Live online chat with The Rt Hon Beverley Hughes MP, Minister for Children, on Thursday 24th May 1-2pm

[carriemumsnet]

Hi all

Ok this is your chance to have your say about what, in an ideal world, you'd like to happen to childcare, nurseries and pre-schools (as well as debate what's happening in the sometimes non ideal world). The Rt Hon Beverley Hughes, Minister for Children and mum of three, will be joining us for a lunchtime chat on Thursday 24th May, so bring your sarnies, get your questions ready and join us then. For those of you who have unavoidable lunchtime commitments (and letters from your mum to prove it) we'll let you post your questions in advance here. For the rest of you, we'll see you on the 24th.

that last post told us nothing we don't already know!

Hunkermunker pretty much gave you that 2nd paragraph.

What exactly is "doing all we can"?

Such as?

What abot the Nestle question, or is that too potentially damaging for her?

whoops, cross posted

I understand that one hour is not long enough to address all these points but one can only live in hope, Beverley, that you will continue when you have time to read and think about these points.

Please look at my link www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=692&threadid=206918&stamp=070202215020 which I have emailed to you before and received an extremely pat reply from someone in your office.

If the government doesn't do something soon to give parents more rights to control their teenagers this country is going to be full of people with no respect for authority, as well as a lot of broken and bullied older people.

well that answer was as vague as can be

Oh no, wait, last time I did that they gave me the same answer that you did, ignoring the contradiction that the stakeholder pensions scheme legislation offers in respect of employer provided benefits.

Hunker please stand as an MP i'll vote for you. [and move obviously]

LOl @ RubySlippers. I was going to ask about the appalling rates of child poverty in this country and the government's total failure to deal with it. But I thought that the chance of getting a reply to that was zero if the breastfeeding issue was anything to go by.

I think David cameron fared better

oh beverley, you've blown it. what a duff answer. empty, empty words...

Not good enough.

I know all the benefits of breastfeeding - in fact, the mere fact you write in terms of "benefits" of breastfeeding demonstrates a fundamental lack of grasp of this important subject. If breastfeeding were promoted as "the norm", you wouldn't need to talk about the benefits of it, it would be talk of the "risks" of formula feeding.

What about the formula manufacturer helplines? Will the Government be outlawing them? Follow-on milk promotion? Health Visitors who are spouting outdated advice? Midwives who don't give a toss about updating their skillset?

It all undermines breastfeeding - and there is NOTHING being done about it.

Just saying "children's centres" means NOTHING. I haven't ever seen or heard of these - shows how much the Government are promoting them.

Its great that you have adopted the WHO recommendations, but, as asked earlier - what about companies marketing their products to babies at 4-6 months?

This is in direct conflict with the guidelines you have adopted. What is the Government doing about this?

These are our children fgs.....

I am livid with you, actually.

This government promised to focus on "education, education, education".
Does it actually have any plans to do this?
I mean you've had ten years to warm up now, so am I being churlish in thinking that some positive changes might occur at some point soon?

Oh and lolol @ Mnetters being lectured on the benefits of breastfeeding.

This government isn't really interested in the issues important to women and children in this country are they? Or is it just me who gets that impression?

Wickedwaterwitch any form of domestic violence is unacceptable and intolerable - too often it's a crime which is hidden away. My remit does not cover the family courts but I do work closely with Ministers in the Home Office on domestic violence. On average a victim can go through 35 assaults before it is reported but I do know that £14 million has been invested along with an action plan to help tackle the problem.Domestic Violence: A national report (new window)

There are helplines throughout the UK that can offer you practical help and advice including emergency refuge accommodation, safety planning and advice, translation facilities if you have difficulty communicating in English. The number for the English national domestic violence helpline is 0808 2000247

tootyfrooty, i'm sure that the government is Against child poverty and Doing All That It Can to work against it by setting up some poxy scheme. so no need to worry your pretty little head about it, dearie...

pmsl at HumphreyCushion

I'd like to see Ms Hughes face you lot on Question Time - might write to David and suggest it!

hunker I have heard of children's centres

they are popularly held responsible for the closure of some of my local nurseries

MN Towers, don't let her go. Seriously. I want her to answer these questions.

1. Nestle - are you boycotting their products, yes or no?

2. Formula companies promoting helplines for "breastfeeding" - will the Government act to ban them, yes or no?

3. Baby food manufacturers promoting food for babies aged less than 6 months - banning, yes or no?

4. Health Visitors and midwives - will there be compulsory training in breastfeeding and counselling skills for them, yes or no?

Wow - Aitch. Are you a government minister?

none of the really pertinent questions have been answered - and yes what about the 3.8 million children liiving in poverty ...

this nothing but soundbites

pathetic