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Debate on the Address
13 May 2021
Lead MP
Gavin Williamson
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Children & Families
Other Contributors: 58
At a Glance
Gavin Williamson raised concerns about debate on the address in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Secretary of State for Education emphasised the government's commitment to rebuilding education after the pandemic. He highlighted significant investments, such as £2 billion to support pupils' academic and wider progress, an ambitious legislative agenda with a focus on levelling up opportunities across the country, and a £110 million Turing scheme to enable students from disadvantaged backgrounds to study or do work placements overseas. The government also aims to strengthen duties on universities to protect free speech and introduce reforms for early years foundation stage, enhancing support for vulnerable children and improving care systems.
Peter Kyle
Lab
Hove
Asked whether the Secretary of State agrees with Dame Louise Casey's statement that food banks hinder a levelled-up country. He questioned the government’s understanding of economic challenges in post-pandemic recovery.
Inquired about measures to ensure people from disadvantaged communities get necessary skills and training for well-paid jobs as part of building back better, emphasising Stoke-on-Trent's needs.
Steve Double
Con
St Ives
Expressed support for the Secretary of State’s commitment to invest in further education, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
Asked about engaging with young activists on climate change inclusion in the curriculum. He criticised the Secretary of State's refusal to meet such organisations.
Bury South
Expressed appreciation for investment in secondary education and institutes of technology, inviting further discussion about the University of Salford’s role in skills development.
Critiqued the government's stance on limiting young people's opportunities in 27 nations post-Brexit, suggesting it hinders democracy and growth for young individuals.
Welcomed the opening of a special school under the academy programme to cater to children with special needs, aligning with the Secretary of State’s vision for education improvement.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Supported the idea of a skills hub in Keighley, which aims to connect businesses and educational providers like Keighley College to address local industry needs through training programmes.
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Chorley
Advised Members that speeches will likely be around six minutes each.
Kate Green
Lab
Stretford and Urmston
Ms Green highlighted Conservative failures over the last decade, including school funding cuts, an increase in child poverty, and a decline in educational attainment. She also criticised the government's decision to focus on free speech legislation rather than addressing urgent issues such as youth unemployment, early years education, and social care funding.
Edward Timpson
Con
Eddisbury
Mr Timpson argued that improvements in children’s social care services were due to government policies put in place. He pointed out the number of good and outstanding local authorities delivering these services had increased.
Alan Brown
SNP
Kilmarnock and Loudoun
Mr Brown questioned Ms Green about Scotland's democratic process, suggesting that young people should have their say in an independence referendum. He challenged Labour’s stance on blocking a referendum.
Bury South
Mr Wakeford intervened to criticise Ms Green's comments about the current crisis and asked for an apology, citing improvements made since 2010 under Conservative leadership.
Rosie Winterton
unknown constituency
Established a six-minute time limit on Back-Bench contributions and introduced the Chair of the Education Committee, Robert Halfon.
Expressed excitement about the Queen's Speech focusing on skills and further education. Advocated for a lifetime skills guarantee, free level 3 courses for those without A-levels, and an adult community learning centre in every town. Highlighted the importance of funding for institutions like the Open University and further education colleges. Urged the government to increase funding for FE and reform apprenticeship levy to support disadvantaged apprentices. Suggested expanding university technical colleges across the country. Emphasised the need for fundamental changes in careers guidance focusing on skills and embedding work experiences throughout schooling.
Carol Monaghan
SNP
Glasgow
Critiques the Queen’s Speech, highlighting its lack of originality and repetition. Emphasises the SNP Government's commitment to education, health, and economic recovery, particularly through investments in schools, teachers, and free school meals. Raises concerns over Tory austerity measures and their impact on universal credit uplifts. Advocates for fair work and climate emergency at the heart of economic transformation. Criticises the UK’s approach to post-16 education funding and research collaboration, questioning the Prime Minister's promises regarding science and development funding. Points out the negative effects of ODA cuts on researchers and universities.
