Schools: Disadvantaged Pupils

Debate between Lord Alderdice and Baroness Bull

Wednesday 24th June 2020 Lords Chamber

[The Deputy Speaker (Lord Alderdice) (LD)]

I call the noble Lord, Lord Baker of Dorking. No? Then I call the noble Baroness, Lady Bull.

[Baroness Bull (CB) [V]]

My Lords, UK household longitudinal study data shows that, in addition to the disparities in provision during lockdown between affluent and disadvantaged, private and state education, and the digital divide, there are significant regional disparities. Children in the north-east were particularly poorly served: 28% of pupils in the south-east received at least four pieces of online schoolwork each day, in the north-east this figure was just 9%. Can the Minister tell us what explanation the Government have for these regional differences and what steps they are taking to address them?