Oral Answers to Questions

Ashley Dalton Excerpts

Wednesday 4th September 2024 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I remember when Scottish National party Members used to sit at the front, but they are now a long way up and there are very few of them, so I do not think we need lectures on popularity and winning elections.

[Ashley Dalton (West Lancashire) (Lab)]

Q9. I welcome this week’s news of the changes that the Government plan on Ofsted, including the removal of single-word judgments. This is great news for headteachers in West Lancashire who have raised the issue with me along with other issues about Ofsted, and for parents, who will have more transparency on the performance of schools. How does the Prime Minister see those changes developing a more positive relationship between Ofsted, Government and schools, and improving standards so that all our young people thrive?

[The Prime Minister]

We are committed to the best education for every child, whatever their background and wherever they come from. The current single grade does not work well. That is why we are going to have a richer dashboard, which will give parents more information and allow intervention more quickly, and why it has been so warmly welcomed across the country.

Oral Answers to Questions

Ashley Dalton Excerpts

Wednesday 13th September 2023 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I am delighted with the improvements that have been made by Greater Manchester police; the Home Secretary met the chief constable recently. They have made significant improvements in, for example, answering 999 calls, and have seen almost a 50% year on year increase in the number of charges recorded. I very much welcome the force’s focus on getting the basics on crime and antisocial behaviour right. It is a model for police forces across the country.

[Ashley Dalton (West Lancashire) (Lab)]

Q3. I thank the Prime Minister for his response to the hon. Member for Aberdeen South (Stephen Flynn), but I am still confused on this matter. Just yesterday, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said that the pensions triple lock was not sustainable, and the Chancellor’s economic advisers have suggested that it is time to review the policy, but those at No. 10, when questioned, have said that they are committed to it. Which is it?

[The Prime Minister]

This Government are committed to the triple lock; it was this Government who introduced the triple lock. The hon. Lady might want to have a word with her own deputy leader, who did not provide much clarity on the matter. What we all remember, when it came to pensions, is Gordon Brown’s 75p a week increase.