Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Children in Poverty

Wednesday 28 January 2026 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Patrick Hurley visited Bishop David Sheppard primary school to see how breakfast clubs help children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • Baggy Shanker highlighted that half the children in Arboretum, Derby, are living in poverty with associated health risks.
  • Irene Campbell reported that healthy life expectancy in her constituency is the lowest in Scotland, stressing the need to address health inequalities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patrick Hurley Lab Southport
Children & Families
Context

The MP visited Bishop David Sheppard school and observed the positive impact of breakfast clubs on disadvantaged children.

Question

I visited Bishop David Sheppard primary school in my constituency where I saw firsthand how breakfast clubs are making a difference to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Will the Minister explain how the Government’s commitment to expanding breakfast clubs will tackle child poverty and reduce inequalities across the country?

Answer from The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)

My hon. Friend is a real champion for local families, and I would be grateful if he extended my thanks to all the staff team at Bishop David Sheppard primary school for their work. Breakfast clubs make a huge difference by expanding learning opportunities and giving our children a great start to the day. This Labour Government will deliver a national roll-out of breakfast clubs across our country.

Partly answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Baggy Shanker Labour (Co-op) Derby South
Mental Health Children & Families
Context

In the Arboretum area of Derby, half the children are growing up in poverty, facing hunger, cold homes, and higher likelihood of mental health issues.

Question

Half the children in Arboretum in my constituency are living in poverty, experiencing hungry mornings, cold homes, and a fourfold increased risk of mental health problems by age 11. What urgent action is the Government taking to tackle child poverty and eliminate health inequalities so that all children can grow up with warmth and stability?

Answer from The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)

Alongside the expansion of our new free breakfast clubs, we are massively expanding free school meals and extra childcare for families. This runs alongside the roll-out of Best Start family hubs in every area, building on the proud Labour legacy of Sure Start to support families early when their children are young.

Partly answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Irene Campbell Lab North Ayrshire and Arran
NHS Scotland Children & Families
Context

Healthy life expectancy in North Ayrshire is the lowest in Scotland, indicating significant health disparities.

Question

In my constituency of North Ayrshire and Arran, healthy life expectancy for women and men is 52.5 years, which is the lowest in Scotland. This highlights increasing health inequalities compared to other parts of Scotland. Does the Minister agree that this is unacceptable and that more needs to be done by the Scottish Government given their significant financial settlement?

Answer from The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)

Those are truly shocking statistics. I know that my hon. Friend, Anas Sarwar and all Scottish Labour colleagues are working to kick out the SNP and show how Labour can make the NHS fit for the future alongside our child poverty strategy, which will lift thousands of children in Scotland out of poverty.

Partly answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)