Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

Judith Cummins Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd April 2026 Commons Chamber

Consideration of Lords message

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)]

I must inform the House that Lords amendment 38X engages Commons financial privilege. If this Lords amendment is agreed to, I will cause the customary entry waiving Commons financial privilege to be entered in the Journal.

After Clause 26

Power to require internet service providers to restrict or prevent access by children to internet services

--- Later in debate ---

[Olivia Bailey]

I will finish this section of my speech and then give way.

As the Government have consistently said and as sector leaders have repeated, this is a challenge of enforcement, and I genuinely believe that the package of measures we have already put in place will ensure effective bans of phones in schools.

I have the greatest of respect for colleagues across the House who have argued that placing this guidance on a statutory footing could support enforcement, and we have tabled that amendment today. I am thrilled to see that the shadow Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Laura Trott), has indicated her support for this position.

The Bill before us contains vital measures to keep our children safe online and offline. These measures are desperately needed, yet this Bill has been languishing for 15 months. The time has come to stop playing political games and get this Bill on the statute book.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)]

I call the shadow Secretary of State.