Speeches by Paffey.

“This is a related question, because the last Committee had evidence around these cost-related barriers. I am interested in things like school trips, uniforms, equipment—those kinds of things. There are measures, such as what is in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, around the cost of uniforms, and so on. Is the…”

“There have been a number of Government measures, such as attendance mentors and attendance hubs. We are interested in what impact those have had in changing anything. My specific question to Julie is around the Attendance Action Alliance, which was set up previously but has not met more recently. What is your view on h…”

“In terms of effectiveness, would you say that the measures of the alliance actually moved the dial overall, or could have done with more time?”

“This is a related question, because the last Committee had evidence around these cost-related barriers. I am interested in things like school trips, uniforms, equipment—those kinds of things. There are measures, such as what is in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, around the cost of uniforms, and so on. Is the…”

“A previous incarnation of this Committee made a recommendation that local authority support from councils should be audited—particularly things like education welfare officers—and that any funding to meet the guidance on that should be ringfenced. In your view, does that recommendation remain valid?”

“You will have heard me ask this question of the last panel, so it will be no surprise. I am interested in your assessment of existing Government measures like the attendance hubs and attendance mentors. What impact do you believe they have had?”

“There have been a number of Government measures, such as attendance mentors and attendance hubs. We are interested in what impact those have had in changing anything. My specific question to Julie is around the Attendance Action Alliance, which was set up previously but has not met more recently. What is your view on h…”

“In terms of effectiveness, would you say that the measures of the alliance actually moved the dial overall, or could have done with more time?”

“Do you think the alliance should be reinstated?”

“I agree that it is crucial to measure the progress of our children in key subjects to give them the best opportunities in life, but does the shadow Minister not accept, as I and many others do, that the climb up the international league tables was caused by restricting the breadth of the curriculum? That has come at th…”

“It is a pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central (Gareth Snell), although I feel I am breaking a run of excellent speeches from the Staffordshire massive. I very much welcome this debate on giving every child the best start in life. I think one thing we can agree on across all the Benches…”

“I am delighted to hear that each of these Best Start family hubs will have a fully trained and professional SEND co-ordinator to support families. Could the Minister say a bit more about how she envisages those co-ordinators working in partnership with local education, health and local authority partners to avoid silo …”

“My hon. Friend paints the picture of the crowning glory of the previous Labour Government, in the Sure Start centres, not just because they were a nice feelgood thing but because of the strong evidence of the benefits they brought. What a disgrace that year after year the Conservatives cut council budgets and shut thos…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention and I wish him every success in his constituency with the pilot breakfast clubs. We have all welcomed in the last week a restoring—let us be honest—of Sure Start-style family hubs which will provide wraparound support for parents. From the hubs I have seen in my constituency …”

“While the shadow Chancellor is engaging in such fascinating whataboutery at the Dispatch Box, will he take the opportunity to say which of the 25 tax increases in the last Parliament he regrets or would undo?”

“Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?”

“My hon. Friend is making an incredibly powerful speech about the resilience of her community and the action that this Labour Government are taking. Her constituents, like mine, are being lectured on personal responsibility. Does she share my astonishment that, despite the opportunity to take some responsibility themsel…”

“May I associate myself with the Prime Minister’s remarks? At a recent coffee morning, residents in Southampton Itchen told me how much they still miss the Bitterne NHS walk-in centre, which was shut down a decade ago under the Conservatives. May I begin by welcoming this Government’s 10-year plan and its commitment to …”

“Q1. If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 9 July.”

“There is evidence to suggest that the 30% of GCSE maths candidates who achieve below grade 4 are held back by misunderstandings of maths concepts that originate in primary schools. I visited a primary school last week and saw the work of the maths hubs. I saw some fantastic work there. Have you had discussions on how t…”