0:00:11 > 0:00:13Hello and welcome to Monday in Parliament,
0:00:13 > 0:00:17the main news from Westminster.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19The Health Secretary urges the British Medical Association
0:00:19 > 0:00:21to call off the strike by junior doctors
0:00:21 > 0:00:23for the sake of patients.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27It would be an absolute tragedy for the NHS if something goes wrong
0:00:27 > 0:00:29in the next couple of days, and they have a duty
0:00:29 > 0:00:34to make sure it doesn't.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Labour says history won't be kind to the Health Secretary.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38Tomorrow's strike is one of the saddest days
0:00:38 > 0:00:43in the history of the NHS, and the saddest thing
0:00:43 > 0:00:48is that the person sitting opposite me could have prevented it.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Also on the programme...
0:00:50 > 0:00:53As BHS goes into administration,
0:00:53 > 0:00:55MPs raise concerns about the conduct of Sir Philip Green.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59It appears that this owner has extracted
0:00:59 > 0:01:01hundreds of millions of pounds from the business and walked away
0:01:01 > 0:01:03to his favourite tax haven,
0:01:03 > 0:01:06leaving the pensions protection scheme to pick up the bill!
0:01:06 > 0:01:09And will there be a U-turn on academies?
0:01:09 > 0:01:14The Education Secretary isn't giving anything away.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16The point about academies and academisation is that they are
0:01:16 > 0:01:20the vehicle for schools to innovate and to make best use of the freedom
0:01:20 > 0:01:24to drive up standards, do the right things for their children.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28But first, the row between the Department of Health
0:01:28 > 0:01:31and the British Medical Association over new contracts for
0:01:31 > 0:01:33junior doctors has been debated in the Commons on many occasions
0:01:33 > 0:01:38over the last few months.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40But this time, the exchanges were more biting and emotive than ever.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44Up until now, strike action by junior doctors has been confined
0:01:44 > 0:01:46to non-emergency care, such as routine operations.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49But now, the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, told MPs the BMA
0:01:49 > 0:01:52has called on junior doctors to withdraw emergency care
0:01:52 > 0:01:55for the first time ever.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59I wish to appeal directly to all junior doctors not
0:01:59 > 0:02:04to withdraw emergency cover, which creates particular risks
0:02:04 > 0:02:09for A, maternity units and intensive care units.
0:02:09 > 0:02:15He said he understood that some doctors may disagree
0:02:15 > 0:02:16with plans for a seven-day NHS
0:02:16 > 0:02:18and with the introduction of a new contract.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20I also understand that doctors work incredibly hard,
0:02:20 > 0:02:23including at weekends, and that strong feelings exist
0:02:23 > 0:02:25on the single remaining disagreement of substance -
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Saturday premium pay.
0:02:28 > 0:02:34But the new contract offers junior doctors,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37who work frequently at weekends, more Saturday premium pay
0:02:37 > 0:02:40than nurses, paramedics and the assistants who work
0:02:40 > 0:02:43in their own operating theatres.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46More than police officers, more than firefighters and nearly
0:02:46 > 0:02:49every other worker in the public and private sectors.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54The impact of the next two days will be unprecedented,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57with over 110,000 outpatient appointments and over
0:02:57 > 0:03:0312,500 operations cancelled.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06However, the NHS has made exhaustive preparations in order to try
0:03:06 > 0:03:11to make sure patients remain safe.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14He said every trust had plans in place and there would be
0:03:14 > 0:03:16a strike page on the NHS website, which would provide as much
0:03:16 > 0:03:22information as possible about alternatives to local hospital care.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Over the weekend, Labour initiated a cross-party plan for
0:03:25 > 0:03:26the new NHS contract to be piloted.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30The Health Secretary rejected the idea.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34Tomorrow's strike is one of the saddest days in the history
0:03:34 > 0:03:38of the NHS, and the saddest thing is that the person
0:03:38 > 0:03:42sat opposite me could have prevented it.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Yesterday...
