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Education secretary Justine Greening is set to face questions on the 30-hour funded childcare offer in her upcoming appearance in front of the newly-formed Education Select Committee.

 

The committee, which monitors the policy, administration and spending of the Department for Education – and associated bodies, such as Ofsted – has confirmed that it will focus on two main areas during this Parliament: social justice and productivity.

 

The group has confirmed that it will hold an early hearing with the education secretary once Parliament returns from the party conferences in October, and that this hearing will include discussion on the 30-hour scheme. The committee has also confirmed they will be meeting with Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman and Ofqual chief regulator Sally Collier.

 

Conservative MP Robert Halfon MP, the new chair of the Education Committee, said: “I’m pleased we will have an early opportunity to hear from the Secretary of State on the work of the Department, including on school funding, this year’s changes to GCSEs and the implementation of the 30 hours’ entitlement to free childcare for 3- and 4-year olds.

 

“I am particularly keen to question the Secretary of State on what the Government is doing to improve the educational outcomes for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Finally, I am delighted to announce that the Education Committee will be participating in the House of Commons Apprenticeship Scheme this year."