Contributions
3,240 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDGender Pay GapMy noble friend is absolutely right. Part of that is about the time it takes for working parents to get back into the workforce. Our commitments—starting this April and building…27 Feb 2024HANSARDGender Pay GapMy Lords, the gender pay gap has fallen by approximately a quarter in the last decade. It was a Conservative Government who introduced gender pay gap reporting, building on the…27 Feb 2024HANSARDGender Pay GapIn response to the noble Baroness’s first question, as she understands very well, a number of factors influence how quickly the gender pay gap will decline. Obviously, there is so…27 Feb 2024HANSARDSchools: Gender-questioning ChildrenMy Lords, following calls from schools, teachers and parents to support schools and colleges in relation to children who are questioning their gender, on 19 December 2023 we…22 Feb 2024HANSARDSchools: Gender-questioning ChildrenSchools are expected to consider all the guidance from the department, and this is no exception: we would expect them to follow the final published guidance. As the noble Baroness…22 Feb 2024HANSARDSchools: Gender-questioning ChildrenThe department typically works through a range of stakeholder groups, including those that represent the voice of children. There have been direct conversations with children on…22 Feb 2024HANSARDSchools: Gender-questioning ChildrenThe guidance is very clear that each case should be taken individually. The safety and well-being of children must always be our primary concern, which is why that is at the heart…22 Feb 2024HANSARDSchools: Gender-questioning ChildrenThe honest answer to my noble friend is that there is still insufficient evidence to make such a definitive statement. My right honourable friend the Minister for Women and…22 Feb 2024HANSARDSchools: Gender-questioning ChildrenThe noble Baroness will have seen from the guidance the principles that underpin it. It is absolutely clear that schools and colleges should be respectful and tolerant places…22 Feb 2024HANSARDSchools: Gender-questioning ChildrenI understand the noble Lord’s point, but our expectation is that schools, as I said in my response to the noble Baroness, will comply with the guidance. The guidance is very…22 Feb 2024HANSARDPupil Mental Health, Well-being and DevelopmentMy Lords, I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Bennett, on securing this important debate and thank all noble Lords for their contributions. I feel a long letter coming on, so…22 Feb 2024HANSARDSchools: Gender-questioning ChildrenI absolutely agree with my noble friend. Again, the guidance is clear that schools should not agree to support any degree of social transition for a primary school child unless it…22 Feb 2024HANSARDSchools: Gender-questioning ChildrenThe noble Baroness raises a number of points. Schools already have very clear statutory duties in relation to safeguarding. Although, going back to the initial Question of the…22 Feb 2024HANSARDSchools: Gender-questioning ChildrenI agree entirely with the noble Lord.22 Feb 2024HANSARDOfsted: Pupil Absence RatesMy noble friend needs to consider also the patterns of attendance before the pandemic. The curriculum was the same before the pandemic as post-pandemic, but attendance rates are…13 Feb 2024HANSARDOfsted: Pupil Absence RatesThe Government remain committed to legislating to set up a register of children not in school. The noble Lord may be aware that the honourable Member for Meon Valley has…13 Feb 2024HANSARDOfsted: Pupil Absence RatesThe noble Lord makes a good point. We need not wait just for Ofsted in order to look at the positive engagement of parents. Many of the schools I visit are focused substantially…13 Feb 2024HANSARDOfsted: Pupil Absence RatesMy Lords, improving attendance is a top priority for this Government, because it is vital for children’s learning, well-being and long-term development. As part of its existing…13 Feb 2024HANSARDOfsted: Pupil Absence RatesThe noble Lord will be aware that Ofsted has been involved in a number of prosecutions of illegal schools. We remain very concerned about those—indeed, the Private Member’s Bill…13 Feb 2024HANSARDOfsted: Pupil Absence RatesThe Government are doing a great deal, starting with their investment in a dramatic increase in the number of specialist places for children with the kinds of special needs and…13 Feb 2024