Summary

  • This morning: MPs questioned environment ministers

  • Followed by: Urgent question on sickness benefit underpayments

  • Exchanges over 'meaningful' Brexit vote for MPs dominate business statement

  • Later: Debates on supermarket supply chains and World Menopause Day

  • House of Lords debated cyber security and music education

  1. ESA underpayment statement repeated in Lordspublished at 16:33 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    ESA Underpayments Statement Repeat

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Baroness BuscomeImage source, HoC

    Peers are now responding to the repeated statement on ESA underpayments, which is being read by Work and Pensions Minister Baroness Buscome.

    It emerged yesterday that tens of thousands of people on sickness benefits will receive backdated payments averaging £5,000 following government errors.

    In response to Labour spokesperson Baroness Sherlock's questions regarding compensation, Baroness Buscome says it is important to "make clear" that "no one saw a cash reduction when they transferred to ESA, this is about extra money they may have been entitled to".

    "The key lesson we're learning is that it's a mistake to try to prepopulate information without being in touch with claimants," she adds.

    Following this, the Lords adjourn.

  2. Debate on music education comes to a closepublished at 16:21 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    Debate on Music Education in Schools

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord BlackImage source, HoL

    Conservative peer Lord Black of Brentwood sums up the debate, telling peers he fears that "the government is in denial, which is extremely sad".

    Lord Black says the government "must listen to the facts, and what is really going on the ground, and then act".

    Peers are now hearing the repeat of an urgent question in the Commons earlier about sickness benefit underpayments.

  3. Minister: Music qualifications 'stable since 2010'published at 16:19 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    Debate on Music Education in Schools

    Lord AgnewImage source, HoL

    Education Minister Lord Agnew says music is a statutory part of the national curriculum, so all students in school aged 5 to 14 "must study the subject".

    He says between 2016 and 2020 the government is providing £300m for 120 music education hubs so all students can learn a musical instrument.

    He adds that a plan setting out the priorities for music education will be revealed by ministers "in the coming months".

    He denies that the English Baccalaureate is responsible for forcing music "out of the curriculum", and says the number of pupils taking music qualifications has been "stable since 2010".

  4. Recap: Today in the Commonspublished at 16:10 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    The debate on World Menopause Day comes to an end, and with it our coverage from the House of Commons for today.

    The day began with questions to environment ministers, followed by an urgent question on underpayments to tens of thousands of people on sickness benefits.

    It was announced yesterday that the government will now pay £1.5bn in back payments to correct errors made when people were moved onto Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

    Pensions Minister Sarah Newton prompted shouts from the opposition benches when she claimed "good housekeeping" at her department had led to the problem being spotted.

    Then Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom revealed the Offensive Weapons Bill will return to the Commons on Monday, during her business statement to MPs.

    She also responded to a series of concerns raised by MPs regarding a "meaningful vote" on the final Brexit deal.

  5. Government 'in denial' about decline in Music GCSE take-uppublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    Debate on Music Education in Schools

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord WatsonImage source, HoL

    Labour education spokesman Lord Watson of Invergowrie says it is "inevitable" that schools will have to cut back on teaching music, as the money given to local authorities is "continuously cut".

    He says the government is "in denial about the declining number of students taking Music GCSE year on year".

    The English Baccalaureate is "detrimental" to arts subjects, he says, and the government's claim that there is no less emphasis on the arts "does not stack up".

    He says "too many schools lack the time, resources and expertise" to deliver sufficient music education, and the government "must support these schools".

    Lord Watson says Labour would introduce an arts pupil premium to ensure arts facilities in state schools match those in the private sector.

    He asks whether ministers "are content to music to remain for the wealthy", as he says this is "what is currently happening".

  6. 'No pressure on schools to teach music'published at 15:48 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    Debate on Music Education in Schools

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord StoreyImage source, HoL

    Lord Storey says although music is part of the national curriculum, fewer schools follow it because they have turned into academies.

    This means there is "no real pressure on schools to teach music", he adds.

    He blames this on "a combination of austerity, narrowing of the curriculum and a focus on exam results rather than the quality of education experience".

    He says the school where he was a headteacher in a deprived part of Liverpool had a full-time music teacher, which was "life changing for those pupils".

