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Olivia Bailey

Olivia Bailey

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

LabourMP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire

What Olivia said recently

Legislation

Draft Conversion Practices Bill

“If I may, I will start with an apology to the Opposition spokesperson, the honourable Member for East Grinstead and Uckfield (Mims Davies). I had intended my statement to be sent much earlier today, and I understand that it did not reach he…”

Questions

Oral questions: Women and Equalities

“Trans people deserve to live their life with dignity and respect, and without shame. This Government are committed to protecting and advancing the rights of trans people, including by equalising hate-crime legislation, delivering a trans-in…”

Questions

Oral questions: Education

“I am delighted to see the enthusiasm for our reforms to school food. We want children to enjoy eating tasty, healthy food at school. That is why we are updating school food standards for the first time in a decade and putting young people’s…”

Debate

Pride Month

“I beg to move, That this House has considered Pride Month. It is a privilege to open this debate on behalf of the Government as we mark Pride Month, and it is a real honour to do so this year as the Minister for Equalities. I have spoken be…”

Questions

Oral questions: Women and Equalities

“Conversion practices tell people that their identity is wrong, that it can be changed, and that they should be subjected to physical and emotional abuse to change it. These acts are abusive, they are abhorrent, and the Government will outla…”

Questions

Oral questions: Education

“This Government are opening thousands of Best Start family hubs and network sites in every part of England, building on our proud legacy of Sure Start, providing families with community and connection, and ensuring that every child is suppo…”

Questions

Oral questions: Education

“Mobile phones have no place in our schools. We have published strengthened guidance that is clear that all schools should be mobile phone-free environments by default for the entire school day. Ofsted will be checking this at every inspecti…”

Debate

LGBT+ History Month

“I am proud to be able to contribute to this important annual tradition, and to do so as the Minister for LGBT+ equality. I thank my honourable Friends the Members for Jarrow and Gateshead East (Kate Osborne) and for Nottingham East (Nadia W…”

Questions

Oral questions: Women and Equalities

“The Government are improving LGBT+ healthcare, equalising hate crime laws and banning abusive conversion practices. We will reject the politics of division and hate, which leads some in this House to say that families like mine are less sta…”

Questions

Oral questions: Education

“Flu arrived earlier than usual this year, with increases first seen in children and young people. Despite the flu vaccination programme in schools getting off to a strong start in the autumn, with 4 million children vaccinated by early Janu…”

Written statement

Early Years Funding 2026-27

“The government is 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 school ready by 2028.…”

Questions

Oral questions: Education

“The Government’s new relationships, sex and health education guidance will help to ensure that young people learn about healthy, respectful relationships, and understand that consent is essential. That supports our unprecedented mission to …”

Questions

Oral questions: Education

“As it is my first time at the Dispatch Box, I want to thank my honourable Friend the Member for Portsmouth South (Stephen Morgan), and say what an honour it is to build on his work to give every child the best start in life. This Government…”

Debate

Hospitality Sector

“Over recess, I had the pleasure of visiting more than 20 fantastic small businesses in my constituency during my small business summer roadshow. My aim was to promote these businesses and hear what I can do to help them thrive. I visited a …”

Questions

Prime Minister's Question Time

“Q8. I am proud to represent thousands of people working in the defence sector—ordinary people doing extraordinary jobs to keep our country safe—and I was delighted that the Defence Secretary recently joined me in my constituency to mark thi…”

Debate

Armed Forces Day

“On that point, there are many brave men and women in my constituency who are serving or who have served. I am proud of them and their families, and I thank them for their contribution this Armed Forces Week. My honourable Friend mentioned t…”

Questions

Prime Minister's Question Time

“Q2. Too many of my constituents are stuck in unsuitable housing, and after 14 years of inaction from the Conservatives, local families are being split up because there are not enough affordable homes. I welcome this Government’s plans to tu…”

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