Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential effect of the Government's proposed reductions in tax credits on the pupil premium.

As my Rt Hon Friend the Chancellor announced on 25 November, the government is not proceeding with the changes to the tax credit threshold and taper announced at the Summer Budget 2015.

We are determined to deliver educational excellence everywhere so that every child, regardless of background, reaches their potential. That is why we are delivering on our commitment to continue providing the pupil premium, protected at current rates, so schools receive additional money for pupils from the poorest backgrounds.