Child Poverty Strategy

Debate between Baggy Shanker and Bridget Phillipson

Monday 8th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Bridget Phillipson]

My hon. Friend has always stood up for children in his community. It is through his election to this place, and the election of a Labour Government, that by the end of this Parliament, we will see the biggest reduction in child poverty numbers since records began.

[Baggy Shanker (Derby South) (Lab/Co-op)]

I welcome the strategy, which will mean that 5,500 children in Derby South will be lifted out of poverty. I particularly welcome changes around temporary accommodation. Does my right hon. Friend agree that no child, whether in Derby or anywhere else in the country, should be brought up in a bed and breakfast?

[Bridget Phillipson]

I agree absolutely. That is why we are taking action to bring those numbers down, to build more social and affordable homes, and to give parents and young people the skills that they need to get good, well paid jobs.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baggy Shanker and Bridget Phillipson

Monday 1st December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Bridget Phillipson]

That is why we have put an extra £1 billion into high needs budgets this year. The capital the right hon. Gentleman so casually dismisses is in order to deliver more specialist places for children closer to home, including in mainstream schools. He must surely recognise that the system we have at the moment just is not working; I have heard from too many parents and too many schools that change is needed. If the Conservatives want to get serious about that change and work constructively on a big challenge we face, I would really welcome that. Sadly, however, we just get these cheap shots all the time.

[Baggy Shanker (Derby South) (Lab/Co-op)]

T8. Earlier this year I met brilliant Derby apprentices at Alstom, who are building their futures as they build the future of our rail. However, persistently low start rates in the east midlands have left too many of our young people missing out on the opportunities that apprenticeships give. What steps is the Secretary of State taking so that young people can start the apprenticeships they need?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baggy Shanker and Bridget Phillipson

Monday 21st July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Bridget Phillipson]

If the hon. Gentleman would write to me, I will look into that further.

[Baggy Shanker (Derby South) (Lab/Co-op)]

T8. Meaningful work experience can be a life changer for our young children, cutting the risk of their being out of education, employment or training. The Derby Promise is hard at work linking schools with employers to raise the aspirations of our young people. Does the Minister agree with me, and does she recognise the valuable work that the Derby Promise delivers in opening doors for young people?