Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
LabourMP for Portsmouth South
“This Government are backing the vital British pig sector by delivering fairer supply chains and stronger protections for producers. The Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations 2025 are ending unfair contract practices, with all pre-exis…”
“Farming is at the heart of our food security, the rural economy and environment.…”
“On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I wish to report an error in the announcement of the Division results for the first vote this evening, which was on new clause 2. I can confirm that the correct numbers were 69 for the Ayes and 300…”
“With permission, I will make a statement to update the House on this Government’s vital work to give every child the best start in life. Within months of taking office we published our plan for change, a promise to improve the lives of work…”
“This Government are committed to improving mental health support for all children and young people. That is why we are providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school by expanding mental health support teams so th…”
“I beg to move, That this House has considered the matter of giving every child the best start in life. This Government have a mission to break down the barriers to opportunity for children and young people, so that background does not deter…”
“I apologise, Mr Speaker.…”
“Mobile phones have no place in our schools. Government guidance is clear that schools should prohibit the use of devices with smart technology throughout the school day. If pupils fail to follow those rules, schools have the power to confis…”
“This Government is today taking another step to delivering our Plan for Change as we announce that all children in households in receipt of Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals from September 2026. This unprecedented step…”
“With permission, I will make a statement to update the House on free school meals for children. This is a Government who put children first—they are at the centre of the change that we want to see, because what we do for our children, we do…”
“I thank my honourable Friend the Member for Hexham (Joe Morris) for securing a debate on this important subject. I know that he is a tireless champion for children and young people in his constituency, and a strong voice on the matters that…”
“This government’s Plan for Change sets out a commitment to give children the best start in life, breaking the link between background and opportunity. We are ensuring that families in every community across the country can access affordable…”
“We are committed to reforming the special educational needs and disabilities system. We are also acting now through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, children not in school registers and a duty on local authorities to provide advic…”
“I am today announcing over £1 billion of new capital investment to support local authorities to create mainstream school places needed by September 2028. I am also confirming details of the £740 million of capital funding for the 2025-26 fi…”
“I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.…”
“I thank my honourable Friend the Member for Crawley (Peter Lamb) for his Bill and for providing the opportunity to consider the importance that free, nutritious meals have in breaking the link between background and achievement. He is a tru…”
“I am grateful to my honourable Friend the Member for Redditch (Chris Bloore) for securing a debate on such an important subject, which rightly invites considerable cross-party support. We know that one third of adult mental ill health origi…”
“Our Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will introduce free breakfast clubs in all state-funded primary schools in England, and measures to help with the cost of school uniforms. Breakfast clubs will save families up to £450 a year, putti…”
“This government is committed to giving children the best start in life, breaking the link between background and opportunity. We are ensuring that families in every community across the country can access affordable, childcare places, that …”
“Having high-quality early education and care available on parents’ doorstep is key to giving children the best start in life. In our Plan for Change, we have set a milestone of a record proportion of children starting school ready to learn.…”
“Our Government are driving an agenda to break down barriers to opportunity and reduce child poverty. Around £1.5 billion is spent annually on free lunches for over 3 million pupils. This includes all children from reception through to year …”
“This government is clear that whoever you are, wherever you come from, ours should be a country where hard work means you can get on in life. Ensuring every child has the best start in life is crucial to breaking down barriers to opportunit…”
“Schools with primary age pupils can now apply to become early adopters of the universal free breakfast club programme starting from April 2025. Up to 750 participating schools will be funded to provide access to a free universal breakfast c…”
“Today I am announcing £740 million of capital investment in 2025-26, to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or who require alternative provision (AP). This is alongside the previously ann…”
“This government believes that every child deserves access to a brilliant education, including the opportunity to have a supportive start to the school day. That is why the government made a manifesto commitment to introduce free breakfast c…”
“I thank my honourable Friend the Member for Slough (Mr Dhesi) for securing a debate on this important subject, and for his characteristically passionate contribution on behalf of his constituents. I also thank all those who have made interv…”
“What schools teach can play an important part, alongside wider activity, in the Government’s safer streets mission and tackling knife crime. Relationships, sex and health education includes content on situations that lead to young people ca…”
“With permission, I will make a statement on the Government’s plans to deliver additional places in school-based nurseries, and a clarification on Government action on so-called top-up fees for funded childcare hours. I will also update the …”
“I thank the Opposition for bringing forward the debate. While the focus has been on private schools and the implications of the planned tax changes, it has allowed us to consider what is important in education. It is important to support th…”
“Excluding private special schools, around 50 private schools close each year. There are a range of reasons for closure, including financial viability and departmental action where schools are not meeting required standards. Some 1,102 priva…”
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