Contributions
959 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsThis Government have always been clear about our desire to secure a good relationship with Horizon and the huge benefits that the UK’s world-leading universities can bring the…23 May 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs I said, we spend over £5 billion a year on supporting parents with childcare costs. This year alone, we are putting an extra £160 million into the sector. The important thing…23 May 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsOver the course of the spending review period, we have secured an additional £2.6 billion for special and alternative provision places, with £1.4 billion of that being made…23 May 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe Government have taken action that is worth more than £22 billion this financial year. We have also put in place immediate support for families who are struggling by doubling…23 May 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank the hon. Lady for her question; we have spoken about the matter privately. As she knows, local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure sufficient provision in their…23 May 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe certainly recognise the pressures that some schools may face and we have been giving them the autonomy to agree individual contracts with suppliers and caterers using their…23 May 2022HANSARD Independent Review of Children’s Social CareThe hon. Lady asks a lot of questions, and I genuinely mean it when I say that I want to have as much of a cross-party approach as possible in tackling this issue and delivering…23 May 2022HANSARD Independent Review of Children’s Social CareOur intention is to be bold and ambitious. The plan is to set out an immediate response today. There will then be a full response and implementation plan by the end of the year.…23 May 2022HANSARD Independent Review of Children’s Social CareWe have to ensure that we level up social care. What does that mean at its heart? Yes, it means continuing our investment in children’s social care, but it also means setting the…23 May 2022HANSARD Independent Review of Children’s Social CareI thank my hon. Friend for all the work he did as Children’s Minister when he was at the Department. He is right to say that we have to ensure that the implementation of this…23 May 2022HANSARD Independent Review of Children’s Social CareThe hon. Lady is absolutely right. By bringing about some of the changes I have outlined, we will really change the game and turn around the life chances of some of the young…23 May 2022HANSARD Independent Review of Children’s Social CareMy hon. Friend is a fount of experience on this and many other issues, especially those relating to safeguarding. She is right that we have to consider different and innovative…23 May 2022HANSARD Independent Review of Children’s Social CareOn Tameside, where local authorities are failing to deliver high-quality children’s services the Department acts quickly and decisively. As the hon. Gentleman—I think I can call…23 May 2022HANSARD Independent Review of Children’s Social CareI very much welcome the hon. Gentleman’s question. There are few professions that can claim to transform lives as much as child and family social workers. I know that he and…23 May 2022HANSARD Independent Review of Children’s Social CareMy hon. Friend has considerable experience from his years as children and families Minister, and I very much appreciate his past and ongoing wise counsel. He is right that…23 May 2022HANSARD Independent Review of Children’s Social CareI thank the hon. Lady—dare I even say my hon. Friend? I had taken it for granted that she would be a key driver in helping to implement much of our plan. She rightly references…23 May 2022HANSARD Independent Review of Children’s Social CareI thank my hon. Friend for all the work he has done alongside parliamentary colleagues in relation to Bradford. Keeping vulnerable children safe from harm is non-negotiable, and…23 May 2022HANSARD Independent Review of Children’s Social CareI share the hon. Gentleman’s concern that some providers out there are providing a very poor service to children and young people and are making excessive profits. We need to look…23 May 2022HANSARD Independent Review of Children’s Social CareI reiterate my thanks to Josh MacAlister and his team for this most excellent review. My hon. Friend is right that there will be an immediate laser-like focus on foster care…23 May 2022HANSARD Independent Review of Children’s Social CareI thank my hon. Friend for her considerable expertise in this space. We need to look at recruitment of social workers, but we must also look at retention. There is a real danger…23 May 2022