Wera Hobhouse MP: Early years educators have felt like an afterthought

Ibrought constituents’ concerns to the fore in Parliament. Throughout the pandemic, I have been in contact with Bath’s early education providers, including First Steps Bath, Widcombe Acorns, YMCA Bath City Nursery and Atelier Nursery. They have risen to every challenge thrown at them, including putting their health at risk. But they have felt like an afterthought.

In the debate I secured and led on their behalf, I delivered their message to the minister: “Acknowledge the value of early years education and pay what it costs to deliver it.”

Planning matters so much to us in this city. Space is at a premium and we have a shortage of affordable and social housing. The fact that the Government wants to remove local input into development applications is beyond belief. My constituents and their local representatives understand the needs of our community far better than ministers in Whitehall or developers whose main interest is to make a profit. I told the Government in no uncertain terms: don’t rob communities of their say in planning.

I called for more support for the nation’s hundreds of thousands of young carers. The Children’s Society found that young carers were likely to have significantly lower educational attainment at GCSE level. Carers aged 16 to 18 are twice as likely not to be in education, employment or training, and 45 per cent of carers report mental health problems.

Bath Philharmonia has delivered its unique music-making programme to more than 1,000 young carers, supporting them to play, create and perform original music. The Government must bring forward plans to reform social care. Liberal Democrats have called for an immediate £1,000 per year increase to the carer’s allowance. Those in full-time education should also be eligible.

There are less than 100 days until the UK hosts COP26, the most important climate summit since the 2015 Paris Agreement. This is an opportunity for real change. Instead the Conservatives have scrapped the Green Homes Grant, put forward a Planning Bill denying councils the ability to block new developments for environmental reasons, and failed to set a direction for tackling emissions from heavy industry, shipping and aviation.

From childhood on I have been captivated by the Olympics. They bring us joy and inspiration. Our incredible swimmers at Team Bath have made our city so proud.

Covid cases in Bath still remain high. Please protect others and yourself by having both vaccinations and wearing face coverings when indoors with those you don’t know or in busy settings.