Speeches by Swallow.

“The hon. Lady is making a powerful case about Reform UK speaking on Russia’s talking points. Of course, the biggest talking point of them all is that NATO is the enemy. When her leader says that the Green party believes we should leave NATO, is that not a Russian talking point?”

“These are dangerous times for democracies in Europe and across the world. I will not be alone in having heard one particular word used increasingly to describe our social and political state as a country over the last 10 years: “divided.” From Brexit to immigration, from the conflict in Gaza to LGBT+ rights, it feels a…”

“The Minister is setting out the strong action that the Government are taking to target those threats. Does he think that social media companies are doing enough to ensure that their platforms are not being used by Russia and others to undermine democracy?”

“During the Budget debate, I asked the shadow Chancellor whether he would address the fact that, on multiple occasions, he referred to the public finances in a fantastically negative tone that appeared far from the truth that was revealed at the Budget, suggesting at one point that there was a £40 billion black hole in …”

“Certainly in my own constituency, and I know across the country, we have seen a really mixed picture where some providers have been growing and expanding and opening new nursery settings and other businesses, where others have gone out of business. What is driving some of those different signals in the market? I see yo…”

“The shadow Secretary of State talks about modernisation and his concerns about the Government’s approach. In 2017, South Western Railway spent £1 billion on new trains to serve my constituents on the Reading to Waterloo line. Those trains sat in sidings, and it was not until SWR was brought back into public ownership t…”

“I am delighted to speak today in this debate. I hope that the Bill marks the start of a new era for our rail system. Bracknell’s rail links are its lifeblood, connecting us to jobs, friends, family and opportunities through lines to London and Reading, as well as to Gatwick airport from Crowthorne and Sandhurst. That i…”

“That addresses the point between communities, but even within communities we are seeing a huge fluctuation. Are there some explanations for that?”

“We have seen the largest workforce growth within the private, voluntary and independent sector. I want to tease out the implications for that, Ka Lai.”

“You have all spoken with such passion about the incredible experience of working in early years, but also some of the real challenges. The Government say the “Do Something Big” campaign is aimed at making a difference to early years recruitment and improving public perceptions about what it means to work with young chi…”

“Neil, you have already mentioned concerns around the use of the term “childcare” versus “early education”. Do you want to expand on that and add any other thoughts?”

“That really is taking a broad view of that question, thank you.”

“To pivot to something slightly different, but nevertheless extremely important, we have also already touched on the challenges with supporting young people with SEND to have the right places to be able to access good quality early education. Coram Family and Childcare have advocated extending statutory admission duties…”

“You mentioned training, what training does the early years workforce already get on special educational needs? Is there any bespoke training that the sector has to or is undertaking?”

“To press on the part of my question referring to statutory admission duties, many parents with SEND children find it difficult to find a setting that is willing to take on their child, recognising the additional support needed to care for and educate that young child. Could any of you speak to that point?”

“They have SENCOs, right?”

“There is no way of avoiding the reality that what we are talking about here is, in part, childcare. Looking after children while parents go to work. We have already talked about the challenge there. But it is also about education, and it is really important not to lose sight of that. How do we get that balance right? A…”

“What role do early years practitioners have in helping to shape the home environment for learning?”

“Ka Lai, when we look at childminders and nannies, is there a consistent level of early education being offered across that part of the sector, or are there variations?”

“I am listening carefully to all the hon. Gentleman’s recommendations. Many of them sound wonderful, but I suspect that they come with something of a price tag. I hope he will get on to the part of his speech where he sets out how the Liberal Democrats would fund those investments.”