Contributions
271 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Children’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI can confirm that the consultation is targeted widely, at everybody with an interest in, or affected by, this issue. I am happy to write to the hon. Gentleman with more detail,…15 Apr 2026HANSARD Children’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI will make some progress, if hon. Members do not mind. I am happy to come back to them in a bit. We have tabled an amendment in lieu that commits the Secretary of State to…15 Apr 2026HANSARD Children’s Wellbeing and Schools BillVery briefly, and then I will make progress.15 Apr 2026HANSARD Children’s Wellbeing and Schools BillIf the hon. Member will forgive me, I will address smartphones in schools in a moment. Our consultation allows us to act at real speed. Through the additions we are making to the…15 Apr 2026HANSARD Children’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI apologise, but I am going to make some progress. I turn to Lords amendment 106, which deals with phones in schools. The amendment is unnecessary, as this Government are already…15 Apr 2026HANSARD Children’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI do congratulate the hon. Member’s constituent on her work, and can confirm that there is provision in the guidance—which he can show her—for schools to make exceptions for such…15 Apr 2026HANSARD Children’s Wellbeing and Schools BillWe have also already committed to strengthening statutory guidance to clarify that high-cost compulsory items should be avoided, and will keep that guidance under review. As the…15 Apr 2026HANSARD Children’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI am just concluding this section of my remarks, but the right hon. Member is very persistent. I have previously been clear on our concerns about a cost cap. A numerical limit is…15 Apr 2026HANSARD Children’s Wellbeing and Schools BillThe right hon. Gentleman’s opinion on the quality of the argument I have made is his opinion, and I happen to disagree with it. Turning to Lords amendment 102, we have already…15 Apr 2026HANSARD Children’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI say to the right hon. and learned Lady that on this point our objectives are the same. Phones should not be in schools at any point during the day from start to finish. I say in…15 Apr 2026HANSARD Children’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI am in the middle of responding to the previous intervention; Members might just want to wait one moment. In all good faith, I have looked in great detail at the problem with why…15 Apr 2026HANSARD Children’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI will make some progress. This Bill is something that only a Labour Government— [ Interruption. ] I will give way because the right hon. Gentleman is looking so aggrieved.15 Apr 2026HANSARD Children’s Wellbeing and Schools BillIt seems to me that the Conservatives have just had their fingers in their ears and have been ignoring the wide range of steps that this Government have taken to address this…15 Apr 2026HANSARD Children’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI sincerely apologise to you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and to the Opposition. I was simply trying to point out that we have taken every step necessary to solve the problem of why…15 Apr 2026HANSARD Children’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI will not, I am afraid. Finally, the right hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Laura Trott) made a moving speech that reminds us of the urgency of action. I, too, have met bereaved…15 Apr 2026HANSARD “For Women Scotland” Court Ruling: First AnniversaryI can confirm that all Government Departments are currently ensuring they comply with the law. The third question that the hon. Member for Upper Bann asked me was on the NHS.…14 Apr 2026HANSARD “For Women Scotland” Court Ruling: First AnniversaryI wonder whether the right hon. Lady would let me make some progress. I am sorry; I have quite a lot of important points to get through.14 Apr 2026HANSARD “For Women Scotland” Court Ruling: First AnniversaryI will try to come back to the hon. Member at the end if I can. I do apologise. I can also assure Members that all Government Departments and their arm’s length bodies have been…14 Apr 2026HANSARD “For Women Scotland” Court Ruling: First AnniversaryIt is a real honour to serve under your chairship, Mr Stringer. First, I thank the hon. Member for Upper Bann (Carla Lockhart) for securing this important debate. As Members have…14 Apr 2026HANSARD “For Women Scotland” Court Ruling: First AnniversaryIf it is very short, she has twisted my arm.14 Apr 2026