Contributions
3,240 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSEND and Alternative ProvisionIn relation to my noble friend’s first question, of course the new NPQ will definitely learn from the NASENCO qualification, but its focus, to put it in simple terms, will be very…09 Mar 2023HANSARDEducation (School Teachers’ Qualifications and Induction Arrangements) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022I do not think that it is for me to comment on the progress of the negotiations. The Secretary of State has been absolutely clear in the offer she made to the NEU to enter into…08 Mar 2023HANSARDEducation (School Teachers’ Qualifications and Induction Arrangements) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Twycross, for bringing forward a debate on this important issue; what a pleasure it is to stand across the Dispatch Box from her. I look…08 Mar 2023HANSARDEducation (School Teachers’ Qualifications and Induction Arrangements) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022Well, I would just like to put on record that, although the department absolutely regrets the quality of the initial Explanatory Memorandum, there was no intent to hinder. I turn…08 Mar 2023HANSARDFood Price Rises: Public Sector Food ProvisionThe Government absolutely support the spirit of my noble friend’s remarks in terms of supporting the local economy and making sure that children and others—in hospitals and…27 Feb 2023HANSARDFood Price Rises: Public Sector Food ProvisionI absolutely agree with the noble Baroness that schools need to use the funding provided for them to feed the children eligible for free school meals. We are monitoring the…27 Feb 2023HANSARDFood Price Rises: Public Sector Food ProvisionThis Government have made huge strides in extending access to free school meals, with the introduction of universal infant free school meals and the introduction of free school…27 Feb 2023HANSARDFood Price Rises: Public Sector Food ProvisionAs always, I will be interested if the noble Baroness has specific examples to share with the department, as that is not the picture we are getting. The picture that we are…27 Feb 2023HANSARDFood Price Rises: Public Sector Food ProvisionOur guidelines are clear in respect of the quality of food that children should receive in their lunchtime meals. They are clear about the range of fruit, vegetables,…27 Feb 2023HANSARDFood Price Rises: Public Sector Food ProvisionThere is obviously a limit to the extent to which the Government should direct individual parents on the food they provide for their children. We are ambitious for our children’s…27 Feb 2023HANSARDFood Price Rises: Public Sector Food ProvisionI think that I in part addressed that point in response to my noble friend earlier. We absolutely are supporting our domestic farmers and food production industry, but equally it…27 Feb 2023HANSARDFood Price Rises: Public Sector Food ProvisionMy Lords, we recognise cost pressures that schools and suppliers are facing. Officials are holding regular meetings with food industry representatives, covering issues including…27 Feb 2023HANSARDFood Price Rises: Public Sector Food ProvisionThe Government have committed £200 million to the holiday activities and food fund. It reached about 600,000 children in the summer of 2021, which is the last year for which we…27 Feb 2023HANSARDFood Price Rises: Public Sector Food ProvisionI cannot comment on the specific market gardens to which the right reverend Prelate refers, but I absolutely get the spirit of his question. He will be aware that Defra works very…27 Feb 2023HANSARDReform of Children’s Social CareI share the noble Baroness’s desire that everything should be done as quickly as is humanly possible. I hope she would agree, though, that the Government are sending a very strong…08 Feb 2023HANSARDReform of Children’s Social CareI mentioned earlier that we are keen to establish and clarify, as your Lordships and my noble friend have highlighted this afternoon, that there is variability of response,…08 Feb 2023HANSARDReform of Children’s Social CareOn funding, I have made the point that we are talking about a two-year programme in selected areas, not five years nationally. The reason for that choice is that we believe it is…08 Feb 2023HANSARDReform of Children’s Social CareMy noble friend is right that getting looked-after and previously looked-after children into the right school and getting them the support they deserve within that school is a…08 Feb 2023HANSARDReform of Children’s Social CareOf course, the noble Lord is right that leadership is incredibly important. As regards the core team, that is what we are lucky enough to have in our senior civil servants, who…08 Feb 2023HANSARDReform of Children’s Social CareThe noble Baroness asks me to predict the outcome of the strategy that we are consulting on. Obviously, I cannot do that, but I can share with the House the scale of the…08 Feb 2023