Sonia Kumar MP: speeches

Speeches

• 13 Feb 2025 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  Last weekend, I went to see Dudley Town FC draw 1-1 at home against Lichfield City. Unfortunately, that “home game” was not within the constituency. In fact, Dudley has not had a stadium in the constituency for decades, despite being established in 1888. Will the Leader of the House provide Government time for a debate on grassroots football and how we can bring clubs like mine back home where they belong?

• 5 Feb 2025 · Gambling Harms · Hansard source

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  Organisations such as Gordon Moody in my constituency provide essential and invaluable residential treatment for individuals suffering from severe gambling addiction, as well as mental health services and advice about how to detangle addiction. How are the Government supporting those organisations in their efforts to prevent gambling-related suicide, and does the Minister agree that an expansion of Government-backed rehabilitation services, especially those focused on children, is essential?

• 21 Jan 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  My constituency has a proud industrial heritage, with manufacturing still worth £1 billion a year to the local economy from sectors that account for nearly 10% of the UK’s total economic output. What steps have the Government taken to promote the growth of the manufacturing sector and ensure that towns like Dudley continue to build on their industrial traditions?

• 20 Jan 2025 · Obesity: Food and Diet · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Dr Opher) for securing this important debate. The growing prevalence of obesity is a public emergency. It is profoundly affecting not only individuals’ lives, but the economic and social fabric of our nation. Let me clearly state that this is not a debate about willpower or individual choice; it is about the systems, environments and inequalities that shape those choices. What does it say about our country when children in areas of deprivation are twice as likely to experience obesity as their peers in wealthier communities, when children in the least well-off families eat significantly fewer fruit and vegetables, or when families with the lowest incomes are more than twice as likely to consume diets that are high in sugar, salt and fat? To me, it says that we are failing those on the lowest incomes. As a physiotherapist, I have worked with families grappling with the challenges of facing childhood obesity. I have seen the emotional toll on children who are bullied or excluded, and the frustration of parents who have no access to affordable, healthy food or safe spaces for their children to play in. Medical practitioners are also witnessing the impact on people’s mental health. Obesity is not merely about calories in and calories out; the medical journal The Lancet has rightly described it as a “complex adaptive system”. There is a battle to be had against obesity on so many levels. It starts with Government policies on housing and education and behaviour relating to diet and exercise. There are also biological factors at play, including genetics, age and ethnicity. The further statistics are alarming. In England, two thirds of adults live with obesity or are overweight, and 29% are severely obese. Among children, the situation is equally troubling. The weight of one in five children entering primary school is above a healthy level, and by the time they leave, the figure rises to one in three. This is compounded by societal changes and challenges: the high cost of living and of healthy food; the prevalence of products high in fat, sugar or salt; and environments saturated with fast-food outlets and inadequate green spaces. The financial costs are staggering. Obesity-related illnesses currently cost the NHS £6.5 billion a year, a figure projected to rise to £9.7 billion by 2050. Across the economy, the broader impact, including loss of productivity, has been estimated to be £98 billion each year. To address this multifaceted crisis, we must adopt a systematic, whole-society approach. We need key interventions to help us to deal with our obesity public health problem. We must make changes such as expanding the healthy start scheme and increasing the value of payments to reflect rising food costs; perhaps looking again at the advertising ban and considering whether we should go further; incentivising businesses to reformulate products to reduce salt, sugar and fat content; supporting after-school activities hubs to increase physical activity among children; strengthening school food standards to ensure that children have access to nutritional food; creating and maintaining safe, accessible green spaces, thus encouraging outdoor activity, reducing sedentary behaviour and improving mental health; and designing urban environments that prioritise active travel such as walking and cycling through better infrastructure—for instance, cycle lanes and pedestrian zones. The Government should adopt a comprehensive food strategy with independent oversight from the Food Standards Agency. Targets should be set for reducing the availability of products with high levels of fat, sugar or salt, and increasing the number of healthier food options. Local authorities should be empowered with greater planning and licensing control to limit the proliferation of fast-food outlets and promote healthier eating. Parliament has a responsibility to lead on this issue. We must move away from the medicalised paradigm that isolates obesity as an individual issue, and focus on the societal structure that underpins it. Policies must address the root causes of inequality, which drive the disproportionate impact of obesity on lower-income families. I call on the Government to enact bold, decisive measures to transform our food system and environment. This is not just about health; it is about fairness, opportunity and creating a future in which no child’s potential is limited by the circumstances of where they were born. Let us grab the opportunity to address obesity comprehensively by putting health, equality and wellbeing at the heart of our policies.

