Contributions
1,058 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillNo, but the Bill’s next stages in this House will offer more opportunities for discussion. Put simply, this Bill will provide the safe and secure foundations that all children…08 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillContrary to the doom and gloom that we have just heard, there has been a fantastic response to the Bill, and I thank all Members on both sides of the House for their contributions…08 Jan 2025HANSARDDedicated Schools Grant Allocations 2025-26Today the Department for Education has published local authorities’ allocations through the dedicated schools grant (DSG) for schools, high needs and early years for 2025-26.…18 Dec 2024HANSARD SEND Provision: Autism and ADHDThe hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Pippa Heylings) ended with the words of Desmond Tutu, and I could not agree more. I congratulate her on securing this debate on an…12 Dec 2024HANSARD SEND Provision: Autism and ADHDI absolutely recognise the challenge the hon. Gentleman has outlined, but it very much speaks to the point I was making, which is that we have published independently commissioned…12 Dec 2024HANSARD SEND Provision: Autism and ADHDThe hon. Lady has borne witness today to that family and young person facing that challenge. It is vital that we work together with parents, schools, councils, the health sector…12 Dec 2024HANSARDEducationI agree with my hon. Friend. Outcomes in some schools in Hastings are just not good enough. We are all determined to drive up standards. Department officials continue to work with…10 Dec 2024HANSARDEducationI agree with my hon. Friend. Outcomes in some schools in Hastings are just not good enough. We are all determined to drive up standards. Department officials continue to work with…10 Dec 2024HANSARDSEN Provision: FundingThe Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regulations, which ringfence dedicated support grant deficits from councils’ wider financial position, were amended. The…09 Dec 2024HANSARDSEN Provision: FundingI appreciate my hon. Friend’s concerns, and we recognise the unprecedented pressures that local authorities are under. High needs funding, which we recently increased, will…09 Dec 2024HANSARDSEN Provision: FundingI thank the hon. Lady for her recognition of the additional funding. We expect the funding to create thousands of new places, particularly in mainstream schools but also in…09 Dec 2024HANSARDCreative Education: SchoolsMy hon. Friend speaks with great wisdom. We have confirmed £79 million of funding for a national network of music hubs to give children and young people the opportunity to learn…09 Dec 2024HANSARDCreative Education: SchoolsFrom their shameless sense of pride, we would never know that the Conservative Government left England’s school standards getting worse. Conservative Members may be happy that…09 Dec 2024HANSARDCommercial Sexual Exploitation: HarmsSecondary schools are required to teach about sexual exploitation, and this Labour Government are committed to halving violence against women and girls within a decade. Education…09 Dec 2024HANSARDCommercial Sexual Exploitation: HarmsOf course I agree with my hon. Friend that taking a whole-school approach to tackling sexual abuse and violence is incredibly important. The statutory guidance is very clear that…09 Dec 2024HANSARDSEND Pupils: SupportThe Government’s ambition is that all children with special educational needs receive the right support to succeed, where possible in mainstream schools. We will strengthen…09 Dec 2024HANSARDSEND Pupils: SupportWe know that local authorities have been significantly impacted by increased demand for education, health and care plans, as well as challenges in workforce capacity. We expect…09 Dec 2024HANSARDSEND Pupils: SupportFollowing the most recent local area SEND inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission in September 2023, the Department—working alongside NHS England—continues to track…09 Dec 2024HANSARDSEND Pupils: SupportIf we are to improve the situation that far too many children face in relation to special educational needs and disabilities, and to meet demand, which we know is outstripping…09 Dec 2024HANSARDSEND Pupils: SupportMy hon. Friend raises an important point. We know that the situation needs reform, and that we need much greater capacity within mainstream schools so that children with special…09 Dec 2024