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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 12 Jul 2021
Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill

"What we have heard from those on the Opposition Benches, in trying to suggest that holocaust deniers will be supported in going on to our university campuses, is clearly fearmongering. Will the Minister set the record straight and highlight that that is not the case and that we are supporting …..."
Christian Wakeford - View Speech

View all Christian Wakeford (Lab - Bury South) contributions to the debate on: Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 29 Jun 2021
Education Recovery

"I shall try to be brief to allow my hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Peter Gibson) to take part in the debate. Also, we all clearly want to see whether football is still coming home.

I start by taking the opportunity to put on record how grateful I am …..."
Christian Wakeford - View Speech

View all Christian Wakeford (Lab - Bury South) contributions to the debate on: Education Recovery
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 15 Jun 2021
Catch-up Premium

"Does the Minister agree that the best place for a child has always been in school, and when Opposition Members, and indeed their councils and councillors, were calling for schools not to reopen last year that did a disservice to not only the country but our children, who matter the …..."
Christian Wakeford - View Speech

View all Christian Wakeford (Lab - Bury South) contributions to the debate on: Catch-up Premium
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 15 Jun 2021
Catch-up Premium

"Thank you for calling me, Mr Deputy Speaker, and I do not really know how to follow your former teacher, the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman), other than by saying that I disagree fundamentally with everything he just said.

May I put on the record my thanks to the …..."
Christian Wakeford - View Speech

View all Christian Wakeford (Lab - Bury South) contributions to the debate on: Catch-up Premium
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 15 Jun 2021
Catch-up Premium

"I thank my hon. Friend for that intervention; it is almost as if he has read my speech already.

I also want to pay tribute to the fantastic work that the Tutor Trust has been doing—especially considering that it is based in my constituency—in getting graduates out there and teaching …..."
Christian Wakeford - View Speech

View all Christian Wakeford (Lab - Bury South) contributions to the debate on: Catch-up Premium
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 10 Jun 2021
Ofsted Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges

"I thank the Minister for her statement. The review has revealed that different parts of the state are not always working together as well as they should be to ensure that cases of sexual abuse are properly dealt with. Can my hon. Friend the Minister confirm that she will be …..."
Christian Wakeford - View Speech

View all Christian Wakeford (Lab - Bury South) contributions to the debate on: Ofsted Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges
Written Question

Question Link

Wednesday 19th May 2021

Asked by: Christian Wakeford (Labour - Bury South)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will take steps to ensure that businesses are included in his Department's plans for a literacy recovery strategy.

Answered by Nick Gibb

The Department recognises that extended school and college restrictions have had a substantial impact on children and young people’s education. We are committed to helping pupils make up education lost due to the COVID-19 outbreak. To address this challenge, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, committed to working with parents, teachers, schools and colleges to develop a long-term plan to help schools and colleges support pupils to make up their education over the course of this Parliament.

In addition, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has appointed Sir Kevan Collins as Education Recovery Commissioner to advise on the development of the long-term recovery plan. Sir Kevan will engage with parents, pupils, and teachers in advising on the development of this plan and review how evidence-based interventions can be used to address the impact the COVID-19 outbreak has had on education. Further details will be shared in due course.

On literacy specifically, the Government is committed to continuing to raise literacy standards, ensuring all children, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, can read fluently and with understanding. The Government will continue to work closely with a wide range of organisations, including businesses, to achieve this aim, and values the contribution of businesses to supporting children’s education. For example, in June 2020 we announced a £1 billion catch-up package, including a National Tutoring Programme and a catch-up premium for this academic year. In February 2021, we committed to further funding of £700 million to fund summer schools, the expansion of our tutoring programmes, and a recovery premium for the next academic year. Funding will support pupils across nurseries, schools, and 16-19 colleges.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 13 May 2021
A Brighter Future for the Next Generation

"To talk about levelling up is truly to talk about education. I thank the Secretary of State for the investment in secondary education that he has made in my constituency with the Radcliffe high school. When it comes to further education and the skills agenda that he has mentioned, the …..."
Christian Wakeford - View Speech

View all Christian Wakeford (Lab - Bury South) contributions to the debate on: A Brighter Future for the Next Generation
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 13 May 2021
A Brighter Future for the Next Generation

"Children’s attainment in literacy is going backwards, as is children’s mental health, and children are needing to go through potty training again. There are fears over people’s prospects and the jobs market. Which of the above does the hon. Lady think is a “good crisis” for people to take advantage …..."
Christian Wakeford - View Speech

View all Christian Wakeford (Lab - Bury South) contributions to the debate on: A Brighter Future for the Next Generation
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 13 May 2021
A Brighter Future for the Next Generation

"It is an honour to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Burton (Kate Griffiths) and several members of the Education Committee, which I am fortunate to sit on.

I echo the comments of my hon. Friend the Member for St Austell and Newquay (Steve Double) in relation to aspiration. …..."
Christian Wakeford - View Speech

View all Christian Wakeford (Lab - Bury South) contributions to the debate on: A Brighter Future for the Next Generation