Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michelle Donelan and Andrew Bridgen

Monday 2nd March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Michelle Donelan]

I am sure that the hon. Member can appreciate that the details are currently being negotiated. We will update the House as soon as possible.

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

It should be clear to the House that our universities have an enviable reputation around the world. Indeed, research and education are two of our greatest exports. In the light of that, what steps is the Minister taking to ensure that that success not only continues but increases?

[Michelle Donelan]

This is essential. We have a target for 2030 of 600,000 international students coming to this country. We do value their importance as an international facilitator in our education system.

Education

Debate between Michelle Donelan and Andrew Bridgen

Monday 3rd February 2020 Ministerial Corrections

[Andrew Bridgen]

There is an increasing number of children in care, with the latest figures showing nearly 80,000 children in care in England alone. What steps is my hon. Friend’s Department taking to reverse this trend?

[Michelle Donelan]

My hon. Friend is quite right. The number of children in the care sector is a worry both to me and the Government. That is why we have a number of initiatives to support families to stay together. We have spent £70 million on supporting families and £84 million on strengthening families for this very reason.

[Official Report, 20 January 2020, Vol. 670, c. 3-4.]

Letter of correction from the Under-Secretary of State for Education, the hon. Member for Chippenham (Michelle Donelan):

An error has been identified in the response I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for North West Leicestershire (Andrew Bridgen).

The correct response should have been:

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michelle Donelan and Andrew Bridgen

Monday 20th January 2020 Commons Chamber

[Michelle Donelan]

I believe the hon. Member is referring to a case where a number of out-of-area placements were made in Scotland. We have recently put £40 million extra into capital funding for secure homes, but the whole point is that this is a very complex issue that needs a comprehensive care review—that was part of our manifesto—and I have already begun to work on that.

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

There is an increasing number of children in care, with the latest figures showing nearly 80,000 children in care in England alone. What steps is my hon. Friend’s Department taking to reverse this trend?

[Michelle Donelan]

My hon. Friend is quite right. The number of children in the care sector is a worry both to me and the Government. That is why we have a number of initiatives to support families to stay together. We have spent £70 million on supporting families and £84 million on strengthening families for this very reason[Official Report, 3 February 2020, Vol. 671, c. 2MC.].