Rosie Winterton
Lab
Crewe and Nantwich
Apologises for an earlier mistake in addressing Carol Monaghan, offering a brief acknowledgment without further contribution to the debate topic.
Sharon Hodgson
Lab
Washington and Gateshead South
Highlights the critical importance of focusing on early years development while also stressing the need for urgent action regarding cancer services in NHS recovery. She expresses concern over missing patients, treatment delays, and workforce shortages, calling for a plan to boost capacity and recruit more staff to address the backlog.
Chris Grayling
Con
Epsom and Ewell
Welcomed the breadth of measures in the Queen’s Speech, focusing on further education reforms to address anomalies between university and FE sector support. Emphasised the importance of the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill and the Environment Bill, calling for improvements to address deforestation, especially legal deforestation that impacts global assets like the Amazon rainforest. Highlighted the need for sustainable food labelling and protection for endangered species such as hedgehogs.
Jack Dromey
Lab
Birmingham Erdington
Focused on manufacturing, highlighting the importance of the state, businesses, and workers coming together to achieve success. Criticised the Government for not supporting British industry strategically compared to international competitors like France and Germany. Urged the need for investment in manufacturing, net zero challenges, and levelling-up agenda. Emphasised the example of Erdington as a seat of high deprivation but rich in talent, calling for more focus on such areas.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
The Liberal Democrats aim to invest in people, especially children, through youth services and children’s centres. The Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats have won significant gains in local elections and wish to bring back youth services for better opportunities. They also advocate for more central Government funding, early investment in social care budgets, and expanding the apprenticeship levy into a wider skills and training levy.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Edward Leigh congratulates Layla Moran on her passion for early learning and notes his approval of the Queen's Speech, contrasting it with his views during David Cameron's tenure. He advises against hubris while acknowledging the government's strong position. He discusses immigration, suggesting illegal entry should be a criminal offence. On housing, he advocates for building 300,000 houses annually in cities and towns rather than on green-belt land. He also supports free speech in universities but emphasises it must be governed by good manners, not laws. Lastly, he stresses the importance of protecting the Union.
Warrington North
Charlotte Nichols intervenes to ask Edward Leigh if he will condemn the Minister for Universities' comments about holocaust deniers being protected under new free speech legislation, challenging his stance on protecting national history.
Alan Brown
SNP
Cowdenbeath
Critiques the UK Government's refusal to extend voting rights to 16-18 year olds and its opposition to Scottish independence. Highlights the SNP’s success in extending the franchise for the 2014 referendum and argues that young people deserve a chance to vote on Scotland's future due to the negative impacts of Brexit on them. Emphasises Scotland's leadership in renewable energy despite UK restrictions, citing examples like wind power development and grid charging fees. Criticises UK Government’s nuclear policy and lack of investment in green jobs and infrastructure, particularly pumped hydro storage, carbon capture projects, and wave/tidal initiatives. Condemns Westminster for not supporting Scottish energy efficiency efforts and tree planting initiatives.
Edward Timpson
Con
Eddisbury
Mr Timpson supports the Government’s early years healthy development review and its recommendations, highlighting areas such as the start for life offer, family hubs, skilled workforce, accountability measures. He also addresses school exclusions, physical education, and the importance of investing in early years education to improve life chances across the country.
Ian Lavery
Lab
Blyth and Ashington
Mr Lavery highlights serious issues facing young people in his constituency and the north-east due to austerity and cuts. He discusses child poverty, overcrowded and underfunded schools, lack of community support systems, and the need for bold Government intervention to provide children with a fighting chance and break the cycle of poverty.
Harriett Baldwin
Con
West Worcestershire
Welcomed the measures outlined in Her Majesty’s Gracious Speech and thanked everyone for their efforts during a difficult year. Emphasised support from local elections for Conservative candidates and pledged to deliver on promises made in the Queen’s Speech. She highlighted three topics: further education, global commitment to girls' education, and fiscal risks related to inflation and interest rates.
