Contributions
271 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFlu Vaccination: School AbsencesThe hon. Member will be pleased to know that I will be meeting with the Minister he mentioned later this week on a visit to Northern Ireland, and I will be happy to discuss this…19 Jan 2026HANSARDEarly Years Funding 2026-27The Government are ambitious for every child. Our strategy, “Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life”, sets out our ambition for a record proportion of children to be starting…15 Dec 2025HANSARDConversion Practices BanYoung people with gender incongruence need access to high-quality, safe and effective care. We are following the Cass review, which was clear that the evidence on the care for…10 Dec 2025HANSARDConversion Practices BanLet me be clear: being gay or trans is not an illness that needs to be cured. The so-called treatments reported by the BBC are abhorrent, and my thoughts are with anyone who…10 Dec 2025HANSARDConversion Practices BanAs I have just said, conversion practices are abusive and we will ban them. All LGBT people deserve to live freely and without fear, shame or discrimination. This legislation is a…10 Dec 2025HANSARDConversion Practices BanConversion practices are abuse, they cause long-lasting harm, and they have no place in our society. We will bring our comprehensive, trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices…10 Dec 2025HANSARDConversion Practices BanI recognise the significant anxiety felt by many trans people at the moment, and I want to be clear, as the Supreme Court was, that protections for trans people are enshrined in…10 Dec 2025HANSARD Creative EducationI agree entirely with the hon. Lady. The creative industries unlock so many skills for the wider economy. My hon. Friend the Member for Stroud spoke powerfully about the important…09 Dec 2025HANSARD Creative EducationVery briefly. I cannot take too many interventions because I am short on time.09 Dec 2025HANSARD Creative EducationIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Stuart. I am hugely grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Dr Opher) for opening this valuable debate on creative…09 Dec 2025HANSARDSEND Pupils: Suspensions and ExclusionsWe back teachers to take the necessary steps to keep classrooms safe and calm, which starts with early identification and help. That is why we are focusing on support given to…01 Dec 2025HANSARDSEND Pupils: Suspensions and ExclusionsI thank the hon. Gentleman for his question and for his interest in this important issue, and I recognise the statistics to which he refers. The Government take the issue…01 Dec 2025HANSARDSexual Consent and Relationships EducationI thank my hon. Friend for his question and for all the work that he does on this important topic. I agree with him wholeheartedly, and I very much hope and expect that our work…01 Dec 2025HANSARDSexual Consent and Relationships EducationThat is exactly what our new RSHE guidance aims to do, to give schools the support they need to ensure that our young people are taught about healthy relationships, and to learn…01 Dec 2025HANSARDSEND Pupils: Suspensions and ExclusionsThe case that the hon. Member raises is absolutely horrific. If a child has brought a knife into school, I do not think that there is a headteacher anywhere in the country who…01 Dec 2025HANSARDSexual Consent and Relationships EducationThe Government’s new relationships, sex and health education guidance will help to ensure that young people learn about healthy, respectful relationships, and understand that…01 Dec 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI take everything that the right hon. Gentleman has said on board. I will come to the topics he raises in more detail in my speech. The Government will also introduce new…01 Dec 2025HANSARDSEND Pupils: Suspensions and ExclusionsI thank the hon. Lady for her question, but I encourage her to read the documents from the Treasury and the OBR. I am glad to have the opportunity to clarify the matter, given the…01 Dec 2025HANSARDReading: Pre-school SupportLearning to enjoy books is a critical foundation for every child. As we get ready for the National Year of Reading in Hartlepool and across the country, our new “best start in…01 Dec 2025HANSARDReading: Pre-school SupportI do agree. I would love to visit, and I congratulate Lyndsay Hogg and Hartlepool borough council on this brilliant idea. “Matilda” is one of my favourite Penguin books, and it is…01 Dec 2025