Policy experts and union leaders raised concerns about the lack of funding for new enrichment benchmarks in a new inquiry into the schools white paper. The ‘every child achieving and thriving’ white paper was released in February, proposing major changes to the schools system. Witnesses at the education committee this afternoon included Alun Francis, chair of the Social Mobility Commission, Julie McCulloch, chief executive at the Education Policy Institute and Daniel Lilley, head of youth at the Centre for Social Justice. MPs then quizzed union leaders and officials. This includes Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union and James Bowen, assistant general secretary at the NAHT school leaders’ union. Julia Harnden, deputy policy director at ASCL school leaders’ union and Darren Northcott, from NASUWT, will also be questioned. MPs asked how the government can close the disadvantage gap at GCSE, changes to accountability measures such as progress 8 and attendance targets. They also discussed the white paper’s impact on teaching recruitment and retention and recent developments such as new proposals to improve access to technical education. Catch up on the committee has it happened below…