Oral Answers to Questions

Guy Opperman Excerpts

Monday 12th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Teather]

The current review of the foundation stage is independent, and we have asked Dame Clare Tickell—who I am sure would command respect right across the House—to conduct it.

[Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)]

13. What recent representations he has received on funding for schools in Hexham constituency; and if he will make a statement.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Tim Loughton)]

We have received just one representation on the subject of school funding from a school in Hexham. We will bring forward our proposals for school funding in due course.

[Guy Opperman]

Schools in the Hexham constituency in rural Northumberland all complain of a funding shortfall that was dramatic under the previous Government. What assurances will the Minister give me and the teachers in that particular school that this imbalance will be changed?

[Tim Loughton]

I am only too well aware of many of the discrepancies in the system that prevailed for far too many years under the previous Government. I am aware that Hexham middle school in my hon. Friend’s constituency has raised concerns about problems in tackling rural deprivation and sparsity of population that have not been dealt with in the past. That is one area that we will be looking at, and the pupil premium will be a priority in ensuring that we recognise deprivation and have effective measures to deal with it.