Oral Answers to Questions

James Cartlidge Excerpts

Monday 7th March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gyimah]

I join my hon. Friend in welcoming that news. It is good to hear positive news about school places, because there is too often a lot of scaremongering about places and place need.

[James Cartlidge (South Suffolk) (Con)]

11. What steps the Government are taking to support the educational attainment of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

[The Minister for Children and Families (Edward Timpson)]

We are determined to deliver educational excellence everywhere so that every child reaches their full potential regardless of their background. That is why we are protecting the pupil premium at current rates for the duration of this Parliament, giving schools billions of pounds in additional funding to improve disadvantaged pupils’ attainment.

[James Cartlidge]

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer, and I very much welcome today’s announcement on fairer funding in schools, which many of us have campaigned for since our election. Does he agree that the best way to support pupils from a disadvantaged background in rural areas is precisely by having a national funding formula that is based on need, irrespective of where that need arises?