Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Morgan and Lindsay Hoyle

Monday 10th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Morgan]

I will happily meet the hon. Member to discuss those issues further.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

[Munira Wilson (Twickenham) (LD)]

The Child Poverty Action Group estimates that the parent of a child in secondary school spends, on average, over £480 a year on school uniforms. The Government’s move to limit the number of branded uniform items to three or four is well intentioned, but there is nothing to stop the overinflation of the price of those items. A cap on costs, reviewed annually, would not just guarantee pounds and pennies saved for parents, but give schools the freedom to set their own uniform policies, rather than Ministers in Whitehall telling headteachers and school governors what to do. Will Ministers think again and back the Liberal Democrat amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill next week?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Morgan and Lindsay Hoyle

Monday 27th January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Morgan]

Unlike the Conservative party, we are on the side of working parents, and high-quality education will be available to every child. As for the hon. Gentleman’s substantive point, it would help if the Conservatives were honest. They would not reverse the rise.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the shadow Minister.

[Neil O’Brien (Harborough, Oadby and Wigston) (Con)]

The decision not to compensate nurseries for the national insurance increase has already pushed providers “to the brink”, according to the Early Years Alliance, and many in schools, including schools with nurseries, are worried that they will be next. Local councils received a bill of £1.8 billion as a result of the national insurance increase, but received compensation for less than a third of that because the indirect costs were not covered. Can the Minister reassure the House that compensation for the increase will cover all the costs to schools, not just the direct costs?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Morgan and Lindsay Hoyle

Monday 4th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. These are topical questions. I have to get everybody in who has not got in before. You have got in once already, so don’t be greedy.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)]

We are committed to improving school buildings, where we want our children to achieve and thrive, but that will not be a quick fix. Bury council has been awarded £1.8 million for the financial year to improve its school buildings, including The Derby high school. Last week, this Government increased next year’s capital allocation for England to £2.1 billion, some £300 million more than last year. I will, of course, be happy to meet with my hon. Friend—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Obviously, set-up questions have very long answers. We should be able to have shorter questions and answers.

--- Later in debate ---

[Stephen Morgan]

I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the matter.

[Mr Speaker]

I call Stuart Andrew.