Contributions
3,240 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDStudent Loan Interest RatesMy Lords, our recent reforms, implemented in August 2023, ensure that the student loan system is fairer for taxpayers and for students. New students on the new loan terms will…27 Mar 2024HANSARDStudent Loan Interest RatesI think the noble Lord knows the answer to his question: it is not appropriate to compare mortgages with student debt, which is unsecured and expires and does not have to be…27 Mar 2024HANSARDStudent Loan Interest RatesOf course, those who go on to much higher earnings end up repaying much more than those on lower earnings, but no additional consideration is currently being given to the…27 Mar 2024HANSARDStudent Loan Interest RatesI understand why the noble Baroness raises this point, and I am aware of the concerns around affordability. We have continued to increase the maximum loans and grants for living…27 Mar 2024HANSARDStudent Loan Interest RatesAs my noble friend touched on, the Government are trying to balance, or triangulate, a number of things. One is affordability for students, hence the freeze we have had for seven…27 Mar 2024HANSARDFree Childcare SchemeI know the noble Baroness is well aware of the very substantial increases that we have made in the national minimum wage. To put it in context, the 30 hours of free childcare is…20 Mar 2024HANSARDFree Childcare SchemeWe are aware of the concerns to which my noble friend refers. The House knows that we are doing a great deal to create a fairer special needs system. One of the key things here is…20 Mar 2024HANSARDSchool Meals for ChildrenI am not sure whether I have to declare my interest as the mother of a chef. I think careers in hospitality are great, but I might be slightly biased. I have already responded on…20 Mar 2024HANSARDSchool Meals for ChildrenThe noble Lord touches on issues relating to how parents bring up their children, which is obviously delicate territory for the Government to pronounce too firmly on. Our…20 Mar 2024HANSARDFree Childcare SchemeMy Lords, we are delivering the largest expansion of childcare in England’s history. Latest projections show that more than 150,000 new funded places will be secured by April. We…20 Mar 2024HANSARDFree Childcare SchemeThe first thing I would say is that the noble Baroness and the noble Lord are right that this is a very ambitious expansion of childcare. However, the really significant increase…20 Mar 2024HANSARDSchool Meals for ChildrenAs my noble friend hints, exercise has a very positive impact on physical health and, crucially, on mental health.20 Mar 2024HANSARDFree Childcare SchemeI genuinely thank the noble Baroness for her question, because it gives me the opportunity to set out a couple of things. One might want to look at funding rates for different…20 Mar 2024HANSARDFree Childcare SchemeThe Government have committed to deliver the number of childcare places needed for those who are eligible and seek to take advantage of the opportunity that the Government offer.20 Mar 2024HANSARDSchool Meals for ChildrenCooking and nutrition are firmly within the national curriculum: in design and technology they are compulsory between key stages 1 and 3, they aim to teach children how to cook…20 Mar 2024HANSARDSchool Meals for ChildrenI am more than happy to encourage that. Just to take it one stage further, I encourage schools that have the space to follow the example of some schools that I have visited that…20 Mar 2024HANSARDSchool Meals for ChildrenI should clarify that I did not in any way want to diminish the importance of addressing ultra-processed foods, but the school food standards already restrict foods that are…20 Mar 2024HANSARDSchool Meals for ChildrenMy Lords, I am aware of the recent remarks from a Southampton head teacher. We cannot comment on individual catering arrangements, as arrangements with particular suppliers are…20 Mar 2024HANSARDFree Childcare SchemeIt is slightly curious to say that delivery is falling short when the new entitlements start in April of this year. The noble Baroness knows that we have made a significant…20 Mar 2024HANSARDFree Childcare SchemeSome people might recognise that the Government are making a very substantial investment in this area. We have already spent more than £20 billion over the past five years to…20 Mar 2024