Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Brendan Clarke-Smith and Robin Walker

Monday 1st November 2021 Commons Chamber

[Mr Walker]

I think the hon. Gentleman will find that funding levels are considerably higher than they were in 2010. We were also delighted to deliver real growth in funding over that period, which many of us have long campaigned for.

[Brendan Clarke-Smith (Bassetlaw) (Con)]

4. What plans he has to help encourage partnerships between independent and state schools in (a) Bassetlaw and (b) England.

[The Minister for School Standards (Mr Robin Walker)]

The Government are committed to cross-sector partnerships across England. We are aware of the partnership in Bassetlaw between Worksop College, an independent school, and 11 local state schools. We continue to work constructively with them to encourage more schools to engage with such partnership working.

[Brendan Clarke-Smith]

I thank the Minister for his answer. He mentioned Worksop College, an independent school in my constituency, which offers chemistry roadshows for local state primary schools, hosts a weekly parkrun for local junior school pupils and does a lot of other community work. Does he agree that such independent/state school partnerships can be a key part of educational recovery? Does he welcome the forthcoming “Celebrating Partnerships” report from the Independent Schools Council, and will he therefore encourage all schools to get involved in cross-sector partnerships?

[Mr Walker]

The short answer is that I will, and I welcome another question from another former teacher on the Conservative Benches. Such partnerships can form a key part of economic recovery, and I welcome the forthcoming “Celebrating Partnerships” report. I am very pleased to note that my noble Friend Baroness Barran has written the foreword for that important publication.

Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals

Debate between Brendan Clarke-Smith and Robin Walker

Wednesday 18th November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mr Walker]

Pulling points out of context from what people said in the past is always a dangerous game. I have great faith in our negotiator, and I am sure that he will deliver the best deal he possibly can.

[Brendan Clarke-Smith (Bassetlaw) (Con)]

The First Ministers wrote jointly to the EU regarding the application of the protocol, saying it was not intended to impose new costs on food for consumers in Northern Ireland. Will my hon. Friend tell the House when the First Ministers last agreed on a matter relating to Brexit?

[Mr Walker]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. The Executive have always taken a responsible approach to working together in the interests of Northern Ireland. It says something that there is cross-community agreement on the importance of addressing this. It is therefore vital that both parties work as hard as they can to resolve the issue and make sure that the protocol delivers on what it promised about not impacting everyday life for people in Northern Ireland.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Brendan Clarke-Smith and Robin Walker

Wednesday 24th June 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mr Walker]

I share the right hon. Gentleman’s respect for the former Secretary of State, but there is no need for Northern Ireland businesses to move elsewhere to trade with the UK. The Government will provide unfettered access for Northern Ireland businesses to the UK market. Working together with the Executive, we can provide strong conditions for recovery that will make Northern Ireland an excellent place to invest.

[Brendan Clarke-Smith (Bassetlaw) (Con)]

What recent assessment he has made of the progress of negotiations on the UK's future relationship with the EU in relation to Northern Ireland.