Information between 29th January 2025 - 18th February 2025
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Calendar |
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Tuesday 11th February 2025 11 a.m. Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer) Westminster Hall debate - Westminster Hall Subject: Regulation of the bailiff sector View calendar - Add to calendar |
Division Votes |
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3 Feb 2025 - Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill - View Vote Context Luke Charters voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 338 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes Tally: Ayes - 343 Noes - 87 |
6 Feb 2025 - Crown Estate Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting) - View Vote Context Luke Charters voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 2 Noes - 9 |
6 Feb 2025 - Crown Estate Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting) - View Vote Context Luke Charters voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 2 Noes - 9 |
6 Feb 2025 - Crown Estate Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting) - View Vote Context Luke Charters voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 2 Noes - 9 |
6 Feb 2025 - Crown Estate Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting) - View Vote Context Luke Charters voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 3 Noes - 9 |
6 Feb 2025 - Crown Estate Bill [ Lords ] (First sitting) - View Vote Context Luke Charters voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 3 Noes - 9 |
6 Feb 2025 - Crown Estate Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting) - View Vote Context Luke Charters voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 2 Noes - 9 |
6 Feb 2025 - Crown Estate Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting) - View Vote Context Luke Charters voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 2 Noes - 9 |
6 Feb 2025 - Crown Estate Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting) - View Vote Context Luke Charters voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 2 Noes - 9 |
6 Feb 2025 - Crown Estate Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting) - View Vote Context Luke Charters voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 4 Noes - 9 |
10 Feb 2025 - Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill - View Vote Context Luke Charters voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 329 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes Tally: Ayes - 333 Noes - 109 |
10 Feb 2025 - Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill - View Vote Context Luke Charters voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 333 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 115 Noes - 354 |
12 Feb 2025 - Electronic Communications - View Vote Context Luke Charters voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 312 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes Tally: Ayes - 320 Noes - 178 |
11 Feb 2025 - Water (Special Measures) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context Luke Charters voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 316 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes Tally: Ayes - 331 Noes - 65 |
Speeches |
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Luke Charters speeches from: Regulation of the Bailiff Sector
Luke Charters contributed 3 speeches (1,487 words) Tuesday 11th February 2025 - Westminster Hall Ministry of Justice |
Luke Charters speeches from: Financial Education
Luke Charters contributed 2 speeches (754 words) Thursday 6th February 2025 - Commons Chamber Department for Education |
Luke Charters speeches from: School Accountability and Intervention
Luke Charters contributed 1 speech (46 words) Monday 3rd February 2025 - Commons Chamber Department for Education |
Luke Charters speeches from: Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill
Luke Charters contributed 2 speeches (1,217 words) 2nd reading Monday 3rd February 2025 - Commons Chamber Department for Work and Pensions |
Luke Charters speeches from: Oral Answers to Questions
Luke Charters contributed 1 speech (104 words) Wednesday 29th January 2025 - Commons Chamber Wales Office |
Luke Charters speeches from: Growing the UK Economy
Luke Charters contributed 1 speech (45 words) Wednesday 29th January 2025 - Commons Chamber HM Treasury |
Written Answers |
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Special Educational Needs: Appeals
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer) Wednesday 29th January 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the value for money of spending by local authorities on defending SEND tribunal appeals in the 2023-24 financial year. Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education) The increase in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) tribunal appeals for the last academic year reflects, in part, the increase in the number of children and young people with an education, health and care (EHC) plan. 576,000 had an EHC plan as of January 2024, up 11.3% from 2023. Although most EHC plans and assessments are concluded without a tribunal hearing, the department recognises that dissatisfaction with the SEND system continues to grow and that too many parents and carers struggle to get their children the support they need and deserve. The department also knows that the tribunal can be costly for both families and local authorities, but we do not collect any data centrally. The department understands the urgency and the need to drive improvements but also are mindful that there are no quick fixes and want to take a considered approach to deliver sustainable system reform. The department is working closely with experts on SEND reform, recently appointing a strategic advisor for SEND, who will play a key role in engaging the sector, including leaders, practitioners, children, and families, as we consider next steps. The department has published independently commissioned insight that suggests if the system was extensively improved, using early intervention and better resourcing of mainstream schools, it could lead to tens of thousands more children and young people having their needs met without the need to go through a long and stressful EHC plan and appeals process. We continue to work with HM Courts and Tribunal Service, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the judiciary to understand the reasons for high appeal rates and to improve the efficiency of the SEND tribunal. The MoJ has recently recruited and trained 50 new tribunal judges who are now conducting appeal hearings, along with increasing funding for extra staff to process appeals. In an effort to settle appeals more quickly, they have also expanded their use of judicial case management powers and are continually developing ways to increase the speed of disposal. The Tribunal Procedure Committee have also just closed a consultation on a rule change to allow more appeals to be heard on paper, without the need for a full oral hearing. The department is exploring what more we can do to support local authorities to improve their decision-making, particularly those with high appeal rates. As a first step, last year we jointly delivered eight training sessions on SEND and the law for local authority SEND caseworkers with the Independent Provider of Special Educational Advice and the Council for Disabled Children. |
