Second reading of Education Bill, now have your say
9 February 2011 (updated on 9 February 2011)
Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, introduced the second reading of the Education Bill in the House of Commons on Tuesday 8 February
The Bill passed with a vote and will now be considered by a Public Bill Committee. Watch and read the views expressed by MPs who took part in the debate. A list of those MPs that voted can be found at the end of the debate in Commons Hansard.
- Video and Audio: Education Bill, second reading
- Commons Hansard: Education Bill, second reading
- Commons Hansard: Voting list of MPs
Have your say
The Bill has now been sent to a Public Bill Committee for scrutiny and there is a call for written evidence.
Do you have relevant expertise and experience or a special interest in the Education Bill? If so, you can submit your views in writing to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee which is going to consider this Bill.
Guidance for submitting written evidence
Deadline for submissions
The Committee is able to receive written evidence from Tuesday 8 February, when the Bill passes the Second Reading Stage; and will stop receiving written evidence at the end of the Committee stage on Tuesday 5 April. The sooner you send in your submission, the more time the Committee will have to take it into consideration. The Public Bill Committee is expected to meet for the first time on Tuesday 1 March.
Summary of this Bill
The Education Bill seeks to implement the legislative proposals in the Department for Education’s schools White Paper, 'The Importance of Teaching' and measures from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills relating to skills and the reform of higher education funding.
Key areas
The Bill provides for the introduction of targeted free early years care for children under compulsory school age
- makes changes to provisions on school discipline and places restrictions on the public reporting of allegations made against teachers
- abolishes five quangos: the General Teaching Council for England, the Training and Development Agency for Schools, the School Support Staff Negotiating Body, the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency and the Young Person’s Learning Agency and gives new powers to the Secretary of State as a consequence of some of these changes
- removes certain duties on school governing bodies, local authorities and further education institutions, including the duty on local authorities to appoint school improvement partners
- makes changes to the arrangements for setting up new schools, and amends the Academies Act 2010 to make provision for 16 to 19 academies and alternative provision academies
- includes measures relating to school admissions, school meals, composition of school governing bodies, school inspection, school finance and permitted charges.
Keep up to date with all the proceedings on the Education Bill and find out how a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
House of Commons Library analysis
The House of Commons Library regularly produce briefing papers which inform MPs about key issues. The Library has produced a Research Paper on the Education Bill.
Second reading
Second reading is the first opportunity for MPs to debate the main principles of the Bill. It usually takes place no sooner than two weekends after first reading.
What happens at second reading?
The Government minister, spokesperson or MP responsible for the Bill opens the second reading debate. The official Opposition spokesperson responds with their views on the Bill. The debate continues with other Opposition parties and backbench MPs giving their opinions.
At the end of the debate, the Commons decides whether the Bill should be given its second reading by voting, meaning it can proceed to the next stage.
What happens after second reading?
The Bill proceeds to committee stage and will be considered in a Public Bill Committee. Each clause (part) and any amendments (proposals for change) to the Bill may be debated.