Contributions
3,240 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChildcare Reform PackageI think the right reverend Prelate meant to mention the first 1,000 days, but I heard “the first 1,000 years”, which sounded very biblical.29 Jun 2023HANSARDChildcare Reform PackageMy noble friend makes, as ever, very good points. I am not sure what my right honourable friend the Chancellor would think of being described as “benign”, but I leave that to her…29 Jun 2023HANSARDChildcare Reform PackageIt is a very long view. Recruitment is extremely important and absolutely critical to the delivery of this programme. Obviously, apprenticeships offer an important way to learn…29 Jun 2023HANSARDChildcare Reform PackageUnlike the noble Baroness, this Government do not feel that private profit is inherently evil. We cannot live in a world where, on the one hand, we say that the sector is…29 Jun 2023HANSARDChildcare Reform PackageAs ever, my noble friend speaks with great wisdom. The two parts of his question are linked. He is absolutely right that we cannot in any way compromise on quality, but we also…29 Jun 2023HANSARDChildcare Reform PackageI thank both noble Baronesses for their generosity in welcoming our announcement. I am grateful for the reflection from the noble Baroness opposite that perhaps her colleague in…29 Jun 2023HANSARDHigher Education: Arts and HumanitiesI absolutely do not accept what the noble Earl has just asserted. If we look at full- time undergraduates undertaking arts and humanities courses, at a time of significant growth…28 Jun 2023HANSARDHigher Education: Arts and HumanitiesMy Lords, we are supporting the study of the arts and humanities across our education system. Our EBacc ambition has humanities at its heart in order to increase the number of…28 Jun 2023HANSARDHigher Education: Arts and HumanitiesA love of the arts can come from many sources—importantly from universities and schools but also from wider cultural experiences. As the noble Baroness knows, we are committed to…28 Jun 2023HANSARDHigher Education: Arts and HumanitiesI feel that the noble Baroness and I listen to different bits of what the Government say about this. It was only last month that the Government announced their plans to grow the…28 Jun 2023HANSARDHigher Education: Arts and HumanitiesThe noble Lord asks an important question, and part of this is about being clear about the value we put on those qualifications. As I mentioned in my opening reply, we are…28 Jun 2023HANSARDHigher Education: Arts and HumanitiesI absolutely agree with the noble Baroness that modern foreign languages are critically important; hence our emphasis on the EBacc in schools to create a pipeline of students who…28 Jun 2023HANSARDHigher Education: Arts and HumanitiesI do not question for a second—and regularly stand at this Dispatch Box to celebrate—the success of our great universities. Those universities, rightly, would also stress their…28 Jun 2023HANSARDHigher Education: Arts and HumanitiesI would be more than happy to meet with the Royal Historical Society. But, again, it is the responsibility of the Office for Students to make a judgment on the financial viability…28 Jun 2023HANSARDHigher Education: Arts and HumanitiesThe Government of course recognise the points that the noble Baroness makes, but it is also important that students are really well informed and understand the choices they make…28 Jun 2023HANSARDTeacher Training: Dyslexia and AutismMy Lords, initial teacher training is designed to ensure that all qualified teachers can teach pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. High-quality teaching is…22 Jun 2023HANSARDTeacher Training: Dyslexia and AutismOur most recent guidance on initial teacher training, published just a few weeks ago, recommends two work placements during that period, stressing that one could be in a special…22 Jun 2023HANSARDTeacher Training: Dyslexia and AutismYes, yes and it depends on what is in the report. The noble Lord brings enormous expertise in this area. Under our universal services contract, there is the opportunity for…22 Jun 2023HANSARDTeacher Training: Dyslexia and AutismI would be delighted to arrange a meeting with my noble friend to discuss the Synergy programme. She is right that children with special educational needs might have specific…22 Jun 2023HANSARDTeacher Training: Dyslexia and AutismThe noble Baroness raises two issues: the importance of multi-agency input and co-ordination, and capacity. Our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and Alternative…22 Jun 2023