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Steve Beasant Liberal Democrat (Free subscription) | 07/11/2008
Commenting on the news that the number of registered childminders is now at its lowest level for five years, Liberal Democrat Shadow Children Spokesperson, Annette Brooke said: “It is now becoming increasingly difficult for parents to find good quality and affordable childcare.” Annette Brooke continued, saying: “The Government’s overly prescriptive and bureaucratic approach to pre-school [...]
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Liberal Democrats (Free subscription) | 21/08/2008
Commenting on the publication of GCSE results today, Liberal Democrat Schools Spokesperson, Annette Brooke said: "These young people have clearly worked hard and we should celebrate their success. "The drop in the total number of entries would suggest that many schools are now turning their backs on GCSEs, particularly in maths. The new regulator must ensure GCSEs really are rigorous qualifications...
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Liberal Democrats (Free subscription) | 20/08/2008
Commenting ahead of tomorrow’s release of GCSE results, Liberal Democrat Shadow Children Spokesperson, Annette Brooke said: "After 11 years of a Labour Government, most young people are still failing to achieve five good GCSEs including English and Maths. "If we are going to have a world class education system, we must do more to improve educational achievement in this country - especially among the...
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Liberal Democrats (Free subscription) | 20/08/2008
Commenting on the news that the number of registered childminders has fallen by over 10% in four years, Liberal Democrat Shadow Children Spokesperson, Annette Brooke said: "The Government’s overly prescriptive and bureaucratic approach to pre-school care is causing childminders to turn away from the profession. "It is now becoming increasingly difficult for parents to find quality and affordable childcare....
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Liberal Democrats (Free subscription) | 15/08/2008
Commenting on the announcement that the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has ended its contract with ETS to mark future SATs papers, Liberal Democrat Schools Spokesperson, Annette Brooke said: "ETS demonstrated pure incompetence when it came to marking this year’s SATs. "Many children are still waiting for their results, which are now nearly six weeks late. "Ministers must confirm that ETS...
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Liberal Democrats (Free subscription) | 14/08/2008
Commenting on today’s A-Level results, Liberal Democrat Schools Spokesperson, Annette Brooke said: "These young people have clearly worked hard and we should celebrate their success. "But with one in four candidates now achieving an A Grade, we need to be sure that the most talented students are being properly stretched. "The new regulator must now act by reviewing these top grades so that we can...
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Liberal Democrats (Free subscription) | 12/08/2008
Commenting on today’s SATs results for 14 year olds, Liberal Democrat Children Spokesperson, Annette Brooke said: "Ministers have once again failed to meet their own targets. After three years of secondary education, thousands of pupils are not reaching the expected level in key subjects. "It’s a disgrace that on the day the results have been published, many schools will still not yet have received...
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Liberal Democrats (Free subscription) | 05/08/2008
Commenting on today’s Key Stage 2 SATs results, Liberal Democrat Children Spokesperson, Annette Brooke said: "The shambles surrounding the marking of this year’s tests are a disgrace. 460 schools still do not have results for all of their pupils. "The Government must now waive the re-marking costs to schools for this year’s exams. It would be totally wrong for schools to pay the price for the Government’s...
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Liberal Democrats (Free subscription) | 16/07/2008
Commenting on today’s [Wednesday] Daycare Trust report, which shows that the cost of holiday childcare has risen by more than 10% in the last year, Liberal Democrat Children Spokesperson, Annette Brooke said: "For many parents, finding good quality and affordable childcare during the school holidays is now impossible. "Some parents have found that the only affordable option is to give up their jobs...
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Liberal Democrats (Free subscription) | 01/07/2008
Commenting on the announcement that childcare providers will be able to apply for exemptions from the Early Years Foundation Scheme, Liberal Democrat Shadow Children, Schools and Families Spokesperson, Annette Brooke said: "For the many experts and childcare providers who have been raising their concerns, today’s announcement is long overdue. Giving providers, instead of parents, the option to apply...
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Liberal Democrats (Free subscription) | 17/04/2008
Commenting on the report released today [Thursday] by the Children’s Charity NCH on the widespread fears of young people regarding gun and knife crime, Liberal Democrats Children’s Spokesperson, Annette Brooke said: "The report highlights the very real fears of young people. The fact that only 28% of young people questioned feel safe in their community is shocking. "The Government’s only hope of tackling...
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Liberal Democrats (Free subscription) | 28/02/2008
The Government is over twenty years behind schedule in meeting its target to tackle the high number of teenage pregnancies. Responding to new figures released today on the teenage conception rate, Liberal Democrat Children and Families Spokesperson , Annette Brooke said: "The Government has only achieved modest progress in tackling teenage pregnancies, as we still have the highest rate in Europe....
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Liberal Conspiracy (Free subscription) | 05/12/2007
The 10 Downing Street petition against the planned database on children - which I wrote about here on Monday - now has over 1,000 names. It's open until 20th December. Sign now and while you're in fighting mood urge your MP to sign the Early Day Motion of Annette Brooke MP, Lib Dem spokesperson on children, asking the government [...]
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Liberal Democrats (Free subscription) | 30/11/2007
The Liberal Democrats have welcomed the launch of the OPEN EYE campaign against the Early-Years Foundation Stage framework Commenting, Liberal Democrat Children, Families and Young Persons Spokesperson , Annette Brooke MP said: "The Government risks damaging the next generation's education if it pushes through its prescriptive idea of teaching children at a very young age. "There are serious concerns...
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Liberal Democrats (Free subscription) | 07/11/2007
Commenting on today's announcement that free nursery education for every three and four year old is to be backed by £340m in government funding, Liberal Democrat Children, Young People and Families Spokesperson , Annette Brooke MP said: "Whilst increasing the entitlement will be welcomed by many families, the system still lacks flexibility. "Today's announcement will do little to satisfy the requirements...
