argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Welfare Reform and Work Bill — House of Commons, 2015-10-27
Topic: Social Welfare
Peter Heaton-Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): I will not give way, as we are short of time Let us look at what happened when the £26,000 cap was introduced: 16,000 households moved back into work, and capped households are 41% more likely to move into work. When asked, 38% of those who had been capped said that they were doing all they could to find more work and being supported by the Government in doing so. Those are important statistics that we must not forget I want to talk briefly, if I may, about some of the measures in the Bill on the help that will be given to people with disabilities. I am pleased to see on the Front Bench my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Disabled People. An SNP Member asked earlier where he was, and at that very moment he was in Westminster Hall speaking up for the people he represents, so we will take no lessons about that. I am working with the Minister to hold a Disability Confident event in my own seat of North Devon, because I want to ensure that people with disabilities can get closer to employment I am aware of the time, so I will conclude my comments. [Hon. Members: "More!"] I am very happy to provide more. We are moving from a high welfare, high tax, low wage economy to a society where work pays, where people earn more, and where the Government will help them to keep more of the money that they earn. That is the purpose of the Bill. That is why it is important that the House passes it; why it is right for the country; and why we should all support it in the Lobby tonight.
Welfare Reform and Work Bill — House of Commons, 2015-10-27
Topic: Labor
Paul Stuart Scully (Conservative, Centre-right): I regret the fact that, on Report, we have spent a lot of time—about a third of it—on yesterday’s debate. As important as that issue is, it has meant that we did not get to speak about our measures for full employment and for improving people’s life chances, especially with our troubled families programme. What I do not regret—in fact, I positively welcome it—is the clear and direct action taken by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the range of Ministers who have worked incredibly hard so that Britain can deliver this Bill tonight The Bill means that, when we are looking at delivering a welfare programme, people who are in work and paying their tax will have the same expectations on housing and other choices when they have children as those who are not in work. The Bill is also for our children. We must pay off the deficit and, ultimately, our debt. By saving £12 billion through our overall package, we will be able to reduce the deficit significantly. Most of all, the Bill is about helping those who are most in need of our support. We have heard a lot of empty rhetoric from the Opposition parties, but what the Secretary of State and his Ministers have done in this Bill is to look at the underlying problems and at the underlying situation so that we can push people towards work. We will nudge, support and help them back into full employment. I very much welcome this transformational Bill.
Teacher Training — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicky Morgan (Conservative, Centre-right): Teaching is an increasingly popular career choice for the best and brightest. Some 73% of graduates starting teacher training hold a 2:1 or above—the highest proportion ever—and last year we recruited 94% of our postgraduate initial teacher training target. We have exceeded our postgraduate recruitment target for primary trainee teachers for 2015-16 and are making good progress with secondary recruitment, but we have more to do to ensure the best graduates enter training.
Teacher Training — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicky Morgan (Conservative, Centre-right): I am afraid that I do not recognise the hon. Lady’s figures. I just said that last year we recruited 94% of our postgraduate initial teacher training target. We also do not recognise the claim that so many teachers are leaving the profession after their first year. In fact, more than 90% are still in the profession after their first year. Of course, we recognise the pressures on teachers, who do a fantastic job up and down the country, which is why I launched the workload survey last year and why we have introduced specific schemes to recruit teachers to specific subjects. In addition, as I mentioned, we are already ahead of our primary teacher target for this year.
Teacher Training — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Lucy Claire Leigh (Frazer) (Conservative, Centre-right): It is important not only to increase the number of teachers but to improve the quality of education. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that students get the best possible education from our teachers?
Teacher Training — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicky Morgan (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. and learned Friend for the question. She is absolutely right that the quality of teaching is the most critical factor in determining whether our young people get the best possible education, enabling them to fulfil their potential. As I have said, 73% of graduates starting teacher training hold a 2:1 degree or above, which is the highest proportion ever.
Teacher Training — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicky Morgan (Conservative, Centre-right): It will not surprise the hon. Gentleman to know he is absolutely right: I will not listen to him. However, I do engage with headteachers up and down the country, who tell me about their successes with recruitment, as well as the challenges that remain. As I said, we recognise that there are pressures. As the economy recovers, of course recruitment to something as worthy as teaching will become more of an issue, but that does not mean it is worth talking down the profession, as Labour and the teaching unions sometimes do. The teacher vacancy rate remains as low as 1%, while 90% of those entering teaching are still in the profession after their first year.