Critiqued the Queen's Speech for failing to set a direction for a better future. Highlighted negative impacts on food and drink exporters due to Brexit regulations, lack of support for asylum seekers, and restrictions on voting rights. Criticised the UK government’s efforts towards addressing the climate crisis and their failure to match global diplomatic initiatives like the Paris Agreement. Welcomed measures to enhance animal welfare but expressed disappointment in the absence of similar provisions for human welfare.
Thurrock
Ms Doyle-Price supports the Queen’s Speech, emphasising fiscal responsibility and the need for a balanced approach to public spending. She expresses concern about the potential consequences of excessive borrowing on interest rates and economic confidence. She highlights inclusive growth and investment in underprivileged areas like Tilbury through freeports and the towns fund, criticising previous Labour neglect of core voters. She also supports initiatives such as the online safety Bill and tackling violence against women and girls, while advocating for pharmacists who have played a crucial role during the pandemic.
Steve McCabe
Lab
Birmingham Selly Oak
Mr McCabe agrees with some of Ms Doyle-Price’s points but questions whether the Government's programme matches its rhetoric on levelling up. He supports early intervention and structured support for children, particularly those with speech and language difficulties. He also welcomes the skills gap initiative and proposes improvements to the apprenticeship levy and National Insurance Contributions Bill. Mr McCabe raises concerns about illegal conversions of family homes into houses in multiple occupation and advocates for better protection for victims of domestic abuse. Additionally, he calls for stricter regulations on legalised child pornography.
Pauline Latham
Con
Kelley
Welcomes the Queen’s Speech but criticises the reduction in overseas aid and calls for a ban on marriages under the age of 18. Emphasises that such a law would protect girls from coerced marriage, prevent domestic abuse and exploitation, and support international efforts against child marriage.
Conor McGinn
Lab
St Helens North
Critiques the Conservative party's rhetoric on working-class communities and argues that it does not match reality. Highlights severe impacts of recent years on children and young people, including increased poverty rates, reduced apprenticeships, and rising unemployment for 16 to 24-year-olds. Advocates for a collaborative approach involving political, community, and business leaders to support young people's opportunities and future.
Huw Merriman
Con
Bexhill and Battle
It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for St Helens North, who speaks with great experience about his community. The speaker highlights the impact of the pandemic on young people, emphasising the importance of investing in education and skills development. He welcomes the Queen’s Speech commitment to delivering 300,000 homes per year and urges the Government to ensure that infrastructure investment follows house building. Merriman also stresses the need for addressing knife crime and social care reform.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
The speaker criticises the lack of prioritization by the Government towards children and young people during the pandemic. She highlights the adverse impact on education, mental health, and extracurricular activities. Hayes denounces funding cuts for schools in London and raises concerns about the reduction in international aid despite its importance for tackling global issues like climate change and poverty.
Brendan O'Hara
SNP
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Celebrates the SNP's victory in Scottish parliamentary elections, criticising the Conservative party’s stance against another referendum. Emphasises Scotland's democratic engagement and voter inclusivity policies. Condemns the electoral integrity Bill as a tool for disenfranchisement of minority communities, arguing it is fundamentally anti-democratic.
Newton Abbot
Welcomed the agenda for national recovery but highlighted issues such as mental health parity, integration of medicines and devices into healthcare, social care system improvement, public health focus on obesity and regulation of substances sold over the counter, and support for victims of abuse.
Rupa Huq
Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
Critiqued the Queen’s Speech, emphasising missed opportunities for young people including housing insecurity, precarious employment, mental health crisis, lack of climate change action, no protection against zero-hours contracts or fire-and-rehire practices, and insufficient support during the pandemic. Highlighted issues like student hardship, mental health support, and education cuts.
Steve Double
Con
St Austell and Newquay
Steve Double expressed optimism about the Queen’s Speech and the future of the country, highlighting the importance of believing in one's nation. He discussed his personal connection to Cornwall, advocating for measures that support local opportunities such as further education, well-paid jobs, and housing affordability. He welcomed government commitments to level up and emphasised the need for tailored solutions specific to Cornwall, including a dedicated fund similar to EU funding and initiatives like Spaceport Cornwall and lithium extraction. He also called for urgent attention to the growing housing crisis in Cornwall, proposing schemes such as Help to Buy and community housing trusts.
