Speeches by Sewards.

“My hon. Friend is making a powerful speech. One of my constituents has a grandma who waited a staggering 18 months for a dementia diagnosis. The family did not have the £3,000 required to get a private diagnosis. My hon. Friend mentioned the need to increase the resources available to the NHS and how committed this Gov…”

“I reiterate what the Chair of the Select Committee, my hon. Friend the Member for Dulwich and West Norwood (Helen Hayes), said: teaching assistants are the glue that keep our classrooms together and they should be paid adequately. I am pleased to hear the Minister state that retention is up, with 2,000 more teachers in…”

“As I am sure you know, Madam Deputy Speaker, it is time for trams in West Yorkshire. I want to thank all the colleagues across this House and the other place who have supported Tracy Brabin and I as we lead the charge to secure mass transit in West Yorkshire. The benefits are obvious: we know it will create jobs, growt…”

“One of my constituents is a strong advocate for the Parky charter. I understand that the Government cannot commit to everything that is in the charter, but does my hon. Friend agree that, at every fiscal event from now until the end of this Labour Government, they should seriously consider investing in these services a…”

“Thinking broadly about the New Labour Government, the coalition Government that followed and the Conservative Governments that came after that, what changes to social security policy over that entire time had the biggest impact on child poverty? In addition, were there things outside of social security policy, outside …”

“Mark Sewards, Member of Parliament for Leeds South West and Morley.”

“I asked the last panel this question and their definitive answer was that the Sure Start centres had had the biggest impact. Over the last 25 years, what changes to social security policy have made the biggest positive changes to child poverty, and what changes have made the most negative impact on child poverty?”

“Thinking broadly about the New Labour Government, the coalition Government that followed and the Conservative Governments that came after that, what changes to social security policy over that entire time had the biggest impact on child poverty? In addition, were there things outside of social security policy, outside …”

“I asked the last panel this question and their definitive answer was that the Sure Start centres had had the biggest impact. Over the last 25 years, what changes to social security policy have made the biggest positive changes to child poverty, and what changes have made the most negative impact on child poverty?”

“Mark Sewards, Member of Parliament for Leeds South West and Morley.”

“I welcome the Minister’s statement. It is fairly obvious that these sanctions are essential in deterring the kinds of behaviours and activities that we do not want to see internationally. The Foreign Secretary has spoken about introducing sanctions against those involved in smuggling gangs and those who cause irregular…”

“As a maths teacher, a former councillor and a dad of two wonderful children, I know the importance of youth provision. We have heard from Members from across the House that the 73% cut in youth funding since 2010 has had devastating consequences; in Leeds, that figure is 83%. Leeds has managed to negate some of the con…”

“I thank the Minister for his statement, which fulfils his earlier promise to make one, and for his correspondence with me on a specific case. I also welcome the fact that the Government are committed, in principle or in full, to all the recommendations made by the inquiry. Last week at the inquiry I met my constituent …”

“Thank you very much. Jill, do you agree with him?”

“Thank you very much. Jill, do you agree with him?”

“Absolutely. I have one final question. You mentioned drama there. Drama, food tech and other subjects are 60% coursework, with 40 to 60 hours of coursework or practical work and then 40% written exam, which is usually a one and a half hour paper. Is there any scope to review that balance, reduce the length of the exam …”

“That makes sense, but I take away from that that we should look at whether that percentage should be reviewed. Thank you.”

“I will keep it brief. I have one short question for Tom and two follow-ups for Jill. Tom, ASCL’s submission to the curriculum review said that the examination system itself was partly to blame for the attainment gap. Can you tell us more about this?”

“Absolutely. I have one final question. You mentioned drama there. Drama, food tech and other subjects are 60% coursework, with 40 to 60 hours of coursework or practical work and then 40% written exam, which is usually a one and a half hour paper. Is there any scope to review that balance, reduce the length of the exam …”

“That makes sense, but I take away from that that we should look at whether that percentage should be reviewed. Thank you.”