Contributions
1,367 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Higher Education ReformMy hon. Friend brings real experience on these matters to the House. He will know it is important that the independent regulator retains the autonomy to act, but we will work with…04 Nov 2024HANSARD Higher Education ReformI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. For many young people, the chance to go to university is a long-term investment in their future prospects, which offers not just the chance to…04 Nov 2024HANSARD Higher Education ReformGoing to university is often a long-term investment in someone’s earning potential and career opportunities, but the chance to study is also good in and of itself. That means that…04 Nov 2024HANSARD Higher Education ReformI would be delighted to visit and meet my hon. Friend and other colleagues in neighbouring constituencies to discuss the approach that has been taken there. She made the wider…04 Nov 2024HANSARD Higher Education ReformI agree. My hon. Friend will recognise that over many years we heard the Conservatives doing down young people’s ambitions to go on and study. Like me, he will have heard…04 Nov 2024HANSARD Higher Education ReformThat is my expectation. Excessive and wasteful spend in universities needs to be reined in. There must be a much greater push for efficiency. As a Government, we have made the…04 Nov 2024HANSARD Higher Education ReformI agree very strongly. It is crucial that our university sector does more to open up opportunities, including to working-class young people and those who do not have a family…04 Nov 2024HANSARDTeaching Assistants and Support StaffSchool support staff are crucial to ensuring that we give children the best possible life chances. That is why we are reinstating the school support staff negotiating body, the…04 Nov 2024HANSARDTeaching Assistants and Support StaffMy hon. Friend can be assured that the school support staff negotiating body will be tasked with establishing a national terms and conditions handbook, training, career…04 Nov 2024HANSARDChildcare AvailabilityThe early years are my No. 1 priority as Education Secretary. We will deliver a sea change in early years education to give parents better work choices and children better life…04 Nov 2024HANSARDChildcare AvailabilityIt is undoubtedly a challenge to deliver the roll-out, but we are determined to do it because it is so important for parents and for children’s life chances. We intend to reform…04 Nov 2024HANSARDChildcare AvailabilityMy hon. Friend is right. As the roll-out continues, we will shortly reach a situation in which 80% of childcare is Government-backed. It is therefore right that in those…04 Nov 2024HANSARDChildcare AvailabilityI welcome the right hon. Lady to her place: it is the best job in opposition, just as mine is the best job in government. I am sure that whatever disagreements we might have in…04 Nov 2024HANSARDChildcare AvailabilityAs was announced at the Budget, we expect to provide £8.1 billion for the early years entitlements in 2025-26, which is an increase of about 30% on the previous year. We will…04 Nov 2024HANSARDChildcare AvailabilityI agree that it is important we get the balance right. That is why the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade are looking carefully, as part of…04 Nov 2024HANSARDTeaching Assistants and Support StaffThe hon. Lady is right to raise that. Our teaching assistants in particular have a crucial role to play in supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities.…04 Nov 2024HANSARDTeaching Assistants and Support StaffI welcome the hon. Gentleman to his place. Schools and colleges will be compensated at a national level. I would, however, point out to him that when I became Secretary of State…04 Nov 2024HANSARDCurriculum and Assessment ReviewOur independent curriculum and assessment review was launched in July. It will support our ambition for high and rising standards for all, and for a broader curriculum with an…04 Nov 2024HANSARDCurriculum and Assessment ReviewI am grateful to my hon. Friend for highlighting this important area, which has been raised by many Members in the past. I am sure the review will carefully consider what…04 Nov 2024HANSARDCurriculum and Assessment ReviewI rather fear that the hon. Gentleman and his party have learned nothing from the massive defeat inflicted upon them by voters in July. I can assure this House that the review…04 Nov 2024