• 16 Jan 2025 · Middle East · Hansard source

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  I welcome the news of a ceasefire deal after 15 months of devastation, destruction and loss of life. The release of hostages is vital, ensuring their safety and swift return to their families. There has been unimaginable suffering, and the ceasefire must be a turning point. It is imperative that the UK leverages our diplomatic influence to ensure stability while urgently stepping up humanitarian aid in Gaza; food, medicine and fuel must reach those who desperately need them without delay. Can the Secretary of State tell the House what diplomatic contributions the UK will make to ensure the ceasefire’s stability when we move towards the latter and more fragile stages of a multi-stage agreement?

• 14 Jan 2025 · Parking: Town Centres · Hansard source

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  I agree with the hon. Gentleman—I will call him my hon. Friend. Extending parking discounts beyond an hour would mean that people who want to get a coffee are not charged £1.80 for one hour’s parking, which is what has been implemented in my constituency. They would spend more time in the town centre, and that would increase footfall.

• 14 Jan 2025 · Parking: Town Centres · Hansard source

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  I agree with my hon. Friend, because town centre accessibility is really quite difficult. We do not have a tram system or any local trains; we only have a bus service, which can be ad hoc at times. Consequently, I welcome the new consultation period that Richard Parker, our Labour mayor, has suggested. This is not the time to increase parking charges, because, as has been said before, parking remains a critical lifeline for many high streets, especially for those customers on low incomes in Dudley and elsewhere. Rising parking charges are pushing customers away from Dudley town centre and into out-of-town retail parks such as Merry Hill, which have free parking, and encouraging them to shop online. It is crucial that we consider the long-term impact of these charges for traders and local small and medium-sized enterprises; they are the backbone of the economy. On a recent walk around Dudley town centre, I counted up to 35 empty shops. A staggering amount of those shops struggled due to austerity measures, the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

• 14 Jan 2025 · Parking: Town Centres · Hansard source

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  Yes, I do, and a long-standing trader in my constituency, Christine Bosworth, also agrees. She has been operating for the last 13 years in a craft shop and she shared with me some really poignant points that I would like to share. Christine said that there has been a really big drop in footfall in the constituency and in the town centre, and that it is an “eye-opener” that there now is a lack of accessibility to the town centre. The nearest car park is unusable and too expensive, while cheaper options are too far away for elderly and disabled people to use. Traders tied into long leases face mounting pressures to ensure that people can access the town centre. Changes have been made without proper consultation and risk further eroding the vibrancy of our historic town centre. Bruno Coppola, manager of the Churchill shopping centre in Dudley, has shared concerns with me about the impact that the charges have on local businesses. Many traders have faced challenges for many years, including with covid-19.

• 14 Jan 2025 · Parking: Town Centres · Hansard source

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  I agree 100% with my hon. Friend, whose opinions I really respect. Parking charges have become a cash cow. It is absolutely absurd that councils across the country, including Dudley council, have implemented them. We need to think about how to drive footfall, not reduce it, in our town centres. I feel like we are robbing Peter so Paul can cut a ribbon. Clearly, there is a fair balance to be struck between generating revenue through parking charges and ensuring the vibrancy and accessibility of town centres, but too many authorities are not getting that balance right.

• 14 Jan 2025 · Parking: Town Centres · Hansard source

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  An hour’s free parking is one of the proposals that I have put forward to the leader of my local council. If somebody wants to grab a coffee in the town centre, they do not want to pay a parking charge, then get their coffee and leave. That is only driving business out. As I was saying, Bruno and a number of traders around the town centre told me that it is not just Dudley town centre that is being affected; the same thing is happening in many other town centres across the country. The additional problem with my town centre is disruption from the ongoing construction work around the main transport area, which is affecting the bus service and the tram line, so more people are being forced to use their cars.

