Speeches by Brackenridge.

“A number of campaigners have raised that meaningful actions have not been followed up from this. What barriers have prevented such measures from taking place, in your opinion?”

“This question is for Dr Greenlees. In March 2023, the First Minister issued an apology on behalf of the Scottish Government for historical forced adoption practices. Can you tell us about the process that led to that apology?”

“A number of campaigners have raised that meaningful actions have not been followed up from this. What barriers have prevented such measures from taking place, in your opinion?”

“Those who work in education, as I did, will know of the creaking bureaucratic SEND system that, too often, puts specialists behind paperwork rather than directly benefiting children. Will the Secretary of State explain how her SEND reforms will put children’s needs first and give schools access to specialists such as s…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Murrison. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Southport (Patrick Hurley) for securing this important debate on place-based employment schemes. Local jobs, local skills and local employment support, rooted in communities, will change individuals’ lives as well as b…”

“Yes. If you are not behind the detail, that is absolutely fine.”

“Yes, of course.”

“That is fine.”

“It was about introducing a national reporting and escalation mechanism.”

“Starting with Clare, my question is about intimate care tasks. Some argue that such tasks should always be carried out by two members of staff. What are your views on that, and the reality of the practice behind it?”

“I will ask Claire Reid this question and then open it up to the panel. Could you walk the Committee through how information about safeguarding concerns is currently shared between early years providers, health services, local authorities and safeguarding partners and, in practice, who initiates information sharing and …”

“I would like to follow up on the Chair’s point. Based on your experience and insights, what changes would make a difference in the different systems and the inconsistencies with thresholds? What important changes would bring consistency and confidence back into the early years sector?”

“In December, the Secretary of State announced that she will be appointing an expert panel to inform guidance for the sector, with effective and safe use of digital devices and CCTV for better safeguarding practices. In your opinion, how will that balance against staff accountability, children’s privacy and parental con…”

“Jayne and Ann, could I ask you a follow-up question about your views on the potential merits of introducing a national reporting and escalation mechanism for safeguarding concerns in early years settings. What are your views about that?”

“I thank the hon. Member for South Cotswolds (Dr Savage), as well as Ruth and all the campaigners who have turned out in good numbers to bring this important debate on play-based learning to the House. Growing up in today’s world is difficult for children, and it presents unique challenges for our brilliant early years …”

“I, too, welcome the warm homes plan, which will lower constituents’ heating bills and provide for the biggest home upgrade in British history. How will the Secretary of State ensure that clean energy is the right choice not only for clean emissions but for cutting bills, while avoiding past Conservative failures on ins…”

“My constituents know all too well that there are some gambling companies that thrive on making vast profits from addiction, distress and despair, often delivered straight into people’s homes through online platforms and their mobile phones—quietly but devastatingly tearing families apart. That is why I speak today on c…”

“In your opening address, you referred to inaccurate data on access arrangements that will lead to legitimate public questions; let us consider that in a little more detail. It has been claimed that Ofqual knew about the problem with the statistics on access arrangements for at least two years before any action was take…”

“Yes, it is still significantly higher. In terms of the assessments for this year, how confident are you that exam boards are going to meet the number of actions that Ofqual has set out, and how will you monitor their compliance?”

“I will pick apart a few things, starting with the independent schools point that you raised. The statistics are still proportionally much higher in independent schools; let us take for example the numbers of children who have access arrangements for 25% extra time. Nearly a third of children in independent schools have…”