Speeches by Caliskan.

“I am talking about the VAT relief that existed for private schools. [Interruption.] Yes, it was a subsidy. Politics is full of choices, and a Government’s first responsibility is to ensure that they balance the books. If a Government are responsible, they will invest in decent public services and create conditions for …”

“Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?”

“I thank the right hon. Member for inviting me to intervene. I remind him that the IFS has confirmed that there is enough capacity in the state sector for the transfer of pupils. Also, on the point of special educational needs—”

“I thank the right hon. Gentleman for finally giving way. I wonder if he might use the opportunity to reflect on the economic record of the previous Government, which saw the highest interest rates and inflation through the roof that affected people’s pockets and their ability to get on in life. Will he also reflect on …”

“The right hon. Member may also recognise that the Government have been clear that when special educational needs are being met in the private sector, VAT will not apply.”

“Just by way of declaration, I was a council leader for a number of years and on the LGA board. It will be no surprise to panel members that, as already recognised, the cost of SEND is the thing that will tip hundreds of local authorities over the edge in the coming months. Alongside perhaps adult social care, it is per…”

“It is much better in terms of value for money for the taxpayer to support our mainstream schools so they can adequately meet the needs of children in terms of SEND.”

“It is the case, is it not, that the cost of a high-needs block in a mainstream school is a fraction of the price per head than what it might cost to send a child to a special school in the private sector?”

“I also want to ask about headteachers, teachers and teaching assistants. You gave us quite some detail around the need for additional data gathering and understanding, although I might say that there is already quite a lot of data that tells us the system is broken. I am not suggesting that you disagree with that, but …”

“There is an aspiration to have additional speech and language therapists qualifying, working for the NHS.”

“Does that include speech and language therapists?”

“I have a very quick question on speech and language support. Jonathan, from an NHS perspective, my understanding is it sits within the remit of the NHS to think about speech and language support and commissioning. There is a crisis in terms of the workforce and the number of individuals who are qualifying as speech and…”

“Finally, we have heard a lot about the frustration from headteachers and teachers regarding children who need to have a plan in place that cannot get one. If I might just take the opportunity to mention my constituents in Barking, Chair, 14% of people get their EHCP within the 20-week period. Not a week goes past witho…”

“This is workforce development.”

“This is really on the back of the Chair’s question about health data and the data on children and young people sustaining employment beyond key stage 4. From a slightly different perspective, it is well documented that those in long-term employment have better health outcomes. That is true of everybody, but it is parti…”

“I begin by putting on record my congratulations to my right hon. Friend for being the first female Chancellor to stand at the Dispatch Box. It was a historic moment in the mother of all Parliaments. After 14 long years of low growth, low investment and failing public services, we are now turning the page. This Budget i…”

“If the hon. Gentleman thinks that taxes on businesses should not increase, where should the tax burden lie? If he does not think that borrowing should increase, what would he cut from the Budget?”

“Have you ever had a job?”

“Will the hon. Lady give way?”

“Does the hon. Gentleman agree that supporting skills and employment is key to creating the sort of economic growth he talks about? Getting young people on a pathway to training and receiving the skills they need to secure jobs is critical.”