Parliament is back in session after the Christmas recess, and work of representing everyone across Meriden and Solihull East has resumed at pace.
One of the most rewarding moments of the past week came not in Westminster, but through a virtual visit to the University of Warwick. I was delighted to join this year’s cohort of the Leadership for Educational Transformation programme to share some thoughts on the role education will play in rebuilding Ukraine when a just peace comes.
The invitation came from Professor Bo Kelestyn, now a local resident, who founded this programme. It remains the first and only Master’s degree focused specifically on rebuilding Ukraine’s education system, alongside leadership training to support Ukrainian veterans into public service and politics. That such globally significant work is being led from our region is something we should all be immensely proud of.
Our discussion ranged widely but returned to shared challenges. How do we build modern, resilient educational infrastructure in the aftermath of crisis? How do we properly value and support teachers facing relentless workload pressures and concerns over pay and retention? These are questions Ukraine must confront in recovery, but they are also questions we wrestle with here at home. Education is central to opportunity, growth and social cohesion. I remain extremely proud to support the Ukrainian community, both here in the UK and in Ukraine itself.
The Government’s decision this week to consult on banning social media for under-16s is a step in the right direction, but the Government must simply get on and do it.
Across the UK, families are grappling with the consequences of excessive screen time, online bullying and exposure to harmful content. Parents often tell me they feel outpaced by technology and powerless against platforms designed to keep children scrolling. Schools, too, are on the front line, dealing with the fallout of online abuse in classrooms, reduced concentration, and rising anxiety among pupils. This consultation is a vital step towards restoring balance and giving families and schools the backing they need.
Right here at home these issues are not abstract. I have met with parents worried about the pressures their children face online, and with headteachers who see the effects every day on attendance, behaviour and learning. A clear, enforceable framework on social media use for under-16s would make a real difference locally, helping young people focus on education, friendships and healthy development.
Let me be clear: this change in direction from the Government did not happen by accident. Conservatives have long argued for stronger protections for children online. We pushed relentlessly, through Parliament, in the media and alongside campaigners to force the
Government’s hand but the fight continues until this policy becomes law and our children are given the protection they need.
This is about safeguarding childhood, supporting families, and giving schools the space to educate without competing with addictive algorithms. I will continue to make the case until meaningful action is delivered for every child.
