:10:08this has been quite an unsettling time. We're making £440 million
0:10:08 > 0:10:13available over the period between January 18 to April 19. And this is
0:10:13 > 0:10:18an interim measure before employers get onto the proper apprenticeship
0:10:18 > 0:10:25system.The social mobility commission has recommended that
0:10:25 > 0:10:28applications to apprenticeships be better coordinated across
0:10:28 > 0:10:32institutions and be made clearer and more simple for applicants, so they
0:10:32 > 0:10:36can see what courses are available and what the outcomes are. A bit
0:10:36 > 0:10:39like you do for applying for university courses. Does the
0:10:39 > 0:10:45Government intend to introduce such a scheme?
0:10:45 > 0:10:49We are looking at a number of ways, as she rightly says, Mr Speaker, it
0:10:49 > 0:10:55is really important to have clarity. The long-awaited and eagerly
0:10:55 > 0:10:59anticipated career strategy will set out more but there is a lot of work
0:10:59 > 0:11:03going on. We have to make sure that apprenticeships are easy to apply
0:11:03 > 0:11:07for and it is easy to see exactly what it will give you at the end of
0:11:07 > 0:11:13your apprenticeship.The young women's trust point to the gender
0:11:13 > 0:11:19pay gap of 8% between women and men apprentices. What is the government
0:11:19 > 0:11:26doing to close that gap?I would miss an opportunity to remind
0:11:26 > 0:11:29businesses that they've got until April next year to report their
0:11:29 > 0:11:37gender pay gaps. I'm pleased... Including unions and government
0:11:37 > 0:11:44departments. I'm pleased that apprenticeship starts for women have
0:11:44 > 0:11:47gone up but I recognise there are issues around pay. The bottom line
0:11:47 > 0:11:53is we want to make sure there is access for all young women and
0:11:53 > 0:11:56particularly older women as well, often who are taking up
0:11:56 > 0:12:02apprenticeships as a way of returning to the workplace.Thank
0:12:02 > 0:12:06you, Mr Speaker. Ofsted said 37% of apprentice providers are not of good
0:12:06 > 0:12:15quality and that doesn't include the 1200 soft contractors. Should Ofsted
0:12:15 > 0:12:17inspection contractors, or review the extent of subcontracting to
0:12:17 > 0:12:22ensure all apprenticeships Dominic apprentices get the training they
0:12:22 > 0:12:26deserve?My honourable friend is absolutely right. I know he did
0:12:26 > 0:12:31excellent work when in his previous role on this area. What matters to
0:12:31 > 0:12:37me is that every pound spent produces a pound's worth of good
0:12:37 > 0:12:40high quality training. We are looking at subcontracting, very
0:12:40 > 0:12:46mindful to make sure that money goes to where it is needed, producing
0:12:46 > 0:12:49high-quality apprenticeships that young people value and that
0:12:49 > 0:12:56employers value.Mr Speaker, if we are looking to broaden
0:12:56 > 0:13:00apprenticeship participation it helps to have as many people as
0:13:00 > 0:13:02possible starting them. Total apprenticeship starts in three
0:13:02 > 0:13:07months since the levy came in in the spring are down by a disastrous six
0:13:07 > 0:13:11to 1%. Why aren't ministers doing anything to promote traineeships
0:13:11 > 0:13:15which can be Game Changers people accessing apprenticeships? With a
0:13:15 > 0:13:2230% drop in traineeship starts for 19-24 -year-old this year and last
0:13:22 > 0:13:26week's critical comments from the educational Institute stomach
0:13:26 > 0:13:31policies Institute, isn't it time they did something?Mr Speaker, it
0:13:31 > 0:13:36is disappointing when the honourable gentleman casts dismay on
0:13:36 > 0:13:39apprenticeships. Winnie could talk apprenticeships up. I would point
0:13:39 > 0:13:50out to him... I would point out to him that there was a 47% increase
0:13:50 > 0:13:55between February and April 2017. We know there has been a fall in the
0:13:55 > 0:14:00starts and it was anticipated, because we have brought in a
0:14:00 > 0:14:03brand-new system. He is absolutely right that traineeships are an
0:14:03 > 0:14:09important part of this to make sure there is a path on which young
0:14:09 > 0:14:14people can travel in order to get on them, but I would urge him, Mr
0:14:14 > 0:14:18Speaker, to speak up for apprenticeships, to speak up for
0:14:18 > 0:14:21apprentices, and to do everything he can in his power to encourage
0:14:21 > 0:14:32employers to take on apprentices. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Educational
0:14:32 > 0:14:35performance in primer schools continues to improve in England with
0:14:35 > 0:14:43maths scores improving from 2011-2015, science scores
0:14:43 > 0:14:47significantly improving. Japan is amongst the highest performers in
0:14:47 > 0:14:49international assessments and our primary school pupils are
0:14:49 > 0:14:54outperforming their peers in Germany.Given that we spend more
0:14:54 > 0:15:01than Germany and Japan per pupil in England, does it show?He is
0:15:01 > 0:15:04correct, our spending is above that of Japan and Germany and what is
0:15:04 > 0:15:08clear is that spending and investment alone is insufficient.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13What you need is the right strategy, and that's why our work on an
0:15:13 > 0:15:18improved curriculum, investment in teacher development at new schools,
0:15:18 > 0:15:20not just be in council run, these are the key thing is lifting school
0:15:20 > 0:15:26standards in England.Stephen Twigg. Youth unemployment in Germany has
0:15:26 > 0:15:30long been significantly lower than it is here. And what lessons is the
0:15:30 > 0:15:33government seeking to learn from the German system, particularly of
0:15:33 > 0:15:38technical and practical application Amaq education?Youth unemployment
0:15:38 > 0:15:41rose by nearly 50% under the last Labour government and one of the
0:15:41 > 0:15:46best things we can do to make sure young people have opportunities is
0:15:46 > 0:15:50have a thriving economy -- technical and practical education. A strong
0:15:50 > 0:15:53education system with a strong technical education system is
0:15:53 > 0:15:59critical and that's why we are bringing forward reforms on T
0:15:59 > 0:16:06levels/.Youth unemployment in Germany stands at 6.1%, Japan 5.1%,
0:16:06 > 0:16:15in my constituency youth unemployment is 1.6%, down 80% since
0:16:15 > 0:16:192010. With my Right Honourable friend join me in congratulating the
0:16:19 > 0:16:23schools in my area for getting their pupils work ready?I'd like to pay
0:16:23 > 0:16:26tribute to those schools, they are clearly doing an excellent job
0:16:26 > 0:16:31making sure children are not only academically attaining but also
0:16:31 > 0:16:36getting the skills they need to be successful in the workplace. I have
0:16:36 > 0:16:39to say, Mr Speaker, that this is not the case in the rest of the UK when
0:16:39 > 0:16:43we look standards in Wales, where Labour I in charge, they are
0:16:43 > 0:16:49falling.A good way to improve the educational performance of UK
0:16:49 > 0:16:55schools would be for stomach to allow for the creation of more good
0:16:55 > 0:17:01school places. Could the Secretary of State provide clarity on the 50%
0:17:01 > 0:17:04cap on new Free Schools which is holding up a number of places in the
0:17:04 > 0:17:11pipeline?She will be aware that since 2010 we have created 735,000
0:17:11 > 0:17:15new school places and we will make announcements in relations to the
0:17:15 > 0:17:19Faith cap your course. I have to say this contrasts against the reduction
0:17:19 > 0:17:22of 100,000 school places in the last six years of the last Labour
0:17:22 > 0:17:27government.The assessment looking at the performance of UK, German and
0:17:27 > 0:17:31Japanese schools, schools in Harrow West I have no doubt would perform
0:17:31 > 0:17:34particularly well. What headteachers in Harrow West are saying to me is
0:17:34 > 0:17:39they need to see more investment in our schools so they don't have to
0:17:39 > 0:17:43cut teaching assistants, or just replace experienced teachers with
0:17:43 > 0:17:47newly qualified teachers. What steps can the Secretary of State offer to
