Speeches by Phillipson.

“As part of the process through the Budget around the changes that we are setting out, we have looked at all the potential impacts, including on the schools themselves, and on the potential for movement for children, but I am afraid we do have to be clear that where that is through an identified need, where it has been …”

“No, all this has been considered as part of the measures that we have set out. What I would add is that I do recognise that some parents will make choices around a private school if that is what they feel is in their child’s best interests. It demonstrates the urgency of the change that we need to drive across the syst…”

“As part of the changes that we set out with Treasury in the Budget and Treasury leading on the change where it comes to taxation changes, there was a full impact assessment. We did consider the needs of children with SEND. It is why as a part of that process where pupils require places arising out of an EHCP where that…”

“There are areas where primary legislation is required and I think an area where we do need to take action is around issues on admissions, which will help in this space as well. What you are describing—and I agree that there needs to be more support for children with SEND—does not require primary legislation. That is wh…”

“We are rolling out NELI across primary schools, but I would say much of what you just said there I recognise. I would probably direct you to ask previous Ministers why they did not do enough in this space, because they did not.”

“I completely recognise the challenge and the urgency. We are working across government. This is not something that we alone can do. It is an across government consideration, but the inheritance that we have is one where councils face incredible financial difficulties. I understand that. Across government there are sign…”

“I do recognise the pressures that councils across our country face—pressures around children’s social care, around support for children with SEND, and much more. We do recognise that strain. As part of the local government finance settlement in December, the Government set out plans for making reform. There is more tha…”

“Yes. This is about the whole workforce, so that extends to our teaching assistants and support staff as well as to our teachers. It is why we are legislating to restore the school support staff negotiating body to make sure that everyone in our workforce is properly supported. Alongside that, one of the interventions t…”

“Yes, we have. I will return to that in one moment. I appreciate that the Committee has work under way in this area. We look forward to seeing the work that arises from the Committee and understanding what you might be able to share by way of approach and recommendation as part of that. I will turn to you, Permanent Sec…”

“We are looking at whether legislation might be required as part of any reforms that we intend to bring forward and we believe that we would have the time available to us should that be required. If I may, I think that slightly gets ahead of the thinking that we have under way in the Department. We need to take a step b…”

“Yes, through the wider capital programme of the Department and alongside that the additional investment that we intend to put into creating more specialist provision. We might come on to this point but there is a wider demographic shift taking place across the country, first here in London but seemingly elsewhere, that…”

“We will be saying more about that very soon on the new Ofsted report cards and the approach that we take from the Department on accountability, but I think a lot more needs to happen on inclusivity. I am also very alive to what I hear, and I am sure you all hear, from teachers and school staff across the country about …”

“I think right across the House—and right across our country when you speak to parents and schools and others—there is a recognition that the system that we have at the moment is not delivering the good outcomes that we want for children with SEND, where parents have increasingly lost confidence and councils are increas…”

“I think it is a combination of how we want to approach the wider package of being a teacher. It is about pay and conditions together, not just one or the other. Lots of what I hear from teachers across the country is that there have been challenges with pay, although we delivered the 5.5% pay award for teachers out of …”

“A floor and no ceiling.”

“We want a solid floor for all teachers working across the profession, with clear expectations about what it means to be a teacher so that every school has the freedom to innovate and go beyond. It has become clear to me that there has been some confusion and some worry about what I have said in this area, so today I wa…”

“I understand the arguments and the case that is made for it. I have discussed it directly with the Children’s Commissioner and others. It is an area that we will continue to keep under review. I want to look at the evidence that emerges from Wales and Scotland, but we have to be absolutely clear that children must be k…”

“On the latter point, the picture is slightly mixed and a bit nuanced in some of the evidence. I have some good examples where collaboration between local authorities on fostering has been more effective in providing a clear one-stop shop for those who wish to become foster carers to know where to go rather than having …”

“As you say, we are taking action through the Bill that we have discussed with Ofsted to make sure that it has the powers that it needs. I looked carefully at what Ofsted said to the Committee and I have regular conversations with Ofsted about the powers that it requires. We won’t hesitate to go further to make sure tha…”

“We will make sure that councils have the clarity, the understanding and the consistency so that we have a clear and uniform approach across the country.”