Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government has taken to reduce social exclusion among the children of England.

A world-class education system that works for everyone is the surest way to spread opportunity across the country. That is why we are investing over £7 billion more in our schools by 2022-23 than in 2019-20, plus additional funding to cover pension costs. This means schools around the country can continue to raise standards to give all children the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Schools continue to receive additional funding through the pupil premium – worth around £2.4 billion annually – to help them support their disadvantaged pupils.

During the pandemic, the Government is investing over £400 million to support access to remote education and online social care services, including securing 1.3 million laptops and tablets for disadvantaged children and young people.

This Government has also delivered an unprecedented package of support to protect jobs and businesses and, for those in most need, injecting billions into the welfare system. The new Covid Winter Grant Scheme builds on that support with an additional £170 million for local authorities in England, to support families with children and other vulnerable people with the cost of food and essential utilities this winter. Our long-term ambition is to level up across the country and continue to tackle child poverty through our reformed welfare system encouraging parents to move into and progress in work wherever possible.