• 14 Jan 2025 · Parking: Town Centres · Hansard source

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  I agree with my hon. Friend. The contractors need to look at what they are doing in the town centres and where that money is going—back into the economy, local businesses and to residents. The future of the high street relies on the ability to adapt and offer a range of experiences that draw people in—not just through retail but through leisure and community activities such as health, alongside the accessibility of services. I asked my council to reconsider its approach to parking charges. It is important that we strike the right balance that allows for continued access and vibrancy of our towns, which underpin our businesses. In Dudley, the proposed increase in parking charges hurts not just traders but local residents who rely on car access due to the lack of alternative public transport options. For instance, students from low-income backgrounds who rely on their cars to get to the a learning or development centre will be forced to reconsider studies if the cost of parking becomes too burdensome. Those are students who want to upskill and contribute to the local economy, yet they face the prospect of being priced out of an education by those parking charges. In addition, the students and local residents who visit the leisure centre for their health and wellbeing will also feel the pinch. Many use the facilities regularly; I spoke to an 80-year-old member of the leisure centre who said it was a vital lifeline for socialising and community connection. The proposed charges would essentially double the cost of membership for every daily user, impacting the very fabric of our community. If the parking charges are to continue, they should be reinvested into the community and businesses alike, providing a sustainable model for traders where businesses and residents reap the benefits. Each town will need its own unique solution depending on its size and needs. The implementation of those solutions must be relative to the scale of the problem of each town, and the voice of the community should be at the heart of all decisions. A thorough consultation should be conducted prior to the implementation of any charges made to a town centre. Let us treat car parking not as a peripheral issue, but as an integral component of a broader strategy for future town planning and revitalising our town centres.

• 14 Jan 2025 · Parking: Town Centres · Hansard source

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  I beg to move, That this House has considered the matter of parking in town centres. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Furniss. I rise to voice concerns about increased parking fees. Local authorities across the country are trying to claw their way out of financial difficulties by increasing parking fees and in my constituency, Dudley council has implemented such changes, which have been subject to much debate. Our high streets and leisure centres are the heart of our communities. They provide social and economic value for residents in Dudley and across the UK, but in recent years we have seen too many once-thriving high streets fail. Successive Governments have attempted to reverse the trend by introducing grant funding for high street improvements, business improvement districts, empty shop strategies and business rate relief—the list goes on—but many of those measures were required only because of mistakes in development policy over the past 14 years. Council budgets have been eroded, forcing councils to make impossible decisions, and the previous Government’s levelling-up funding seems contradictory in hindsight. Ultimately, it is local people who are suffering. Luckily, many councils have learned from those mistakes and proactively avoided developments that undermine the viability of high streets, but the rise of internet shopping has continued to drive shoppers from our historic towns, and long-standing traders in Dudley have suffered.

• 9 Jan 2025 · Violence against Women and Girls · Hansard source

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  I thank all those who have contributed to this powerful debate. Violence against women and girls is a grave issue that urgently demands our attention and action. It is a distressing reality that countless women and girls across the UK continue to live in fear and face unacceptable violence. However, the digital era has led to a new arena for abuse, with the rise of online emotional abuse, emotional blackmail, harassment, pressure and coercion to send sexual images, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and technologies such as deepfakes presenting urgent challenges. Perpetrators are exploiting digital technology to escalate abuse online to the real world. Most worryingly, abuse is now faceless. I will highlight online abuse in this debate. In deepfakes and synthetic media, a person’s likeness is manipulated to create false and often explicit content, which is weaponised. It is disproportionately women and girls who are affected. Our 2023 report found that 98% of deepfake videos are pornographic, and 99% of victims are women. The recent Ofcom report sheds further light on the scale of the problem. Alarmingly, one in seven adults reports having seen sexual deepfakes. Even more troublingly, 17% of adults thought that deepfakes depicted someone under the age of 18. Those figures expose the harrowing reach of this technology and its potential harm to women, girls and young children. The report also highlights a critical gap in awareness. Nine per cent of adults say that they are not confident that they could identify a deepfake. I welcome the Government’s recent announcement on criminalising the creation of explicit deepfakes without consent. However, legislation is not enough. Ofcom’s report underscores the need for a co-ordinated response involving Government, tech companies and civil society to tackle the issue. Developing tools to detect and remove harmful content is absolutely vital, as is ensuring that law enforcement agencies act swiftly to get the images removed. Education is equally important. Many victims are unaware of the risks, and public awareness campaigns can play a vital role in empowering individuals to recognise and report harmful content. Education is not just for the victims, but for young people, young men and men in society. Additionally, we must work with educators to ensure that we have the digital literacy to safely navigate the changing landscape. While technology brings tremendous benefits to our lives, its misuse should not disproportionately affect women and girls. Legislation like that recently announced by the Government is a vital step forward, but it must be accompanied by systemic change and cultural awareness to ensure that all individuals, including all women and girls, can live free from fear and abuse, online and offline.

