Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karin Smyth and John Bercow

Monday 20th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Karin Smyth (Bristol South) (Lab)]

24. My constituency sends the least children to university. Bristol University’s Bristol scholars scheme, which is aimed at widening access, has taken a third of its pupils from private schools. Does the Minister agree that that makes an entire mockery of the scheme?

[Mr Speaker]

I fought the hon. Lady’s constituency, but, unfortunately for me, and probably beneficially for her, the constituency fought back.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karin Smyth and John Bercow

Monday 10th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Karin Smyth (Bristol South) (Lab)]

rose—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Shrieking from a sedentary position is very unfair on the Member who is trying to secure a hearing from the House. Let us hear Karin Smyth.

[Karin Smyth]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Following the report by the Public Accounts Committee on entitlement to free early years education and childcare and a Westminster Hall debate on the subject that I initiated in July, the then Minister promised me that the Department was due to publish the early years workforce strategy document, addressing the shortfall in qualified staff to deliver the 30 hours of free childcare. What progress has been made?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karin Smyth and John Bercow

Tuesday 5th July 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Progress has been rather slow today, but I want to accommodate one further inquiry. I call Karin Smyth.

[Karin Smyth (Bristol South) (Lab)]

14. What steps he is taking to ensure that forward budget planning in his Department is robust.