Oral Answers to Questions

Calvin Bailey Excerpts

Monday 20th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Josh MacAlister]

This is where I think the last Government got it wrong. We can be pro-further education, pro-technical education and pro-higher education; there is absolutely no need to trade them off against one another. Under this Government, we have 120,000 new training opportunities, up to 30,000 foundation apprenticeship starts and an unprecedented £3 billion being invested in apprenticeships. It is great that the hon. Member and his constituents in Stockton are benefiting from that.

[Mr Calvin Bailey (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab)]

Last week, I met representatives of Centrepoint. They highlighted that some 2,800 young people in my constituency are not in education, employment or training, despite having extensive STEM skills and a real drive to participate in that part of the economy. Connecting those young people with existing opportunities is a major challenge, and I would like to hear how such opportunities are being created through the exciting propositions of technical colleges and, perhaps, V-levels. What work is being done to ensure that those things are accessible to young people in constituencies such as mine?

[Josh MacAlister]

My hon. Friend is right to highlight this issue. A million young people in this country are not in education, employment or training, which is a moral stain that the Government are absolutely committed to doing everything they can to address. The future of our skills system sits right at the heart of that effort, and I encourage my hon. Friend to be in the Chamber for the statement later today to hear what the Government’s further plans are.

Oral Answers to Questions

Calvin Bailey Excerpts

Monday 9th December 2024 Commons Chamber

[Bridget Phillipson]

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.

[Mr Calvin Bailey (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab)]

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?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Janet Daby)]

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.

Primary School Breakfast Clubs

Calvin Bailey Excerpts

Monday 18th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mr Dhesi]

I thank my hon. Friend for his passionate remarks, with which I concur. I commend the great work being done in his constituency. It is important that individuals realise some of the damage that they have done over the last 14 years, which has led to crumbling schools and to children being unable to concentrate in school.

A better chance for children to reach their potential and escape the vicious cycle of poverty can be attained. To ensure that, I ask the Minister when we can expect the roll-out of free breakfast clubs to be fully implemented. Will that require new legislation? If so, what is the timeframe?

[Mr Calvin Bailey (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab)]

I thank my hon. Friend for ensuring that this important subject is highlighted in the House. In my constituency, schools such as Connaught school for girls ensure that every child receives a free school meal at the start of the day through charities such as Magic Breakfast, which enable up to 200,000 pupils across both in England and Scotland to receive that privilege. However, does he agree that it should not be down to clubs and advocacy groups to ensure that provision, and rather it should be done through policy driven by Government?

[Mr Dhesi]

I thank my hon. Friend and fellow member of the Defence Committee—not only has he been a passionate advocate on defence, but he has advocated for his constituents on numerous matters today. I fully concur with his views. I have attended various Magic Breakfast events and seen some of the great work done by charities; it is wonderful and heartening to see that there are people who care within our community, but it should not be just up to charities. This is an issue affecting everybody within society, and it is great to see a new Labour Government taking leadership on it.