Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mary Kelly Foy and David Lammy

Wednesday 28th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Mary Kelly Foy (City of Durham) (Lab)]

Q2. Elemore Hall school is a fantastic multi-site provision, supporting more than 200 of County Durham’s vulnerable young people with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Its personalised alternative curriculum centre in Durham caters for 20 key stage 4 pupils, but special educational needs provision in Durham is at crisis point. With an extra school site and PACC extension, Elemore could offer more young people opportunities to thrive locally, saving thousands in costs for alternative provision and taxis. Will the Deputy Prime Minister arrange for a Department for Education Minister to visit the PACC site, and will the Government work with me to support the urgent need for additional school facilities and PACC accommodation, so that young people in Durham can access the education they deserve closer to home?

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

We are focused on fixing the SEN system so that every child, wherever they live, has the support they need to thrive. We will continue our national conversation on reforms. We are also boosting investment into SEN. That includes £200 million to roll out more training for teachers and over £100 million for Durham county council. I am sure that a Minister would be happy to meet my hon. Friend and visit the site at the earliest opportunity.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mary Kelly Foy and David Lammy

Tuesday 11th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Lammy]

That is why we have to put public protection first and there has to be a robust risk assessment. We require the Parole Board in particular to make very sensitive assessments. People cannot leave prison unless we are confident that they will not go on to commit further crimes. That is the assessment we ask the Parole Board and others in the prison system to make.

[Mary Kelly Foy (City of Durham) (Lab)]

9. What recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of lowering the pension age of prison officers.