PMQ: Education and the G7 Summit

The United Kingdom Parliament met together for the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions Time. Labor Party and Opposition Leader Sir Keir Starmer asked six questions to Prime Minister and Conservative Party Leader Boris Johnson on education reform and the G7 summit.

Starmer started out by saying how the Johnson appointed an expert to overlook the education reform. Even though they came up with a plan, the Treasurer only offered a total of 10% for the original plan. He also pointed out that the UK is spending around 310 pounds per child. This is comparatively different to the US’s 1600 pounds per child.

Johnson responded by saying that in addition to the 14 billion pounds given towards education, there will also be 3 billion pounds given towards a catch up plan. This will grant kids access to tuition who cannot afford it.

Starmer responded by saying that the long term costs are 100 billion pounds for the education system. Not only that, but the hardest to reach are kids from disadvantaged backgrounds. He said that unlike the Conservative Party, the Labor Party are putting to a vote 15 billion pounds for catch up.

Johnson responded by saying that they are putting in tough measures in order to educate kids. He said that the Labor Party has opposed a rolled out the Academies Program and discipline in schools. Not only that, but Johnson is putting in 400 million pounds to provide better training for teachers.

“That’s what we’re backing in our Party,” he said. “They are serious, costed, reforms that are based on evidence.”

Starmer moved on  to talk about the G7 summit that is coming up. He said that the UK needs to be an active leader, and cannot just host. He asked Johnson to focus on bringing about improved international agreements that include a more peaceful Middle East. 

This included for Johnson to “recognize the State of Palenstine alongside a safe and secure Israel. To stop the expansion of illegal settlements, and to get a meaningful peace process back up and running,” he said.

Johnson agreed that the solution is a two-state solution. He said that even though Starmer does not believe that their government is ambitious in oversees aid, the Conservative Party has spent more than any Labor Party has done.

Johnson backed this up by saying that the government has spent 10 billion pounds per year during a financially difficult year.

Other members of Parliament asked question during the remainder of the PMQs.