Live Debate: Commons Chamber

Q6. What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of powers to intervene where local authorities are not meeting statutory SEND duties. (907315)

Chris Law question. >> Who's the winner? >> Mr. speaker, where a council does not meet its end duties, the does not meet its end duties, the department will take action that prioritise children's needs and support. Rapid improvement, support and challenge offered is based on what works and send learnings and expertise from independent chairs. Send advisers and send Send advisers and send commissioners. Effectiveness of actions taken will be assessed by Ofsted. Monitoring, inspections and robust monitoring by the department.

14:53

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Chris Ward.

14:53

Chris Bloore MP (Redditch, Labour)

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She knows Worcestershire County Council has repeatedly failed children and families with special educational needs and disabilities. educational needs and disabilities. Many parents report persistent failures to meet statutory duties and experiences of being dismissed or gaslit, causing prolonged or gaslit, causing prolonged distress to families already under extreme pressure. Can the Minister assure me and families in Redditch, assure me and families in Redditch, that as part of the schools White Paper, she will be looking at how we can properly hold local authorities to account and where authorities to account and where there is failure, drive swift improvement.

14:53

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Minister Mr. speaker, I thank the my hon. Friend for raising this issue and I've travelled around the country talking to parents and country talking to parents and sadly, the story that they've set out in their constituency is one that we hear in too many communities, parents who are having to battle for support. We want to ensure that the voices of children and their parents are at the heart of reform. We want a system that is based on partnership and collaboration, but we know that has to be underpinned by robust accountability.

In the meantime, we'll continue to work closely with Ofsted to ensure that performance is monitored and where where it drops that we're taking action.

14:54

Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP (North East Cambridgeshire, Conservative)

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Steve Barclay. of the 11th of January, she said that the much needed special educational needs school, Lyme Academy, in March, could proceed if the Lib Dem County Council responds by the 27th of February to say that it's a priority, could you just confirm from the Dispatch Box that funding will be allocated for that priority school? If the local authority run by the Lib Dems confirms its desire to do so to the government.

14:55

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Minister. >> Mr Speaker, we've set out that the the that that special school can continue. In most cases, we've can continue. In most cases, we've given a choice to local authorities whether they want to to build a special school or to come forward with places which would be fully funded. So we can follow up with a letter. But our intention is to provide that support. And that's why we've written to.

14:55

Q8. What assessment she has made of the potential impact of flu vaccination levels on rates of school absence in autumn 2025. (907317)

Doctor Beccy Cooper. >> Mr. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Flu arrived earlier than usual this year with increases first seen in year with increases first seen in children and young people. Despite the flu vaccination programme in schools getting off to a strong start in autumn, with 4 million children vaccinated by early January, an improvement on last year's figures. Attendance levels year's figures. Attendance levels have been impacted and the data does show high illness related absence.

14:55

Olivia Bailey MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities) (Reading West and Mid Berkshire, Labour)

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Beccy Cooper.

14:55

Dr Beccy Cooper MP (Worthing West, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Minister for her response. As flu circulating children normally starts before adults and protection for the vaccine lasts much longer in children, the children's programme should be underway across schools as early as possible from September the 1st in my constituency of Worthing West. Some schools are vaccinating children in the final weeks before Christmas this year. Last year. Sorry. Would the Minister therefore undertake to work with the Department of Health to review timeliness of flu vaccines in all schools and to ensure that they are given as early as possible in the upcoming 2627 winter season?

14:56

Olivia Bailey MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities) (Reading West and Mid Berkshire, Labour)

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Hendon can I thank my hon. Friend for her question and for her hard work for the people of Worthing West? I agree with her entirely about the importance of schools starting the vaccination programme as early as possible, and want to reassure her that the department is working closely with our colleagues at health, so that next year we can get underway as quickly as possible in as many schools as possible.

14:56

Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)

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Jim Shannon Mr. Minister very much for that answer? Minister, in Northern Ireland, there's only a 52% uptake in flu vaccinations. Two reasons for that. vaccinations. Two reasons for that. Number one, parents want to be sure that it's OK and safe for their children firstly. But secondly, the schools sometimes showed reluctance to actually let it happen. Can I ask the Minister, which share the policy that the hon. Lady has outlined just now with the relevant Minister, Paul Givan, in Northern Ireland, ensure that we can do better in Northern Ireland? Thank you Minister.

14:57

Olivia Bailey MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities) (Reading West and Mid Berkshire, Labour)

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I thank the hon. Member for his question and he'll be pleased to question and he'll be pleased to know that I will actually be meeting with the member he mentions later this week on a visit to Northern Ireland. Are happy to discuss this matter with him.

14:57

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, The Secretary of State for Education (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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Laurence Turner I'm pleased, Mr. Speaker. >> Mr Speaker. In 2010, the Tories scrapped the School Support Staff Negotiating Body in Labour's first 100 days in government. We 100 days in government. We legislated to bring it back with the Employment Rights Act now passed. We expect the SSSNB to start operating later this year. On this side of the House, we value the vital role that support staff play. They deserve a voice at the table and under Labour they will get one.

14:57

Laurence Turner MP (Birmingham Northfield, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to draw attention to my entry in to draw attention to my entry in the Register of Interests in my chair Shipley, the GMB parliamentary Group. Mr. speaker, the School Support Staff Negotiating Body established under Labour's landmark Employment Rights Act, will make a real difference for more than 1600 people in my constituency who have been undervalued and denied decent wages and terms and conditions for too long. Can the Secretary of State, who has been a determined champion of this policy, update the House on what progress has been made to establish the SSSNB in recent months, and on when my constituents can expect to receive published information from her department on what this policy will mean for them.

14:58

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, The Secretary of State for Education (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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Mr. speaker, can I start by thanking my hon. Friend for all of thanking my hon. Friend for all of his work to make the SSSNB a reality, both before he came to this place and in his time here. He is a real champion of working people. We will publish our consultation response in the spring, confirming which staff are in scope and what it means for them. We are also developing wider guidance for employees and for employers to be shared before the SSSNB starts operating, and we expect outcomes to come into effect from April 2027.

14:58

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Gregory Stafford question. >> Number ten. Mr. speaker. >> The Minister. >> Mr. Speaker, this autumn Budget made clear that future special made clear that future special educational needs and disabilities funding will be managed as part of overall government departmental expenditure. We subsequently set out new investment, including 3 billion into creating 50,000 new specialist places and 200 million into send training for education staff.

