Contributions
281 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDApprenticeshipsThis Government made changes to the apprenticeship levy and have introduced the growth and skills levy to focus the apprenticeship system where it should be focused. Most Members…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSchool Rebuilding ProgrammeWe are fixing crumbling schools and colleges, which are a direct consequence of under-investment in our country. Labour is investing £20 billion in the school rebuilding…20 Apr 2026HANSARDHigher Education: Freedom of SpeechAs I have said, at the moment students have a route of redress through the Office for Students. The Government have been focused on pulling together an enforceable regime, and it…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSchool Rebuilding ProgrammeThe RAAC crisis here in England highlighted wider issues with the legacy of the school estate that England is now having to reckon with. I believe that we are now on top of that…20 Apr 2026HANSARDApprenticeshipsEducation is a devolved matter, so the one thing I can do as a Minister in this Parliament is encourage people to vote for Scottish Labour and for Anas Sarwar to be the First…20 Apr 2026HANSARDCost of Living: StudentsWe take this issue extremely seriously, but the description given by the right hon. and learned Member is of her own legacy in government as a Conservative politician. She is now…20 Apr 2026HANSARDCost of Living: StudentsWe know that students and graduates have been left facing the sharp end of the cost of living crisis. That is why we are making the system fairer for students, graduates and…20 Apr 2026HANSARDApprenticeshipsThe Conservatives’ new deal is funded by cutting opportunities in higher education. The Tory plan— [ Interruption. ] The Opposition Front Benchers’ proposal—20 Apr 2026HANSARDFosteringWe are undertaking a once-in-a-generation reform of children’s social care, which includes ensuring that children in care are surrounded by enduring, loving relationships close to…20 Apr 2026HANSARDApprenticeshipsI thank my hon. Friend for making such an important point. There are a few ways to address this question. Too many of our coastal areas do not have the school standards in place…20 Apr 2026HANSARDApprenticeshipsI apologise, Mr Speaker. The proposals we have set out as a Government are all about expanding opportunities so that we get young people out of worklessness and into job…20 Apr 2026HANSARDHigher Education: Freedom of SpeechThe OfS system in place at the moment allows for students to complain about breaches of freedom of speech. The written statement laid this morning by my right hon. Friend the…20 Apr 2026HANSARDHigher Education: Freedom of SpeechThe Secretary of State has made a written statement to the House this morning confirming the timing of the commencement of the higher education free speech complaints scheme and…20 Apr 2026HANSARDApprenticeshipsFollowing a 40% drop in apprenticeship starts over the previous decade, we are now seeing them rise for those under 25, and achievement rates are also up. We want an extra 50,000…20 Apr 2026HANSARDFosteringYes. The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to highlight both of those issues. We are expanding and funding the Mockingbird programme so that foster carers can get wider, family…20 Apr 2026HANSARDFosteringMy hon. Friend is right to highlight that we need to take action on a whole range of fronts to transform our fostering system, so that we can expand it and retain the brilliant…20 Apr 2026HANSARDApprenticeshipsI agree with the hon. Member about the need for high-quality careers education in schools. The Labour Government are committed to ensuring that we bring back work experience for…20 Apr 2026HANSARDCost of Living: StudentsMy hon. Friend is a vocal champion for higher education and students in her constituency. To help disadvantaged students, we are future-proofing maintenance loans by increasing…20 Apr 2026HANSARD Disclosure and Safeguarding: At-risk ChildrenMy hon. Friend is quite right to highlight that the question for children’s social care teams and anyone involved as a statutory safeguarding partner for these children needs to…13 Apr 2026HANSARD Disclosure and Safeguarding: At-risk ChildrenIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Mundell. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland Central (Lewis Atkinson) for securing this debate, and for doing so…13 Apr 2026