Dance urged the Minister to address issues such as funding disparities, vocational education, and support for disadvantaged young people aged 16 to 18. He also called for research into universal screening for special educational needs and reforms to ensure children with SEND receive dedicated assistance. The Member intervened to express agreement with Kirith Entwistle's concerns about screen time but suggested that it could be beneficial if used appropriately for individuals with disabilities such as dyslexia. Thanked the Minister for answering his questions and expressed concerns from Yeovil parents about neurodiverse individuals not finding apprenticeships or work in creative or agricultural sectors. Asked what more Government is doing to support rural schools and employers.

I have been contacted by pupils from Collingwood college who emphasise the importance of citizenship education for addressing mis- and disinformation. I agree that this is a core skill needed as we approach the mid-21st century.

I highlight the need for strong partnerships with educational institutions and tech companies to align the curriculum with labour market requirements and enhance digital skills education.

Sobel highlighted the importance of democratic political education for young people, advocating for enfranchising 16 and 17-year-olds with voting rights to foster critical thinking and participation in democracy. He emphasized the need for a curriculum that equips youth with skills to navigate misinformation and discrimination.

As the former vice-chair of the APPG on financial education for young people, I welcome the Government's work and urge the Minister to update us on plans to introduce financial education more firmly in the national curriculum.

On involving all schools, I stress that disaffected and disinterested young people are a key group we must reach out to ensure they benefit from the outlined initiatives.

Emphasised the economic importance of ensuring children leave school with necessary skills, highlighting a study showing 26% of UK workers are underqualified compared to an OECD average of 18%. Raised concerns about the scrapping of the EBacc without clear accountability measures and suggested broadening it further. Stressed the need for financial literacy in maths education and advocated for embedding AI literacy into the curriculum as a core competency.

Jim Shannon highlighted the importance of investing in children's essential skills, citing evidence that early years education leads to better long-term chances for children. He noted concerns about excessive screen time and its negative impact on vocabulary development, with 98% of two-year-olds watching screens daily. Shannon also emphasized the role of voluntary sector organisations such as Boys' Brigade, Girls' Brigade, Scouts, and local churches in teaching social and moral skills. Welcomed the Minister's comments on issues raised, particularly regarding screen time for children. Suggested engaging with parents to show understanding of limited but allowed iPad usage.

The Member highlighted the importance of early years support for children's development, citing specific improvements in Bolton North East but also raising concerns about accessibility and affordability. She discussed how Government-funded childcare hours often fail to provide genuine relief due to additional costs and inflexible arrangements. The speaker emphasised the need for consistent standards and transparency in childcare services and highlighted the challenges faced by single parents and women who are expected to make significant sacrifices for their children's development.

Discussed the importance of early communication and language skills for children's development, highlighting a need for funding to support the National Literacy Trust's Early Words Matter campaign in Cornwall. Over 4,000 books have been distributed through the Everyone Ready for School project.

He praised the previous Conservative Government's curriculum for achieving top performance in reading and maths. He expressed concern about changes to the curriculum review, worrying that prioritising too many areas could undermine core academic rigour. Saqib Bhatti asked how the new curriculum would prepare children for AI and ensure they can critically analyse information before voting at 16. He also questioned whether time taken away from core education could affect standards.