Westminster Hall debateWestminster HallTuesday, 2 June 202614:30

Government support for children developing essential skills

Backbench debate (separate chamber, no votes)

A Westminster Hall debate on government support for children developing essential skills, sponsored by Labour MP Peter Swallow. The debate will examine what support is available to young people to build foundational competencies—such as literacy, numeracy, and work-ready abilities—and whether current provision is adequate to prepare children for employment and adult life.

Essential skills development directly affects children's life chances and the UK's future workforce competitiveness. The debate matters to parents, schools, employers, and policymakers concerned with social mobility, youth employment, and whether government funding and programmes are reaching children most at risk of falling behind.

Education Economy & Jobs (General)

MPs most likely to speak

Chris BryantLabour Party

Rhondda and Ogmore

Minister of State — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Spoken on education, economy-jobs, agriculture (308 times, 40pts); Known positions: technology: supportive, economy-jobs: supportive, economy-jobs: neutral (30pts)Voting record

Saqib BhattiConservative and Unionist Party

Meriden and Solihull East

Shadow Education — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Spoken on education, economy-jobs, agriculture (222 times, 40pts); Known positions: economy-jobs: opposed, education: opposed, fiscal-policy: opposed (30pts)Voting record

Dame Harriett BaldwinConservative and Unionist Party

West Worcestershire

Shadow Business and Trade — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Venue: 15 Westminster Hall debates (×0.7); Spoken on education, economy-jobs, agriculture (456 times, 28pts); Known positions: economy-jobs: opposed, fiscal-policy: opposed, economy-jobs: questioning (21pts); Committee: treasury committee (20pts)Voting record

Peter SwallowLabour Party

Bracknell

Debate sponsor/lead member (calendar Members field)Voting record

Mr Alistair CarmichaelLiberal Democrats

Orkney and Shetland

Spoken on economy-jobs, agriculture, fiscal-policy (322 times, 40pts); Known positions: economy-jobs: questioning, agriculture: opposed, agriculture: supportive (30pts); Committee: environment, food and rural affairs committee (Chair) (25pts)Voting record

Government support for children developing essential skills

MPs most likely to speak

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