Action Promised for Young Carers; Gambling Ads Under Fire
High-Level Summary
Westminster Hall hosted two Backbench Business debates chaired by Carolyn Harris. Members first examined young adult carers’ access to education and training, drawing on an APPG report and calling for better identification in education, financial support, improved data and cross‑government action. The Minister highlighted new attainment data publication, Ofsted’s focus on young carers, a forthcoming cross‑government action plan, and agreed to follow up concerns about the 21‑hour carer’s allowance rule. A second debate assessed gambling advertising, with calls for tighter restrictions to protect children contrasted by warnings about displacement to the illegal market; the Government outlined the current ASA‑led regime, action against unlicensed operators, and plans to consult on banning sponsorship by unlicensed firms. Both motions were agreed to without a division.
Detailed Summary
Young Adult Carers: Education and Training
Christopher Vince opened the debate, drawing on the APPG’s findings that many young adult carers face barriers transitioning to further/higher education, training and work. He highlighted evidence that “73% said they felt they were falling behind their peers in education”, pressed for stronger identification and support in education settings (including a young carers lead in every school), the removal of financial barriers—asking for views on “the 21-hour rule”—better data, and a cross‑government strategy. Jim Shannon underlined the scale and intensity of caring in Northern Ireland, noting “there are some 17,500 child and young adult carers in Northern Ireland”, and called for financial recognition and systematic carer identification in schools and colleges.
Saqib Bhatti referenced prior initiatives (school census, pupil premium, bursaries and the Young Carers in Schools programme) and sought details on future plans, citing a commitment to a cross‑government action plan “which we plan to publish later this year”. Minister Josh MacAlister said the Department is “publishing, for the first time, attainment data at both key stage 2 and key stage 4” and that Ofsted’s framework “will put a direct focus on the needs of young carers”. He confirmed work on a cross‑government action plan that “will be published later this year”, acknowledged issues with the “21-hour rule” and undertook to follow up with the Minister for Social Security and Disability. He also agreed to involve Vince in follow‑up discussions: “I will gladly make sure that he is the focus of attention in that conversation”. Outcome: motion agreed (“Question put and agreed to.”) and the House resolved that it had considered access to education and training for young adult carers.
Gambling Advertising
Alex Ballinger argued that gambling advertising is pervasive and increasingly reaches children and young people: “Gambling advertising is everywhere”, and the industry “now spends £2 billion a year”. He contended that “greater exposure leads to greater participation, and greater participation leads to more gambling harm”, said the whistle‑to‑whistle TV ban is circumvented via other channels, and recommended ending pre‑watershed ads, most sports sponsorship (with specified exceptions), and influencer/content marketing. Beccy Cooper framed gambling as a public health issue: “Gambling is an addictive product” and “The current system of regulating gambling advertising is not working”. Victoria Collins highlighted severe harms, including that “every year 400 people take their own lives as a result of gambling”.
Others warned of unintended consequences. Charlie Dewhirst stressed sport’s reliance on sponsorship and risks from illicit operators, while underlining child protection: “We must also recognise the importance of preventing aggressive advertising towards vulnerable people and particularly children”. He cautioned that “banning something does not necessarily stop it from happening”. Responding for the Government, Lilian Greenwood set out the framework: “All gambling operators in the UK must comply with advertising codes, which are enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority”; noted strengthened rules on influencers, including the threshold of “more than 100,000 under-18s”; and referenced Premier League front‑of‑shirt changes. She highlighted efforts against illegal advertising, including work via an “illegal gambling taskforce”, an intention “to consult on banning sports sponsorship by unlicensed gambling operators”, and levy‑funded research, which raised “just under £120 million in its first year”. On financial risk assessments, she said a pilot found “only 3% of all gambling accounts would be subject” and “97% of checks would be frictionless”. Outcome: motion agreed and resolved that the House had considered gambling advertising.