Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kevin Hollinrake and Nick Gibb

Monday 11th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Nick Gibb]

We are absolutely committed to the northern powerhouse strategy. Indeed, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be in Middlesbrough on Thursday to announce more plans for Opportunity North East. The northern powerhouse strategy involves a range of policies. For example, we are rolling out a three-year programme of tailored support for some of the schools facing the most significant recruitment and retention problems; around 100 schools in the north will benefit from that. Five opportunity areas in the north will receive a share of £72 million to improve social mobility. In the Bradford opportunity area, we are targeting up to £1.5 million of school improvement support, improving literacy through £600,000 of investment in Bradford primary schools, including nine schools in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency.

[Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton) (Con)]

12. What steps his Department is taking to improve the delivery of technical and vocational education and training.