Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Stephenson Excerpts
Monday 26th October 2015

(8 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrew Stephenson Portrait Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con)
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Does the Minister agree that welfare changes are an essential part of reducing the deficit, and far preferable to sacking thousands of teachers and closing schools, as we have seen in countries such as Greece and Portugal?

Sam Gyimah Portrait Mr Gyimah
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My hon. Friend makes an important point that was also highlighted by the Minister for Skills. In countries such as Greece that did not take grown-up, difficult decisions, teachers’ pay has been cut by 30% and thousands of schools have closed. This Government are taking the right decisions for the country.