Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Helena Dollimore Excerpts
Monday 28th April 2025

(1 day, 22 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Catherine McKinnell Portrait Catherine McKinnell
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Yes, I would be happy to meet the hon. Gentleman.

Helena Dollimore Portrait Helena Dollimore (Hastings and Rye) (Lab/Co-op)
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Last month, I held a public meeting in my constituency with over 100 parents, carers and pupils to discuss our concerns about the quality of secondary education in my constituency. It is an absolute scandal that over 60% of young people leave school without a pass—level 4 or higher—in maths and English GCSE, a trend that has got worse under the Conservative party. Will the Minister commit to driving up standards in my local schools as a priority for this Labour Government?

Catherine McKinnell Portrait Catherine McKinnell
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My hon. Friend is a passionate advocate for better outcomes for the young people in her constituency, and I commend her approach for engaging so widely with parents, who I know share her concerns. I am more than happy to give her that commitment. Everything we do in the Department is about driving opportunity, and that means driving up standards in every school, in every part of the country.