Contributions
308 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFree Childcare: Costs and BenefitsThat is an interesting prospect. Sure Start centres, and the ideas behind them, are positive, and we need that early support and intervention for families, and that hub for them…19 Feb 2019HANSARDTransport for TownsI congratulate the right hon. Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on securing this debate, which gives me another opportunity to raise important local transport priorities with…19 Feb 2019HANSARDEngagementsDespite our comparative size, the UK has more Government Departments than even the USA. We hear in this place all the time about the challenges of cross-departmental working. Will…13 Feb 2019HANSARD Primary Schools: Nurture and Alternative ProvisionI absolutely agree. We mentioned briefly the changes in Ofsted’s approach that I think are positive. We could do more to highlight some of the good practice nationally and to…13 Feb 2019HANSARD Primary Schools: Nurture and Alternative ProvisionI know the hon. Lady feels strongly about that. I will come to her in a second. When done right, such interventions can be helpful, but too many reports suggest that children are…13 Feb 2019HANSARD Primary Schools: Nurture and Alternative ProvisionI agree with the hon. Lady, and the Government have promoted partnership working between schools in some ways. We see that work between schools in the independent sector and…13 Feb 2019HANSARD Primary Schools: Nurture and Alternative ProvisionAbsolutely. I welcome some of the things that the Government have done in recent pilots for mental health support in schools, and some of the positive things that are happening…13 Feb 2019HANSARD Primary Schools: Nurture and Alternative ProvisionI thank the Minister for his comments so far. I think I mentioned in my speech the positive intentions of the 2014 Act, which has been broadly well received—including in the…13 Feb 2019HANSARD Primary Schools: Nurture and Alternative ProvisionI am grateful to hon. Members who have contributed to the debate, particularly those from the Education Committee. They show a clear passion for the subject and for supporting…13 Feb 2019HANSARD Primary Schools: Nurture and Alternative ProvisionI am sure that my right hon. Friend the Minister will do that. It is important to weigh up all this evidence when we are deciding where to put our time and energy in education. I…13 Feb 2019HANSARD Primary Schools: Nurture and Alternative ProvisionI thank the hon. Lady for that intervention. The point that she raises may not be one for discussion now, but it is certainly interesting. There absolutely does have to be a…13 Feb 2019HANSARD Primary Schools: Nurture and Alternative ProvisionI thank the hon. Gentleman for that intervention. Later I will touch on some statistics from Northern Ireland that I hope he will find interesting. I agree with him. The reason…13 Feb 2019HANSARD Primary Schools: Nurture and Alternative ProvisionI thank my right hon. Friend for that intervention and particularly thank him and the other members of the Select Committee for coming along today. I absolutely agree—I will touch…13 Feb 2019HANSARD Primary Schools: Nurture and Alternative ProvisionI agree; there has to be some leeway. We often talk in this place about people’s aspirations for the future. For some people, that means undertaking A-levels and going to…13 Feb 2019HANSARD Primary Schools: Nurture and Alternative ProvisionI agree. There is certainly a case to be made for specialist training and for changes to the way we train teachers, which I know from discussions with Education Ministers that the…13 Feb 2019HANSARD Primary Schools: Nurture and Alternative ProvisionI thank the hon. Lady for her kind comments. I absolutely agree. Recent Ofsted proposals to look more at the holistic support within schools, and not only at academic results, are…13 Feb 2019HANSARD Primary Schools: Nurture and Alternative ProvisionI beg to move, That this House has considered nurture and alternative provision in primary schools. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher. I am…13 Feb 2019HANSARD Primary Schools: Nurture and Alternative ProvisionI absolutely recognise that challenge. Our existing inquiry on SEND in the Education Committee highlights the postcode lottery element and the confrontational experience that many…13 Feb 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI know the Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills is aware of concerns in Mansfield about the future of West Nottinghamshire College. Despite its strong record historically, it…04 Feb 2019HANSARD Sport in the UKI refer Members to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I had written a 300-page speech to bang on about sports, so I have had to cut it down significantly.…04 Feb 2019