• 17 Dec 2024 · Musculoskeletal Conditions · Hansard source

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  I beg to move, That this House has considered the diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal conditions. I am grateful for the opportunity to have this debate. As chair of the all-party parliamentary group on osteoporosis and bone health, and as an advanced practice physiotherapist and first-contact practitioner, musculoskeletal health is my speciality. I am here to discuss the provisions needed to improve the diagnosis and management of MSK conditions. My experience as an advanced practice physiotherapist is very much autonomous. I do not think many people know that physiotherapists work from paediatrics all the way to elderly care—from nursery all the way to palliative care. Most people do not know the work of a first-contact practitioner, which is a new service in which physiotherapists work with GPs to diagnose, assess and refer to secondary care, if needed. I was part of that vital service at Dudley Group hospitals, so I declare my interest as working on the bank there. MSK physiotherapists work not only across hospitals and primary care but also in tertiary care. They work in fracture clinics, rheumatology, pain management and A&E. Not many people realise what we do. MSK physiotherapists are the specialists and experts in musculoskeletal diagnosis. That could include referring people for X-rays to look for suspicion of fractures or for MRI scans to look for sinister pathology, a differential diagnosis, masqueraders that look like Pancoast tumours, metastases or spinal or multi-joint cysts. Along with ultrasounds, guiding injections and prescribing, the scope of physiotherapists has expanded year on year, to a point where they are now specialising and moving their practice on to do simple surgeries, such as carpal tunnel releases. I look not only from a diagnostic point of view but at the importance of managing MSK conditions, including in respect of rehabilitation.