Special Educational Needs: Appeals
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer) Wednesday 29th January 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the reasons for which there has been an increase in the number of SEND tribunal appeals in the last academic year. Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education) The increase in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) tribunal appeals for the last academic year reflects, in part, the increase in the number of children and young people with an education, health and care (EHC) plan. 576,000 had an EHC plan as of January 2024, up 11.3% from 2023. Although most EHC plans and assessments are concluded without a tribunal hearing, the department recognises that dissatisfaction with the SEND system continues to grow and that too many parents and carers struggle to get their children the support they need and deserve. The department also knows that the tribunal can be costly for both families and local authorities, but we do not collect any data centrally. The department understands the urgency and the need to drive improvements but also are mindful that there are no quick fixes and want to take a considered approach to deliver sustainable system reform. The department is working closely with experts on SEND reform, recently appointing a strategic advisor for SEND, who will play a key role in engaging the sector, including leaders, practitioners, children, and families, as we consider next steps. The department has published independently commissioned insight that suggests if the system was extensively improved, using early intervention and better resourcing of mainstream schools, it could lead to tens of thousands more children and young people having their needs met without the need to go through a long and stressful EHC plan and appeals process. We continue to work with HM Courts and Tribunal Service, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the judiciary to understand the reasons for high appeal rates and to improve the efficiency of the SEND tribunal. The MoJ has recently recruited and trained 50 new tribunal judges who are now conducting appeal hearings, along with increasing funding for extra staff to process appeals. In an effort to settle appeals more quickly, they have also expanded their use of judicial case management powers and are continually developing ways to increase the speed of disposal. The Tribunal Procedure Committee have also just closed a consultation on a rule change to allow more appeals to be heard on paper, without the need for a full oral hearing. The department is exploring what more we can do to support local authorities to improve their decision-making, particularly those with high appeal rates. As a first step, last year we jointly delivered eight training sessions on SEND and the law for local authority SEND caseworkers with the Independent Provider of Special Educational Advice and the Council for Disabled Children. |
Special Educational Needs: Appeals
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer) Wednesday 29th January 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the education, health and care plan appeals system. Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education) The increase in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) tribunal appeals for the last academic year reflects, in part, the increase in the number of children and young people with an education, health and care (EHC) plan. 576,000 had an EHC plan as of January 2024, up 11.3% from 2023. Although most EHC plans and assessments are concluded without a tribunal hearing, the department recognises that dissatisfaction with the SEND system continues to grow and that too many parents and carers struggle to get their children the support they need and deserve. The department also knows that the tribunal can be costly for both families and local authorities, but we do not collect any data centrally. The department understands the urgency and the need to drive improvements but also are mindful that there are no quick fixes and want to take a considered approach to deliver sustainable system reform. The department is working closely with experts on SEND reform, recently appointing a strategic advisor for SEND, who will play a key role in engaging the sector, including leaders, practitioners, children, and families, as we consider next steps. The department has published independently commissioned insight that suggests if the system was extensively improved, using early intervention and better resourcing of mainstream schools, it could lead to tens of thousands more children and young people having their needs met without the need to go through a long and stressful EHC plan and appeals process. We continue to work with HM Courts and Tribunal Service, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the judiciary to understand the reasons for high appeal rates and to improve the efficiency of the SEND tribunal. The MoJ has recently recruited and trained 50 new tribunal judges who are now conducting appeal hearings, along with increasing funding for extra staff to process appeals. In an effort to settle appeals more quickly, they have also expanded their use of judicial case management powers and are continually developing ways to increase the speed of disposal. The Tribunal Procedure Committee have also just closed a consultation on a rule change to allow more appeals to be heard on paper, without the need for a full oral hearing. The department is exploring what more we can do to support local authorities to improve their decision-making, particularly those with high appeal rates. As a first step, last year we jointly delivered eight training sessions on SEND and the law for local authority SEND caseworkers with the Independent Provider of Special Educational Advice and the Council for Disabled Children. |
