Contributions
462 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChildcare Support: Working ParentsThe Government announced earlier this year transformative reforms to childcare to benefit children, parents and the economy. By 2027-28, we expect to spend in excess of £8 billion…11 Dec 2023HANSARDChildcare Support: Working ParentsLast week the Department for Business and Trade published its response to its consultation on flexible working, making clear that this Government are committed to changes to…11 Dec 2023HANSARDChildcare Support: Working ParentsI thank my hon. Friend for her work championing the early years workforce and join her in the tributes she pays to them. The total number of paid early years staff has remained…11 Dec 2023HANSARDChildcare Support: Working ParentsWhat we are doing is making the single largest investment ever made in childcare. That is going to save the average family up to £6,500 per year on the cost of childcare, in…11 Dec 2023HANSARDAfter-school Childcare: Long-term Educational OutcomesIn October, the Government announced the allocation of £289 million of start-up funding to local authorities for wraparound care, which we know supports parents to work, as well…11 Dec 2023HANSARDAfter-school Childcare: Long-term Educational OutcomesMy hon. Friend makes an important point. We have set out clear expectations that all wraparound provision should be inclusive and accessible. We have given local authorities…11 Dec 2023HANSARDPupils with SEN and DisabilitiesIn our improvement plan, we set out plans to deliver consistent early support through our new national standards, backed by a 60% increase in high-needs funding and in programmes…11 Dec 2023HANSARDPupils with SEN and DisabilitiesWe are investing £2.6 billion to transform the special educational needs and alternative provision system. That has included a 36% increase in funding to Birmingham, where the…11 Dec 2023HANSARDPupils with SEN and DisabilitiesMy right hon. Friend makes an important point. Out of county placements are not ideal for the child and their family or for the cost to the local authority, which is why we have…11 Dec 2023HANSARDSpecial Needs Education: AccessI wondered what was happening there, Mr Speaker. As part of our £2.6 billion investment to reform the SEND and AP system, we have announced 41 new special free schools, with a…11 Dec 2023HANSARDSpecial Needs Education: AccessI congratulate my right hon. Friend on his campaign, with which we are very familiar in the Department; we would be delighted to meet him. Where local authorities do feel there is…11 Dec 2023HANSARDSpecial Needs Education: AccessI thank the hon. Lady. We are keen that schools are as inclusive as they say they will be when it comes to children with special educational needs. We have nine change programme…11 Dec 2023HANSARD Hertfordshire SEND Services: Ofsted FindingsI can say to the hon. Lady only that we review the formula every single year. This is not the only factor that is within the formula. I believe that the gap is closing as a result…06 Dec 2023HANSARD Hertfordshire SEND Services: Ofsted FindingsIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Sharma. I congratulate the hon. Member for St Albans (Daisy Cooper) on securing a debate on such an important subject.…06 Dec 2023HANSARD Hertfordshire SEND Services: Ofsted FindingsIf officials have not had that conversation already, I am happy for them to discuss that point with the council. This is the first time that I have heard that point from the hon.…06 Dec 2023HANSARD School Pupils with AllergiesWell, I have a bunch of witnesses to that. I will give way.30 Nov 2023HANSARD School Pupils with AllergiesYes. The question with these things is always whether the laws are already there. Do you need new laws, or are the laws already there but not being enforced? I have heard from…30 Nov 2023HANSARD School Pupils with AllergiesYes, but I am going to have to get through my speech.30 Nov 2023HANSARD School Pupils with AllergiesStaff should have training in it—that is absolutely right. That is part of what we are requiring. We continually review the policies in this area, and if we feel that there are…30 Nov 2023HANSARD School Pupils with AllergiesI am very happy to have that conversation with my hon. Friend. Turning to the statutory duties on schools, hon. Members have called for voluntary guidance to be replaced with a…30 Nov 2023