• 17 Dec 2024 · Musculoskeletal Conditions · Hansard source

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  Of course. One of the things MSK physiotherapists look at is spinal fractures, 70% of which happen in the thoracic spine, generally in older women who have had poor bone health. It is essential to look after bone health from a really early age, while women are in their 40s, so that when they are older, in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, they are on the right medication and doing bone health exercises to help for the future. For MSK conditions and osteoporosis, physiotherapists are essential. Spinal fractures are very often undiagnosed, and those who suffer spinal fractures as they get older are more likely then to have a hip fracture, after which the mortality rate becomes really high. My hon. Friend makes a very good point. Let me explain why MSK physiotherapists and MSK care are so important. By 2035, two thirds of the population are expected to have two or more long-term conditions, which include MSK conditions. Versus Arthritis reports: “Arthritis and related musculoskeletal conditions affect 20.3 million people in the UK.” That means that one in six people has arthritis, which is a staggering amount. MSK conditions cost the NHS £5 billion a year, accounting for one in five GP appointments, 1.6 million hospital admissions and 30 million prescriptions a year. People with low confidence who feel that they cannot manage their conditions are more likely to attend hospital, while those who are most confident with long-term conditions have 38% fewer hospital admissions. That is what we can do for the economy, but this issue is also about first-contact practitioners, as I mentioned at the beginning. With first-contact practitioners, we can save so many GP appointments. It is part of the long-term plan, which has been created to improve the impact on GP care and allied health professions that work in general practice. Working adults with MSK conditions are twice as likely to be economically inactive compared with those with long-term conditions. Of the people who are economically inactive due to ill health, 21% report having MSK conditions. It is about not just health but the economy and the wellbeing of the society that we are hopefully building together now that we are in government. It is really important that we look at this issue in a holistic way. MSK conditions affect not just affect somebody’s mental health but their relationships and how they build them. They affect whether they can get into bed and sleep well, as well as their sleep hygiene. Perhaps a person eats poorly because they cannot get out, so they put on lots of weight. A person’s emotions, self-esteem and ability to work can be affected. I do not believe there is a silver bullet or that if we manage MSK conditions it will just fix one part. It has to be effective in respect of all the facets of somebody’s general wellbeing. We cannot tackle waiting lists and return people to work without that, and we need a strong workforce to plough back into the economy. It is incredibly important for people to understand that it is about holistic management and how we can improve health literacy and self-efficacy for people with MSK conditions. I came to this debate to talk about solutions, as I am a solution-led person. We need to recognise the allied health professions in the NHS and build a workforce for MSK physios. That includes not just MSK physios but paramedics, podiatrists and every single person in the 14 allied health professions, all of which help to build resilience in the NHS, reduce waiting lists and build a healthier society. MSK assessments need to happen from day one in nursery. We cannot expect paediatrics or care to be delivered well if we wait until the future, look back and say, “We should have done a better job when that person was younger.” If we looked at MSK conditions from day one—early in a child’s development and in their early years of support—there would not be a massive impact on society later in that person’s life because of having to do delayed diagnosis with multiple appointments and to look after their general wellbeing. We also need to embed into society notions of what good health looks like from day one. That includes keeping active, going to classes and going to rehabilitation. We need a bigger awareness campaign about what being well looks like. It should not just be that the person leaves school and that is it; it needs to be lifelong. In the same way that people do continuous professional development, they should learn what looking after their body entails, and that should be translated into health policy. We also need to increase the scope of physiotherapists’ practice. At the moment, they do not do DEXA scans, but they look at bone health in every other way. We look at X-rays, and work in fracture clinics, rehabilitation and trauma orthopaedics, but we do not look at the full picture of bone health. Will the Minister consider inputting that in future? We need to increase the roll-out of community appointment days. We must provide same-day services for patients, including assessments, advice, health promotion and rehabilitation, and the community and volunteer sectors should provide support in a non-medicalised environment. If somebody has shoulder, knee or back pain, there should be a one-stop shop where they can be assessed appropriately, and they can then move on and get the right care at the right time. We also need to put community care services on high streets and in places of worship. There are people who are not getting access, and there are massive health inequalities, so how do we promote care and health in difficult-to-reach communities? I would love to see care being put into places of worship and other locations people do not normally think of. I very much welcome the fact that the Government are already moving away from hospital care. We also need to increase the number of first-contact practitioner places. A consultation with an FCP physio is £30 cheaper than the traditional GP-led pathway. MSK issues are one of the most common reasons to visit GPs, accounting for about 20% to 30% of appointments. Will the Minister meet me to discuss more of the solutions that I think need to be put forward to manage MSK issues? Would he be happy to visit my constituency to look at our fracture liaison service? I hope we will continue to fund that and that the service will be rolled out nationally.

• 17 Dec 2024 · Musculoskeletal Conditions · Hansard source

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  I agree with the hon. Gentleman. I have worked in paediatrics where many patients get diagnosed late and suffer with late onset. That affects their whole life from the beginning, including their ability to get involved with physical activity and to build relationships, or their mental health and sleeping patterns. Getting an early diagnosis is one of the solutions I want to put forward. I would like the Minister to consider involving physiotherapists from early on, at nursery stage, to find out why we are not picking up MSK conditions from a really young age so that we can provide health and wellbeing from day one.

• 28 Nov 2024 · Community Wealth Fund: Dudley · Hansard source

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  Given that Russells Hall in Dudley ranks on the local index in the top 2% of areas with the greatest need and that nearly half of working-age residents rely on benefits, will the Minister confirm what steps the Government will be taking to target places like mine that are doubly disadvantaged?

• 28 Nov 2024 · Community Wealth Fund: Dudley · Hansard source

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  4. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure the community wealth fund supports communities in Dudley constituency.

