Education: Return in January

Debate between Nadhim Zahawi and Felicity Buchan

Wednesday 5th January 2022 Commons Chamber

[Nadhim Zahawi]

I thank the headteachers, teachers and support staff in the hon. Lady’s constituency for their work. Teachers have gone above and beyond. Some 99.9% of schools were open at the end of last term and we are seeing similar numbers now that are determined to stay open and be a place of enrichment for young people.

I will not repeat myself, but we have roughly 24,300-plus schools and we have sent out 350,000 CO₂ monitors. The feedback from the majority has been that they do not need air purifiers. When we did the modelling, we thought that they would need roughly 8,000, which is what we have. The first ones go out next week. That is the right, proportionate and cost-effective way to deal with it.

By the way, the 350,000 CO₂ monitors cost £25 million of taxpayers’ money. We are stewards of taxpayers’ money; we have to be responsible in how we support schools to remain open and do what they do brilliantly, which is educate young people.

[Felicity Buchan (Kensington) (Con)]

My constituents, old and young alike, believe that it is of paramount importance to keep schools going, no matter the circumstances. I welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement and its clarity, which is in big contrast to what the Opposition have done during the pandemic, which is to sow confusion with their flip-flopping about whether schools should be open.

[Nadhim Zahawi]

I hope that the shadow Front-Bench team will continue to think about their position and change their mind.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nadhim Zahawi and Felicity Buchan

Tuesday 10th November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Nadhim Zahawi]

My hon. Friend makes a powerful point and his message has been heard clearly. I reassure him that proposals for mitigating the potential impact of Sizewell C will be considered during the examination of the development consent application, and local people and local bodies, such as the county council, will have the opportunity to make representations. The Secretary of State will then thoroughly examine and consider the recommendations from the Planning Inspectorate, which will be submitted to him following that examination. I give my hon. Friend that guarantee.

[Felicity Buchan (Kensington) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to help achieve the net zero emissions target by 2050.