Debate on funding support for deaf children and young people
17 October 2013
On Thursday 17 October, MPs took part in a debate on a motion relating to funding support for deaf children and young people. This debate was chosen by the Backbench Business Committee following representations from Sir Malcolm Bruce and Mr Stephen Lloyd.
Watch the debate and read the transcript
The debate was the second item of main business on Thursday, following the debate on defence reforms. The debate was opened by Sir Malcolm Bruce.
Watch the debate on Parliament TV and read the views expressed by MPs in Commons Hansard.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on funding support for deaf and young people in the UK
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on funding support for deaf and young people in the UK
Transcripts of proceedings in the House of Commons Chamber are available three hours after they happen in Today’s Commons Debates.
Text of debate motion
The text of the motion moved by Sir Malcolm Bruce was as follows:
"That this House recognises the importance of services for deaf children and young people and acknowledges the wide attainment gap; further recognises that communications support for deaf children and their parents is vital for social development and educational progress; acknowledges that the Government has stated there is an expectation that funding for vulnerable learners is protected, but is concerned about recent evidence uncovered by the National Deaf Children’s Society which shows that in 2013-14 over a third of local authorities plan to cut education services for deaf children; urges the Government to take steps to hold local authorities to account and support parents in doing so, including by asking Ofsted to inspect these vital services, improving access to communication support including sign language, and strengthening the Children and Families Bill currently before Parliament; and further urges the Government to deliver and implement reform of special educational needs."
How the subject was selected
The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee following representations by Sir Malcolm Bruce, Mr Stephen Lloyd at the Committee’s public meeting on the 8 October 2013.
- Parliament TV: Backbench Business Committee on 8 October 2013
- Uncorrected transcript of oral evidence heard on 8 October 2013
Backbench Business Committee
The Backbench Business Committee meets weekly on Tuesdays at 3pm to consider requests for debates from any backbench Members of Parliament on any subject, including those raised in e-petitions or national campaigns.
An MP must make a representation before the Committee for an e-petition or petition to be debated; e-petitions exceeding the Government's 100,000 signature threshold are not automatically allocated backbench time.
The Committee then has to decide how to allocate the limited Parliamentary time it has at its disposal. The Committee's meetings are always conducted in public and can be watched on Parliament TV.