Oral Answers to Questions

Stuart Anderson Excerpts

Monday 23rd November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Stuart Anderson (Wolverhampton South West) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to support parents with childcare provision.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Vicky Ford)]

We have made an unprecedented investment in childcare of £3.6 billion this year. Childcare settings have been prioritised for reopening, childcare bubbles have reduced pressure on working parents, and from next Easter, disadvantaged children will be able to take part in our holiday activities and food programmes all across the country.[Official Report, 24 November 2020, Vol. 684, c. 5MC.]

[Stuart Anderson]

The Minister will know of my enthusiasm for campaigning for another outstanding secondary school in Wolverhampton. Will she work with me to see that that comes to fruition and that we get another outstanding secondary school in Wolverhampton?

[Vicky Ford]

My hon. Friend shares our passion for making sure that we improve education in Wolverhampton and all across the country. He has been championing that non-stop, lobbying my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. The free schools programme has created thousands of high-quality school places. Three secondary applications have been received from my hon. Friend’s constituency, and we hope to make a decision later this year.