Youth Funding
December 2021
Youth services and trained youth workers can have a transformational impact, especially for young people facing multiple barriers or disadvantage. It is important that all young people are given the opportunity to develop the skills, networks and resilience that can improve their life chances and support them to avoid negative pathways such as violence and crime.
Therefore, I am delighted that young people in England will be given access to more activities, trips away from home and volunteering opportunities as part of a new National Youth Guarantee backed by £560 million investment.
This investment includes £378 million for the Youth Investment Fund. Under this scheme, youth services across 45 Local Authorities and around 600 district wards in the most deprived parts of England will be eligible to apply for the £378 million Youth Investment Fund. It will pave the way for up to 300 youth facilities to be built or refurbished over the next three years, providing young people with a safe space to engage in positive activities outside of school, and access support from youth workers.
In addition, the National Citizen Service (NCS) will receive £171 million over the next three years to provide thousands more young people from all backgrounds with opportunities to become ‘world ready and work ready’. The NCS is more important than ever following the Covid-19 pandemic, and it will provide a year round offer that supports young people’s mental wellbeing and helps them to develop life skills that improve their confidence and employability.
A further £22 million will go towards The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, non-military uniformed youth groups, including Scouts and Guides, and the #iwill Fund which will continue getting young people involved in social action projects, which is expected to trigger tens of thousands of new volunteering opportunities.
This means that, by 2025, every young person in England will have access to regular out of school activities, adventures away from home and opportunities to volunteer. This includes all 11-18 year olds, and up to 25 years old for those with special educational needs and disabilities.
Mental Health Research
December 2021
Through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the Government funds a range of research in mental health to inform national mental health policy. In 2020, £93.4 million was spent on mental health research, an increase from the previous year, and it is welcome that the Government is committed to having mental health research as a priority area.
Examples of research include a study jointly led with Kings College London and eating disorder charity Beat aiming to better understand what may lead to an eating disorder. In 2021, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) announced £24 million investment into adolescent mental health, including projects to better understand the relationship between social media and the mental health problems some young people face.
I was very encouraged to see the Government’s commitments to health-related research and development (R&D) in the 2021 Spending Review, including the largest ever cash uplift for health R&D. Funding will increase by £605 million, meaning the overall investment will rise to £2 billion by 2024/25. I look forward to learning more about projects that this funding will support
Online Safety Bill
December 2021
I would like to reassure you that my commitment to protecting children online is unwavering. As a father myself, the idea of children being exposed to graphic and damaging material such as pornography is sickening. While going online can be hugely beneficial for children, who use the internet for accessing educational resources, connecting with friends, and for entertainment, I completely agree that it is vital that children are protected from accessing inappropriate and harmful content, including pornography. The Government announced in October 2019 that it would not commence the age verification provisions of Part 3 of the Digital Economy Act 2017. While I appreciate your frustration with this decision, the Draft Online Safety Bill will be able to go further than the Digital Economy Act’s focus on online pornography on commercial adult sites. It will be able to protect children from a broader range of harmful content and activity, across a wider range of sites. Under the proposals, companies are expected to use age assurance or age verification technologies to prevent children from accessing services which pose the highest risk of harm, such as online pornography. This will capture both the most visited pornography sites and pornography on social media. These measures will therefore bring into scope more online pornography currently accessible to children than would have been covered by the narrower scope of the Digital Economy Act. The Government recognises that concerns have been raised about protecting children from online pornography on services which do not currently fall within the scope of the Bill. This was also raised by the Joint Committee on the draft Online Safety Bill. The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has said that the Government will consider the recommendations of the Joint Committee before the Bill is brought forward to Parliament.
Supporting Children in Poverty
September 2021
I firmly believe that children should grow up in an environment with no limits to their potential and that we must continue efforts to reduce poverty, including child poverty.
First of all, thank you for highlighting the statistics for our local area. I would emphasise that my colleagues at the Department for Work and Pensions have been unable to assess the robustness of Loughborough University’s modelling, as their methodological choices have not been shared.
