Speeches by Sewards.

“I am going to drill down into devolution of skills policy now. The Government have set out their intentions in the English Devolution White Paper. They want to deepen and widen devolution, which means giving more areas greater responsibility around skills provision, as I am sure you are aware. I am happy for anyone to …”

“I am going to drill down into devolution of skills policy now. The Government have set out their intentions in the English Devolution White Paper. They want to deepen and widen devolution, which means giving more areas greater responsibility around skills provision, as I am sure you are aware. I am happy for anyone to …”

“I know, there are quite a few. My colleagues will question you in more detail on some of the things you have just referenced. I have one question. Natspec has called for specialist further education to be given its own ministerial brief to stop it falling through the cracks of ministerial responsibility. How would cons…”

“The Committee has a number of questions on SEND and further education specialists. I am going to start with a fairly general question specifically to Clare Howard: what are the main challenges facing students with SEND in further education, and how does this affect their learning, their progression and their overall ex…”

“I know, there are quite a few. My colleagues will question you in more detail on some of the things you have just referenced. I have one question. Natspec has called for specialist further education to be given its own ministerial brief to stop it falling through the cracks of ministerial responsibility. How would cons…”

“The Committee has a number of questions on SEND and further education specialists. I am going to start with a fairly general question specifically to Clare Howard: what are the main challenges facing students with SEND in further education, and how does this affect their learning, their progression and their overall ex…”

“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…”

“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…”

“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…”

“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…”

“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 …”

“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 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 …”

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