0:03:45 > 0:03:49Yesterday, the Health Secretary was presented presented
0:03:49 > 0:03:51Yesterday, the Health Secretary was presented with a genuine
0:03:51 > 0:03:55and constructive cross-party proposal to pilot the contract.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00This would have enabled him to make progress towards his manifesto
0:04:00 > 0:04:04commitment on seven-day services and, crucially,
0:04:04 > 0:04:08could have potentially averted this week's strike.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Any responsible Health Secretary would have grasped that
0:04:10 > 0:04:15opportunity immediately, or at least considered it
0:04:15 > 0:04:22and discussed it. But not this one!
0:04:22 > 0:04:27Yesterday morning, he tweeted, "Labour plan is opportunism."
0:04:27 > 0:04:31That was a deeply disappointing and irresponsible response.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35She said Jeremy Hunt would try and blame Labour.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38The truth is, it is his actions, and his actions alone,
0:04:38 > 0:04:41that can stop this strike!
0:04:41 > 0:04:42Not me!
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Not the Labour Party!
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Him!
0:04:47 > 0:04:56If he ploughs on, then I warn him know that history will not
0:04:57 > 0:04:58be kind to him.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01It will show that, when faced with a compromise,
0:05:01 > 0:05:03the Health Secretary chose a fight.
0:05:03 > 0:05:08When presented with a way out, this Health Secretary chose to dig in.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10And that, when asked to put patients first,
0:05:10 > 0:05:12this Health Secretary chose strikes!
0:05:12 > 0:05:14And she said NHS staff had lost trust in the Health Secretary.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18He can barely show his face in a hospital, because he ends up
0:05:18 > 0:05:23being chased down the road!
0:05:23 > 0:05:26This is a deeply, deeply sad day for the NHS
0:05:26 > 0:05:35and, even at this 11th hour, I urge him to find a way out.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38Mr Speaker, the Shadow Health Secretary can
0:05:38 > 0:05:44do better than that. She talked...
0:05:44 > 0:05:51She...she talked... She talked about the judgments...
0:05:51 > 0:05:54She talked about the judgments that I have made as Health Secretary.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59Well, I'll tell her a judgment issue.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02It's whether or not you back a union that's is withdrawing life-saving
0:06:02 > 0:06:04care from your own constituents!
0:06:04 > 0:06:11Health Secretaries should stand up for their constituents,
0:06:11 > 0:06:13for their patients, and, if she won't, I will.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15There are only losers in this bitter dispute,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18but those who have the most to lose are patients and their families.
0:06:18 > 0:06:24Tomorrow, there will be people visiting hospitals to see
0:06:24 > 0:06:28the people they care about more than anything in the world,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31and they will be asking themselves why the doctors on the picket
0:06:31 > 0:06:33line are not inside looking after the people they love.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36So can I ask the BMA directly whether they will show dignity,
0:06:36 > 0:06:45put patients first and draw back from this dangerous escalation?
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Whatever their differences with me, whatever their
0:06:47 > 0:06:49differences with the government, to think about patients.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53It would be an absolute tragedy for the NHS if something goes wrong
0:06:53 > 0:06:56in the next couple of days, and they have a duty
0:06:56 > 0:06:57to make sure that it doesn't.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01When the Secretary of State came into the chamber today, I don't know
0:07:01 > 0:07:04whether he realises it or not, but there is a smirk and arrogance
0:07:04 > 0:07:07about him that almost betrays the fact that he's delighted
0:07:07 > 0:07:12in taking part in this activity!
0:07:12 > 0:07:19He could start negotiations today, wipe that smirk off his face, get
0:07:19 > 0:07:24down to some serious negotiations!
0:07:24 > 0:07:29It's had to be done in the past, but instead, he comes
0:07:29 > 0:07:31into here to try and blame the opposition
0:07:31 > 0:07:35for what's taking place!
