Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Hall and Jas Athwal

Wednesday 11th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Hall (Warrington South) (Lab/Co-op)]

5. What recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on education.

[Jas Athwal (Ilford South) (Lab)]

10. What recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on education.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Matthew Patrick)]

Chances in life are set early. Although education is devolved in Northern Ireland, we must work together. That is why it was my privilege to bring the Minister for Early Education to Belfast recently to visit schools and to present to Northern Ireland Ministers at the East-West Council. We discussed the school twinning programme, the theme of which is “Reading for Pleasure”. As a new dad, I am reading quite a few baby books at the moment.