National Statistics on the number and percentage of children in low income households are published annually in the “Households Below Average Income” publication. These remain the most accurate published measurements of low income. These latest statistics show that in the past decade, 100,000 children have been lifted out of absolute poverty (both before and after housing costs) and levels of combined material deprivation and low income for children are at their joint lowest level.
Since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, quick action has been taken to support families. Over 11.5m people have been kept in their jobs through the furlough scheme, while welfare changes worth over £7.4 billion were quickly introduced. The £500m local authority hardship fund was established and a £63 million local welfare assistance fund was also created so that councils can help those struggling to afford food and other essentials. While some of the help you mention was instigated at the start of the pandemic, further support has been introduced as it has progressed. As you would expect, discussions are ongoing across government about the best way to support people.
The benefit cap allows for a yearly income of £20,000 outside of London, and £23,000 within London, and I am not aware of plans to change this. However, I would emphasise that claimants with a sustained employment record may benefit from a nine-month grace period before the cap applies. Exemptions also apply for the most vulnerable claimants who are entitled to disability benefits and carer benefits.
As you may know, ministers commissioned an independent review into the food system in the form of the National Food Strategy. Part One of that review was published in July 2020 and it gave recommendations to support this country through the turbulence caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Part Two of the independent review sets out proposals for measures to combat obesity and improve overall health of children and adults, as well as proposals for specific initiatives to educate children about nutrition at school. My ministerial colleagues will now carefully consider the report's conclusions and respond with a White Paper within six months, setting out priorities for the food system.
Teaching English as a Second Language (ESOL)
July 2021
Our ESOL sector in the UK plays a vital role, making a significant contribution to promoting the English language, education and British culture.
The UK Government is looking outwards to the world, now that we have exited the European Union. Ministers tell me that the Government plans to use our new independent trade policy to deliver more opportunities for education providers.
Ministers have recently updated the International Education Strategy and a new international teaching qualification is to be established. The new qualification will deliver opportunities for teacher training providers, supporting the UK as it builds lasting and positive relationships around the world.
More broadly, the new £110 million Turing Scheme will provide funding for around 35,000 students per year from September 2021, and is now open for schools, colleges and universities to apply for funding. It will enable students to study and work around the globe. The scheme will target disadvantaged students to make international opportunities more accessible.
Furthermore, in 2020, the new student immigration route was launched, which streamlined the immigration process for international students.
The sector has much to be optimistic about as the we look to grow education exports to £35 billion per year by 2030. It is also the ambition of the Government that by 2030, 600,000 international students will come to the UK each year to study. Ministers look forward to working with the British Council and the sector to turn this ambition into a reality.
COVID-19: Learning Recovery
July 2021
The last year has been a distressing time for children and parents, with the pandemic creating circumstances no one could have imagined or wished for.
I am aware of the immense challenges facing pupils as a result of this pandemic. I am therefore pleased that £3 billion which has been made available to schools to help all pupils and schools make up for lost teaching time. This includes £1 billion in funding for the National Tutoring Programme which will support up to six million, 15 hour tutoring courses for disadvantaged school children.
In addition, the Department for Education is providing £400 million to help give early years practitioners and 500,000 teachers across the country, training and support to help provide the necessary support to pupils who have been disadvantaged due to the school closures. Funding for schools and colleges will also be provided to give some Year 13 students the opportunity to repeat their final year. Further options such as longer school days, are still being considered and any changes will be announced at the next spending review.
Child Poverty
June 2021
I can assure you that eradicating child poverty is an absolute priority. I proudly stood on a manifesto that pledged to continue efforts through the tax and benefits system to reduce poverty, including child poverty. I firmly believe that children should grow up in an environment with no limits to their potential and I am pleased the Government is making it a priority to put more money in the pockets of low-paid workers.