0:07:35 > 0:07:39The Health Secretary said that contribution from Dennis Skinner
0:07:39 > 0:07:41was not worthy of him, and he said the Government
0:07:41 > 0:07:44had been talking to the BMA for over three years.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Now, for 88 years, the retailer BHS has been a mainstay of high streets
0:07:48 > 0:07:50up and down the country.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52But the company has been put into administration
0:07:52 > 0:07:55and 11,000 jobs are at stake.
0:07:55 > 1:20:33The Business Minister came to the Commons to make a statement
1:20:33 > 1:20:33about the future of BHS and to answer MPs' questions.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The administrators are looking to sell BHS as a going concern.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33If this proves not to be possible, then the government will
1:20:33 > 1:20:33obviously stand ready to offer its assistance,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33including through Jobcentre Plus rapid response service,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33to help people move into new jobs as quickly as possible.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Now, there's been a lot of comment and speculation
1:20:33 > 1:20:33about British Home Stores' pension scheme and it is a fact
1:20:33 > 1:20:33that the pension regulator is investigating a number
1:20:33 > 1:20:33of concerns and indeed allegations.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The Shadow Minister was concerned about the conduct of the previous
1:20:33 > 1:20:33owner of BHS, Sir Philip Green.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33When Sir Philip bought BHS, the pension fund had
1:20:33 > 1:20:33a surplus of over ?5 million, and it remained in the black
1:20:33 > 1:20:33as late as 2008, yet, when he got rid of the business,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33he had turned this into a deficit of hundreds of millions of pounds,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33and the pension fund now reportedly has a black hole of ?571 million.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33If the worst happens, the liability will be covered
1:20:33 > 1:20:33by the pension protection scheme, as the Minister indicated,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33and BHS staff will get only 90% of the pension they've worked
1:20:33 > 1:20:33so hard for and saved for.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33But Philip Green seems to have got much more out of BHS for himself
1:20:33 > 1:20:33and his family than that.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33BHS staff and the public will understandably want to know
1:20:33 > 1:20:33whether the former owner, who took so many millions of pounds
1:20:33 > 1:20:33out of the business, will have to pay his fair share
1:20:33 > 1:20:33of the liabilities which accrued during his stewardship.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33We know that Sir Philip is such a vocal supporter
1:20:33 > 1:20:33of the Conservative Party that, in 2010, the Prime Minister
1:20:33 > 1:20:33asked him to conduct a review of the Cabinet Office,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33of how to slash government spending.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33What he appears to have done with BHS is to extract huge value
1:20:33 > 1:20:33from the business before walking away and leaving all the liabilities
1:20:33 > 1:20:33to others, including the public purse.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Well, I have to say that my concern is for the workers of BHS,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33and indeed those creditors, notably the small businesses.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33And I really do find it most peculiar, but perhaps not
1:20:33 > 1:20:33unexpected, that the Honourable Lady should turn this into some
1:20:33 > 1:20:33party political game!
1:20:33 > 1:20:33I think this is way above all of that.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33I could say this, that it is perhaps unfortunate that the party opposite
1:20:33 > 1:20:33decided to vote against our very moderate but very important
1:20:33 > 1:20:33proposals on Sunday trading, where there was clear evidence that
1:20:33 > 1:20:33that would actually have helped the retail sector.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Perhaps if they had done that, they might have a little
1:20:33 > 1:20:33bit more credibility, when they now decide to turn this,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33this very unfortunate situation in BHS.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33This is not a political football to be kicked around
1:20:33 > 1:20:33by the opposition!
1:20:33 > 1:20:33In some respects, the predicament of BHS is a reflection mode
1:20:33 > 1:20:33In some respects, the predicament of BHS is a reflection more
1:20:33 > 1:20:33of the UK Government's failure to stimulate economic
1:20:33 > 1:20:33recovery and confidence of people across these isles,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33than Sunday trading, and I am shocked and surprised
1:20:33 > 1:20:33that the Minister, in one breath, tells the party opposite not
1:20:33 > 1:20:33to political point score and, in the second, makes a political
1:20:33 > 1:20:33point scoring herself!
