Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Monday 17th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Nick Gibb]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. High needs funding for children and young people with more complex SEN has risen by more than £1 billion since 2013. It is now £6 billion. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced yesterday, there will be another £125 million this year and another £125 million next year for high needs.

[Mr Speaker]

I gently exhort the Minister of State to face the House so that we can all benefit from his mellifluous tones.

[Sir Vince Cable (Twickenham) (LD)]

The level of educational funding will be radically affected by the new treatment of public sector pensions. Can the Minister confirm that it is the Government’s policy to cover the majority of costs for schools and colleges, but not for universities, and explain the different treatment?

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[Jamie Stone]

I thank the Minister for his answer. One way to stimulate learning foreign languages in our schools is by using foreign exchange students. Indeed, in my school days, a charming French lady greatly stimulated my knowledge of the language. I am not a member of the governing party in Scotland. I therefore ask whether Her Majesty’s Government will do everything they can to continue using exchange students and to build on that in future.

[Mr Speaker]

I think the whole House would digest the hon. Gentleman’s personal memoir. We are indebted to him for it.

[Nick Gibb]

The hon. Gentleman makes an important point and I can absolutely confirm that.

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[Nadhim Zahawi]

I attended the conference that the Parents and Carers Network held in Coventry. It is important to listen to the sector. Many local authorities are co-creating their SEND provision with parents, and it is important that we listen and deliver the £250 million additional funding announced yesterday, and of course the £100 million in capital funding as well, taking the funding to over £6 billion per annum on SEND students. I know you take a great interest in this matter, Mr Speaker, as well.

[Mr Speaker]

Thank you; that is very much appreciated.

[Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con)]

18. Brooke School in Rugby caters for children with autism, physical disabilities, medical needs and learning difficulties, and it has recently opened a shop in Rugby town centre where pupils learn to produce products from recycled materials and sell them to the public. Does the Minister agree that that is an excellent opportunity to learn workplace skills? Will he join me in commending the inspirational head teacher, Chris Pollitt, for this initiative?

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[Damian Hinds]

I am very happy to do that; they have my absolute backing.

[Mr Speaker]

I would have thought that the right hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Sir John Hayes) strongly disapproved of the very creation of the mobile phone in the first place.

[Daniel Zeichner (Cambridge) (Lab)]

T2. Parents and staff in maintained nursery schools are waiting for the Government to stop dithering on future funding. Excellent schools in Cambridge and all over the country face a funding cliff edge next year. Can the Minister give them the assurance they need, and commit today to the future of our maintained nursery schools?

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[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Speaker]

One sentence of fewer than 20 words.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

Some 3,000 parents have signed a petition against King Edward VI School’s policy now of attracting students by catchment area, rather than by the 11-plus. What is my right hon. Friend’s view of the petition?

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[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Speaker]

One short sentence.

[Thangam Debbonaire (Bristol West) (Lab)]

Despite the Government’s warm words, headteachers tell me that they do not have enough money for children with special needs. What comfort can the Secretary of State give to the headteachers of maintained schools in my constituency of Bristol West that children with special educational needs will have the funding they need in 2019?