Contributions
276 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSchools: Free Sanitary ProductsMy Lords, is it not an absolute disgrace that many young girls do not come to school because they are too embarrassed as they cannot afford proper equipment? Is there not a case…21 May 2019HANSARDChild PovertyPerhaps I may ask the Minister to give her response to the experiences of teachers reported in the survey: “Children are attending school not only hungry but with no coats and…21 May 2019HANSARDChild PovertyTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address the concerns raised by teachers in, and the findings of, the survey on child poverty published by the…21 May 2019HANSARDFood BanksMy Lords, is the Minister aware of recent reports of schools and teachers buying food, clothes and basic essentials to enable children to come to school, and that children feel…01 May 2019HANSARDFinancial Guidance and Claims Act 2018 (Naming and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2019My Lords, I did not participate in this Bill but I share the sentiments expressed so far about the need for financial guidance, advice and education to help people come to better…01 May 2019HANSARDImmigration: Community SponsorshipMy Lords, due to their poor English skills, many refugees find great barriers to finding jobs, getting housing and opening bank accounts, yet over the past 10 years, services…25 Apr 2019HANSARDUniversal Credit and Child Tax Credit: Two-child LimitMy Lords, nearly half of children from lone-parent families are in poverty, due not to worklessness but to disproportionately high housing costs and low wages. What are the…24 Apr 2019HANSARDBrexit: The Erasmus and Horizon Programmes (European Union Committee Report)My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Jay, for bringing forward the debate and for chairing the committee—of which I am a member—inquiry into another range of issues…01 Apr 2019HANSARDRefugeesMy Lords, is the Minister aware that the number of rough sleepers whose last settled base was asylum accommodation has increased over the past three years? If the Government’s…20 Mar 2019HANSARDChildren: Oral HealthMy Lords, what is the Government’s assessment of the number of children receiving dental care from Dentaid, a peripatetic charity that provides emergency care in third-world…12 Mar 2019HANSARDSocial Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2019My Lords, I too thank the Minister for her announcement today. It is always a privilege to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Lister, who knows so much about this subject. I too feel…05 Mar 2019HANSARDSocial Security Coordination (Council Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 and Council Regulation (EC) No 859/2003) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019My Lords, I too have some questions. In May 2018, the Commons European Scrutiny Committee raised very strong concerns about providing legally binding arrangements to protect…05 Mar 2019HANSARDGuaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2019I thank the Minister for her introduction of the orders and I am privileged to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Drake, who is such an expert on this matter. I too will raise a few…14 Feb 2019HANSARDSocial Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2019I thank the Minister for his introduction to the orders. The freezing of working age benefits means that tax credits increase benefits only for workers and children who are…11 Feb 2019HANSARDSocial Metrics CommissionMy Lords, given the variations in poverty rates across the regions—as much as 10%, according to the report—what plans do the Government have to address the specific causes, issues…29 Jan 2019HANSARDLocal Authorities: Essential ServicesIt is always a great pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Bird, with his very many direct experiences of local government. I declare my interest as a vice-president of the…24 Jan 2019