Steven Bonnar
SNP
Glasgow North East
A brighter future for the next generation—what better gift can we give to our young persons than the gift of determining their own future? In Scotland, we already offer 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote. The recent Scottish general election saw parliamentary democracy in action with a significant increase in voter turnout, especially among younger voters. The SNP has been re-elected for a historic fourth consecutive term of Government in Scotland, and the results indicate that Scotland’s future should be firmly in Scotland’s hands. The UK Government’s programme was roundly rejected by the people of Scotland, who put their faith in us, the SNP, once again. Recent polls from Ipsos MORI show huge support for independence among younger generations, with 79% of 16 to 24-year-olds and 68% of 25 to 34-year-olds now saying that they would support leaving this Union. The UK Government must respect the will of the Scottish people who voted overwhelmingly for a post-pandemic independence referendum.
Jonathan Gullis
Con
Stoke-on-Trent North
Gullis emphasises the importance of levelling up Stoke-on-Trent by providing access to education, skills development, job opportunities, and infrastructure improvements. He criticises Labour’s performance in Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council during its tenure from 2012-2018, highlighting poor spending practices compared to current Conservative achievements.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
Owen criticises the Government’s lack of focus on children in Luton North and highlights the efforts made by schools and parents during the past year. She argues for better opportunities for young people through contextual university offers and skills training to level the playing field. Owen also expresses concern over proposed cuts to arts education, which she views as economically and culturally detrimental.
Henry Smith
Con
Crawley
Welcomed the legislation to support the NHS, improve education through the skills and post-16 Bill, address knife crime and county lines drug dealing, strengthen environmental laws for a green industrial revolution, introduce animal welfare measures including sentience in law, ban cruel live exports, restrict importation of trophy hunting products and fur, ban puppy smuggling, and mandate microchipping for cats.
Beth Winter
Lab
Rhondda
Critiqued the Queen's Speech for lacking ambition to address poverty, inequality, unemployment, debt, poor education, low skills, mental health strains, high costs of living, and climate crisis. Raised concerns over insufficient Environment Bill and proposed voter ID which disenfranchises young people and BAME communities. Called for employment legislation to combat insecure work practices and highlighted Wales' progress under the Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015.
Flick Drummond
Con
Meon Valley
I am delighted to contribute to this debate on the Queen’s Gracious Speech, focusing on the importance of education and skills training for the next generation. The Government's focus on upskilling through policies like the skills and post-16 education Bill and the lifetime skills guarantee is commendable. The kickstart scheme has been a success in helping young people into work, while further education colleges are eager to provide more opportunities. It is crucial to catch up from the pandemic by extending the school day but ensuring it broadens education over time. Our current assessment system needs reform to level up vocational and academic subjects, recognising that all qualifications should be valued equally for life chances.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
The Queen’s Speech missed an opportunity to lead on the climate and ecological emergency. The Government's poor delivery on promises such as scrapping the green homes grant and cutting electric vehicle grants is concerning, given predictions of not meeting carbon budgets or biodiversity targets. Urgent action is needed with a stronger Environment Bill including a robust Office for Environmental Protection and legally binding interim targets. While national targets are important, local authorities should be empowered to deliver net zero strategies at the community level. A Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill would ensure long-term planning for risks such as future pandemics, setting a gold standard for prevention.
David Simmonds
Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Emphasises the importance of certainty in social care planning, praising local authorities for their efficient use of resources. Advocates for a council-led system that focuses on people and communities. Supports measures to improve home ownership and access to housing by reducing national guidance burdens and promoting local authority decision-making finality. Welcomes provisions for skills and post-16 education flexibility, emphasising the importance of early years health development. Commends proposals in animal welfare legislation while expressing concern over conservation funding.
