Robert Halfon
MP for Harlow
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Since 2017, referrals for children's mental health have gone up by 60%. Eating disorders among young girls have gone up by 400% since lockdown, and we know that social media companies play a huge part in that. Given that social media platforms such as TikTok are providing “crack for kids” in terms of adult content, negative imagery and addictive algorithms, will my right hon. Friend consider implementing a 2% levy on social media companies, which would raise £100 million to fund mental health resilience programmes for children?
Context
Referrals for children's mental health have increased by 60% since 2017, with eating disorders among young girls up by 400% post-lockdown. Social media platforms like TikTok are seen as harmful due to adult content and addictive algorithms.
Boris Johnson
I know that my right hon. Friend has campaigned on this issue assiduously, and he is quite right about the psychological damage that social media can do. I have heard what he has had to say recently about TikTok. We will see what we can do to address all these issues in the forthcoming online harms Bill.
Assessment
The 2% levy on social media companies and raising £100 million for mental health resilience programmes was not addressed directly
Will See What We Can Do
Forthcoming Online Harms Bill
Session: PMQs
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Mr. Halfon discusses the need to improve educational standards for white working-class boys and suggests that reforms to the apprenticeship levy could help them climb the skills ladder.
Context
Halfon highlights the underperformance of white working-class boys in education and asks about reforming the apprenticeship levy.
The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)
Johnson agrees with Halfon's concerns and confirms that reforms to the apprenticeship levy are under consideration, stating that the Secretary of State for Education will update the House on their plans.
Session: PMQs
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Apprenticeship achievements have gone up by 22% over the past year, with over 90% of apprentices securing good jobs or gaining skills. Starts are also increasing and there are now more than 690 quality apprenticeship standards across various industries. Is it not the case that any attempt to dilute the apprenticeship levy would harm these achievements?
Context
The questioner highlights positive trends in apprenticeships but questions the government's approach to maintaining quality.
Luke Hall
During his time as a Minister, my right hon. Friend helped to completely rebuild the apprenticeship system, introducing higher-quality standards. Apprenticeships are now longer, better, with more off-the-job training and proper independent assessment at the end. They are valued by employers.
Session: Apprenticeship Achievements
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One key reason for underachievement—of all pupils, including pupils from different ethnic minorities—is the absence of children from school. At the start of term this September, there was just 93.5% attendance in all schools, which means that children lost up to an estimated 17.6 million hours of learning. At the start of school term, we would expect to see higher rates of attendance, of about 98%. I know that the Department has appointed 13 attendance advisers, but we have 1.7 million absent children and 100,000-plus so-called “ghost children”. What is my right hon. Friend doing to get those children back into school, so that the 1.7 million persistently absent children are safely returned to the classroom?
Context
At the start of term this September, school attendance rates were at a concerning 93.5%, resulting in an estimated 17.6 million hours of learning lost. The Department has appointed only 13 attendance advisers to address the issue.
Kit Malthouse
The Chairman of the Select Committee is absolutely right to push hard on this issue because it is vital to the future of not only those children, but their families. He is right that following the pandemic we have seen a reduction in attendance. One silver lining coming out of the pandemic was the fact that we now have real-time attendance data for a majority of schools—we are working to complete that for all—which allows us to focus in our efforts on driving attendance in those schools.
Session: Educational Underachievement of Black Children
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that the levelling-up fund is an important part of the plan for growth, and has he seen Harlow Council's levelling-up fund bid, which I wholeheartedly support? It would transform a derelict area of our town centre into a thriving cultural quarter with jobs and investment, tackling antisocial behaviour.
Context
The Chancellor was asked about the levelling-up fund and a specific bid from Harlow Council to transform a derelict area.
Kwasi Kwarteng
My right hon. Friend is a redoubtable and highly persuasive representative of his constituents. I would be happy to talk to him about what we can do together to help his great constituency.
Session: Growth Plan OBR Assessment
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What plans does my right hon. Friend have to introduce sanctions against Iran and take further punitive measures? With Iran's support of terrorist organisations carrying out attacks against Israel and developing a nuclear programme, there are serious security implications.
Context
Iran is stepping up its terrorist activities and supporting attacks against Israel, raising concerns about nuclear capacity.
Amanda Milling
I am grateful for the question but will not be able to discuss future sanction designations as that would undermine their effectiveness.