14:59

Gregory Stafford MP (Farnham and Bordon, Conservative)

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Gregory Stafford. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In Surrey, the high needs block deficit is forecast to rise to 165 deficit is forecast to rise to 165 million by 2027 and although conservative run Surrey County Council has earmarked 144 million in reserves to ease that pressure, that cannot be a long term solution. So can the Minister confirm whether and when Surrey's safety valve agreement will be extended?

14:59

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Mr. Mr. speaker, we recognise that the size of deficits that councils are accruing while the statutory override is in place, may statutory override is in place, may not be manageable with local resources alone. We will be setting out more information in the local government settlement this year.

15:00

Peter Swallow MP (Bracknell, Labour)

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Peter Swallow. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank my hon. Friend for visiting my constituency last, last year and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for education, for visiting. Last week. She came to see a expanded school nursery at Uplands Primary in Sandhurst, and she also took the opportunity to speak to some fantastic and hard working teachers and heard their concerns about the level of of send need and the need for more support. So can I welcome the announcement of £200 million extra funding for Send training? This is going to be vitally important for teachers who need that extra support.

15:00

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Minister. >> Minister. >> Mr. speaker, I was delighted to visit my hon. Friend's constituency and see some brilliant work and see some brilliant work happening, including a new sand resource base, which meant that children were being educated in their community who would have their community who would have otherwise had to travel miles. And as the hon. Member set out, I heard from teachers who who wanted to put in more support but didn't always have the tools. So I am delighted that we are able to invest in teacher training that will support teachers in his constituency and around the country.

15:01

Iqbal Mohamed MP (Dewsbury and Batley, Independent)

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Iqbal Mohamed thank. >> You. >> Mr. Speaker. >> In Kirklees, where my constituency of Dewsbury and Batley sits, three quarters of the Hcp's sits, three quarters of the Hcp's took more than 20 weeks with 46% taking over one year, six and a taking over one year, six and a half times higher than the 2024 national average of 7.3. So what is steps the Secretary of State taking to ensure timely access to legally entitled support for children with SEND needs in Kirklees?

15:01

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Minister you're welcome. >> Minister you're welcome. >> Mr. Speaker. As I've set out, we've heard that too many families around the country are having to around the country are having to fight for and wait for support. It's not acceptable and that's why we're bringing forward the we're bringing forward the investment in early intervention that we've already talked about today. The 3 billion into specialist places, the 200 million into teacher training, the best start hubs. But we know more needs to be done.

That's why we're having a national conversation about send reforms.

15:02

Chris Vince MP (Harlow, Labour )

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Chris Vince. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >> I know the Minister hasn't been to Harlow yet. Families in Harlow to Harlow yet. Families in Harlow have completely lost faith in the send system that we inherited. I don't think it's too far a stretch don't think it's too far a stretch to suggest that these parents are suffering from PTSD for battling to get support for their children. Can the Minister outline based around the specialist places? You mentioned a previous answer. What this government is doing to ensure we have a system that doesn't pit families and indeed education professionals against a system that is broken?

15:02

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Minister. Sorry. >> Mr. Speaker, an oversight that I will make sure is corrected as soon as possible. Well, I'm not sure that my right hon. My hon. Friend that my right hon. My hon. Friend has actually invited me to Harlow yet, so I know the Prime Minister has has been. But but I know look, I that the stories that you've that you've said and you've written. Sorry that my hon. Friend has written to me about these stories, and I've heard so many like this of parents fighting the system, completely exhausted, often having to give up their jobs in order to to fight for support for their children.

It's just not good enough that support needs to be available much earlier. We recognise that we're investing in it, and that is the basis of the reforms we'll be bringing forward.

15:03

Saqib Bhatti MP (Meriden and Solihull East, Conservative)

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The Minister Saqib Bhatti. >> Now, I. >> Note in her response to the hon. Friend for Farnham and Bordon, the Minister said the Budget gave much clarity, but the reality is the office for Budget Responsibility analysis highlighted a £6 billion funding gap. Now, I almost feel sorry for the education team because the Chancellor has backed them into an uncomfortable corner with their own backbenchers with nowhere to turn. But they do need to be honest with parents and teachers who rely on these provisions.

So again, we ask how are they intending to fill the £6 billion black hole hanging over the department? Will there be cuts to services or to schools?

15:04

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Hear, hear. Minister. >> Hear, hear. Minister. >> Mr. speaker, the Chancellor and the Secretary of State have been crystal clear that any remaining crystal clear that any remaining deficits will come from across government. The members opposite know this. They are spreading fear know this. They are spreading fear in parents. And as we have heard across this house, there is already enough fear about the system. And as I've travelled around the country, I have heard from so many families that have been failed, failed for years, failed under the hon.

Members government. That is the reality and if I was them, I would be coming to this chamber with an apology or with some answers. But we hear neither. We are acting. We are putting £3 billion into desperately needed specialist places. We are putting £200 million into teacher training, something that has been asked for across the house. We are. We've changed Ofsted. We are putting money into early intervention for children. We will back children and families around the country.

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Rachel Taylor. Question 11 please, Mr. Speaker.

15:05

Q11. What steps her Department is taking to help improve the governance of academy trusts. (907321)

>> Mid Cheshire. >> Mr. speaker, robust governance

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Mr. speaker, robust governance is crucial to achieving a strong school system, helping every child achieve and thrive. The department

15:05

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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achieve and thrive. The department has set out new guidance, which includes that Academy Trust Handbook, setting out core expectations and providing expectations and providing essential support to governors, trustees and governance professionals in fulfilling their strategic and statutory roles.

15:05

Rachel Taylor MP (North Warwickshire and Bedworth, Labour)

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Rachel Taylor. Financial mismanagement by the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership Trust has led to disputes with the National Education Union and National Education Union and currently strikes disrupting the learning of students across the West Midlands, including at the Coleshill School and Curdworth Primary School in my constituency. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that academy trusts are well managed and build positive relationships with staff, so that students and parents don't have to endure this disruption again?

15:06

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Minister. >> Mr. speaker, I'd like to thank my hon. Friend and colleagues who came to see me about this, this came to see me about this, this issue just a few weeks ago and the impact it's having on their community. And we continue to work with the trust. The work of multi-academy trusts are crucial for children and families and school staff, and it's right they're subject to transparent accountability. We are delivering our manifesto commitment by legislating to introduce Ofsted inspections of academy trusts and related intervention powers for the Secretary of State.