0:17:47 > 0:17:51the House today to suggest the Chancellor has got that point as
0:17:51 > 0:17:54well?Welcome of course, under the new National Funding Formula we will
0:17:54 > 0:17:59see all schools get a cash prize in their budget. The challenge as much
0:17:59 > 0:18:03as anything now, Mr Speaker, is to make sure the regional disparities
0:18:03 > 0:18:11that still exist in our educational system are finally addressed.Number
0:18:11 > 0:18:14six, please, Mr Speaker. University Church of England Academy was judged
0:18:14 > 0:18:20as inadequate by Ofsted in June 2017 by the West Midlands regional
0:18:20 > 0:18:24commissioner who has been working with the University of Chester's
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Academy trust to improve standards at the school and the educational
0:18:27 > 0:18:32adviser visited in July to provide support and they have appointed a
0:18:32 > 0:18:36new CEO and chair and application for emergency strategic school
0:18:36 > 0:18:38improvement funding for support from the local outstanding secondary
0:18:38 > 0:18:43school has been submitted.Mr Speaker, kids in my constituency
0:18:43 > 0:18:47have been let down for far too long, with the school which has
0:18:47 > 0:18:53consistently failed to reach required standards. How long until
0:18:53 > 0:18:57someone steps in?We always take swift action when schools or
0:18:57 > 0:19:00academies fail, that's been the hallmark of this government, which
0:19:00 > 0:19:05is why today there are 1.8 million more pupils in good or outstanding
0:19:05 > 0:19:10schools than there were in 2010.I think the minister through his last
0:19:10 > 0:19:13answer has widened its somewhat, otherwise I was going to argue there
0:19:13 > 0:19:17was a rather long distance between Ellesmere Port and the honourable
0:19:17 > 0:19:19gentleman's constituency of Cambridge but thanks to the Minister
0:19:19 > 0:19:25the honourable gentleman can expatriate.It is an example of
0:19:25 > 0:19:30schools like this which are such a warning to schools like Cen Phillips
0:19:30 > 0:19:35primer school in my constituency which has been forced into being
0:19:35 > 0:19:38Academy, although a consultation is going on the parents are told it is
0:19:38 > 0:19:43already a foregone conclusion. What is the opposition to parental choice
0:19:43 > 0:19:47by the Secretary of State?The academies and Free Schools
0:19:47 > 0:19:50programmes are increasing parental choice because now parents have a
0:19:50 > 0:19:55real choice of provider, not just the local authority providing
0:19:55 > 0:20:00schools but up to 500 new Free Schools have been established by
0:20:00 > 0:20:03parent groups, teachers, educational charities, and they are raising
0:20:03 > 0:20:09academic standards across the board. Thank you, Mr Speaker. On the
0:20:09 > 0:20:16broadening of the question, I met my constituents at Normanton Freestone
0:20:16 > 0:20:24school which has been hit by the shocking collapse by W Cat, the
0:20:24 > 0:20:28parents were promised consultation on the future of the school because
0:20:28 > 0:20:32they are worried about the future of SEN and whether the school would
0:20:32 > 0:20:35lose its name, identity or its uniform and instead all they have
0:20:35 > 0:20:40been offered is travelling miles to another school in another town only
0:20:40 > 0:20:45for a meeting where they had to book tickets online, or they can't go.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50Would he agree that is not proper consultation of parents, that
0:20:50 > 0:20:54Normanton parents need consultation in Normanton, at Freestone, before
0:20:54 > 0:20:59the consultation ends, and what he urged the educational secretary to
0:20:59 > 0:21:01honour her commitment to meet with me and other affected colleagues
0:21:01 > 0:21:08because this is very serious?The Wakefield city academies trust had
0:21:08 > 0:21:11taken over many schools that had been underperforming for many years
0:21:11 > 0:21:15and we are happy with that informants and that's why we have
0:21:15 > 0:21:19taken swift action and why the schools in that trust are being
0:21:19 > 0:21:24re-brokered to more successful Academy trusts such as the tower
0:21:24 > 0:21:26Hittel Academy trusts, one of the most successful multi Academy trusts
0:21:26 > 0:21:33in the country. We will not stand still while schools underperform. We
0:21:33 > 0:21:36take action, read broker academies, or turn schools into academies that
0:21:36 > 0:21:44are failing.You were in a state of great excitement, Philip Davies.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Thank you, Mr Speaker, further to the Honourable Lady for Normanton,
0:21:47 > 0:21:53the Minister will be aware that due to the trust, the Wakefield trust
0:21:53 > 0:21:57imposing a spending moratorium on a school in my constituency, they
0:21:57 > 0:22:05built up a surplus of £276,000 and in recent days that has been
0:22:05 > 0:22:07transferred out of the school account without the authorisation of
0:22:07 > 0:22:11the school, without the prior consent of the school and
0:22:11 > 0:22:16transferred over to the trust. Surely the government cannot stand
0:22:16 > 0:22:19aside and allow £276,000 to be taken out of that school's budget in one
0:22:19 > 0:22:25of the most deprived areas in my constituency. Will he do something
0:22:25 > 0:22:28to ensure that money is reinstated back into the school for the benefit
0:22:28 > 0:22:34of the People's?My honourable friend is right to raise the issue,
0:22:34 > 0:22:37the primary school was put into special members Dummett measures in
0:22:37 > 0:22:42June 2015 before becoming a sponsored academy. In 2016 23% of
0:22:42 > 0:22:45pupils reached expected standards of reading, writing and maths compared
0:22:45 > 0:22:50to the national average of 53%. The school is being re-brokered to be
0:22:50 > 0:22:56supported by the highly successful educational trust. The former trust
0:22:56 > 0:23:00will not be able to retain any of the reserves it holds at the point
0:23:00 > 0:23:06of dissolution. Schools will receive the resources and support needed
0:23:06 > 0:23:12including at high cracks primary school.The minister told me the
0:23:12 > 0:23:16written answer last week that he would not publish the report into
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Wakefield city Academy trusts because it would be obstructed to
0:23:20 > 0:23:26the process of ensuring the school plays with a new trust. Surely any
0:23:26 > 0:23:30financial issues are being disclosed to potential new trusts, so if so,
0:23:30 > 0:23:34what on earth is in the report that is so damaging to schools that it
0:23:34 > 0:23:38can't be disclosed? Or is it just, Mr Speaker, so embarrassing to
0:23:38 > 0:23:48ministers that they would rather behind excuses?The issue of the W
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Cat trust wasn't about finances, it was about the academic standards of
0:23:51 > 0:23:56the schools in the trust and that is why we are brokering all of the
0:23:56 > 0:23:59schools in the W Cat trust to other successful multi-Academy trusts in
0:23:59 > 0:24:03the area because we are concerned not about making party political
0:24:03 > 0:24:06points but by raising academic standards in each of those schools
0:24:06 > 0:24:13serving pupils in those area.Number seven, please, Mr Speaker.Mr
0:24:13 > 0:24:18Speaker, I have regular contact with sector bodies such as the UK as part
0:24:18 > 0:24:21of our wider engagement with the sector. We met in October and also
0:24:21 > 0:24:25September when I gave a speech to their annual Conference entitled
0:24:25 > 0:24:29embracing accountability and value for money in higher education.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Thank you, Mr Speaker. Scotland is losing out on the recruitment of
0:24:38 > 0:24:41international students because the UK has one of the least competitive
0:24:41 > 0:24:45policies on post-study work in the English speaking world. Direct quote
0:24:45 > 0:24:51from University Scotland website, to ensure Scottish universities can
0:24:51 > 0:24:56make a stronger post-study work offered to international students?
