Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Michael Fabricant Excerpts
Monday 17th April 2023

(1 year, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Claire Coutinho Portrait Claire Coutinho
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We have increased the number of children on free school meals to the highest ever level. We also have programmes such as the holiday activities and food programme—one of the things I visited over the recess—which is providing nutritious meals alongside activities. We are doing a lot to support parents with the cost of living, too.

Michael Fabricant Portrait Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)
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Will my hon. Friend pay tribute to the work done by the private sector, and in particular to Busy Bees, which was founded in Lichfield 40 years ago this year and operates over 400 nurseries in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Europe and the United States of America, and wish it well for the next 40 years?

Claire Coutinho Portrait Claire Coutinho
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My hon. Friend is testament to the fact that good things come out of Lichfield. I have met Busy Bees a couple of times. It does some really impressive things, in particular on retention of staff and training programmes. I wish it well in the years to come.