Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Morgan of Cotes and Ian C. Lucas

Monday 1st December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab)]

10. If she will make an assessment of the public benefit contributed by schools in the private sector.

[The Secretary of State for Education (Nicky Morgan)]

Public benefit tests are a matter for the Charity Commission. Schools in the independent sector make a significant contribution to the UK economy estimated at £9.5 billion per annum. Many have partnerships with state schools to share resources and teachers, drawing on the strengths of each member school to improve outcomes for all children across the partnership. One example is the Wimbledon schools partnership between King’s College school and over 20 state schools. Independent schools also act as academy sponsors, and 11 have been approved to do so.

[Ian Lucas]

Does the Secretary of State therefore reject Sir Michael Wilshaw’s assessment that public schools offer the state sector only crumbs from the table?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Morgan of Cotes and Ian C. Lucas

Tuesday 24th June 2014 Commons Chamber

[Nicky Morgan]

My hon. Friend is right about the figures. We remain committed to continuing the fall and to eradicating child poverty by 2020. Our draft strategy sets out how we intend to achieve that. Children are three times more likely to be in poverty if they live in a workless household, which is why work remains the best route out of poverty.

[Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab)]

9. What steps he is taking to promote private sector investment in the construction industry.