1:20:33 > 1:20:33I would agree with some of the concerns that have been
1:20:33 > 1:20:33expressed on the other side of the House, and I do hope
1:20:33 > 1:20:33that the department will undertake an urgent enquiry as to the conduct
1:20:33 > 1:20:33of the erstwhile and indeed the current owners of BHS
1:20:33 > 1:20:33in this regard.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Because it does seem appalling that the pension protection fund
1:20:33 > 1:20:33is being abused in this way, and I don't suspect that BHS
1:20:33 > 1:20:33is the only company in this particular position.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Will the Minister consider changing companies legislation to ensure
1:20:33 > 1:20:33that, in terms of directors' duties, former owners can simply walk
1:20:33 > 1:20:33away from any fall out, having taken the fast buck,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33and that substantial long-term value creation
1:20:33 > 1:20:33is prioritised in company law over short-term value extraction.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33I think that what's going on with British Home Stores should
1:20:33 > 1:20:33ring alarm bells with the Minister.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33When Hull-based Comet went into administration in 2012,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33there were 7000 redundancies and the taxpayers ended up
1:20:33 > 1:20:33paying up to ?100 million in redundancy costs.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33And, at that point, Comet had been owned for a year by a private equity
1:20:33 > 1:20:33firm who had bought it for ?1, but made about ?75 million
1:20:33 > 1:20:33worth of debt, loading the company with debt,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33from which they received huge interest payments
1:20:33 > 1:20:33before walking off.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The government commissioned a report into what happened with Comet,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33but they've never published it and I think it's about time that
1:20:33 > 1:20:33actually that report was published and we could see the similarities
1:20:33 > 1:20:33here with what's happened with BHS is whether there
1:20:33 > 1:20:33here with what's happened with BHS and whether there
1:20:33 > 1:20:33are lessons to be learnt.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Now, there's been an impassioned debate in the Commons over
1:20:33 > 1:20:33whether the UK should be giving refuge to unaccompanied Syrian
1:20:33 > 1:20:33children who are already in the EU.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The Lords passed an amendment to the Immigration Bill,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33requiring the Government to accept 3,000 child refugees.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The Government said it wanted to overturn the amendment.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33We judge that the best way to make a difference, and to help
1:20:33 > 1:20:33the greatest numbers of those in need, is to support the majority
1:20:33 > 1:20:33of refugees to enable them to stay safely in their home region,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33which is why I make the point that I do in respect of
1:20:33 > 1:20:33the aid and assistance.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33But where people have made that journey to Europe,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33that we support European partners to fulfil their duties.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The Minister's point was effectively that the children who are alone
1:20:33 > 1:20:33in Greece now are Greece's problem.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33But in fact, Save the Children have said that there are 2000 children
1:20:33 > 1:20:33alone in northern Greece, child refugees alone in northern
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Greece, and less than 500 places, child shelter places,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33for them and those are full.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33So what does he really want those children to do,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33when they are sleeping rough?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33When they are being targeted by traffickers by smuggling gangs
1:20:33 > 1:20:33When they are being targeted by traffickers, by smuggling gangs
1:20:33 > 1:20:33and subject to abuse?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33When I was in Calais at Easter, I was told by aid workers
1:20:33 > 1:20:33there that, because of the British government's refusal to take
1:20:33 > 1:20:33children from northern France, children are being trafficked
1:20:33 > 1:20:33into the United Kingdom and are attempting unsafe journeys
1:20:33 > 1:20:33by jumping onto or under lorries into the United Kingdom.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33These children are already in Europe,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33They are alone, far from their families.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33They are cold, frightened, hungry, frequently without help or access
1:20:33 > 1:20:33to those who might help or protect them.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Their lives are miserable, brutish and at least half of them
1:20:33 > 1:20:33we know have experienced or seen violence which we can only dream
1:20:33 > 1:20:33of in our nightmares, or rather hope that we don't.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33It's the something that I can and will do by joining
1:20:33 > 1:20:33the Right Honourable Member
