Iain Dale challenges Shadow Education Secretary on Government school recovery plan

25 February 2021, 14:07

Iain Dale challenges Kate Green over school scheme

This is the moment Iain Dale Challenged Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green over her response to the Government's £700m education catch-up plan in England.

Earlier this week, Boris Johnson announced an additional £400 million of funding - on top of the £300 million pledged in January - to help pupils make up lost learning time following months of school closures.

The programme includes a one-off £302 million "Recovery Premium" for primary and secondary schools to support disadvantaged pupils.

Meanwhile, one-to-one and small group tutoring schemes will also be expanded as part of the recovery package.

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Ms Green told Iain the plan was "half-baked" and doesn't go "far enough", adding that "we need to stop these piecemeal initiatives".

Iain then challenged the Shadow Education Secretary on what plan she would propose instead.

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Among other measures, the Labour MP suggested the Government should programmes to support children's mental health and to ensure there is enough of a workforce to deliver support programmes for children.

She also called for children also "have resources to be learning and keeping up with their learning at home".