Contributions
408 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPoverty ReductionMy Lords, I am quite overwhelmed by the noble Lord, Lord Bird, and his very inspirational speech, and I thank him. Poverty is not a subject on which I normally speak, so this has…22 Feb 2024HANSARDInter Faith NetworkMy Lords, whichever way you look at this, the optics are not good. It was news to me that the Government do not engage with the Muslim Council of Britain. Our group met its new,…22 Feb 2024HANSARDHate CrimesMy Lords—21 Feb 2024HANSARDConversion Therapy Prohibition (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) Bill [HL]That the Bill be now read a second time.09 Feb 2024HANSARDConversion Therapy Prohibition (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) Bill [HL]My Lords, I rode up in the lift this morning with the noble Lord, Lord Forsyth. He said to me, “I think they’re going to give you a hard time”. Well, they did not disappoint. I…09 Feb 2024HANSARDConversion Therapy Prohibition (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) Bill [HL]I knew your Lordships would like that one. The Bill is deliberately couched in general language so we can build on the discussion today and bring forward amendments to make it…09 Feb 2024HANSARDConversion Therapy Prohibition (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) Bill [HL]My Lords, I am very grateful to all noble Lords who have given up their Friday to attend Second Reading. I will be referring to the LGBT+ community as a whole, but in the light of…09 Feb 2024HANSARDVictims and Prisoners BillMy Lords, in the main I welcome the measures introduced in Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the Bill, with provisos. While I welcome the enforcement of the victims’ code in law, it needs to…18 Dec 2023HANSARDViolence Against Women and GirlsI want to say how powerful I thought the Minister’s reply a couple of questions ago was and commend the noble Baroness, Lady Chakrabarti, on pointing out the role that men can…04 Dec 2023HANSARDAbortion Clinics: Safe Access ZonesMy Lords, anti-abortion protesters and groups were spreading their misinformation and distressing images when I was at university, which is more years ago than I care to admit.…20 Nov 2023HANSARDKing’s SpeechMy Lords, in the time available to me, I would have liked to address my remarks to the effect that the new legislation will have on two of my main areas of interest: equalities…09 Nov 2023HANSARDPrison CapacityMy Lords, in the spirit of helpfulness, I wonder if I can help the Minister with his overcrowding problem. As the Statement said, there remain about 3,000 prisoners who have been…17 Oct 2023HANSARDGeneral Medical Council: Internal GuidanceMy Lords, I welcome the Minister’s comments on the GMC and endorse its independent role. I commend its wish to treat all patients with dignity and respect. Even though there are…17 Oct 2023HANSARDFarming: Net ZeroThe basic payment scheme is due to be wound down next year and, as I understand it, the cross-compliance rules, such as not maintaining hedgerows between 1 March and 31 August to…20 Sept 2023HANSARDWorker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) BillMy Lords, taking this Bill through your Lordships’ House has been somewhat of a challenge, but I am delighted to see the finishing post coming up—for this House anyway—until it…12 Sept 2023HANSARDWorker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) BillThat the Bill do now pass.12 Sept 2023HANSARDSchools: AdmissionsTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child’s recommendation that the United Kingdom should prevent…17 Jul 2023HANSARDSchools: AdmissionsMy Lords, I am not sure that is quite correct. Not a lot of people know this, but children from non-religious families may experience double discrimination when it comes to…17 Jul 2023HANSARDWorker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) BillMy Lords, I thank the Minister and fellow Peers for our productive discussions on the Bill in recent weeks. I was honoured to sponsor it in our House, following the efforts of my…14 Jul 2023HANSARDLevelling-up and Regeneration BillMy Lords, I wish, of course, to support my noble friends Lady Thornhill and Lady Scott of Needham Market on Amendment 59. But I wish to address my remarks to government Amendment…13 Jul 2023