Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Reading: Pre-school Support

Monday 1 December 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mr Jonathan Brash congratulated Lyndsay Hogg and Hartlepool borough council on the Penguin little library initiative.
  • Mr Gagan Mohindra raised concerns about funding cuts to local authorities affecting children with special educational needs.
  • The Minister stated the Government's commitment to providing every child with the best possible start in life.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jonathan Brash Lab Hartlepool
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Lyndsay Hogg, a constituent in Hartlepool, has successfully introduced Penguin little libraries to celebrate the Penguin's 90th anniversary. The aim is to promote reading and inspire a love for books among local residents.

Question

My constituent Lyndsay Hogg has successfully brought a Penguin little library to her community in Hartlepool. It is designed to celebrate Penguin’s 90th anniversary, and the aim is to promote the joy of reading. Hartlepool borough council’s leader, Labour’s Pamela Hargreaves, inspired by Lyndsay’s brilliant work, has promised to expand this excellent idea right across the town. Does the Minister agree that this fantastic initiative will help families with access to books and inspire a love of reading, and will she commit to visiting Hartlepool to see these little libraries for herself?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Olivia Bailey)

I do agree. I would love to visit, and I congratulate Lyndsay Hogg and Hartlepool borough council on this brilliant idea. “Matilda” is one of my favourite Penguin books, and it is a perfect allegory for our times: smart women who love reading standing up to snake oil salesmen and bullies.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to visiting Hartlepool specifically but expressed willingness in vague terms.

How: Expresses Personal Approval, Refers To Books As Allegories

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Q2 Gagan Mohindra Con South West Hertfordshire
Children & Families
Context

The Office for Budget Responsibility has questioned the £6 billion that has been taken away from local authorities. The issue of SEND is a priority across the House.

Question

Reading to children at the start of nursery and school is especially important for those who suffer from special educational needs. As we heard last week, the Office for Budget Responsibility has questioned the £6 billion that has been taken away from local authorities. I know that the whole House wants to resolve the issue of SEND, so can the Minister give an assurance about when we will get further details to make sure that, by 2028, the whole sector knows how each child will get the best provision possible, especially those in South West Hertfordshire?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Olivia Bailey)

I have answered the hon. Gentleman’s question already, so I will simply say that this Government are completely committed to ensuring that every child gets the best possible start in life, including by repairing the broken system of family support services, which were decimated by the Conservatives, and by ensuring that every single child has the opportunity to read, to talk to their friends, to play, to communicate, to get ready for school and to have the best possible start in life.

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a specific timeline or detailed information on SEND funding as requested.

How: Redirects Blame, Repeats General Commitments

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