Supporting those with special educational needs
My view is that no school should be awarded a Good our Oustanding rating unless they provide adequate support for those with Special Educational Needs. Today as part of the Education Select Committee I quizzed the Chief Inspector of Ofsted (the body that scrutinise and assess our schools). I asked a number of questions but perhaps the most important was the one I asked about the extent that they place importance on SEND provision in schools. I have to say I was slightly concerned to find out that under the new Ofsted framework a school can still be awarded a Good or Outstanding classification whilst also having significant deficiencies regarding SEND provision.
Personally I think unless a school can at least meet expectations when it comes to supporting those with special educational needs then they shouldn’t be getting a Good or Outstanding rating. There is much that is good about the new Ofsted framework but its very important that all schools are strongly incentivised to provide first class SEND provision and are properly held to account if they don’t. A number of teachers in Ipswich and parents have raised concerns with me about the way the previous Ofsted framework worked in this respect and the current one needs to be more than just a slight improvement. I will be writing a follow up letter to the Chief Inspector seeking a range of assurances.
Concerns about the open border policy
A number of constituents have contacted me over the past few days with concerns about the open border policy that the Government has adopted during the coronavirus outbreak. I must say I share many of their concerns and today I’ve written to the Home Secretary in order to express them. Many countries have decided to take a different approach and I can well understand that at a time when we’ve all been asked to socially distance and abide by tough lock down restrictions, it’s slightly perplexing to see around 15,000 people every day continuing to enter the country. I understand that this is well down on the average amount of people coming into the country through our airports but it’s still too high and it does concern me that many are coming from countries where there have been strong outbreaks of COVID-19 and very little testing has been done on our borders.
My view is that you should only be able to come to our country at this current time if there is a critical need and it really is “essential”. I appreciate that in the past many food producers have been reliant on seasonal workers from abroad and that some attempts were made to advertise these positions to people who currently live within the country, but there is a question as to whether every effort was made. Clearly having to import labour at this time is far from ideal.
We are eternally grateful to the NHS and Carers for all they are doing
Over the past few weeks a number of constituents have written to me to say that we need to do something to show how thankful we are to all the NHS workers who are working so hard to save the lives of many of our loves ones. Some have suggested a special medal, others have suggested a monument. Clearly there also needs to be a look at the pay and conditions of some of those who work in the NHS and carers once we finally get through this. One way or another I’m very confident that as a society we will find a way of demonstrating unequivocally to all those who work in our NHS how eternally grateful we are for all they are doing Rest assured as your MP I will very much add my voice to the chorus.
Suffolk and Essex hospitals’ debts written off as they tackle coronavirus
I have been written to by the Health Secretary to inform me that just under £200 million will be written off Ipswich and Colchester Hospitals Trust debt. This is good news for Ipswich Hospital.These are unprecedented times and the pressure on resources at our Hospital has never been greater therefore this is a very welcome move by the Government. The sole focus for the leadership at the Trust should be on saving lives and hopefully this move by the Government will give them the confidence to take whatever steps they need to take to save lives without having to worry about the financial sustainability of the Trust in the medium to long term. These are not normal times and I think this was the correct decision for the Government to take. NHS workers at our Hospital continue to preform heroic deeds day in day out at the moment and I was pleased to also be informed today that there has been a big increase in ICU capacity at the Hospital.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanks the NHS for his coronavirus recovery
So glad the Prime Minister has now left hospital. He will be spending the next week or so at the Chequers retreat to build up his strength again and make a full recovery. I have no doubt he will return stronger than ever in the next few weeks. Thank you so much to all the wonderful NHS staff who saved the life of our Prime Minister. Here is a message he has just released 👇
MP OFFICE COSTS STATEMENT
A few constituents have asked me about MP expenses during the coronavirus. Let me make absolutely clear, MP’s have not been awarded £10,000 extra pay. Clearly this would be a massive insult at a time when huge numbers of people across the country are struggling as a direct result of the crisis and if this was the case I would be the first person to label the situation as “disgraceful”. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) which is independent of MP’s, without my knowledge decided to make an extra £10,000 office costs available to MP’s to facilitate the transition to home working and to help communicate key information relating to COVID-19 to constituents. The feeling being that many MP’s need to have access to certain IT equipment to continue to provide services to constituents at a time when many offices have been closed, printers, laptops etc. As it happens I will not be accessing this money, both myself and my staff already have adequate access to IT equipment to carry on providing the same level of service to constituents. There is a printer in my Ipswich office so if necessary we can go to the office print/scan. My view is that increasing the office cost allowance by £10,000 is a little unnecessary but it was a decision taken by others and is beyond my control all I can do is account for my own office expenses. I have to say though I strongly object to the way this has been portrayed in the media. Its irresponsible journalism pitting people against each other at a time when we should be coming together to support each other.
I appreciate MPs are held in pretty low regard by many but its slightly frustrating to be accused of pocketing thousands of pounds by people who as a result of questionable journalism don’t seem to be fully aware of the facts. Like other MP’s since the outbreak of the coronavirus I have seen a significant increase in the number of constituents contacting me for help and advice and my number one priority is making sure I do everything I can to support them.
Prime Minister’s illness shows how dangerous coronavirus can be
Covered quite a few issues in my Ipswich Star column this week. The Prime Minister’s recovery, the need to keep public parks open but also hold to account the small minority who are flouting social distancing rules and endangering us all. Beautiful weather this weekend, by all means enjoy your daily exercise but otherwise please stay home and follow the guidelines. Very difficult I know but its a must.
£750 million fund to support the charitable sector
Following yesterday’s announcement by Government that there will be a £750 million fund to support the charitable sector today I wrote to every single charity in Ipswich encouraging them to get in contact with me if there is anything they think I might be able to do to support them. Yesterday’s announcement was welcome but crucial questions remain and its vital that this money gets to the charities who need it the most ASAP. There are a huge number of charities carrying out invaluable work often with highly vulnerable people across Town and as a result of the coronavirus many face an uncertain future due to the way in which their fundraising activity has been negatively impacted. As I said yesterday I’m glad that half of the £750 million is being reserved for small local charities that work with vulnerable people.
April Covid-19 Update
Here is an update about some of the amazing services that are available in our area to help you through this difficult time.
I know many of you still have a lot of questions surrounding Covid-19. I am working hard to keep everyone updated so please contact me if you have any further questions.
Talking with Tom Update
About two weeks ago I launched “Talking with Tom” so constituents can get in touch and fine a time to talk. This is particularly focused at anyone who is lonely due to self-isolation and it is for this reason why I have worked with AGE UK Suffolk to publicise it. I’ve had many chats with constituents over the past couple of weeks and have really enjoyed it so please do get in touch if you’d like to have a chat or if you know of anyone who might be interested. Frankly at times its felt that I’ve been benefiting from it as much as the people I’ve been calling especially following my own self-isolation last week. I am busy with emails etc but I have plenty of time to talk to you so please don’t hold back, email me on: tom.hunt.mp@parliament.uk or call me on: 01473 599 155 to set up a time to talk.