    "Every child must have a rich education," he says.

  7. Peer: Top universities give impression arts subject 'not strong enough'published at 15:42 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    Debate on Music Education in Schools

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Baroness McIntosh of HudnallImage source, HoL

    Labour peer Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall says says she agrees with all statements that have been raised in this debate.

    She says the government has been "too restrictive" in trying to implement a "good standard of education".

    She argues that the English Baccalaureate accountability measures "are too narrow".

    Universities in the Russell Group "have given the impression to schools that arts subjects are not strong enough subjects for getting into university", she says.

  8. Tory peer: Technology can reduce cost of music teachingpublished at 15:39 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    Debate on Music Education in Schools

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Tory peer Lord Borwick says technology is expanding the possibilities of music teaching, pointing out that the quality of listening technology for iPhones and iPads is "improving rapidly."

    This will lead to mobile teaching and "inevitably lead to the reduction in cost", he says.

    "What an inspiring future is coming our way. I'm much more optimistic", he adds.

    New software needs to be developed for this, he says, suggesting it is important students are taught "the skills for the future", and this opens up music for those who lack ability or aptitude.

  9. Minister: Positive action by employers will benefit productivitypublished at 15:33 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    World Menopause Day Debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Nigel Adams MP, Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentImage source, HoC

    Responding to the debate, Communities Minister Nigel Adams says the "inconsistent levels of awareness" about the menopause reflects "a history of stigma".

    He says he agrees that it is important that education about the menopause is improved.

    With an ageing workforce, he adds that positive action by employers will benefit productivity and retention.

    "One in four women in the workplace are going through or have gone through the menopause", he adds.

    He concludes that it is essential that all employers and healthcare professionals are "fully informed" about providing treatment and support.

  10. Lib Dem: 'Neglect' of musical education 'irrational'published at 15:29 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    Debate on Music Education in Schools

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord Wallace of SaltaireImage source, HoC

    Liberal Democrat Lord Wallace of Saltaire says having fewer music teacher vacancies is not something to celebrate.

    "That's because there are fewer posts to appoint teachers to", he adds.

    "To neglect this dimension of education in order to cut taxes and public spending, would be as irrational as cutting spending on the police whilst claiming to support the principles of private property."

  11. Peer highlights private-state collaboration on music teachingpublished at 15:12 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    Debate on Music Education in Schools

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord LexdenImage source, HoC

    Conservative Lord Lexden, who is president of the Independent Schools Association, says music is "one of the great strengths of the independent sector of education".

    "I draw attention to this state of affairs, not in any spirit of self congratulations," he says, but to point out that independent schools can assist state schools with resources.

    He says state and private schools are collaborating to a "greater extent than ever before" on music education, with independent schools being "actively encouraged" to share resources.

    But he says "success will only be achieved when state and independent schools come together by their own free will".

  12. Shadow minister calls for mandatory workplace menopause policiespublished at 15:09 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    World Menopause Day Debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Shadow Women and Equalities Minister Carolyn HarrisImage source, HoC

    Shadow women and equalities minister Carolyn Harris welcomes every man in the chamber to the "sisterhood".

    She tells MPs that "for too long the menopause has been...the punchline of a joke that is actually anything but funny".

    Many women, she adds, are "completely unprepared for this phase of their lives".

    She calls for education for girls and boys on the menopause. She asks if the Department for Education would consider extending sexual health education guidance.

    Carolyn Harris also criticises the limited training given to doctors on the menopause, and its misdiagnosis as depression.

    She concludes by calling for a mandatory menopause policy within workplaces.

  13. 'Not uncommon' for women to experience sexual dysfunction, says SNP MPpublished at 14:52 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    World Menopause Day Debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    SNP MP Marion FellowsImage source, HoC

    The SNP's Marion Fellows jokes her daughter "frequently accuses her of oversharing" but adds: "I've been there, I've done that, I've got the T-shirt"

    She says she started early and the menopause felt like it went on for a long time.

    Ms Fellows says the menopause can have a psychological and physical impact on women and it is vital health professionals "take them seriously".

    The MP also says that it is "not uncommon" for women to experience sexual dysfunction during the menopause that can affect their relationships, self-confidence and mental health.