This will support strong governance across the sector, ensuring the interests of children always come first.

15:06

Sarah Dyke MP (Glastonbury and Somerton, Liberal Democrat)

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Sarah speaker pressures on schools to convert to academy trusts are considerable and widespread, but academy at all widespread, but academy at all costs is not always in everybody's interests. Some parents in Glastonbury and Somerton have told me they are concerned that where decision making is taken across a number of schools, performance could diminish as a result. So what steps is the Minister taking to monitor trusts and hold them accountable, especially where the school that has joined with an academy has failed to improve as a result.

15:07

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Mr. >> Mr. speaker, I've seen real benefits from collaboration in terms of saving money, sharing best practice to support children in practice to support children in their learning. But it is crucial, as I just set out, that there is strong accountability and we will be we are legislating to bring in inspections for multi-academy trusts to ensure that there is strong governance and accountability.

15:07

Q12. What recent progress she has made on publishing guidance for gender questioning children in schools. (907322)

Rosie Duffield thank you, Mr. Speaker. Question 12 please. >> Minister. >> Mr. speaker, the Department for

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Mr. speaker, the Department for education is currently reviewing the draft non-statutory guidance for Schools and Colleges on gender questioning children. Looking questioning children. Looking carefully at the consultation response, we are clear that children's wellbeing must be at the heart of this guidance.

15:07

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Rosie Duffield. that the guidance for schools would be published by the end of 2025, yet here we still are without that

15:08

Rosie Duffield MP (Canterbury, Independent)

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guidance anywhere to be seen. There's immense pressure on schools, colleges, children's homes and other settings to socially transition. Children, often irrespective of parents wishes, irrespective of parents wishes, with the obvious potential risks of long term psychological harm to the children involved, many of whom, children involved, many of whom, like Keira Bell and and some taking part in the upcoming puberty blockers trial, will simply go on blockers trial, will simply go on to change their minds over time. When can schools expect the guidance?

15:08

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Please, Minister. wellbeing of children and young people and it is critical that we get it right. Therefore, it is important that we consider the important that we consider the consultation responses and evidence carefully, alongside the views of stakeholders and the report of the Cass review, in order to get the guidance right for young people.

15:08

Saqib Bhatti MP (Meriden and Solihull East, Conservative)

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Shadow Minister Saqib Bhatti. >> Shadow Minister Saqib Bhatti. >> That was a really disappointing answer, Mr. Speaker. For months, they've been hiding behind the Cass Review, which was published over Review, which was published over two years ago. In April last year, the Education Secretary promised to publish the guidance by the end of the year to give schools and teachers much needed clarity on the sensitive issues. That deadline has been spectacularly missed and schools have been left in limbo, and they're figuring this out for themselves.

So I implore the ministerial team and the Secretary of State to put ideology aside and finally act to protect our children. Will they do that.

15:09

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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For this day? serious issue that requires deep for and we are working to ensure that we have listened to the consultation to experts to get this consultation to experts to get this right for children. And we make no apology for taking this decision carefully.

15:09

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, The Secretary of State for Education (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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Daniel Francis question 13. >> Mr. speaker, with permission, I will answer questions 13 and 14 together. The Department has announced at least £3 billion in announced at least £3 billion in high needs capital between 26, 27 and 2930 to support local authorities to deliver sufficient high quality school places for children and young people with Send. This will create provision within mainstream schools that can deliver more flexible support adapted to pupils needs.

15:10

Daniel Francis MP (Bexleyheath and Crayford, Labour)

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Daniel Francis can I draw >> Daniel Francis can I draw attention to the fact my wife's employed by a senco by our local authority? At the start of this school year, my local authority, school year, my local authority, London Borough of Bexley, rolled out a number of new resource provisions, adding an additional 122 places in mainstream schools. These are in addition to some fantastic established resource provisions, such as the one at Mayplace Primary School in Barnehurst. May I invite the Minister to visit the school to see how they're delivering high quality school places for children with SEND.

15:10

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, The Secretary of State for Education (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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Secretary of State. >> Secretary of State. >> My hon. Friend rightly identifies that there are pockets of brilliant provision right across our country and our schools. White our country and our schools. White paper will ensure that we spread that best practice and make it a reality for all children through reality for all children through that £3.3 billion of investment, we'll deliver 50,000 more specialist places for children with SEND to make sure that children get the education and the support that they need close to home.

It was wonderful to visit them just last year in primary and other school in his community, doing fantastic work, but I'd be delighted to go back and see some of the work underway to support children with SEND in other provision in his constituency. parents.

15:11

Jacob Collier MP (Burton and Uttoxeter, Labour)

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In Burton and Uttoxeter. >> County Council, their. >> Pleas for help are too often ignored, leaving children in ignored, leaving children in unsuitable settings or out of education altogether. Communication is extremely poor and too often meaningful. Action only comes at the point of crisis. Can the Secretary of State say what action she is taking to ensure that councils like Staffordshire Act earlier, and are properly held to account when they fail? Children with SEND Chris Kane.

15:11

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, The Secretary of State for Education (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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Mr. speaker, we are backing councils with extra investment councils with extra investment around capital and that is also true in Staffordshire. But we do need councils to work with us to need councils to work with us to create the provision that children desperately need. We are also strengthening accountability. We've heard time and again from parents heard time and again from parents that their voices are not heard, that change doesn't happen quickly. And that's why making inclusion a key area of Ofsted inspection for the very first time is central to building parents confidence.

But it would be remiss of me not to remind the House what reform have had to say around support for children with SEND and their parents. They've said that that this is about naughty children, bad parenting, a class of victim, just some of the language that they have chosen to use. I would invite reform members and others to go and speak to parents of children with SEND and understand just how desperate things have become and the change that is needed.

15:12

Greg Smith MP (Mid Buckinghamshire, Conservative)

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Greg Smith thank you, Mr. >> Greg Smith thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Secretary of State accept that cancelling an £18 million, purpose built 152 place send school in Buckinghamshire, due to open in 2028 and replacing it to open in 2028 and replacing it with just £8 million over three years, will inevitably increase reliance on high cost independent placements, worsen outcomes for children with the most acute needs in Buckinghamshire, and ultimately cost the taxpayer more, while failing some of the county's most vulnerable children.