Session: Israeli Government Proscription of Palestinian Civil Society Groups
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I hope my right hon. Friend will see this book I have here, “The Children's Inquiry” by Liz Cole and Molly Kingsley, about the damage to children during lockdown. The number of ghost children is still rising: it has risen by 100,000 to 1.7 million absent children. I know my right hon. Friend set up the Attendance Alliance Group, but the fact is that we need to get those children back to school, and the numbers are rising. What will he do to ensure those children get back to school in September?
Nadhim Zahawi
I am grateful to the Chair of the Select Committee. Those are not just ghost children; they are flesh and blood. We must make sure that we do everything in our power to get them back into school. The national register will identify where those children are, so that we can really focus on that.
Session: Topical Questions
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What are the Minister's actions to ensure appropriate fines or penalties when non-disabled individuals park in designated spaces?
Context
The questioner is presenting a disability charter to Harlow Council, including measures such as enforcing parking restrictions for disabled bays and using CCTV.
Chloe Smith
Local councils have enforcement responsibility. Parking without a valid badge is defined as a higher-level contravention under regulations.
Session: Topical Questions
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What data are the Government collecting on children in exam years who have been severely absent, and what is being done to bring them back to school and ensure they get targeted tuition through the catch-up programme?
Context
The MP references the Centre for Social Justice suggesting that 13,000 children were severely absent during critical exam years. He also mentions FFT Education Datalab's data showing 5% of pupils were severely absent from September to May.
Nadhim Zahawi
I am delighted to confirm that, as my right hon. Friend knows, we are bringing forward legislative measures to establish a local authority registration system, but that is for the future. Those GCSE, AS-level and A-level students sitting exams this year have been given advance information to help them focus, and to give them the confidence to come in and take exams this year. We are also working to make sure that the alliance of national leaders across education is doing everything it can to deal with persistent absenteeism, and to make sure that all children are in school, which is the best place for them to be.
Session: Severely Absent Pupils
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What recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the Department's steps to help return severely absent pupils to school?
Context
The MP is inquiring about the effectiveness of recent measures taken by his Department to support severely absent pupils returning to school.
Nadhim Zahawi
My schools White Paper and new attendance guidance set out how we expect schools and local authorities to support severely absent pupils so that they can attend regularly. We also recently launched a live data trial for schools, trusts and local authorities, enabling them to target support at pupils who need it most.
Session: Severely Absent Pupils
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The price of diesel is now so high that a typical van driver will be paying £800 more than they were a year ago. Meanwhile, wholesale oil prices have fallen by 28% in just one week. Those are prices millions of working people and families simply cannot afford, so why is the Transport Secretary still defending the record profits of oil and gas giants as they swallow up the pay of hard-working British people? Why does he not insist that any fall in the price of oil is passed on to the price of petrol and diesel at the pump?
Context
Van drivers are paying £800 more for diesel than a year ago despite wholesale oil prices falling by 28%.
Grant Shapps
The hon. Lady is absolutely right about ensuring that any fall is passed on quickly. For example, I notice that Brent crude is down to $100 a barrel at the moment—it had been as high, I think, as $130 a week or two ago—and I want to see that passed on. But I am very curious as to why, given her deep concern about the cost of diesel, she voted against our move to freeze petrol and diesel prices this year.
Session: Rising Fuel Costs Impact on Motorists
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Will my right hon. Friend write to the chair of the covid inquiry to ensure proper reflection on education, mental health issues, and lost attainment during lockdown?
Context
The covid inquiry's terms of reference lack substantial mention of educational impacts.
Nadhim Zahawi
Terms of reference cover preparedness, public health response, economic response, and restrictions on attendance. Mental health challenges are not lost.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will my right hon. Friend contact these universities directly to stop them acting as useful idiots for President Putin's atrocities in Ukraine?
Context
The MP raises concerns about anti-Ukraine propaganda at some of the UK's leading universities.
Nadhim Zahawi
I am grateful to the Chair of the Education Committee for raising this issue. The Minister for Higher and Further Education is already on the case and is contacting those universities. Putin and his cronies are a malign influence on anyone in this country buying their false narrative. I repeat: it is a false and dangerous narrative and we will crack down on it hard.
Session: Ukraine Impact on Students
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I have a tragic case in my constituency. A 14-year-old girl was a victim of rape, and now her attacker has been allowed to live 120 metres away from her, causing her and her family intolerable distress. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the case, and will she work with me to ensure that victims can live safe in the knowledge that their abusers will never be allowed to live near them again?
