Debates between Ian Lavery and Edward Timpson during the 2015-2017 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Ian Lavery and Edward Timpson
Monday 7th March 2016

(8 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Edward Timpson Portrait Edward Timpson
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One of parents’ biggest frustrations with the old SEN system was not knowing about, or finding it hard to access, the right support for their children. That is why I recently announced a further £80 million of support for the SEN reforms in 2016-17, including an additional £15 million for the independent supporters who act as catalysts for change in enabling families and young people better to navigate the system. Some 45,000 families have already benefited from that extra support.

Ian Lavery Portrait Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab)
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T10. Free school meals are a lifeline for many vulnerable families in my constituency, yet there are still too few families getting the benefit. Does the Minister agree that local authorities that have the data required to identify these kids should have an automatic, perhaps a statutory, obligation to do so?