• 20 Nov 2024 · Apprenticeships and T-Levels · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure and an honour to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher. I thank the right hon. Member for East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) for securing this important debate on the pivotal role of apprenticeships and T-levels in our national industrial strategy. As we face a significant skills gap, particularly in science, technology, engineering and maths fields, those pathways are critical for equipping our workforce with the expertise needed to drive innovation and economic growth. T-levels and apprenticeships bridge the gap between education and the workplace, combining classroom learning and practical experience. T-levels provide substantial industrial placements, while apprenticeships enable individuals to earn while they gain real-world skills. Together they address shortages in key sectors, such as manufacturing, construction, healthcare and beauty, ensuring that students are job ready from day one. Dudley College of Technology in my constituency exemplifies excellence in this area. The college offers a wide range of T-levels across many disciplines, blending academic and practical learning. Its commitment to apprenticeships is equally impressive, with over 4,000 apprenticeships supported through strong partnerships with local businesses. Those collaborations ensure that training meets industry needs and contributes to regional economic growth. The STEM sector remains the heart of the industrial strategy but continues to face persistent skills shortages. Apprenticeships and T-levels are vital to addressing those challenges and building a workforce equipped for careers in science, technology, engineering and maths. Institutions such as Dudley Tech play a key role in closing the gap, but we must focus on diversity in STEM. Women make up only 27% of STEM workers, but 52% of the country’s wider workforce. Meanwhile, only 12% of STEM workers, compared with 19% in the wider workforce, come from ethnic minority backgrounds. We will not see improvement unless we address this matter head on and break down barriers to apprenticeships and T-levels. Measures by the previous Government were ineffective, with females aged 16 to 29 making up only 29% of the STEM workforce—a mere 1% more than the generation before them. Under-representation of women, minorities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds remains a barrier to unlocking the country’s true economic and technological potential on the global stage. Making apprenticeships and T-levels more accessible will attract a broader range of talent, enriching the STEM workforce and fostering innovation. In conclusion, we must make apprenticeships and T-levels more accessible to attract a broader range of talent, particularly in STEM, and further promote their uptake to diverse audiences. By fostering partnerships between educational institutions such as Dudley Tech and industry, we can create a more skilled environment for all.

• 18 Nov 2024 · Armed Forces Commissioner Bill · Hansard source

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  With Armistice Day just one week behind us, and with respect and admiration for veterans, service personnel and their families still fresh in the public consciousness, it is only fitting that we speak about a Bill that will improve the quality of life in service and ensure that our military personnel receive the respect and support that they deserve. It is widely known that our armed forces face record levels of low morale and a crisis in recruitment and retention, with only four in 10 service members satisfied with a life in service—and who can blame them? In 2022, 163 service family accommodation homes were left without heating for over five days during the Christmas period, and only 27% of personnel were satisfied with maintenance responses. While most service family accommodation is officially rated as “decent”, independent reviews highlight serious issues, with many families enduring poor repairs. Our armed forces deserve better. Addressing those issues is not a luxury but a necessity. It is simply unacceptable that in 2021 nearly 62% of female service personnel and veterans reported experiences of bullying, harassment, discrimination and, in rare cases, even worse. Those numbers speak for themselves, and our structures are not working. What measures will the Government use to evaluate the success of the armed forces commissioner in addressing welfare issues, and how will they ensure that personnel see tangible improvements in their day-to-day lives as a result? Will the commissioner have a role in overseeing the support provided to those who have served during their transition to civilian life to ensure that their welfare is not neglected? Our service personnel and their families continue to sacrifice in the name of our freedom, so it is only right that we provide them with the support and respect that they deserve. The weekend before last, I attended a memorial service in my constituency of Dudley. I was proud to see how many people turned out to pay their respects and thank the servicemen and women, past and present, who have given so much to our country. In particular, I thank the people of the Lower Gornal Royal British Legion and the many dedicated veterans and volunteers who dutifully maintain our heritage, including those of All Saints church in Sedgley. As the people of Dudley pay their respects to our veterans and service personnel of the past, it is only right that we ensure that the right quality of service is given to the armed forces of the present. The Bill, by creating the role of armed forces commissioner, provides us with a crucial opportunity to address those deep-seated issues. It is not just about improving conditions; it is also about fundamentally changing the culture within our armed forces. Our servicemen and women deserve nothing less than our respect, support and gratitude for all the support they have given us and the service they provide.