Context
A 14-year-old girl in the constituency is a victim of rape, and her attacker is allowed to live nearby causing distress.
Rachel Maclean
I am of course appalled to hear of that tragic case, and either I or a Minister from the Ministry of Justice will be happy to meet my right hon. Friend. It is vital that we protect the public, particularly from sex offenders, which is why offenders on licence are subject to a number of conditions, including where they live and work.
Session: Topical Questions
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I want to thank the Secretary of State and his team for their work. The Ministry is doing significant work with apprenticeships, which other Departments should follow. There is a remarkable cadet programme in my constituency across Navy, RAF, and Army. Will the Minister look at whether cadets who wish to stay on can progress into military apprenticeships?
Context
The questioner acknowledges the Ministry of Defence's work on apprenticeships and highlights a successful cadet program in Harlow.
Leo Docherty
Of course all young people should be aware of the amazing opportunities for apprenticeships and careers in the armed forces. I would be honoured to visit my right hon. Friend's constituency to see that scheme at first hand.
Session: Armed Forces Apprenticeships
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My right hon. Friend will be aware that our Education Committee is doing an inquiry into the educational outcomes and opportunities of children in care. We know that 41% of care leavers aged 19 to 21 are not in education, employment or training. I welcome the Government's bursary scheme, but a care leaver over the age of 21 is eligible to receive the bursary for apprenticeships only if they are in education, employment or training. Will my right hon. Friend look into the policy and work with colleagues across Government to see what more can be done to support the 59% of care leavers not eligible for this support?
Context
The MP inquired about discussions on supporting vulnerable children, specifically mentioning an Education Committee inquiry into educational outcomes and opportunities of children in care. The committee noted that 41% of care leavers aged 19 to 21 are not in education, employment or training.
Therese Coffey
I welcome my right hon. Friend's passion for this particular group of people looking to find work. This is really a matter for the Secretary of State for Education, but the information I have been provided is that all care leavers aged up to 25 who take up an apprenticeship are considered to be in education or training and therefore would be eligible for the bursary.
Session: Vulnerable Children Support
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What recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on support for vulnerable children. My right hon. Friend will be aware that our Education Committee is doing an inquiry into the educational outcomes and opportunities of children in care. We know that 41% of care leavers aged 19 to 21 are not in education, employment or training. I welcome the Government's bursary scheme, but a care leaver over the age of 21 is eligible to receive the bursary for apprenticeships only if they are in education, employment or training. Will my right hon. Friend look into the policy and work with colleagues across Government to see what more can be done to support the 59% of care leavers not eligible for this support?
Context
The MP inquired about discussions on supporting vulnerable children, specifically mentioning an Education Committee inquiry into educational outcomes and opportunities of children in care. The committee noted that 41% of care leavers aged 19 to 21 are not in education, employment or training.
Therese Coffey
I welcome my right hon. Friend's passion for this particular group of people looking to find work. This is really a matter for the Secretary of State for Education, but the information I have been provided is that all care leavers aged up to 25 who take up an apprenticeship are considered to be in education or training and therefore would be eligible for the bursary.
Session: Vulnerable Children Support
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Will my right hon. Friend introduce a pump watch monitor to ensure fair prices at the pumps for motorists, given that average profit margins for diesel have increased by 150% in the past two years and petrol margins more than doubled?
Context
Harlow constituents welcome the fuel duty freeze but face rising profit margins for diesel and petrol, with savings not being transferred to motorists when global oil prices decrease.
Grant Shapps
I will pay close attention to his idea that there is not a more expensive Member of Parliament. The cuts—or the freezes—that my right hon. Friend has persuaded successive Chancellors to make are now accumulating a £1,900 saving for a UK driver every year.
Session: Fuel Duty Freeze
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What recent discussions has the Minister had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the impact of the fuel duty freeze in Harlow constituency and across the UK?
Context
Harlow constituents face issues due to fluctuating fuel prices and rising profit margins for oil companies.
Grant Shapps
I regularly speak to the Chancellor about the impact of the fuel duty freeze, which has now run for 12 consecutive years.
Session: Fuel Duty Freeze
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Will the Department get proper data to find out where those children are, and will it use the forecast underspend from the national tutoring programme to appoint 2,000 attendance officers?
Context
The Centre for Social Justice report highlighted the issue of ghost children and missing pupils.
