Contributions
1,309 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fifth sitting)The question about securing and keeping accommodation is incredibly important for care leavers; it is closely linked to what the hon. Member for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire…28 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fifth sitting)Forgive me, Mr Stringer; I know that the Minister has finished, but may I speak again, with leave?28 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fifth sitting)I wonder whether that reconstituted group will pay particular attention to the role of enlightened employers. Bearing in mind the immense breadth of unique life experiences that…28 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Sixth sitting)I am not at all opposed to the clause, but I am curious to know what prompted it. What outside world events made us rethink the regulations? I heard what the Minister said about…28 Jan 2025HANSARDFree School MealsBecause the previous Government widened eligibility, one in three children could get a free school meal in 2024, compared with one in six in 2010. That was despite the fact that…27 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fourth sitting)I rise in support of the clause, for all the compelling reasons that the Minister gave in her rationale. We talked earlier about the value of multi-agency working, and the sharing…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Third sitting)Of course I agree with and entirely support the spirit of what the Government are doing. It forms part of the strand of development intended in the “Stable Homes, Built on Love”…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fourth sitting)I hope that the Minister does not mind me intervening to ask this question, but I genuinely am not clear on it from reading the legislation and the explanatory notes. Is the…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fourth sitting)I think amendment 19 has a lot of value and I hope it will be agreed. I want to ask about resourcing. My hon. Friend the Member for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston has rightly asked…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fourth sitting)For clarity, could there be a local authority in which there is both a multi-agency safeguarding hub and a multi-agency child protection team?23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fourth sitting)It is very good to see you in the Chair, Sir Edward. I think everybody agrees with the principle of this clause, and there is undeniable valuable in having all the relevant…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fourth sitting)The clause extends the role in legislation of virtual school heads to children in need, previously looked-after children and children in kinship care. The virtual school and…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fourth sitting)I am really sorry. I am genuinely not trying to be difficult, but I do not quite understand. I think we all agree, and absolutely support the hon. Lady in what she says, that of…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (First sitting)Forgive me, but that is a different question. We know what the legislation proposes for primary school breakfast, but my question was about whether you have heard anything—whether…21 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (First sitting)Q I want to ask about elective home education, but first, very quickly, we are going to legislate in this Bill for the provision of breakfast at primary schools. Has either of…21 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (First sitting)Q We talked earlier about the measurement of wellbeing. There are surveys of children’s wellbeing by various organisations now: the Office of the Children’s Commissioner—your old…21 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Second sitting)Q I want to come back to breakfasts, if I may. I think this is a question for Mark. The Bill legislates for universal breakfast provision at primary school, but is silent on what…21 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (First sitting)Q Paul, you like to speculate—come on. Paul Whiteman: Damian, you know me too well. I cannot answer what was in the minds of Government. Broadly speaking, as I have said, I think…21 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Second sitting)It would be the whole school, as it is now under the school breakfast programme. Mark Russell: Yes. With limited resources, I would probably have targeted it more at those most in…21 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Second sitting)Q I would like to go back to the curriculum—21 Jan 2025