David Johnston
Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Welcomes the Queen's Speech focus on early years education but calls for a broader approach to supporting children and young people. Emphasises the importance of catch-up policies following school closures and welcomes the commitment to a lifetime schools guarantee, which benefits 11 million adults. Acknowledges past Labour government's focus on university attendance at the expense of other educational paths and highlights racial disparities in education and employment outcomes. Calls for collaborative efforts from parents, schools, universities, employers, charities, social enterprises, businesses, etc., to create a better future for young people.
Jo Gideon
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent North
Congratulates the North Staffordshire YMCA on receiving the Queen’s Award for Enterprise and highlights Stoke-on-Trent's vision for a STEAM-focused future, blending science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths. Emphasises the city's evolution from heavy industries to advanced technologies and digital innovations, citing investment in full-fibre networks and initiatives like the 'Silicon Stoke' strategy. Advocates for Government support for these projects, aiming to create new infrastructure, skills, jobs, and a better quality of life for young people.
Sally-Ann Hart
Con
Hastings and Rye
Supports the Queen's Speech, particularly the Bills aimed at levelling up education and skills opportunities for constituents. Emphasises the need to address deprivation in areas like Hastings and Rye by improving access to education and job training through measures such as the lifetime skills guarantee.
Kate Griffiths
Con
Burton
Welcomes investments from the Government for her constituency's economic recovery, highlighting the importance of addressing skill shortages and ensuring the next generation has access to necessary education. Mentions specific local projects like the JCB Academy in Rocester.
Bury South
Praises the Conservative Government's focus on levelling up through educational reforms, declaring an interest due to his role as a parent. Stresses the need for mental health support alongside academic catch-up programmes and addresses the issue of illiteracy in the UK.
Lee Rowley
Con
North East Derbyshire
Welcomed the discussion on skills and education, but focused on confidence in debates about future changes. Emphasised the importance of ensuring freedom of speech is upheld across academic institutions and wider society. Criticised postmodern relativism for narrowing debate and stifling intellectual curiosity.
Chris Loder
Con
West Dorset
Supported the Government's efforts in providing opportunities for future generations, highlighting Kingston Maurward College as a key player in empowering young people to stay in their communities. Commended the Environment Bill and the Animals Abroad Bill, stressing the need for urgent action on air pollution and live animal exports.
James Daly
Con
Bury North
Supports the Queen's Speech and the levelling-up agenda. Emphasises the importance of equality of opportunity for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Proposes the establishment of SEND hubs in every council area to provide a one-stop commissioning shop for education, health, care plans, social services, careers, and employment support. Argues that this would help level up opportunities for these young people.
Cat Smith
Lab
Lancaster and Wyre
Smith thanked Members for contributing to the debate, particularly highlighting issues such as health waiting times, the independent inquiry into COVID-19, child poverty, the impact of pornography on youth workers, voting ID requirements, schools filling gaps left by the Government, and the progress made in Wales. She argued that radical action is needed to support children and young people post-pandemic.
Julia Lopez
Con
Hornchurch and Upminster
Emphasised the importance of using this new chapter to shatter stasis in productivity and create opportunities for young people. Acknowledged contributions from various Members, including praise for Robert Halfon's skills agenda, James Daly’s suggestions on special educational needs development hubs, criticism of Scottish education system performance, support for Andrea Leadsom's early years work, recognition of Edward Timpson's input on maternal mental health and cancer services, appreciation of Chris Grayling's environmental measures, and encouragement for green tech and freeport investment. Highlighted the Government’s commitment to levelling up, funding communities in all parts of the UK, and ensuring democratic foundations through voter identification proposals.
Cat Smith
Lab
Lancaster and Fleetwood
Asked how the Minister defends not giving 16 and 17-year-olds equal voting rights to their Scottish and Welsh counterparts despite their right to vote in Scotland and Wales.
Nigel Evans
Con
Fylde
We look forward to 17 May, so that we can visit pubs and restaurants without fear of getting wet or indeed catching hypothermia—the glorious 17th. Will those leaving the Chamber before we go on to the Adjournment please do so in a covid-friendly manner? I ask that the Dispatch Boxes are sanitised while Alexander Stafford opens the debate. The Minister is not going to touch the Dispatch Box until that has been done.
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