Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had recent discussions with representatives of the Romanian community on the rights of access to (a) schools and (b) after-school clubs for the children of Romanian parents; and if she will make a statement.

The Department has had no discussions with representatives of the Romanian community on either of these matters. Every child resident in this country has a right to an education and a school place, irrespective of their national origins.

In addition, the Government is making £289 million available for a new childcare ‘pathfinder’ scheme. This will support Local Authorities to work with primary schools and private providers to set up and deliver wraparound childcare before and after school.