The spending of the Department for Education

The debate will focus in particular on the early years, pandemic catch-up funding, persistent absence, and adult education. The subject for this debate was selected by the Backbench Business Committee, following the publication of the 2022-23 Main Estimates on 12 May 2022 (subsequently updated on 23 June 2022).

The application to the Committee was made by Robert Halfon (Conservative), chair of the Education Committee. This debate comes at a time when schools are returning to a degree of normality following the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic. Schools have been open to all pupils since September 2021 and summer 2022 exams are being held for the first time since the pandemic. This debate follows a previous Estimates day debate held in March 2022, which focused on the National Tutoring Programme and adult education.