Earlier this month I was proud to join academics, early years professionals, teachers and the people responsible for helping schools improve performance, to celebrate the success of South Yorkshire Futures, who are doing great work here in Barnsley and across the region.

South Yorkshire Futures is a social mobility scheme run by Sheffield Hallam University. It aims to tackle the issue that too many of our young people aren’t as healthy, independent, emotionally secure and socially competent as they could be. This is an important mission and one that I am fully behind.

If we don’t come together to tackle some of the issues facing our children and young people we’re harming their chances to thrive. We need to work together to help lift their ambitions and show children and young people, that with the right help and support, they can be whatever they want to be.  

The last few weeks have been characterised by yet more tragic news from conflict zones all over the world. Amidst all the bad news, however, recently we saw one significant step into the right direction – as the UK Government announced it will endorse the Safe Schools Declaration.

I believe that education is absolutely vital in improving young people’s life chances. There should surely be consensus that everyone in the country deserves the same life chances, and that every child has a right to an excellent standard of education, whatever their circumstances, and wherever they live.

I oppose the reintroduction of grammar schools. I do not believe that a segregated form of education is in the best interests of children. I continue to support a comprehensive system of education to ensure a fair chance for all young people regardless of their background.

I am very concerned about the future of school funding in my constituency and across the country. As a result of new funding settlements, 92% of schools will face budget cuts over the next four years. In that context, many schools are struggling to set budgets at all.

One of the great privileges of serving as an MP is to get the opportunity to be a part of days like today, and to hear from young people such as yourselves.