Complimented Robert Halfon's commitment to education and raised concern about underachievement of young Protestant males in Northern Ireland, asking if the current estimates for education can address this issue.

Focused on the disadvantage caused by high mobility rates at Grange Primary School due to cost of living and renting issues. Suggested that the Department should consider mobility as part of the funding formula.

Explored the issue of families being placed in temporary accommodation across different areas, highlighting its impact on children's education. Called for a comprehensive approach to address these issues.

The Government's spending cuts in education have failed to deliver social mobility. The most deprived schools have seen a real-terms fall of 14% in spending per pupil over the past decade, while the least deprived saw a 9% cut. This runs counter to the Government’s levelling-up programme. In Wakefield Council, one in five people reach national vocational qualification level 4, twice as low as Uxbridge's rate. Schools in Jon Trickett's constituency have been cut by £514 per child since the cuts began, compared to just £276 in Uxbridge. The St Helen’s Primary School has had a £746 cut per pupil despite 38% of children receiving free school meals.

Welcomes the new Secretary of State and congratulates Robert Halfon for securing the debate. Criticises the frequent changes in Education Secretaries, suggesting it indicates a lack of long-term commitment to education policy. Emphasises the need to view children's future as a long-term investment rather than fitting into short-term political cycles. Points out that since 2015, spending on health has increased by 42%, while education spending growth is only 3%. Discusses the impact of insufficient catch-up funding post-pandemic, highlighting an expected loss of £40,000 in lifetime income for each child affected. Criticises the Department's slow response to support schools and implement a proper catch-up plan. Highlights the importance of parental involvement in children's education and supports the recommendation by Sir Kevan Collins for £15 billion investment in education recovery. Calls for an immediate commitment to this investment and suggests that part of it should go towards vouchers directly aiding parents to provide their children with additional support, including tuition, sports, arts, music, and mental health services.

Intervenes to emphasise the crisis many schools in his constituency are facing where children are only having one meal a day at school. Points out that many schools are not even open for five full days, highlighting the severe impact of government policies on families.

Intervenes to support Munira Wilson's comments about childcare costs. Argues against decreasing staff-student ratios, as this would disproportionately affect disadvantaged students who need more care and attention.

The Government's failure to support early years providers has resulted in the closure of 4,000 childcare providers over the last year. The cost of childcare is prohibitive, with many young couples facing a choice between being priced out of parenting or work. In comparison to other countries like France and Germany, the UK ranks as one of the most expensive places to raise children, with net childcare costs representing 29% of income in the UK compared to 11% in France and just 1% in Germany. Funding per pupil has fallen by 9% since the Tories came to power. The Institute for Fiscal Studies warns that students who lost six months of schooling could see a reduction in lifetime income of up to 4%, but the Government's catch-up programme does not meet the scale of this challenge, as evidenced by the resignation of their education recovery tsar last year. Labour’s children’s recovery plan includes breakfast clubs, small-group tutoring, mental health support, teacher development, and an education recovery premium for targeted investment in at-risk students.

Welcomed the new Secretary of State and congratulated the Chair of the Select Committee. Discussed issues such as school absenteeism due to illness, off-rolling practices in schools, and the importance of after-school clubs for young people's development. Cited statistics from the Institute for Fiscal Studies indicating that despite additional funding for 2024-25, there has been a 15-year period with no overall growth in spending on schools. Emphasised the Scottish Government’s approach to free school meals and its commitment to education expenditure increases since 2020-21. Raised concerns about high graduate debt levels and questioned the purpose of education, arguing for publicly funded lifelong access. Advocated for better investment in further education colleges and STEM education.

Children and their education are not a priority for the current Government, as evidenced by school spending per pupil being down almost 10% in the decade to 2020. The Department for Education's choices do not align with children’s interests. School budgets face further pressure due to the cost of living crisis, national insurance increases, soaring energy prices, and rising food costs. Labour’s plan includes investing in childcare places for young children on free school meals and before-school and after-school clubs. The Government’s catch-up funding equates to just £300 per pupil, compared with Sir Kevan Collins' recommendation of £1,685 per pupil. The national tutoring programme has failed due to tapering funding, while Labour would deliver small group tutoring through schools for all who need it right now.

Thanked the Member for Harlow for opening the debate and expressed her passion for education. Emphasised the importance of supporting teachers, lecturers, school staff, parents, pupils and all those who keep the system running. Mentioned the Government's commitment to investing £5.4 billion in departmental resources and £18.4 billion over Parliament. She also highlighted the funding increase for schools (£7 billion) by 2024-25 and additional investment in SEND (£2.6 billion between 2022-2025). Emphasised the importance of mental health support, particularly through her former role as Minister for children and families. Mentioned the lifelong loan entitlement to be introduced from 2025, which will provide every working-age individual with a pot of cash for education throughout their life. She also discussed plans for upskilling and reskilling the workforce, supercharging our workforce, and improving social mobility. Highlighted investment in early years programmes (£170 million by 2024-25) and support for families through holiday activities and food programme (over £200 million a year). Addressed concerns about ghost children, non-attendance, and the importance of comprehensive attendance strategy. Announced an additional £1 billion of flexible funding directly to schools for catch-up and recovery, extending the recovery premium for two academic years.

Congratulated the Secretary of State on her new appointment. Raised concerns about the quality of degrees and asked which degrees she referred to as 'Mickey Mouse degrees'.

Congratulated the Secretary of State on her appointment. Requested that the number of educational psychologists be increased urgently to help tackle the SEND backlog.

Congratulated the Secretary of State on her appointment and emphasised the importance of not closing schools again en masse, suggesting giving them the same stature as nuclear power stations. Asked about the legacy of school closures during the pandemic.

Congratulated the Secretary of State on her appointment and raised concerns about teacher recruitment and retention, particularly in outer London compared to inner London.

Congratulated the Secretary of State warmly and requested an urgent meeting regarding further and higher education in Malvern, specifically concerning a college closure and site use dispute.

Welcomed the lifetime skills commitment but asked for clarity on the future status of the international baccalaureate career-related programme.

Asked about the certainty and budget commitment for primary PE and sport premium, suggesting a longer-term footing similar to the school budget more generally.

Congratulated the Secretary of State on her appointment and asked if early-intervention systems would get the necessary funding under her guardianship.

Discussed the importance of education, highlighting that nearly 2 million more children are in good or outstanding schools and literacy rates have improved. He expressed support for further education and early years initiatives such as free school meals and holiday activities programmes. Robert also mentioned the need for a long-term plan and secure funding settlement for education, urging the Education Secretary to remain in post longer than 10 months. He introduced his Bill, which includes provisions for school closures during emergencies and calls for regular parliamentary votes if schools are closed.