Robin Walker
I share my right hon. Friend's passion for ensuring that children are in school. I have discussed with the Children's Commissioner the designation of “ghost children”, which we both feel is somewhat unhelpful. These are flesh and blood children who deserve to be in school and have the chance to benefit from face-to-face education.
Session: Education Settings Safe Learning
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Given what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is doing on prison education, will he support an amendment to the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill that I plan to table to allow prisoners to do apprenticeships, to change their employment status and ensure that they get the minimum wage? The amendment is backed by members of the Education Committee, and I have discussed it with the Secretary of State for Education.
Context
Prison education initiatives aim to improve employment opportunities. The questioner seeks support for an amendment allowing prisoners to participate in apprenticeship schemes and earn the minimum wage.
Dominic Raab
I thank my right hon. Friend the Chair of the Select Committee for his question. I have been talking to other Members about this important issue. If he would like to write to me or, indeed, meet me, I would be very interested in considering his idea further with the Secretary of State for Education.
Session: Topical Questions
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I visited shop workers in the Co-op who have faced abuse, intimidation, and assault. They deserve similar protection as NHS workers, who are rightly shielded from such violence. Given their important public service during the pandemic, should we provide equivalent safeguards?
Context
Retail workers face frequent violence and intimidation at work. The questioner is seeking assurance that legislation will protect these workers equally to NHS staff.
James Cartlidge
My right hon Friend is a great advocate for his constituents. I assure those shop workers that most people view them as heroes despite some abuse. We will meet with senior retail representatives today and commit to backing these workers in law.
Session: Protections for Shop Workers
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I am concerned about the increasing reports of violence against retail workers in my constituency and beyond. Shop workers provide an important public service, especially during the pandemic. Can you confirm if they will receive similar protection as NHS workers?
Context
Shop workers are facing increasing reports of abuse, assault, and intimidation at work. The issue has been raised by the questioner during a visit to local shops where staff have expressed concerns.
James Cartlidge
The Government have tabled an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which will place in statute an aggravating factor for assaults against those providing public services. We are also meeting senior representatives of the retail sector today to discuss this issue.
Session: Protections for Shop Workers
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Surely the EBacc should be improved to ensure that education better prepares pupils for the world of work. Will my right hon. Friend emulate the work of Margaret Thatcher, making design and technology compulsory?
Context
Key subjects such as design and technology and ICT have seen declines in the proportion of students taking them.
Nadhim Zahawi
Computer science is part of the EBacc. We have invested more than £80 million in ICT overhaul, continuing to ensure schools deliver a broader set of GCSEs including design and technology.
Session: Young People High-quality Jobs
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I strongly welcome my right hon. Friend to his place and thank him for the big Budget increases in education, particularly the 42% increase in cash terms for skills. Will my right hon. Friend continue to make the case for a longer school day? We know from the Education Policy Institute that it increases educational attainment by two to three months, especially among disadvantaged pupils. According to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, a longer school day increases numeracy by 29%. Will my right hon. Friend at least consider some pilot schemes in disadvantaged areas around the country whereby we can have a longer school day?
Context
A longer school day has been shown to increase educational attainment, especially among disadvantaged pupils.
Nadhim Zahawi
I am grateful to the Chair of the Education Committee for his question. The priority has to be those children and students who have the least time available to recover. That is why the £800 million for 16 to 19-year-olds for an additional 40 hours of education is so important, plus the £1 billion going into secondary and primary, making a total of £5 billion of recovery money.
Session: Covid-19 Management in Schools
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In Harlow we have a serious problem with horses being tethered on the roadside and cruelly treated. Will my hon. Friend introduce restrictions or ban this barbaric practice once and for all?
Context
The question arises from the cruel treatment and tethering of horses on the roadside.
Victoria Prentis
The tethering of horses is a serious issue about which I have spoken to my right hon. Friend many times in the past. I suggest we meet to discuss if there is more we can do to end unnecessary horse tethering. Occasionally this can be an appropriate practice.
Session: Sustainable Farming
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I am pleased to report that almost 8,000 new apprentices have been taken on in Harlow since 2010. Does my hon. Friend agree that the best example of levelling up is providing young people with the skills they need to climb the educational ladder? To this purpose, will she support our bid for £20 million from the levelling-up fund?
Context
MP reported on apprenticeship growth in Harlow since 2010 and asked for support for a £20 million bid to the levelling-up fund.
