Contributions
1,892 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDUK Population GrowthI agree that we must tackle our abysmal productivity rates. It is something I have focused on, I have to say, since long before I came to this House. There are things that we can…04 Mar 2024HANSARDUK Population GrowthI saw that piece as well and I was pleased to see teachers coming in specialisms such as physics, where it is very difficult to get people to come into teaching at the sort of…04 Mar 2024HANSARDUK Population GrowthThe interesting thing about the fertility figure, which the noble Baroness rightly mentioned, is that it is partly about people delaying when they have children and partly linked…04 Mar 2024HANSARDUK Population GrowthThe Government have made it quite clear that the most recent immigration figures are much too high, and that of course causes problems of the kind that my noble friend has…04 Mar 2024HANSARDUK Population GrowthMy Lords, the UK population is projected to increase by 6.6 million, or 9.9%, by mid-2036. Of the total projected increase, 0.5 million is projected to result from the higher…04 Mar 2024HANSARDUK Population GrowthThe figure for June 2023 was actually down to 672,000 people, but my noble friend is right to point to the problem of underemployment. The focus of the Secretary of State for Work…04 Mar 2024HANSARDUK Population GrowthThe figures are broken down in some of the analysis that has been done by the ONS. Of course, the ONS is independent and impartial, which is an important strength. On students, it…04 Mar 2024HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) BillMy Lords, I thank all those who have contributed to today’s debate in support of the Bill, including my noble friends Lady Noakes and Lord Wolfson of Tredegar, the noble Baroness,…20 Feb 2024HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) BillI was going to say that, although public authorities and individuals played a role, it was by acting in concert with the UK Government that we were able to pressure the South…20 Feb 2024HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) BillI am grateful for the comments of the noble Lord, Lord Hain. I will certainly look into this further and perhaps we can come back to it on another occasion. Perhaps we could move…20 Feb 2024HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) BillI would be happy to do that and to discuss these clauses in Committee, in the usual way. The Bill does not break international law and will not compel any public authority—20 Feb 2024HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) BillThe instructions for the drafting were to ensure the distinction and compliance. The Bill sets these out individually and I understand that it is compliant. The Government believe…20 Feb 2024HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) BillThat is my sense, but I will obviously check where we are. I would also make it clear that things such as conference centres and so on are obviously outside the remit. I will come…20 Feb 2024HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) BillWe will move on. Obviously, I agree that the history of—20 Feb 2024HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) BillI said what I said with due advice and knowledge. I take the points that have been made.20 Feb 2024HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) BillThat the bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole House, and that it be an instruction to the Committee of the Whole House that they consider the bill in the following order:…20 Feb 2024HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) BillI do not entirely understand the question, but I am happy to research that and come back. The basic point is that public bodies should not be pursuing country-specific campaigns,…20 Feb 2024HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) BillI made it clear that it is compliant. I will write a letter setting that out in the coming days. As many noble Lords have said, there has been a rising problem of anti-Semitism…20 Feb 2024HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) BillMy Lords, at a time of increasing global division, the effective communication of the United Kingdom’s foreign policy is vital. In order to achieve our objectives, the nation must…20 Feb 2024HANSARDEconomic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) BillThat the Bill be now read a second time.20 Feb 2024