Contributions
1,271 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSkills for Jobs White PaperMy Lords, as I have outlined, there is going to be £100 million invested in the enterprise advisers—which I believe are part of the Careers & Enterprise Company—and more into…26 Jan 2021HANSARDSkills for Jobs White PaperMy Lords, there are requirements on the local authority, and indeed on provider schools, to make sure that their young people are aware of the opportunities for them, so that if…26 Jan 2021HANSARDSkills for Jobs White PaperI am grateful to hear the noble Lord’s own career history. I think the institutes of technology are the first examples we have of the HE sector working with the FE sector in STEM…26 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Early Years SectorMy Lords, as a result of the NHS plan, £2.3 billion is being invested in mental health services, and 345,000 individuals should be additionally supported within CAMHS by 2023-24.…20 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Early Years SectorMy Lords, it is quite clear that with the effects of the pandemic on children and young people, family structure and wider community groups have been essential in providing…20 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Early Years SectorMy Lords, the right reverend Prelate is correct that there is a cross-departmental approach to this. She will be aware of the proposals for family hubs, which should provide…20 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Early Years SectorMy Lords, the department is monitoring the impact of the pandemic on children and Ofsted has reported on the effects of Covid-19 on the early years sector. Early years are crucial…20 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Early Years SectorMy Lords, we have specifically requested that, if those children already classified as vulnerable are not attending early years settings, those settings do their best to get in…20 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Early Years SectorMy Lords, I share the noble Baroness’s ambition—it is our ambition—that, as soon as the public health guidance allows, we will get children back into school. Of course, vulnerable…20 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Early Years SectorMy Lords, there will be much evaluation of the strategies used by various statutory agencies during the pandemic. The Secretary of State has written to directors of children’s…20 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Early Years SectorMy Lords, in the autumn and summer terms, the Government paid out the entitlements regardless of the number of children attending these settings. As attendance rose during the…20 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Early Years SectorMy Lords, health visitors do essential work. The Government support the letter written by the chief nurse, which outlines that health visitors and other front-line health…20 Jan 2021HANSARDFree School Meals: Food ParcelsMy Lords, the images circulating of poor-quality food parcels are unacceptable. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education has met leading suppliers to insist…14 Jan 2021HANSARDFree School Meals: Food ParcelsMy Lords, as I have outlined, views were made clear about the quality of the food parcels. I make it clear that the department does not enter into contracts with any of these…14 Jan 2021HANSARDFree School Meals: Food ParcelsMy Lords, of course the Government trust parents. That is why we have given schools these options of how to deliver this. If there is any complaint about their treatment, parents…14 Jan 2021HANSARDFree School Meals: Food ParcelsMy Lords, I can assure noble Lords that, as I have outlined, from Monday e-codes will be issued that can be redeemed against supermarket vouchers. The department is closely…14 Jan 2021HANSARDFree School Meals: Food ParcelsMy Lords, the value of the voucher has actually been raised from the normal £11.50—a free school meal—to £15, recognising that schools and catering suppliers have economies of…14 Jan 2021HANSARDFree School Meals: Food ParcelsMy Lords, the Government are awaiting the second part of the national food strategy, and we have said that we will respond with a White Paper within six weeks of that strategy…14 Jan 2021HANSARDFree School Meals: Food ParcelsMy Lords, the voucher scheme that the noble Lord outlines is one option that has been given to schools so that they can meet the needs of pupils who require food. It has been…14 Jan 2021HANSARDFree School Meals: Food ParcelsMy Lords, I applaud the example that the noble Lord has given, and I have outlined why it is important that these three options are open to schools. As I have said, schools can…14 Jan 2021