Teacher Training — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicky Morgan (Conservative, Centre-right): I have not had that conversation with the devolved Government, but I am happy to do so. I think that the hon. Gentleman, like me and all Members, recognises that the quality of teaching is the single most important factor in helping our young people to reach their potential, and I am delighted to hear that things are going so well in Northern Ireland.
Sure Start — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Social Welfare
Samuel Phillip Gyimah (Conservative, Centre-right): Children’s centres play a valuable role in our communities. It is right for local authorities to decide on the nature of provision on the basis of local need. If there is a viable nursery in a children’s centre, of course we will strongly encourage it to help to deliver our manifesto commitment to assist families with the cost of childcare.
Sure Start — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Social Welfare
Samuel Phillip Gyimah (Conservative, Centre-right): I agree that Sure Start centres provide some excellent support for young families. Where we disagree is that the hon. Lady wants to go on counting buildings and we want to focus on outcomes. I hope Opposition Members will join me in welcoming the fact that more than 1 million families are benefiting from Sure Start centres. As for nursery provision, only 3% of Sure Start centres currently offer day care, but we want to ensure that when centres are viable, they can deliver.
Sure Start — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Social Welfare
David John Barrington Burrowes (Conservative, Centre-right): On 22 June, the Prime Minister said: "we will look at how we can create a much more coherent offer to support children and parents in the early years" Does that mean that our children’s centres will become family hubs?
Sure Start — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Social Welfare
Samuel Phillip Gyimah (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend for that question on a key point. There is a lot more that we can do. Last week I announced a consultation on how we can incorporate other types of service in children’s centres, and I should very much like to discuss with my hon. Friend how family hubs might be part of that.
Sure Start — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Social Welfare
Samuel Phillip Gyimah (Conservative, Centre-right): Obviously I agree with the hon. Lady, and that is why, the last Government having introduced 15 hours a week of free childcare for two-year-olds, we are extending free childcare provision to three and four-year-olds, raising the quality of childcare, and making it affordable for parents.
Sure Start — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Social Welfare
Samuel Phillip Gyimah (Conservative, Centre-right): Our plan to give 30 hours a week of free childcare to working parents of three and four-year-olds would apply to 75% of children. The difference between our position and that of the Scottish Government is our belief that enabling parents to work provides them with the best route out of poverty. As well as offering free childcare, we are subsidising some of the poorest parents by means of universal credit, thus meeting 85% of their childcare costs.[Official Report, 21 July 2015, Vol. 598, c. 3MC.]
Sure Start — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Social Welfare
Questions: Given that parents will use the 30 hours for full day care, what consideration has been given to the fact that the children will now need to be fed during that time, and what additional training and funds, if any, are being provided to facilitate that?
Samuel Phillip Gyimah (Conservative, Centre-right): Children already sleep and eat in many day care settings—the lot is provided to them. We are conducting a funding review, which will come up with exactly how the 30 hours will be delivered to parents.
Sure Start — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Social Welfare
Questions: Given that parents will use the 30 hours for full day care, what consideration has been given to the fact that the children will now need to be fed during that time, and what additional training and funds, if any, are being provided to facilitate that?
Samuel Phillip Gyimah (Conservative, Centre-right): I am happy to compare our record on supporting young families with that of Labour any time. Let me remind the hon. Lady of what the National Audit Office said about Labour and Sure Start: it said it was unviable, underfunded and failing to reduce inequality. Under the Conservatives, two thirds of all disadvantaged children under the age of five are benefiting from Sure Start centres.
Free Schools — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicolas John Gibb (Conservative, Centre-right): Free schools are helping to raise academic standards and tackle disadvantage, ensuring social justice is at the heart of our education reform programme. Over 250 free schools have opened since 2010, and our manifesto commits us to at least 500 more during this Parliament. By 2020, free schools will have created over 400,000 new school places.
Free Schools — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicolas John Gibb (Conservative, Centre-right): The only restriction that applies to the establishment of new free schools is that there must be demand and need for those free school places. That is our policy. I would be interested to know the policy of the UK Independence party, and indeed Labour, on free schools.
