Speeches by Voaden.

“I think we would all agree that education is the best investment that any Government can make; it raises people out of poverty, improves social mobility and improves health outcomes. Sadly, it was not a priority for the last Government, and I welcome the change in tone from the new Government, although I think it will …”

“NHS dentistry is in crisis, and South Devon is no exception. According to the Nuffield Trust, it is now at “its most perilous point in its 75-year history.” Parents are pulling out their children’s teeth at home. Pensioners are travelling abroad for basic dental treatment. Hundreds of people in the dental desert of Sou…”

“I rise to present a petition on behalf of the residents of South Devon concerning the proposed temporary co-location of the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation trust’s out-of-hours primary percutaneous coronary intervention services at the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital. This change would significantly increase trav…”

“The national average reoffending rate for people who have done a short-term sentence is 54%. Among those who graduate from a prisoner rehabilitation programme in my constituency, the average reoffending rate is just 6%—and the programme is still in touch with every single graduate, after operating for 10 years. In the …”

“Will the Minister give way?”

“On the issue of not being able to get to every premises, particularly in very rural areas—the highlands and islands would be an example—have the Government given thought to satellite internet provision, and perhaps to subsidising the cost of that for homeowners?”

“I am nearly finished—there is only one line left—but I will give way one last time.”

“I thank my hon. Friend for her intervention; I could not agree more. I declare an interest here. A family member who has been trying to set up a business park has been told that it is not doable because they are too far from the exchange. As has been said, we can go to space, but we cannot connect to the internet. It j…”

“I thank the hon. Member for that intervention; I could not agree more.”

“I am not aware of the specifics of mobile towers, but I am sure the hon. Member is absolutely right. Back to Diptford: years ago, residents were promised full-fibre broadband, but it has yet to materialise. Despite repeated assurances from providers and Governments, very little progress has been made. Residents in Holn…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention. I totally agree. It is outrageous that a company like Airband is allowed to pick off the easy bits and then walk away when it comes to the more expensive bits of the contract. In Staverton, most residents have no mobile signal at all. Although mobile providers claim high cov…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Stuart. I commend my hon. Friend the Member for Frome and East Somerset (Anna Sabine) for securing this debate. Too many people in South Devon are still being cut off by poor digital infrastructure. Airband promised to deliver, but was allowed to fail spectacularly …”

“I thank the hon. Member for his excellent contribution. Digital connectivity is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity, and it is time to treat rural communities with the same priority as urban areas.”

“I absolutely agree. In the society we live in today, it is fundamental to planning that connectivity should be considered at the earliest stages of any new development. I am on my last line, if anybody wants to intervene.”

“Go for it.”

“We know that children growing up in poverty are much more likely to be taken into care. You have written in your book about the impact of your parents’ substance misuse and mental health issues. This is a huge question, but in a nutshell, what do you think is the most effective way that the system can support families …”

“Grassroots funding in communities.”

“Do you think all teachers should be trained in trauma?”

“I will be very brief with the big question at the end. What is your view of the Government’s current child poverty strategy, what areas should we be focusing on as a Committee and, given the high levels of child poverty, how likely is it that the Government can deliver significant change in the short and long term? It …”

“I will be very brief with the big question at the end. What is your view of the Government’s current child poverty strategy, what areas should we be focusing on as a Committee and, given the high levels of child poverty, how likely is it that the Government can deliver significant change in the short and long term? It …”