“I am concerned about the difference... we want to make the system equitable” Faisal Islam asks education secretary Bridget Phillipson why nearly twice as many private school students are getting extra time in exams under special educational needs provisions than those at state schools #Newsnight

@faisalislam It's obvious, the state system IS failing SEN children, it's a key factor in why so many parents choose to remove their child from the state system and pay for education. #SchoolFeeVAT will only make matters worse. #EducationNotTax

@faisalislam It's amazing that she can sit there with a straight face discussing how the state system is failing SEND children, whilst actively pursuing a policy that will force more SEND children into that failing system, thus exacerbating the problem.

@faisalislam Because state special needs provisions are poor so parents put their kids in private schools. Common sense explanation 🤷‍♂️

@faisalislam Again, more disingenuous spin (to be polite) from @bphillipsonMP. A high proportion of children in independent schooling has SEN requirements, and these schools are efficient at testing them. The question should be, why are state schools failing the children that need extra time?

@faisalislam And this is why many parents use the private sector, state schools are failing their children. Which makes the introduction of an #EducationTax forcing many of those children back into the state sector particularly misguided.

@faisalislam Why are Labour politicians so robotic? A lot of words, but no answers. Conspiral? Did she just make up a word? PS Faisal, shoes matter.

@vicderbyshire @faisalislam @faisalislam I have 2 children with extra time in an indp school. small classes meant dyslexia was picked up sooner and an expert tested them. This is why harming the indep sector with VAT will make SEN education so much harder @EducationNotTax

@faisalislam Parents with money can pay for private assessments. Waiting lists for NHS help or dyslexia tests so long people give up or it’s too late. Tests for extra time should be the same for all.

@faisalislam @faisalislam you have let yourself and your profession down. I used to respect you but this isn’t journalism. There are so many challenges that could be made here. She is driven by ideology and children’s lives are being damaged so that she can play out her mates long held grudge

@faisalislam Genuine question; why not just add the extra time on to the exams and let anyone who needs or wants it have it? Why is speed so important?