15:13

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, The Secretary of State for Education (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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Mr. speaker, we are giving councils significant extra capital investment to create places and investment to create places and provision much more quickly than many of them would have been able to do. So we are offering most to do. So we are offering most local authorities a choice between continuing with their free school or accepting some alternative funding to deliver the same number of specialist places. Some projects without trusts appointed are, which had opening dates very, very far into the distance, would not have created the places we need as quickly as we need.

This is about bringing forward the places, giving parents confidence and making sure, as he correctly identifies, we should not be sending children far away from home. They should be able to go to a great local school with their friends, not travelling long distances in taxis.

15:13

Dr Ellie Chowns MP (North Herefordshire, Green Party)

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Doctor Ellie Chowns thank. >> Says. >> I agree that children should be able to go to an appropriate placement within decent reach of placement within decent reach of their home. My constituency of North Herefordshire is one of the most rural constituencies in England, and yet her department wrote to us to Herefordshire Council shortly before Christmas, cancelling plans for a school that would have provided specialist places for children with autistic spectrum disorder, replacing it with a grossly inadequate allocation of high needs funding, and has not progressed the rebuilding of Westfield School.

Will she visit my constituency to meet families of children with special educational needs and understand the specific needs in rural areas for those local, state funded positions?

15:14

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, The Secretary of State for Education (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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Mr. speaker, I'm sure my friend the Minister would be happy to meet with the hon. Lady to discuss the particular cases that she raises. I just would say we are investing more in support for local authorities, including through capital budgets. She will know that local authorities have until the 27th of February to tell us their decision, where it comes to whether they wish to proceed with projects, whether they intend to create the places in other ways. This is about bringing forward investment, making sure the places are created much more quickly than is the case right now.

And this runs alongside more investment into our schools through the high needs Budget and £200 million of extra investment for training. Again, sorely needed.

15:15

Saqib Bhatti MP (Meriden and Solihull East, Conservative)

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Shadow Minister Saqib Bhatti. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just say to the Secretary of State that example and the one from my hon. Friend for Buckinghamshire Mid Buckinghamshire illustrates perfectly the the spin that is being played out by the Labour government at this moment in time. That money, that £3 billion is short changing parents and children with special educational needs. The decision to schools was rolled out on, rolled out without scrutiny by being slipped out before the Christmas recess, axing 46 pre-schools and 18 special schools, with a further 59 in doubt.

Why did the Secretary of State cancel the much needed special schools and make life harder for families and children with SEND?

15:15

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, The Secretary of State for Education (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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So that is just simply not right. We are investing billions of pounds into creating much needed places for children with SEND. We did take for children with SEND. We did take the decision to not proceed with a number of mainstream projects, free school projects where we had determined that the places were no longer needed. These were projects that in some cases provided questionable value. We are making sure we're prioritising investment for children with SEND to create over 50,000 places so that children can go to school much closer to home.

But on this wider question, Mr. Speaker, around reform of the send system, I would just say to the hon. Gentleman to the right hon. Lady, they recognise, as I do, as members across the House do, that this is a huge challenge facing communities up and down our country. I will be delighted to work with them to make sure that we can get this right for children and young people. And yes, of course they will push us on certain areas. But I would like us to build a consensus to take this forward and to make sure that children get the support that they need.

spokesperson.

15:17

Munira Wilson MP (Twickenham, Liberal Democrat)

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Very much. Mr. speaker, shortly before Christmas, the Secretary of State announced to the media, rather than this House welcome capital investment in specialist provision for children with special educational needs and disability children for whom mainstream provision is simply not appropriate. However, digging into the small print, this included the forced cancellation of 18 free special schools and a further 59 put into jeopardy. Despite two thirds of state special schools being at or over capacity. Mr. speaker, with children being sent many miles away to privately run provision that's costing taxpayers eye watering sums in transport and fees, why didn't she give all local councils both the resources, but also the flexibility to decide whether they should go ahead with a special school in their area, because councils knows what is best for their families and their areas, not Whitehall.

Mr. speaker.

15:17

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, The Secretary of State for Education (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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We are giving councils a greater role in this process because we do role in this process because we do recognise that many will be able to create places much more quickly through a different way of allocating funding. And we do want children and young people to receive the support they need in their local school, not travelling long distances. Now, in some cases that can involve expanded provision within mainstream schools, specialist places, but within mainstream. But I also recognise the critical role that the specialist sector also plays for children whose needs can only be met within specialist provision.

That is why we have taken the approach around prioritising funding, and this runs hand in hand with much wider investment running through the system. And again, Mr. Speaker, I would say to the hon. Lady, she knows that I will work with her to make sure we get this reform right, to make sure that this is about children and their education right at the heart of all of it all.

15:18

Josh MacAlister MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Whitehaven and Workington, Labour)

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Question number 15, Mr. Speaker. Schools Bill. Will introduce a. Financial oversight. >> Scheme for. >> Children's social care. >> This will increase transparency of children's social care providers of children's social care providers so we can make accurate, real time assessments of financial risks so local authorities can step in and take swift action in the interests of children. Mr. speaker. Committee.

15:19

Sarah Olney MP (Richmond Park, Liberal Democrat)

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Of which I am a member, published its report. last Friday. Now, the report highlights this very little financial governance oversight for private companies that run 84% of children's homes in the UK. And given that the 15 largest private children's homes providers make average profits of 22% on an average charge per child per year of £318,000, what more can the government do to increase assurance that children's homes have appropriate financial and governance oversight?

15:19

Josh MacAlister MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Whitehaven and Workington, Labour)

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Mr. speaker, I welcome my hon. >> Mr. speaker, I welcome my hon. Friend's question and interest in this issue. The Nao report and the this issue. The Nao report and the Public Accounts Committee report into this as well. The children's social care issues looked at through the prism of profit making in children's homes, demonstrates how much radical reform we need for children's social care. That's why we're putting £2.4 billion into reset the system overall, so it intervenes earlier. We'll also be bringing forward plans very soon to set out an expansion of fostering.

That is in addition to measures in the bill that's going through the other place at the minute to introduce a financial oversight mechanism and a profit cap to address the issues that the hon. Member has mentioned.

15:20

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Cordoba. >> Mr. speaker, I thank my hon. Friend for her efforts in so brilliant, brilliantly representing the interests of visually impaired the interests of visually impaired young people and the time that she spent with me on this important topic. I'm delighted to be attending a round table this week that she's organised with the Royal National Institute of Blind People to hear the personal testimonies of young people. All schools have legal duties to make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils, and ensuring special schools cater to those with complex needs.

