Oral Answers to Questions

Alexander Stafford Excerpts

Wednesday 25th November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Alexander Stafford (Rother Valley) (Con)]

What steps she is taking to promote social mobility throughout the UK.

[The Minister for Women and Equalities (Elizabeth Truss)]

This Government are focused on levelling up. We are transforming our skills system so that everybody has a chance to train and retrain, and we are using important new data analysis from the Equality Hub to ensure that we are addressing where real inequality lies in the UK.

--- Later in debate ---

[Elizabeth Truss]

My hon. Friend makes a very good point; everybody needs access to a world-class education that sets them up for life. I am pleased to say that in early years 25% of children with special educational needs achieved a good level of development in 2019, which compares with a figure of only 14% in 2013, but we continue to do more to make sure that children with special educational needs have access to a good education, right across the country.

[Alexander Stafford [V]]

What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that mothers are supported in the return to work during this recovery?

[Elizabeth Truss]

It is very important that working mothers and working fathers have access to the childcare they need so that they are able to get into work during the coronavirus crisis. That is why it is so important that we keep our schools and nurseries open, and that we continue to give the support of the 30 hours a week of childcare for three and four-year-olds.