Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Helen Hayes Excerpts
Monday 11th December 2023

(4 months, 3 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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I call the shadow Minister.

Helen Hayes Portrait Helen Hayes (Dulwich and West Norwood) (Lab)
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Would-be educational psychology trainees for September 2024 have been left in limbo because of delays in the Department confirming the available funding. The number of educational psychologists has fallen since 2010, despite requests for education, health and care plans increasing every year. That national shortage of qualified practitioners is contributing to the crisis in SEND that is affecting so many families across the country. Does the Secretary of State agree that this uncertainty about Government funding for educational psychology training is unacceptable, and when does she expect it to be resolved?

Gillian Keegan Portrait Gillian Keegan
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We announced in November 2022 that a further £21 million was going to be spent to train more than 400 educational psychologists.