Speeches by Swallow.

“We have seen in recent years the devastating effect of safeguarding failings in early years. As part of our inquiry into early years, we have heard concerns about an operational gap between statutory intent and real-world practice. What work are you doing to close that gap and strengthen safeguarding in early years?”

“It depends on what you mean by strategically important.”

“Very briefly, where is the voice of the child in this? We talk about trying to engage children more in school life, and of course that involves actually engaging with them. What role could children themselves play in shaping some of this culture and the broader offering that affects their wellbeing?”

“I want to zoom out for a moment and talk about the rest of the work that schools can do to support mental health, perhaps in an even more preventive way. Morgan, how does the curriculum currently promote positive mental health, and how successfully it does that through subjects such as PSHE, PE and—I would also highlig…”

“Catherine or Claire, do you want to add to that?”

“Very briefly, where is the voice of the child in this? We talk about trying to engage children more in school life, and of course that involves actually engaging with them. What role could children themselves play in shaping some of this culture and the broader offering that affects their wellbeing?”

“That brings me on to my next question, which is about the climate of a school, which is something that I think MPs are very familiar with. You can visit one of your local schools and you can tell immediately what that school feels like for the students—their experience. We know there is research that shows that a good …”

“I want to zoom out for a moment and talk about the rest of the work that schools can do to support mental health, perhaps in an even more preventive way. Morgan, how does the curriculum currently promote positive mental health, and how successfully it does that through subjects such as PSHE, PE and—I would also highlig…”

“Catherine or Claire, do you want to add to that?”

“That brings me on to my next question, which is about the climate of a school, which is something that I think MPs are very familiar with. You can visit one of your local schools and you can tell immediately what that school feels like for the students—their experience. We know there is research that shows that a good …”

“Thames Water was responsible for a third of all major pollution incidents in 2025. Now its creditors want to jack up my constituents’ bills, delay improvements to infrastructure and dodge future fines. My constituents are being failed. I welcome the action the Secretary of State has taken today, but I urge her to go ev…”

“My hon. Friend may or may not be aware that the proposers of the Bill can withdraw it at a time of their choosing. If amendments were to be made to the Bill, I fear that the proposers would simply choose to withdraw it from consideration.”

“My hon. Friend will know how enthusiastic I am for a Thames Valley foundation strategic authority covering Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon, but he will also know of my concerns about a spatial development strategy being imposed on us using a different, larger geography. Does he share my concern that that would under…”

“Connie, on that theme, may I get your view? We seem to have an ambitious national youth strategy, which speaks to some of the ambitions for getting more support in the real world for our young people, and there is a very live and energetic conversation about social media, but I am not always convinced that we are neces…”

“Very briefly, do either Jo or Connie want to add something to that?”

“Thank you. Jo, the Fonagy interim report suggests a much more complex picture than simply under or overdiagnosis, particularly with neurodiversity. Do you agree with that assessment? What evidence do we have to support that view?”

“That provides a helpful segue to talk about the Milburn interim report, which highlighted some of the challenges you just picked up on. The Fonagy review and Milburn review both highlight a significant increase in young people who are not in education, employment or training due to mental health conditions. The flipsid…”

“I think my colleague Jess is about to come on to interventions.”

“That brings me on to my next point, which not only is highlighted in the review but every MP around this table will be familiar with from our constituency casework: the way that diagnosis is increasingly becoming the gateway to support, rather than happening along the pathway of support being delivered. I am sure we MP…”

“That provides a helpful segue to talk about the Milburn interim report, which highlighted some of the challenges you just picked up on. The Fonagy review and Milburn review both highlight a significant increase in young people who are not in education, employment or training due to mental health conditions. The flipsid…”