Contributions
1,367 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTeacher Recruitment and RetentionI join my hon. Friend in praising the amazing teachers and support staff in his constituency and across our country for the vital work that they do. I want to ensure not only that…09 Dec 2024HANSARDTeacher Recruitment and RetentionMy hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the challenges that we face in particular parts of the country, and there are no greater champions of Portsmouth than her and the…09 Dec 2024HANSARDTeacher Recruitment and RetentionAs the first step towards our opportunity mission, we have begun the critical work of recruiting 6,500 new expert teachers. We have fully funded a 5.5% pay award, begun Ofsted…09 Dec 2024HANSARDPrimary School Breakfast Clubs: ImpactThe hon. Lady is right to identify the importance of ensuring that all our children have healthy, balanced and nutritious diets, including at school. However, she will know that…09 Dec 2024HANSARDPrimary School Breakfast Clubs: ImpactAs I said, schools have until 20 December to apply to take part in the early adopters scheme. That is because we want to ensure that we establish the scheme, and understand the…09 Dec 2024HANSARDPrimary School Breakfast Clubs: ImpactI am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for the interest that I know—from his former roles—he takes in this issue. We are building on the existing programmes, expanding…09 Dec 2024HANSARDPrimary School Breakfast Clubs: ImpactI am grateful to my hon. Friend for the work that he is undertaking in making his local schools aware of the opportunities that breakfast clubs present. The early adopters scheme…09 Dec 2024HANSARDPrimary School Breakfast Clubs: ImpactBreakfast clubs break down barriers to opportunity so that children are ready to learn. They are proven to boost attendance, attainment, wellbeing and behaviour, and they also…09 Dec 2024HANSARDPrimary School Breakfast Clubs: ImpactI take the concerns of early years providers very seriously indeed, and we will set out in due course the funding rates and the approach that we are taking. The hon. Gentleman and…09 Dec 2024HANSARDSkills TrainingWe remain committed to reforming the failing apprenticeship levy and turning it into a growth and skills levy with up to 50% flexibility for employers, driving new opportunities…09 Dec 2024HANSARDSkills TrainingI am more than happy to look personally at the issue that the hon. Gentleman sets out, to ensure that we do more in this area. He will be aware that we have a review under way of…09 Dec 2024HANSARDSkills TrainingI agree that there are lots of job opportunities in the years to come in clean technology, green jobs and much more besides. That is why we have started work very quickly to begin…09 Dec 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsI do accept that academics should be free to express a wide range of views, and there will be views that people sometimes find challenging, but it also matters that we have…09 Dec 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsThis Government are absolutely committed to freedom of speech and academic freedom. We want to make sure that our universities are places of intellectual challenge and rigour,…09 Dec 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsI do recognise the challenge the hon. Lady sets out and the very real challenge the Government have inherited in the provision of places. Our approach of rolling out nursery space…09 Dec 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsI will always celebrate the fantastic work of our school leaders and teachers, because they are how we will drive high and rising standards across our school system. The hon.…09 Dec 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsAt the Budget, we set out an additional £300 million for further education. The hon. Lady will know that the Government are not responsible for and play no role in setting or…09 Dec 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend identifies a number of the challenges that we have inherited as a new Government. We are working as quickly as we can to address them. We want to ensure that…09 Dec 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Member is right that there are skills gaps in cyber, digital and tech overall. That is why Skills England will drive forward our work in addressing those skills gaps as…09 Dec 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe right hon. Gentleman will know that this is a complex area. It would not have been possible to make any changes to the funding formula this year, but we will look in the…09 Dec 2024