Special Educational Needs: Tribunals
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer) Wednesday 29th January 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for Justice on improving the efficiency of the SEND tribunal system. Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education) The increase in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) tribunal appeals for the last academic year reflects, in part, the increase in the number of children and young people with an education, health and care (EHC) plan. 576,000 had an EHC plan as of January 2024, up 11.3% from 2023. Although most EHC plans and assessments are concluded without a tribunal hearing, the department recognises that dissatisfaction with the SEND system continues to grow and that too many parents and carers struggle to get their children the support they need and deserve. The department also knows that the tribunal can be costly for both families and local authorities, but we do not collect any data centrally. The department understands the urgency and the need to drive improvements but also are mindful that there are no quick fixes and want to take a considered approach to deliver sustainable system reform. The department is working closely with experts on SEND reform, recently appointing a strategic advisor for SEND, who will play a key role in engaging the sector, including leaders, practitioners, children, and families, as we consider next steps. The department has published independently commissioned insight that suggests if the system was extensively improved, using early intervention and better resourcing of mainstream schools, it could lead to tens of thousands more children and young people having their needs met without the need to go through a long and stressful EHC plan and appeals process. We continue to work with HM Courts and Tribunal Service, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the judiciary to understand the reasons for high appeal rates and to improve the efficiency of the SEND tribunal. The MoJ has recently recruited and trained 50 new tribunal judges who are now conducting appeal hearings, along with increasing funding for extra staff to process appeals. In an effort to settle appeals more quickly, they have also expanded their use of judicial case management powers and are continually developing ways to increase the speed of disposal. The Tribunal Procedure Committee have also just closed a consultation on a rule change to allow more appeals to be heard on paper, without the need for a full oral hearing. The department is exploring what more we can do to support local authorities to improve their decision-making, particularly those with high appeal rates. As a first step, last year we jointly delivered eight training sessions on SEND and the law for local authority SEND caseworkers with the Independent Provider of Special Educational Advice and the Council for Disabled Children. |
Special Educational Needs
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer) Wednesday 29th January 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the early identification of special educational needs in children. Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education) The department knows that children’s early years are crucial to their development, health and life chances, and we recognise the importance of the early identification of needs to ensure the right support is put in place as early as possible to ensure children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and emerging special educational needs can get the best start in life. The department is working as quickly as possible to ensure every child has the best chance in life, by prioritising early intervention and inclusive provision in mainstream settings. The department knows that early intervention prevents unmet needs from escalating, and that it supports children and young people to achieve their goals alongside their peers. That is why we are currently funding three specific early intervention programmes:
The PINS programme deploys specialists from both health and education workforces to strengthen training and resources for school staff to identify and meet the needs of neurodiverse children. It will upskill around 1,600 (10%) mainstream primary schools by March 2025. 11,100 schools are registered for the NELI programme, which has improved the speech and language skills of an estimated 211,700 children aged 4 to 5 between September 2020 and July 2024. Over 640,000 primary school children have been screened to identify those with language development difficulties. Evaluation of NELI shows the programme improved the development of oral language skills by 4 months’ progress for pupils receiving the intervention. Children eligible for free school meals (FSM) made 7 months additional progress compared to children eligible for FSM that did not receive the intervention. In partnership with NHS England, we are funding the ELSEC pathfinders within our SEND and alternative provision Change Programme. When a child is aged between two and three, educators must review their progress and provide parents and / or carers with a short, written summary of their child’s development in the prime areas, known as the EYFS progress check at age 2. It highlights areas in which a child is progressing well, where additional support might be needed and describes the strategies the educator intends to adopt to address any concerns. The progress check at age two and the Healthy Child Programme review both offer opportunities to identify additional needs for children aged two to three and to work in partnership with parents or carers and relevant professionals. This is funding nine joint Integrated Care Boards and local area partnerships within each of our Change Programme Partnerships to trial new ways of working to better identify and support children with speech, language and communication needs in early years and primary schools, utilising pre-qualification Therapy Support Assistants. The interim report is due in February 2025, but areas like Barnet have already supported over 1000 children through their ELSEC universal and targeted offer. |
Special Educational Needs: Finance
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer) Thursday 30th January 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the different ways in which local authorities allocate funding for education, health and care plans. Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education) This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.
