Member

Turning to SEND and new clause 85, I pay tribute to the work of my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Jen Craft). I agree with her that we need a much more joined-up approach across education and health, which is one of the reasons why the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has made clear to the Department and the NHS that we must give greater priority to maternity and child health. As we have heard, if children have to wait a long time for the treatment or support they need, the problems can last a lifetime. As such, I can tell my hon. Friend that we will strengthen the SEND expectations on ICBs in the new NHS planning framework, including joint commissioning, implementing local SEND reform plans, and the new experts at hand offer.