To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 07 Sep 2020
Oral Answers to Questions

"I thank the Minister for that answer, but last week research was published by the TUC showing that four out of 10 working mothers either did not have or could not rely on childcare to enable them to return to work. Of those, a quarter could not rely on having …..."
Karen Buck - View Speech

View all Karen Buck (Lab - Westminster North) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 27 Feb 2020
School Admissions Process

"Please stay on the topic of debate...."
Karen Buck - View Speech

View all Karen Buck (Lab - Westminster North) contributions to the debate on: School Admissions Process
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 19 Jun 2019
Free Schools

"I call Mike Kane...."
Karen Buck - View Speech

View all Karen Buck (Lab - Westminster North) contributions to the debate on: Free Schools
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 17 Dec 2018
Oral Answers to Questions

"T6. New figures show that primary schools in my borough of Westminster are now operating with one in five places unfilled, meaning that some schools will be threatened with closure. Will the Minister tell us when conversations were last had with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry …..."
Karen Buck - View Speech

View all Karen Buck (Lab - Westminster North) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 10 Sep 2018
Oral Answers to Questions

"2. What estimate he has made of the number of surplus primary school places in Westminster. ..."
Karen Buck - View Speech

View all Karen Buck (Lab - Westminster North) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 10 Sep 2018
Oral Answers to Questions

"Given the shortage of primary school places in a number of local authority areas, particularly on the edges of London, and the fall in the number of primary school children in Westminster schools—driven by the Government’s welfare reform agenda—will the Minister explain why it was sensible to fund the Minerva …..."
Karen Buck - View Speech

View all Karen Buck (Lab - Westminster North) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 06 Sep 2018
Children in Need: Adulthood

"Order. Before I call the next speaker, I need to say that we will go to the Front-Bench speakers at 4 pm. Several people have indicated an interest in speaking. I do not want an official time limit, but can people think about perhaps seven minutes maximum in order to …..."
Karen Buck - View Speech

View all Karen Buck (Lab - Westminster North) contributions to the debate on: Children in Need: Adulthood
Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 06 Sep 2018
Children in Need: Adulthood

"I think that the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak is indicating that he may not wish to speak...."
Karen Buck - View Speech

View all Karen Buck (Lab - Westminster North) contributions to the debate on: Children in Need: Adulthood
Written Question
Primary Education: Admissions
Wednesday 20th September 2017

Asked by: Karen Buck (Labour - Westminster North)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many unfilled places there were in primary schools in 2016-17; and what proportion of the total number of school places that figure represents in each such area.

Answered by Nick Gibb

As of 1 May 2016, the total number of unfilled primary places in England was 461,065; the number of unfilled places as a percentage of total primary places was 9.7 per cent.

The capacity data are published on an annual basis, giving equivalent local authority and regional totals, through the SCAP tables. Further information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-capacity-academic-year-2015-to-2016.

Written Question
Schools: Admissions
Thursday 20th July 2017

Asked by: Karen Buck (Labour - Westminster North)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will set out which English local authorities have a total of five per cent or more surplus school places in (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) all schools.

Answered by Nick Gibb

The Department collects information on the capacity of schools and the number of pupils on roll as part of the annual School Capacity (SCAP) survey. A school is identified as having surplus places if the capacity is higher than the number of pupils on roll.

The latest information on the number and percentage of surplus places at local authority level can be found in tables A2 and A3 of the ‘School Capacity: academic year 2015 to 2016’ release at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-capacity-academic-year-2015-to-2016.

An efficient system requires a degree of unfilled or surplus places at any point. Retaining a reasonable level of surplus places provides for parental choice and allows local authorities to manage shifting demand for places. A range of factors contributes to the level of surplus places held. For example, surplus places can be evidence of local authorities planning ahead of future need, as the increase in pupil numbers at primary level over recent years begins to move into secondary level. Unfilled places can also be attributed to the building of completely new schools, which fill up year by year, leaving space in the upper years.