Kemi Badenoch
As a fellow Essex MP, I am delighted that so many apprentices have taken their step towards a career in my right hon. Friend's constituency. It is fair to say we both agree that equipping the next generation with the skills to compete and succeed is integral to levelling up. However, I cannot comment on individual bids to our levelling-up fund.
Session: Support for Towns
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What steps are being taken by the Department to support towns?
Context
MP asked about the steps his Department is taking to support towns.
Kemi Badenoch
The Department is investing billions in regeneration across the whole UK as part of the Government's central priority to level up and unite our country. Programmes such as the £3.6 billion towns fund and the £4.8 billion levelling-up fund will help achieve that by supporting the renewal of our towns and cities, including in my right hon. Friend's constituency of Harlow, which has been awarded a £23.7 million town deal.
Session: Support for Towns
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I thank my hon. Friend for all the work that the Ministry of Defence is doing on apprenticeships. Can I confirm that his Department will continue to meet the public sector target of 2.3% for the hiring of apprentices? Will he also ensure that any company that gets a procurement contract with the Ministry of Defence employs a significant number of apprentices, and that otherwise it will not get the contract?
Context
The question follows up on the topic of apprenticeships in the armed forces, focusing on compliance with public sector targets and the inclusion of apprentice hiring requirements in procurement contracts.
Leo Docherty
I am delighted to confirm that. Over 90% of recruits are offered an apprenticeship, and I am pleased to confirm that recent statistics show that 7.9% of our headcount are new apprentice starts, exceeding the Government public sector target of 2.3%. We have ongoing discussions with the Department for Education to increase that figure.
Session: Apprenticeships in the Armed Forces
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What recent discussions has he had with the Secretary of State for Education on increasing the number of apprenticeships in the armed forces?
Context
The question addresses recent discussions on increasing apprenticeship opportunities within the armed forces.
Leo Docherty
The armed forces are one of this country's biggest providers of apprenticeships. They have around 21,000 apprentices on programmes at any one time, ranging from engineering and digital to construction and driving, showing that if you join the armed forces, you get skills for life.
Session: Apprenticeships in the Armed Forces
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Will my hon. Friend set out what he is doing to encourage apprenticeships across Wales? Will he ensure that all new jobs offered in the Wales Office are offered as apprenticeships, not just graduate schemes? Will he ensure that the Wales Office meets the public sector target on apprenticeships? The MP asked for clear commitments and specific actions regarding apprenticeship opportunities.
Context
The question builds on an initiative to support apprenticeships, asking for specifics on how the Wales Office will encourage these opportunities across Wales.
David Davies
I can assure my right hon. Friend that we will certainly meet the public sector target—we have been meeting it. We will be taking on further apprentices and we have just taken on a kickstart worker and somebody from the care leavers scheme.
Session: Apprentices Wales Office
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What steps he is taking to increase the number of apprentices in the Wales Office. The MP asked about specific actions being taken by the Wales Office to enhance its apprentice intake.
Context
The question follows a government initiative to increase apprenticeships, focusing on the impact within the Wales Office.
David Davies
We fully support the Government's apprenticeship scheme. We have employed apprentices in the Wales Office, and our most recent apprentice has just been promoted.
Session: Apprentices Wales Office
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I thank my right hon. Friend for her remarkable work on universal credit during the pandemic. With the forthcoming changes to UC, will my right hon. Friend continue to target financial support on families who need it most, and will she work with the Department for Education to use existing funds from the sugar levy to expand breakfast clubs for disadvantaged children? We know that breakfast provision significantly increases educational attainment.
Context
The MP acknowledges the Secretary of State's work on Universal Credit during the pandemic and inquires about future financial support for families. He also asks if existing funds from the sugar levy can be used to expand breakfast clubs.
Therese Coffey
I am conscious, especially with my right hon. Friend's leadership of the Select Committee on Education, of how passionately he feels about this particular area. My Department is supporting the Department for Education's family hubs work, which includes investing up to £24 million to continue our national school breakfast programme over the next two years, and that includes the recently announced additional £20 million investment from the Treasury's shared outcomes fund.
Session: Support for Vulnerable Children
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What recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on support for vulnerable children. Ministers are meeting this week to discuss the success of the holiday activity fund, and good progress has been made on the digitalisation of Healthy Start vouchers.
Context
The Secretary of State for Education is being questioned about ongoing discussions on supporting vulnerable children, especially in light of recent initiatives and progress.
Therese Coffey
Ministers are meeting this week to discuss the success of the holiday activity fund, and good progress has been made on the digitalisation of Healthy Start vouchers. We will continue the ministerial meetings on developing support for families and family hubs.