Following the Autumn Budget 2024, the department is providing an increase of £1 billion for high needs budgets in England in the 2025/26 financial year, bringing total high needs funding for children and young people with complex SEND to £11.9 billion. Of that total the City of York Council is being allocated over £30 million through the high needs funding block of the dedicated schools grant (DSG), an increase of £1.7 million on this year’s DSG high needs block.
Local authorities are responsible for allocating funding from their high needs budget to schools and colleges to secure suitable provision as specified in an education, health and care plan. The department is keeping the high needs funding arrangements under review as we progress wider SEND reforms, including those that will support mainstream inclusion.
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Special Educational Needs: Tribunals
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer) Thursday 30th January 2025 Question to the Ministry of Justice: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department has made an assessment of whether there are socio-economic disparities in the outcomes of special educational needs and disability tribunals. Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice) Information about appeal outcomes to the First-tier Tribunal for Special Educational Needs and Disability is published at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics. This information includes outcomes of appeals, types of educational need and the age group of the child. The socio-economic status of appellants and the outcomes they achieve is not collected. |
Special Educational Needs
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer) Thursday 30th January 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential effectiveness of implementing cohort-based education, health and care plans. Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education) For too long the education system has not met the needs of all children, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with parents struggling to get their children the support they need and deserve. We know that parents have struggled to get the right support for their children, particularly through long and difficult education, health and care (EHC) plan processes.
An EHC plan is a statutory document which is produced following an EHC needs assessment process. An EHC needs assessment ensures that a child or young person’s individual needs are assessed in a joined-up way across education, health and social care services. Under this assessment process the local authority must seek information and advice from a range of partners, including the child or young person and their parents, their school or college (if any) relevant health and social care partners, an educational psychologist and any other relevant professionals. The EHC needs assessment must identify the child or young person’s special educational needs, together with any relevant health or social care needs.
If the local authority then decides it is necessary to issue an EHC plan, it must set long-term outcomes for the child or young person and specify provision which will deliver those outcomes. The content in an EHC plan should be unique to the child or young person.
EHC plans should be used to actively monitor children and young people’s progress towards their outcomes and longer-term aspirations. They must be reviewed by the local authority as a minimum every 12 months. Reviews must focus on the child or young person’s progress towards achieving the outcomes specified in the EHC plan. The review must also consider whether these outcomes and supporting targets remain appropriate. The review process will enable changes to be made to an EHC plan so that it remains relevant to the needs of the child or young person and the desired outcomes.
This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with SEND or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is working closely with experts on reforms, recently appointing a strategic advisor for SEND, who will play a key role in convening and engaging with the sector, including leaders, practitioners, children and families as we consider next steps. |
Special Educational Needs: Cerebral Palsy
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer) Thursday 30th January 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve access to education, health and care plans for children with cerebral palsy in education settings. Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education) This government is committed to strengthening the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system for all children and young people, including those with cerebral palsy, to ensure they receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. For too long the education system has not met the needs of all children, particularly children and young people with SEND, with parents struggling to get their children the support they need and deserve, particularly through long and difficult education, health and care (EHC) plan processes. The department is aware that local authorities have experienced increased demand for EHC plans and the subsequent demands on workforce capacity. This government wants to ensure that EHC needs assessments are progressed promptly and plans are issued quickly in order to provide children and young people with the support they need to help them achieve positive outcomes. Where there are concerns about a local authority’s capacity to make the required improvements, the department helps the local authority to identify the barriers and put in place an effective recovery plan. The department is providing almost £1 billion more for high needs budgets in the 2025/26 financial year, bringing total high needs funding to £11.9 billion. This funding will help local authorities and schools with the increasing costs of supporting children and young people with complex SEND. The department has also announced £740 million of high needs capital funding for the 2025/26 financial year to invest in places for children and young people with SEND or who require alternative provision. The department is working closely with experts on reform, recently appointing a strategic advisor for SEND, who will play a key role in convening and engaging with the sector, including leaders, practitioners, children and families as we consider next steps. |
Special Educational Needs: Low Incomes
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer) Thursday 30th January 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support low-income families to apply for education, health and care plans. Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education) For too long the education system has not met the needs of all children, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with parents struggling to get their children the support they need and deserve. We know that parents have struggled to get the right support for their children, particularly through long and difficult education, health and care (EHC) plan processes.
