Speeches by MacAlister.

“Specifically for the group that we are talking about, the recognition in services does matter. To provide a bit of challenge back, Jess, I think it is for clinicians to look at NICE guidelines and clinical advice about the most appropriate response and interventions. As a politician, I would not want to stumble into su…”

“Closer to home, the Scottish and Welsh Government apologies came with announcements of support that are not dissimilar to the approach that is currently being taken here in England by the UK Government. The Australian apology came with resources to also provide support for peer support groups. I know, having spoken to …”

“The Government are actively considering it, and I put the emphasis on the word “actively”. It is a live conversation. I cannot give the Committee a timetable for it, but I know it is urgent. I know that those who have been directly affected by this awful abuse have had to tell the stories you have heard today many time…”

“We looked at the Joint Committee’s report and particular issues around complaints, and we followed up with some of the intermediary services. The Government followed up pretty soon after the Joint Committee’s report. We recognise that the availability of intermediary services and the funding for them need to be greater…”

“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 …”

“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…”

“It is and I agree. It is also not limited to historical experiences of the adoption process. To be candid, it is also an issue that children’s social care still has with how it functions much of the time. It wields enormous power over families, justifiably so on important occasions where there is significant harm to a …”

“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…”

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

“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…”

“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…”

“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…”

“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?”

“It is and I agree. It is also not limited to historical experiences of the adoption process. To be candid, it is also an issue that children’s social care still has with how it functions much of the time. It wields enormous power over families, justifiably so on important occasions where there is significant harm to a …”

“It should have already been submitted.”

“I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the draft Higher Education (Fee Limits and Fee Limit Condition) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir John. To begin, I would like to take this opportunity briefly to explain that in the explanatory note for the st…”

“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 …”

“Unfortunately, I cannot see those reactions.”

“At the moment, there is no record of where the records have ended up. There will be nuns who worked in religious institutions that were involved in these adoptions and no longer exist. We hope that another organisation will have retained those records. In some cases, records have been destroyed. There is no national pi…”