Contributions
753 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSocial Housing Bill [HL]My Lords, I am very pleased to add my name to Amendment 76 in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady Neate, who has made a very powerful case indeed, and I will not repeat what she…20 Jul 2026HANSARDGovernment Record on Education, Employment and WelfareMy Lords, I welcome this opportunity to take stock of what I am sure the Minister will demonstrate is a pretty positive record. I will focus on social security—called “welfare” in…16 Jul 2026HANSARDSocial Security: Child PovertyTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the role of social security in achieving their aim of reducing child poverty.15 Jul 2026HANSARDSocial Security: Child PovertyMy Lords, the child poverty strategy demonstrates, as has my noble friend, the importance of social security, described recently by Minister Johnson as “the bedrock of our welfare…15 Jul 2026HANSARDChild PovertyThat this House takes note of the Government’s actions to tackle child poverty.18 Jun 2026HANSARDChild PovertyMy Lords, it is a real pleasure to introduce this debate on the first UK-wide child poverty strategy, and strategy for England, since 2010, during which time child poverty,…18 Jun 2026HANSARDChild PovertyMy Lords, I do not know where to start. It has been a fantastic debate, and I thank all noble Lords. I thank my noble friend, and I echo the very positive things that have been…18 Jun 2026HANSARDSocial Housing Bill [HL]I apologise that I was unable to contribute at Second Reading, but I am pleased to speak now in support of Amendment 65 and to follow the noble Baroness, Lady May, who made such a…17 Jun 2026HANSARDRefugee Move-on Period Pilot Evaluation ReportMy Lords, I cautiously welcomed the increase to 42 days, though those on the ground warn that the 56-day period, which was piloted, is needed to ensure that refugees can move on…10 Jun 2026HANSARDRefugee Move-on Period Pilot Evaluation ReportMy Lords—10 Jun 2026HANSARDKing’s SpeechMy Lords, I very much welcome the gracious Speech’s emphasis on economic security, which is of particular importance to people on low incomes, and its reference to the…18 May 2026HANSARDImmigration and Asylum (Provision of Accommodation to Failed Asylum-Seekers) (Amendment) Regulations 2026My Lords, I declare my interest as a RAMP associate. As the noble Baroness, Lady Teather—who I think of as a noble friend—said in her deeply moving speech, for the second week…21 Apr 2026HANSARDImmigration and Asylum (Provision of Accommodation to Failed Asylum-Seekers) (Amendment) Regulations 2026I thank my noble friend for addressing those issues. Is the intention eventually to put the 42 days into a statutory instrument? As I understand it, that is the case with the…21 Apr 2026HANSARDChild Poverty and Homelessness: Asylum and Settlement PoliciesTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the implications for their child poverty and homelessness strategies of their proposed changes in asylum and…14 Apr 2026HANSARDChild Poverty and Homelessness: Asylum and Settlement PoliciesMy Lords, the child poverty and homelessness strategies have been widely welcomed, but there is growing concern that the asylum and settlement policies will, as a recent Home…14 Apr 2026HANSARDStatement of Changes in Immigration RulesMy Lords, I too declare an interest as a RAMP associate. The changes to asylum law, triggered by the statement of changes, was heralded by the Home Secretary as “the most…14 Apr 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentMy Lords, I am glad that my noble friend the Minister talked about those who are not “sitting on benefits”—to quote the noble Lord, Lord Palmer—because the assumption is that all…24 Mar 2026HANSARDUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) BillMy Lords, it is an honour to follow the wonderful maiden speech of my noble friend Lady Antrobus, which came from both the heart and the head—there is no better combination. As…12 Mar 2026HANSARDUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) BillI am sorry to interrupt my noble friend, but a number of us have made the point about the thresholds for the benefit cap and the fact that child benefit is taken into account.…12 Mar 2026HANSARDChild Poverty StrategyMy Lords, the strategy has been widely welcomed for the reasons given by my noble friend and because of its holistic cross-government approach, but there is considerable concern…02 Mar 2026