Speeches by MacAlister.

“These issues should be being addressed through the clarity that has been provided through the really extensive guidance that was published last year in response to the Joint Committee’s recommendations in relation to this area. I am very happy to take a look at evidence that the Committee might have and follow up with …”

“I cannot put a timescale on it but, as I say, this is urgent; I recognise that. This is not something that we can take a long over. The campaigners have been making the case for many years.”

“Yes, I can. We have looked pretty closely at the apologies that have been offered by the Scottish and Welsh Governments, and the Australian Government, as well as the support that has been provided alongside them, as did the Joint Committee. We want to make sure that the next steps are not just about statements, but ab…”

“I do recognise that. In many respects, we do not need to wait for a decision on the apology to start actioning some of those points. Since the Joint Committee’s report and recommendations, some actions have been taken forward by the previous Government and by this Government. It is worth updating the Committee on three…”

“I am not in a position to set out the details of how that would work, but I am confident about giving the commitment that we will do that with those who have been affected by it. The model of Government apologies, when they have been effective, is that they have fully involved those who were on the receiving end of sta…”

“Unfortunately, I cannot see those reactions.”

“I am pleased to hear that that is where the hon. Lady was at that time. The Conservative Government and the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition froze thresholds 10 times.”

“I would be delighted to give way if the hon. Lady will answer this question: how many other times were thresholds frozen by that Government?”

“Certainly not. In fact, the current student loan system—I believe it is plan 5—which is due to come online with the first graduates this year, has been increased in line with inflation by this Government. The point stands that the choice of the Government back then was to maintain the threshold where it was and effecti…”

“It should have already been submitted.”

“Thank you, Chair, and thank you to the Select Committee for taking evidence on this issue and for this session. I particularly thank Debbie, Sally, Ann and Diana for the really powerful experiences that they have shared, not just today but previously as well. I am Josh MacAlister and I am the Minister for Children and …”

“There is significant variation across the country at the moment in the amount of time it takes for different people coming forward to get their records and a response. There are cases where it is 18 months or longer, and that is unacceptable. Last year, the Government issued pretty extensive guidance with expectations …”

“I am sure that the Committee will be delighted that I will give a short answer, and I can provide a point of reassurance. Of course, universities have responsibility to ensure that they contribute to upholding human rights and freedom of speech, and they have an important role to play in that. We have plans to strength…”

“Yes, and there are a few things that I would like to share in terms of the Government’s position on this issue, which differs from that of the previous Government. I wholly agree with you, Chair, when you say—I believe that you are speaking for the Committee—that there is unfinished business on this issue. The Governme…”

“I appreciate my hon. Friend drawing the Committee’s attention to the wider debate around higher education funding at the moment. It is true to say that fee income is only one line of income for universities and that they are facing a whole bunch of pressures in a competitive environment. The Government are committed to…”

“I thank Committee members for their contributions today. I will endeavour to respond to the points made by the hon. Members for Rutland and Stamford and for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire, but before I do, let me reiterate the importance of this statutory instrument for putting our higher education sector on a secure …”

“Let me start by saying that the people who certainly should have no shame or stigma on them and were not responsible were the women and babies involved. You can look at this in a number of ways. The proportion of these mother and baby homes that were run by different institutions tells one story. A very large proportio…”

“I am very happy to meet them and work with them on that, and all issues.”

“Of course; I am very happy to.”

“There are wider issues about the overall capacity of the NHS to provide mental health services and support at the moment. Over the next few years, the Government will boost the number of practitioners to deliver mental health support by 8,000, and mental health support teams will help with that. As I mentioned earlier,…”