Meeting of the Parliament 14 May 2025
I am sure that the cabinet secretary will explain all that later. The Government is always looking to improve—there is no question about that.
The motion refers to a decline in the number of pupil support assistants. Although I understand the concern around that, I point out that the number of pupil support assistants has increased by 1,800 since 2020 and is currently at the second-highest level on record. We continue to invest £15 million a year to help them to respond to children’s needs.
The cabinet secretary will say a great deal more in her closing remarks in this important debate about how we are tackling the increased demand for support for learning, but the motion gives me the opportunity to address recent coverage that has risked causing parents unnecessary worry and anxiety. That relates to neurodevelopmental services for children with conditions such as autism and ADHD. In recent weeks, some members have described children who are seeking a neurodevelopmental diagnosis as having been removed from CAMHS waiting lists, and Mr Briggs has repeated that rhetoric. The implication, whether intentional or otherwise, is that children and families have been left without alternative support. I want to reassure parents and be very clear with the Parliament that that is not the case.
It is mental health awareness week and it seems timely to urge all members to take care with the language that they use, given that it can be unintentionally stigmatising and could result in people not coming forward to seek support. That is incumbent on us all.