Speeches by Craft.

“Unlike other colleagues, I have never been on a planning committee. However, I know the effects of the current system and its failings. I know that only 19% of major decisions are made within the 13-week statutory framework, and I know that we have an absolute housing crisis in this country. I know the impact of the de…”

“I would just like to make a little more progress. When I think about my child’s journey through education, I do not see it in stages. The journey for my daughter and for every disabled child is a lifelong one. We need a statutory framework that reflects that and that provides stability, security and reassurance for dis…”

“I will make some headway. The requirement for free transport returns for 19 to 25-year-olds with complex needs and an education, health and care plan, to support those who need longer in education or training to achieve their outcomes. The guidance itself says: “It is critical that, from year 9 at the latest, local aut…”

“My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. It is unacceptable that disabled families are faced with choices about their children’s education that parents of children who are not disabled are not. During the election campaign, I spoke to another woman, Julia, and had the pleasure of meeting her 18-year-old son Oscar, who …”

“My constituents expect the Government to treat taxpayer money with the utmost respect. However, during the pandemic the Conservatives handed out contracts to their friends and donors and failed to prevent fraud, using the crisis as a cover for their greed. Does the Chancellor agree with me that that money belongs to th…”

“14. What steps she is taking to help ensure the sound management of public finances.”

“I thank Members from across the House for their contributions this afternoon, particularly those from rural areas who highlighted the additional complexities of home-to-school travel there. I thank the Minister for her considered response. I recognise that the challenges to the SEND system are immense and will take a l…”

“My hon. Friend makes a good point. The long-term goal must be better inclusion for disabled children in mainstream education—I would have loved to send my child to the outstanding school up the road, but it did not really want us. This is not a choice that parents want to make, and inclusion is the ultimate, long-term …”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered the statutory framework for home-to-school transport for children with SEND. It is a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Mark. I am delighted to have secured this debate on 3 December, which is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. I am please…”

“As I have said previously, the important thing is to see a long-term goal where disabled children are truly able to receive a mainstream, inclusive education, so that we get out of this cycle of families having to pay to transport their children miles and miles from where they live.”

“Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions in my constituency is an excellent example of good practice in helping disabled people enter and stay in the workplace. It is particularly successful because it embodies the maxim, “Nothing about us without us”, as it is run by, led by and designed by disabled people themselves. Will the Se…”

“10. What steps she is taking to improve transport infrastructure.”

“The Dartford crossing linking Essex and Kent is a key piece of transport infrastructure in my constituency. However, since moving to a new charging system last year, there have been serious failings in the administration of the Dart charge. Problems include credit not being carried over from the old system. Cars have i…”

“I would like to move on to a slightly different area, but again it is about where you see the sweet spot between more investment in prevention work and dealing with what is quite a significant backlog of acute treatment, and it is in the area of mental healthcare access. You highlight that it is particularly acute for …”

“What are the blocks to that happening on a wider basis?”

“Briefly, another thing that emerged from the report seemed to be a recurring theme: the lack of responsiveness to the patient voice in terms of quality of care. That is where there have been fairly serious issues with maternity services, learning disability care for adults and, again, mental health care. Do you see tha…”

“Specifically, you touched on more serious implications for children and young people not being seen in a timely manner. You mentioned childhood being precious, and it being eaten away by being on a waiting list, which is unacceptable. I wondered whether you would like to expand further. Is there perhaps a strong argume…”

“Is there an appetite in the pharmacy sector to do more work on preventing ill health?”

“You mentioned that community pharmacy has a key role to play in reducing the burden on primary care services. How do you see that going forwards, and what further, more clinical, role could community pharmacies potentially play?”

“This week I attended the funeral of Margaret Jones, who, among her many other achievements, became the first mayor of Thurrock in 1974. I am sure that colleagues across the House will join me in expressing gratitude for more than half a century of dedicated public service. When I asked those closest to Margaret how she…”