Speeches by Craft.

“18. What steps she has taken to help increase economic growth in the east of England.”

“The Government’s decision to increase defence spending is not only an ironclad commitment to national security in the face of generational challenges but an investment in British industry, able to unlock new jobs and opportunities across the country. Industry in the east of England has a significant defence sector, whi…”

“I warmly welcome today’s announcement of the breakfast club pilot areas, including the two schools in my constituency, which will make a massive difference to the lives of many working families. However, on the subject of breakfast clubs, as an SEN parent I would like to issue the plea, “Don’t you forget about me.” Too…”

“Is it fair across the country?”

“Lucy, you have the last word.”

“Is the mental health investment standard the best mechanism to ensure that funding? Should it be increased or extended? Should it be something completely different?”

“Thank you, Josh. I will try to be brief. I listened with great interest, particularly to the first panel today, about what does not work. As a Committee, we are very interested in what does work, and we are looking at what the Government should perhaps be doing. The 10-year plan is being consulted on. The consultation …”

“You will be pleased to know that I am the last person.”

“That would be great. Thank you.”

“I have one final question, which is probably a little bit out of left field. To what extent does successful localised mental health care, particularly for SMI, comes from commissioners getting the SMI landscape? Courtney has spoken very well on seeing investment in mental health care as a good in and of itself because …”

“I commend the Minister for bringing the statutory instruments before the House. They introduce much-needed and long-overdue support for new families, which I am sure will be welcomed by Members across the House. As every parent will know, the time after childbirth is a time like no other. It is both incredibly special …”

“Thurrock community hospital does fantastic work on integrated care, particularly on integrated mental health care. On a visit, representatives said that what makes the hospital successful is a commitment to working across integrated care boards, the local authority and other relevant partners in the community, as well …”

“With the NHS supporting social care—you mentioned health checks for carers as a potential idea—is there something around that which is more treating the symptoms of a social care system that is not working? Is there something that can be done to redress that balance, rather than treating mental ill health, musculoskele…”

“I am picking up from what you are saying that one of the things that might be helpful is resetting the relationship between formal care and unpaid carers, perhaps unpaid carers having a better seat at the table or more parity of esteem. What would that look like to you, and how would it work in practice? Is there anyth…”

“Are we able to quantify the cost of increased unmet health needs on unpaid carers, or is it perhaps too vast and wide?”

“Thank you for being here today. A few of you mentioned the poorer health outcomes for unpaid carers. I am interested to drill down into those a little bit more. What is it that causes poorer health outcomes for unpaid carers?”

“It could be the Cabinet Office, yes. It could be the Home Office.”

“We have considered DWP. It is interesting because it kind of encompasses the whole of Government agenda, because it is a language. We have suggested DWP because Stephen Timms holds the disability portfolio. But there is now a disability Minister in every Government Department, so it could be any Department answering it…”

“Thank you for the opportunity to make the case to the Committee for this debate. I have asked for a debate in March because that is when Sign Language Week is celebrated. British Sign Language, as some Members will be aware, is an official language of the UK, thanks to a private Member’s Bill that was passed in 2022. I…”

“Yes.”