Contributions
271 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDImproving School Food Standards in England: Consultation LaunchI have asked my Department to consult on proposed changes to the school food standards in England. A good meal or a nutritious breakfast can set a child up for the day, helping…13 Apr 2026HANSARDSchool-based Nursery Capital Grant OutcomesEarly education is one of the most powerful drivers of a child’s future life chances. The earliest years shape children’s development, confidence and wellbeing, and we know that…23 Mar 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI beg to move, That this House disagrees with Lords amendment 2.09 Mar 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillChildren’s voices are heard rarely in this place and are too often ignored in our society, so I say at the outset that it is truly a special privilege to play my part in the…09 Mar 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillSorry, but I have to make progress as I have so much to get through. Turning to part 2 of the Bill and schools, we are taking forward our historic strategy to lift children out of…09 Mar 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI thank the hon. Gentleman for that important intervention; I will turn to that matter in due course. The Government cannot support Lords amendment 44 on principle. Extending the…09 Mar 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI am sorry but I am going to make some progress. I will now turn to the amendments relating to looked-after children and deprivation of liberty. Lords amendment 16 concerns a…09 Mar 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI agree with my hon. Friend about the importance of sibling relationships. Lords amendment 17 would do little to advance that cause, but the reforms that we are driving forward on…09 Mar 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillIf the hon. Gentleman writes to me about that case, I am happy to look into it for him. Off-rolling absolutely should not be happening. Let me turn to the crucial issue of…09 Mar 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillAbsolutely—I can give that assurance. I am afraid that I cannot take any further interventions, because I must get through the last section of my speech. Let me turn to Lords…09 Mar 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI cannot; I must make progress—I am so sorry. We understand that we need to act swiftly, and rest assured that through these powers we will be able to do so. Let me be extremely…09 Mar 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI thank the right hon. Lady for raising that specific point, but it is clear in the guidance that an item can be loaned as long as it is not compulsory. That is a perfectly…09 Mar 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI thank Members from across the House for their varied and valuable contributions. We have heard a number of powerful speeches that made really important points. I am very sorry…09 Mar 2026HANSARD World Book DayI am not sure it is possible to follow that, although I congratulate the hon. Member for Windsor (Jack Rankin) on his efforts and his speech entirely in rhyme. It is a pleasure to…05 Mar 2026HANSARD World Book DaySix! I misheard the hon. Member; I do apologise. And I am sure that they really enjoy listening to him read to them. My hon. Friend the Member for Isle of Wight West (Richard…05 Mar 2026HANSARDFree Breakfast ClubsIt was a pleasure to spend time with my hon. Friend in his constituency recently, where he and I both enjoyed a range of activities with the brilliant Pinky, including our…02 Mar 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI welcome and celebrate the launch of the Southampton literary festival by Bitterne Park school, and I thank my hon. Friend for all his advocacy in his constituency. The National…02 Mar 2026HANSARDPhone Use in SchoolsI welcome the hon. Gentleman to his place, but I am afraid he did not listen to the answer I just gave on this exact topic, which is that, in the consultation we announced today,…02 Mar 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am sorry to hear about the closure of the school in the right hon. Lady’s constituency, but closures of private schools have been in line with historical trends. All pupils are…02 Mar 2026HANSARDNursery Provision: Greater LondonOur best start in life strategy is expanding access to childcare, saving working families £7,500 a year and getting record proportions of children ready for school. We work…02 Mar 2026