Speeches by Sewards.

“I appreciate that you have rejected or pushed back on many of the statistics and pieces of evidence we have used in our questioning, but Australia’s eSafety Commissioner published a report that found that, prior to 10 December 2025, nearly 70% of all parents were reporting that their children were still on the platform…”

“Thank you all for your answers.”

“To push that point, what specifically do you want to see in place of a ban? A ban is pretty clear and unambiguous. If, as you say, tech companies are subverting it in Australia, despite it being clear and specific, they will surely just subvert your suggestions.”

“Thanks, Jacqueline, for your answers so far. How would you assess the proposals to introduce a ban on social media for under-16s in the UK, which would almost certainly include your platform, Snapchat?”

“Finally, and very briefly from me, have your members identified any specific social media platforms that are causing more harm than others?”

“That is fine, we have got Snapchat next so we can ask them.”

“This is a very good time to ask this question. As you know, representatives from TikTok, Meta and Roblox told this Committee last week that a social media ban for under-16s would be difficult to enforce and might push young people into darker, unregulated online spaces. Andy, the Molly Rose Foundation has previous argu…”

“Thanks, Jacqueline, for your answers so far. How would you assess the proposals to introduce a ban on social media for under-16s in the UK, which would almost certainly include your platform, Snapchat?”

“What would each of you assess is the impact of screentime on how students interact with each other in all settings, but also how they interact with your staff?”

“One of my constituents was diagnosed with breast cancer and subsequently received universal credit and incapacity benefit, but the DWP then stopped these payments due to some confusion over a critical illness cover policy. The facts around it were incorrect. Despite her best efforts and despite my team’s recent best ef…”

“Tonight, a “Panorama” documentary will air featuring members of the Jewish community talking about the existential fear that they feel in this country and about wanting to leave. I urge all hon. Members to watch it when they can. We know that an IRGC-linked group has claimed responsibility for some of the recent firebo…”

“That is fine, yes.”

“I have three questions that I will condense into one for the sake of time. There are organisations and individuals that suggest that halving the attainment gap should be part of a cross-Government approach and target that does not sit solely with the DFE, but should be recognised by the child poverty strategy as a key …”

“The overall impact of these reforms will mean that tribunals will be less necessary. Is that what you are saying?”

“Finally, what is your assessment of the proposal to reduce the powers of the SEND tribunal, including removing its ability to name a setting? What impact will that have?”

“The overall impact of these reforms will mean that tribunals will be less necessary. Is that what you are saying?”

“I have a couple of questions for Amanda. Time is short, so I will try to be as brief as possible. This Committee in a previous inquiry heard concerns about weak accountability within local authorities regarding SEND provision. You have already addressed part of that in a previous answer, when you talked about the lack …”

“I am very conscious of time. Many of you have answered this question in detail already, so I am only looking for additional items, if that is okay. It is the same question I asked the previous panel. To what extent do you think the SEND reforms will strengthen accountability across the system, including within the NHS?…”

“I have one follow-up question, if that is okay, for Kate. Again, if you need to write to us afterwards, that is absolutely fine. Let us say we have an ISP in place, and the process just completely breaks down and a dispute arises. What mechanisms do you think should be in place to resolve that? Do you have a view on th…”

“You did offer to write to us, so we will take that offer up.”