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Mr is bigger, there is no cap on the number of international students who
0:24:59 > 0:25:02can study in Scotland or any other part of the United Kingdom and I am
0:25:02 > 0:25:06sure the honourable member will welcome the fact there has been a
0:25:06 > 0:25:1024% increase in the number of international students coming to
0:25:10 > 0:25:17study at Scottish institutions since 2009-2010 -- Mr Speaker.Thank you,
0:25:17 > 0:25:23Mr Speaker. Despite any increases in Minister may quote, the diversity of
0:25:23 > 0:25:28those students has narrowed dramatically. But higher education
0:25:28 > 0:25:33depends on being able to attract and retain talent from across the world.
0:25:33 > 0:25:38The Minister will be aware that since 1998 Canada's provincial
0:25:38 > 0:25:42nominees scheme has run successfully allowing provinces to vary
0:25:42 > 0:25:47immigration policy to suit their own requirements. I understand his
0:25:47 > 0:25:51government is anti-immigration but Scotland is not. So could he explain
0:25:51 > 0:25:56to Universities Scotland what discussions he is having with the
0:25:56 > 0:26:01Home Office regarding the reinstatement of the post study work
0:26:01 > 0:26:04visa?The government has commissioned the migration Advisory
0:26:04 > 0:26:09Committee to provide an assessment of the benefits of international
0:26:09 > 0:26:14students to the UK economy and to our universities. As I said to her
0:26:14 > 0:26:17colleague, Scottish institutions have seen a 24% increase in the
0:26:17 > 0:26:19number of international students coming to study at Scottish
0:26:19 > 0:26:25institutions since 2009-10.
0:26:25 > 0:26:31It's not just the students who are having problems. A physicist
0:26:31 > 0:26:36originally from New Mexico now lectures in Galway. In August he
0:26:36 > 0:26:41arrived in Cardiff to do a science show. Her parking pass and entry to
0:26:41 > 0:26:45the festival were considered payment in kind and she was denied entry to
0:26:45 > 0:26:51the UK. We've had similar cases documented involving academics
0:26:51 > 0:26:55attending conferences. Now ironically Dr Fairfield is in the UK
0:26:55 > 0:27:02this week to receive a prize for scientific engagement. So what
0:27:02 > 0:27:07assurances can he give to academics like Dr Fairfield, who is in
0:27:07 > 0:27:12Parliament today, that the UK remains open for conferences and
0:27:12 > 0:27:19academic events?Mr Speaker, we want the UK to remain the go-to place for
0:27:19 > 0:27:25scientists, tech investors and researchers in the years post
0:27:25 > 0:27:33Brexit, there are many assurances to EU researchers (inaudible) valued,
0:27:33 > 0:27:37we have every expectation that is going to continue to be the case.I
0:27:37 > 0:27:43wonder Mr Speaker, if the minister told universities UK how they were
0:27:43 > 0:27:47funding the Prime Minister's announcement on student finance? Can
0:27:47 > 0:27:51he confirm these will cost the department £175 million in this
0:27:51 > 0:27:55Spending Review period and can he guarantee this will not be funded by
0:27:55 > 0:28:00yet more cuts to the rest of the education budget?Thank you Mr
0:28:00 > 0:28:04Speaker. I would ask the right honourable member to wait for the
0:28:04 > 0:28:08Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget in a few day's time. All the details
0:28:08 > 0:28:11of the funding of those announcements will be set out at
0:28:11 > 0:28:18that time.Question eight please. Thank you very much Mr Speaker. With
0:28:18 > 0:28:23permission, I will answer question eight with question 17. The children
0:28:23 > 0:28:26and families act 2014 heralded a transformation in support for
0:28:26 > 0:28:30children and young people with special edgeindicational needs --
0:28:30 > 0:28:32educational needs. The transition period between the old and new
0:28:32 > 0:28:39systems from statements to EHC plans will end in March 2018.Thank you.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43In my area there's a chronic shortage of special needs school
0:28:43 > 0:28:48places. In Kent nearly 7% of students with statements or EHCPs
0:28:48 > 0:28:51are not educated in a school setting, well above the national
0:28:51 > 0:28:55average. Does the minister agree with me that every child in the UK
0:28:55 > 0:28:59is entitled to a school education and will he instruct the DFE to
0:28:59 > 0:29:04support local authorities who are struggling to meet that need?I
0:29:04 > 0:29:07would absolutely agree with her. We're on the same page on this one.
0:29:07 > 0:29:12Indeed in Kent, schools are not seeing any reduction in high needs
0:29:12 > 0:29:16top up funding for pupils for whom they are receiving funding in the
0:29:16 > 0:29:20last ack emdidic -- last academic year.It's over three years since
0:29:20 > 0:29:23his department introduced significant changes to the special
0:29:23 > 0:29:27educational needs system. Two reports in the past month provided
0:29:27 > 0:29:30damning indictment of how these reforms are going. Significant areas
0:29:30 > 0:29:34of concern in one third of areas say Ofsted, families suffering long
0:29:34 > 0:29:39delays in getting the right support say the local government ombudsman.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Does the minister affect these reforms are not working? And what
0:29:42 > 0:29:46does he intend to do?I have to say that the honourable lady must have
0:29:46 > 0:29:53been looking very hard indeed to find some who doesn't welcome these
0:29:53 > 0:29:57changes. The new age is 0 to 25 where appropriate and bring together
0:29:57 > 0:30:01in one place assessment and details of planned provision for a child or
0:30:01 > 0:30:04young person's education, health and social care needs. The plans are
0:30:04 > 0:30:07driven by outcomes, a strong focus on preparation for adult life. They
0:30:07 > 0:30:14include a section describing the views asked and aspirations of the
0:30:14 > 0:30:18child or young person or parents. One child in 100 is on the autistic
0:30:18 > 0:30:23spectrum and 70% of those children will go to mainstream schools. The
0:30:23 > 0:30:27Government has aproud record supporting autism. What more can be
0:30:27 > 0:30:31done to encourage best practice across the mainstream school sector?
0:30:31 > 0:30:35Well, schools receive funding as part of their funding formula up to
0:30:35 > 0:30:39£6,000 for each child. If they need no apply for addition money that
0:30:39 > 0:30:45money is forth coming. Children with particular problem including autism
0:30:45 > 0:30:49are ones we are keen to ensure are quickly identified and get the help
0:30:49 > 0:30:55they need. The new scheme does that. Extra crick lar activities include
0:30:55 > 0:30:59sport ensures a well rounded education for all our students. This
0:30:59 > 0:31:03is particularly important for those with special educational needs.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07Account minister confirm what support schools can get in providing
0:31:07 > 0:31:13those extra crick lar activities? It's absolutely true that all
0:31:13 > 0:31:17children benefit from better access to sports provision, not only from
0:31:17 > 0:31:21their physical welfare but also academically. I'm very pleased that
0:31:21 > 0:31:25we've doubled the primary sport and PE premium using the money from the
0:31:25 > 0:31:30soft drinks levy. I'm a big fan of cadet forces. We've used £50 million
0:31:30 > 0:31:34from the Libor fines to fund that. I'd like to see more state schools
0:31:34 > 0:31:40having cadets in their schools.We all support and recognise the need
0:31:40 > 0:31:46for additional funding for high needs grant and special needs.