Free Schools — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicolas John Gibb (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend raises an important point. We need local authorities to be co-operative and to work with us to identify sites for free schools. This is an important way of improving the quality of schools and the number of school places, and we expect local authorities to work with us to identify suitable sites.
Disadvantaged Children — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicky Morgan (Conservative, Centre-right): Our education reforms are giving every child, regardless of background, a strong academic grounding and rigorous education. Through the pupil premium—a 2010 Conservative party manifesto commitment—we have invested an extra £6.25 billion in schools so all pupils can fulfil their academic potential. Disadvantaged pupil attainment is increasing and the gap between them and their peers is closing.
Disadvantaged Children — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Ben Howlett (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. According to some estimates, one in five children is living in child poverty in my constituency. Many of my local schools are, however, doing a fantastic job of giving local children on the pupil premium equal opportunities. Will the Secretary of State confirm that the introduction of the pupil premium by this Government is improving outcomes for these children?
Disadvantaged Children — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicky Morgan (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend for his question and can confirm that the pupil premium is having an impact. It is right that the most disadvantaged pupils are supported by targeted funding, which is why we will continue to provide the £2.5 billion pupil premium this year and have made a commitment to it in our manifesto. This is down to excellent schools, such as St Gregory’s Catholic college in Bath, using the best evidence-based strategies to transform their pupils’ life chances.
Disadvantaged Children — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Graham Evans (Conservative, Centre-right): The Russett school in Weaver Vale is a special educational needs school that has been rated outstanding by Ofsted. It is to become a special multi-academy trust in September. What will my right hon. Friend do to encourage further outstanding SEN schools to become leading sponsors and mentors for similar schools?
Disadvantaged Children — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicky Morgan (Conservative, Centre-right): I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. I am keen to encourage more special schools to become academies and, like the Russett school, set up multi-academy trusts to support not only other special schools but mainstream schools. We have had great success, with 146 special schools converting. Regional schools commissioners have responsibility for supporting schools to become academies, and I know they will strongly encourage further special schools to convert.
Disadvantaged Children — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicky Morgan (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the hon. Gentleman very much for his question. My understanding is that the measure he suggests does not necessarily tell us anything more than the free school meals measure does, but he, like me, wants the best for all disadvantaged pupils in the system, and to ensure that the funding is spent most effectively, not only helping those pupils to close the gap with their peers but ensuring that the brightest and best get right ahead.
Disadvantaged Children — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicky Morgan (Conservative, Centre-right): I understand that there will be a debate on the Welfare Reform and Work Bill later today in the House, but the important point that the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions made in his statement to the House was that just measuring an income target does not solve issues of disadvantage, one of which is educational attainment, and children from disadvantaged backgrounds not making the grade in basic skills such as reading and writing. Following spending on the pupil premium, we have seen the attainment in reading, writing and maths of disadvantaged pupils aged 11 increase by five percentage points since 2012.
Special Educational Needs and Autism — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Questions: If she will establish a framework to allow for alternative means of educational assessment for children with (a) special educational needs and (b) autism.
Anthony Edward Timpson (Conservative, Centre-right): Many pupils with special educational needs, including autism, are currently assessed using P scales or national curriculum levels. We are changing statutory assessment to align it with the reformed national curriculum. That includes the removal of levels. We have announced an expert review of assessment for pupils who, for many reasons, are working below the standard of national curriculum tests. The review will advise on the best way to assess the attainment and progress of those pupils in future.
Special Educational Needs and Autism — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Questions: If she will establish a framework to allow for alternative means of educational assessment for children with (a) special educational needs and (b) autism.
Felicia Jane Beatrix Drummond (Conservative, Centre-right): Schools such as Milton Park primary, where I am a governor and which has autism provision, have to include those children’s results in national league tables. I am pleased that the Government’s focus is on progress, but the results of children with special educational needs often bring down the attainment grade, and that can lead to a belief that a school is coasting—or, worse, failing. Does the Minister agree that until a separate method of recording for children with special needs is implemented, some good schools that have a large proportion of children with special needs might be put into those categories?
Special Educational Needs and Autism — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Questions: If she will establish a framework to allow for alternative means of educational assessment for children with (a) special educational needs and (b) autism.