I'm really pleased that the teacher training announcement includes support for visually impaired children.

15:21

Marsha De Cordova MP (Battersea, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And can I also welcome the work that the Minister is doing? And I look forward to our round table meeting forward to our round table meeting shortly. Research by guidance has found that 69% of non-specialist teachers said they lack the confidence and the skills to support children disabled children, including children with visual impairments. So I welcome the government's new announcements on teacher training, which I know will include blind and partially sighted children. However, training alone is not enough.

So can the Minister set out what steps the government is taking to ensure schools and local authorities properly understand and implement their legal obligations on reasonable adjustments, so that blind and partially sighted children and disadvantage.

15:21

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Minister. improve inclusive practice in mainstream settings, including for sensory impairment, and I look forward to discussing what more we

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can do together later this week. Speaker. Blind and partially sighted children in the East Riding of children in the East Riding of Yorkshire receive the lowest funding through high needs block anywhere in the country. And yet in the settlement, the East Riding is going to receive the smallest increase in the country at just 2%, increase in the country at just 2%, with an average of over 6%. How can it possibly be justified that it possibly be justified that children in rural, coastal East Riding of Yorkshire, who are already the worst funded in the country, are going to see the gap country, are going to see the gap widen? Minister.

Please explain.

15:22

Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP (Beverley and Holderness, Conservative)

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Mr Speaker revenue funding for young people with complex standards increased by £1.8 billion since July 2024, bringing total high needs. Funding to well over 12 billion will be setting out more in the schools White paper around further schools White paper around further funding and and how that's distributed. Stephenson. Stephenson.

15:22

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Question number one, Mr. Speaker.

15:22

Topical questions: Education

support children with SEND and their families isn't working. Our schools white paper will deliver change that lasts informed by our

15:22

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, The Secretary of State for Education (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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change that lasts informed by our national conversation with parents, staff and experts. But critically, we're putting in place the foundations for change right now through £3 billion of investment to create tens of thousands of create tens of thousands of specialist send places, £200 million to deliver the most ambitious send training package in our history from early years through to college, from early years through to college, great local schools where every child can achieve and thrive needs met, parents involved, children thriving and support without a fight.

That's Labour's vision for a renewed send system.

15:23

Blake Stephenson MP (Mid Bedfordshire, Conservative)

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Blake Stephenson. government will support teachers to deliver financial education in the constituency of Mid Bedfordshire? But of course, right across the But of course, right across the country, will financial education form part of an initial teacher training?

15:23

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, The Secretary of State for Education (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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So I'm grateful to the hon. Gentleman's question. We, of course, are continuing to review initial teacher training, but we want to teacher training, but we want to make sure that children, through our curriculum review and the outcomes of that receive stronger financial education around around financial literacy, around budgeting and saving. There are some fantastic examples of schools that are already doing this well, but we want that to be a reality for all young people, and I'm grateful for his interest in this.

15:24

Lauren Edwards MP (Rochester and Strood, Labour)

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But thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is concern amongst the hospitality industry that the government is reviewing funding for government is reviewing funding for some important level three and level four apprenticeships, such as those used to train chefs. Now, hospitality is a key means by which we can tackle our Neet challenge. But to deliver positive long term change, we must have an apprenticeship system that allows young people to progress, not just give them a foot in the door. So may I urge the Minister to continue to support these apprenticeships, which should be a high priority for both our labour market and our economy.

15:24

Josh MacAlister MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Whitehaven and Workington, Labour)

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Minister. industry is hugely important. Nothing has been decided on defunding apprenticeships yet. I recognise all the points that my recognise all the points that my hon. Friend mentions and we share her ambition that the apprenticeship system in the future

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is entirely designed around progression as well as one off learning. So, Secretary of State Laura

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Trott. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a. Disgrace that a Jewish member of this House.

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this House. Had his visit to a. School cancelled. Following pressure. And intimidation from

15:25

Rt Hon Laura Trott MP (Sevenoaks, Conservative)

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>> And intimidation from pro-Palestinian protesters. This is abhorrent anti-Semitism. Over the abhorrent anti-Semitism. Over the weekend, the Secretary of State announced a welcome investigation into the trust alongside Ofsted action. She said and I quote that she would leave no stone unturned. So in this spirit, can I ask the right hon. Lady what she is doing to address the role of the new in trying to prevent the visit? Mr. speaker, let me update the House. I am crystal clear that schools must be a place of safety, and no MP should ever be stopped from doing their job.

But sadly, this is not the first concern about anti-Semitism in schools. And this alone is not the only challenge we

15:25

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, The Secretary of State for Education (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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face. We will leave no stone unturned. As she said, I've asked the trust to a commission, an independent investigation into what has happened. I'll be launching a review to ensure that all schools and colleges have the right systems and colleges have the right systems and processes in place. I will set out more in due course, Mr. Speaker, as to the shape of that. But we as to the shape of that. But we will, of course, consider any area in which anti-Semitism needs to be tackled.

I'd be happy to meet with the right hon. Lady to discuss this further, because this is an issue, Mr. Speaker, where it comes to tackling anti-Semitism, that we all of us are right across this House, must show leadership on Laura Trott. I'm grateful for the right hon.

15:26

Rt Hon Laura Trott MP (Sevenoaks, Conservative)

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Lady's words. The Bristol New publicly. Celebrated the. Cancellation of the visit. North East. >> Describing it as a. >> Win and. >> Boasting that it sent a clear message.

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message. Over the weekend, the head of the Anu claimed that the visit taking place and I quote at the taking place and I quote at the height of the genocide in Gaza, was a mitigating factor for excluding a British Jew from the school. This is inexcusable. I will very gladly meet the hon. Lady. Will she also back my call for the Ssrc to look into the new? And will she ask them to investigate this outrageous statements from them?

15:27

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, The Secretary of State for Education (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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So. >> Mr. Speaker. >> Teachers are. >> Under clear duties around political impartiality, and that is extremely important and extremely serious. But in parallel, Mr. Speaker, I have also been concerned as to some of what we have seen recently around the teaching regulation agency agencies approach. That's why I've asked the permanent Secretary to review what has happened there, and to make sure that we've got the right processes in place, because no one who glorifies terrorist organisations should be teaching our children.

Anti-Semitism has no place in our schools. We are investing more, Mr. Speaker, but there is always more to do, and I look forward to discussing it in more detail with the right hon.

