I often find it is difficult for people to see how the work that goes on in Parliament relates to everyday life and issues faced locally.
Now that I am back on the Public Accounts Committee – which scrutinises the spending of Government Departments and bodies – I find I am once more able to raise a broad range of issues. On Wednesday last week, the Committee questioned HM chief Inspector of Schools as part of our inquiry into Ofsted. It provided an excellent opportunity for me to raise some concerns which are faced nationally, and which are causing particular concern here in Northumberland, such as how pupil & service pupil premium, is being spent for our most vulnerable students.
As many constituents will know, the subject of supporting children with special educational needs is one close to my heart. There is so much extra stress for parents in finding the right option for their child, and I am pleased we are now focusing on getting more support for them thanks to amazing and committed Conservative councillors now in charge at Northumberland County Council. However, there are concerns that many children are bearing the brunt of decisions schools are taking to improve their Ofsted results. Anecdotally, I am hearing of SEND children being removed from schools so that GCSE results are not undermined by those pupils whose academic outcomes may be lower, or hidden from inspectors in case their behaviour or needs might affect a school’s inspection result. Clearly this is simply unacceptable and we must find ways for Ofsted to encourage schools to nurture all those pupils in their schools. I believe there is more Ofsted can do to ensure that the results for SEN children are judged on what it means for that child’s development, and not “lumped in” with overall results. I have raised this many times with ministers and I believe there is starting to be some movement. Schools face additional burdens and stresses round times of inspections and anything which might encourage them to disregard the needs of SEN children should be removed by Ofsted.
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Progress and a more co-ordinated approach to supporting Berwick Academy is now coming together after months of uncertainty. I continue to push all the strategic parters, and the regional schools commissioner in particular, to provide the right support - both financial and educational - to get the best teaching and sustainability framework in place for our students. I am also working closely with Northumberland College and their prospective new working relationship with Sunderland College to get our sixth form provision in Berwick onto a sustainable and broader footing.
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Last week I attended one of my regular meetings with local farmers, organised by the NFU. These meetings are always useful to me, especially as the UK is now in a position to formulate its own agricultural and environment policy to suit the needs of UK farmers. It is important that the views of the Northumbrian farming community continue to be fed in to Defra as it works up new policy. The meeting was also a good opportunity to address concerns some farmers had about leaving the EU on 29th March should there not be an over-arching deal in place. I was able to share with them the plans the Government has to ensure they can continue to export their wonderful Northumbrian produce. There is a huge amount of preparedness work being done by every Government department in the build-up to our exit to the EU, and Secretaries of State are now telling me they are confident of no significant issues should we have to leave without a full deal, including in Health and Defence.
I have been contacted by local business owners to say they too are confident, but if people have specific concerns, they should contact me with them so I can ensure they are covered by contingency measures and share what those measures are for those who haven’t yet investigated that.
I am also delighted that the planned fee for EU citizens wanting to continue to live in the UK post-Brexit has been waived. We value those who have made the UK their home and want them to stay. It is very easy to apply through the EU Settlement Scheme, and now free too, which was the right decision by the Prime Minister. I hope it will be reciprocated by all of the EU27 in due course. Some have already done so, others are working on their legislation at the moment.
If you have any individual or business concerns regarding the practicalities of Brexit please don't hesitate to drop me a line.