Contributions
1,070 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Sixth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Betts. Clause 14 grants the Secretary of State the power to limit the profits of certain social care providers, so I will say…28 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Sixth sitting)I do not have a philosophical problem with this clause either. I was slightly surprised to find it when I was reading the Bill and to hear where it came from, but I understand…28 Jan 2025HANSARDAirport ExpansionIf, as we expect, the Chancellor announces her support tomorrow for a third runway at Heathrow, that will be a massive U-turn from the Prime Minister’s previous position, and it…28 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank the Minister for his kind remarks about my comments, but he is aware that the SEND system is in crisis—he and his fellow Ministers hear that every other week in the…28 Jan 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsLast week’s National Audit Office report found £13.8 billion-worth of maintenance backlogs in our schools. With thousands of students who are taking A-levels and GCSEs studying in…27 Jan 2025HANSARDFree School MealsBoth in government and in opposition, the Liberal Democrats have a proud record of championing free school meals for all those who need them. However, even today, too many…27 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fourth sitting)I wish to speak briefly in support of the amendments. I was talking to the director of children’s services for the London borough of Richmond upon Thames earlier this week, and he…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Third sitting)Does the hon. Lady recognise that amendment 37 proposes a presumption of inclusion but, where “the local authority deems it inappropriate”— for example, if the child is too young…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fourth sitting)I very much welcome clause 6 and the extension of the virtual school head oversight role to children in kinship care. However, I was perplexed to see that the category of children…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Third sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher. I will say very little on clause 2, because the Liberal Democrats strongly support and welcome it—it is much…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fourth sitting)I strongly welcome clause 5. I am delighted that we are finally putting a definition of kinship in statute and that we are requiring all local authorities to publish their kinship…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fourth sitting)I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fourth sitting)I beg to move amendment 38, in clause 5, page 9, line 20, at end insert— “(e) financial support; (f) legal support; (g) family group decision making.”23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fourth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship this afternoon, Sir Edward. For clarity—after some mix-ups this morning, for which I apologise—these are probing amendments that…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fourth sitting)I thank the Minister for her response on the point about legal support, which is in amendment 38 along with financial support and family group decision making. I intended to push…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Fourth sitting)I beg to move amendment 44, in clause 4, page 7, line 37, after “welfare” insert “or wellbeing”.23 Jan 2025HANSARD Education, Health and Care PlansIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Huq. I warmly congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Marie Goldman) on securing this important debate.…22 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (First sitting)Q Ruth, the Bill gives the Secretary of State powers to implement, if necessary, profit capping on private providers of children’s care homes and fostering agencies. It is very…21 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Second sitting)Q Specifically on the register of children not in school and the powers you are giving to local authorities to deny parents the right to home school their children, I go back to…21 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Second sitting)Q Nutritionally, would you say a hot meal at lunchtime is more beneficial than a breakfast? Kate Anstey: As I said, take-up of breakfast clubs or different schemes is around 40%,…21 Jan 2025