• 14 Nov 2024 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  The UK’s industrial strategy relies on closing the skills gap, but women and ethnic minorities remain significantly under-represented in science, technology, engineering and maths education and careers. Dudley College of Technology in my constituency is leading the way in providing technical skills and innovation training. Will the Leader of the House grant time for a debate on improving access and inclusion in STEM, to ensure that our workforce reflects the diversity we will need for our future economic success?

• 4 Nov 2024 · Income Tax (Charge) · Hansard source

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  Every child deserves access to quality, tailored education, and this Budget will better equip schools and early years settings to deliver it. In Dudley, 14% of children and young people have SEND support, which is 2 percentage points higher than the average. The Government are investing £1 billion in SEND, which is crucial and a welcome step towards a more inclusive future for all children. SEND funding is not just investment in education; it is a foundation for a compassionate society where every child can thrive. This Budget is not just about education; it is about other public services too, including the NHS. Our NHS is the bedrock of community wellbeing, and additional funding is critical to address the increasing demand from an ageing population and the lasting effects of the pandemic. At the Dudley Group NHS foundation trust, nearly 50,000 people are waiting to start treatment, with only 57% of those patients seen within 18 weeks, compared with the NHS target of 92%. Those delays place a heavy burden on families and individuals alike. By investing in primary care, mental health services and essential technological upgrades, we are equipping the NHS to reduce waiting times and improve service delivery, which will not only improve individuals’ lives, but reinforce the workforce and productivity. Dudley College of Technology’s centre for advanced manufacturing and engineering technology is perfectly positioned to lead the way in bridging the skills gap. It will anchor the industrial strategy and train the next generation in high-skilled jobs, transforming Dudley into a hub where tradition meets innovation. Through these investments, Dudley can become a central player in the UK’s journey to sustainable growth, bolstering our economy and creating high-paid jobs that attract talent. After years of stagnant growth, it is time to push forward with this Budget.

• 31 Oct 2024 · Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill (Third sitting) · Hansard source

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  Clause 1 offers a comprehensive overview of the Bill’s structure, laying the foundations for essential protections across public venues. The Bill introduces a two-tier system, distinguishing between “standard duty” and “enhanced duty” premises, based on venue size. That tiered approach ensures that venues expecting 200 to 799 attendees may face manageable requirements, if needed, focusing on basic but effective protective measures that respect available resources. Meanwhile, venues expecting more than 800 attendees are subject to higher standards, proportionate to the risk. Witnesses such as Matt Jukes, assistant commissioner for specialist operations in the Metropolitan police, said that “the proposed measures in the Bill…are proportionate, and highly likely to be effective.” –– [ Official Report, Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Public Bill Committee, 29 October 2024; c. 29.] Another witness, Keith Stevens, the chair of the National Association of Local Councils, talked about the village halls where many parish and town councils meet, and was pleased that the threshold has now been lifted to 200 because that is proportionate. Those and other witness statements demonstrate that the balance of measures in the Bill will help prevent small venues from becoming overburdened, aligned with the Government’s commitment to proportionality and public safety. By providing clear and adaptable guidelines, clause 1 provides an overview to the Bill that enables venues to enhance security in ways that suit their unique operational needs, promoting safer and more resilient public services across the UK.

