Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and John Cryer

Monday 17th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Damian Hinds]

The framework that the hon. Lady mentions is, among other things, there to protect students studying at colleges. FE colleges have a central role to play in our system, particularly as we develop the apprenticeships programme and bring in T-levels.

[John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab)]

The same NEU report shows that more children will be going hungry this winter than ever before, in the experience of most teachers. Is that helping or hindering social mobility?

[Damian Hinds]

I am pleased to be able to confirm to the hon. Gentleman that we have record levels of employment, which have helped to contribute to record levels of household income. We have brought in the national living wage and brought in tax cuts for millions of people—all to help to support working families’ household budgets.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and John Cryer

Monday 10th September 2018 Commons Chamber

[Damian Hinds]

I certainly do and will. This is one of the 53 free schools that have opened this month, bringing more good-quality places and more choice for parents. I congratulate the team at Laurus Cheadle Hulme on the school’s opening and look forward to hearing of their successes in the years to come.

[John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab)]

How many staff in the Secretary of State’s Department are working on free schools?

[Damian Hinds]

Many different teams in the Department for Education work directly or indirectly on free schools, because they are an important and integral part of our school system.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and John Cryer

Monday 19th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Yes, and I look forward to visiting the constituency of the hon. Member for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy)—I think in his company—very soon. I imagine that his constituents will roll out the red carpet for him; he will be pleased to know that they certainly will not be expected to do so for me.

[John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab)]

Did the abolition of the education maintenance allowance contribute to or hinder social mobility?

[Damian Hinds]

With the alternative funding that was put in place, it was possible for sixth-form colleges to do other things to ensure that they were attracting the full range of students. More disadvantaged youngsters are going on to university than ever before.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and John Cryer

Monday 9th October 2017 Commons Chamber

[John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab)]

I would invite the Employment Minister to visit my local jobcentre, but he is busy circumventing his own criteria to shut it down. In view of the problems with universal credit, why does he not revisit those decisions, keep jobcentres open and stop forcing some of the most vulnerable people to travel for hours just to get the benefits that they are entitled to?

[Damian Hinds]

We had an estate that was underutilised. As the Secretary of State said, coming to the end of the large contract that covered very much of the estate, there was an opportunity—indeed, a requirement—to review all our needs to ensure that we had the best possible estate for the future. We had clear criteria for determining which of those sites should be open to public consultation. Where those criteria were met, of course there was a consultation.