Results 61–80 of 2000 for (in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates') speaker:Catherine McKinnell

Finance (No. 2) Bill (29 Mar 2023)

Catherine McKinnell: The Chancellor heralded these proposals two weeks ago as “a Budget for growth”, and thank goodness, after 13 years of a stagnating economy and with the OECD confirming that we are the only G20 economy that will shrink this year, with the exception of Russia—what a record. It is completely shameful. I want to talk about the proposals on childcare and the extension of the free childcare...

Finance (No. 2) Bill (29 Mar 2023)

Catherine McKinnell: I thank the right hon. Gentleman for raising his concern. That is just one of a number of complexities in the childcare system that are holding parents back. Adding more complexity in the system, which I fear some of these reforms will do, will only compound those problems. Parents, who are so busy, so stressed and so under pressure trying to work and bring up their children, are having to...

Finance (No. 2) Bill (29 Mar 2023)

Catherine McKinnell: I think there are many contradictions in the Government proposals, and I am attempting to set them out here. I admire the ambition, but I fear the reality does not match it. I would be interested if the Minister were able to shed some light on some of these issues when he sums up the debate. I also want to focus on wraparound care. We know the crisis in childcare does not stop when a child...

Budget Resolutions and Economic Situation - Income Tax (Charge) (21 Mar 2023)

Catherine McKinnell: It is an honour to follow the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Elliot Colburn), a fellow member of the Petitions Committee. After the chaos of the past few years, the Budget was the Government’s chance to show that they would govern for everyone and end the divisive rhetoric and politics that hold our country back. Sadly, it was an opportunity missed, because although some of the...

Budget Resolutions and Economic Situation - Income Tax (Charge) (21 Mar 2023)

Catherine McKinnell: I would be delighted if the Secretary of State could demonstrate that his Department knows where the places are that he is talking about. Is he aware of Government advertising boasting about levelling-up funding for the Grainger market in Newcastle that was advertised in Newcastle-upon-Lyme?

Labour Market Activity (28 Feb 2023)

Catherine McKinnell: When we look at the financial reality for millions of people up and down the country, it is clear to see why we are struggling to maintain a workforce in Britain today. The system for working people is broken and urgently needs to be fixed. We can take the cost and availability of childcare as just one example. The Women’s Budget Group has highlighted that 1.7 million women are prevented...

Northern Ireland Protocol (27 Feb 2023)

Catherine McKinnell: This agreement is clearly welcome, but the Prime Minister must recognise that the Government’s approach prior to this point caused damaging uncertainty, put Britain’s reputation at risk, and undermined business confidence. He must want to do everything possible to make amends for that. The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill continues to generate massive uncertainty with its...

Defence: Military Procurement Standards (30 Jan 2023)

Catherine McKinnell: The Secretary of State will be aware of growing concerns about the impact of delays and the management of defence programmes on our defence readiness. What specifically is he doing to ensure that the UK will meet our UK NATO obligations in full?

Treasury: Levelling Up Communities: Fiscal Steps (20 Dec 2022)

Catherine McKinnell: One way the Government could level up low-income families with young children is through healthy start vouchers. This year, I have tabled four written questions asking what the take-up rate of that scheme has been since digitisation in April, but the Government have been unable to give me an answer, despite the fact that we are eight months on and in the middle of a cost of living crisis. How...

Child Bed Poverty — [Ian Paisley in the Chair] (19 Dec 2022)

Catherine McKinnell: I thank hon. Friends who have contributed to the debate, both from the Labour Front Bench and Back Benches. I would thank the Minister for his response, but I expected more. It is very concerning that the Government do not seem to recognise that there is an issue, nor commit to understanding the extent of that issue. All we have heard is a list of actions that they are apparently undertaking,...

Child Bed Poverty — [Ian Paisley in the Chair] (19 Dec 2022)

Catherine McKinnell: I want to challenge the Minister on his statement. I did not say that the Government were a bystander; I said that they were not a bystander on this issue and they have the power to do something about it. The concern is that, for everything the Government may be doing, they are also the architect of the problem. That is my view and the view of many in this area. I appreciate all the...

Child Bed Poverty — [Ian Paisley in the Chair] (19 Dec 2022)

Catherine McKinnell: I beg to move, That this House has considered e-petition 604509, relating to child bed poverty. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Paisley. The petition asks the Government to bring an end to child bed poverty by creating a national sleep strategy. It states: “Bed poverty is affecting educational outcomes for children across the UK A national sleep strategy must resource...

Child Bed Poverty — [Ian Paisley in the Chair] (19 Dec 2022)

Catherine McKinnell: I agree with everything that my hon. Friend said. The fact that she has that statistic is progress in itself, because one of the big challenges is that we do not know the level of this form of poverty. It is a hidden truth that many households simply cannot afford to provide each child with a bed of their own. On speaking to families with the lived experience of bed poverty, I heard some...

Child Bed Poverty — [Ian Paisley in the Chair] (19 Dec 2022)

Catherine McKinnell: The Government definitely need to think outside the box and take responsibility for this issue, and I will come to why. My hon. Friend points to what the charitable sector has been doing, working with local bed manufacturers that are solving the problem in very localised ways, but this is a national issue and it needs a national response. That is the point that the Government really need to...

Ukraine (14 Nov 2022)

Catherine McKinnell: On defence spending—I do not believe that this has yet come up in the debate—Putin is clearly using propaganda as a serious weapon in this battle, and it is one that we all have an interest in countering. It would be helpful if the Minister, in summing up, could give some reassurance that the UK is committed to the counter-disinformation unit and working in collaboration with the Foreign,...

Ukraine (14 Nov 2022)

Catherine McKinnell: I absolutely agree that, as the winter sets in, there are clearly some additional challenges presented. One of those will inevitably be holding together our western unity in the face of rising inflation and a very challenging energy situation. Will the Government comment on what steps they are taking to ensure that the UK does its part, but we manage to stand side by side with NATO allies and...

Early Years Childcare: Staff-Child Ratios — [Carolyn Harris in the Chair] (14 Nov 2022)

Catherine McKinnell: I thank the Minister for that response. It did not necessarily answer the question, or give a firm response to the petitioners, but I am heartened to hear that there is a listening tone on this issue, because it is so important that it is looked at in the round. I thank everyone who contributed to the debate; I know it means a huge amount to those who signed the petition, and to Zoe and...

Early Years Childcare: Staff-Child Ratios — [Carolyn Harris in the Chair] (14 Nov 2022)

Catherine McKinnell: I beg to move, That this House has considered e-petition 615623, relating to staff-child ratios in early years childcare. It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Ms Harris. The petition, which was signed by more than 109,000 petitioners, states: “The Government should not reduce the existing adult-child childcare ratios as has been suggested. There are surely better ways to reduce...

Early Years Childcare: Staff-Child Ratios — [Carolyn Harris in the Chair] (14 Nov 2022)

Catherine McKinnell: I agree with everything that the hon. Lady said. She put succinctly what I am about to say at much greater length. For Oliver’s mum and dad, early years experts, the 109,000 people angry enough about the issue to sign the petition and, I suspect, most parents, these vital regulations help to protect the safety of children. I think everyone will agree that providing childcare comes with...

Early Years Childcare: Staff-Child Ratios — [Carolyn Harris in the Chair] (14 Nov 2022)

Catherine McKinnell: I absolutely agree. I will go into more detail on the potential impact of the changes on the mental health, wellbeing and development of children, but there is a much broader point about the mental health of the childcare workforce, who will have to manage additional stress and responsibility, and of parents, who have expressed their concerns and anxiety about the changes. When a parent puts...


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