0:31:46 > 0:31:51However, in Stoke-on-Trent we have received £4 million under the review
0:31:51 > 0:31:54of the funding formula. The Stoke-on-Trent City Council has writ
0:31:54 > 0:31:58ton the Secretary of State asking for £3 million of that to be clawed
0:31:58 > 0:32:02back to fund high needs grants taking it away from the schools that
0:32:02 > 0:32:05you've designated it for. Will the minister and Secretary of State meet
0:32:05 > 0:32:08with my friend the honourable member for Stoke-on-Trent central as we've
0:32:08 > 0:32:12both written to you asking to retain the money for our schools who so
0:32:12 > 0:32:17desperately need it?Well, local authorities including authorities
0:32:17 > 0:32:22like Stoke-on-Trent can apply to disapply half a per cent of their
0:32:22 > 0:32:26funding and apply it in that particular way.Question number nine
0:32:26 > 0:32:31Mr Speaker.Thank you very much indeed perfect Speaker. With
0:32:31 > 0:32:36permission I will answer questions nine with question 13. The early
0:32:36 > 0:32:41intelligence we are gathering about the Autumn term is very encouraging.
0:32:41 > 0:32:46Over 216,000 parents have received elability codes for this term and
0:32:46 > 0:32:51over 90% have found places. The independent evacuation of the early
0:32:51 > 0:32:55delivery areas found a quarter of mothers and one in ten fathers had
0:32:55 > 0:32:59increased their working hours. Providers are willing and able to
0:32:59 > 0:33:03deliver the offer to working parents.I welcome that reply. The
0:33:03 > 0:33:13minister may have seen the campaign online called champagne tarka.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17Providers are struggling to provide the 30 hours of child care that the
0:33:17 > 0:33:21Government says it should. There's a woman in my constituency rated
0:33:21 > 0:33:26outstanding as a child minder as she has faced a 32% cut in her hourly
0:33:26 > 0:33:34rate from 6. 05 an hour to 4. . £4.10 despite claims that no
0:33:34 > 0:33:38provider will be more tan 10% worse off. What discussions has the
0:33:38 > 0:33:42minister had to ensure this policy is adequately funded for the Budget?
0:33:42 > 0:33:45And if there haven't been discussions where would there be?
0:33:45 > 0:33:57THE SPEAKER:I was going to advise you to have an adjournment matter
0:33:57 > 0:34:02but then realised we'd just had.We increased the funding to 4. 94 from
0:34:02 > 0:34:104. £4.56. I have met with a number of nurseries who seem to be outlying
0:34:10 > 0:34:13and unable to deliver for that price. We've asked for detailed
0:34:13 > 0:34:17information why that is. Is it because they're not working to the
0:34:17 > 0:34:20ratios that others are? Is it because they have high property
0:34:20 > 0:34:24costs? We'd be keen to see that detailed information to find out why
0:34:24 > 0:34:28they are outliers and work with them to make sure they can deliver with
0:34:28 > 0:34:32the majority of the other providers doing so within the money.
0:34:32 > 0:34:37Constituents of mine who use or work in nursery facilities on both sides
0:34:37 > 0:34:42of England and Wales border report the same capacity issue that my
0:34:42 > 0:34:46honourable friend has just mentioned. When the minister says
0:34:46 > 0:34:5190% have placed. How many of that 90% have the full 30 hours?It's
0:34:51 > 0:34:55certainly up to them and indeed the evidence that I get as I visit
0:34:55 > 0:34:59nurseries up and down the country is that many parents are taking extra
0:34:59 > 0:35:02hours and paying for wrap around hours. When I was in Wolverhampton
0:35:02 > 0:35:05two weeks ago, the parents I met there told me that they already had
0:35:05 > 0:35:08the children in the nursery and they're having trouble finding the
0:35:08 > 0:35:12funding for that. In January when their children turn three they will
0:35:12 > 0:35:16get the access to 30 hours' funding. The vast majority of parents are
0:35:16 > 0:35:20accessing the full 30 hours. They can fix and match between child
0:35:20 > 0:35:27minders, nurseries or voluntary sector providers.Last week, I met
0:35:27 > 0:35:33with Cheryl Hadland, the MD of tops day nurseries, to discuss this 30
0:35:33 > 0:35:37hours of free child care for nurseries. Recruitment and retention
0:35:37 > 0:35:42of nursery workers is the ongoing challenge with 70% of cost staff
0:35:42 > 0:35:45related, related to the minimum wage and living wage. I applaud this
0:35:45 > 0:35:48Government's commitment to the 30 hours of free child care. It's
0:35:48 > 0:35:51welcomed by parents. But would the minister just be mindful that any
0:35:51 > 0:35:56increases in the living wage and the minimum wage are taken into account
0:35:56 > 0:36:01so that nurseries can deliver this service successfully?
0:36:01 > 0:36:07THE SPEAKER:The honourable lady's eloquence has ensured that Taunton
0:36:07 > 0:36:13Dean makes wafer tree look like a model of pitiness.Yes, of course,
0:36:13 > 0:36:16we are well aware of cross-pressures that may fall upon nurseries and
0:36:16 > 0:36:20we're keen to work with them to address some of the business
0:36:20 > 0:36:22management decisions they might need to make to live within the funding
0:36:22 > 0:36:26that we're making available. I could point out that the mean cost of
0:36:26 > 0:36:32funding as we discovered is 3. £3.72. Our funding is 4. £4.94 which
0:36:32 > 0:36:39allows for adequate funding as the evidence has shown.Nearly 200,000
0:36:39 > 0:36:43children in Britain have already fallen behind by the age of five.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48While one Children's Centre closes every single week. Does the minister
0:36:48 > 0:36:53believe that in order to improve life chances, funding for Sure Start
0:36:53 > 0:36:58should be ring-fenced and closures stopped?Well, local authorities
0:36:58 > 0:37:02themselves make decisions on how to best to address the needs of
0:37:02 > 0:37:06children from under privileged backgrounds. Indeed, a lot has
0:37:06 > 0:37:10changed since 2010, for example, we have the early years pupil premium
0:37:10 > 0:37:14and we have the 15 hours free child care for those who qualify for free
0:37:14 > 0:37:17school meals. It's up to local authorities to decide how best to
0:37:17 > 0:37:22deliver that. One of the issues raised with me for my own Sure Start
0:37:22 > 0:37:25centre, is many children that should be there in the centre aren't there.