• 30 Oct 2024 · Childcare: Black Country · Hansard source

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  I agree with the hon. Gentleman. Intervention is so necessary at early ages. If we catch children early, we can help their future development as they move from early years into schools, and if we help their development we can make sure that they succeed in the future. It is about not just the availability of care, but the quality of care. Quality is just as critical as availability. Among 28 local providers inspected by Ofsted, only 7% received an outstanding rating, compared with the national average of 14%. Although most providers were rated good, Dudley still lags behind the national quality standards. Since 2022, rising costs have strained early years funding, making it difficult for childcare providers to maintain higher standards. Labour’s commitment to increase funding and expand access to vital services is essential for families that deserve and need them. Rising poverty and inequality make those childcare challenges even tougher. In Dudley, child poverty rose from 22% in 2014 to 32% in 2023, while, across the UK, the rate rose from 15% to 20% over the same period. For local families under financial pressures, finding affordable childcare is significantly challenging. Department for Education data from 2023 shows that although 72% of mothers are working, nearly half of non-working mothers say that they would work if they had access to convenient and affordable childcare. For families with children under four, that number rises to 54%. With limited childcare options, many parents, particularly mothers, are forced to stay outside work, adding to family stresses and limiting the local economy. Labour pledges to offer free quality childcare for children aged two to four, which will help parents to manage costs and allow more people to return to work. I welcome Labour’s promise to open 300 more nurseries within the year and use empty school classrooms to meet the demand for more childcare spaces, which are very much needed in places such as Dudley and the Black Country. By covering up to 80% of childcare costs for qualifying families, Labour’s plan to offer meaningful relief for working parents will help to build a foundation of support for children in the future. Investing in early years education benefits not just families, but the entire economy. Studies show that universal childcare brings more parents, especially mothers, into the workforce, generating tax revenues that can help to cover programme costs. The Centre for Progressive Policy estimates that inadequate childcare access costs the UK about 1% of GDP a year. Imagine the positive effect that this would have in places such as Dudley if more parents could work with affordable, reliable childcare in place. Research from Ofsted highlights the significant role that early years education plays in lifelong learning and development. Its “Best start in life” report outlines four critical areas—literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts and design—that provide young children with the foundation for academic and personal success. As we look to the future, I urge the Minister to prioritise childcare reform and ensure that it matches local need. I have the following asks. How will the Government address the persistent childcare deserts in areas such as Dudley, where places fall below the average? With child poverty rising, what specific measures will the Government put in place to ensure that families in financial hardship can access childcare, especially in places such as Dudley? How will the Government support childcare providers who face inflation-driven costs that continue to rise and that are a burden on the provision of good-quality care? Will the Minister visit the constituency of Dudley to see what the childcare provisions are and the areas where improvement could be made? We need a childcare system that strengthens our communities, supports our economy and ensures that every child has the chance to succeed. Quality depends on not just childcare, but its accessibility for families—not only for those who can afford it, but for those who need it most. By investing in early years education, we are investing in a stronger and more resilient future for the Black Country and my constituency of Dudley. Let us work together to make quality childcare a reality for every family, giving each child the foundation that they need to thrive and each parent the support that they deserve.

• 30 Oct 2024 · Childcare: Black Country · Hansard source

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  I beg to move, That this House has considered the quality and availability of childcare in the Black Country. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Twigg. It is an honour to introduce this debate. I want to talk about the importance of high-quality and accessible childcare in the Black Country, a region that is rich in history, resilience and community spirit. The Black Country, with areas such as Dudley at its heart, has always been a place where working families thrive, and where communities are built with hard work and strong values. For those families to thrive they need support, and childcare is a crucial part of the network for that. This is not just a family issue; it is also about children’s future in Dudley, our community strength and the local economy. Good affordable childcare supports parents in the workforce, boosts child development and helps build the foundation for a stronger society. As of June 2024, Dudley has 45 registered childcare providers offering about 1,126 places for children under eight. Despite those numbers, much of the Black Country, including Dudley, is classified as a childcare desert. Families in the Black Country have long supported each other through community efforts but now face a lack of critical childcare options, with only 17 places per 100 children in Dudley. Those figures fall far below the national average of 25 per 100. Can Members imagine if every time they needed childcare, three out of every four doors they tried were shut? That lack of access leaves parents with fewer options and waiting longer, forcing them to make tough decisions about work and family care. The Black Country early years education sector faces unique challenges, especially for children with special educational needs and disabilities. The YMCA reports that over a third of children in its Black Country settings—34%—need additional support. That is significantly higher than the 13% in the most affluent areas of the UK, yet there is a shortage of resources, SEND assessments and funding, which limits vital one-on-one and specialist care. Without those early interventions, many children risk falling behind, underscoring the need for more targeted support in our community.