1:20:33 > 1:20:33for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33and the Honourable and Learned Member
1:20:33 > 1:20:33for Holborn and St Pancras
1:20:33 > 1:20:33in the opposition lobby this evening.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33This is not an easy decision, or one which I've taken lightly,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33but it's the right decision, made of a conviction
1:20:33 > 1:20:33which I've reached, having searched my conscience,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33as I pray other Honourable and Right Honourable
1:20:33 > 1:20:33members will search theirs.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The House should support the Lords and their amendment and vote
1:20:33 > 1:20:33against this motion to disagree.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33But in the end, in a vote, the Lords amendment
1:20:33 > 1:20:33was rejected by the Commons.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33You're watching Monday in Parliament,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33with me Kristiina Cooper.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33on
1:20:33 > 1:20:33this
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The Labour par on this ty
1:20:33 > 1:20:33and the SNP have
1:20:33 > 1:20:33accused the Government of delaying
1:20:33 > 1:20:33plans to have eight Royal Navy frigates built at the Clyde
1:20:33 > 1:20:33shipyard in Glasgow.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The GMB union, which representing staff at the BAE sites, says that
1:20:33 > 1:20:33redundancies are on the cards.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33But a Defence Minister maintained that "nothing had changed"
1:20:33 > 1:20:33since the Government published the strategic defence and security
1:20:33 > 1:20:33review last year.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33I understand the strong interest in the timing of the award of
1:20:33 > 1:20:33the contract to build type 26 combat ships.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33I also understand reports of delays create anxiety but let me assure the
1:20:33 > 1:20:33shipyard workers on the Clyde, this government remains committed to the
1:20:33 > 1:20:33type 26 programme and to assembling ships on the Clyde
1:20:33 > 1:20:33and is working closely with
1:20:33 > 1:20:33BAE Systems to take the type 26 programme forward, ensuring it is
1:20:33 > 1:20:33progressed on a sustainable and stable footing.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33He was summoned to the Commons
1:20:33 > 1:20:33following a request for an urgent statement from Labour.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Can the Minister please answer a simple question?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Will construction begin this year in line
1:20:33 > 1:20:33with previous commitments?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The Minister has said he claims that
1:20:33 > 1:20:33the new frigates will proceed but the SDSR says nothing about the
1:20:33 > 1:20:33timetable.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The timetable is vitally important.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The unions are being told there could be delays up to a year.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Is the Minister saying this is not the case?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Does he also deny claims made by the unions that the start has
1:20:33 > 1:20:33already been delayed?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Has nothing changed?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33If so why is it that BAE Systems have not denied press
1:20:33 > 1:20:33reports there will be redundancies at the shipyard.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Why are the unions being told there will be
1:20:33 > 1:20:33redundancies if that is not the case?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33I think the honourable lady is
1:20:33 > 1:20:33seeking to make a position over a routine meeting between BAE
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Systems and the trade unions which took
1:20:33 > 1:20:33place last week which happened to come nearly two weeks ahead
1:20:33 > 1:20:33of a general election for the Scottish Parliament
1:20:33 > 1:20:33and she is trying to make party political capital out of that fact.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33In relation to her specific questions.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Will construction begin this year?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The contract last month for a further ?472 million
1:20:33 > 1:20:33which takes our contract on this programme
1:20:33 > 1:20:33up to ?1.6 billion.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33That pays for equipment for
1:20:33 > 1:20:33the first three vessels, long lead items and short testing facilities.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The programme remains therefore on track.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The SNP has been campaigning on this issue too.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33I'm sure those watching will be disappointed that this
1:20:33 > 1:20:33question so quickly descended into a Tory, Labour bunfight.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Earlier today Scotland's First Minister met with
1:20:33 > 1:20:33the unions and BAE and they expressed
1:20:33 > 1:20:33their great concern that the
1:20:33 > 1:20:33government was set to renege on the promises they made,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33along with the Labour party, before
1:20:33 > 1:20:33the independence referendum that there would be a steady stream of
