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8th December 2025 - The Debate, The Data and The "Listening" Exercise

Dec 08, 2025

This week, the long-awaited petition debate finally reached Parliament. Michelle was there in person to witness the government’s response first-hand, and the atmosphere in the room was telling. While the Minister stuck rigidly to a script, often failing to engage with the specific concerns raised by MPs, it became clear that the government’s conviction on the Bill is not as rock-solid as they might pretend. The session highlighted that meeting your MP works, as the most effective contributions came from those armed with constituent stories. Notably, the public gallery’s laughter at the “nothing to fear” line underscored the disconnect between the official narrative and the reality for families.

Don’t have time to read the full post? Go straight to the links list - TL;DR

The Debate Room Reality

Voices in the room, specifically those who had met with constituents, struck home. If your MP spoke up during the debate, please write to thank them. If your MP did not attend, take note of the MPs who did and ask your own MP to speak with colleagues in their party who clearly understand the issues. You can read the full transcript of the Petition Debate in Westminster Hall here.

In a separate session on the same day, the Education ministers faced Topical Questions that further exposed the government’s approach. Josh MacAlister, Minister of State for Children and Families, reiterated that the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is a “key priority” for strengthening child protection, mentioning plans for a new “child protection authority.” However, when ministers were pressed on the specifics of funding, particularly for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the answers remained vague. Whilst Ministers claimed they are “investing more” they admitted that addressing the “black hole” in SEND funding is a matter for the next spending review in 2027, leaving families and schools in limbo for years to come. This session confirmed that while the government is pushing ahead with the Bill, they are still struggling to provide concrete answers on how they will fund the support systems that are supposedly central to their “wellbeing” agenda.

Written Answers: Looking Back to Move Forward?

Beyond the debate, we have seen a flurry of written questions to the Department for Education. The responses often reveal more by what they don’t say. Ministers continue to point to the 2019 consultation to claim they are listening yet ignore that 75% of respondents disagreed with the proposals at the time.

There is also continued evasion regarding Data Privacy Impact Assessments. The government claims they will only proceed when confident in security, yet they argue a DPIA is not required for Clause 4. Key questions raised this week include inquiries into Parental Rights & Informed Consent, the lack of consultation on Educational Pedagogy, ensuring Teacher Qualifications, and the potential Implications for Abuse Victims. You can also read the specific response regarding Data Privacy Assessments here.

17 January Protest and Operation Canary

Plans for the major protest in London on 17 January 2026 are moving ahead swiftly. We have reached the threshold to book the professional stage for Parliament Square thanks to your generosity. We need bodies on the ground so please start planning your travel and bring friends along. You can find full details on the Facebook Event page and if you can’t make it, please consider supporting the fundraiser here.

“Operation Canary” is back. Ahead of the protest, Alison will be driving the campaign from the north of England down to the protest. She plans to stop in key constituencies like Beverley and across Lincolnshire. Keep an eye out for her route map on the Action Group and get in touch if you can offer a charging stop or a cup of tea.

The “National Conversation” on SEND

The government has launched a consultation on SEND which they are calling a “national conversation” (read the official announcement). While the forthcoming White Paper has been delayed to allow for this engagement, early reports from online “listening events” are discouraging. Attendees have described them as conversations between presenters rather than genuine dialogue, often feeling like a tick-box exercise where pre-determined “principles” are presented rather than debated.

A major concern is the format of these online sessions, which rely on an “upvoting” system for questions. This mechanism inherently disadvantages minority voices; unless a specific issue resonates with the majority of the room, it is unlikely to be addressed. Furthermore, with the consultation closing on 14 January, questions remain about how the government can meaningfully analyse responses before publishing their proposals, unless the White Paper is delayed significantly further.

Despite this scepticism, it is vital that families—especially those forced into home education due to systemic failures - submit their views to the online consultation by 14 January. We need to cut through the professional gaslighting that often dismisses lived experience. If you are home educating not by choice, but because a Local Authority failed to implement an EHCP or provide a suitable school place, your story must be heard. It is crucial to point out the irony of granting more monitoring powers to the very Local Authorities that have breached legal duties and failed these children in the first place.

Calls to Action

We have a few immediate ways you can help. First, the deadline for the Broken Voices campaign is fast approaching on 8 December. This project aims to compile a book of stories, poems, pictures, and messages that highlight how individuals have been impacted or “broken” by the education and social care systems. Whether you are a child, a young person, or an adult reflecting on past experiences, perhaps regarding SEND struggles or systemic failures, your voice matters. We need more submissions to ensure the final publication is substantial rather than slim; a weighty collection of lived experiences is far more likely to make a lasting impact on those who read it. Please share your story via the Submission Form or check the Facebook post for more details.

Also, consider sending a Christmas card to your MP. We have created specific card designs with themes like “All I want for Christmas,” featuring messages about tearing up or cancelling the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. These are available to download, print and post, or you can use services like Moonpig or Funky Pigeon to send your MP a personalised card. Of course, you can also send a regular card with your own design and a polite, neighbourly message inside. If you send to nobody else this year, send one to your MP to keep our cause in their mind over the festive break. For full details on how to get involved, please read the Christmas Card Instructions here which include links to the designs.

Then, join us for the Local Action Meeting on Zoom tonight, Monday 8 December at 8pm. This meeting is for anyone who wants to have their say, share ideas, or simply find support. We know that local action can sometimes feel isolating so this is a vital chance to connect, discover what others are doing in their areas (from lobbying MPs to setting up information points) and realise you are not alone. Whether you need a sounding board for your next steps or just want to chat about ideas, it’s quick and easy to sign up, even on the night.

Additional News & Resources

Here are other key stories, consultations, and links from this week that are well worth your attention.

The Ofsted Annual Report has been released, highlighting missed opportunities for SEND pupils (Schools Week Analysis). At the petition debate, Somerset MP Gideon Amos warned that the Bill could threaten rural schools, as covered in both the Somerset Leveller and the Somerset County Gazette.

In Parliament, there were mentions of the CWS Bill in the Bishop of Manchester’s Maiden Speech, and in other debates regarding the Camden Nursery case and Local Elections. Meanwhile, Schools Week has been covering several critical issues, including the Ministers’ ‘futile’ listening campaign, the Spending Watchdog’s defense of the SEND budget, the £6bn SEND shortfall, and the PINS Evaluation.

The government is consulting on the legal framework for facial recognition, sparking a response from Big Brother Watch. Concerns over Digital ID continue, with an Open Rights Group Briefing, a Computer Weekly article, a Reclaim Rights Petition, and the #Together Open Letter.

The DfE has also updated several privacy notices, including for Stakeholders, Children & Young People, the Education Workforce, Members of the Public, Key Stage 4/5 & Adult Education, and Early Years to KS3.

For those looking for resources, check out the Joy Baker Books Trilogy Bundle or Children in Chancery.

The Post-16 Pathways consultation is still open and the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS): interim evaluation report was also published this week.. There is also news on Access to early SEND support through Family Hubs.

TL;DR

Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (CWSB) & Hansard

Digital ID

News Articles

Calls to Actions, Consultations & Petitions

DfE Updated Privacy Notices

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