15:27

Jon Pearce MP (High Peak, Labour)

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Lady Jon Pearce. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Towards the end of last year, I held my second High Peak Career Skills and Jobs Fair in Glossop. The event was Jobs Fair in Glossop. The event was a huge success. There was a real buzz around the opportunities on offer for local young people at companies like Street Cleaning, Chapel, Buxton Water and Swizzels in New Mills, all offering high quality apprenticeships. As I plan this year's jobs fairs. Will the Minister update the House on what

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more we can do to support businesses to offer fulfilling apprenticeships? One of us is going to sit down.

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One of us is going to sit down. It's not going to be me. Can I just try and help? I have a lot of members who all want to catch up. members who all want to catch up. This is topical, short and punchy. Questions and answers. We'll get a good example from the Minister.

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I'll compliment my hon. Friend's local leadership on the work he is doing in High Peak to support our

15:28

Josh MacAlister MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Whitehaven and Workington, Labour)

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doing in High Peak to support our ambition of 50,000 more young people into apprenticeships. We are expanding foundation apprenticeships, launching a £140 million pilot with mayors to better connect young people with local apprenticeships. And we're fully funding SMEs to deliver apprenticeships for eligible 16 to 24 year olds.

15:28

Munira Wilson MP (Twickenham, Liberal Democrat)

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Munira Wilson Liberal Democrats. The evidence is undeniable. Social media and addictive algorithms that feed it are harming our children's physical and mental health, physical and mental health, impacting their sleep and their concentration and behaviour at school with parents, children, themselves and teachers crying out for change and cross-party consensus growing on this issue. Will the Secretary of State work across government instead of launching a consultation to ban under 16 seconds from harmful social media through a film style age rating system, an approach to 42 children's charities and experts have said.

15:29

Olivia Bailey MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities) (Reading West and Mid Berkshire, Labour)

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Order, please. I'm trying to help your members and members all around the house. You're going to around the house. You're going to work with me? It's topicals. Please, Minister. >> I thank you for your question. We are always willing to work across the House on this critical issue, because nothing is more important than our children's safety. That's why we're taking safety. That's why we're taking world leading action on the Online Safety Act. And it's also why, as the Prime Minister was clear this week, no option is off the table when it comes to children and social media.

15:29

Sarah Owen MP (Luton North, Labour)

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Can I just say to you and point to others? I'm going to try and help everybody in this chamber. Sarah Owen. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Many schools with Sen provision like Beechwood Primary would benefit Beechwood Primary would benefit from a sensory room and more family workers, while staff at Woodlands School need more resources to School need more resources to enable staff to work safely and support students. Will the Minister commit to better resourcing for Send and join me in visiting one of our brilliant schools to see the difference that this funding could make?

15:30

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Mr. >> Mr. >> Mr. speaker, I thank my hon. Friend for a discussion about this Friend for a discussion about this recently. The £3 billion we're investing in schools is exactly for sensory rooms and other investments that make schools more accessible for young people. And I'd be delighted to to join her in a visit.

15:30

Charlie Dewhirst MP (Bridlington and The Wolds, Conservative)

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Charlie Dewhirst. of State and I have had a number of exchanges over the last 18 months in relation to the historic formula that leaves children with SEND in that leaves children with SEND in East Riding as the lowest funded in the country. Now, I am sure she can understand my frustration at the latest settlement that will latest settlement that will increase that inequality reflected, I think, by the fact that I'm the third Member of Parliament, third Member of Parliament for East Riding to raise this today.

So can she assure the House this is not the end of the matter? And will she meet with myself and East Riding colleagues to find a constructive way forward?

15:31

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, The Secretary of State for Education (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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Secretary of State I'm grateful to the hon. Gentleman. I would, of to the hon. Gentleman. I would, of course, be happy to arrange for a Minister to meet with the hon. Gentleman and colleagues. He will appreciate that changes in the appreciate that changes in the manner he describes will often take time to make sure that we get this right. It has been necessary to provide funding on the previous basis on which it was allocated because of the timelines available to us, but through the schools white paper, we are considering other options.

15:31

Mr Bayo Alaba MP (Southend East and Rochford, Labour)

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Bayo Alaba. close its Southend campus sent shockwaves through my city. Students deserve continuity of study and staff deserve job security. Can the Minister outline what steps have been taken by the government to secure an alternative provider for courses currently offered in Southend?

15:31

Josh MacAlister MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Whitehaven and Workington, Labour)

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Minister. >> Minister. >> I know that my hon. Friend has been leading efforts on this locally and I pay tribute to him for that. Government stands ready for that. Government stands ready to support local higher education institutions where these challenges are being presented. And of course, I'll extend that offer to continue supporting, as would my noble friend, the Minister for skills. We also have the office for students who have got responsibility to ensure that these transitions are managed carefully.

15:32

Carla Denyer MP (Bristol Central, Green Party)

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Carla Denyer. constituents who are worried that the updated guidance on relationship and sex education encourages, but doesn't actually encourages, but doesn't actually require, primary schools to teach about same sex relationships. So can the Secretary of State set out how she will ensure that all children learn, in an age appropriate way, about a diverse range of relationships. When this is left to schools discretion, especially given that the charity Just Like Us found that only 19% of LGBT parents say their child's school openly discusses diverse

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relationships. Mr. speaker, the new guidance

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Mr. speaker, the new guidance sets out inclusion for all children and recognising those relationships. As the hon. Member will know, it's

15:32

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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As the hon. Member will know, it's mandatory in secondary school and it's something that we're continuing to take forward. >> Jim Dickson thank you, Mr.

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Jim Dickson thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like many communities across the country in Dartford, there's a real need to improve there's a real need to improve access to places and spaces where people, especially children, can be physically active, including through play and sport. Could the Minister tell the House of any plans to increase use of facilities plans to increase use of facilities on school sites, including through enrichment and increased community access? And what role can the access? And what role can the forthcoming School Sport partnership play? Minister.

15:33

Jim Dickson MP (Dartford, Labour)

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Mr. speaker, we're committed to opening up access to school grounds and sports facilities. It's a key part of the school sports partnerships work that we're developing, and I look forward to continuing to work with my hon. continuing to work with my hon. Friend to develop this Sarah Green.

