Huppert Fights For Better Education For Disadvantaged Youngsters

MP Julian Huppert has struck out in Parliament for better education for youngsters from poorer families.

He wants more help for pupils in receipt of free school meals and those from black and ethnic minority backgrounds to reach their full potential.

Julian spoke out during Questions in the House of Commons yesterday (Monday, February 20) saying that the new director of the Office of Fair Access, Professor Les Ebdon had a great deal of work to do to balance improved access and high standards.

And he paid tribute to Cambridge’s three “excellent universities” saying it was a privilege to represent them.

Julian asked Business Secretary, Vince Cable: “Will my right honorable friend assure me that Professor Ebdon will get full governmental support in his role, particularly from the Department of Education, because far too many pupils, particularly those from black and ethnic minority backgrounds and those who receive free school meals, are still not given the chance to reach their full potential while they are at school?”

Dr Cable acknowledged that the problem is frequently found in schools and he said that the Lib Dem’s Pupil Premium, which provides schools with money to help youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds, will raise standards.

Later Julian said: “It is vital that we have a level playing field so that no child is disadvantaged because of his or her background.

“We must do everything we can to ensure that standards are high in our schools for every child and that every young person has a chance to access the top universities.

“Unfortunately, at the moment schools are not doing enough to encourage youngsters from black and ethnic minority backgrounds to apply for the top universities and that needs to change.”

The full text of Julian’s question reads: “I have the privilege of representing three excellent universities. Clearly, the head of OFFA has a lot of work to do to balance improved access and high standards. Will my right honorable friend assure me that Professor Ebdon will get full governmental support in his role, particularly from the Department of Education, because far too many pupils, particularly those from black and ethnic minority backgrounds and those who receive free school meals, are still not given the chance to reach their full potential while they are at school?

Vince Cable: Putting More Money Back In *Your* Pocket

As families face more of a squeeze, today Liberal Democrats are arguing for greater tax cuts for hard working people.

Between now and the Budget, Nick and Danny and I will be arguing for faster tax cuts, giving you a reward for hard work. And Nick will be setting out our case in a speech today.

Given the budget constraint we have to raise money for the tax cut elsewhere and have plans to raise an equivalent amount from the wealthiest taxpayers.

At the last election the Liberal Democrats promised to raise the personal allowance for ordinary taxpayers to £10,000. I am proud that the Coalition has committed to doing so over the course of this Parliament.

For millions of ordinary hard working people, that means paying £700 less in income tax each year. Low earners, mostly women will benefit from being lifted out of tax altogether.

But times are tough and quite simply, Liberal Democrats in Government want to help families who are currently being squeezed by moving more quickly.

Whether it’s targeting an extra £7bn from tax evaders and avoiders, taking an extra £2.5bn every year from the banks in a balance sheet tax, or the announcement I made on Monday to curb the excesses of executive pay, this Coalition is taking important steps to deliver a fairer economy.

And we have already made a big difference, click here to see how.

We are building a new economy, one that benefits the whole country, not just bankers in the City of London. Making the tax system fairer is crucial to that. This is a huge task that will make Britain a fairer and more liberal country for generations to come.

Yours,

Vince Cable MP

Member of Parliament for Twickenham and Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills

Conference Speeches

Slightly more political post than usual ... but it is an election year ;-)

I'm sure you'll have seen Nick Clegg and Vince Cable's speeches mentioned in the papers but if you'd like to view them yourselves (and make up your own mind) then I've embedded the two videos from YouTube below. Enjoy.

Budget response from Vince Cable

The BBC iPlayer has Vince Cable's response to the budget.

This is well worth a watch as Vince Cable, the LibDem deputy leader and shadow chancellor, has proved to be an accurate critic of the Government.