I am encouraged by the Prime Minister’s clear commitment to do whatever it takes to support people during the Coronavirus crisis, and I welcome that this has included a number of measures to protect children and ensure no child goes hungry. Due to the pandemic, I know that many children and parents in our constituency faced an entirely unprecedented situation over the summer. To reflect this, additional funding was provided for a ‘Covid Summer Food Fund’ which enabled children who are eligible for free school meals to receive food vouchers covering the 6-week holiday period.
This is part of the wider support available for children and families at this challenging time. I am delighted that an additional £63 million has been distributed to local authorities in England to help those who are struggling to afford food and other essentials. In addition, Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit have been temporarily uplifted by around £1,000 a year as part of an injection of over £9.3 billion into the welfare system.
I will be keeping a close watch on this issue and will do all I can to ensure our children are protected from poverty.
#NotOk Campaign: Support for Young People with Cancer
June 2021
Please allow me to assure you that improving outcomes for patients diagnosed with this disease remains a key NHS priority: last December, my colleague the Minister for Prevention, Public Health and Primary Care said that "the Government will stop at nothing to make childhood cancer a thing of the past for generations to come", a commitment which I firmly support.
I absolutely agree that we must do all we can to provide appropriate support to those suffering with cancer and their families. NHS Cancer Services for Teenagers and Young Adults must meet a wide range of criteria which not only includes establishing clear care pathways and providing the best medical care, but also assigning a key worker and providing support at every stage. This includes ongoing physical and emotional support during and after treatment is finished.
I would be happy to work with colleagues across Parliament as well as charities and health teams to ensure that everything possible is done to ensure children and young people with cancer, as well as their families, have access to appropriate psychological support.
#FundTheHubs Campaign: Support for Young People's Mental Health
June 2021
It is incredibly important to protect and support the health of children and young people in our society. In recent years we have made huge progress in understanding mental health issues, and I support efforts to transform children and young people’s mental health for the better. Approximately 10 per cent of 5 to 16-year-olds have a clinically diagnosable mental health problem. Since 2015, an additional £1.4 billion has been invested to transform children and young people’s mental health services.
The Children and Young People’s Mental Health Green Paper sets out ambitious proposals to improve mental health services for children and young people, together with over £300 million of funding. This will incentivise and support schools and colleges to train designated leaders for their pupils’ mental health, and introduce new mental health teams, both of which will ease pressure on NHS mental health services.
The NHS Long Term Plan makes a commitment to offering children and young people the best start in life. By 2023/2024 at least an additional 345,000 children and young people aged 0-25 will be able to access support via NHS funded mental health services and school or college-based Mental Health Support Teams. I welcome the Secretary of State's announcement that £79 million from the additional £500 million for mental health announced at the 2021 Spending Review will be allocated to accelerate the commitment to expand these services.
Early intervention is vital in the fight against eating disorders and everyone with an eating disorder must have access to timely treatment. That is why I am glad that an ambitious new access standard was introduced, which aimed for 95 per cent of children (up to 19 years old) with eating disorders to receive treatment within a week for urgent cases and four weeks for routine cases by the end of 2020. While in view of the coronavirus pandemic I know that this has been a particularly challenging year, and I share your disappointment that this target was not met, I know that NHS staff have been working extremely hard to refer people as quickly as possible: I am certain that services will continue to improve, particularly as NHS services return to normal following the disruption of the past year.
Access to mental health support for children and young people during the COVID-19 outbreak is vital. NHS services remain open and leading mental health charities have been supported to deliver additional services through the £5 million Coronavirus Mental Health Response Fund. The NHS has also set up 24/7 open access telephone lines for urgent mental health support for people of all ages, for example through the Samaritans on 116 123 or through Childline on 0800 1111.
SATs & Assessments for Primary School Children
June 2021
I firmly believe that children should receive the best possible primary education to prepare them for later life. I am also very aware of the impact that the school closures have had on children including on their learning, development, and mental health. Ministers are committed to ensuring that no child is left behind and all pupils receive the necessary support they need.
I understand your concerns regarding the assessments that primary school children must take including the Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) and SATs. However, I believe that these assessments are crucial to ensuring that great schools are recognised and help to improve those that can learn from others.
