Luke Myer MP met with the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, at the Department for Education, on the 29th October to discuss the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity for children in the North East and make representations on behalf of constituents in Teesside.
In the meeting, Phillipson presented her priorities for the brief, providing an update on the mission-driven approach Labour has taken to government and the progress made within the administration’s first hundred days.
The Education Secretary highlighted the rollout of new breakfast clubs to boost attainment and attendance; kickstarting plans for more school-based nurseries to make childcare more accessible and affordable; and the work of the Curriculum and Assessment Review, which seeks to provide children with a richer, broader education.
Luke Myer MP spoke of the fantastic work ongoing in educational settings across Teesside, highlighting schools he has visited recently such as St Bernadette’s in Nunthorpe. He highlighted the pilot scheme to expand access to Free School Meals in Middlesbrough through council auto-enrolment. He agreed to work closely with the Government to give every child across Teesside the best start in life.
Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said:
“It was brilliant to meet with Luke Myer MP to update him on the government’s progress in these first hundred days and discuss how I want to work with him to deliver on Labour’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity for children in the North East.
The Conservatives left a trail of devastation across education – falling school standards, crumbling buildings, and a SEND system that was ‘lose, lose, lose’ in their own words. This Labour government is determined to fix the foundations and put education back at the heart of national life.”
Luke Myer MP, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said:
“I was proud to take the views of constituents directly into the Department for Education today, raising cases related to school rebuild projects, SEND and children’s social care.
“What was clear from discussions is that this Labour government is determined to deliver change, and education is central to that change. I’ll continue to liaise with Education Ministers on behalf of constituents and work with the Government to give every child the best start in life.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Schools can find out more about school-based nurseries announcement here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/establishing-school-based-nursery-provision.
- Schools can apply to become breakfast club early adopters here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/breakfast-clubs-early-adopters-scheme.
- The Curriculum & Assessment Review call for evidence is available here: https://consult.education.gov.uk/curriculum-and-assessment-team/curriculum-and-assessment-review-call-for-evidence/
- Luke Myer MP began his career as a schoolteacher before serving as Cabinet Member for Children’s Services in Redcar & Cleveland.