Speeches by Hayes.

“We know there are children with additional needs in every single classroom in every single school across the country, but currently only just over half of all teachers say that they feel confident to meet the needs of students with additional needs. What are you doing to boost the confidence, skills and capacity among …”

“Thank you very much, Chair. First of all, can I apologise for my absence at the beginning of the meeting, which was due to attending the Chamber for the statement on children’s social care? Can I also put on record my interests as a vice-president of the Local Government Association and a member of the GMB trade union?…”

“There is one final question from me, Chair, if I may. I want to ask about the capital budget. The Government have announced capital funding for school buildings. What are you doing to ensure that the specification for new school buildings, where they are delivered across the country, is an inclusive specification that …”

“To what extent are you expecting those changes to shift the balance from children who are currently seeking EHCPs back towards children who are supported in their mainstream school under SEND support? How are you keeping track of the progress of those interventions and how will you know whether they have been successfu…”

“I congratulate all hon. Members who have made their maiden speeches today. The economic inheritance from the last 14 years could hardly have been any worse. Conservative Governments have serially undermined our public services: they stripped them of funding, made it harder to deliver and demoralised dedicated public se…”

“The additional £1 billion in the Budget for SEND support is very welcome, but the Minister will know that local authorities remain anxious about the forthcoming end to the statutory override of dedicated schools grant deficits in March 2026. What discussions is the Minister having with the Treasury and the Ministry of …”

“First, let me put it on the record that I am the parent of a young person in her first year at university. The Secretary of State has set out very clearly the case for our universities and the justification for her announcement today. However, as young people who might be applying for university as the announcement is …”

“The situation in northern Gaza is beyond desperate, with many reports of actions that have every appearance of aiming to empty the territory of its entire population. The UN humanitarian chief, Joyce Msuya, has warned that the entire population is at risk of dying. The strategy of the Israeli Government is intolerable,…”

“I congratulate my hon. Friend on leading this important debate in Government time. The Black Cultural Archives, which I am hugely proud to say is based in my constituency on Windrush Square, is the only national organisation dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of black history in the United Kingdom. It doe…”

“The National Audit Office report could not be clearer: children and young people and their families are being failed by a SEND system that cannot meet their needs, and local authorities are being driven to the edge of a financial precipice by a £3.4 billion funding gap. This Government have inherited an appalling legac…”

“I support this long-overdue Bill. Almost a quarter of households in Dulwich and West Norwood are renting privately, and many of them live with the instability caused by an under-regulated market. I am contacted every week by constituents who are living in unacceptable conditions, facing unaffordable rent increases or t…”

“My hon. Friend makes a good point. This crisis in private renting is taking an unbearable toll on the health and wellbeing, the financial security and the stability of families across the country, which is why this Bill is so welcome. I will table an amendment to the Bill. Last year, constituents of mine tragically los…”

“The drop-out rate from university for care-experienced students is 38%, compared with just 6% for non-care-experienced young people. As thousands of students are arriving at university for the first time this week, what steps is the Minister taking to ensure that there is a consistent package of support for care-experi…”

“T4. The early years sector faces significant challenges in delivering the roll-out of the expanded childcare offer promised by the last Government. The sector consistently cites the inability to recruit and retain staff as the biggest difficulty. Can the Minister confirm when the Government plan to publish the promised…”

“14. What steps she is taking to help improve educational outcomes for (a) children in social care and (b) other care-experienced young people.”

“Goods exports to the European Union are still 11% lower than in 2019, before the Brexit agreement took effect. Can the Minister confirm that, in seeking to grow the UK economy, the Government will take an evidence-based approach to the UK’s trading relationship with our nearest neighbours, and will take all possible me…”

“6. What steps his Department is taking to improve the UK’s trading relationship with the EU.”

“For the communities in my constituency mourning the loss of a young person to knife crime, the Government’s commitment to ban zombie knives, machetes and ninja swords cannot come soon enough. Can the Home Secretary confirm that, in bringing forward this vital legislation, she will ensure that the penalties for selling …”

“May I start by congratulating you, Madam Deputy Speaker, on your election, and say what a great pleasure it is to see you in your place? I also congratulate the Secretary of State on her appointment. I know how deep her commitment is to increasing opportunity and adjusting disadvantage for children across our country. …”

“First, I congratulate the hon. Member for Fylde (Mr Snowden) on his maiden speech. It was a moving speech, and I know that his family and his constituents will be very proud of his commitment to work on the issues around Crohn’s and colitis, which is a devastating and difficult disease for those who have to endure it. …”