1:20:33 > 1:20:33work coming to the yards on the Clyde, guaranteed employment.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Just three years ago the Prime Minister
1:20:33 > 1:20:33said and I quote, Scottish defence jobs are more secure as part
1:20:33 > 1:20:33of the United Kingdom.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Given that, could the Minister confirm to us
1:20:33 > 1:20:33today there will be no redundancies at BAE Systems in Glasgow and will
1:20:33 > 1:20:33he confirm that the Ministry of Defence will stick to the timeline
1:20:33 > 1:20:33that has been agreed and set out?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33What I can confirm is that had the independence vote gone the way
1:20:33 > 1:20:33that he and his colleagues would have
1:20:33 > 1:20:33liked, there would have been no warships built on the Clyde because
1:20:33 > 1:20:33the United Kingdom government would not
1:20:33 > 1:20:33have chosen to do so.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33We made that very clear.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The Education Secretary Nicky Morgan was also feeling the heat as MPs
1:20:33 > 1:20:33questioned her over plans to force all schools in England
1:20:33 > 1:20:33to become academies.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Many state secondaries have already made the change but concerns have
1:20:33 > 1:20:33been raised about the impact of the policy on primary schools -
1:20:33 > 1:20:33particularly those in rural areas with small numbers of pupils.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33It's been reported that Nicky Morgan,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33is considering a U-turn - allowing the best performing
1:20:33 > 1:20:33councils to run their own academy chains.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33But when the subject came up at question time,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33the Education Secretary wasn't giving anything away.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Converting to academies is improving the education
1:20:33 > 1:20:33for children up and down the country.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33It is absolutely right we
1:20:33 > 1:20:33make this opportunity available to all children.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Concerns have been expressed about the impact on small
1:20:33 > 1:20:33schools, especially in a place like Cornwall where we have
1:20:33 > 1:20:33many small schools.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Has she considered one of the ways to
1:20:33 > 1:20:33address these concerns would be allowing local councils to be
1:20:33 > 1:20:33involved in the running of the academy trusts?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Can I thank him very much indeed.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33We published a white paper.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The point of having a white paper is to make sure we are talking about
1:20:33 > 1:20:33members of the House and local authorities.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Like him, I want all young people to have the best
1:20:33 > 1:20:33possible start in life.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33We know academies make a difference.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33We know small schools are improved by being
1:20:33 > 1:20:33pooled together, including the 15 schools in Cornwall.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33I look forward to continuing my conversation with him.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The Secretary of State has intimated that good local authorities can
1:20:33 > 1:20:33form academy trusts.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Ironically this would give local authorities more
1:20:33 > 1:20:33responsibility for running schools than they have now.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Something the prime minister suggested was holding
1:20:33 > 1:20:33schools back.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Why is such costly upheaval necessary for outstanding
1:20:33 > 1:20:33schools in good local authorities?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Is it not time for her to smell the coffee and shelve her plans for
1:20:33 > 1:20:33forced academisation?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33He perhaps knows I am a caffeine addict but he misses the
1:20:33 > 1:20:33point which is that good schools have much
1:20:33 > 1:20:33to offer the whole of the rest of the education system.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33What we're seeing now in schools across
1:20:33 > 1:20:33the country is collaboration and partnership in clusters of schools
1:20:33 > 1:20:33and we want to see that continue across the system.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33We know the best people to run the schools are their
1:20:33 > 1:20:33heads and professionals.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The Labour party never talks about the pupils.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33It is always about vested interest.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Does he agree with me that a good argument
1:20:33 > 1:20:33for academisation is
1:20:33 > 1:20:33to get schools out of the control of loony left
1:20:33 > 1:20:33councils like Brighton and
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Hove which is seeking gender assignment of four-year-olds?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33I thank him for that question.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The point about academies is they are a vehicle for
1:20:33 > 1:20:33schools to innovate and make best use of freedom to drive up
