Written Question
Thursday 24th February 2022
Asked by:
Caroline Dinenage (Conservative - Gosport)
Question
to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what (a) financial and (b) other steps he is taking to help support nurseries and early years settings in (i) Gosport constituency, (ii) Hampshire and (iii) England facing disruption related to the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Will Quince
As we take the next steps in living with COVID-19, we remain committed to doing everything possible to protect face-to-face education and care, and keep early years providers open for all children.
At the Spending Review on 27 October 2021, the government announced additional funding of £160 million in the financial years 2022-23, £180 million in 2023-24, and £170 million in 2024-25, as compared to the current financial year. This is for local authorities to increase hourly rates paid to childcare providers. It also reflects cost pressures as well as anticipated changes in the number of eligible children.
The department continues to publish comprehensive guidance to support nurseries and other early years providers in delivering a safe and secure environment for children and staff as we continue to learn to live with COVID-19. This applies to providers across England. This guidance explains the control measures that providers should take to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This includes ensuring good hygiene, maintaining appropriate cleaning regimes, and keeping spaces well-ventilated.
The department has also issued guidance to clarify that providers can use the existing flexibilities on ratios that are set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework. This will help manage short-term workforce pressures so long as children continue to be cared for safely.
The government continues to monitor the early years sector for issues, including through engagement with local authorities. These support measures apply to all early years and childcare providers across England.
Written Question
Monday 15th November 2021
Asked by:
Caroline Dinenage (Conservative - Gosport)
Question
to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to increase the number of young people studying mathematics at higher education.
Answered by Michelle Donelan
Universities are autonomous bodies, independent from government, and they have control over decisions about who to admit to their courses.
Mathematics remains the most popular A level subject and we are committed to increase participation in post-16 mathematics. We introduced reformed A levels which provide a better foundation to study Mathematics courses, including pure Mathematics, at a higher level. We fund the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme which supports schools and colleges to improve the effectiveness of level 3 maths teaching and provides targeted support for students preparing for study at higher education.
We are working with universities and academy trusts to establish a specialist Mathematics school in each region (and a total of 11 nationally). These aim to prepare more of our most mathematically able students to succeed in Mathematics disciplines at top universities.
We strongly believe effective careers guidance and advice is key to supporting young people in their education and career choices.
The government’s Careers Strategy sets out a long-term plan to build a world class careers system to achieve this ambition. The delivery of the Careers Strategy will ensure that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) encounters, such as with employers and apprenticeships, are built into school career programmes.
The government also supports around 25% of the total PhD population in the UK through grants awarded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Since January 2020, UKRI has awarded £104 million of additional funding into Mathematical Sciences, over and above the Engineering and physical Sciences Research Council’s core Mathematical Sciences Theme budget.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 20 Mar 2017
Oral Answers to Questions
"I eventually get to say something! The home learning environment is fundamental to early years development. This Government are investing over £6 billion a year in early years by 2020—more than any Government have ever spent before—and we will look very closely at how to improve the home learning environment...."Caroline Dinenage - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 15 Mar 2017
Visible Religious Symbols: European Court Ruling
"I thank my right hon. Friend for raising this important issue and for giving the Government an opportunity to inform and, I hope, reassure the House about the two Court of Justice of the European Union judgments issued yesterday. The Government are completely opposed to discrimination, including on grounds of …..."Caroline Dinenage - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 15 Mar 2017
Visible Religious Symbols: European Court Ruling
"My right hon. Friend is right to raise this case. As I said, the UK has some of the strongest equality legislation in the world and our laws give people robust protection from religious discrimination in the workplace. It is and remains unlawful to directly discriminate against someone because of …..."Caroline Dinenage - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 15 Mar 2017
Visible Religious Symbols: European Court Ruling
"It would be helpful if I were to talk a little about the background to this, in order to aid our wider understanding. We are dealing with two cases here. The first, Achbita, was about whether a dress code banning the outward expression of personal belief was directly or indirectly …..."Caroline Dinenage - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 15 Mar 2017
Visible Religious Symbols: European Court Ruling
"My right hon. Friend is absolutely right; the Government believe, and I believe, that people need to be able to feel strong in their religious identities, and we are ensuring that the voices of people of faith can be heard up and down this country. As now, any dress code …..."Caroline Dinenage - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 15 Mar 2017
Visible Religious Symbols: European Court Ruling
"The Prime Minister was very clear that what a woman wears is her choice and no one else’s. Obviously, there is a clear difference in the following respect: it would be ridiculous to presume that, if someone wanted to wear loose clothing or dangling jewellery when working in or around …..."Caroline Dinenage - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 15 Mar 2017
Visible Religious Symbols: European Court Ruling
"Multiculturalism and the multiplicity of different faiths and religions in this country is one of our great strengths. We should recognise that many people follow their faith and that some people follow none, but we want a society that treats people equally and with respect, whatever their faith happens to …..."Caroline Dinenage - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 15 Mar 2017
Visible Religious Symbols: European Court Ruling
"The hon. Lady is absolutely right to point out that women should be respected; indeed, all workers and their religious individuality should be respected. Employers have a right to enforce a dress code, but she is right to point out that certain employers interpret that right differently from others. We …..."Caroline Dinenage - View Speech
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