15:33

Georgia Gould MP, Minister of State (Education) (Queen's Park and Maida Vale, Labour)

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Thank you. complaints in children's social care was issued 20 years ago, and hasn't been updated since. Those working in the system say it's out of date and the Ombudsman echoes their concerns. Can the Minister their concerns. Can the Minister outline what steps the department has taken to make sure it is up to date? And would he meet with me to date? And would he meet with me to hear some of the concerns shared with me?

15:34

Sarah Green MP (Chesham and Amersham, Liberal Democrat)

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Mr. speaker, I share some of those concerns. This is an important issue. I have asked officials to meet the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman to better understand the issues of the current complaints process. I'd be very happy to meet the hon. Member. We will separately

15:34

Josh MacAlister MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Whitehaven and Workington, Labour)

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be publishing updated statutory guidance on advocacy services for children very soon, but the points raised by the hon. Member are important. Speaker the household income threshold for the maximum maintenance loan for students has maintenance loan for students has not changed since 2008. If the threshold is not increased by 2028, a single parent household working

15:34

a single parent household working full time for minimum wage, their child will not qualify for the full maintenance loan. What are we doing

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maintenance loan. What are we doing to end this scandal after 18 years and raise the quota? Minister. I thank my hon.

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Friend for raising this important point. The government are focussed on protecting support and increasing it for those who need it increasing it for those who need it the most. Mr. speaker, that's why we're increasing loans in line with inflation, reintroducing maintenance grants and crucially, maintenance grants and crucially, something I'm very proud of. The Secretary of State recently announced giving care experienced

15:35

Josh MacAlister MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Whitehaven and Workington, Labour)

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students automatic access to the full loan entitlement. >> Gareth Bacon a year ago, the.

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Gareth Bacon a year ago, the. Statutory free speech complaint scheme from the Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act, according to a letter published in the Sunday Times, from 370 academics, including three Nobel Prize winners, this is totally negated the whole this is totally negated the whole point of the act. Thus, imperilling freedom of speech on university campuses. When is the Secretary of campuses. When is the Secretary of State going to do something to correct this mistake?

15:35

Gareth Bacon MP (Orpington, Conservative)

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Thursday. committed to freedom of speech and academic freedom. It was a Labour government that in first enshrined government that in first enshrined freedom of expression into law through the Human Rights Act. I can't comment on what might or might not be considered for future legislation, but I will act, Mr. Speaker, to protect freedom of speech and academic freedom. And we speech and academic freedom. And we are considering considering options.

15:36

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, The Secretary of State for Education (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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Luke Charters Mr Speaker. term after they turned nine months old, meaning that in practice, some children are actually 13 months before they get the funding. Thank you to Mr. P and my constituent, Julie Brearley, for raising this. Will the Minister meet with me to see if we can fix this injustice?

15:36

Mr Luke Charters MP (York Outer, Labour)

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Minister. delighted to meet with my friend and his constituent should he wish, as he knows, our record expansion of childcare means that more than 400,000 children benefited from additional childcare this September, and working families are saving up and working families are saving up to 7500 pounds per year. I appreciate the concern he describes, but Termly deadlines enable local but Termly deadlines enable local authorities and childcare providers to better plan and ensure efficient early years. Places are available. early years.

Places are available.

15:36

Olivia Bailey MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities) (Reading West and Mid Berkshire, Labour)

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Then Caroline Dinenage. schools are harming behaviour, concentration and outcomes, but leaving it up to headteachers is just driving inconsistencies. Only 11% of senior schools have an effective mobile phone ban. Will effective mobile phone ban. Will the Secretary of State publish an assessment of the impact of a statutory ban of smartphones in schools?

15:37

Dame Caroline Dinenage MP (Gosport, Conservative)

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The Minister. and government guidance is completely clear that mobile phones have absolutely no place in schools at any point throughout the day. And obviously, we continue to look closely to ensure that that is being enforced properly across the country. country.

15:37

Olivia Bailey MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities) (Reading West and Mid Berkshire, Labour)

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Tulip Siddiq Secretary of State will know about the horrific sexual abuse case in one of my local nurseries. So could I ask the Secretary of State would she introduce mandatory CCTV in nurseries so that we can use it as nurseries so that we can use it as a safeguarding tool?

15:37

Tulip Siddiq MP (Hampstead and Highgate, Labour)

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Minister.

15:37

Olivia Bailey MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities) (Reading West and Mid Berkshire, Labour)

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I thank my hon. Friend for her advocacy for her constituents in what has been an absolutely appalling case, and my thoughts appalling case, and my thoughts remain with all of the children and families who have been affected. The safety of our children comes first, Mr. Speaker, so we are considering the mandatory use of CCTV in early years settings through our review, which we are getting underway rapidly.

15:38

Rt Hon Liz Saville Roberts MP (Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Plaid Cymru)

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Liz Saville-Roberts victims of convicted paedophile Neil Foden, convicted paedophile Neil Foden, the former headmaster of a school, Friars are furious that he is still in receipt of his pension even though he is in prison. The forfeiture panel has met. They have come to a conclusion. When will that conclusion be published? As to whether he continues to receive that pension?

15:38

Laura Kyrke-Smith MP (Aylesbury, Labour)

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Mr. speaker, I expect that to >> Mr. speaker, I expect that to happen very, very rapidly. >> Laura Kyrke-Smith last question. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Alex

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Alex Foster, a 17 year old from Aylesbury, has shared his experience as a social media with me. He says thankfully, I was one me. He says thankfully, I was one of the very few who had my phone checked by my parents. But my friends told stories of watching beheadings, terrorist material, explicit photos of them being shared. So does the Minister agree? We must go further to protect and educate young people in online harms.

15:38

Olivia Bailey MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities) (Reading West and Mid Berkshire, Labour)

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Minister. question and for her advocacy on behalf of her constituents. I agree with her that nothing is more important than the safety of our children. We are already taking world leading action with the Online Safety Act, and we have been very clear that nothing is off the table when it comes to the safety

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table when it comes to the safety of our children. Right. Well, let the frontbench We We now We now come We now come to We now come to the urgent question. Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if she will make a statement on the planned changes to business rates for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. Minister.

