Another busy month in Westminster and across Skipton and Ripon has seen major defence and childcare announcements, as well as funding boosts for local authorities and some fantastic opportunities to visit schools and organisations across the constituency.
At the start of April, Julian welcomed the rollout of the largest ever expansion of childcare in England’s history with eligible working parents of two-year-olds now able to access 15 hours of free childcare per week. Previously, families in England with children aged three to four-years-old were eligible for 30 hours of free childcare for 38 weeks of the year – a total of 1,140 hours per year. However, now, the Government has extended the childcare package so that eligible working parents of two-year-olds can now access 15 hours of childcare support per week. This is just phase one, however, and from September parents with children from the age of nine months until they start school will be able to benefit from 15 hours of free childcare per week. In September next year, this will be expanded again so that parents of children under five will benefit from 30 hours of free childcare per week. In addition to delivering the largest ever childcare expansion, 96 per cent of early education providers are now rated good or outstanding – up from just 68 per cent in 2010.
In a further major shift, the Prime Minister announced that the Government will increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030, totalling an extra £75 billion over the next six years. The last few years have been some of the most turbulent in recent history, with a global pandemic and war in Ukraine and the Middle East putting the international system under incredible strain. In the face of this, the Government have increased defence spending to a record £50 billion a year, including an uplift of £24 billion – the largest single investment in defence since the end of the Cold War. However, the Government is going a step further and pledged to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2030. This will confirm the UK’s place as the biggest defence power in Europe and the second largest in NATO. The significant increase is fully funded, with no increase in borrowing or debt. It is only possible thanks to the firm action taken to drive down inflation and grow the economy.
Closer to home, North Yorkshire Council has been awarded £7,832,021 of funding to ensure children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision (AP) receive the education they deserve. A record £850 million is being invested in councils to create new places for young people with SEND and AP in mainstream and special schools. This will provide specialist support for children with autism, learning difficulties, mobility difficulties and more to meet their extra needs. Since 2010, the Government has opened 108 new special schools, with a further 92 on the way. The £2.6 billion package from 2022 to 2025 marks a tripling in previous levels of investment, delivering 60,000 more special places.
Julian also welcomed the news that five local schools have been awarded funding as part of the 2024-25 round of the Condition Improvement Fund. Grewelthorpe CE Primary School, Holy Trinity CE Junior School, Carleton Endowed CE Primary School, Bradleys Both Community Primary School and Darley Primary School have been included in the latest round, worth £1.8 billion in total, which will see improvements to the condition of buildings and grounds. Provisional funding allocations can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-capital-funding. The funding will support schools to keep buildings safe and in good working order by improving building condition, compliance, energy efficiency and health and safety.
In Glusburn, Julian visited Glusburn Community and Arts Centre to meet staff and volunteers and offer his support for their recent application to the Community Ownership Fund, which would see renovations undertaken to the building. The centre runs a varied programme of events in the Grade 2 listed building, from wellbeing activities and regular classes to live events and theatre. There was also an opportunity to speak to local residents and users of the centre, before a tour of the building to discuss some of the vital work that needs to be done.
Another highlight was his visit to Glasshouses Community Primary School to meet with the leadership team, speak to pupils about his role as their local Member of Parliament, and answer their questions. He was also able to meet with pupils from St Cuthbert’s CE Primary School, who are also part of the Upper Nidderdale Primary Federation. A wide-ranging Q&A with students from the Rights Respecting Pupil Leadership Group included some interesting questions on road safety, with pupils explaining their concerns and their wish for a crossing outside the school.
As usual, Julian has held regular advice surgeries for constituents and would encourage people to write to him at [email protected]
