Speeches by McKinnell.

“The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. What we want is a system in which local partners work in partnership. Currently, that is inspected by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission. I will come to the particular examples in Kent and the south-east that hon. Members have raised. We want to support and challenge local au…”

“I add my congratulations to my hon. Friend the Member for Bishop Auckland (Sam Rushworth) on securing this very thoughtful and important debate. He made a powerful opening speech. I add my welcome to Cian and Alex, who are on work experience here in Parliament, supporting my hon. Friend. He touches on a really pressing…”

“Congratulations to my hon. Friend the Member for Dagenham and Rainham (Margaret Mullane) on securing this debate on an incredibly important subject. I know that she and other hon. Members in the Chamber have an interest in supporting families in their constituencies in navigating the special educational needs system; h…”

“I recognise the challenge that the hon. Member and others have set out. We are looking at the national funding formula. Obviously, this cannot happen as fast as one might want, because it is important to maintain stability in the system, and changes from year to year can create challenges for local authorities and scho…”

“I know the hon. Gentleman cares passionately about this issue, and he is clearly keen to see the expansion of provision. As he knows, we are investing in the capital estate in the round, and supporting mainstream schools to expand. We have already given local authorities the funding, and we hope that they are working w…”

“As my hon. Friend will know, I am a big fan of Newcastles. It would be nice to come and see the other one, as I have never been; I would love to accept his invitation if there is an opportunity. High-quality teaching is the in-school factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s outcomes. That is why, as part o…”

“I hope that I have managed to respond to all the issues raised. Finally, I want to underline my and this Government’s commitment to ensuring that all children can access and engage with high-quality music education. I know that creative subjects, music and art are a vital part of a rich and broad school experience. Tha…”

“Let me begin by expressing my gratitude to my hon. Friend the Member for Southgate and Wood Green (Bambos Charalambous) for opening this valuable debate on the future of music education. He made it clear what a great advocate he is for music education. He chairs the APPG on music education and is a constant powerful vo…”

“That sounds like a very sensible suggestion, and my hon. Friend now has it on the record. We will make sure that it is raised in the appropriate way. We continue to support the crucial music hubs programme, for which grant funding of £76 million has recently been secured for the full academic year 2025-26, up until the…”

“My understanding is that the current commitment is for this academic year, 2025-26, and we will confirm funding for future years in due course. The Department also provides a grant of over £210,000 to the Choir Schools Association and its choir schools scholarship scheme, offering means-tested support to choristers att…”

“Yes, Ms Vaz. Growth is the number one mission of the Government, and our new industrial strategy is central to the growth mission. As a sector in which the UK excels today, and which will propel us forward to tomorrow, the creative industries have been announced as one of the eight growth-driving sectors. Ensuring that…”

“My hon. Friend’s final question was a request to meet and discuss the matter. I am more than happy to do so.”

“Clearly, effective inspection is important, both to keep children safe but also to maintain and drive high standards. It is a non-negotiable for us in terms of inspection, and settings will be held to account for how they support pupils with special educational needs. Ofsted is going to put focus on inclusion within ma…”

“In terms of Ofsted? At this stage we have not set out the proposals yet, and we will also set out our consultation outcomes at the same time. That will come in the autumn.”

“As far as I am aware, the free school meal expansion will apply to more children, and clearly any family currently receiving universal credit will now receive free school meals, and any associated impacts in terms of the benefits that flow from that, or other receipts that flow from that, will be looked at. We are not …”

“I am struggling to hear you with the fans; I am sorry. Do you mind repeating your question?”

“No children will be impacted by the expansion of free school meals because it is an expansion, and obviously any impact in terms of transitional arrangements will continue.”

“Gosh, there are a lot of issues in that question. I think we are bringing through some changes to the school admissions ecosystem when it comes to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. They are not significant changes, but we do recognise the challenge that we need to make sure that schools and local authorities, …”

“Have you got a response to that?”

“This is a big topic, and I appreciate I have been asked for brevity. Fundamentally, we want to create a less adversarial system. We just want to prevent parents from having to seek legal redress to get their child’s education. That should never be the case, but I recognise for a small proportion of parents that is curr…”