Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Kemi Badenoch

Monday 9th September 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Badenoch]

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for raising this case in her constituency. Yes, that is something that we should be able to do for her.

[Ruth Smeeth (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab)]

The Minister has just referred to a report which is currently under way, and which relates to children’s social services rather than the high-needs budget. The cuts proposed by Stoke-on-Trent City Council will cost every secondary school £100,000 and every primary school £50,000. That is money we cannot afford to spend. Will the Minister undertake to accept the request from my neighbour and hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central (Gareth Snell), and convene a meeting of headteachers before the Secretary of State signs off a deal?

[Mrs Badenoch]

We are aware that local authorities are facing significant pressures. That is why we are making an additional investment of more than £700 million, which will help them to manage those pressures next year. The Department has been looking at this matter, and we will be in touch with Stoke-on-Trent in due course to decide on the best possible actions to be taken in the future.