Contributions
271 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDReading: Pre-school SupportI have answered the hon. Gentleman’s question already, so I will simply say that this Government are completely committed to ensuring that every child gets the best possible start…01 Dec 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillIt is an honour to serve under your chairship, Ms Barker. I thank the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross (Jamie Stone) for introducing this excellent debate on…01 Dec 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillAs the right hon. Gentleman will be well aware, the breakfast club represents 30 minutes of free childcare, as well as a healthy breakfast. That is how we calculated the estimated…01 Dec 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI thank the hon. Lady for her positive and constructive engagement on this question. Of course, the Government carefully considered the amendments that were tabled. My concern…01 Dec 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI am very happy to write to the hon. Gentleman and set that out in detail, but let me try again. There will be a requirement for three branded items. That is the maximum that…01 Dec 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI am grateful to my hon. Friend for that useful contribution to the debate. I am conscious of time, so I will conclude by once again thanking the hon. Member for Caithness,…01 Dec 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI thank the hon. Member for his advocacy on this issue after the terrible events that led to Sara Sharif’s death. He has been doing an excellent job of that. I very much agree…01 Dec 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI shall write to the right hon. Gentleman in extreme clarity on that point. Secondly, the Bill’s children’s social care reforms will shift the system away from increasing reliance…01 Dec 2025HANSARDDiversity, Equality and Inclusion: Public SectorI thank my hon. Friend for her great campaigning work. I agree with her that we must do absolutely everything possible to break down all barriers to opportunity in our country.05 Nov 2025HANSARDDiversity, Equality and Inclusion: Public SectorI have a lot of respect for the hon. Gentleman, who is a fellow Berkshire MP, but I gently say to him that it is right that people who serve our country, in whatever form, reflect…05 Nov 2025HANSARDDiversity, Equality and Inclusion: Public SectorThis Government are determined to break down barriers to opportunity so that everyone can achieve success, and this commitment is underpinned by strong data and evidence.05 Nov 2025HANSARDDiversity, Equality and Inclusion: Public SectorWherever there is abuse, it should be tackled, and we will publish details in due course.05 Nov 2025HANSARDChildcare: AffordabilityAbsolutely—I thank the brilliant team at Mousehold, who are so dedicated to giving every child the help and support they need. This Government want every child to have the best…20 Oct 2025HANSARDChildcare: AffordabilitySure Start was one of the greatest successes of the last Labour Government, and it drove significant improvements for our children. The Conservative party systematically…20 Oct 2025HANSARDChildcare: AffordabilityI encourage the hon. Lady to write to me with the details of that case, because we are absolutely clear that in this rapid expansion of childcare—which half a million children…20 Oct 2025HANSARDChildcare: AffordabilityAs it is my first time at the Dispatch Box, I want to thank my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth South (Stephen Morgan), and say what an honour it is to build on his work to…20 Oct 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am absolutely happy to pop into the event this afternoon, and I applaud Esther Ghey for her fantastic campaigning work. The Government are completely clear that mobile phones…20 Oct 2025HANSARDChildcare: AffordabilityI do agree with my hon. Friend, and I congratulate St Anthony’s and Oak Lodge, as well as my hon. Friend for being a tireless champion for his constituents. This Government have…20 Oct 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsBreakfast clubs give children a great start to the day. They drive improvements in behaviour, attendance and attainment, and they can save families up to £450 a year. I…20 Oct 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsHappily. The average family will save £7,500 per child per year under this Government’s record expansion of childcare.20 Oct 2025