Education Committee

01 Apr Social affairs

Former Education Minister Says Childcare Needs Boost For Students And Disadvantaged Families

Chair of the Education Select Committee Robin Walker has said Government childcare measures must go further to support families and the early years sector, urging the government to expand provisions to graduate students and disadvantaged groups.

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13 Dec 2023 Education

IET response to the House of Lords Education for 11-16 Year Olds Committee’s report: ‘Requires Improvement: Urgent change for 11-16 Education’

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is pleased see the release of the House of Lords Education for 11-16 Year Olds Committee’s report: Requires Improvement: Urgent change for 11-16 Education.

06 Sep 2023 Education

Education Committee To Investigate "Bigger Picture" Surrounding Schools Concrete Crisis

The education committee will investigate the “bigger picture” surrounding the RAAC concrete crisis that has affected schools across the UK.

11 Jul 2023 Education

The Education Committee has a full plate tackling childcare, teacher retention, school absence and more

It’s just over six months since I sat down at the horseshoe as chair of the Education Committee, having pledged to launch inquiries into childcare and the early years, and the growing issue of persistent school absence

05 Oct 2021 Education

We must act to stop our children’s life chances being forever harmed by Covid

As we emerge into a world changed by Covid, we need an education system that gives everyone, no matter their background or where they are in the country, the chance to climb the ladder of opportunity.

29 Jun 2021 Coronavirus

Education Recovery Advisor Quit After Asking Boris Johnson For £15bn But Was Offered "Feeble" £1.4bn

Sir Kevan Collins, who was tasked by Boris Johnson to devise an education recovery plan, has confirmed he quit after asking for £15billion so pupils could catch up on lost learning from the pandemic, but was offered just £1.4billion.

24 Jun 2021 Education

White working class pupils are the victims of over a decade of cuts – not the term white privilege

The Education Committee report is a shameful attempt to stoke the culture war by scapegoating ethnic minorities for the poverty endemic in ‘left behind’ communities.

21 Apr 2021 Communities

Stephen Lawrence Day is a time to reflect on the transformative power of education to improve life chances

As we reflect on this year’s Stephen Lawrence Day, a day where we come together to continue to push the agenda for change and the sort of society where everyone can flourish, I wanted to reflect on my passion, education.

02 Mar 2021 Coronavirus

Government’s Own Education Recovery Commissioner Says Covid-19 Catch-Up Funding Is “Not Sufficient”

The government’s multi-million pound support package to help pupils recover from Covid disruption has been labelled “not sufficient” by its own education recovery commissioner.

20 Jan 2021 Coronavirus

Andy Burnham Rejects Suggestion Government Could Decide Which Regions Can Re-Open Schools First

The mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has called on government to publish a date for when all schools can start to re-open rather than deciding on a regional basis.

19 Aug 2020 Coronavirus

Disadvantaged pupils are facing a perfect storm as they await their GCSE results — and it’s about more than coronavirus

Lockdown has only amplified existing inequalities in our education system. We need long-term, targeted solutions to tackle persistent disadvantage.

18 Aug 2020 Coronavirus

Gavin Williamson urged to sort out BTEC grades ‘as soon as possible’ as some are also affected by exam algorithm U-turn

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is being urged to ensure thousands of pupils get their revised BTEC results “as soon as possible” as it was confirmed that some of the career-based qualifications will be affected by a major U-turn on grading.

02 Jul 2020 Coronavirus

At a glance: The changes schools must make before they welcome back all pupils in September

The Government is asking schools reopen for all pupils full-time from the start of the autumn term, and have issued guidance on how they can make classrooms and campuses Covid-secure.

20 Jun 2020 Coronavirus

University challenge: the coronavirus funding crisis facing UK higher education

Like many sectors, the UK’s higher education system faces unprecedented challenges as a result of the coronavirus crisis. With campuses emptying overnight, and incomes for the next academic year expected to drop significantly, the future looks highly uncertain. But can universities bounce back?

17 Jun 2020 Education

MP brands unions ‘utterly disgraceful’ as they insist schools cannot reopen in September with two-metre rule

Education unions were attacked by Conservative MPs as they warned that schools will likely be unable to reopen in September if the Government’s two-metre social distancing rule remains in place.

17 Jun 2020 Coronavirus

Supporting children at risk of hunger over the holidays should not be a one-off intervention

The Government should build on this initial announcement and commit to funding free school food provision schemes for all children at risk of hunger, during every school holiday.

11 Jun 2020 Coronavirus

Coronavirus: Keir Starmer says it is ‘ridiculous’ that betting shops can reopen while schools stay shut

Keir Starmer has said it is “ridiculous” that betting shops and theme parks are able to reopen next week while schools in England remain shut.

01 Jun 2020 Coronavirus

‘We need to educate our children again’ – inside the battle to re-open England’s schools

Thousands of children will return to primary school today in the first phase of the Government’s plan to get all pupils back in the classroom before the summer holidays. But teaching unions say they have “deep concerns” and accuse ministers of ignoring the scientific evidence. Georgina Bailey reports on the Government’s attempt to get schools back up and running – and the clash with the teachers who fear it is too early

24 Jan 2020 Home affairs

Skills, social justice, standards, and support for the teaching profession will be my priorities

If I’m re-elected as chair I will continue to ensure the Education Committee has a significant role as an influencer of policy, writes Robert Halfon MP

14 Jan 2020 Education

Social justice must be the beating heart of our education policy

By extending the ladder of opportunity to those who currently lack it, and by nurturing our raw talents more generally, we can build the brightest of futures for us all, says Robert Halfon MP.

24 Oct 2019 Education

Children with special educational needs are being let down

Extra funding will fail to make a difference unless ministers correct the flaws in this dysfunctional system, writes Robert Halfon MP

29 Sep 2019 Education

It’s time to get serious on lifelong learning – and ensure everyone has the chance to prosper

Government should commit to a three-part guarantee to boost lifelong learning, writes Robert Halfon MP

15 Jul 2019 Education

The next occupant of 10 Downing Street will need to face up to our country’s skills problem

May Days: Theresa May has shown admirable resolve in her education reforms – but there is still much to do to tackle the burning injustices in our society, writes Robert Halfon

30 Apr 2019 Education

We will never combat knife crime unless we address the root causes

A correlation between school exclusions and involvement in knife crime means more must be done to improve early intervention to help pupils maintain their education, says Robert Halfon