Contributions
49 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDYouth UnemploymentDoes the Minister agree that a major factor in the persistence of youth unemployment is that 32% of 16 year-olds failed to achieve a grade 4 in English and Maths at GCSE in 2024?…16 Oct 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI am sorry, but I have to interject here to say that the narrowing of the curriculum and the teacher supply crisis was a direct result of austerity, teacher pay falling by 12% in…18 Sept 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I oppose Amendment 452, which has just been put forward by the noble Lord, Lord Agnew, which would limit local authorities’ interventions in admissions to situations…16 Sept 2025HANSARDEconomic GrowthWill my noble friend the Minister note that since the election interest rates have been cut five times? Will he also agree that this Government are not going to be lectured by an…16 Sept 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I do not want to prolong the debate, but I have to answer the charge that it is simply the academies that are improving standards in education, and maintained schools…10 Sept 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I will speak in particular to Amendments 436B, 436C, 437 and 437A. Before I became a union leader, doing the work of the devil, according to the noble Lord, Lord Nash, I…10 Sept 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill10 Sept 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I am aware that it is very late at night indeed. I have waited a long time to bring the amendment but, anyhow, it is not a long speech. The amendment is very simple. It…10 Sept 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI beg leave to withdraw the amendment.10 Sept 2025HANSARDGiving Every Child the Best Start in LifeMy Lords, I thank the Minister for an excellent Statement, which I really welcome. Best start, it seems to me, builds on the legacy of Sure Start. I noticed the telling research…07 Jul 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillThe noble Baroness, Lady Longfield, was not here at the beginning of this debate, so she has asked me to say that it is really important that there is good liaison between…23 Jun 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI absolutely acknowledge that, but it is important to note that such a provision was available and was defunded. The number of centres was decimated, which has had long-term…23 Jun 2025HANSARDPolice ServiceMy Lords, I declare an interest. I chaired an inquiry into the Police Federation of England and Wales, which was published in May this year and made 33 recommendations in respect…11 Jun 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillThe noble Lord asked where the members would get the information. That is the question to which I have replied. He is now saying that they are not disclosed in another place, but…10 Jun 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillIt was true pre-2016.10 Jun 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillI can inform the noble Lord that unions have to produce an executive report for the membership every year. That is available to all the membership; it is on the union’s website.…10 Jun 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillThis is the second time the noble Lord has taken on my noble friend Lady O’Grady, who made perfectly reasonable comments. I do not think it is a good idea to be patronising in the…05 Jun 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I was not going to speak to this amendment, but I have to say that the idea that schools have not been at the centre of child protection and safeguarding over the last…22 May 2025HANSARDYoung People’s Media LiteracyWill the Minister agree that a renewed focus on media literacy, which is absolutely necessary, will require significant support for the profession? The number of media studies…22 May 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillBoldly go?22 May 2025