Contributions
680 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChildcare Reform PackageI thank my right hon. Friend—I have just had a bit of a flashback to my days as a Treasury Parliamentary Private Secretary. He is absolutely right that the supply of childcare…28 Jun 2023HANSARDChildcare Reform PackageWe have a rule at the moment that local authorities have to pass on 95% of the funds that they receive, and our returns show that they pass on 97%. However, as the years go on,…28 Jun 2023HANSARDChildcare Reform PackageWe are taking schools funding to a historic real-terms high. We are also making the single largest ever investment in childcare. I recognise that it has been a difficult time for…28 Jun 2023HANSARDChildcare Reform PackageWith permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement about the progress we have made towards delivering the genuinely radical childcare reforms announced in the…28 Jun 2023HANSARDChildcare Reform PackageAs always, my hon. Friend makes excellent points on this matter. I will absolutely consider her point about childminders and will ensure that I continue to talk to her. She has…28 Jun 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe work of teaching assistants is incredibly important to the SEND arena. We have taken education funding to real-term historic highs for mainstream education and we have…12 Jun 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe take this issue incredibly seriously, which is why we are rolling out mental health support teams. We are ahead of schedule, with 35% of pupils covered this year and another…12 Jun 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe have set out ambitious reforms to give parents greater confidence that their child’s needs can be met in mainstream provision. When they need specialist support, we are…12 Jun 2023HANSARDWeekly Childcare CostsAs I said, we have already set out some flexibilities in a consultation that was published last week, and I urge every single person in the early years sector to look at that. I…12 Jun 2023HANSARDWeekly Childcare CostsThat is the crucial issue when it comes to delivery, and we have already taken steps. We are consulting on flexibilities for the sector to make sure that we have the right people…12 Jun 2023HANSARDWeekly Childcare CostsI completely recognise that this has been difficult for families, but that is exactly why we are taking action. We are making the single largest ever investment in childcare. We…12 Jun 2023HANSARDWeekly Childcare CostsThe cost of childcare depends on hours used a week over weeks per year, provider type, child’s age and region. For this reason, the Department does not produce an official…12 Jun 2023HANSARDChildren with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesI am delighted to join my hon. Friend in thanking all those involved in the project. The Two Bridges site remains on track to open as planned and work is progressing well. We are…12 Jun 2023HANSARDChildren with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesI thank all the special schools for the amazing work they do to support children and young people. We have announced more than £1.4 billion of high needs provisional capital…12 Jun 2023HANSARDChildren with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesWe have not waited to take action on this issue. We have increased, for example, high needs block funding by 50% over the last four years to 2023-24. We have set out £2.6 billion…12 Jun 2023HANSARDChildren with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesI want every child and young person, regardless of their special educational need or disability, to receive the right support to enjoy their childhood and succeed in life. The…12 Jun 2023HANSARDChildren with Special Educational NeedsThe hon. Gentleman will be aware that we published the special educational needs and disabilities and alternative provision improvement plan in March this year. Although the plan…12 Jun 2023HANSARDChildren with Special Educational NeedsI know that the hon. Gentleman is a passionate campaigner on such issues. He will know that education is devolved, but Ministers engage with our counterparts through the UK…12 Jun 2023HANSARDChildren’s Social Care: Review and ReformThe independent review of children’s social care was published a year ago today, setting out plans to reset children’s social care in England so it delivers for all the children…23 May 2023HANSARDHigher Education (Freedom of Speech) BillI thank the House for today’s debate, which demonstrates the full benefit of open discussion and free speech. I will touch briefly on some of the points raised. The hon. Member…02 May 2023