Oral Answers to Questions

Holly Mumby-Croft Excerpts

Monday 26th April 2021 Commons Chamber

[Anthony Browne (South Cambridgeshire) (Con)]

What assessment his Department has made of the progress made by schools on fully reopening as covid-19 lockdown restrictions have eased.

[Holly Mumby-Croft (Scunthorpe) (Con)]

What assessment his Department has made of the progress made by schools on fully reopening as covid-19 lockdown restrictions have eased.

[Mrs Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall) (Con)]

What assessment his Department has made of the progress made by schools on fully reopening as covid-19 lockdown restrictions have eased.

--- Later in debate ---

[Gavin Williamson]

We all know the very important role that small schools play in our communities and villages right across the country. That is why we took the decision to increase the funding to support them from £26 million to £42 million in the latest settlement. That is on top of the fact that we are increasing spending on our schools right across the board, and, for this financial year, my hon. Friend’s schools will receive, on average, a 3.8% increase in their funding, which goes to show that we recognise the importance of fair funding right across the country.

[Holly Mumby-Croft]

I thank the Secretary of State for the work that his Department has done with the Engineering University Technical College in Scunthorpe on its new and exciting health, sciences and social care course. Will he welcome this course and encourage young people in Scunthorpe to look at everything that is on offer, because colleges have not had their usual opportunity to speak to students and visit schools during this unusual year?

[Gavin Williamson]

I congratulate the Northern Lincolnshire University Technical College. UTCs do an amazing job right around the country, not least in my hon. Friend’s constituency. They can be truly transformative to young people’s life chances. I very much look forward to working with her to make sure that that message is put out there. It is also quite right to pay tribute to the amazing work of Lord Baker who has done so much to champion the cause of UTCs, making sure that they opened up opportunities for so many young people in all of our constituencies.