0:37:25 > 0:37:31That's a role for those going out to mentor people in their communities.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34The minister's colleague, the honourable member for Suffolk coast,
0:37:34 > 0:37:38wrote to a constituent stating that the funding of the 30-hour
0:37:38 > 0:37:42entitlement is based on the premise that 15 hours was for educational
0:37:42 > 0:37:47provision and the additional 15 hours was for just general care,
0:37:47 > 0:37:53without an educational focus. But his party has always promised high
0:37:53 > 0:37:58quality early education. So was his colleague correct or not?No, she
0:37:58 > 0:38:03wasn't correct. Indeed, she'd made that clear when I spoke to her about
0:38:03 > 0:38:08it. She had misheard something that was said to her. I'm afraid the
0:38:08 > 0:38:12honourable lady is, keeping falling into this trap of not letting the
0:38:12 > 0:38:15facts get in the way of a good story. She's lured some journalists
0:38:15 > 0:38:19into that particular trap as well. Will she finally admit this policy
0:38:19 > 0:38:25is working, parents are receiving the child care they need and it's a
0:38:25 > 0:38:30successful policy.Number Ten.We're reforming GCSEs and A-levels to be
0:38:30 > 0:38:35more knowledge based and academically rigorous to match the
0:38:35 > 0:38:39best education systems in the world and to keep pace with universities
0:38:39 > 0:38:44and employers' demands. The reforms are intended to ensure that these
0:38:44 > 0:38:46qualifications in which qualifications in which pupils
0:38:46 > 0:38:52employers (inaudible) can have confidence.A teacher came to my
0:38:52 > 0:38:56surgery on Saturday to say while she was determined to provide the best
0:38:56 > 0:38:58teaching of the history course for the tougher exam, she was finding it
0:38:58 > 0:39:03hard to do that when asked by the school to cover for a colleague on
0:39:03 > 0:39:06maternity leave that they didn't feel they could replace. Is there
0:39:06 > 0:39:10any help that can be given to schools as they face the challenges
0:39:10 > 0:39:17of pressure on their budgets at the same time introducing a completely
0:39:17 > 0:39:22new history course.There is help available. While core school funding
0:39:22 > 0:39:27is protected in real terms, we understand that schools face cost
0:39:27 > 0:39:31pressures, from higher national insurance contribution, higher
0:39:31 > 0:39:35contributions to keepers' pensions and we'll continue to work
0:39:35 > 0:39:38delivering the initiatives set out in the schools buying strategy to
0:39:38 > 0:39:42help schools get the best value for their non-staff expenditure, such as
0:39:42 > 0:39:46through regional purchasing hubs. We will support schools in managing
0:39:46 > 0:39:51their staff, managing work load, implementing flexible working and
0:39:51 > 0:39:58the effective deployment of support staff.There is no single model for
0:39:58 > 0:40:03rigorous assessment. I recently held a series of meetings with Y12 and
0:40:03 > 0:40:07Y13 students in school across my constituency and one of the issues
0:40:07 > 0:40:11that concerned them all was the move away from coursework to closed
0:40:11 > 0:40:16exams. Believing it provides an incomplete assessment of their
0:40:16 > 0:40:20abilities, discriminates those who are unwell on the day of an exam and
0:40:20 > 0:40:22is a contributory pressure for growing mental health problems.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26Would the minister agree to look at their concerns?Well, we did look
0:40:26 > 0:40:30carefully at this issue. What was happening with controlled assessment
0:40:30 > 0:40:35is that it was consuming vast amount of teaching time. There was a
0:40:35 > 0:40:42culture of resits that was taking up more teaching time. OFQUAL said that
0:40:42 > 0:40:46the controlled assessment system is not the most reliable way of
0:40:46 > 0:40:52assessing pupils.Number 11, Sir. Thank you Mr Speaker. We've been
0:40:52 > 0:40:56very clear with the additional 1. £1.3 billion that we're investing in
0:40:56 > 0:41:00our schools, overall funding would be maintained in real terms per
0:41:00 > 0:41:03pupil for the next two years. The independent Institute for Fiscal
0:41:03 > 0:41:06Studies has confirmed that. If parents want to check the actual
0:41:06 > 0:41:10funding for their school, they can see it on the Department for
0:41:10 > 0:41:13Education's website, which has to comply with ONS standards, unlike
0:41:13 > 0:41:22some of the websites putting inaccurate data on
0:41:22 > 0:41:26I'd like to thank my Right Honourable friend for that answer.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30Wilshere acknowledged the additional £3.7 million secured for the schools
0:41:30 > 0:41:35will ensure there are no cuts in Shropshire and will she do more to
0:41:35 > 0:41:41ensure that the websites are confronted for the erroneous
0:41:41 > 0:41:44information they are putting out because it causing is a lot of
0:41:44 > 0:41:50concern amongst parents.It is scaremongering. The DfE published
0:41:50 > 0:41:54formula illustrations show Shropshire schools gaining an
0:41:54 > 0:42:03additional £3.7 million extra by 2019-20. Of that, 2.6 million will
0:42:03 > 0:42:06be allocated in 2018-19. The websites are fundamentally
0:42:06 > 0:42:11misleading. There are claims based on flawed calculation is, they say
0:42:11 > 0:42:14money to schools is being cut when it is going up. They say teacher
0:42:14 > 0:42:19numbers are going down when they will go up and these are contrary to
0:42:19 > 0:42:24the claims made by the Leader of the Opposition last week, because the
0:42:24 > 0:42:28National Funding Formula provides cash games for every school.
0:42:28 > 0:42:34Yesterday it was revealed that in the Times on just one day in January
0:42:34 > 0:42:39there were over 50 classes of 50 pupils. The head of one of the
0:42:39 > 0:42:42schools affected said it had come about because of trying to save
0:42:42 > 0:42:47money on supply teachers because of huge budget cuts. Does the Secretary
0:42:47 > 0:42:54of State agree with that headline? It was a story based on misleading
0:42:54 > 0:43:02facts. Some of the classes related to were things like choirs where you
0:43:02 > 0:43:07would have expected to have more Georgian, or indeed some PE classes
0:43:07 > 0:43:17that had been restructured. -- more Georgian. The average class size is
0:43:17 > 0:43:210.7 pupils higher than in 2010 despite 600,000 more primary school
0:43:21 > 0:43:29pupils and the average secondary school class size in 2018 will be
0:43:29 > 0:43:36around 0.3 other people higher than what it was in 2010. In other words
0:43:36 > 0:43:38these are broadly stable figures in spite of the fact we have had many
0:43:38 > 0:43:43more pupils in the system and we are making places available for them.
0:43:43 > 0:43:51Number 12, Mr Speaker. Thank you, Mr Speaker. My department
0:43:51 > 0:43:54has been working to identify the efficiency savings which will
0:43:54 > 0:43:58ultimately result in a cash boost for schools and put £1.3 billion
0:43:58 > 0:44:02directly into the hands of head teachers. This means that across the
0:44:02 > 0:44:07country funding will be maintained in real terms per pupil over the
0:44:07 > 0:44:13next two years.I can't say that was a terribly revealing answer, Mr
0:44:13 > 0:44:19Speaker. The schools minister did better in a recent letter where he
0:44:19 > 0:44:24said that over three years they are going to cut about £1 billion from
0:44:24 > 0:44:32the Free Schools programme he was lauding a second ago, 37% from the
0:44:32 > 0:44:36schools healthy living Project. Is that how the Secretary of State is
0:44:36 > 0:44:38trying to compensate for the cuts she has made in the core schools
0:44:38 > 0:44:43programme?I have to say I think most parents would be staggered that
0:44:43 > 0:44:49he is so against me looking across my department to make sure that I
0:44:49 > 0:44:53challenge my officials and my departments to work as efficiently
0:44:53 > 0:44:57as we are now challenging schools. I think that's quite right. But I'm
0:44:57 > 0:45:03able to do is put the fruits of that initiative into the hands of head
0:45:03 > 0:45:06teachers and provide them with more money on the front line and making
0:45:06 > 0:45:10effective savings and that's the way to get more money out of our
0:45:10 > 0:45:16education budget.Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can the Secretary of State
0:45:16 > 0:45:20confirm that the National Audit Office assessment, the 2.7 billion
0:45:20 > 0:45:26has already been cut from the schools budget since 2015? But that
0:45:26 > 0:45:33the 1.3 billion she mentioned earlier will only protect budgets
0:45:33 > 0:45:37until 2020. After that she will either need new money from the
0:45:37 > 0:45:42Treasury, or to simply deliver another cut to school funding.
