Yesterday (16 May), Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi MP, the Secretary of State for Education, opened the fourth day of the debate on the Queen’s Speech on ‘Making Britain the Best Place to Grow Up and Grow Old’. Mr Zahawi used his speech to outline how the Government’s substantial legislative programme will ensure children receive the world class educations they need to succeed, spread opportunity more equally across the country and support lifelong learning and upskilling.

Rt Hon Sir David Evennett, MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford and Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party, intervened during Mr Zahawi’s speech to highlight the excellent work Townley Grammar School for girls are doing in taking over King Henry School in Erith to share skills and provide a better education to even more children in Bexley Borough.

Mr Evennett subsequently delivered his own speech in the debate. He expressed his view that “the UK is, and always has been, one of the best places to grow up in, and I am convinced that it remains a great place for those of all ages to live in”. He used his speech to focus on the Government’s policies for education and concluded with:

“by levelling up skills and education, we not only help to unleash the potential of every area in our United Kingdom, but grow the economy and boost our GDP. There is a clear theme from the Queen’s Speech that needs to be promoted loud and clear: the Conservative Government believe in social mobility, opportunity and an education system that offers the best to all, so that every individual can maximise their life chances”.

Sir David’s full speech, as well as the entire Debate on the Address, can be read at: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-05-16/debates/D9101E0E-FF5E-4AE5-B987-DB4673129252/MakingBritainTheBestPlaceToGrowUpAndGrowOld