All Party Parliamentary Group for Parents
Parentkind supports and contributes to the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Parents. An APPG is a like-minded group of MPs and Peers from across the political spectrum who come together with a particular policy focus.
The All Party Parliamentary Group for Parents was formed in 2024 and is chaired by Sharon Hodgson MP, with support from officers Connor Rand MP, Baroness Stedman-Scott and Lord Knight of Weymouth. The group meets regularly to hear evidence and discuss solutions to some of the biggest issues facing parents in the UK today.
During 2025, the APPG is conducting an Inquiry into Parent Poverty, bringing together organisations that work in the poverty, parenting, family and education spaces to ensure the voices of parent are heard on issues relating to poverty.
Please see below for regular news updates on the work of the APPG.
Call for Evidence: APPG for Parents Inquiry into Parent Poverty
If you have expertise or knowledge related to poverty, parenthood, or family life, we want to hear from you.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Parents is inviting evidence submissions as part of their Inquiry into Parent Poverty. Parents are often an overlooked group in discussions around child poverty. Through this inquiry, we aim to elevate the voices of parents and ensure their experiences are considered in the broader conversation about poverty.
Based on the evidence gathered through this call for evidence and subsequent oral evidence sessions, the APPG will produce a summary of findings and policy recommendations, published later in 2025.
Key Areas of Focus
We are particularly interested in evidence relating to the following areas:
- The impact of poverty on the everyday life of parents and families
- The cost for parents of sending their child to school
- The impact of poverty on parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
- The impact of poverty on parents’ mental health and wellbeing
How to Contribute
If you would like to contribute to the Inquiry into Parents in Poverty, please submit your evidence through the form below by Wednesday 12th February 2025.
Your input is vital in shaping a comprehensive understanding of the challenges parents face and in identifying the areas where support is needed the most.
If you have any questions, please contact Nicola Martin by emailing [email protected]
Inquiry panel
Sharon Hodgson MP – Chair of the APPG for Parents
Baroness Stedman-Scott — Officer of the APPG for Parents
Lord Knight of Weymouth – Officer of the APPG for Parents
Connor Rand — Officer of the APPG for Parents
Nicola Martin – Parentkind, Secretariat of the APPG for Parents
What impact is poverty having on parents across the UK? What are the areas of greatest need for support amongst parents experiencing poverty? (750 word limit)
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A meeting of the APPG for Parental Participation in Education took place on Monday 29th January 2024, which focused on The National Parent Survey 2024 and was chaired by Gateshead MP Ian Mearns.
Members
Sharon Hodgson MP — Chair
Lord Knight of Weymouth — Officer
Connor Rand MP — Officer
Baroness Stedman Scott — Officer
Baroness Blower
Baroness Eaton
Baroness Garden of Frognal
Baroness Lister of Burtersett
Baroness Morgan of Drefelin
Baroness Verma
Baroness Watkins of Tavistock
Blair McDougall MP
Bob Blackman MP
Catherine Fookes
Darren Paffey MP
David Baines MP
Emily Darlington MP
Gregory Stafford MP
Jess Asato MP
Jess Brown-Fuller MP
John SlingerMP
Jonathan Davies MP
Kirith Entwistle MP
Laura Kyrke-Smith MP
Lord Hampton
Lord Lucas
Lord Storey
Lord Watson of Invergowrie
Luke Charters MP
Marie Goldman MP
Matt Bishop MP
Maya Ellis MP
Michael Wheeler MP
Sam Rushworth MP
Sarah Smith MP
Tim Roca MP
Tristan Osborne MP
Vikki Slade MP
Contact details
Registered Contact: Mrs Sharon Hodgson MP,
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.
Tel: 020 7219 5160.
Email: [email protected]
Public Enquiry Point: Nicola Martin, Parentkind
Email: [email protected]
Link to register of APPGs
Meetings
Past meetings:
- 12th November 2024: Inaugural meeting
- 20th January 2025: Launch of the APPG for Parents & Inquiry into Parent Poverty
Upcoming meetings:
- 25th March 2025: Joint meeting with the APPG for Schools, Learning and Assessments: The cost of school
Statement
“This is not an official website [or feed] of Parliament. It has not been approved by either House. APPGs are informal groups of Parliamentarians with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed are those of the group.”
