Speeches by Brackenridge.

“Will the Leader of the House join me in recognising the remarkable work of the Susan Vickers Foundation? Its care-experienced team is changing the lives of care-experienced families, including by providing free rail travel and cinema access, thanks to partnership with London Northwestern Railway, West Midlands Railway …”

“Parents, grandparents and carers will know that keeping children busy during the summer can feel like an expensive endurance event. Will the Chancellor assess the economic and social value of the great British summer package of savings, particularly its impact on opening up access to museums, cinemas, libraries, sports…”

“I represent a constituency built around steel and manufacturing that is now home to Tata Steel’s processing and distribution centre, the largest in the UK. In Wolverhampton and Willenhall, steel is our history and our identity. With the actions taken by this Government, I sincerely believe it will continue to be our fu…”

“Sonia, we have heard that the Reading Agency has piloted a cross-authority model to help with some of the wider challenges, such as resources. Are you aware of that and can you share a bit more information about it?”

“Meryl, I have an additional question for you. We have heard that bookshops tend to highlight the same authors, rather than promoting a range of diverse texts. Do you agree that that is a problem? What can be done to improve things?”

“Libraries like mine in Wolverhampton and Willenhall play a key part in delivering the summer reading challenge. I have seen lots of successes, but there are challenges and difficulties. From your perspectives, what challenges act as a barrier to delivery? Are they related to costs?”

“Isobel, some local authorities, despite the financial constraints, did resist reduction in services. I am sure that must have been very difficult. What lessons can be learned from local authorities that have maintained or increased library provision?”

“Finally, Frank, as Children’s Laureate, what have you found on your journey?”

“Sonia, we have heard that the Reading Agency has piloted a cross-authority model to help with some of the wider challenges, such as resources. Are you aware of that and can you share a bit more information about it?”

“We have heard evidence that austerity led to funding cuts, which led to service reductions. From your experience, what has been the impact, and are there areas of the country and/or particular groups of children that have been impacted more than others? I will start with Sonia.”

“Thank you, Rebecca: you have addressed a question that I had for later, which is about some of the hardships faced by authors from diverse backgrounds, and from disadvantaged backgrounds. Joelle, could you share your experience?”

“The Merky Books New Writers’ Prize aims to support young and under-represented writers. What impact has the prize had? Are there are any challenges that they face in that work?”

“Isobel, what can you add on cross-authority support? Is that something that you have come across?”

“Finally, Frank, as Children’s Laureate, what have you found on your journey?”

“Thank you, Rebecca: you have addressed a question that I had for later, which is about some of the hardships faced by authors from diverse backgrounds, and from disadvantaged backgrounds. Joelle, could you share your experience?”

“The Committee has heard evidence of the importance of diversity and representation. What are booksellers and publishers doing to ensure that children have a choice of books? I am going to use the term that Meryl used: books that speak to them. I love that.”

“The Merky Books New Writers’ Prize aims to support young and under-represented writers. What impact has the prize had? Are there are any challenges that they face in that work?”

“Meryl, I have an additional question for you. We have heard that bookshops tend to highlight the same authors, rather than promoting a range of diverse texts. Do you agree that that is a problem? What can be done to improve things?”

“Libraries like mine in Wolverhampton and Willenhall play a key part in delivering the summer reading challenge. I have seen lots of successes, but there are challenges and difficulties. From your perspectives, what challenges act as a barrier to delivery? Are they related to costs?”

“Isobel, what can you add on cross-authority support? Is that something that you have come across?”