Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central, on January 10th announced her support for the government’s landmark children’s bill, as she visited Callerton Academy to meet pupils from the school’s Student Parliament.
Labour’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill aims to drive up school standards by putting more expert teachers at the front of classrooms and rolling out a new national curriculum.
The new bill also plans to cut the cost of sending children to school, including a cap on the number of branded school uniform items.
It comes as research shows almost half of parents are concerned by the cost of uniforms and over 1 in 10 experience financial hardship as a result. Estimates show the legislation could save parents over £50 per child on the back to school shop.
Together with Labour’s plan for free breakfast clubs in primary schools to save families an estimated £450 per year per child, the bill contains measures that could keep £500 in parents’ pockets in Newcastle.
MP’s comment
“This bill will make a real difference to families and the life chances of children across Newcastle.
“From talking to people on the doorstep, I know how much parents will value having a free breakfast club at their local primary and a cheaper back to school shop.
“I’ll back this bill every step of the way to break down the barriers to opportunity for children in Newcastle.”
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