As I understand it, assessments such as the RBA are used to inform the way that the Department for Education measures progress that primary school pupils make. No preparation is required from pupils, and data from the assessment will only be used once children reach the end of primary school. The information will not be used to judge, track, or label individual pupils.
Similarly, although they have been cancelled this year, SATs taken by Year Six pupils are important for accountability and help the Department for Education understand which schools are falling below expected levels of progress. Furthermore, it enables teachers to see how their pupils are performing in relation to national expectations and allows them to provide extra support for individuals where required.
I very much welcome the vast amount of additional support that has been provided to teachers and schools during the pandemic. This includes a £79 million funding boost for mental health teams at schools and colleges. The most disadvantaged children will also benefit from the £350 million National Tutoring Programme which has been expanded by £83 million, to provide additional, targeted support for those children that need the most help.
I will continue to monitor this issue closely, ensuring that all primary school assessments are carried out fairly and with the utmost consideration for the pupils’ mental health and wellbeing.
Global Partnership in Education
May 2021
I agree that improving education systems in developing countries is beneficial for everyone. It supports young people to get good jobs and helps them to lift themselves and their countries out of poverty, thereby building a more prosperous and more stable future for us all. I used to be on the board of a charity that supported education for girls in the developing world. The UK is a world leader when it comes to improving global education. We are already the biggest bilateral donor to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the largest fund in the world dedicated to improving education in developing countries. Our contribution accounts for 20 per cent of the total amount given globally.
No decision has yet been taken on the UK's next contribution to GPE. However, ministers have assured me that, as co-host, the UK is using every means at our disposal to help the GPE secure its five-year rolling financing target of up to $5 billion (2021 - 2026). Nonetheless, it is important to remember that the pandemic has had a significant impact on our finances and as a consequence, difficult decisions have to be made.
Girls' education is a particular priority for the Prime Minister, and one of the seven Official Development Assistance (ODA) priorities for the UK. The FCDO will spend £400 million on girls' education in 2021, which will help achieve the global target to get 40 million more girls into education, and 20 million more reading in the next five years.
The UK has pledged to put education (and removing barriers to it) on the global policy agenda this year as part of its Presidency of the G7. Indeed, I welcome the Declaration on Girls' Education of 5 May by the Foreign and Development ministers of the G7 to this end.
NSPCC's Wild West Web Campaign
April 2021
While being online can be a hugely positive experience for children, we have to be alive to the dangers. I believe it is vital that we do all we can to protect our children from the negative impacts the online world can have.
I know the Government fully recognises the importance of tackling online harms, including harmful content to children on the Internet. That is why the Online Harms White Paper, jointly published by the Home Office and DCMS in 2019, sets out plans for world-leading legislation in this area and I am delighted that the Government has now published its full response to the subsequent consultation.
As championed by the NSPCC, the Bill will establish a new duty of care on companies towards their users, which will be overseen by Ofcom, the UK's independent communications regulator. Ofcom will have the power to levy unprecedented fines of up to £18million or 10 per cent of global turnover (whichever is higher) for serious breaches under the proposals. This will make companies take more responsibility for the safety of their users and tackle harm caused by content or activity on their services.
I also welcome that the Government will be developing an online media literacy strategy. This strategy will lead to a coordinated and strategic approach to online media literacy education and awareness for children, young people and adults. Online media and digital literacy can equip users with the skills they need to spot dangers online, critically appraise information and take steps to keep themselves and others safe online.
As a rule I prefer not to sign EDMs as they never have any impact on policy but do incur great cost to the taxpayer. I feel it is more constructive to discuss issues raised by constituents with ministerial colleagues directly.
COVID-19: Facemasks in Schools
April 2021
I welcome that all schools and colleges have now re-opened.
As you will be aware, new Government guidance recommends that the use of face coverings in Higher Education, Further Education and secondary schools is extended for a limited period to all indoor environments - including classrooms - unless 2m social distancing can be maintained. I believe that this measure will offer even greater reassurance that face-to-face teaching is safe.
