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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 27 Jun 2017
Education and Local Services

"Does my hon. Friend agree that it is important to carry out a thorough and comprehensive check on the fire safety of every school building in the country? We cannot put too high a price on the safety of our children. In view of the likely costs, does my hon. …..."
Clive Betts - View Speech

View all Clive Betts (Lab - Sheffield South East) contributions to the debate on: Education and Local Services
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 27 Jun 2017
Education and Local Services

"I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Oxford West and Abingdon (Layla Moran) for the eloquence of her maiden speech. I also pay tribute to my hon. Friends the Members for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill (Hugh Gaffney) and for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Lesley Laird) for the enthusiasm and commitment …..."
Clive Betts - View Speech

View all Clive Betts (Lab - Sheffield South East) contributions to the debate on: Education and Local Services
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 27 Jun 2017
Education and Local Services

"Will the Minister give way?..."
Clive Betts - View Speech

View all Clive Betts (Lab - Sheffield South East) contributions to the debate on: Education and Local Services
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 27 Jun 2017
Education and Local Services

"Will the Minister give way?..."
Clive Betts - View Speech

View all Clive Betts (Lab - Sheffield South East) contributions to the debate on: Education and Local Services
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 27 Jun 2017
Education and Local Services

"Before the election there was a Bill before Parliament to introduce 100% retention of business rates by local councils. That was due to start in 2019. This is a two-year Queen’s Speech with no mention of that measure. Can the Minister therefore confirm that this measure will now not go …..."
Clive Betts - View Speech

View all Clive Betts (Lab - Sheffield South East) contributions to the debate on: Education and Local Services
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 26 Apr 2017
School Funding: North-east of England

"Order. We have got about 50 minutes before I need to start calling the Front Benchers. We have got six Members wishing to speak in the debate, so I think you can work it out for yourselves. It is about eight minutes each. If Members can keep to that without …..."
Clive Betts - View Speech

View all Clive Betts (Lab - Sheffield South East) contributions to the debate on: School Funding: North-east of England
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 26 Apr 2017
School Funding: North-east of England

"Order. Speeches are overrunning. If we continue to overrun, that will cut the time down for other colleagues, so we will now have a seven-minute guideline time, please. I call Roberta Blackman-Woods...."
Clive Betts - View Speech

View all Clive Betts (Lab - Sheffield South East) contributions to the debate on: School Funding: North-east of England
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 26 Apr 2017
School Funding: North-east of England

"I will leave two minutes at the end for the mover of the debate to respond. I call the Minister...."
Clive Betts - View Speech

View all Clive Betts (Lab - Sheffield South East) contributions to the debate on: School Funding: North-east of England
Written Question
Pre-school Education
Monday 5th September 2016

Asked by: Clive Betts (Labour - Sheffield South East)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies (a) in general and (b) on the gender gap for early language attainment at age five of the findings of Save the Children's report entitled The Lost Boys: How boys are falling behind in their early years published in July 2016.

Answered by Caroline Dinenage

The government recognises a key part of raising the standard of education for all children, regardless of background or gender, is to ensure they receive a good level of development in literacy and numeracy before they start school at age five.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework sets the prime areas of learning which early years providers must follow. This includes a focus on communication and language. The Early Years Foundation stage is published on gov.uk and can be accessed through the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/335504/EYFS_framework_from_1_September_2014__with_clarification_note.pdf

The 2014-15 EYFS Profile results tell us that the proportion of children achieving a good level of development continues to increase – 66 % in 2015, compared to 60% in 2014 and 52% in 2013. The EYFS Profile results also show that more than 80% of children are reaching the expected communication and language skills by age five. A higher proportion of children eligible for free school meals are achieving a good level of development – 51% in 2015 compared to 45% in 2014. Although the gap between disadvantaged children and their peers is narrowing, we recognise there is still some way to go.

The government is making a significant investment in the early years sector, working closely with the profession to help improve its status. As a result, numbers of qualified staff have risen, numbers of graduates in the workforce continues to rise, and a record number of providers are rated good or outstanding, with 86% of providers currently on the Early Years Register judged good or outstanding for overall effectiveness at 31 March 2016. This represents an eight percentage point increase on the position at 31 March 2014.

The quality of the workforce continues to rise with 87% of staff in full day care settings now qualified to level 3 (equivalent level of study to A-level). To improve the quality of the workforce further, we have introduced early years teachers who must meet the same entry qualification requirements as teachers of older children.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 29 Jan 2015
Birmingham Schools

"If our constituents have problems with the delivery of public services, ultimately they have recourse to the ombudsman. That was true of parents who had problems with working relationships in their children’s schools until 2012, when the Government changed the policy. Now, if a parent has a problem with an …..."
Clive Betts - View Speech

View all Clive Betts (Lab - Sheffield South East) contributions to the debate on: Birmingham Schools