This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with SEND or in alternative provision, regardless of socio-economic background, receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.
Where families experience challenges with the EHC plan process and the wider SEND system, the department signposts available support from the family’s local Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS). This is independent of the local authority and can provide impartial advice about the law on SEND, local SEND arrangements and support for children’s needs. The service can also help parents prepare for meetings with schools and colleges, local authorities, the Tribunal or other agencies.
In addition, the department also signposts families to Contact, a national charity for families with disabled children, which provides information, advice and support, and brings families together to support each other.
The department is working closely with experts on reforms, recently appointing a strategic advisor for SEND, who will play a key role in convening and engaging with the sector, including leaders, practitioners, children and families as we consider next steps. |
Special Educational Needs
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer) Thursday 30th January 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to (a) support and (b) improve decision-making in the provision of education, health and care plan assessments. Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education) Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to assess whether children and young people have special educational needs that require an education, health and care (EHC) plan. Under the EHC needs assessment process, local authorities must seek information and advice from a range of partners, including the child or young person and their parents, their school or college (if any), relevant health and social care partners, an educational psychologist and any other relevant professionals. Local authority special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) caseworkers are a key part of the SEND system, co-ordinating the assessment process to develop EHC plans and working closely with families, schools and other professionals to support children and young people with SEND.
In March 2024, the department funded a short-term project to train local authority caseworkers, reaching around 260 attendees. The training was aimed at improving understanding of SEND legislation to support more effective decision-making and was delivered by the Independent Provider of Special Education and Condition Data Collection. We are currently considering options for future support for this workforce.
In addition, we recognise the critical role of professionals such as educational psychologists within the SEND system, including their statutory contribution to EHC needs assessments.
To support this, we are investing over £21 million to train 400 more educational psychologists from 2024, which builds on the £10 million currently being invested in a cohort of over 200 trainees who began their training in September 2023.
As these trainees complete their studies, they will join the workforce to support the capacity of local authority educational psychology services, including in delivering assessments. Trainees who have had their training funded by the department are required to remain in local authority employment for a minimum period. This requirement will increase from two to three years for those trainees beginning their course in September 2024.
This is to support local authority services to recruit and retain their educational psychology workforce, benefiting from the public investment in their training, and supporting the delivery of statutory assessments and wider work.
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Special Educational Needs
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer) Thursday 30th January 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to provide additional resources to schools for the provision of inclusive education. Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education) This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to children and young people with the most complex needs.
The department has announced an additional £740 million of capital funding in 2025/26 which can be used to support mainstream inclusion, including through the establishment of special educational needs units and resourced provisions.
In addition, the department is providing local authorities’ an increase of £1 billion for high needs budgets in England in the 2025/26 financial year, bringing total high needs funding for children and young people with complex SEND to £11.9 billion. Local authorities have flexibility to use this funding to support mainstream schools in their provision of inclusive education, taking into account the needs of the children and young people for whom they are responsible, and their schools’ and other local circumstances.
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Special Educational Needs: Child Trust Fund and Individual Savings Accounts
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer) Friday 7th February 2025 Question to the HM Treasury: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has plans to change the access to (a) Junior ISAs and (b) Child Trust Funds for parents of SEND young adults. Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury) Access to Junior ISAs (JISA) and Child Trust Funds (CTF) for parents of young adults with special educational needs and disabilities is already possible in certain circumstances. Where a young adult lacks mental capacity, including due to a disability, the law requires parents or a guardian to have legal authority to make decisions on their behalf about financial assets or property. This includes in relation to accessing funds held in a CTF or a JISA The Ministry of Justice has published a toolkit on gov.uk explaining the process for parents and guardians of disabled children to obtain legal authority if no other arrangements are in place. The Ministry of Justice has worked with The Investment and Savings Alliance (TISA) to promote the toolkit with parents and carers, and is working with the Department for Work and Pensions on ways to inform parents and carers about the relevant legal processes as their young person approaches the age of 18. The Government continues to keep all aspects of savings policy under review.
