Prime Minister's question asked in the House of Commons, by Sajid Javid (Conservative). It was answered on Wednesday, 4 November 2020 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Engagements

Question: An independent study published recently suggests that the writing ability of year 7 pupils is some 22 months behind expectations. My right hon. Friend will know that it is the life chances of the most disadvantaged that are hit hardest when schools close. We have rightly said that those children are an absolute priority for this Government. Will my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister give an assurance that, first, we will do whatever it takes to make up for lost ground and, secondly, we will never again contemplate closing our schools?

Answer: I thank my right hon. Friend. He is completely right about the paramount importance of keeping our schools open. Out of this crisis has come at least one potentially innovative idea that can really help exactly the types of pupils he is talking about: one-on-one tutoring of the kind that we have been able to support with our catch-up premiums and our national tutoring programme. As we come out of this pandemic, I want to see us keeping up with one-on-one tutoring because I believe it can make a huge difference to children’s confidence and academic attainment.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 683 c318
Session: 2019-21
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Related items: Literacy
Tuesday, 1 December 2020
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Closures Disease control Schools Coronavirus
Link: View this Prime Minister's question on hansard.parliament.uk