15:39

Rt Hon Sir Mel Stride MP (Central Devon, Conservative)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues will have heard what the Prime Minister and the Chancellor have said on this matter in recent days. I am not going to add further comments on the specifics at this question, and when there are further comments to be made, I'm sure they'll be made Mr Speaker in the usual way. At the Budget, the government announced a comprehensive set of reforms to

15:39

Dan Tomlinson MP, The Exchequer Secretary (Chipping Barnet, Labour)

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business rates. We have created a new sustainable system with permanently lower multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses. Business rates are in line with the usual timelines line with the usual timelines revalued every three years and new valuations, which were set in train by the previous government, come by the previous government, come into effect in April of this year. It was right, Mr. Speaker, to support businesses during Covid. support businesses during Covid. However, the previous government went into the election with plans to scrap the temporary support entirely in 2025 and if they had won re-election, they would have removed it overnight in April of last year.

If the opposition had. If the opposition had intended to extend the relief, then why did they not say so? And why was it not included in their forecasts or projections? We on this side of the House, Mr. Speaker, have chosen a different path. We extended the support at a lower rate in 2025, 26, and are slowly unwinding it over the coming three years with the help of £4.3 billion of transitional support. I think all members can agree that it is not sustainable to have a £1.7 billion annual temporary Covid tax relief to still remain fully in place at the end of the decade at the same time.

Mr. speaker, our reforms to rebalance the underlying glad that someone is enjoying them at the same time. Mr. speaker, our reforms to rebalance the underlying design of the business rate system towards high street businesses will be implemented in April. These new lower tax rates for businesses will be introduced for 750,000 businesses, funded by a higher rate on the most valuable properties, including online giants. This is worth almost £1 billion and means that smaller high street businesses will have a tax rate 25% lower than for businesses with the largest properties.

This has been supported by significant support package, as I said, worth £4.3 billion over the next three years. As a result, Mr. Speaker, over half of ratepayers will see their bills either flat or falling next year and around a third of properties pay no business rates at all as they receive 100% small business rates relief. I look forward to supplementary questions from the shadow Chancellor and other members, and I look forward to seeing whether the Shadow Chancellor can keep a straight face, given he knows that his government never did enough for our high streets.

7000 pubs were closed over the 14 years that they were in power. Shops were shuttered on high streets up and down the country. Council services that keep our high streets clean and vibrant were cut to the bone. Investment was down and the public suffered from the longest squeeze on living standards on record. That is the legacy for our communities, and it is one that we are turning around.

15:42

Rt Hon Sir Mel Stride MP (Central Devon, Conservative)

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Sir Mel Stride. Mr. speaker, that was a complete non response. The Minister says that he will make The Minister says that he will make a statement in the future in the usual way. We can only assume that that will be via the media and not this House. Mr. speaker, of all the excuses for a U-turn that we've had from this government, this one simply beggars belief. The Minister expects us to accept that the government simply did not know what the impact of these changes would have been when they announced them.

That is astonishing. So could I ask the Minister why did they announce crippling rises in business rates without bothering to check who would be hit the hardest? But worse still, Mr. Speaker, we now know from the chief executive of the Valuation Office Agency, who appeared before the Select committee last week, that Ministers were provided with the data on revaluation before the Budget. So we are left with questions not only about whether the government's excuse is reasonable, but also about whether it is indeed correct.

So can the Minister clarify what specific information was given to Ministers on the level of increases that businesses would be facing, and when? Mr. speaker, businesses are now in a terrible limbo over what their bills will look like over the coming years. The government has indicated that a change is to be announced for pubs at least, but there has been no official statement on this and that is why this afternoon we have had to drag this Minister before the House. So could the Minister answer the following additional questions? Can he at least make clear which sectors will be in line for further support? Will it be just pubs? And if so, why is the government refusing to help the wider retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, some of whom are seeing even higher increases in their rates? Will the new support be temporary or a permanent cut in bills, as we have called for? How much will it cost and will this be funded by yet more government borrowing? And will he apologise now to the thousands of local businesses up and down our country, who have been so sorely government?

15:45

Dan Tomlinson MP, The Exchequer Secretary (Chipping Barnet, Labour)

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The. Yeah. >> The. Yeah. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. He said that I was dragged to the house. Very, very much not the case. I'm Very, very much not the case. I'm very happy to take questions from the shadow Chancellor and from

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members opposite and on and on. Government benches. Can I just help the Minister a

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Can I just help the Minister a little bit? I did grant a UQ for this to happen. It wouldn't have happened if I hadn't granted it, so

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happened if I hadn't granted it, so I'm not quite sure the two are compatible. Minister. Mr. speaker, I fully respect

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Mr. speaker, I fully respect your decision to grant Urgent Question. It was. It was, it was. They don't need any help from

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over here. It was the specific use of the word dragged, Mr. Speaker, that I did take some objection to, which doesn't which doesn't have any comment on your decision to to bring a question. Mr. speaker, in answer to some of the questions raised by the shadow Chancellor, the key thing on the valuations is that we are implementing the revaluation that his government set in train. Treasury Ministers holding a similar role to me many a good few years ago. It's put in place the the process for the revaluation that are coming in place from April 2026.

Those are set on property values from 2024. And yes, there is an unwind from the pandemic in terms of increases in businesses, property, property values as a result of businesses recovering from the pandemic. And we were aware, yes, of of the impact of that valuation. And we were aware of the fact that there were the previous government, Mr. speaker, didn't have any plans whatsoever to extend the temporary pandemic support. We extended it for one year, and then we over the course of the next three years, are phasing it out with the support of £4.3 billion of of decisions from the government through our transitional relief scheme.

I'm not going to comment on speculation, Mr. Speaker. In this place and now. But what I will say, he refers to borrowing over the course of this Parliament, we're going to see the fastest reduction in borrowing of any G7 economy. Borrowing is set to fall in every single year of the forecast. Borrowing is set to fall in every single year of the forecast. Because of the decisions that the Chancellor made at the Budget, we have doubled our headroom against our fiscal rules, and we're seeing a warm response from private sector investors and the markets to as a result of the decisions that this government has taken.

15:47

Dame Meg Hillier MP (Hackney South and Shoreditch, Labour )

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Chair of the Select Committee, Dame Meg Hillier. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. constituency. are. >> Seeing eye watering increases in business rates and we know from the Valuation Office Agency, which gave evidence to the select committee last week, that the formula that was used is the same formula that's been used for 20 years. So it should have been no surprise that this was going to happen. Yet. We learned in that meeting, as the shadow Chancellor said, that there are over 2000 pubs with a doubling of their business rates.

This government came in with a mission to transform business rates. The government inherited a partway through valuation cycle, but regardless of what may or may not happen to the hospitality sector, where are the plans for reform of

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