Oral Answers to Questions

Clive Lewis Excerpts

Thursday 16th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Karen Bradley]

I commend my hon. Friend for her work on the Health Committee and look forward to reading the report. She is right that the media have an incredibly important role in helping to prevent suicides, not to cause them. I will, of course, sit down with her to discuss the matter.

[Clive Lewis (Norwich South) (Lab)]

T2. Is the Minister aware that more than 300 local newspapers have closed in the past 10 years? While Members might enjoy reading about skateboarding ducks, such newspapers are also a critical part of our democracy. Will the Minister therefore join me in supporting the National Union of Journalists in its “Local News Matters” campaign and week, and will he meet the union to discuss this critical part of our democracy?

[The Minister for Digital and Culture (Matt Hancock)]

Absolutely. Local newspapers are incredibly important. As constituency MPs we all engage with them, as well as with the national media. I will be happy to meet the NUJ and take part in the week, as the hon. Gentleman suggests.

Oral Answers to Questions

Clive Lewis Excerpts

Thursday 14th April 2016 Commons Chamber

[Clive Lewis (Norwich South) (Lab)]

7. What steps she is taking to ensure that support and advice is provided to LGBT young people.

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

8. What steps she is taking to ensure that support and advice is provided to LGBT young people.

[The Minister for Women and Equalities (Nicky Morgan)]

We want every young person, regardless of their sexual orientation, to reach their full potential. That is why in March I announced a further £1 million fund to support schools to address homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, in addition to the £2 million fund I announced in October 2014.

[Clive Lewis]

With Stonewall research showing that 55% of young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people experience bullying, I am pleased to hear that the Government are spending extra money, but what else will they be doing to ensure that those issues are covered in the curriculum as well?

[Nicky Morgan]

The hon. Gentleman is right to mention the 55% figure. That is, of course, a drop from 65% in 2007, but we cannot in any way be complacent. In 2012, 96% of LGBT pupils reported hearing homophobic language in school. The PSHE Association published some excellent new guidance in October 2014 on diversity and relationships in its programme of study, as well as providing support to help teachers to tackle issues around bullying. Of course, having good personal, social, health and economics education and relationships advice, including material targeted at LGBT pupils and all their colleagues, is very important.