Debates between Lord Mann and Edward Timpson during the 2015-2017 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Mann and Edward Timpson
Monday 30th November 2015

(8 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Mann Portrait John Mann (Bassetlaw) (Lab)
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12. What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the potential contribution by city regions to developing educational provision.

Edward Timpson Portrait The Minister for Children and Families (Edward Timpson)
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The hon. Gentleman will be pleased, I am sure, to learn that the Secretary of State regularly meets Cabinet colleagues to discuss a range of issues. City regions can certainly play a role, as seen from our work with Greater Manchester on a review of children’s services, and we already have combined authorities in Sheffield and Manchester leading the area reviews of post-16 education provision. We expect new combined authorities and city regions to work closely with the eight regional school commissioners.

Lord Mann Portrait John Mann
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That was a bit of waffle. Is it not a good idea formally to link secondary academies with city regions so that the economic development and education potential can be rolled together? Will the Minister take that forward to other Ministers and get it properly on the agenda?

Edward Timpson Portrait Edward Timpson
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The hon. Gentleman has a habit of calling anything that anyone else says waffle. I have described what is happening, which is devolution, which I am sure he will welcome, as the area in which his constituency is located is looking to create a combined authority. We have the regional school commissioners doing excellent work, holding each area to account and making sure that regions are raising the performance of schools and education across their area. I am sure that is something he would welcome in Bassetlaw and elsewhere.