Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Emma Lewell-Buck Excerpts
Monday 2nd March 2020

(4 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Gavin Williamson Portrait Gavin Williamson
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My hon. Friend raises an important point. That is why we have committed to putting an extra £1 billion into children and adults’ social care. I would be happy to speak to him about what more we can do to support rural counties and the delivery of these vital services.

Emma Lewell-Buck Portrait Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab)
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If the Secretary of State really is serious about improving children’s social care, can he explain why a letter sent to him in January, which was signed by 631 experts and myself, to request an independent, whole-system review has been completely ignored?

Gavin Williamson Portrait Gavin Williamson
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I will certainly take up the issue of why that correspondence was not responded to immediately. I am sure that the hon. Lady recognises that it was within our manifesto—we have already announced it—that there will be an independent review looking at the care system for our children, and that is something that she will perhaps welcome.