Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Goggins Excerpts
Monday 29th October 2012

(11 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Matt Hancock Portrait Matthew Hancock
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Yes, I absolutely will. There is a commitment to have 24 UTCs by the end of this Parliament. The deadline for applications is next month and we hope to be able to announce which UTCs will go ahead by Easter.

Paul Goggins Portrait Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab)
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I am sure that the Secretary of State agrees that children learn properly when they eat properly, so does he share my concern that already more than 1 million children who live in poverty are not eligible to claim free school meals—a figure that is likely to increase next year with the introduction of universal credit? Has he made it clear to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions that he should be seeking to extend eligibility rather than restricting it?

Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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I have enormous respect for the right hon. Gentleman. We are working across Government to ensure that as many children as possible who are eligible for free school meals receive that very important benefit and that it continues to go to those who deserve it.