  14. 'Music should not become the preserve of the rich'published at 14:48 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    Debate on Music Education in Schools

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    The Earl of Clancarty, a crossbench peer, says the future of music and other arts is at stake, adding that it is "getting a little frustrating, having to quote back to the department its own figures".

    "Music should not become the preserve of the rich," he says, but suggests this is the way things are going.

    He criticises the restrictions on accessibility to art subjects, with many schools only letting students study one arts subject, and 70% of secondary school music teachers being forced to also teach other subjects, which he calls "a nonsense".

  15. Conservative MP: Menopause is 'a society issue'published at 14:47 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    World Menopause Day Debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Conservative MP Rachel MacleanImage source, HoC

    Conservative Rachel Maclean calls the menopause "one of the last taboos". She tells MPs she is menopausal herself, and suffers from debilitating headaches.

    "There is so much ignorance out there", she says, adding that the menopause is "not just hot flushes and night sweats".

    "This is not a women's issue" she says, but "a society issue".

  16. National plan needed for music education - Tory peerpublished at 14:37 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    Debate on Music Education in Schools

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord LingfieldImage source, HoL

    Conservative peer and chairman of the English Schools Orchestra Lord Lingfield says the fact that fewer children are receiving education in playing musical instruments is "a worrying trend".

    He says the 800 secondary schools which still have orchestras should be praised, but more needs to be done to ensure the idea is "encouraged in all schools".

    "There needs to be a national plan for music education," he says.

  17. Music 'overshadowed' by focus on STEM subjectspublished at 14:34 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    Debate on Music Education in Schools

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord LipseyImage source, HoL

    Labour peer Lord Lipsey, who chairs a parliamentary group on classical music, says music graduates "are very hard sought" by employers, even outside of musical occupations.

    The discipline requires "a tremendous amount of skill and focus", he says.

    However, he adds that the value of music education has been "overshadowed" by a "streamlined focus" on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.

    Liberal Democrat peer Lord Clement Jones says the Music GCSE should be available in all schools, and the arts must not become the "preserve of students at private schools".

    "We cannot afford to lose music education from schools, and the government must ensure we protect the teaching of music by taking the focus off of the English Baccalaureate," he says.

  18. Labour MP: Menopause 'is an occupational health issue'published at 14:25 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    World Menopause Day Debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Labour MP Martin WhitfieldImage source, HoC

    The debate on supermarket supply chains comes to a close, and MPs begin their second backbench business debate of the afternoon, on World Menopause Day.

    Opening the debate, Labour MP Martin Whitfield says recent research found half of working women found work difficult due to the menopause, with 10% giving up work altogether.

    "The menopause is an occupational health issue that rests on the desks of managers, male managers as well as female managers", he says.

    He concludes by asking men to "take up the challenge" of discussing the menopause with those close to them at home and the workplace, so women do not "suffer in silence".

  19. Peer: Music education 'as important as maths and physics'published at 14:20 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    Debate on Music Education in Schools

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord BlackImage source, HoL

    Opening the debate, Lord Black of Brentwood says musical education is "dying a rapid death" and has become "only an option for the privileged".

    The gap in provision between state and private schools is "shameful", he adds.

    There has been a 40% decrease in the number of students taking A-Level Music in the last eight years, he says, adding that much of the blame "must be placed on the English Baccalaureate".

    The qualification, he tells peers, "has harmed all creative arts subjects".

    "Music is not an add-on, it is not a past time, it is not a nice-to-have, it is an important grounding to our society and is as important as maths and physics," he says.

  20. Minister: Government investing £61m this year to end modern slaverypublished at 14:11 British Summer Time 18 October 2018

    Exploitation in Supermarket Supply Chains Debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Victoria Atkins, Home Office MinisterImage source, HoC

    Home Office Minister Victoria Atkins says the government is determined to end modern slavery "in our communities and in the global economy".

    She adds that since the "landmark" Modern Slavery Act, there have been more convictions and arrests every year, with 950 currently live.

    Ms Atkins adds that this year the government will invest at least £61m towards end modern slavery in the UK and abroad.

    "No production line, however how far reaching, should ever involve the exploitation of human beings", she adds.