Topical Questions

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If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities, noting the importance of safeguarding measures and the need for additional funding to support this.

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Will the Secretary of State ensure that funding for school meals is sustained and that procurement supports healthy, fresh, and local food, given the recent consultation?

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What steps will the Minister take to ensure that Best Start family hubs improve school readiness and help close attainment gaps before children reach the classroom?

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Why does the Secretary of State think the country and so many teachers have lost faith in this Government?

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Why does the Secretary of State think it is one rule for Labour and another for everyone else, given that she described delaying teacher pay awards as a dereliction of duty?

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Does she agree that campaigners who have fought hard deserve thanks for bringing to light something shrouded in misplaced shame?

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On a recent visit to Stanford in the Vale pre-school, I saw the great service that it provides to children and parents. However, it faces rising demand without adequate funding and resources. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to support early years education providers in meeting demand for the free-hours childcare scheme?

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In Kent, the county council has adopted a community of schools model for the allocation of high-needs funding, but schools in Dartford are concerned that that has led to a situation in which access to funding is unfair, inconsistent and unpredictable. It has left them unable to plan for the future, because they cannot be confident about how much funding they will receive. Will the Minister look at the model that Kent county council has adopted to ensure that it conforms with the high-needs funding operational guidance and the dedicated schools grant condition?

Question

We have a shortage of music teachers in this country. A system of bursaries was in place for those taking music postgraduate certificates in education, but after the number of students increased slightly, that bursary system was pulled, yet we still do not have enough music teachers. Would the Minister please consider reinstating that bursaries scheme, which would allow us to have enough teachers coming through into the system to give all the children in this country the music education that they deserve?

Question

Earlier this month, I met Devon Andrews, whose daughter Cherish tragically passed away from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning while on holiday with her partner. In the wake of their passing, Devon is working tirelessly to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide, and is partnering with local organisations to educate children and others. Will the Minister join me in congratulating Devon on campaigning to save lives and ensuring that the memory of her daughter is not forgotten?

Question

In April, the High Court found that the Office for Students had predetermined its decision against the University of Sussex, approaching the investigation with a “closed mind”, and had acted beyond its legal powers. What is the Secretary of State's response to that finding, and what steps is she taking to restore confidence in the regulator?

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I recently visited the Chances family hub—[Interruption.] It is indeed a very fine hub, one of several set up by Cumberland council to fill a need left by the Conservatives' short-sighted decision to abolish Sure Start. Will the Minister please assure Carlisle families that this Government will ensure that all family hubs receive the support they need to give children the best start?

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This week, temperatures in Somerset are forecast to exceed 35°C, and some classrooms are set to breach safe working thresholds by as much as 10°C, risking serious disruption to learning. What immediate steps is the Secretary of State taking to protect pupils and staff from this extreme heat, and what dedicated funding will be made available to schools to retrofit for heat resilience, to prevent repeated disruption to education in future heatwaves?

Question

I recently joined a class of year 5 pupils from St Peter's school in my constituency on a visit to the National Holocaust Museum in Laxton. I saw at first hand that places such as that are vital to ensuring that young people absorb lessons about the Holocaust. Will the Minister therefore commit to visiting that museum with me and a local school?

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My constituent, Joanna, has worked tirelessly to highlight the lack of a dedicated selective mutism pathway in West Sussex. Children are being left without the support they need, so will the Secretary of State commit to ensuring that this gap in provision is finally addressed?

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Some 40,000 children each year acquire a brain injury, which are recorded, if at all, under a broad range of categories. Will the Minister meet me and the United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum to look at how we can better record acquired brain injuries in a special category to deal with their specific neurological needs?

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Schools in North Shropshire received an average of £6,460 a head last year, compared with a national average of around £7,910. Outcomes at GCSE and key stage 4 are consistently lower than the national average. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss what resources can be put in place to improve outcomes for children in North Shropshire?

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I know that Members across this House will have been sickened and devastated to hear reports of the abuse suffered by baby Preston Davey prior to his murder at the hands of his adoptive parents. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 legislates for stronger safeguarding arrangements, including multi-agency child protection teams in every local authority area. In light of recent cases, will the Secretary of State set out the expected timetable for implementing these reforms?

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The horrific sexual abuse and murder of baby Preston Davey has shocked the nation. My question for the Secretary of State is simple: among the army of health visitors, social workers and medics who saw baby Preston, why did nobody raise the alarm? What action is being taken now to safeguard the welfare of those children under the care of Oldham council?

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The St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust is facing extreme financial difficulties. We east midlands MPs have written to the Department, but perhaps Ministers could find out whether there is anything else that we can do, and also look at the academy funding model more generally?

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Members of Town Farm primary school visited me and asked questions; I will leave my view on the new Secretary of State for now. Head teacher Mr Bhatti received an OBE. Will the Secretary of State put on record her thanks to Mr Bhatti and all at Town Farm primary school?

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Due to declining pupil numbers, schools are closing in my constituency; what work is being done to ensure that these sites can be swiftly re-designated for other uses like social and affordable housing?

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According to budget calculations, the cut in PE funding will impact opportunities for young people in rural areas like Waveney Valley. Can the Government provide assurance that these children will not lose out on vital sporting activities?

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Families have been let down by the existing SEND system. A bright young boy was expelled owing to poor handling of his needs but later re-enrolled due to his mother's efforts. Will reforms outlined in the Government's White Paper support early intervention and improve experiences for all children?