Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Calvin Bailey Excerpts
Monday 9th December 2024

(3 days, 18 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Bridget Phillipson Portrait Bridget Phillipson
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We have launched our curriculum and assessment review to make sure that issues such as the one that the hon. Gentleman identifies are taken into account. It is a shame that we seem to hear nothing from the Opposition but negativity about the curriculum and assessment review. We are determined to make sure that all our children get a brilliant education, with high standards and strong academic outcomes, as well as the kind of life skills that he is right to identify.

Calvin Bailey Portrait Mr Calvin Bailey (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab)
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We are all keenly aware of the significant challenges that further education colleges continue to face, such as difficulties around repair agreements and funding, which are not helped by the opportunism from the Opposition, who are responsible for the mess those colleges are in in the first place. Can the Minister tell us more about the steps she is taking to ensure that these engines for opportunity for our young people, such as Leyton sixth-form college, have the support they need to thrive?

Janet Daby Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Janet Daby)
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This Government recognise the vital role that FE teachers play in equipping learners with the skills they need to drive growth in our economy. We are totally committed, and we are keeping our eye and our finger on it. We have provided an additional £300 million for further education to ensure that young people develop the skills that this country so desperately needs.