Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Teather and Ann Coffey

Monday 15th November 2010 Commons Chamber

[The Minister of State, Department for Education (Sarah Teather)]

I am well aware of my hon. Friend’s interest in this issue. As I said to her a couple of weeks ago when she raised it in a debate on the Floor of the House, the current system for funding educational psychologists is just not working. Unfortunately, only 16 out of 150 local authorities have paid their contribution, although the money went into their baseline funding. That is not good enough, and the Department could not take such a risk. However, I am absolutely determined to ensure that the system changes, because I agree with my hon. Friend that educational psychologists are critical to our reform of special educational needs.

[Ann Coffey (Stockport) (Lab)]

What further plans has the Secretary of State to improve the take-up of free early-education places by the most disadvantaged families?