This is a temporary measure and I understand that, following an ongoing review of the evidence, it will remain in place at the start of the summer term. Subject to the roadmap process, as part of step 3, it is expected that the wearing of face coverings in classrooms and indoor communal areas will no longer be required. This will be no earlier than 17 May and will be confirmed with one week's notice and following a review of the latest infection and vaccination data.
Ahead of Step 4 of the roadmap, the Government will complete a review of social distancing measures and other long-term measures that have been put in place to limit transmission. The results of the review will help inform decisions on the timing and circumstances under which rules on 1 metre+, face masks and other measures may be lifted.
#TeachBest Campaign
April 2021
It is encouraging to see a major increase in the number of applications to join the teaching profession over the course of the last year. Increasing the number of teachers in our schools is a priority and so there are a range of incentives on offer to attract new recruits. One of these incentives is a tax free, post graduate teacher training bursary.
Teacher training bursaries are intended to attract high quality graduates into the teaching profession. The bursary amount varies according to the subject in which they train to teach and on the grade of their highest academic qualification. In the 2020-21 academic year, bursaries of up to £26,000 have been available for those subjects where the demand for teachers is highest, such as the sciences, computing, languages and classics. However, there have also been bursaries available for subjects not included on the highest level of bursary funding, including history, RE, music and art and design.
In 2021-22, bursaries are being offered at a rate of: £24,000 in chemistry, computing, maths and physics; £10,000 in languages and classics; and £7,000 in biology. Scholarships of £26,000 in chemistry, computing, maths and physics are also being offered. Scholarships come with a package of additional benefits from the appropriate professional body. It is right that the rate at which bursaries are paid, and the subjects for which they are available, are regularly reviewed to ensure that people are being attracted into teaching in the subjects where they are needed most.
More broadly, it is welcome that action is being taken to significantly increase the teacher starting salary to £30,000. These increases to teachers’ pay are made possible by the funding settlement between 2020-21 and 2022-23, which will see an extra £14 billion going into our schools. In addition, teachers’ pensions remain among the most generous available. It is right that increased contributions to the teachers’ pension scheme will be fully funded, meaning that teachers will get an employer contribution of 23.6 per cent on top their salary towards their pension every year.
COVID-19: Child Poverty
February 2021
I can assure you that eradicating child poverty is an absolute priority. I proudly stood on a manifesto that pledged to continue efforts through the tax and benefits system to reduce poverty, including child poverty. I firmly believe that children should grow up in an environment with no limits to their potential and I am pleased the Government is making it a priority to put more money in the pockets of low-paid workers.
The way we measured child poverty in the past, based on median income, was deeply flawed. For example, by this measure the number of children in poverty went down significantly during the last economic recession, mainly because the incomes of the wealthiest fell furthest. That is why new measures have been introduced to focus on the root causes of poverty, chief among them being educational attainment and levels of work within a family.
I am encouraged by the Prime Minister’s clear commitment to do whatever it takes to support people during the Coronavirus crisis, and I welcome that this has included a number of measures to protect children and ensure no child goes hungry. Due to the pandemic, I know that many children and parents in our constituency faced an entirely unprecedented situation over the summer. To reflect this, additional funding was provided for a ‘Covid Summer Food Fund’ which enabled children who are eligible for free school meals to receive food vouchers covering the 6-week holiday period.
This is part of the wider support available for children and families at this challenging time. I am delighted that an additional £63 million has been distributed to local authorities in England to help those who are struggling to afford food and other essentials. In addition, Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit have been temporarily uplifted by around £1,000 a year as part of an injection of over £9.3 billion into the welfare system.
I will be keeping a close watch on this issue and will do all I can to ensure our children are protected from poverty.
Climate Change & The National Curriculum
February 2021
Climate change is an important part of the national curriculum, with the foundation concepts relating to climate and environment taught at primary school before progressing to the causes and consequences at secondary school.
