Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Bridget Phillipson and Yuan Yang

Wednesday 3rd September 2025 Commons Chamber

[Bridget Phillipson]

The hon. Lady will know well that I cannot comment on live police investigations, as the police operate independently of Government, but the Home Secretary has been clear that her priority and the priority of this Government is that the police focus on tackling antisocial behaviour and making sure that people can walk our streets free from fear.

[Yuan Yang (Earley and Woodley) (Lab)]

T4. Will the Minister join me in congratulating Reading’s University Medical Group, a GP practice in my constituency that was recently awarded the gold Pride in Practice award by the LGBT Foundation? When I visited that practice last week, the doctors raised the issue of transgender care. Many constituents have also written to me concerned about ongoing barriers to treatment for young people needing gender-affirming care, so what more can the Government do to ensure that young transgender people get the treatment they urgently need?

[Bridget Phillipson]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that work in her community. The Government have commissioned NHS England to undertake a LGBT health evidence review, which is being led by Dr Michael Brady, the national adviser on LGBT health. It will diagnose the problems we need to solve, making sure we have evidence-led recommendations in order to improve access to healthcare for adults.

Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life

Debate between Bridget Phillipson and Yuan Yang

Monday 7th July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Bridget Phillipson]

Yes. As a result of today’s announcement, my hon. Friend’s local authority will now receive funding to roll out those services. I join in his sheer incredulity at the fact that such effective, brilliant services were closed. How short-sighted, and what an impact we have seen on children and their life chances! I know from my visit to Peareswood in my hon. Friend’s constituency how much brilliant work is going on, thanks to the amazing staff who work in our schools and in early years education. I also know what a brilliant Member of Parliament staff there have championing their cause in the House.

[Yuan Yang (Earley and Woodley) (Lab)]

I hear the most thought-provoking questions from my youngest constituents. On a recent visit to an infant school, a six-year-old asked me what I thought the Government’s most important achievements might be. Today, I would like to tell her that our two local authorities, Wokingham and Reading borough councils, which previously received no family hub funding, are each set to receive a Best Start family hub. That is one of the most important achievements a Labour Government can make. The Institute for Fiscal Studies is clear about the evaluation and the long-term economic benefits; will the Secretary of State ensure that economic evaluation is baked in, so that we can ensure that these projects are funded for the long run?