Anthony Edward Timpson (Conservative, Centre-right): It is of course important that schools be held to account for all their pupils, and although I concur wholeheartedly with my hon. Friend’s desire to see all pupils, including those with special educational needs, reach their full academic potential, we need to acknowledge that a separate system for pupils with SEN would be at odds with the principles of inclusion and would fail to recognise that those pupils span the full range of abilities. Those matters will be looked at closely in the coming months by the expert review panel—something that I know she will want to follow, so as to ensure that it incorporates her views.
Special Educational Needs and Autism — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Questions: If she will establish a framework to allow for alternative means of educational assessment for children with (a) special educational needs and (b) autism.
Anthony Edward Timpson (Conservative, Centre-right): One of the core principles of our reforms to special educational needs is making sure that every aspect of the system, whether it be education, health or social care, is working relentlessly to a single assessment of and plan for the child, so that we have a whole-school and whole-system approach—and a nought-to-25 system as well. It will mean that we move away from different parts of a child’s educational experience being truncated and re-started as they move to the next part. We are working hard to make sure that support is consistent, and we are building on great programmes such as Achievement for All, in which we have had excellent results
Special Educational Needs and Autism — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Questions: If she will establish a framework to allow for alternative means of educational assessment for children with (a) special educational needs and (b) autism.
Anthony Edward Timpson (Conservative, Centre-right): As the hon. Gentleman will know, we have supported research into and evidence on not only the condition of autism, but how it can best be supported in schools and more widely through a child’s education. We have funded the National Autistic Society to that end, and we will continue to look at ways in which we can support it and other organisations that are working hard in this area in the future. We know that specific types of interventions, some of which have come from overseas, need to be properly and rigorously assessed. As I understand it, the one he mentions may fall into that category, but of course I am happy to discuss it with him as we move forward.
Subject Knowledge Enhancement Courses (Chemistry) — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicolas John Gibb (Conservative, Centre-right): Thank you, Mr Speaker Bercow Subject knowledge enhancement courses allow trainee teachers to build on their existing knowledge to enable them to teach their chosen subject. We have reformed the programme so that the courses can now be delivered by schools and universities, and we are promoting the courses through the successful "Get into Teaching" marketing campaign. The additional training is free of charge and most participants also receive a bursary. New chemistry trainees are also eligible for a bursary of up to £25,000 in 2015-16.
Subject Knowledge Enhancement Courses (Chemistry) — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicolas John Gibb (Conservative, Centre-right): The teacher supply model takes into account the national position. There will, of course, always be areas of the country that find it more challenging to recruit than others, particularly rural areas or some coastal areas. We are also faced with the challenge of a strong economy. If you really want to make recruiting graduates into teaching easier, you need a weak and stagnant economy, with low growth, recession and high levels of unemployment, but for that you need a Labour Government.
Teacher Retention — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicolas John Gibb (Conservative, Centre-right): Statistics published earlier this month show that teacher retention has remained broadly stable for a number of years. Eighty seven per cent of teachers who qualified in 2013 were teaching a year later; this figure has remained roughly constant in each year since 2005. Seventy seven per cent of teachers who qualified in 2011 were still teaching three years later; and 60% of teachers remain in the classroom 10 years after qualifying.
Teacher Retention — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicolas John Gibb (Conservative, Centre-right): I do not recognise the hon. Lady’s figures. Our figures show that 52% of those who qualified in 1996 are still teaching 18 years later. We are doing an enormous amount to encourage teachers to stay in the profession and graduates to come into the profession. We are tackling the workload problem and poor behaviour in schools and we are improving teacher training.
Teacher Retention — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Andrew James Bridgen (Conservative, Centre-right): We hear a lot of noise from the Opposition about how there is a so-called crisis in teacher recruitment. Will the Minister put things into perspective by explaining to the House the comparison between the number of people joining the teaching profession compared with that of those leaving the profession over the past decade?
Teacher Retention — House of Commons, 2015-07-20
Topic: Education
Nicolas John Gibb (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend makes a good point. So far this year, for example, we have received 24,000 acceptances on to teaching training programmes at universities and schools. That is marginally ahead of where we were this time last year. We have exceeded targets for primary school trainees and for history and PE teachers, and we are ahead on acceptances for maths, physics, chemistry and design and technology compared with this time last year. We do not underestimate the challenges, but those are the challenges that come from a strong economy, and I would rather have that than a weak economy.