Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to improve literacy standards amongst children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Answered by Robin Walker
The ‘Schools White Paper – Opportunity for all: strong schools with great teachers for your child’, which was published on 28 March 2022, sets out our long-term vision for a school system that helps every child to fulfil their potential by ensuring that they receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time. The cornerstones of a broad, academic, knowledge-rich curriculum are literacy and numeracy. The full White Paper can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/opportunity-for-all-strong-schools-with-great-teachers-for-your-child.
As set out in the White Paper, our ambition for literacy and numeracy is that by 2030 90% of primary school children will achieve the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics, and the percentage of children meeting the expected standard in the worst performing areas will have increased by a third.
The White Paper adds to this by setting an ambition that in secondary schools the national GCSE average grade in both English language and in mathematics increases from 4.5 in 2019 to 5 by 2030. These aims are not for any one school or teacher to achieve alone, but a measurement of success across the country at a system level. The department’s strategy to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes for all children carefully considers how we do this for vulnerable or disadvantaged groups, including children who are on free school meals or those with special educational needs.
The White Paper builds on the department’s record of supporting the improvement of literacy standards over the past decade, including the introduction of the phonics screening check, the English Hubs programme, the publication of the reading framework, and the validation of phonics programmes. The English Hubs are currently delivering intensive support to over 1000 partner schools, reaching approximately 50,000 pupils in reception and year 1. Supported schools containing an above-average proportion of free school meal pupils over-represented in the programme, along with those schools underperforming in phonics. These dedicated Hubs will continue to support schools to drive up literacy standards, including driving improvements in the quality of early reading teaching.
In addition, from autumn 2022, the National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for Leading Literacy will be available. The qualification has been designed to develop teacher expertise in leading the development of pupils’ language, reading, and writing in all key stages. It is aimed at teachers and leaders who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading literacy across a school, year group, key stage, or phase. The content framework which underpins this qualification was published in October 2021 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-professional-qualifications-frameworks-from-september-2021. Further details around eligibility and funding for this qualification will be announced in due course.
Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of grammar schools on social mobility.
Answered by Robin Walker
99% of grammar schools are good or outstanding. 75% percent are outstanding. They provide excellent education and are oversubscribed.
There is already a wide range of published research that explores the question of the effect of grammar schools on social mobility. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
In order to promote greater social mobility, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department for Education and the Grammar School Heads Association sets out the commitment of its members to increase the number of disadvantaged pupils on roll. Many prioritise pupil premium children for admission. Those gaining places in a grammar school will benefit from the high quality education they deliver.
Alongside the MOU, the 22 successful bids from the Selective Schools Expansion Fund all prioritise pupil premium children for admission, with some also committing to lowering the entrance test pass mark for such pupils and undertaking outreach work to increase the number of disadvantaged pupils on roll. They are in the early stages of delivering their five-year plans.
[1] Andrews et al., 2016, EPI, “Grammar schools and social mobility”
[2] Atkinson et al., 2006, "The result of 11+ Selection: An Investigation into Opportunities and Outcomes for Pupils in Selective LEAs"
[3] Gorard and Siddiqui, 2016, "Grammar schools in England: a new approach to analysing their intakes and outcomes"
[4] Burgess et al., 2018, "Assessing the role of grammar schools in promoting social mobility"
[5] Cribb et al., 2013, "Entry into Grammar Schools in England"
Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to support small business growth in (a) Bexley Borough, (b) Greater London and (c) England.
Answered by Paul Scully
Small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) are the backbone of our economy and have a key role to play in driving economic growth. The Government has taken action to support UK SMEs, including support with business rates; increasing the employment allowance; cutting corporation tax from 28% to 19% and exempting small and micro businesses from regulations where possible.
The London Borough of Bexley received £4,852,729 in Local Growth Funding which was delivered through the London Economic Action Partnership.
The British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme provides loans of up to £25,000 for those starting a new business, or for businesses which have been trading for up to 24 months. In addition to finance, loan recipients are offered a dedicated mentoring service and access to a free expert business mentor for 12 months to help them with every aspect of setting up a business.
The Start Up Loans programme has delivered over 91,000 loans totalling more than £830m (as at January 2022). 292 loans have been issued in Bexley, totalling over £2,979,262.
Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to improve social mobility.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
I refer my Rt. Hon. Friend to the answer given by my Hon. Friend the Minister for Equalities on 23 February 2022 (Official Report, Column 302-303) to Question 905707.
Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times traffic has been stopped in each of the last 12 months at the Dartford Crossing northbound to allow crossing control vehicles to escort hazardous vehicles through the tunnels.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The table below contains average journeys time to cross the Dartford Crossing at peak times (06:00-10:00 & 16:00 -19:00) northbound and southbound in each of the last 13 months:
Avg. Journey time (Seconds) | AM Peak (06:00:00 - 09:59:59) | PM Peak (16:00:00 - 18:59:59) | ||
Date | Northbound | Southbound | Northbound | Southbound |
Jan-21 | 180 | 198 | 175 | 181 |
Feb-21 | 172 | 186 | 174 | 181 |
Mar-21 | 177 | 193 | 186 | 181 |
Apr-21 | 184 | 190 | 231 | 208 |
May-21 | 184 | 191 | 242 | 188 |
Jun-21 | 193 | 193 | 266 | 217 |
Jul-21 | 181 | 190 | 254 | 213 |
Aug-21 | 191 | 190 | 296 | 194 |
Sep-21 | 198 | 206 | 253 | 198 |
Oct-21 | 194 | 198 | 242 | 208 |
Nov-21 | 200 | 203 | 236 | 228 |
Dec-21 | 189 | 192 | 219 | 203 |
Jan-22 | 189 | 209 | 197 | 189 |
The northbound route is 1.95 miles (2.8km) and the southbound route is 2.4 miles (3.9km). The times shown are representative of the average time it takes to travel the length of this route.
The table below contains the number of times traffic has been stopped at the Dartford Crossing in each of the last twelve months due to an escort vehicle:
Year | Month | Times Traffic Stopped |
2021 | February | 1777 |
| March | 1965 |
| April | 2039 |
| May | 2051 |
| June | 1876 |
| July | 1946 |
| August | 1888 |
| September | 1826 |
| October | 1995 |
| November | 1974 |
| December | 1921 |
2022 | January | 1951 |
Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average journey time was to cross the Dartford Crossing (a) northbound and (b) southbound at peak times in each of the last 12 months.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The table below contains average journeys time to cross the Dartford Crossing at peak times (06:00-10:00 & 16:00 -19:00) northbound and southbound in each of the last 13 months:
Avg. Journey time (Seconds) | AM Peak (06:00:00 - 09:59:59) | PM Peak (16:00:00 - 18:59:59) | ||
Date | Northbound | Southbound | Northbound | Southbound |
Jan-21 | 180 | 198 | 175 | 181 |
Feb-21 | 172 | 186 | 174 | 181 |
Mar-21 | 177 | 193 | 186 | 181 |
Apr-21 | 184 | 190 | 231 | 208 |
May-21 | 184 | 191 | 242 | 188 |
Jun-21 | 193 | 193 | 266 | 217 |
Jul-21 | 181 | 190 | 254 | 213 |
Aug-21 | 191 | 190 | 296 | 194 |
Sep-21 | 198 | 206 | 253 | 198 |
Oct-21 | 194 | 198 | 242 | 208 |
Nov-21 | 200 | 203 | 236 | 228 |
Dec-21 | 189 | 192 | 219 | 203 |
Jan-22 | 189 | 209 | 197 | 189 |
The northbound route is 1.95 miles (2.8km) and the southbound route is 2.4 miles (3.9km). The times shown are representative of the average time it takes to travel the length of this route.
The table below contains the number of times traffic has been stopped at the Dartford Crossing in each of the last twelve months due to an escort vehicle:
Year | Month | Times Traffic Stopped |
2021 | February | 1777 |
| March | 1965 |
| April | 2039 |
| May | 2051 |
| June | 1876 |
| July | 1946 |
| August | 1888 |
| September | 1826 |
| October | 1995 |
| November | 1974 |
| December | 1921 |
2022 | January | 1951 |
Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve the condition of roads in (a) Bexley Borough and (b) Greater London.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government has repeatedly shown its commitment to supporting London’s transport network throughout the pandemic, providing over £4.5bn in emergency funding to Transport for London. Transport in London is devolved and is the responsibility of the Mayor and Transport for London. It is for them to decide which projects to prioritise and how to allocate funding to London boroughs. This is in line with devolution arrangements on transport spending in other city regions in England. Where London boroughs are the highways authority, it is their responsibility to ensure upkeep.
Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people who have been admitted to hospital with covid-19 in the past 12 months had not received a covid-19 vaccine.
Answered by Maggie Throup
The information is not held in the format requested. However, between the week ending 2 January 2022 and the week ending 23 January 2022, there were 4,807 cases presenting to emergency care resulting in overnight inpatient admission who had not been vaccinated.
Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help increase the availability of covid-19 lateral flow tests in Greater London.
Answered by Maggie Throup
We expect to distribute 90 million lateral flow device (LFD) tests per week in the United Kingdom in the coming weeks. We are also delivering seven million LFD tests every day via GOV.UK. We therefore anticipate sufficient availability, including in Greater London.
Asked by: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the availability of face-to-face GP appointments in Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
The National Health Service has been clear that general practitioner (GP) practices must provide face to face appointments, alongside remote consultations. Patients’ input into consultation type should be sought and practices should respect preferences for face to face care unless there are good clinical reasons to the contrary, such as the presence of COVID-19 symptoms.
In October 2021, with NHS England and NHS Improvement, we set out measures to support general practice during the winter, with an additional investment of £250 million in the Winter Access Fund to improve capacity in general practice.
The Winter Access Fund and local funding have contributed to initiatives to support general practices and Primary Care Networks in Bexley. These include additional sessions for practice staff including administrative staff, development of locum banks, digital booking platforms and funding for additional physicians in practices. Additional funding has been provided for the GP Extended Access Service, which has provided access to more face to face appointments and a primary care communications support package has been developed locally to support practices to provide information to their patients on accessing services.