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Dementia: Mental Health Services
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer) Wednesday 5th February 2025 Question to the Department of Health and Social Care: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to commission services for adults with young onset dementia. Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care) The provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). NHS England would expect ICBs to commission services based on local population needs, taking account of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidelines. It is the responsibility of ICBs to work within their geographical area to offer services that meet the needs of their population. Local authorities are required to provide or arrange services that meet the social care needs of the local population under the Care Act 2014. NHS England is committed to delivering high quality care and support for every person with dementia, and central to this is the provision of personalised care and support planning for post diagnostic support. |
IVF
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer) Monday 10th February 2025 Question to the Department of Health and Social Care: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will issue guidance on commissioning policies for NHS-funded IVF. Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care) Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning local health services, including fertility services, taking account of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guidelines. The NICE is currently reviewing the fertility services guidelines. The Government recognises that access to National Health Service funded fertility services is variable, and is working jointly with NHS England on options to improve access for all eligible groups. |
Artificial Intelligence: Visual Impairment
Asked by: Luke Charters (Labour - York Outer) Wednesday 12th February 2025 Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of allowing the use of Look and Tell AI glasses for people with visual impairment. Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) AI has the potential to transform everyday life, making services quicker, smarter and more efficient. Embracing AI will directly improve the lives of everyone by personalising services and supporting better outcomes, including those with visual impairments. The AI Opportunities Action Plan sets out our plans to exploit the potential of AI to positively impact the lives of the British public. For example, the government is adopting a flexible “Scan, Pilot, Scale” approach and delivering mission-focussed national AI tenders to ensure effective and lasting adoption in the public sector. While we deliver the Plan, we also encourage regulators to take a pro-innovation approach within their sectors, with the new Regulatory Innovation Office having an important role to play across all sectors. We will continue to work closely with the AI sector and experts to ensure we are aligning innovative outcomes with our world-leading standards and expectations. |
Early Day Motions Signed |
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Tuesday 11th February Luke Charters signed this EDM on Wednesday 12th February 2025 Yorkshire Cancer Research's 100th anniversary 16 signatures (Most recent: 3 Mar 2025)Tabled by: Tom Gordon (Liberal Democrat - Harrogate and Knaresborough) That this House congratulates Yorkshire Cancer Research, based in Harrogate, on reaching its 100th anniversary this year; recognises the charity’s work across the region since it was founded in 1925; recognises and celebrates its role in funding research into cancer care and treatment and in pioneering new cancer prevention and … |
Monday 3rd February Luke Charters signed this EDM on Wednesday 5th February 2025 Renaming Heathrow Airport after Queen Elizabeth II 22 signatures (Most recent: 13 Feb 2025)Tabled by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme) That this House remembers with gratitude the 70 years of service Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II gave to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth; gives thanks for her commitment and dedication over seven decades; acknowledges that Tuesday 21 April 2026 will be the 100th anniversary of Her late Majesty’s … |
Parliamentary Debates |
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Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill
99 speeches (29,403 words) 2nd reading Monday 3rd February 2025 - Commons Chamber Department for Work and Pensions |
Select Committee Documents |
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Wednesday 12th February 2025
Report - 9th Report - Tax evasion in the retail sector Public Accounts Committee Found: Cotswolds) (Chair) Mr Clive Betts (Labour; Sheffield South East) Nesil Caliskan (Labour; Barking) Mr Luke Charters |
Monday 10th February 2025
Oral Evidence - Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and Department for Culture, Media and Sport Public Accounts Committee Found: meeting Members present: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Chair); Mr Clive Betts; Nesil Caliskan; Mr Luke Charters |
Monday 10th February 2025
Oral Evidence - Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and Department for Culture, Media and Sport Public Accounts Committee Found: meeting Members present: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Chair); Mr Clive Betts; Nesil Caliskan; Mr Luke Charters |
Monday 10th February 2025
Oral Evidence - National Audit Office, National Audit Office, and National Audit Office Public Accounts Committee Found: meeting Members present: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Chair); Mr Clive Betts; Nesil Caliskan; Mr Luke Charters |
Friday 7th February 2025
Report - 8th Report - Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage Public Accounts Committee Found: Cotswolds) (Chair) Mr Clive Betts (Labour; Sheffield South East) Nesil Caliskan (Labour; Barking) Mr Luke Charters |
Thursday 6th February 2025