0:45:42 > 0:45:48As she should know the next Spending Review process is yet to get under
0:45:48 > 0:45:51way. School budgets alongside every other budget across government will
0:45:51 > 0:45:58be agreed as part of that. I have to say, we had a question earlier, Mr
0:45:58 > 0:46:02Speaker, that the fact that money and results are not necessarily
0:46:02 > 0:46:05correlated and I have to say that if there is one part of our United
0:46:05 > 0:46:09Kingdom where the government is failing its children it is where
0:46:09 > 0:46:15Wales where Labour is in charge and not in England.Number 14, Mr
0:46:15 > 0:46:17Speaker.The free school academies programme are helping pupils from
0:46:17 > 0:46:22all backgrounds to achieve their potential, pupils in converter
0:46:22 > 0:46:25academies are achieving top GCSE results and together with pupils in
0:46:25 > 0:46:28Free Schools are making more progress on average than pupils in
0:46:28 > 0:46:33other types of schools, secondary sponsored academies have also
0:46:33 > 0:46:36improved, often through difficult circumstances with more pupils
0:46:36 > 0:46:40achieving more than the GCSEs in English and maths this year.I thank
0:46:40 > 0:46:45the Minister for his response. In my constituents of willed and we have
0:46:45 > 0:46:51the best school in East Sussex. And is in the top 3% of the country with
0:46:51 > 0:46:5677% of pupils achieving five or more passes at GCSE. The head teacher
0:46:56 > 0:47:00Anna Robinson has taken his academy to the top of the league tables.
0:47:00 > 0:47:02Wilderness to join me in congratulating the headteacher and
0:47:02 > 0:47:08students for doing a great job? Is this another example of this
0:47:08 > 0:47:09government's education policies enabling children to reach their
0:47:09 > 0:47:15full potential?I am delighted to join my honourable friend in
0:47:15 > 0:47:20congratulating Beacon Academy on its GCSE results this year. The
0:47:20 > 0:47:23provisional 2017 figures show that 56% of students are entered for the
0:47:23 > 0:47:33increasingly important EBAC at that school and pupil's progress at the
0:47:33 > 0:47:36school puts it in the top 12% nationally on the basis of that
0:47:36 > 0:47:40measure.I have been independently advised and can confirm myself both
0:47:40 > 0:47:47questions and answers are notably long.Catherine West. Mr Speaker,
0:47:47 > 0:47:51the member for Wealden mentioned children of all backgrounds. What is
0:47:51 > 0:47:55the funding allocation for the academic year for counselling
0:47:55 > 0:48:00services and help for transgender children which Stonewall, the
0:48:00 > 0:48:06charity, describes as being in a seriously bad state currently?The
0:48:06 > 0:48:11government equalities office has allocated £3 million for an anti-HBT
0:48:11 > 0:48:17bullying programme and already that programme is in 1200 schools
0:48:17 > 0:48:23up-and-down the country and is very successful.Thank you, Mr Speaker.
0:48:23 > 0:48:26As the government rightly continues to push local authorities to make
0:48:26 > 0:48:30provision for more housing, the need for additional places at Free
0:48:30 > 0:48:33Schools and academies will increase. In my constituency this makes the
0:48:33 > 0:48:39case for a new school in Borehamwood all the more pressing. What steps is
0:48:39 > 0:48:42the government is taking to coordinate between local authorities
0:48:42 > 0:48:46and the Department for Education in planning for those new school
0:48:46 > 0:48:49places?One of the first things we did when we came into office in 2010
0:48:49 > 0:48:53was double the amount of capital on basic need funding compared with
0:48:53 > 0:48:57what Labour was spending previously. Basic need funding for school places
0:48:57 > 0:49:01is based on local authorities' own data so we fund every place the
0:49:01 > 0:49:04council say they need to create and local authority forecasts include
0:49:04 > 0:49:07key drivers of increased pupil numbers, including rising birth
0:49:07 > 0:49:12rates and housing developers. Hertfordshire has already received
0:49:12 > 0:49:19£197 million for new places between 2011-17 and allocated a further £57
0:49:19 > 0:49:26million for the next three years. Number 15, Mr Speaker. Pressing
0:49:26 > 0:49:31ahead with our engagement process with relevant groups and interested
0:49:31 > 0:49:33individuals, including parliamentarians over the coming
0:49:33 > 0:49:37months and also seeking the views of young people and parents. As just
0:49:37 > 0:49:42announced Ian Balcombe, the CEO of a trust and executive headteacher will
0:49:42 > 0:49:46advise on this work, he has considerable experience that will
0:49:46 > 0:49:49help ensure schools teach a quality curriculum and following engagement
0:49:49 > 0:49:53will consult on draft regulations and guidance before a debate and
0:49:53 > 0:49:56vote on the regulations in Parliament.Mr Speaker, I don't
0:49:56 > 0:50:01think anybody in this place would now disagree that the last couple of
0:50:01 > 0:50:04weeks have shown the power of teaching our young people to respect
0:50:04 > 0:50:14each other and to treat each other with respect. But with 25 assaults,
0:50:14 > 0:50:19sexual assaults reported in our schools every single day, will the
0:50:19 > 0:50:22Secretary of State please fast-track the policy on what schools should do
0:50:22 > 0:50:28if a report is made to them which was promised months and months ago,
0:50:28 > 0:50:31now urgently? I have a case in my own constituency and I know of
0:50:31 > 0:50:35others and it's too important to wait.We will be issuing interim
0:50:35 > 0:50:39guidance this term but she is quite right that if we are going to make a
0:50:39 > 0:50:43longer term change in the sort of attitude is that drive the kind of
0:50:43 > 0:50:46behaviour in workplaces that is totally unacceptable, then we have
0:50:46 > 0:50:50to make a start in schools and that's why we are now updating the
0:50:50 > 0:50:53relationships and sex education guidance for the first time since
0:50:53 > 0:50:562000. We recognise the need and we will approach it in a responsible
0:50:56 > 0:51:01way.Topical question from Doctor Paul Williams.Number one, please,
0:51:01 > 0:51:06Mr Speaker.In October I had the pleasure of being able to go back to
0:51:06 > 0:51:10Rotherham to visit my former school, now oak-wood high school and it was
0:51:10 > 0:51:16inspiring to me, the students who are there now, as I was many years
0:51:16 > 0:51:20ago. I also helped to launch the new DFE supported Institute for teaching
0:51:20 > 0:51:24in Manchester, which will be helping to drive up standards and produce
0:51:24 > 0:51:28excellent teachers. And recently we have a flexible working summit at
