Speeches by Brackenridge.

“The crisis in funding, and the postcode lottery and health inequalities faced by many families, particularly in accessing hospice and palliative care, weighed heavily on my decision to vote as I did in the debate on the assisted dying Bill. That is why I am sincerely grateful to the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Mr Kohler…”

“Does my right hon. Friend agree that AI is not going away? It is therefore best for the UK to lead development and best practice, so that AI systems are safer for my constituents in Wolverhampton North East.”

“There are a few reasons why I put my head above the parapet and entered frontline politics and stepped from the classroom benches as a former deputy headteacher to the green Benches of this House to represent families in Wolverhampton North East, but none are closer to my heart than this: under the previous Conservativ…”

“My question is to Maris and Katharine on reunification. The previous Committee heard evidence stating that reunification with their families for children in care is often not at the focus that it needs to be in children’s social care. Do you agree?”

“My question follows on quite well from what Dr Kerr was just referring to, not being distracted by the few that are profiteering. However, my question is based on that because of the impact that it is having across the country. Based on the evidence of high profits being made by the largest 20 private sector providers …”

“Okay. I hear from you that you would welcome the new requirement that any new provider wishing to enter the market must be owned and domiciled in the UK?”

“I would like to hear Councillor Shah’s perspective, please.”

“Will the shadow Minister give way?”

“The Conservative Government’s dereliction of duty meant that they failed to deliver 20,000 promised prison places, which exposes the hypocrisy in any Conservative claims to be the party of law and order. I welcome the new Government’s 10-year prison capacity statement. Does the Minister agree that publishing an annual …”

“Q Thank you for coming and sharing your views and experiences. Business rate relief is in the scope of the Bill. I am a former deputy headteacher who worked across state secondary schools. Private schools, I say, are businesses. I had to juggle reductions and constraints across the budget, with departments such as the …”

“Q To follow on from the question of my hon. Friend the Member for Erewash about security, I have a couple of things to say. Will you confirm the estimated benefit of the proposed business rate relief to small stores? Recently in my constituency, I accompanied my local neighbourhood police team to visit several stores o…”

“Q My constituency of Wolverhampton North East does not have a city centre, but we have lots of cafés, brilliant restaurants, microbreweries and pub chains. What benefits will the Bill provide to those small businesses? Kate Nicholls: If the deduction is applied to the maximum, it will result in a significant reduction …”

“Q Thank you, Mr Gerrard. I am the Member of Parliament for cities and towns such as Wolverhampton and Willenhall, and we have a number of Co-ops and similar stores. I hear today that the Bill brings a welcome certainty and that the majority of Co-op stores will benefit from it. Co-ops and similar stores are important l…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Edward. I thank the hon. Member for Keighley and Ilkley (Robbie Moore) for opening this important debate on the sale and misuse of fireworks. Like many people young and old, I enjoy the magic of fireworks lighting up the night sky, bringing joy and wonder, and as a fo…”

“Like my hon. Friend the Member for Erewash (Adam Thompson), I will speak about the removal of the charitable tax status of private schools. I stand here as not just the Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East, but someone who has spent more than 25 years working in state secondary schools as a science teacher and a depu…”

“The new Government manifesto promised to build on the Online Safety Act. What should that look like? Upon reflection and practice, where is the legislation lacking?”

“I have a few questions on jobs and skills. How should PSHE—personal, social, health and economic education—be changed to better equip young people so that they have life skills ready as they navigate adulthood? As well as that, what additional support should be provided to schools to better equip teachers to prepare ch…”

“So it is clear to you—you have mentioned talking to headteachers, schools, and so on—that it is quite an inconsistent picture. Are you feeding into the curriculum review?”

“Post-16 outcomes for care leavers are a cause for concern, and this was highlighted in our predecessor Committee’s report in 2022 on children in residential care. What should the new Government be doing to better support young adults who have come through the care system?”

“Our predecessor Committee’s inquiry into screen time found a lack of support for parents and schools to effectively manage children’s online presence. What should this new Government be doing to help parents and schools keep children safe online?”