Debates between Robin Walker and Guy Opperman during the 2010-2015 Parliament

School Funding Formula

Debate between Robin Walker and Guy Opperman
Tuesday 10th March 2015

(9 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Robin Walker Portrait Mr Walker
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I absolutely agree with the Chairman of the Education Committee and join him in that plea to all parties to deliver a fair funding formula, as has been promised.

Guy Opperman Portrait Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)
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The other point that surely needs addressing is the pupil premium. Although we all support it as a principle and in its effects, is it not a blunt instrument, because it skews an already unfair system? Does that not need reviewing?

BBC Local Radio

Debate between Robin Walker and Guy Opperman
Wednesday 26th October 2011

(13 years ago)

Westminster Hall
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Robin Walker Portrait Mr Walker
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There are many areas of the BBC other than local radio where the savings it needs to make can be found. The hon. Gentleman’s point is well made.

People who work in local radio are already multi-tasking, with the same person producing a breakfast show, reading the news later in the day and then doing outside broadcasts at another moment, doubling up the roles of producer and presenter. As the hon. Gentleman just pointed out, those are not the obvious people to cut in an organisation that has a large head office and many highly-paid presenters.

Guy Opperman Portrait Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)
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I welcome the debate that my hon. Friend has introduced and the apolitical way that we are all standing up for local radio. I particularly welcome the fact that there are an awful lot of people here from the north-east who are standing up for BBC Newcastle and BBC Tees, which I listen to all the time. Is not the crucial message that we are all sending out—I hope he endorses it—the question of which is more important: local radio or much more expensive television content?

Robin Walker Portrait Mr Walker
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I totally accept my hon. Friend’s point, albeit, as I declared earlier, my sister works in BBC television, so I have to be rather careful about what I say on that front.

Local radio has an unparalleled information-gathering network, which is why it is such a vital resource in times of trouble or crisis, when local knowledge matters.