0:51:28 > 0:51:33the DFE to ensure teaching is a profession which has a modern
0:51:33 > 0:51:37workplace to drive recruitment and retention.Questions and answers in
0:51:37 > 0:51:41topical is from now on must be much shorter, they have become
0:51:41 > 0:51:45increasingly long over a period and it's not helpful to the House and
0:51:45 > 0:51:50two numbers. Doctor Paul Williams.A survey published today by the sixth
0:51:50 > 0:51:53form colleges Association shows funding cuts have caused one third
0:51:53 > 0:51:58of providers to drop causes in Stem subjects and we know colleges are
0:51:58 > 0:52:01dropping vocational qualifications also. Does the Secretary of State
0:52:01 > 0:52:06agree this months Dummigan month's budget must increase budgets for
0:52:06 > 0:52:12colleges in six forms to put all forms of 16-19 education on an equal
0:52:12 > 0:52:14footing?I am always bidding for additional funding to come into
0:52:14 > 0:52:18education across the board to dinking technical education. He will
0:52:18 > 0:52:22welcome the fact maths is the most popular A level now.Would the
0:52:22 > 0:52:25Secretary of State join me in celebrating the opening of Newark's
0:52:25 > 0:52:31Free Schools in the first new school in the town in a generation aiming
0:52:31 > 0:52:35to reverse the poor standards of education in Newark and a brilliant
0:52:35 > 0:52:38example of Conservative Party policy transforming the lives of young
0:52:38 > 0:52:43people in my constituency?Indeed there are now almost 400 Free
0:52:43 > 0:52:48Schools and I very much congratulate the educational trust in opening
0:52:48 > 0:52:53this school. The chair of governors will ensure that school provides
0:52:53 > 0:52:59young people in his constituency with an excellent education.Two
0:52:59 > 0:53:04years ago the government promised legal action on the exorbitant costs
0:53:04 > 0:53:09of school uniform. When will the Minister keep her promise?We have
0:53:09 > 0:53:13got clear guidance to schools that school uniforms need to be
0:53:13 > 0:53:17affordable. She is absolutely right this is an important area and it is
0:53:17 > 0:53:21a cost many parents worry about so I can assure her that it is one that
0:53:21 > 0:53:26is on our agenda to make further progress on.New housing
0:53:26 > 0:53:30developments are coming on stream very quickly in my constituency but
0:53:30 > 0:53:33the necessary infrastructure including school places must be in
0:53:33 > 0:53:37place to support the growth. Can my Right Honourable friend assure me
0:53:37 > 0:53:40that the new funding formula will help to address that and ensure that
0:53:40 > 0:53:44that is the case?Under this formula, of course, money will
0:53:44 > 0:53:50follow the child and will be flexed in case they have additional needs.
0:53:50 > 0:53:53We then work hand-in-hand with local authorities to ensure there is the
0:53:53 > 0:53:58basic need capital funding available to make sure we keep up with school
0:53:58 > 0:54:04places. As I said, 735,000 new school places since 2010, this
0:54:04 > 0:54:09government is planning ahead and will continue to do that.It has
0:54:09 > 0:54:13been brought to my attention that some academy trusts are increasingly
0:54:13 > 0:54:15encouraging parents with children who have challenging behaviour to
0:54:15 > 0:54:21home educate them in order to avoid exclusion, however these parents are
0:54:21 > 0:54:25poorly supported in order to home educate. Is she aware of this trend
0:54:25 > 0:54:29and is she inclined to do something about it?I think she will welcome
0:54:29 > 0:54:33the fact that when we launched the race disparity audit results
0:54:33 > 0:54:36recently, one of the key parts of that was to announce a review into
0:54:36 > 0:54:39exclusions. Would you want to make sure they are dealt with effectively
0:54:39 > 0:54:44by schools, that is the Domagala side announcements to improve the
0:54:44 > 0:54:48quality of alternative provision. What steps are being taken to
0:54:48 > 0:54:53include marriage in relationships education?I think this is
0:54:53 > 0:54:56exceptionally important, we are trying at the heart of this to help
0:54:56 > 0:54:59young people understand how commitment and relationships are
0:54:59 > 0:55:05very much at the core of having a balanced life that enables people to
0:55:05 > 0:55:08be successful more generally. That is why we are looking to update
0:55:08 > 0:55:12guidance alongside the fact that the world they are becoming adults in is
0:55:12 > 0:55:15a much more difficult world and there are all sorts of challenges
0:55:15 > 0:55:18both in communities but critically online as well. There are lots of
0:55:18 > 0:55:23reasons for this.Mr Speaker, I recently met with headteachers
0:55:23 > 0:55:26across Hull told me that one way to mitigate against the real terms cuts
0:55:26 > 0:55:30in school funding would be to auto enrolled all pupils eligible for
0:55:30 > 0:55:34Pupil Premium when the family receive benefits. With the Secretary
0:55:34 > 0:55:38of State please explore ways that DWP could share data with the
0:55:38 > 0:55:42Department for Education to make this auto enrolment happen so that
0:55:42 > 0:55:45schools in Hull and other deprived areas of England and Wales received
0:55:45 > 0:55:49the additional funding they so desperately need?I take her point
0:55:49 > 0:55:53and of course, it is important that we work with schools and parents to
0:55:53 > 0:55:57make sure they are getting the benefits they are entitled to. I can
0:55:57 > 0:56:03assure her that work is under way in relation to making sure that we
0:56:03 > 0:56:06don't have children in schools underfunded compared to what they
0:56:06 > 0:56:11should be.Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg. Page 50 of the Conservative
0:56:11 > 0:56:17manifesto said we will replace the unfair inclusivity rules that
0:56:17 > 0:56:22prevent the establishment of new Roman Catholic schools, it didn't
0:56:22 > 0:56:24promise an interminable review. When will my Right Honourable friend
0:56:24 > 0:56:28implement Conservative policy?Thank you. I'm not sure whether my
0:56:28 > 0:56:32honourable friend responded to that review himself. We certainly did
0:56:32 > 0:56:35have a number of responses and we are looking through them carefully
0:56:35 > 0:56:40and I will update the House in due course.
0:56:40 > 0:56:43Universities were shocked when a member of the Government wrote to
0:56:43 > 0:56:46them seeking details of the professionals teaching Brexit
0:56:46 > 0:56:51related courses. Is the Secretary of State comfortable with this
0:56:51 > 0:56:56McCarnalingyite behaviour and it not, what will she do about it?
