Contributions
1,361 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFree ChildcareMy hon. Friend absolutely hits the nail on the head. I have been in my role for two weeks and one day, and the issue of education, health and care plans has been raised a number…09 Mar 2020HANSARDFree ChildcareLet me go through the availability for the record. Tax-free childcare is available for all parents who work more than 16 hours at the national minimum wage or above, and who earn…09 Mar 2020HANSARDFree ChildcareI am sure that the hon. Lady will welcome the news that the number of people using the tax-free childcare scheme has more than doubled. The scheme benefits the parents of very…09 Mar 2020HANSARDFree ChildcareLet me get on to those who are sometimes on lower incomes. As I hope the hon. Lady is aware, eligible families can now get help with 85% of their childcare costs through universal…09 Mar 2020HANSARD Children in the Care System: Sibling ContactI congratulate the hon. Member for South Shields (Mrs Lewell-Buck) on securing this important debate. She is always a strong advocate for vulnerable children and young people, and…04 Mar 2020HANSARD Children in the Care System: Sibling ContactI would like to confirm that it refers to any relative, which can include any siblings, but I take the hon. Lady’s point and I will look at it. As I said, we will be updating the…04 Mar 2020HANSARD Children in the Care System: Sibling ContactAs the hon. Lady has said, the Government do not have statistics on that, but we are looking at reviewing the regulations and, as I have just said, sharing better practice. We…04 Mar 2020HANSARD Children in the Care System: Sibling ContactJust let me finish this sentence, if I may, as it will bring me to what I think the hon. Member wants me to say about what we are going to do next. Section 34(2) enables a court…04 Mar 2020HANSARD Children in the Care System: Sibling ContactI shall come to the specifics just now. This was why the Children and Families Act 2014 emphasised that contact should not directly undermine the welfare and safeguarding of…04 Mar 2020HANSARDFree School Holiday Activities and MealsMy right hon. Friend is absolutely right. Our programme is already operating in a number of areas and he is right that it has been extended. We can use the programme to help to…02 Mar 2020HANSARDSpecial Educational Needs and DisabilityEvery child should receive a world-class education, no matter what their needs. That is why we are investing £7.2 billion this coming year to support those with the most complex…02 Mar 2020HANSARDFree School Holiday Activities and MealsThis lunchtime, 1.3 million children sat down for a healthy, nutritious free school meal. Last summer, about 50,000 children took part in our holiday activities and food…02 Mar 2020HANSARDFree School Holiday Activities and MealsI thank the hon. Lady for her question. All the evidence shows that work offers families the best opportunity to move out of poverty and towards self-reliance, which is why it is…02 Mar 2020HANSARDFree School Holiday Activities and MealsThe hon. Lady is right to raise the issue of a healthy breakfast, because we know that a healthy breakfast helps children to concentrate, learn and reach their potential in life.…02 Mar 2020HANSARDFree School Holiday Activities and MealsMany schools have already opened successful breakfast clubs, and we are investing up to £35 million to improve that provision in disadvantaged areas. Schools are free to use their…02 Mar 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsI remind the hon. Lady that we are investing a further £780 million in the special educational needs area, and we do work in this area to improve the quality of these skills.02 Mar 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank my hon. Friend for his concern for children with autism and social, emotional and mental health needs. We do understand that there can be challenges for these children in…02 Mar 2020HANSARDSpecial Educational Needs and DisabilityAs I have just said, there has been an increase of £780 million in additional high-needs funding next year, which is a 12% increase. Performance does vary, but we know that only…02 Mar 2020HANSARDSpecial Educational Needs and DisabilityThe London Borough of Wandsworth will receive £47.8 million in high-needs funding in the next year, which is an increase of 8.6%. The performance of local areas in producing…02 Mar 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe free school meals factor in the national funding formula will be increased in line with inflation, which is forecast at 1.84%. I will look into the issue further.02 Mar 2020