Contributions
67 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)I do not believe they are contradictory, because expecting an outstanding education involves expecting teachers to be qualified. The hon. Member’s colleagues have said that, and…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Ninth sitting)In an ideal situation, of course I want whoever is teaching my children to be qualified, and I do not think that is an unfair expectation. Going back to a point that has been…04 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Tenth sitting)The right hon. Gentleman would have made a good teacher, because he has a very engaging style—although I would have been grateful for a curriculum so I knew what he was covering…04 Feb 2025HANSARD School Accountability and InterventionUnder the last Government, most schools in my constituency suffered real-terms funding cuts and child poverty increased by more than 50%. Reform of the inspection system is needed…03 Feb 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Seventh sitting)I speak as a parent of a child at a secondary school with branded PE kit, so I have some interest in this. Maybe my understanding is wrong, but surely any responsible school…30 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (First sitting)Q So your view is not that it goes too far, but that in some cases it does not go far enough? Anne Longfield: I think it is proportionate for now, but it needs to be strengthened…21 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (First sitting)Q I am sure that we would all agree that we want to see high standards in every school for every child, whether that is for academic attainment and achievement or for safeguarding…21 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (First sitting)Q What about the overall spend? Anne Longfield: The only way to get around the spend in local authorities on children’s social care is to reduce those costs. I do not think that…21 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (First sitting)Q In your view, are the measures in the Bill proportionate for improving child safeguarding and protecting children? Local authorities’ spend on looked-after children in the past…21 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Second sitting)Q Good afternoon. Can you tell us briefly, in your own words, about the urgency—in your view—or otherwise of the Bill? We all agree that your organisations do outstanding,…21 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI am both a former teacher and a former council leader, and I speak on behalf of many of my former colleagues when I say that this Bill is welcome and will make a difference to…08 Jan 2025HANSARD Provisional Local Government Finance SettlementThank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and merry Christmas—I won’t get any longer for saying that. I thank the Minister for his statement and welcome the announcements made today. In…18 Dec 2024HANSARD Respect Orders and Antisocial BehaviourMay I add St Helens to the list of places that are interested in being a pilot area? I warmly welcome today’s announcement. As the Minister and others have said, there is nothing…27 Nov 2024HANSARDChildren’s Social CareI warmly welcome this statement, like all colleagues on the Government Benches and hopefully like colleagues across the whole House. I particularly welcome the comments on care…18 Nov 2024HANSARD Business of the HouseGarswood and Earlestown stations in my constituency are two of 21 in the Liverpool city region that are not accessible to all passengers. This is something that local residents,…14 Nov 2024HANSARDEngagementsQ6. Child poverty is a national scandal. In St Helens North, it increased by over 50% under the previous Government. Does the Prime Minister agree that we need to address this…13 Nov 2024HANSARDBudget ResolutionsUnder the previous Government, life expectancy plateaued, and the number of people living with long-term ill health increased. Was that good for business?06 Nov 2024HANSARDIncome Tax (Charge)I welcome this Budget, not because it solves all the problems in the country—we have heard a lot about them this afternoon, and they would be impossible to solve quickly—but…05 Nov 2024HANSARD Employment Rights BillWe are clearly going to hear a lot of the same arguments that we heard years ago, when Labour introduced the minimum wage. Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree that good employers…21 Oct 2024HANSARD Business of the HouseI am sad to inform the House that my colleague and friend Councillor Linda Maloney MBE passed away recently. She served the local community in St Helens for 30 years as a…10 Oct 2024