0:56:56 > 0:57:04McCarthy-ite.This letter was sent by an MP acting in the individual
0:57:04 > 0:57:08capacity. We have etrenched this further in law in the higher
0:57:08 > 0:57:16education and research act.Thank you Mr Speaker, under the new
0:57:16 > 0:57:19national funding formula, West Sussex schools are set to have an
0:57:19 > 0:57:24increase of 10. 7% in their funding, however the county has been
0:57:24 > 0:57:28historically one of the lowest funded. Are there any other measures
0:57:28 > 0:57:32that can be brought forward to ensure that historical underfunded
0:57:32 > 0:57:37can be righted.As he is setting out, the national funding formula
0:57:37 > 0:57:42aims to address that inequity that's been baked into our funding system
0:57:42 > 0:57:46for many, many, many years. Of course, alongside that, it sits
0:57:46 > 0:57:49alongside the pupil premium investment and work increasingly in
0:57:49 > 0:57:53schools to make sure that they operate in a way that maximises the
0:57:53 > 0:57:58amount of educational impact that they get for every single pound,
0:57:58 > 0:58:04that means a focus on efficiency. When I used to mark A-level
0:58:04 > 0:58:08economics scripts, a key concept to get the higher grades was knowing
0:58:08 > 0:58:12the difference between a real term increase and a cash increase. Why
0:58:12 > 0:58:16does the Secretary of State deliberately choose to set such a
0:58:16 > 0:58:20bad example to our students by deliberately muddying those two
0:58:20 > 0:58:27concepts.He might have marked those exams, but I ended up getting a
0:58:27 > 0:58:37first class comics degree at university. -- economics degree. I
0:58:37 > 0:58:41can tell him that the difference between the cash increases that were
0:58:41 > 0:58:44proposing under the national formula is the fact that under our approach
0:58:44 > 0:58:48schools will get a cash increase. Under Labour's approach they'd have
0:58:48 > 0:58:54had their cash absolutely frozen. THE SPEAKER:Honourable gentleman I
0:58:54 > 0:58:58always had him down as an academic, rather cerebral fellow, capable of
0:58:58 > 0:59:01statesman like behaviour, from which he seems to be departing this
0:59:01 > 0:59:06afternoon. Not to be repeated I fear.Mr Speaker, riders house
0:59:06 > 0:59:09primary school in my constituency recently opened a new teacher
0:59:09 > 0:59:15training facility. And it's in a fantastic wood cabin, but I wondered
0:59:15 > 0:59:20if my right honourable friend could update the House on what she's doing
0:59:20 > 0:59:23to promote teacher training opportunities and encourage more
0:59:23 > 0:59:29participation.I congratulate the school in my honourable friend's
0:59:29 > 0:59:33constituency. More than half of teachers now are trained through
0:59:33 > 0:59:36school led systems. It's giving more control to schools about the quality
0:59:36 > 0:59:40of the training that their teachers are receiving and it means they can
0:59:40 > 0:59:43go out and look for graduates and undergraduates to join their staff
0:59:43 > 0:59:53in the most effective way.The support our sixth formers funding
0:59:53 > 0:59:55impact assessment shows general sixth form education under real
0:59:55 > 1:00:01strain. Will the Secretary of State bearing in mind that a sixth former
1:00:01 > 1:00:07is funded at 4,500 per sixth former, compared with 5,700 for 11 to
1:00:07 > 1:00:1116-year-old, will the Secretary of State take the opportunity of the
1:00:11 > 1:00:19Budget to use last year's underspend to uplift funding by £200.We have
1:00:19 > 1:00:21maintained that rate across the course of this Spending Review and
1:00:21 > 1:00:25it's probably not for me to pre-empt what will be in the budget next
1:00:25 > 1:00:33week.Could the Secretary of State update the house on rot gross in
1:00:33 > 1:00:37introducing the T level in catering and hospitality which is eagerly
1:00:37 > 1:00:40anticipated by the tourists and hospitality sector, essential for
1:00:40 > 1:00:50providing the skilled staff they need for the future.T-levels long
1:00:50 > 1:00:55we have the first coming online in 2021 and 22 there will be more. I
1:00:55 > 1:00:59know there's a great deal of interest in that in particular from
1:00:59 > 1:01:05that sector.Can the Secretary of State confirm that 1. £1.5 billion
1:01:05 > 1:01:10has been taken out of school budgets since 2015 leading to a real terms
1:01:10 > 1:01:14cut in per pupil funding contrary to what the Conservatives promised in
1:01:14 > 1:01:20their 2015 manifesto?There's never been more money flowing into our
1:01:20 > 1:01:27school system. It has risen year on year and over the next two years
1:01:27 > 1:01:31alone the schools budget will rise from £41 billion a year to over £43
1:01:31 > 1:01:38billion a year.Last Friday, I held the Wiltshire festival of
1:01:38 > 1:01:43engineering inspiring over 3,000 children and involving over 35
1:01:43 > 1:01:46businesses and organisations, which a Schools Minister kindly attended,
1:01:46 > 1:01:50highlighting that Wiltshire really is a hub of engineering. Will the
1:01:50 > 1:01:54minister confirm that the new career strategy will encourage a better
1:01:54 > 1:01:59link between schools and businesses and prioritise those sectors with
1:01:59 > 1:02:05severe skills shortages?It was a real pleasure to join my honourable
1:02:05 > 1:02:08friend at the careers, at the engineering fair. I have to pay
1:02:08 > 1:02:14tribute to her for creating such a wonderful occasion. Thousands of
1:02:14 > 1:02:18pupils from year seven, year six, eight and nine attended that
1:02:18 > 1:02:22function. They will be inspired to take up stem careers. Now A-level
1:02:22 > 1:02:29maths is a single most A-level choice for the fourth year in a row.
1:02:29 > 1:02:33The Secretary of State has made a lot today about extra money going to
1:02:33 > 1:02:38schools and classrooms. Of course, in Stoke-on-Trent, as was alouded to
1:02:38 > 1:02:40by my friend, the City Council run by the Conservatives and
1:02:40 > 1:02:44independence are trying to claw back 3 million of the £4 million
1:02:44 > 1:02:47additional money. Could the Secretary of State confirm she will
1:02:47 > 1:02:52meet with us so we can work together to make sure that money destined for
1:02:52 > 1:02:57our classrooms and children actually gets there?We have put some clear
1:02:57 > 1:03:02cut rules around to what extent councils are able to switch money
1:03:02 > 1:03:06between those key funds and indeed there is a potential for them to be
1:03:06 > 1:03:12to go beyond that, but they would need to make an exceptional case.
1:03:12 > 1:03:19The Secretary of State will be aware that the sports academy does great
1:03:19 > 1:03:23work for myself and the member for to the necessary but are hampered by
1:03:23 > 1:03:27buildings from the 40s. Will she agree to meet and discuss this how
1:03:27 > 1:03:31to deal with old build figuresI'm sure either I or the Schools
1:03:31 > 1:03:36Minister will be very happy to meet him on that.Thank you Mr Speaker.
1:03:36 > 1:03:4250% of schools and colleges, including Huddersfield new college
1:03:42 > 1:03:46in my constituency, have dropped modern foreign language subjects
1:03:46 > 1:03:50from their subject choices, citing fundings as a reason. May I ask what
1:03:50 > 1:03:55the Secretary of State is doing to reverse this trend?The honourable
1:03:55 > 1:04:00lady raises a very real concern. It's why the EBAC is such an
1:04:00 > 1:04:02important measure for schools. Because of the decision by the last
1:04:02 > 1:04:07Labour Government to end the compulsion at key stage four, we had
1:04:07 > 1:04:11seen a significant drop in foreign languages, but under this Government
1:04:11 > 1:04:15it has risen from 40% taking a modern foreign language to 47%, but
1:04:15 > 1:04:26we need to go further. Thank you Mr Speaker. Contact with
1:04:26 > 1:04:28nature can provide tremendous spin-offs for school children in
1:04:28 > 1:04:32terms of mental and physical health. Could the Secretary of State give
1:04:32 > 1:04:36some indication as to whether any formal assessment has been done into
1:04:36 > 1:04:42projects like the forest schools project? And whether she might be
1:04:42 > 1:04:49inclined to encourage green learning in our schools?Well Mr Speaker, I
1:04:49 > 1:04:54do think this is important actually. I am, as well as being an economist,
1:04:54 > 1:04:58a keen gardener. I think it's important for our children to be
1:04:58 > 1:05:02learning about the environment around them, not just why it matters
1:05:02 > 1:05:05but also how to take care of it. We will, of course, talk to her about
1:05:05 > 1:05:10what we can do more.