For instance, in primary school science, pupils are taught to observe changes across the seasons, including the weather, and they look at how environments can change, including as a result of human activities. In secondary school science, pupils are taught about biodiversity, ecosystems, the atmosphere and the carbon cycle, as well as about the production of carbon dioxide by human activity and the effect this has on the climate.
Science GCSE gives pupils the opportunity to consider the evidence for additional anthropogenic causes of climate change. Furthermore, a new environmental science A Level was introduced in 2017 which will enable young people to study topics that will enhance their understanding of climate change and how it can be addressed.
The geography curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4 includes content designed to enable pupils to understand ways in which human and physical processes interact to influence and change the climate, as well as environments and landscapes. It also includes content on the change in climate from the Ice Age to the present day. GCSE geography gives pupils an opportunity to consider the causes, consequences of and responses to extreme weather conditions and natural weather hazards.
I hope this reassures you that climate change has an appropriate place in the curriculum.
COVID-19: University Fees (2020/21 Academic Year)
January 2021
As a former student myself (some time ago!), I fully understand that many students are frustrated with their experience during lockdown, and in particular paying full tuition fees when learning has been moved to remote provision. I have publicly called for universities to reduce tuition fees, and have challenged Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, on this point.
The Government has, to its credit, also called on universities that are not providing a full education to reflect any reduced offering in reduced fees. However, universities are autonomous institutions not run by Government, and so it is up to each university to choose whether they charge up to the Government-set maximum fees cap. Ministers and the Office for Students (OfS) have been explicit that whether they are delivering face-to-face, online, or blended provision, universities must continue delivering a high-quality academic experience that helps all students achieve qualifications that they and employers’ value. It is worth remembering that several universities have an existing track record of offering highly regarded online-only courses.
The OfS are taking very seriously the potential impacts on teaching and learning of moving online. They are actively monitoring universities and collecting evidence to ensure that providers maintain the quality of their provision, making all reasonable efforts to ensure online learning is accessible for all students; and that they have been clear in their communications to students about how arrangements for teaching and learning may change throughout this year. If the OfS have any concerns, they will investigate further.
The following principles should apply to online-only provision:
• there is no reason why students should expect to see reduced contact time as a result of a shift to online provision;
• students should receive regular updates from their provider, with clear, timely information on what is happening to their classes and lectures; and
• all students need to be supported to access online provision, noting that the Government has made available £256 million for this academic year towards student hardship funds, including the purchase of IT equipment.
Where a student believes their provider has failed to deliver a high-quality academic experience you are entitled to complain, in the first instance to the university and then to the OfS.
Young People's Well-Being
January 2021
It must be a matter of priority for all of us that we do everything in our power to ensure our children are happy and healthy. I know Ministers share this view and I am reassured that many steps are already being taken towards this goal. I unfortunately cannot attend the Wellbeing Week event due to other pressing Parliamentary duties I must attend to that day, but please know that I am supportive of the cause.
While the coronavirus pandemic poses clear challenges for children and young people's mental health, it is somewhat encouraging that the second annual State of the Nation report found that children and young people aged five to 24 generally responded with resilience to changes in their lives between March and September 2020. Despite indications of challenges to their mental wellbeing they report stable levels of happiness and only slight reduction in satisfaction with their lives. However, the Government has been working hard to ensure the pandemic has a limited impact on the wellbeing of young people in the long run.
An £8 million training programme run by mental health experts was launched in the autumn to help improve how schools and colleges respond to the emotional impact of the coronavirus pandemic on both students and staff, by giving them the knowledge and access to resources they need to support children, young people, teachers and parents affected by the pandemic.
The introduction of the new compulsory Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum will be another important step in improving our children’s overall wellbeing. The curriculum is designed to equip children early-on with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships, as well as preparing them for adult life in a changing world.
I am also pleased that Mental Health Support Teams will be rolled out to schools and colleges. These teams will employ new staff who are being recruited and trained specifically for the programme. The National Health Service is on track to deliver the roll-out of mental health support teams in schools and colleges across 20-25 per cent of areas in England by 2023/24.
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