Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Gibb and Richard Burgon

Monday 12th October 2020 Commons Chamber

[Nick Gibb]

I do remember that important debate that my hon. Friend secured. I share his determination to see the academic attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils—including white working-class boys—and others closed. That determination has been at the core of all our education reforms since 2010, particularly in respect of the focus on phonics in the teaching of reading, the evidence-based approach to the teaching of maths, and a more knowledge-based curriculum. Since 2011, the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and others has narrowed by 13% at key stage 2 and by 9% at key stage 4. The £1 billion catch-up premium, with £350 million specifically targeted towards disadvantaged students, is designed to address the widening attainment gaps caused by measures taken to tackle the covid pandemic.

[Richard Burgon (Leeds East) (Lab)]

What steps he is taking to help ensure university students have access to digital and online learning during the covid-19 outbreak.