Oral Answers to Questions

Richard Holden Excerpts

Monday 28th April 2025 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Morgan]

Protecting children from online harm is a cross-Government priority, and Ofcom’s draft code of practice for child safety sets out why it is so important that we continue with our efforts to protect children. From July, the child online safety regime will be fully in force, and Ofcom will be able to take robust enforcement action against those failing to comply with the child safety duties. I know the DSIT Secretary of State will want to look very closely at any future further proposals.

[Mr Richard Holden (Basildon and Billericay) (Con)]

5. What assessment she has made of the potential impact of increased school costs on the adequacy of school funding for 2025-26.

[James Wild (North West Norfolk) (Con)]

8. What estimate she has made of the potential impact of increases in employer’s national insurance contributions on the number of teachers employed in schools.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Minister for School Standards (Catherine McKinnell)]

The Tories left a trail of devastation across our schools, with buildings crumbling and teachers leaving in their droves. Through taking tough decisions at the Budget to fix the foundations, Labour has been able to increase school funding by over £3.2 billion. As a result, there is a forecast of £400 million of headroom in schools’ budgets nationally. The Tories’ only plan is to cut school budgets to restore private schools’ tax breaks. We are getting on with the job of delivering for children.

[Mr Holden]

Many heads, teachers and support staff who are worried about school budgets have been in touch with me. I recently had a letter, which was sent to the Secretary of State, from a therapist in a school, saying:

“I have recently been informed that I am being made redundant. Most of the schools in the trust are making cuts in order to stay afloat. Staff that are being cut or having hours reduced are teaching assistants, social, emotional and mental health staff and other support staff.”

How would the Minister answer the question posed by my constituent who is being made redundant, who asks:

“Why have Labour voted for unfunded pay rises and National Insurance Tax increases if they cannot support schools with the cost”

of these proposals?

[Catherine McKinnell]

The Government are committed to supporting teachers to stay in the profession and to thrive, which is why we accepted the schoolteachers pay review body 2024-25 recommendation in full, implementing a 5.5% pay award. That means that teachers and school leaders have had a combined increase of 17% over the last three years. We really need some humility from Conservative Members about where these problems stem from.