Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Will Quince and Elliot Colburn

Tuesday 1st November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Elliot Colburn (Carshalton and Wallington) (Con)]

T7. The Government have given Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust the green light to get on with improving St Helier and building a new hospital in Sutton. We know that the pandemic has had an effect on timetables, so will my hon. Friend facilitate a meeting between his Department, the Treasury and the trust to ensure that we can get a planning application in by the end of the year?

[The Minister of State, Department of Health and Social Care (Will Quince)]

We are fully committed to delivering a new hospital in Sutton, one of the 40 new hospitals to be built by 2030. Officials from the Department and the NHS are working closely with the trust at every step in the process, and I look forward to working with my hon. Friend to deliver this much-needed hospital improvement.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Will Quince and Elliot Colburn

Monday 6th December 2021 Commons Chamber

[Will Quince]

Our ambition is for every child and young person, no matter what challenges they face, to have access to a world-class education that sets them up for life. We know that with the right preparation and support, the overwhelming majority of young people with SEND are capable of sustained paid employment. So what are we doing? We have a £1.2 million grant to the Education and Training Foundation, a supported internship programme, our work with our DWP counterparts and the adjustments passport pilots. It is all about preparation for adulthood and work.

[Elliot Colburn (Carshalton and Wallington) (Con)]

6. What steps his Department is taking to help ensure children with special educational needs and disabilities receive a quality education.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Will Quince)]

We established the SEND review because we are determined to help children with SEND to realise their potential and to prepare them for later life. We are increasing funding for SEND, including £2.6 billion over the next three years to deliver new places and improve existing provision for pupils with SEND.

[Elliot Colburn]

I was pleased to celebrate with Carshalton and Wallington families the Second Reading of the Down Syndrome Bill—a legislative milestone that will require schools and councils, among others, to take account of new guidance. Unfortunately, in councils such as Lib Dem-run Sutton Council, which has been slammed by Ofsted for its diabolical management of SEND services, there is concern about the implementation of the new guidance. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that failing local authorities do not scupper the potential for this important Bill to unlock new opportunities for children with Down’s syndrome?

[Will Quince]

Sutton was revisited by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission in 2020 and was found to have made progress in all previously identified areas of weakness. The Bill aims to improve services and life outcomes for people with Down’s syndrome, and we will support local authorities in the implementation of any future reforms. I know that my hon. Friend has concerns; I think that I am meeting him tomorrow to discuss the issue further. I look forward to it.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Will Quince and Elliot Colburn

Monday 19th October 2020 Commons Chamber

[Will Quince]

I will look carefully at the points that the hon. Lady raises, but I stress that this Government have implemented an unprecedented support package, including the job retention scheme and the self-employment income support scheme, which has helped families to cope with the financial impact of covid-19. For those most in need, we strengthened the welfare system with an additional £9 billion this year. That is in addition to the around £5 billion increase to benefit rates as part of the 2020-21 uprating, including around £400 million more on children’s benefits.

[Elliot Colburn (Carshalton and Wallington) (Con)]

What steps she is taking to support people into work throughout the UK.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Will Quince and Elliot Colburn

Monday 14th September 2020 Commons Chamber

[Will Quince]

The hon. Lady is right to say that the coronavirus job retention scheme has been a huge success—it has protected up to 10 million jobs—but it is important to point out that support for furloughed employees does not end in October. In the Chancellor’s summer statement, he announced the new job retention bonus, which will pay employers £1,000 for every employee still in post by the end of January. For those who, sadly, are made redundant or lose their jobs, Jobcentre Plus stands ready to assist up and down the country.

[Elliot Colburn (Carshalton and Wallington) (Con)]

What steps her Department is taking to promote employment opportunities as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.