Oral Answers to Questions

Melanie Ward Excerpts

Monday 16th June 2025 Commons Chamber

[Bridget Phillipson]

I do not know where the right hon. Lady has been, but she certainly has not been paying attention. We have been clear that we will make sure that we have 6,500 more teachers in secondary and specialist education and in further education colleges. This year alone we have 60,000 fewer children in primary schools, and that is why we are focusing our recruitment efforts in areas where we are seeing growth. It is common sense. It is this Labour Government who have delivered two pay rises for teachers, because we, the Labour party, value our brilliant teachers.

[Melanie Ward (Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy) (Lab)]

T5. The work of Fife college is essential in equipping thousands of my constituents with skills for success. Does the Minister share my deep concern at the real-terms cuts that the SNP Scottish Government are inflicting on the college as they deprioritise Fife in favour of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen? Will she join me in urging them to think again?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Janet Daby)]

I agree with my hon. Friend that it is time for a new direction for Scotland with Scottish Labour. In England, we are making over £1 billion of additional investment per year in skills by 2028-29 to support young people into the industries of the future. That is because we are unlocking opportunity and driving growth through our plan for change.