Speeches by Sewards.

“I rise as a former teacher and someone who loves my current job more than that one—although I did love teaching. Does my hon. Friend agree with the Education Committee that FE colleges that are currently not exempt from claiming back VAT are at a disadvantage compared with sixth-form colleges attached to schools that c…”

“Could you provide evidence after this about the actual figures involved?”

“That would be extremely welcome. Before I move on to my next question, does anyone else have any thoughts about those questions?”

“Members of this Committee badger the Chancellor about these topics, and it is always helpful when they are armed with the figures. Are there any final thoughts?”

“Could you provide evidence after this about the actual figures involved?”

“Understood. I have only one other question, because you answered my third question beautifully in your first answer. In the previous Budget, the Government said that it was going to commit £5 million to secondary schools in this financial year to purchase reading books. Do you think the pledge should be broader than th…”

“Members of this Committee badger the Chancellor about these topics, and it is always helpful when they are armed with the figures. Are there any final thoughts?”

“Understood. I have only one other question, because you answered my third question beautifully in your first answer. In the previous Budget, the Government said that it was going to commit £5 million to secondary schools in this financial year to purchase reading books. Do you think the pledge should be broader than th…”

“I also have a question for Victoria, but if anyone else has comments that is fine. The Government have pledged that every primary school will get a library by the end of this Parliament. They also pledged £10 million alongside that. Is that enough money, and what impact will it have on primary schools?”

“I appreciate what you were saying before about there being no statutory requirement for schools to have libraries. Data needs to be collected; that has been recommended. Do you have any figures in mind about what would be required to keep the investment going and keep these libraries open so they can provide the servic…”

“That would be extremely welcome. Before I move on to my next question, does anyone else have any thoughts about those questions?”

“I also have a question for Victoria, but if anyone else has comments that is fine. The Government have pledged that every primary school will get a library by the end of this Parliament. They also pledged £10 million alongside that. Is that enough money, and what impact will it have on primary schools?”

“I appreciate what you were saying before about there being no statutory requirement for schools to have libraries. Data needs to be collected; that has been recommended. Do you have any figures in mind about what would be required to keep the investment going and keep these libraries open so they can provide the servic…”

“Thank you all for your answers.”

“This is a very good time to ask this question. As you know, representatives from TikTok, Meta and Roblox told this Committee last week that a social media ban for under-16s would be difficult to enforce and might push young people into darker, unregulated online spaces. Andy, the Molly Rose Foundation has previous argu…”

“To push that point, what specifically do you want to see in place of a ban? A ban is pretty clear and unambiguous. If, as you say, tech companies are subverting it in Australia, despite it being clear and specific, they will surely just subvert your suggestions.”

“That is fine, we have got Snapchat next so we can ask them.”

“What would each of you assess is the impact of screentime on how students interact with each other in all settings, but also how they interact with your staff?”

“Thanks, Jacqueline, for your answers so far. How would you assess the proposals to introduce a ban on social media for under-16s in the UK, which would almost certainly include your platform, Snapchat?”

“Thanks, Jacqueline, for your answers so far. How would you assess the proposals to introduce a ban on social media for under-16s in the UK, which would almost certainly include your platform, Snapchat?”