Session: Support for Vulnerable Children
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What is he going to do to ensure that boys are not left behind, including in the jobs market?
Context
The MP raises concerns about the increasing disparity in GCSE results between genders, particularly between boys and girls.
Gavin Williamson
My right hon. Friend and I are very much united in the same mission: to ensure that youngsters from some of the most disadvantaged backgrounds are given every possible advantage to be able to do the very best in their life. There is a concern about the widening gap between boys and girls, which is why all the interventions regarding standards and small group tutoring are about driving up attainment and achievement. Some of the initiatives that we have introduced—such as the summer schools in which half a million students have taken part over the last few weeks and the tutoring programme—have started to have an impact, but I recognise that there is so much more to do. That is why we are absolutely committed to deliver on this.
Session: Supporting Young People into High-quality Jobs
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The Harlow branch of Royal British Legion is supported by thousands of local residents, doing much to keep the light of remembrance burning strong. What steps are the Government taking, working with local authorities, to support the Royal British Legion, especially when clubs face difficulties with maintenance and capital building costs for older premises? Will the Minister join me on a visit to the Harlow Royal British Legion branch?
Context
The Harlow branch of the Royal British Legion provides vital support to veterans and maintains remembrance activities in the town.
Leo Docherty
Let me put on record my thanks for the magnificent work done by my right hon. Friend and the Royal British Legion in Harlow. We are putting millions into that sector every year, which is the right thing to do. I would very much like to visit his constituency and see that up close.
Session: Topical Questions
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The MP refers to his constituent, Ms Charlotte Budd, who is a survivor of domestic abuse but faced further suffering from her experience in the family court system. She criticises the pro-contact nature of the family court and its potential for causing harm to victims like herself. The questioner seeks details on steps taken by the Department to address this issue.
Context
A constituent, Ms Charlotte Budd, has criticised the family court system for decisions that resulted in unsafe child arrangements due to a presumption of contact. This raises concerns about the impact on victims of domestic violence.
Kit Malthouse
The pro-contact nature of family court decisions has been reviewed, and concerns have been raised about exposing parents and children to greater risk. The MP's constituent case will be discussed further, and the review process will continue.
Session: Domestic Violence Victims
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What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on supporting victims of domestic violence. The questioner notes a constituent's experience in the family court system and criticises the pro-contact nature of these courts, arguing that such decisions have led to unsafe child arrangements for victims like Ms Charlotte Budd.
Context
Discussions on supporting victims of domestic violence have been ongoing, with concerns raised about the impact of family court decisions.
Kit Malthouse
We are working across Government to transform the response to domestic violence, including passing the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and providing unprecedented funding. The pro-contact nature of family court decisions has been a cause for concern, and we are currently reviewing this provision.
Session: Domestic Violence Victims
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I thank the Department and particularly the Harlow jobcentre for the work they have done in supporting vulnerable families during the pandemic. I welcome the kickstart scheme, which will provide a real incentive for employers to employ young people, but will my right hon. Friend work with the Treasury to reform the apprenticeship levy so that big companies can use more of the levy if they employ disadvantaged young apprentices?
Context
The MP praised the Harlow jobcentre for supporting vulnerable families during the pandemic and welcomed the kickstart scheme.
Therese Coffey
My right hon. Friend is right to praise the staff at Harlow jobcentre, and I agree that they do an excellent job. In terms of what could be done with reform of the apprenticeship levy, that is one of the factors we should be considering in ensuring that some of the most disadvantaged young people get that extra foot on the ladder. We are trying to do that in certain ways through kickstart and then to provide elements of a pathway for those young people to make sure they have a longer lasting job, whether they go into an apprenticeship or directly into permanent employment.
Session: Topical Questions
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Even before the pandemic, persistent absence—pupils missing 10% or more of their education—was alarmingly high at 13.1%. As pupils have returned, the overall rate has remained stubbornly high at 13%, with around 916,000 pupils affected. For secondary pupils, it has actually risen from 15% to 16.3%. What are the Department's plans to bring persistent absence down?
Context
Persistent absence before the pandemic was alarmingly high at 13.1%, and despite pupils returning, the rate has remained stubbornly high at 13% with around 916,000 pupils affected. For secondary pupils, it increased from 15% to 16.3%.
