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Health and Education

My hon. Friend drew on her experiences from the miners strike. She focused in particular on her campaign for women and child care, which I know she will continue during her time in the House. My hon. Friend the Member for West Lancashire (Rosie Cooper) brought her front-line experiences of the health service to the debate, and pledged to continue to campaign to improve health services in her constituency and across the country. My hon. Friend the Member for Dundee, West (Mr. McGovern) talked about how his constituency is a university town and has benefited from the Government’s education policies. In particular, I enjoyed the speech of my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, South (Ms Butler), who, in succeeding Paul Boateng, will contribute in months to come to ensuring that her constituency has a strong representation in Parliament. Her focus on skills as an agent of regeneration is something to which I am committed. As a Government, we intend to ensure that skills transform opportunities for all young people and adults. My hon. Friend the Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch (Meg Hillier) welcomed the new city academies, bringing aspiration to people in her community. The city academy programme can do an enormous amount to transform opportunities for the most disadvantaged children in the most deprived areas. I look forward to working with her on that agenda over the months to come. My hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, North (Ms Johnson) mentioned the contribution that Hull has made to improving school meals for children in the city. That is another way in which we can do an enormous amount to ensure that children benefit from healthy living. My hon. Friend the Member for City of Durham (Dr. Blackman-Woods) noted how unemployment had halved in Durham since the Government came to power. We had a strong contribution from my long-standing friend, my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Ms Thornberry). I learned much more about her constituency than the common perception that normally prevails. I wish her well and a great future in the House. We also heard from my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Ms Smith), who wanted more 14-to-19 vocational provision. I want to join her in ensuring that we deliver that across the country in the years to come. In the Gracious Speech, we set out a serious programme for government. We want a world-class education system in which every child matters and is helped to reach their full potential.