Children’s Health 2025-07-10

Agrees that the previous Government’s lack of investment in vital leisure facilities such as swimming pools is contributing to obesity problems. Highlights the importance of physical education, safe places for children to play and be active, and the need for adequate funding for sports facilities.

Praises campaigners in Newcastle-under-Lyme for their efforts to clean the air around schools. Calls on the Government to adopt World Health Organisation levels for particulate matter 2.5 to improve air quality.

Calls for better integration of children’s health into policy, noting long waiting lists for CAMHS and gaps in support services such as speech and language therapy and school-based special educational needs co-ordinator support. Highlights issues with narrow criteria limiting access to care and rising mental health needs leading to longer waiting lists.

The hon. Member highlights the impact of poor diet on children's future health and educational outcomes, citing research that shows parents are uncertain about what constitutes a healthy diet for their children. She emphasises the need for clear guidance and practical support to improve dietary habits among families.

The Member focuses on end-of-life care for seriously ill children, emphasising the importance of ringfenced funding for children’s hospices. She questions the Government about maintaining and increasing the children’s hospice grant beyond 2025-26, launching a proper review of how palliative care is funded and held accountable.

The hon. Member raises issues regarding dentistry for children, the link between poverty and health problems, and mental health services. She welcomes government initiatives but calls for clearer targets to tackle child poverty and better regulation of advertising unhealthy food.

The Member discusses solutions such as youth hubs, recruiting more mental health workers, revamping Sure Start centres. He argues that children's social care should not be concentrated at the local authority level and proposes considering a different delivery model.

Athwal discusses the crisis of childhood obesity in London, citing statistics such as 20% of reception age children being overweight or obese. He highlights factors like a lack of after-school activities and the concentration of fast food chains near schools, and welcomes new national planning policy framework empowering local councils to block fast food outlets near schools.

Yemm speaks about young people with cancer in the UK, stating that seven young people are diagnosed every day. He calls for faster diagnosis, increased access to clinical trials, and addressing mental health needs of these patients.

Ingham discusses the importance of physical activity in children's daily lives, highlighting issues such as rising mental health struggles among young people. He supports multi-year funding settlements for school sports and inclusive public play places for disabled and neurodivergent children.

Bennett pays tribute to Group B Strep Support charity, asking the Minister to meet with them. She highlights a Children’s Commissioner report indicating 'Dickensian levels' of poverty for children in England and criticises the deterioration of healthcare services during Conservative rule.

The Liberal Democrat Member argued that every child deserves the best start in life regardless of background. They proposed fixing the NHS by ensuring everyone can see a GP within seven days, ending dental neglect for children, and rebuilding primary care services. The member also called for reversing cuts to public health programmes, expanding free school meals, and transforming mental healthcare systems.

The Conservative Member highlighted the importance of early childhood care and the need to address social and environmental factors that affect children's health. She raised concerns about obesity, tooth decay, mental health pressures from social media, neglect, and community versus acute healthcare balance. The member asked several questions regarding these issues and advocated for better support for families.

Highlighted links between children’s health, education and poverty.

Made a contribution on diet and nutrition which was insightful.

Spoke about children with life-limiting illnesses and end-of-life care, emphasising the role of palliative care for children.

Talked about junk food advertising and dentistry.

Talked about family hubs, Best Start programme, children’s health and social care infrastructure, third sector involvement.

Raised the issue of fast food outlets and junk food advertising.

Talked about children, young people and cancer, mentioning the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Spoke about how important play and sport are for children’s health.