Gavin Williamson
This is an incredibly important area. At the very start of the pandemic, we set up the regional education and children's teams—REACT—which were a cooperation between schools, local government, the Department for Education and the police to target youngsters who struggle the most and are likely not in school. We continue to expand this work through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to help families struggling the most, recognising that it is children in this category who are most vulnerable and possibly most likely to have persistent absence from schools. We will continue to work across government, recognising that it involves local authorities, the police, health and social care coming together to bring children back into the classroom.
Session: Disadvantaged Students Tutoring Support
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Will the hon. Friend consider introducing tougher measures against individuals who mistreat horses by breaking the code of practice for horse welfare and a mandatory licensing system for local councils to monitor horses, ensure vet checks, and uphold high animal welfare standards?
Context
In Harlow, horses are frequently seen tethered in dangerous locations without access to water or proper care. This raises concerns about their welfare.
Victoria Prentis
People who mistreat their horses face prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, with the maximum penalty increasing to five years' imprisonment. Local authorities have powers under this Act to take action where a horse is suffering.
Session: Horse Tethering
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What steps his Department is taking to tackle horse tethering, noting that horses in Harlow are often tethered in dangerous locations and may suffer from lack of care and supervision?
Context
Horses are often seen tethered in dangerous locations such as road sides without access to water. This has led to concerns about their wellbeing.
Victoria Prentis
The current legislation and guidance provides the right safeguards and powers in respect of horse tethering. The code of practice for the welfare of horses, ponies, donkeys and their hybrids provides information on acceptable standards of tethering. We want every owner to follow that guidance.
Session: Horse Tethering
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
White Working-class Pupils
24 June 2021
Main Concerns
["I am concerned about the persistent underachievement of White working-class pupils in England, as highlighted by my committee's report. The report finds that these students are more likely to leave school without basic qualifications and face worse outcomes in further education, employment and training than their peers. This is a serious social issue that undermines social mobility and perpetuates inequality."]
Specific Asks
['The government must address the root causes of this underachievement by investing more resources into targeted support for these pupils, improving school funding, and ensuring better career guidance in schools to help them make informed choices about their futures. I urge the Minister to respond directly to the recommendations made in our report.']
Adult Skills and Lifelong Learning — [Christina Rees in the Chair]
15 April 2021
Responding: Gillian Keegan
Main Concerns
['The adult skills and lifelong learning sector faces significant challenges due to the fourth industrial revolution, automation, an aging workforce, and the impact of covid-19. Participation rates in adult education have dropped by almost half since 2004, with those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds being least likely to participate. Only 38% of adults have participated in any learning since leaving full-time education, while 49% of adults from the lowest socioeconomic group have received no training after school. Additionally, 9 million working-age adults lack basic literacy or numeracy skills, and 6 million do not even have a level-two qualification.']
Specific Asks
['The Government should fund an adult community learning centre in every town, introduce individual learning accounts through the national skills fund, boost part-time higher education by offering fee grants to disadvantaged learners, and implement tax credits for employers investing in workforce training. The report sets out four pillars needed for a successful strategy: community learning centres, individual learning accounts, revitalising part-time higher education, and employer-led training.']
Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life 2025-07-07
07 July 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Valedictory Debate
24 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
In her concluding remarks, Harriet Harman reflected on her 42-year tenure in the House of Commons, thanking her constituents for their support and expressing pride in being a Labour MP. She emphasised...
UK Armed Forces in Middle East
29 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Ofsted’s Work with Schools
25 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Iran-Israel Update
15 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Breaking Down Barriers to Opportunity
08 November 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Education is key to unlocking opportunities for the next generation. The Conservative Government has invested heavily in childcare, schools, and technical education over the past decade. Despite inher...
Estimates Day
05 July 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate focuses on the importance of energy infrastructure for sustaining living standards and basic security, especially considering the challenges posed by climate change and global energy supply...
Safety of School Buildings
23 May 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The motion seeks to compel the Government to publish detailed information about the condition of school buildings from the latest Condition of School Buildings Survey. The current state of many school...
Economic Update
17 October 2022
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Economic Situation
12 October 2022
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
2
PMQs Asked
77
Ministerial Questions Asked
127
House of Commons Debates Involved
2
Westminster Hall Debates Led
6
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
0
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-45% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+474% above average
This MP:
77
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-20% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+2513% above average
This MP:
127
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-37% below average
This MP:
6
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-100% below average
This MP:
0.0
Average:
69.2
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Robert Halfon's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.