Debates between Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Jim Shannon during the 2024 Parliament

Mon 18th Nov 2024
Wed 11th Sep 2024

Primary School Breakfast Clubs

Debate between Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Jim Shannon
Monday 18th November 2024

(5 days, 12 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Portrait Mr Dhesi
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My hon. Friend makes an excellent point about the importance of free breakfast clubs in getting rid of the stigma.

One in 10 young people lives in a household classed as food insecure. During the covid pandemic, pupils from families using food banks attained, on average, GCSE grades half a grade lower than their peers. We know that working people are facing some of the toughest economic conditions in decades. The price of essentials has skyrocketed, childcare has become a luxury for many, and many parents feel as though they have been left out in the cold as they continue to do their level best to give their children a better future.

Jim Shannon Portrait Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)
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I commend the hon. Gentleman for securing this debate. There is such a crowd in the Chamber because we all agree with him.

Northern Ireland launched the extended schools programme in May 2006. Since then, some £167 million has been given to the most disadvantaged areas to offer a wide range of services, including free breakfast clubs, and it has been successful. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the Government and Parliament must provide greater central funding to ensure that all UK schools can offer free breakfast clubs to give children a good breakfast to boost their energy levels for the day? Quite simply, hungry children do not learn.

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Portrait Mr Dhesi
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I fully agree with the hon. Gentleman. He is right both to highlight Northern Ireland and to make the wider point. He is a regular feature of Adjournment debates, and I feel honoured that he has intervened on me.

The Minister and the Government need only see the number of Members in the Chamber at half-past 9, here to speak on behalf of their constituents and underline the importance of universal breakfast clubs. The Institute for Fiscal Studies reports that families whose children use breakfast clubs five days a week during term time save a staggering £760, which is a significant saving for working parents. With the roll-out of funded breakfast clubs, imagine the money that could remain in the pockets of working families in Slough and beyond.

Democracy in Bangladesh

Debate between Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Jim Shannon
Wednesday 11th September 2024

(2 months, 1 week ago)

Commons Chamber
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Rupa Huq Portrait Dr Huq
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I will give way to the new Chair of the Defence Committee.