Contributions
3,240 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillWe very much hope that it would have the opposite effect.09 Mar 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillMy Lords, it is a pleasure, as my noble friend Lord Markham said earlier, to respond to your Lordships’ critical challenge. I thank the noble Lord, Lord Collins, and the noble…09 Mar 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillMy understanding is that the policy in this area is perhaps more developed in health, where I understand a public consultation has been published in relation to ambulance workers.…09 Mar 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillI have already been repetitively clear that the Government would much prefer to see voluntary arrangements in this area. Again, having been a governor of a school, as many of your…09 Mar 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillI am not aware of the details, but I am not sure that it would be appropriate to comment at this point.09 Mar 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillIt would obviously depend on the contractual arrangements in place. My understanding is that not every case would be the same.09 Mar 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillWe absolutely know that the pandemic has had a terrible impact on school attendance. That is why I say that the strikes at the moment are particularly unhelpful for children when…09 Mar 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillIt is the employer, so the employer in the case of a local authority-maintained school—which is about 60% of our primary schools and about 20% of our secondary schools—would be…09 Mar 2023HANSARDSEND and Alternative ProvisionIn relation to funding, I do not fully recognise the picture that the noble Baroness paints. Revenue funding in this area is up 50% since 2019, and we have committed £2.6 billion…09 Mar 2023HANSARDSEND and Alternative ProvisionI thank both the noble Baroness, Lady Twycross, and the noble Lord, Lord Addington, for welcoming our announcement last week and I will do my best to address some of the points…09 Mar 2023HANSARDSEND and Alternative ProvisionMy noble friend will have seen from the plan that, particularly in relation to employment, we are investing £18 million to double the capacity of the supported internships…09 Mar 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillGenuinely in the spirit of being helpful, those are matters for a consultation if the Secretary of State decides to proceed with one.09 Mar 2023HANSARDSEND and Alternative ProvisionAs the right reverend Prelate said, that co-operation between health, education and children’s social care is absolutely critical, so that they are closely joined together. We…09 Mar 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillI think the only thing I can say is that all these matters would be taken into account in any consultation if the Government decide to proceed.09 Mar 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillThe noble Lord is obviously entitled to wonder; I think he goes a little far. We have been absolutely clear that we prefer voluntary arrangements. In terms of employers, obviously…09 Mar 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillI will be delighted to write or take questions on this matter on the Floor of the House. If I may continue, I will try to address some of the other points that noble Lords have…09 Mar 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillI can only repeat that the Secretary of State is currently considering all options. When I am able to say more on this matter, I will be delighted to come back to the House to do…09 Mar 2023HANSARDSEND and Alternative ProvisionI thank my noble friend. We are anticipating an additional 400 educational psychologists from the funding that we have just announced.09 Mar 2023HANSARDSEND and Alternative ProvisionThe Government absolutely recognise the point the noble Baroness raises. We are already providing professional development focused on special educational needs and disabilities;…09 Mar 2023HANSARDSEND and Alternative ProvisionI really do not accept the premise of the noble Lord’s first statement. I am sure he would not want us to implement everything tomorrow and then find that it is not having the…09 Mar 2023