Northern Powerhouse: Early Years Attainment

Debate between Baroness Evans of Bowes Park and Baroness Rawlings

Tuesday 22nd December 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

I entirely agree with the noble Lord, which is why we focus very much on improving the quality of the early years workforce and why we are focusing resources through the early years pupil premium, which was introduced in April 2015. The pupil premium for secondary schools was of course a coalition achievement. Focusing resources on the most deprived is extremely important, and we will continue to do that.

[Baroness Rawlings (Con)]

My Lords, will the Government relocate any public bodies to the north—that is, to the northern powerhouse—a bit like the BBC moved up to Salford?

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

I am afraid I am not entirely sure on that point. However, we will be establishing a network of industry-led national colleges, which will be operational from September 2017. They will include the National College for Onshore Oil and Gas, which will be headquartered in Blackpool, the National College for Nuclear, which will have one of its hubs in Cumbria, and the National College for High Speed Rail, which will be based in Doncaster, so we will certainly be encouraging organisations to move to and develop in the north.

Education: Politics A-level

Debate between Baroness Evans of Bowes Park and Baroness Rawlings

Tuesday 22nd December 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

We certainly consider citizenship education important and will continue it within schools. But we believe that the revised content for A-levels and AS-levels that has been undertaken will ensure that the key elements of citizenship A-level will continue to be taught within different A-levels.

[Baroness Rawlings (Con)]

My Lords, will the Government encourage more learning of foreign languages, which is so important in life and to international politics?

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

Yes, we certainly do want to encourage the use of modern languages. We live in an ever-global world, and the more that young people and people heading into the workplace can speak foreign languages, the better their prospects in the economy.