Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Teather and John Bercow

Monday 16th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order.

[Sarah Teather]

When all that has settled down, we have established a number of local pathfinders to test the best ways of implementing the key reforms, and are providing support to local authorities in developing local provision for children and young people with special educational needs.

We will publish a response to the consultation on the Green Paper shortly. This will set out the progress we have made and the next steps in taking forward our reforms.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Teather and John Bercow

Monday 17th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Teather]

I believe I read in the press that the hon. Lady said that 47 children’s centres would close, and it would be helpful if she sent me that information. I suspect that not all local authorities replied to her, in just the same way as not all local authorities replied to us. She could do much to chivvy her local authorities to reply, because we could then make absolutely sure that the information on directgov was completely accurate. I am not sure that I have an awful lot more to add to the point that I have already made clear: the money is available in the early intervention grant, and we are making it clear to local authorities that Sure Start children’s centres are a priority. Indeed, some of her colleagues complained that I had placed a moral ring fence—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Can I just point out that we have a lot to get through? We must press on.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Teather and John Bercow

Monday 11th July 2011 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Teather]

The hon. Gentleman is correct in saying that I did not answer his point about Lancaster and Fleetwood, so I will respond to him in writing about it. As I said, schools will be held accountable for their use of the pupil premium by the detail in the performance tables, which will be published from this year, and by the requirement from September 2012 to make it clear how they are spending their pupil premium money in respect of the progress made on the attainment of the pupils it covers. We are also very committed to providing advice on best practice and we will be doing that soon.

[Mr Speaker]

The motto is that Ministers should look at the question on the Order Paper before answering, rather than afterwards, but I appreciate what the Minister has said and I think that the House is grateful for it.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

Order.

[Sarah Teather]

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

The hon. Member for Washington and Sunderland West (Mrs Hodgson) will just have to wait with bated breath for our early years statement, which will be out shortly and in which we will make further announcements about Sure Start and how we intend to improve the quality of early years.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Teather and John Bercow

Monday 11th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Greg Mulholland]

I thank the Minister for her answer. That there have been no representations contrasts with the fact that many representations have been made to Education Leeds and similar authorities. Lucy Holmes, my constituent, has finally, after a lengthy battle—10 years—had a review of her SEN statement, in which time, of course, her needs have changed substantially. What will the new Government do to ensure that children’s needs are met by reviewing statements far more frequently?

[Mr Speaker]

In the Leeds North West constituency.

[Sarah Teather]

The statement of needs is supposed to be reviewed annually, so it is a matter of concern if that is not happening and it has taken 10 years for such a review to take place. However, I should also say that too often a statement of needs is a static document that ends up in a drawer, rather than a dynamic document used as a basis for discussion and focusing on outcomes. Again, I hope that the Green Paper will begin to examine this issue.