Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Desmond Swayne and Nick Gibb

Monday 19th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gibb]

The national funding formula has been introduced to ensure that we have a fair funding system. We shall be consulting on that fair funding system over the next 14 weeks, and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will send in his representations.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

If an outstanding academy in the New Forest, minutes from the seaside, is finding it difficult to recruit an English teacher, what hope is there for schools anywhere else?

[Mr Gibb]

My right hon. Friend has raised an important point. The national fair funding formula will help schools to acquire the resources that will enable them to use the discretion that we have given them in respect of how they reward teachers, especially teachers of certain subjects whom it is difficult to recruit.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Desmond Swayne and Nick Gibb

Monday 10th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

T7. How is our proper and welcome focus on phonics progressing?

[Mr Gibb]

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that question; it is progressing extremely well. In 2012, 58% of six-year-olds passed the check. This year, 81% passed the check. That is a huge improvement in the quality of the teaching of reading in our primary schools.