Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life - Statement

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 7:33 pm on 7 July 2025.

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Photo of Baroness Blower Baroness Blower Labour 7:33, 7 July 2025

My Lords, there is so much to welcome in this Statement, and I thank my noble friend for repeating it. I was going to ask about reading for pleasure, but she has just responded to that so brilliantly that I do not need to. I particularly welcome the raising of the status of the workforce. The presumption of inclusion is an absolutely excellent departure. It does of course mean that we have to be very clear that all these things need to be funded and that we need to have ongoing training—one-off training for people will not cut it. If we are going to have the expectation of inclusion, we need that to be part of everyone’s training all through. I am delighted to hear what she said about reading for pleasure.