Schools: Funding

Debate between Baroness Laing of Elderslie and Baroness Smith of Malvern

Tuesday 25th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Laing of Elderslie]

To ask His Majesty’s Government how they propose to fund any increase in the numbers of children attending state-funded schools as a result of the decrease in the numbers of children attending private schools.

[The Minister of State, Department for Education, and the Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Smith of Malvern) (Lab)]

My Lords, private school pupil numbers remain firmly within historical patterns, with no evidence of excessive pressure on the state system. We are confident that the state sector can absorb any additional pupils. To deliver our commitment to the 94% of children who attend state schools, we are increasing school funding by £3.7 billion this year, taking total core school funding to £65.3 billion. By 2028-29, core school funding, including SEND investment, will reach £69.5 billion.

[Baroness Laing of Elderslie (Con)]

I thank the Minister for responding to my Question, but I am not quite sure about the Answer because, sadly, the facts do not support the Government’s rather spiteful ideology in this matter. The imposition of VAT on school fees means that thousands of hard-working parents who previously invested money in their children’s education, and therefore in the education system as a whole, now cannot afford to, so thousands of children have transferred from private schools to state schools. I am baffled by the statistics that the Minister mentioned, because we know that private schools are closing and that children are moving from private schools to state schools. Is it not the case that while the Government might well be raking in more money in VAT, local education authorities have to bear the cost of educating thousands more children? In spite of what the Minister has said, is it not the case that the Government are not investing in education but taking money out of the education system?

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

No, that is not true. The noble Baroness is keen on facts and concerned about the closure of private schools, as would anybody be if a school was closing. I hope she will be somewhat reassured by knowing that, while on average 74 private schools have closed per year over the last 20 years, in this last year 59 closed.

Children: Dangers of Screen Time

Debate between Baroness Laing of Elderslie and Baroness Smith of Malvern

Monday 1st September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Laing of Elderslie]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the dangers of screen time for children.

[The Minister of State, Department for Education (Baroness Smith of Malvern) (Lab)]

My Lords, the Government recognise concerns about the impacts of screen time and are committed to protecting children online. We are continuing to explore how the evidence base on the impact of screen time on children can be improved, because the science is uncertain on the relationship between screen time, social media use and child development. We are assessing evidence gaps and will consider what, if any, further research and action are needed.

[Baroness Laing of Elderslie (Con)]

I thank the Minister for her Answer and appreciate what she says about conflicting evidence, but does she agree with me that there is a problem and that teachers need help solving it? Given that situation, will the Government now advise schools to strictly limit screen time for children, including the screen time in which it is expected that they will do their homework, and thus strengthen the ability of individual teachers to deal with what is undoubtedly recognised as a problem?

Schools: Mobile Phones

Debate between Baroness Laing of Elderslie and Baroness Smith of Malvern

Monday 12th May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Laing of Elderslie]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure mobile phones are kept out of schools.

[The Minister of State, Department for Education (Baroness Smith of Malvern) (Lab)]

My Lords, mobile phones have no place in our schools. The Government’s Mobile Phones in Schools guidance is clear that schools should prohibit the use of devices with smart technology throughout the school day, including during lessons, transitions and breaks. We expect all schools to take steps in line with this guidance to ensure that mobile phones do not disrupt pupils’ learning. If pupils fail to follow those rules, schools have the power to confiscate devices.

[Baroness Laing of Elderslie (Con)]

I thank the Minister for her optimistic Answer to my Question. I wonder how many noble Lords are at this very moment distracted by the smartphone that they have with them. I look around and I see quite a few. Imagine then what it must be like to be the teacher of a class of 11 year-olds and to try to hold their attention when they have their smartphones beside them.

The Minister has given an optimistic Answer and I had hoped for unanimity in this matter, because all the evidence, all the experts, agree, as I think the Minister has just agreed, that having a smartphone with them at all times causes harm, both educationally and socially, to children and young people. To bring about the change that is necessary, will the Minister show some leadership and agree to the amendment that my noble friends have submitted to the education Bill that is about to come to Parliament?

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

Well, my optimism is based not just on vain hope but, of course, on the most recent report from the Children’s Commissioner, which shows that the overwhelming majority of schools—99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools—already have policies in place that limit or restrict the use of mobile phones during the school day. There is ample opportunity, through both the guidance and the autonomy and wisdom of head teachers, to ensure that we make considerable progress on this issue, as we have already seen.