Contributions
959 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFree School Meals: EligibilityI hear what the hon. Gentleman says, and I will continue to look at European and other comparators, and at eligibility. In relation to what the hon. Gentleman—and, indeed, the…12 Jul 2022HANSARDFree School Meals: EligibilityIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Robertson. I congratulate the hon. Member for South Shields (Mrs Lewell-Buck) on securing a debate on this important subject.…12 Jul 2022HANSARDFree School Meals: EligibilityI thank the hon. Lady for that question. I have heard the call from the sector. We have increased funding for the universal infant free school meals rate to reflect this. Also,…12 Jul 2022HANSARDFree School Meals: EligibilityI will give way in a moment. I want to mention a piece of work in which I have been specifically involved, both in my previous role at the Department for Work and Pensions and in…12 Jul 2022HANSARDFree School Meals: EligibilityI hear what the hon. Lady says. I have always said to her that I continue to keep eligibility under review for the reasons she has mentioned. We could have a separate debate on…12 Jul 2022HANSARDFree School Meals: EligibilityOf course, I agree. I do not want to see any child in this country going hungry or a single family in poverty. The hon. Gentleman raised support for councils in his intervention…12 Jul 2022HANSARDFree School Meals: EligibilityOf course, I work with colleagues and counterparts across Government to ensure that we are supporting people as much as we possibly can, and it is vital that that support is…12 Jul 2022HANSARDSEND ReviewI thank the hon. Lady for her question and I encourage everyone to take part in the SEND review consultation, which will expire on 22 July. The specific point she raises, on the…04 Jul 2022HANSARDEarly Years; Early Education and ChildcareThis Government are committed to ensuring that families can access high quality and flexible childcare and early education that helps children to leam in their earliest years,…04 Jul 2022HANSARDSEND ReviewMy right hon. Friend has raised this issue with me on numerous occasions. He is a doughty champion for children with SEND and their parents and carers in his constituency. Of…04 Jul 2022HANSARDSEND ReviewThe hon. Gentleman is right that accountability has to be at the heart of our proposals, and everyone who provides support for children and young people with SEND has a…04 Jul 2022HANSARDSEND ReviewThe special educational needs and disabilities and alternative provision Green Paper aims to ensure that the right support is delivered in the right setting at the right time for…04 Jul 2022HANSARDChildren with SEND: Provision of SupportThe SEND Green Paper will go some way to addressing that issue. I thank the hon. Lady for her question; she is right to say that educational psychologists play a critical role in…04 Jul 2022HANSARDChildren with SEND: Provision of SupportWe are currently consulting on the special educational needs and disabilities and alternative provision Green Paper. This includes our proposal to establish a single national SEND…04 Jul 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsI certainly agree with the SEND commissioner’s recommendations for Birmingham City Council to take responsibility for its SEND provision and rapidly make changes for improvement.…04 Jul 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Lady and I have discussed this before. Today’s announcement was all about increasing accessibility, availability and affordability. We want to see an increase in tax-free…04 Jul 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsAbout 1.9 million children receive benefit-related free school meals, with provision supporting the most disadvantaged. Eligibility has been extended to more groups of children…04 Jul 2022HANSARDChildren who lose Parents to SuicideLosing a parent to suicide is a devastating loss for any child. Our covid response provided additional information to schools on supporting pupils with bereavement, drawing on…04 Jul 2022HANSARDSEND ReviewI thank my right hon. Friend for all his work in this area. It was a pleasure to join him at that roundtable. We want all children with SEND to get the right support in the right…04 Jul 2022HANSARDChildren who lose Parents to SuicideI thank my hon. Friend for bringing this to my attention. It is indeed a worrying state of affairs. Senior mental health lead training, which is backed by an additional £10…04 Jul 2022