Oral Evidence - Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Public Accounts Committee Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Chair); Mr Clive Betts; Mr Luke Charters |
Wednesday 5th February 2025
Report - 7th Report - Asylum accommodation: Home Office acquisition of former HMP Northeye Public Accounts Committee Found: Cotswolds) (Chair) Mr Clive Betts (Labour; Sheffield South East) Nesil Caliskan (Labour; Barking) Mr Luke Charters |
Friday 31st January 2025
Report - 6th Report - DWP Customer Service and Accounts 2023-24 Public Accounts Committee Found: Cotswolds) (Chair) Mr Clive Betts (Labour; Sheffield South East) Nesil Caliskan (Labour; Barking) Mr Luke Charters |
Thursday 30th January 2025
Oral Evidence - Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Cabinet Office, and Cabinet Office Public Accounts Committee Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Chair); Mr Clive Betts; Mr Luke Charters |
Monday 27th January 2025
Oral Evidence - Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Justice, HMPPS, and HM Prison and Probation Service Public Accounts Committee Found: meeting Members present: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Chair); Mr Clive Betts; Nesil Caliskan; Mr Luke Charters |
Monday 27th January 2025
Oral Evidence - Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Justice, HMPPS, and HM Prison and Probation Service Public Accounts Committee Found: meeting Members present: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Chair); Mr Clive Betts; Nesil Caliskan; Mr Luke Charters |
Bill Documents |
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Feb. 14 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 14 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Amesbury John McDonnell Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters |
Feb. 13 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 13 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Amesbury John McDonnell Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters |
Feb. 12 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 12 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Amesbury John McDonnell Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters |
Feb. 11 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 11 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Amesbury John McDonnell Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters |
Feb. 10 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 10 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Amesbury John McDonnell Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters |
Feb. 07 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 7 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Amesbury John McDonnell Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters |
Feb. 06 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 6 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Amesbury John McDonnell Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters |
Feb. 05 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 5 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Amesbury John McDonnell Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters |
Feb. 04 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 4 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Amesbury John McDonnell Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters |
Feb. 03 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 3 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Amesbury John McDonnell Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters |
Jan. 31 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 31 January 2025 Employment Rights Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Amesbury John McDonnell Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters |
Jan. 30 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 30 January 2025 Employment Rights Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Amesbury John McDonnell Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters |
Calendar |
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Monday 3rd February 2025 3 p.m. Public Accounts Committee - Private Meeting View calendar - Add to calendar |
Thursday 13th March 2025 9:30 a.m. Public Accounts Committee - Oral evidence Subject: DHSC Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24 View calendar - Add to calendar |
Monday 17th March 2025 3 p.m. Public Accounts Committee - Oral evidence Subject: Tackling Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) View calendar - Add to calendar |
Thursday 20th March 2025 9:30 a.m. Public Accounts Committee - Oral evidence Subject: Decommissioning Sellafield View calendar - Add to calendar |
Thursday 27th February 2025 9:30 a.m. Public Accounts Committee - Oral evidence Subject: Government’s relationship with digital technology suppliers View calendar - Add to calendar |
Monday 31st March 2025 3 p.m. Public Accounts Committee - Oral evidence Subject: Condition of Government properties View calendar - Add to calendar |
Thursday 27th February 2025 9:15 a.m. Public Accounts Committee - Oral evidence Subject: Government’s relationship with digital technology suppliers View calendar - Add to calendar |
Thursday 3rd April 2025 9:30 a.m. Public Accounts Committee - Oral evidence Subject: Local Government Financial Sustainability View calendar - Add to calendar |
Thursday 27th March 2025 9:30 a.m. Public Accounts Committee - Oral evidence Subject: Antimicrobial resistance: addressing the risks View calendar - Add to calendar |
Monday 3rd March 2025 3 p.m. Public Accounts Committee - Oral evidence Subject: Government support for biomass View calendar - Add to calendar |
Thursday 6th March 2025 9:30 a.m. Public Accounts Committee - Oral evidence Subject: The cost of the tax system View calendar - Add to calendar |
Monday 10th March 2025 3 p.m. Public Accounts Committee - Oral evidence Subject: Government cyber resilience View calendar - Add to calendar |
Monday 3rd March 2025 3 p.m. Public Accounts Committee - Oral evidence Subject: The Government’s Support for Biomass View calendar - Add to calendar |