Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

Debate between Damian Hinds and Suella Braverman

Monday 17th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Damian Hinds]

It is a pleasure to join in this important debate, as it has been to serve on the Bill Committee. I am very pleased that we have two days to debate the Bill on Report, because really it is two Bills, which are very different in character. In part 1, which we are debating today, there is a great deal on which I think all of us in the House agree. In fact, quite large parts of it were in the previous Government’s published Bill. It contains some important provisions covering children in care, special educational needs, child protection and so on.

[Suella Braverman]

My right hon. Friend speaks with huge levels of authority given his previous roles. He has just mentioned special educational needs. As a fellow Hampshire MP, would he agree that we in Hampshire benefit from excellent services for our local schools, particularly when it comes to special educational needs? However, demand has doubled in the past few years. Would he support my campaign to save the Henry Cort Community College in Fareham and Waterlooville, which is under threat of closure? If the college is to be closed, would it not be better diverted to special educational needs provision to serve the local community?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and Suella Braverman

Monday 24th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Suella Braverman (Fareham) (Con)]

Hook-with-Warsash primary school has 60 pupils in reception, but they have only one toilet between them. I think that you would consider that unacceptable, Mr Speaker, as do I. Will the Secretary of State look again at the school’s application—which has been rejected four times—and work with me to see how we can find some resources to provide what is a necessity, not a luxury?

[Damian Hinds]

Of course I will look at the application again, and I should be happy to meet my hon. Friend.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and Suella Braverman

Monday 29th April 2019 Commons Chamber

[Damian Hinds]

Yes. Our resource management advice programme is all about helping to support schools in what they do best. We expect the headteacher and the chair of governors of a small primary school to be expert at a remarkably wide array of things. It is absolutely right to offer support to schools, including on things such as financial management, but that is there to support the work that schools do in education.

[Suella Braverman (Fareham) (Con)]

I recently met David Prince and his 12-year-old daughter Holly, who is visually impaired. Holly benefits hugely from the specialist teacher advisory service provided by Hampshire County Council, but the council proposes cutting the funding for this life-changing service, which helped Holly to learn to use a cane, and trained her in mobility. Will a Minister work with me to help Holly, her father and Hampshire County Council find resources so that vulnerable children in Fareham do not have to go without a rich education?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and Suella Braverman

Monday 17th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Suella Fernandes (Fareham) (Con)]

12. What steps he is taking to increase financial literacy and money management skills among people in receipt of benefits who are in debt.

[The Minister for Employment (Damian Hinds)]

We are committed to battling financial exclusion. Under universal credit, through universal support, we are working with partners to help claimants manage their finances and avoid debt.

[Suella Fernandes]

Sixteen million adults have less than £100 in savings, with younger adults, larger families and single parents most at risk of struggling with their personal finances. The all-party group on financial education for young people, which I chair, has, supported by Young Enterprise, concluded that people need better money management skills in life. What steps is my hon. Friend taking to increase financial education and money management skills for young people and those in receipt of benefits?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and Suella Braverman

Tuesday 27th October 2015 Commons Chamber

[Suella Fernandes (Fareham) (Con)]

Does the Minister agree that raising productivity is the route to raising living standards for everybody, and that this Government’s commitment to cutting corporation tax, our historically high investment in infrastructure and the planning reforms will all contribute to achieving that aim?

[Damian Hinds]

I agree with all that. It is rising productivity that underpins rising real wages and therefore improving living standards.