1:20:33 > 1:20:33standards, to do the right thing for their children.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33That often doesn't happen under local authority
1:20:33 > 1:20:33control.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Some Conservatives raised concerns about the role of parent governors
1:20:33 > 1:20:33if schools convert to academies.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33I am extremely fortunate to have many parents in my
1:20:33 > 1:20:33constituency who engage with local schools but many have approached me
1:20:33 > 1:20:33recently because they have been concerned that their voice
1:20:33 > 1:20:33and influence may be diminished by academies.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Can she assure me this is not the case?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Involving parents in governance and listening
1:20:33 > 1:20:33to the views of parents
1:20:33 > 1:20:33are not necessarily the same thing which is why I want to see Academy
1:20:33 > 1:20:33boards appointing parents for their experience and to engage
1:20:33 > 1:20:33parents meaningfully and represent their views
1:20:33 > 1:20:33to governing bodies.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33What steps is she taking to ensure that time, focus,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33energy and morale are not lost while the white paper is
1:20:33 > 1:20:33discussed so teachers continue to do what they do best, inspire young
1:20:33 > 1:20:33people and children?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33We have set out the fact there will be six years
1:20:33 > 1:20:33before schools become academies in 2022.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Teachers should be doing more teaching in the classrooms.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33The people who will be driving the process will be the heads and
1:20:33 > 1:20:33governors of that school.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33At question-time - in a more relaxed moment -
1:20:33 > 1:20:33the Education Secretary had a chance to enthuse about a production
1:20:33 > 1:20:33of Merchant of Venice she had seen at a primary school to mark
1:20:33 > 1:20:33the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Over in the Lords, the Bard was providing inspiration too.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Peers were discussing the future of regional museums -
1:20:33 > 1:20:33one of the subjects raised in the Culture white paper -
1:20:33 > 1:20:33published last month.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33My Lords, decisions on changes to regional museums service
1:20:33 > 1:20:33provision are for those who run them.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33However we fully appreciate regional museums are
1:20:33 > 1:20:33important with the local communities and economies.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33This information is not collated centrally but we have
1:20:33 > 1:20:33asked the Arts Council to provide what information
1:20:33 > 1:20:33they currently have on Museum
1:20:33 > 1:20:33closures and will consider the challenges facing local museums
1:20:33 > 1:20:33more fully in the museums review announced in
1:20:33 > 1:20:33the Cultural white paper.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33My Lords, in this 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare,
1:20:33 > 1:20:33it is highly fitting we have a white paper graced with a quotation
1:20:33 > 1:20:33from Love's Labour's Lost, slightly obscure one but it's there.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33It raised two questions in my mind.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Which Shakespearean character does the Minister remind you of?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Was it when he was younger, shaking his
1:20:33 > 1:20:33mane of golden locks around, the fair youth of early sonnets.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Or is it Ariel or Puck to successive ministers?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Why does the government in the white paper persist in praising local
1:20:33 > 1:20:33museums for the contribution they can make to economic
1:20:33 > 1:20:33growth, education and well-being when the reality is ?1
1:20:33 > 1:20:33billion worth of cuts and regional Museum closures, up to 45 so far?
1:20:33 > 1:20:33My Lords, I think the noble Lord Stevenson knows
1:20:33 > 1:20:33his Shakespeare perhaps better than I do.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33I would not like to put myself forward as any of the characters he
1:20:33 > 1:20:33mentions.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33He draws attention to the Cultural white paper which is of
1:20:33 > 1:20:33course very important.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33We are setting out our intention to increase participation of young
1:20:33 > 1:20:33people and children, especially from
1:20:33 > 1:20:33disadvantaged backgrounds.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33As far as the museums are concerned, we will be
1:20:33 > 1:20:33looking at the review and looking at the roles of government, the Arts
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Council and Heritage lottery funding as well as directly funded museums.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33And that obscure quotation from Love's Labour's Lost
1:20:33 > 1:20:33in the Culture white paper is all about how books
1:20:33 > 1:20:33and the arts nourish the world.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Well, that's it from Monday in Parliament.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33Keith Macdougall will be here for the rest of the week.
1:20:33 > 1:20:33But from me, Kristiina Cooper, goodbye!