Mobile Phones in Schools

Debate between Tom Gordon and Josh MacAlister

Tuesday 10th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Josh MacAlister]

My hon. Friend mentions young carers about as much as he mentions Harlow! [Interruption.] Yes, very disappointing!

To repeat the point, it is important that young carers at school have the freedom to get on and learn. There are ways of ensuring they have the ability to contact home. I know there are thousands of heads of year and pastoral leads in schools who have a very good understanding of the children in their school and will help to facilitate that connection so that they are not isolated or disconnected.

[Tom Gordon (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (LD)]

I welcome the steps the Minister outlined to ensure phones will no longer be a distraction in the classroom, but for many children they can be a lifeline if they have chronic conditions such as type 1 diabetes. I am pleased to see an acknowledgement about an exemption for medical or disability purposes. My concern is that if there is a supply teacher, or if children are moving year group or moving school and transitioning, how will the information be passed on to ensure we do not end up in a situation where a child needs to use a medical device or app on their phone to monitor their health condition and they end up being denied it?

[Josh MacAlister]

I thank the hon. Member for making that important point. Schools already have systems in place for ensuring that there are handovers between teachers. I cannot stand at the Dispatch Box and guarantee him that in every single case across the entire country, 22,000 schools will always get it exactly right, but it is important that schools have those systems in place. The Government support them to do that. He is right that having that exemption and clarity for those who need to use a device that assists them with medical needs will still be important in future.