Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Peter Prinsley and Diana Johnson

Monday 9th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dame Diana Johnson]

Reducing child poverty is a moral imperative for us all, and for this Government in particular. We know that growing up in poverty damages children’s health, education and future employment prospects. We have just been discussing the number of NEETs, and many of those children could become NEETs, so child poverty is bad for the UK’s economic prosperity as well. We had not just been waiting for the strategy in December; we had already introduced the extension of free school meals eligibility, tripled access to breakfast clubs and supported the holiday activities and food programme, and we have put £1 billion into the reforming crisis and resilience fund.

[Peter Prinsley (Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket) (Lab)]

11. If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the rate of state pension.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Peter Prinsley and Diana Johnson

Monday 24th February 2025 Commons Chamber

[Dame Diana Johnson]

I am very pleased that Essex has got that increase in funding. I gently point out that the decisions around how those resources are used are for the police and crime commissioner and the chief constable, but, overall, more than £1.1 billion is going into policing, over and above what the previous Government put in in 2024-25.

[Peter Prinsley (Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket) (Lab)]

9. What steps her Department is taking with international partners to counter the threat of terrorism.