Debates between Bridget Phillipson and Kirsty Blackman during the 2024 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Bridget Phillipson and Kirsty Blackman
Wednesday 18th December 2024

(1 week ago)

Commons Chamber
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Bridget Phillipson Portrait Bridget Phillipson
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I do not know which Bill the hon. Lady has been reading, but it is not the Bill that we presented to the House yesterday. I am determined to drive high and rising standards right across our schools system. She might be satisfied that one in four disadvantaged children leave primary school without reaching a good standard in English and maths, but I am not happy about that. Nor am I happy about the fact that one in five children are persistently absent from school and that we inherited a special educational needs and disabilities system in crisis. We will turn that around, and deliver better life chances for all our children.

Kirsty Blackman Portrait Kirsty Blackman (Aberdeen North) (SNP)
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Low-earning women are far less likely to have sufficient private pensions than their male counterparts. Is that why the Secretary of State decided that governmental responsibility ends when working age ends?

Bridget Phillipson Portrait Bridget Phillipson
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The hon. Lady raises an important point about some of the differences in pensions. I am more than happy to pick that up with the relevant Minister to ensure that she receives a full response.