VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Boys: Equality

Asked by Patrick SpencerConservativeWomen and EqualitiesTabled Answered 5 February 2025UIN 902574

The question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government is taking to improve opportunities for white working-class boys.

Answered by Bridget Phillipson

Too often white working-class boys face barriers that hold them back. Disadvantaged white British boys are one of the lowest attaining groups in our schools with only 37% reaching the expected standard in reading writing and maths at KS2 and 17.5% achieving grade 5 or above in maths and English at GCSE. This is not acceptable.

We are committed to driving high and rising standards for all children, delivered through excellent teaching, a high- quality curriculum, new RISE teams and a system which removes the barriers to learning that holds too many children back.

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