Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 07 Sep 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
"My right hon. Friend will be aware that the recent data highlighting the learning gap between rich and poor secondary-age pupils demonstrated that the disparity is wider in Blackpool than in any other part of the country. I know the Government are determined to close the gap, so will he …..."Scott Benton - View Speech
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Written Question
Friday 10th July 2020
Asked by:
Scott Benton (Independent - Blackpool South)
Question
to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to increase the number of vocational training places available to young people who wish to acquire practical and trade qualifications.
Answered by Gillian Keegan
We are introducing new T Levels from this September – high quality, practical courses designed by employers that will provide a credible alternative to A levels and prepare students for skilled work or further study.
We are currently reforming and simplifying the qualifications system so that learners can easily find high-quality qualifications that give them the skills they need. With our proposals, any qualification, including existing ones, can be approved if they provide learners with the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers need.
We have also been working across Government to build a package of support measures to boost skills among those who will be hardest hit by the labour market impacts of COVID-19. On 8 July the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced measures across a range of targeted work-based training offers to support people to build the skills they need to get into work. This amounts to investment of £1.6 billion in employment support schemes which will substantially expand existing provision. This includes:
- £111 million to triple the number of traineeships;
- £17 million to triple the number of sector-based work academy placements;
- Paying businesses to take on new apprentices – an extra £2000 for each apprentice under 25 and £1,500 for apprentices over 25;
- £32 million to help 269,000 more people receive advice from the National Careers Service;
- £101 million for school/college leavers to study high value courses when there are not employment opportunities available to them.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 22 Jun 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
" Last week’s announcement of an extra £1 billion will make a real difference by providing additional support to those children who have fallen behind while out of school. It is imperative that this funding is targeted so that it can have the maximum possible impact. Will this additional money …..."Scott Benton - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 09 Jun 2020
Education Settings: Wider Opening
"It is undoubtedly the case that pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are losing out the most while schools remain closed. Over the past 10 years, we have made fantastic progress in closing the attainment gap between children from poorer backgrounds and their more affluent peers, which has greatly improved the life …..."Scott Benton - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 18 Mar 2020
Educational Settings
"Many voluntary groups will be keen to work with schools and parents to provide additional support for vulnerable children—for example, in breakfast clubs. Will the Secretary of State thank voluntary groups for their work and encourage schools to continue to work with them to support vulnerable children in these difficult …..."Scott Benton - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Fri 13 Mar 2020
Education and Training (Welfare of Children) Bill
"I am grateful to my hon. Friend for mentioning bullying in schools. It is incredibly important that the Government continue to stamp it out, particularly LGBT and transphobic bullying. Does she welcome the fact that 1,800 schools have so far taken part in the Government’s pilot scheme to stamp out …..."Scott Benton - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Fri 13 Mar 2020
Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Bill
"May I begin by thanking the hon. Member for Weaver Vale (Mike Amesbury) for introducing this private Member’s Bill? As a former teacher, I understand the impact that the high cost of school uniforms can have on parents.
I would like to start by stressing the importance of school uniform, …..."Scott Benton - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Fri 13 Mar 2020
Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Bill
"My hon. Friend makes a valid point. I am sure that all Members will have heard the phrase, “You’ll grow into it.” I suppose many parents hope that their child will not grow out of it.
As a primary school teacher, it never ceased to amaze me how hard-wearing school …..."Scott Benton - View Speech
View all Scott Benton (Ind - Blackpool South) contributions to the debate on: Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Bill
Written Question
Wednesday 11th March 2020
Asked by:
Scott Benton (Independent - Blackpool South)
Question
to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to encourage people to take part in adult literacy programmes in (a) Blackpool and (b) England.
Answered by Gillian Keegan
The adult education budget (AEB) fully funds or co-funds skills provision for eligible adults aged 19 years and above from pre-entry to level 3, to support adults to gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning. This includes fully funded courses in English and maths, for adults aged 19 years and above who need to improve their literacy and numeracy, and fully funded first full level 2 or level 3, or both, for learners aged 19 to 23 years.
From the 2019/20 academic year, approximately 50% of the AEB has been devolved to six mayoral combined authorities (MCAs) and the Mayor of London, acting where appropriate through the Greater London Authority (GLA). These authorities are now responsible for the provision of AEB-funded adult education for their residents and allocation of the AEB to providers. The Education and Skills Funding Agency will continue to be responsible for the remaining AEB in non-devolved areas, including Blackpool.
Written Question
Wednesday 4th March 2020
Asked by:
Scott Benton (Independent - Blackpool South)
Question
to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of the ineligibility for student loans of students at private higher education institutions on the (a) financial viability of those institutions and (b) their ability to attract students.
Answered by Michelle Donelan
Under the 2017 Higher Education and Research Act, a higher education provider in England that wishes to access public grant funding and/or student support funding, is required to register with the Office for Students. This applies to those previously known as a ‘private’ or ‘alternative’ provider, as well as to existing publicly funded institutions.
Registered providers are regulated by the Office for Students and must meet regulatory requirements, which include conditions surrounding quality and financial viability. Once registered, providers are able to submit to the Student Loans Company the courses they wish to attract student support.